CHAPTER SIX
Victory requires payment in advance.
Ana walked into Ronnie’s house and admired the Halloween decorations and knew her friend’s worn-down mansion was the perfect place for the party. Only the rooms on the second level had been redecorated, which meant the faded grandeur of the first floor was the perfect backdrop for a haunted evening. Hearing a whistle, she looked up and saw her friend dressed as a Southern grande dame. “I see you’ve taken to dressing like your sweet mother.”
Running her hand down her gold caftan, she nodded. “What do you think?”
She let out a giggle and watched her descended the staircase slowly with a martini glass in hand. “Why…Mrs. DuMond, it’s a pleasure to see you in our fair state of Florida.”
“It’s not my practice to travel so far for such a small social affair, but I felt it was my duty to attend.” Covering her mouth, she started laughing as she hit the landing. “I swear my mama just took over my body.”
“Did you steal the caftan out of her closet?”
“No, I had her maid do it.” She flipped out her hand and flashed her rings. “These, however, are paste jewels since I didn’t dare ask to borrow the real thing.”
“I think your mama would love to see you like this and it might actually give her a false sense of hope that you’ve turned into the proper Southern woman you were raised to be.”
“Like that was ever going to happen,” Ronnie replied as she stepped back and picked up Ana’s hand, twirling her around. “Are you dressed as your date this evening?”
She smoothed her hand over her jersey and winked. “Hello, I’m Jack Ellis, defensive end for the Miami Sharks.” Jutting out her hip, she smiled. “Am I a believable football player?”
“No, and this a sorry attempt at a costume. I know dressing up isn’t your thing, but this is pretty pathetic.”
“No, it’s not, and you’re going to eat your words when Jack is standing next to me dressed in a doctor’s white lab coat. I think switching identities for the evening is brilliant.”
“I suppose it’s okay, but why didn’t you let me get you a costume?”
“Because the last time you got one for me, it was extremely itchy.” She adjusted her jersey and stared down at her feet. “At least I’m comfortable and wearing these cool shoes.” She put out her foot and twisted it around. “These are the ones Jack helped design, and I think they’re fab.”
“They’re running shoes, and you just like them because your feet don’t hurt.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” Ronnie replied as she took her hand and led her over to the bar. “Let’s go have a pre-party drink so you can catch me up on what’s happening.”
“Not much has occurred since he’s been out of town, but I will tell you he’s crossed my mind a few hundred times since last Tuesday night.”
Ronnie nodded as she made two martinis. “Just a few hundred?”
“I know; it sounds pathetic when I say it aloud.”
No, it doesn’t,” Ronnie replied before she handed over a martini and then walked around the bar, hoisting herself up on a stool. “It sounds like the beginning of something important, though.”
Ana took a healthy sip and watched Ronnie do the same. “I didn’t think he’d get to me the way he has and I’m surprised as anyone.”
“A good surprise or one that leaves you sleepless?”
“Definitely a good one.”
“I think the man is either going to become the love of your life or he’s going to ruin you for all others. I don’t mean to give you such a dire prediction, but that’s my gut feeling.”
Ana studied her hands. “I have the same feeling and ignoring it does not make it go away. I’ve spoken to him every day, and each conversation is longer and better than the last. We spend hours talking about random things, and I’ve discovered we have a lot in common.”
“Like what?” Ronnie asked.
“Well, we both love crime shows, fried chicken, Cajun music, and swimming. He also falls asleep early, just like I do.”
“Weirdly enough, he may be your perfect match.”
“I know since he might be just as boring as I am.”
“Clearly, a match made in heaven.”
“Don’t mock me,” Ana replied as she heard the front door open. “There you are,” she called out as Ella walked in.
“Please, don’t say anything. I know this costume isn’t great, but it was a last-minute decision, and it shows.”
“Are you supposed to be Medusa before the curse?” Ronnie asked as she got up and walked around the bar.
“I knew you’d get it, but I’m afraid that no one else is going to understand what I’m going for.”
Ana got up and walked around Ella and then nodded. “I think people will get it. Is Clark dressing up as Poseidon?”
