A Game of Secrets, page 4
“How is it?” Willow asked around her bite of deep-dish apple pie topped with the same vanilla ice cream.
“So good,” Sasha responded, while reaching for another bite. “So, so good!”
Kind of like her night with Zorro, she thought, her noni muscles clenching at the mere memory of that hot caramel experience. The decadent dessert she now enjoyed was almost as good, but not quite.
Four
“Um, that is...so good!”
Jake was walking behind Sasha’s chair but within earshot when she said the words seared in his memory from last night’s rendezvous. He almost tripped over his Tims but managed to keep walking. Hard to do when one’s head was about to explode.
Sasha was the tigress? TJ’s sister, Lincoln’s fiancée, was the one from last night who’d taken her tight body and turned him out? No effing way.
He bypassed the very visible bar where he’d been heading and continued on to the restroom and tried to reconcile his impossible thoughts. He spent extra time washing his hands and replaying last night’s love fest in his mind. He tried to recall the facial features the mask left uncovered, along with every other physical attribute of the stranger he could bring to mind. He looked at his own face with its deer-in-headlights expression and sighed audibly. Last night’s dream couldn’t turn into today’s nightmare. Sasha couldn’t be the tiger. That would mess up everything.
He reentered the main room determined to find out if the impossible was correct. Fortunately, with service over, many had gotten up to chat with guests at other tables. Sasha was standing near where she’d eaten, talking with Avery and her husband, Cayden—Jake’s best friend. The setup was perfect. He pushed through a set of nerves and entered their space.
He gave a nod to Cayden and said, “I see you’ve met Sasha.”
“I have. Avery’s impressed and,” he turned his attention to Sasha, “my wife doesn’t impress easily.”
He continued speaking with Jake. “Avery’s angling to do her wedding, then after the honeymoon have them relocate here and join On Point.”
“Wow, her whole life rearranged in a single afternoon.” Jake’s expression was one of mock admiration as he looked at Avery, covering the sick feeling brought on by the thought of Sasha being last night’s mystery kitten but married and unavailable for an entire lifetime. “I think that’s a record, girl.”
Avery nudged Jake and swatted at Cayden. “Pay these two troublemakers no mind. My work and resume speak for themselves. It’s why Val has twice hired me to do her event. I know DC has its own social landscape and I’m sure there are wedding planners worth their weight in gold. But On Point has a special way of capturing the essence of whomever we work with and adding unique touches that make ours the most memorable events around. As I said, check out the reviews on our website, along with the photos from some of the weddings we’ve done. I’m very proud of the work we’ve put out there and would hold it up next to anyone.”
“Alright, honey, that’s enough work for one Sunday,” Cayden gently chided. “Did you get a chance to say hello to Bob?”
Avery looked over to where Tami and her friend Bob were talking with Mona and Derrick, Jake’s dad. “No, and I haven’t spoken to Derrick either.” She turned to Sasha. “I’m looking forward to our lunch date next week. I’m sure Willow is too. And I promise the talk won’t be all about work.”
Jake and Sasha watched as Cayden playfully dragged Avery away. An awkward silence followed their quiet laughter and Jake’s attention shifted from the couple to Sasha. His eyes did a slow travel from head to toe and back. She looked shorter than the pussycat he’d pleasured last night but that could be a simple difference in heel size. He studied her pretty, heart-shaped face, almond-shaped eyes and lips he could imagine that he’d kissed before.
“Why are you staring?”
“Oh, was I staring?” Jake asked, still scrutinizing.
“Yes, you’re staring. It’s borderline rude.” He continued looking at her, studying her. Sasha shifted from one leg to the other.
“When is Reign getting back in town?”
Jake crossed his arms and began his interrogation. “When did you get here?”
“What?”
“You heard me. When did you arrive in Chicago?”
“This morning. Why?”
“Because I want to know.” What he did next could only be categorized as temporary insanity. He stepped toward her and sniffed.
Yep, her eyes told him he’d lost it. Kudos to her, though. She played it off. Meanwhile he was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, his suspicions were simply that.
When she spoke, her voice was low and measured. “You’re weird.”
The tigress’s cologne had been unmistakable. Sasha didn’t smell like that. Still, something about something he couldn’t put his finger on wouldn’t let him leave the subject. Not quite yet.
“Did you attend a party last night?”
Her hesitation in responding was so slight it was as though he imagined it. “A party?”
“Yeah, you know, one of those things where a bunch of people get together and music is played. There’s usually food and—”
“Jake, I know the definition of a party.”
“Were you there last night, wearing a reddish-blond, curly wig and dressed like a tiger?”
He thought her laughter overly bright but then again, he might have been imagining discomfort where there was none.
“Well, were you?”
“I know Lincoln and TJ asked you to look out for me. I appreciate it, but seriously, you inquiring of my every move is not only unnecessary but I can see that it could quickly become downright irritating.”
“Does that mean you don’t want to tell me where you were last night?”
