In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) (10 page)

“You my dear, it’s only been a little over two weeks, but you definitely have a spell on me.”

“I could say the same for you.” And I realised that I wasn’t just saying that to make him feel good, I meant it. As much as I was in love with Heath, not once did he ever cross my mind when I was with Jake, yet Jake crossed my mind all the time, no matter where I am or who I’m with.

After an hour-long drive, we finally reached at Cave Ink Productions. They had a huge auditorium that they had transformed for the event.

We stepped out of the Escalade and there were camera lights flashing everywhere. A considerable amount of celebrities and equal amount of paparazzi hounding around outside. Like Jake said, no one paid much attention to us, they were preoccupied with the likes of Anton and other lucrative producers, actors and actresses gracing the red carpet.

We entered the auditorium and it was filled with people engrossed in loud chatter, almost as loud as the music. A few groups huddled together here and there taking photographs, while others were sipping on wine and nibbling on the appetizers that the waiters were passing around on trays. There was a huge stage to the far end with a Happy Eighth Anniversary Banner strung behind the podium and in the opposite side of the room were dining tables neatly set up with plates, champagne flutes and silverware for the dinner.

Jake placed his arm on the small of my back, leading me to where Anton was in light conversation with another producer whom I wasn’t familiar with. “Anton.” Jake smiled at him.

“Jake, glad you made it.” Anton sized me and gave Jake an approving look.

“Anton, this is Reese. Reese, Anton, the man I put in charge.” Anton laughed and I shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you.” I smiled.

“Oh nice accent. Where are you from?”

“Thank you, I’m from Trinidad.”

“Oh nice, I have to visit there soon. Well, hope you enjoy the party Ms. Reese.” He winked at me, nodded at Jake and was whisked away by Tatianna Olivere, one of the hottest actresses in the industry.

I whispered to Jake, “Why don’t you want this to be your life? Fame? Credit for your work? I just find it so odd that you wouldn’t want to be recognized.”

“It’s a lot more to it than me just not wanting to be known. It’s complicated.”

“Oh.”

“Come with me.” He looked down at me and led me out the back and up a flight of stairs, away from everyone.

We were on the roof of the auditorium, overlooking the picturesque greenery and setting sun. It felt like a dream. Pink and orange clouds layering the entirety of the evening sky.

Warm, golden sunshine pressed against my cheeks as the sun slowly disappeared. Cool breeze passed through my splayed fingers. Jake knew I loved this kind of thing, I told him how much I loved sunsets.

“What’s up, why are we out here?” I asked as I turned to face him.

“I totally forgot I had something for you.” I watched him quizzically. “Turn around.” And I followed.

He pulled back my hair and kissed the back of my head. “You smell so good.” He then dipped his hand in his pocket and before I knew it, I felt something cold pressed against my neck. What the hell! Is he serious?

It was the most magnificent diamond necklace I had ever laid my eyes on. Holy shit, it had over a hundred round cut diamonds all set on white gold. This costs no less than
twelve thousand dollars
!

I placed my hand on the necklace that he had just put around my neck and spun around, facing him, my mouth wide open. “Are you insane, Jake?”

“Do you not like?” He raised a questionable brow.

“Like? There is nothing to like! This is absolute love! This is amazing… and expensive. Really expensive. What the holy hell!” My eyes were wild, trying to understand all of this.

“I got it from a charity auction. I like to donate as often as I could and I thought it was beautiful, like you…”

I finally relaxed. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” I looked him in the eyes. I saw the corners of his mouth raise and his eyes danced with happiness.

“I’m glad you like it. I was afraid you wouldn’t.”

“No, this is… I don’t even know what to say. It goes beautifully with my dress too. Thank you so much.” I breathed, fighting back tears. This was the sweetest gesture any man had ever made. I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing as hard as I could. I was so overcome with gratitude.

We returned downstairs to the anniversary party; drank wine, met some other people who knew Jake was the real man behind Cave Ink, laughed, and eventually had dinner. Food was amazing, dessert was even better and after a few more drinks and a dance or two Jake and I left for home.

We walked up to the huge double doors at the front of his house. He pulled out his keys and opened the door, entered the alarm code and locked the door behind me. “Welcome home, babe.” He licked his lips.

“Hmm… home?” He winked at me and was about to say something when his phone began to ring. “Hold on” He answered his phone. “Hello? Hello?” His smile faded away. “Hello? Who the fuck is this?” He sucked his teeth and hung up.

“What’s wrong?”

“Probably some lonely soul with minutes to waste. Just breathing on the phone. Stupid shit.” I laughed. “Well, it’s time to get you out of that.” He pointed to my dress. “Even though you look stunning, I would rather see you out of it.” I gulped hard at those words.
Yes master, I shall heed to your command!
This dude knew how to get my panties wet.

We went up to his bedroom and I raised my hair so he could take off the diamond necklace. When he did, he placed it back in its box and unzipped my dress. I stepped out of it and remained in my purple lace cheeky boyshorts and matching bra.

I kicked off my heels and lay spread eagled on his bed and eyed him as he undressed. First removing his jacket, then his shirt, unlinking his cuffs and unbuckling his belt. He untied his shoes and removed them and his socks. Packed away everything neatly in his walk-in closet, remaining only in his briefs.

I propped up on my elbow and took notice of his Xbox. “Hey, what games do you have for this thing?”

“You wanna play?” He teased.

“Yeah, can we? What you got?”

“You like Mortal Kombat?”

“You’re kidding right? I love that game. Played a lot when I was younger. I’m gonna take a shower and when I get back, I’m gonna kick your ass.” I joked.

