Uncovered (6 page)

“Yes.” I said softly, my white flag obvious.

He lifted his hand and glided his thumb along my lower lip, feeling my aroused lips. I opened my mouth and sucked his thumb in, just for a moment, before my senses came back and I turned my head away.

“We better head back.” He said as he took a step back. “I know Ben appreciates women who speak their mind, and I think Olivia was born to.” He picked a couple of bottles and walked out.

——

“Does he have the whole top floor to himself?” Asked Olivia as Ben placed another raspberry in her glass.

“Yeah, pretty much. Sometimes he throws a barbecue and invites the neighbors over, otherwise it’s just him.”

“This is a very large place to be so secluded. Shit, you could play tennis here!” Olivia looked around. “Or have a dog park. Cesar certainly likes it.” She tossed a cocktail shrimp and watched the dog run down to the other side and fetch it.

“Jace could do a lot of things, if someone could drag him away from work.” Ben’s words hung in the air.

“He’s that in love with it?”

“He
was
in love with it. I don’t think so now. I think it’s more like an escape.”

“Escape from what, the good life?” Olivia raised her eyebrow.

“Nah, he doesn’t have the case of keeping up with.” Ben looked in the black shadow of the lake ahead of them, “Personal stuff.”

“Running from commitment?” Olivia saw she hit the mark by Ben’s deep exhale.

“More like afraid it would be the same ride that ended up sideways after a few turns.”

“Was the ride long?”

“Two years, I think.”

“How long has it been over?”

“About six months.”

“Must have been serious if it’s still bothering him.”

“She was everything he thought he wanted. A good looking fashion model, passionate, not overly demanding. Fun.”

“What happened to them?”

“I guess for her, career was more important. She always had guys chase her so money didn’t impress her. And she definitely wanted to live in her home country. So one day she just told him that was that.”

“Do you think they were in love?” Olivia tossed another shrimp.

“I don’t think they knew what love was. They pieced it together from what they’ve been shown in movies and on TV. Love isn’t just baby talk, hugs and impromptu sex in the bungalows on the beach. Love is also holding them tight when they are shaking with fear, terrified of opening up and peering into their own abyss. The only thing that lets them go deeper is knowing that they have someone who will throw the rope down to save them.”

“That’s deep. Where did you get that from, a philosophy textbook?” Said Olivia with a small smile.

“I think a lot in the shower,” said Ben with a small smile. “And I take long showers.” He faced her, her eyes were full of attention. “I would be careful about getting friendly with me, might pull you right in with my observations.”

“You think I can’t handle it?” Olivia licked her lips.

“A fine looking lady like yourself? No chance.”

She quickly darted her eyes down and to the side, then came closer to Ben. Her lips were now inches away. “If I were you I would kiss me right now.”

Ben put his hand under her chin, leaned in closer and placed a soft, moist kiss on the corner of her lips.

“This will have to do.” He pulled back. “After all, I need to be wined and dined first.”

Chapter 6

Jace

The phone cut through the air conditioned silence, jolting me out of my bed.

Ring…

Riiing…

As I reached for it I checked the time. Four AM, this was always a shitty time for any calls.

“Hello?” My hoarse voice resonated through the bedroom.

“Hey Jace.”

I recognized her voice immediately and concentrated myself to pause and collect.

“Giselle.”
That’s good, keep it
n
eutral
,
you’re doing fine.

“Hey papi. How are you?” Her voice rushed through my ear down into my heart, kicking it hard.

“Fine. Working.”

Why the hell are you calling me now, it’s been four months.

“Busy as always, mister business.” She let out a laugh. “I’ve been busy too. I am opening the new Gucci line.”
Kick, punch, kick. Like we are best of fucking friends.

“Yeah, I heard somewhere.” I ground my teeth.

Silence hung on the wires, I imagined her, who knows where and with whom, but I started to remember more pieces of her. Her soft skin, her cat like eyes. Her soft yet strong touch. Her mouth. That fucking million dollar mouth.

“Papi, did you hear I am coming back?” her voice was filled with just a dash of hope, something that rarely happened with Giselle.