“I was preparing to come here, to Point du Sable, to help my godmother, Val Baldwin, put on her annual holiday drive. Want to see my plane ticket?”
He raised a brow. “Do you have it on you?”
Sasha’s expression made him laugh out loud.
She looked beyond him and waved. “Bye, Jake.”
He turned in time to see Val walking over with one of the women Jake remembered being a regular at the PDS Country Club. He wanted to keep questioning Sasha. He wanted to keep doing anything that kept her around. She may not be the party pussycat, but she was equally captivating. Engaged, or not.
But she is engaged. Which means unavailable. TJ’s your boy with lots of connections. Lincoln could very well become your partner in the DC business venture you’ve planned. Don’t defecate where you dine.
These were the thoughts that followed him once he left home and headed over to the country club for a game of basketball with friends. Jake wasn’t one for following rules but he’d never knowingly try and break up a relationship either. Sasha said she hadn’t attended the HalloMask party. That should have made him happy. Somehow it didn’t. By the time he’d reached the club and headed into the gym, he’d had a major attitude adjustment. Sasha not having attended the party meant that the beautiful woman with whom he’d had amazing sex with was still out there. Somewhere. Jake was not only a patient man, but a determined one. Then and there, he set a goal. Find the tigress. He wouldn’t stop until he did.
Five
Sasha was thankful for the busy week. She’d had a pleasant conversation with Val’s daughter Valencia. She’d joined Val at the committee meeting for the food, clothing and toy drive and been given the responsibility of reaching out to potential sponsors outside Chicago. Along with her own contacts, Val had provided a list to cold call, not Sasha’s strongest suit but a definite way to help keep her mind off Zorro. And Jake.
Jake had been at the HalloMask party. He’d described her costume to a tee. But how could that be when Reign said he wouldn’t be there and if so, he wouldn’t be wearing a mask. Zorro wore a mask. At one point, that’s almost all he’d had on.
Jake. Zorro. Images of both men flashed through her mind. Very different yet in some ways strikingly similar at the same time. Their height, for instance, and skin tone. That smile. Those lips. Since seeing him at the brunch and being questioned about the party, an incredible scenario began to form in her mind. An impossible possibility. An inconceivable coincidence.
Jake Eddington was Zorro. Zorro was Jake Eddington. Her secret lover was her ex-fiancé’s business colleague and potential associate in an international consulting business partnership.
No. That couldn’t be true. No way could they be one and the same. Was there? She pulled up images of Jake on social media. Studied the lower half of his face. His stance, and overall demeanor. Over time she could no longer deny it. What had possibly happened was even worse than what her ex-fiancé feared. The one tasked with basically chaperoning her around town may also be her secret lover. Zorro could be Jake. Jake could be Zorro. The sex that night had been so, so good. This situation being true? Bad. Really bad.
If Lincoln learned what happened, he’d be devastated. And livid. There was no way he’d believe the truth—that she’d gone to a party and been intimate with a stranger who turned out to be Jake.
There were already insecurities and suspicions. Sasha’s busy schedule, that along with full days of calling and planning had also included almost daily social lunches and enjoying dinners with Avery, Willow and Reign, had only allowed for minimal contact with her ex-fiancé, and mostly through text. He’d initially acted okay about the sporadic communication, and their breakup, and seemed to have accepted it without much resistance. Now he acted as though there’d never been a conversation, as though they were getting ready to secure venues, interview ministers and pick out a tuxedo and dress. She knew they needed to have another conversation. She’d rather eat an unpeeled artichoke right now but since it was Friday night, she didn’t have plans, and the weekend would be super busy, she picked up her phone. It rang in her hands. She looked down expecting to see Lincoln’s face. Instead, a local area code fairly pulsated from the screen.
“Hello?”
“Sasha, it’s Jake.”
“Jake.” Immediately, an image of Zorro wearing a mask and not much else, thrusting his strength deep inside her, wafted into Sasha’s mind. Her nipples pebbled at the thought, along with the sound of a voice that now blended with the one heard at the party. Ardent desire was followed by an intense longing for something that for a few very good reasons could never be. Even once the breakup with Lincoln was made public, she could never tell Jake about that night. What would he think of her? Would he judge her, question how someone engaged could sleep with a stranger? Would he be angry that she’d caused him to accidentally sleep with his colleague’s fiancée? What would that mean for their business venture? What would it mean if her family found out? What if in learning the truth Jake felt betrayed and refused to date her? Or even see her again? Those were too many what-ifs for Sasha to handle. Way too many mines in that field of possibility to think of anything more lasting than the Chitty Bedroom Bang Bang she’d accidentally pulled off. A coincidence that had crazy odds of ever happening. A mistake, a twist of fate she’d happily unravel again and again. Stolen moments that may be a lifetime secret of hers alone. Yet one that should she die tomorrow, it would be with the memory of one time in her life being fully, incredibly and thoroughly sexually satisfied.
Sasha heard Jake repeat her name. The guy had her zoning out! “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I asked what you were doing?”