“I’m not sure since we had a fight the other day before he left. He wants to date me for real, and I’m not ready to give in.”
Ana and Ronnie asked, “Why?” in unison.
“Because he’ll break my heart. If we date, I’ll get attached, and then he’ll get bored and leave. You can’t mix a football player and me and expect to have good results. He thinks that dating a person with a big brain is all fun and games, but what happens when he figures out that I’m just a big geek with unruly hair and an unnatural affinity for numbers?”
“I can’t really argue with anything you’ve said, though I want to,” Ana said. “I think all of those same things about Jack, and yet I can’t make myself stop walking into the fire.”
Ronnie made another batch of martinis, handed them out, and then took a seat. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, considering what happened between Brian and me, but I would be remiss if I didn’t.”
“What is it?” Ella asked as she leaned forward.
“There are two men who are very interested in pursuing relationships, and I think you both need to get out of your own way and go for it.” Holding up her hand, she gave both a hard stare. “Don’t play the odds and hope for a love story for the ages. Go for it with everything you have and see what happens.”
“But…” Ana said.
“No!” Ronnie replied. “I went all in with Brian, and I don’t regret it for a minute, even if I did end up with shattered hopes and dreams. At least I know there was nothing else I could’ve done to make it work.”
“He was a lying scum-sucking son of a bitch who cheated on you and deserves to have his penis cut off,” Ella said firmly. “I hope he marinates in his stupidity for a long time to come and regrets his choices every day for the rest of his life.”
“That’s one way of looking at it,” Ronnie responded. “But another way might be to thank God and whoever else is in charge from saving me from a near disaster.”
“That’s very healthy,” Ana responded. “And if you have one more martini, then I bet you’ll really start to believe what you’re saying.”
“Fake it till you make it,” Ronnie responded as she stood. “I’m going to check in with Gerald and make sure everything is set for the party. This house is about to be filled with two hundred of Florida’s athletic superstars.”
Ana kissed Ronnie’s cheek and then let Ella do the same. “Go get ‘em, girl.”
“I always do,” Ronnie responded before walking into the kitchen.
Turning to Ella, she tipped her head. “So, what are you going to do about Clark?”
“I have no idea. I guess my answer will come when we finally lay eyes on each other. What are you going to do about Jack?”
“Lock him in a room and have my way with him until we're both sweaty and satisfied.”
Letting out a loud laugh, Ella nodded. “As long as you have a plan.”
Taking Ella’s hand, she pulled her toward the patio. “God willing, he’ll go along with it.”
***
Jack walked into Ronnie’s house with Clark at his side and looked around. The place was packed with the cream of professional sports in Florida, and he knew most of them were Ronnie’s clients. And the ones who weren’t soon would be. “Let’s find the girls.”
“I don’t know if Ella wants me to find her,” Clark said quietly. “We had a little disagreement before I left and haven’t spoken since Friday.” Running his hand over his costume, he let out a long breath. “I decided to go ahead and match her costume in case she decides to give us a chance.”
“What was the disagreement over?”
“She just wants to have at me with no relationship, and I said no. Which resulted in her talking my ear off and giving me lots of examples of why it wouldn’t work.” Moving his long hair over his shoulder, he sighed. “I have to tell you, dating a genius is not for the faint of heart. Truth be told, I didn’t understand half the things she was saying, but held onto my argument in spite of it.”
“Why do you want a relationship so badly if she’s not interested?”
“Because if I don’t start now, then when? She’s the first woman who isn’t impressed with my accomplishments on the field or my bank account, and if someone like her is interested in someone like me, then shortchanging it with a fling would be stupid.” Crossing his arms, he looked out at the crowd. “I just have to stay strong and not give in to her demands. And before you say it, I know I’m the woman in this relationship.”
“As long as you know what you want, then I say go for it. You’re one of the meanest sons of bitches in the NFL, and you can act however you want.”
Clark clapped him on the back. “Thanks, man. Let’s find the ladies and see if they like our costumes. By the way, how did you convince Ana to wear your jersey to the party?”