“No.” I lied, clearing my throat.

“Oh,” she paused, “Well I am, very soon! Things had been crazy since I did GQ.”

“I heard.” My breath caught in my throat. “Congratulations.”

Just breathe. In and out. Just focus on the breath.

“Oh so you keep track of me.” She let out a laugh, her voice penetrating deep into my body. “Does that mean you miss me?”

No. Yes. No. I have no idea anymore.

“Just heard you are doing well.”

“I am doing great!” her excited voice cut off. “That’s too bad you didn’t miss me.
I
missed you.”

Blood rushed into my head as about a million things I could say blasted through my brain. True, a large part of those things would involve curses, but at least I’d feel like I had a chance to penetrate her ice cold heart and be real with her, if I could just get her to uncover herself just a little.

Before I had a chance to open my mouth I heard voices in the background.

“Papi, let’s catch up when I’m back in Chicago.” Her voice turned to half a whisper. “So I can see how things are.” Click.

Silence engulfed my bedroom, but the energy levels would set off detectors a mile away. The only thing I could hear was my own heart beat echoing through the room.

Chapter 7

Kate

The Belmont harbor was one of the most beautiful marinas I’ve ever seen. Situated right downtown it presented the beautiful combination of glistening pearl white boats slowly murmuring in the soft waves on one side and the beautiful parks nesting at the steps of skyscrapers across. Freedom on one side, wealth and prosperity on both. After greeting the marina supervisor we made our way past the large yachts docked around. Judging by the size I guessed most here were easily multi million boats and more. On a few of them people were getting ready for sailing trips as they double checked the equipment. On others hired crews were washing down the boats the smooth newly waxed lines shined bright in the sun.

We walked over to the end of the dock where a large triple decked boat was majestically resting upon the waves. It’s three levels contributed to a size that made a strong presence as it eclipsed the nearby yachts. A large sun deck was located in the front. In the back I saw another one filled with lounging couches and a huge hot tub. On the second deck I could see the captains cabin. I couldn’t see what was on the third level but from experience I guessed it was an observation deck. On the back of the boat I saw her name,
Bella Fortuna
.

“This is us.” Jace nodded ahead.

“Holy wow. She’s beautiful Jace. I’ve never even seen a yacht that big.” I said as my eyes got big.

“Yeah she is a powerful girl, comes in handy in high seas. I wouldn’t trust another boat with my life when I go trans Atlantic.”

“I’ve always dreamed of doing that!” I exclaimed. “How long does it take to cross?”

“From the east coast to Europe? Two weeks. That’s if the pirates don’t get ya.” He winked at me.

“Pirates, seriously?” My eyebrows shot up.

“Happens, that’s why we carry guns on board.” He squeezed my butt. “No worries, you are not surrendering this booty to anyone but me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Come on, that’s like the oldest joke ever.”

“What joke?” he licked his lips and grinned at me, his eyes sparking with fire. I looked down caught by the attraction. Damn he was handsome and bold. Sometime he’d turn it on just for a second, showing me the inferno inside, before retreating within himself. When I looked up again it was gone, a carefully constructed mask covered his emotions.

I looked past the yacht into the blue that stretched as far as eye could see. “Does the lake get choppy once you are out far enough?”

“Not really, most of the time it’s smooth as silk. A few rare times in the summer you will get those days with the waves.” He held my hand and helped me from the pier to the beautiful teak deck. “For the bigger challenge I usually ship her to the Bahamas or New York.”

Inside,
Bella Fortuna
was even more impressive. Dripped in modern luxury, the red wood complimented the light beige theme in taste. Two large pearl couches with dozens of throw pillows accented the main room. A huge flat screen TV was opposite, mounted on the wall with the top shelf booze cabinet below. An antique African theme wooden table sat atop the soft shaggy carpet. Upon it a bronze model of an airplane midflight. The custom ceiling lights above were switched on creating the night sky effect with hundreds of lights randomly glistening throughout. I’ve heard about this night sky feature in Rolls Royce cars but this was a first time I’ve seen it done anywhere else.