“Um, I’m checking emails, social media...not much. We just got back a little while ago. Val is having dinner with some of her soror sisters.”
“Did you pledge?”
“No, you?”
“No.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I don’t know.” Sasha gave a shrug that Jake couldn’t see. “It’s easy to imagine you barking.”
“Ha! You’re funny.”
“Did I say that out loud?” What was it about Jake that felt so exciting? If she smiled any harder, her face might break.
“How’d you get my number?”
“TJ. He was surprised I didn’t have it, being your protector and all.”
“I’m surprised he called you when he knew Lincoln would.”
“Looks like there’s a lot of interest in you and Lincoln tying the knot, in you not getting away.”
“Unfortunately, you’re right.”
“Hope you don’t mind. About my getting your number, that is.”
“As long as you don’t turn into a stalker blowing up my phone.” And as long as you don’t turn out to be Zorro, although I already know that you are.
“I don’t make promises I might not be able to keep.”
Sasha chuckled. “Now who’s got jokes?”
There was a companionable silence before Jake continued. “You said Val was going out for dinner. What are you going to do?”
“Probably have something delivered. It’s been a packed week. I might turn it into a night of Netflix and chill.”
“Not alone. That’s not allowed.”
Sasha knew she couldn’t invite Jake to Val’s house. Her resolve would go out the window. She’d have him naked and shagging her in five minutes flat.
“Then why don’t you come over and take me someplace nice?”
“Look at the modern woman asking me out on a date.”
“I suggested dinner. As my protector. Didn’t think it was a big deal since we’ve both got to eat.”
“It’s no big deal.”
“Good. Val has shown me quite of bit of your quaint town, but I haven’t seen much of Chicago.”
“This your first visit to Chicago?”
“I’ve been here a few times, but that was years ago when I was a kid.”
“What’s your favorite cuisine?”
“Cooked. Tasty.”
“I think that can be managed. But nothing fancy. I’m tired, and don’t feel like being social. This week’s been a beast.”
“Why didn’t you say so? We don’t have to go out. I was only half-serious when I made the suggestion.”
“Don’t try and back out now. We’ve decided. Throw on a pair of jeans and I’ll be there in thirty.”
“I guess you know Val’s address.”
His voice lowered suggestively. “I know everything.”
She laughed airily and hung up the phone, as though what he’d said hadn’t brought goose bumps. No telling what Jake would do if he discovered her secret about the tryst they’d likely shared. Or how TJ would react or what Lincoln would think, let alone the rest of her family.
She got off the couch and headed to her bedroom with the hope that the details of her first night in Chicago would remain a secret. Twenty minutes later she was showered and dressed, grateful for Jake’s suggestion to make it a casual night. She wore a favorite pair of skinny jeans decorated with a spray of white crystals. A few of the same type crystals also decorated an oversize black sweater that paired perfectly with a pair of flat suede ankle boots. She’d forgotten to pack the signature scent she’d been wearing the night of the party but had snagged a bottle of Artsy by Kimberly New York from Val’s extensive collection. She sprayed her temples, wrist and the cleavage beneath her sweater, then finished her look with silver hoops and a few thin bangles. Minimal makeup gave off a fresh-faced appearance that worked perfectly with a high ponytail. Having achieved what she hoped was a look that conveyed “sexy but not trying,” Sasha grabbed her phone, purse and headed toward the hall closet to retrieve her coat. When the phone rang as she reached for it, she assumed it was Jake. She was about to ask if he was outside and almost fainted when instead of his number she saw Lincoln’s face. She sent a thank-you to the angels who’d saved that faux pas.
“Lincoln, hi. I’ve been meaning to call.” Putting the call on Speaker, she set her coat and purse on a foyer table and walked to a window.
“I guess you’re pretty busy.”
He was upset. Sasha could hear it in his tone and didn’t totally blame him. She’d been gone for a week. They’d only talked once and then for less than five minutes. Before they were exes they were friends who talked almost every day.
“It’s been a whirlwind. Lots of adjusting. I’m sorry for not having had more time to talk.”
“So tell me all about Chicago, or rather where you’re staying, Point...”
“Point du Sable. It’s beautiful, actually. Very upscale. Think Prince George energy squeezed into a much smaller location.”
“What’s there to do in a small town that’s got you so busy?”
“Oh, Val has quite the social calendar. My first day here I went to an Eddington brunch and made some new friends.”
“I recently read an article in Forbes about their company. I have to admit their business models are progressive, real cutting-edge. I was impressed. Even more so that when Jake and I discussed our possible business venture, he wasn’t all braggadocious about it. You talked to him, right?”
“Jake? Yes, we talked. He was at the brunch.”
“Good. With him around to keep an eye out, I feel more comfortable with you being there.”
“Have you forgotten about our breakup? That I’m not your responsibility anymore?”
“Don’t be silly, Sasha. You’ll always be my responsibility.”
At the end of that road was an argument. Sasha decided to make a verbal turn.