“It wasn’t hard. She doesn’t like to dress up, and comfort is her first consideration for clothes. When I told her she could wear leggings and my jersey and a hat, she was all in. I even got her a pair of the new shoes that I helped design.” Throwing his friend a shit-eating grin, he rocked back on his heels. “Luckily, she never clued in to the fact that wearing my jersey told everyone she was off the market.”
“Yeah, and that big possessive arm you like to drape around her shoulders probably doesn’t hurt either.”
Jack gazed around the room again and then at his friend. “I like this woman, and plan on having my hands on her as much as she’ll let me.”
“Said the caveman to his friend,” Clark replied. “What the fuck?” he mumbled.
“Where?”
“My woman is wearing a damn costume that is leaving very little to the imagination. And an offensive tackle from Jacksonville is enjoying the view.”
“Is she supposed to be Medusa before the curse?”
“Close your damn eyes and don’t look at her,” Clark called over his shoulder as he stalked away, then said, “Those fuckers are soon going to learn what Poseidon is capable of.”
Shaking his head, he hoped that whatever Clark was about to do wasn’t going to require a call to 911. He walked into the backyard in search of his other half and spotted her in a group of people across the lawn and cursed quietly to himself.
His jersey strategy wasn’t working out very well because a pro-golfer was handing her a drink with a smile that spelled trouble. Which absolutely wasn’t going to happen since he was going to crush the guy’s hopes with his huge fist if he didn’t get his hands off her by the time he made it across the lawn.
“Ana!” Turning, she caught sight of him and gave him a smile that lit up her face. “That’s what I’m talking about,” he mumbled as he cut across the crowd and then swept her into his arms. “Missed you, honey.”
“I missed you too,” she said with her mouth against his neck.
Relief and anticipation whipped through him as he held her tightly against his frame. Five days apart was too fucking long. Moving his hand under her jersey, he felt her shiver against his touch. “So many things I want to do to you.”
Wiggling out of his hold, she slithered down his body and looked up. “To me or with me?”
“Both,” he replied as threaded his fingers through her silky hair. Pulling it, he tilted her head back and sucked in the lush fullness of her bottom lip, lightly raking his teeth across her tender flesh.
“Get a room,” someone called out.
Releasing her mouth slowly, he glanced around and couldn’t determine who said it. “Can’t a man kiss his woman in peace?”
Moving her hair over her shoulder, she let out a laugh. “That was going to be a lot more than a kiss and very inappropriate for the middle of a party.”
Tucking her under his arm, he frowned. “Really?”
“One more minute and I would’ve been ripping off your clothes.”
Grinning, he kissed her head. “I like the sound of that; are you ready to leave?”
She swatted his chest. “No! We’re not running out of here with our hair on fire and advertise to everyone that we lack manners and self-control.”
Dragging his thumb across her bottom lip roughly, he heard her intake of breath and knew she was closer to giving in than her speech suggested. “Another part of me is on fire and would be very happy if we had our reunion in private.”
“Let’s stay for a little while and then we can leave.”
“Really?” he asked as pulled her into his arms.
“Really,” she replied.
He drew in a deep breath, did his best to ignore the heat, tension, and something he couldn’t define string his body tight. “Exactly how long is a little while?”
“Three hours.”
“Make it an hour and a half, and I promise to do my best not to ravage you in front of God and everyone.”
“Deal,” she replied as she slipped her arm around his waist. “I’m going to take you on, by the way.”
Turning her so they were face to face, he ran his hand over her cheek. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely.”
Moving his mouth to her jaw, he traced a path to her neck and tasted sweetness. “I promise that you won’t regret it.”
“I’m going to hold you to it, Jack because you might very well have the power to destroy me if you’re not what I think.”
The entire world shrunk and all he could see and feel was Ana as her small hand rested against his chest. “I plan on being the man of your dreams.”
“Since they all currently involve you, I’d say you have a better than average chance of making that happen.”
Scoffing, he dropped his mouth again and showed her that he’d always be the one, no matter what it took.