While Jace was setting up for the cruise I walked to the kitchen and opened up a box of strawberries to compliment a bottle of rose champaign he picked out for us. He told me that once we get out a few miles out of the harbor there won’t be many boats around so a little celebration and drinking will be quite alright for our summer fun.

“Come on up here, I need my first mate.” His voice radiated through the boat’s speakers.

Drinks in hand, I made my way up the steps to the captains bridge where Jace was sitting behind the controls. His shirt was off and his beautiful body was getting kissed by the sun. His broad muscular back had started to get tan, a few drops of moisture appearing between his shoulder blades.

“Kate, you are my first in command so you gonna need to listen up. This is the throttle, you push it forward and she starts to go… forward” he paused and looked at me.

I playfully punched his arm. “Jace I know what a throttle is.”

“Very good.” He said. “I guess we can skip the orientation on the occasion of you being a gifted young lady.”

“Aye captain.” I saluted and leaned over the control board. “Just one question, which one is the brake?”

His eyes smiled as he got it. “Boat was expensive as it is, had to cut some features. Gives it more personality.”

I laughed, “Is this one of those owners and boats are alike things?”

“We are only a few dozen miles of lake away from you finding out, aren’t we?”
Damn, check mate.
He was good and so self assured. I thought I’d been doing a good job of keeping up but it was as if he wanted me to react, to show him where my boundaries were. A thought hit me like a ton of bricks, was it possible that he didn’t understand that I was already adjusting them because of my attraction to him. Did he really need to see how far I’d take it? I pushed the thought out of my head choosing to concentrate on the present.

“A drink?” I looked over to the champaign.

“A toast!” He raised his glass, “To the open waters and a beautiful company! I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world.”

My cheeks blushed a little as I looked at his sincere face.

He reached over to the controls. “Crew, take your seats we are ready for takeoff!” He switched the ignition on with a press of a button.
Bella Fortuna
came purring alive, kicking water by the propellers.

“Here we go!” he thrust the throttle forward and the boat started gliding across the waves leaving white foamy trails in our wake.

“I am going to take us along the coast. It is a very nice view of downtown from the water.” Jace shouted over the wind. He kept the boat cruising steadily through the channel as he pointed out different buildings and shared their history. We played the ‘name your favorite building’ game, agreeing that Chicago’s skyline rivals some of the best in the world. He turned the boat and pointed it’s nose away from the city. Looking at his glistening muscles bulge as he worked the wheel it occurred to me that Jace must have taken a day off work.

“Yeah, I called in today,” He said. “Well, you know, just said I’ll be out of the office. It’s been a while since I took a day off but sometimes you need a good reason to change it up.” His lips curled up. “And this one is a good one. What would you be doing today?” he asked.

I twisted my mouth to the side forming a small bow as I thought about it, “I probably would be worrying about my application.” I said.

“So you’ve decided on Kellogg?”

“I think so. I mean I didn’t want to be too far from home and since it’s one of the best schools it just made sense. I guess I have some of that parental pressure but I always wanted to live up to my potential, you know?”

“You’re talking to the guy who was trying to do it his whole life, Kate. For me now that is the way to live. I guess I can’t complain, look at where I am right now.” He said speaking more to himself. “Kellogg is a great school, in due time you’ll be taking me out on your boat.”

“I’ll drink to that!” I toasted his glass, excited by his approval.

“By the way, how do you feel about taking her for a spin?” he pointed to the wheel.

“Oh Jace, I’d love to but I want to be very careful.”

“No worries, let’s just point her to the other side of the lake and launch. Come over here.”

He took my hand and pulled me closer to him. I sat down on his lap and grabbed the wheel. His muscular chest so close against my back I felt perfectly secure, completely safe.

He placed his hands on my waist. “We shouldn’t run across too many boats as we hit the open water. Punch it!”

“Aye Captain!” I shouted and gunned the throttle.
Bella Fortuna’s
nose lifted in the air pressing me harder against Jace’s hard body. The boat launched forward like a tigress leaping after her pray. We skipped over waves leaving a wake of long white trails behind us.