“Don’t mind if I join you in that shower, do you?” He raised a seductive brow at me.

“Nope. Not at all.” I smirked.

After our shower and extra-curricular bathroom activities, I changed into one of my vests and pajama pants and wrapped my hair into a bun. He also put on his pajama pants, his hair remaining in its usual tussled manner.

He returned from his studio with a six pack of Coors Light beer and a few snacks – I’m guessing from the mini fridge. He powered on his game console. While we were waiting for the game to load, we both opened our beer cans and took a swig of it. When the game was done loading, we picked our players and fought against each other. He was damn near impossible to beat, but I remembered the combos and gave him a good run for his money.

We played round after round, even made it to a second six pack of beer, just laughing and having fun until our eyes and fingers burned.

“Okay, okay. You’re good, Reese.”

“Good, ‘cause I’m tired of kicking your ass.”

“Whatever.” He teased and pushed me down on the bed playfully, pinning down my outstretched arms over my head, his eyes holding my gaze. Then he attacked me, nuzzling my neck playfully, growling and giggling. I couldn’t help myself, I burst out into laughter, trying helplessly to get away from his hold. I playfully bit on his cheek, then his lower lip, and soon we were in a steamy make-out session.

We lay on the bed; my head on his chest and his arms around my body. “I had a really good time tonight.” I yawned.

“Me too, after I broke up with Lena, I thought I’d have to go to the party alone.”

“Awww.” I looked up at him. “I’m here for you now.” I then nestled my head back onto his chest and began running my finger on his stomach and noticed his pores raising. “Tell me about you?” I whispered

“I already told you everything.”

“Everything now, but what about your family. Don’t you have any?”

“A gay cousin named Kai. His parents died a few years ago, that’s about it.”

“And your parents?”

“What about you?” He interrupted.

“Why do you always redirect the questions back at me? I want to know about you, Jake?”

“Babe,” He sighed. “Sorry, you’re right. You should know about me. I have a mom, she is living her life, strong woman. Did what she could for us. Couldn’t send me to college so I worked my way to get through it.”

“That’s amazing, you know?” He kissed me on my forehead.

“I know.” He whispered.

“And your dad?”

“A waste of time.” His voice suddenly cold and clipped.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I know the feeling.”

I closed my eyes, “Good night.” I yawned again. I decided not to press any further about his family. He clearly had some unresolved issues.

“Good night.”  He replied, his eyes wide, peering at the ceiling with one arm behind his head as he brushed my hair with the other. He was in deep thought, envisioning his past as my questions resonated in his mind.

A young blue eyed preteen boy, filled with innocence looked at his mother’s teary eyes. They were in the living room of their home. His mother held onto her head fighting the tears away. Their home was huge, filled with nice expensive looking furniture, yet, she looked broken.

She was beautiful; porcelain skin, jet-black hair, and bright grey eyes. Her features were so flawless, yet her demeanour was emotionally flawed; the look of a woman scorned. She also had a couple blue-black marks on her arms.

“Mom, why do you let him do this to you?” The young boy asked, his eyes welled up, filled with utter concern, kneeling down before her.

“Jacob, without him, we have nothing – no money, no college fund. You’re only eleven, you need your future.” She whispered, her voice cracking with sadness.

“You don’t deserve this, no one deserves to be treated this way.” He wrapped his frail arms around his mother’s neck. “Forget money, we don’t need him!”

“Look at me,” His mother held onto his face, “It’s only for a little while. I promise, but you need your education.”

“But mom…”

“Promise me, Jacob, promise me you would do better for yourself.”

“I promise.”

“And never treat any woman this way, ever. Treat your woman with respect and love. Don’t be like him.”

“I would never. I would never lay a hand on any woman, nor would I cheat. I wouldn’t allow any woman to do it to me, either.”

“Good. Educate yourself, be successful and become a great man.” She kissed him on his forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Jake?” I whispered bringing him out of the memories of his past. He looked down at me. “You okay?” He smiled sweetly at me, nodded his head and kissed my forehead.

“Never better, Reese. Let’s get some sleep.” He breathed. I smiled and we both closed our eyes and fell asleep with his arms around me.

I woke up next morning and Jake was gone. I brushed my teeth and washed my face and paused when I looked up in the mirror. I stared at my reflection and smiled, looking so genuinely happy. How was I awarded something so amazing, yet feel so conflicted and guilty. I observed my now solemn face, just thinking to myself about my life, accomplishments, friendships and relationships. I have a genuine, successful, gorgeous man in my grasp but my best friend haunts my mind. I wanted these feelings to go away, I needed them to go away. They were useless and messing up a good thing.

I walked down the stairs and slowed upon hearing voices; a woman’s voice and Jake’s. I paused at the foot of the staircase and tried to listen in, but I couldn’t make out the voice.

I entered the kitchen and saw a beautiful woman with glossy black hair down to her back sitting at the breakfast bar with crossed legs and a cup of coffee in her hands. She had on a long olive green flared skirt and a beige vest. She looked older than Jake; bright, grey eyes; straight nose and small lips. Wow, she looked a lot like him, is she his sister?
Wait! He is an only child. Holy shit, his mother.
She looked up at me and I froze.

“Good morning.” I croaked, feeling a twinge of nervousness.

“Morning.” She flashed perfectly straight teeth at me and placed her cup on the saucer in front of her. Jake watched me from behind the breakfast bar and raised his brows in an apologetic manner.

“Mom, this is Reese, my girlfriend I was telling you about.” She looked at me approvingly. Phew, well that’s a good sign. I fumbled a bit and then made my way up to her and shook her hand.

“Nice to meet you Mrs. Cavanaugh.”