Double Jeopardy: A MINK COAT

by tarskeewee08

Walking into his apartment he rubbed his jaw in frustration. Today had been many things, strange, wonderful, disappointing and painful.

He wanted his woman back and tonight she'd be going out with another man. John couldn't wrap his mind around who she'd be spending her time with but didn't find it hard to believe that she would start to date again. It was almost a year since the breakup and he understood her need to move on. He just couldn't allow it.

Walking to his kitchen he opened the refrigerator and let the arctic blast inside wash over his face as he knelt reaching for a bear. Twisting the cap in his hand he drank the cold bitter liquid and let the warm feeling of contentment was through him.

Closing his eyes he saw her again. Underneath him submissive and totally committed to the love they expressed when she allowed him to make love to her. There was no way she didn't feel it. There's no way she could deny it.

Opening his eyes he looked around his cold empty place. Clothes on the floor and paper tossed about. Nothing in here of hers. He remembered a time where there would be a brush here and a bra there. He could see her walking out of his room in one of his t-shirts. The shirt stopping at the curve of her hips revealing her apple shaped behind underneath, her breast swelling out of the sides of the t-shirt as she sauntered in front of him holding a cross word puzzle and pen. He could see her sitting on the couch folding her legs underneath and tilting her head deep in thought causing her hair to cascade to the right. He could see him coming out of the bedroom pouting that she left bed to work on her puzzles. He wanted her in bed all day all the time. Swooping down and scooping her off the couch he could hear her giggles as he carried her back to bed. He watched the mirage of their past love fade away before his eyes.

He needed his woman back.

Turning and putting the cold bottle down on the counter he tried to regain control. He had two major problems in his life now. His desperate pursuit to reclaim his lady and get his life back, coupled with his desperate need to drive Lorenzo Alcazar from his town. He was here to mock him. To dredge up ancient history and breathe life into a war they raged with each other for almost two decades. Alcazar had to go and he had to find a way to do it without revealing how sordid his past was with him.

But first he had to see about Evangeline, he would shower and head to her place to stop her from going out with another man. He couldn't let her start down this path when there were so many unresolved things between them.

He made the mistake of choosing Natalie to escape his love for her and it cost him his self respect and the trust and faith they shared. There was no room in their lives for a third party and he just wouldn't share her, with any man. Determined to have his way he turned up the last of the cold beer and swallowed it in two gulps. Walking into his room he was prepared to talk some sense into her.

Evangeline stood in front of her mirror looking at the sparkling gold/copper dress. It was sheer but lined with a light nude fabric preventing her entire body to be seen through it. She turned and saw how low it cut it was in the back and blushed. The dress clung to her body like glove and as she moved the top layer of the fabric swirled around her knees. She shouldn't wear it. It was way too sexy and revealing. Besides it was 30 degrees outside and she didn't have a coat large enough to protect her in this dress.

Hearing her doorbell she looked up and frowned. It wasn't quite eight yet. He was early. Walking out of the room opening the door she saw Lorenzo leaning against her door way in a black suit with a crisp white shirt that was open at the top, no tie.

His blue eyes sparkled the way John's did when he wanted her and she blushed again. He hand a large box behind his back. Evangeline smiled "You're early…" she said stepping aside so he could come in.

Lorenzo walked in turning his head as he did checking her out from all angles.

"Wow…..I imagined what the dress would look like against your skin but I had no idea you'd be this stunning"

Evangeline stood in front of him and felt exposed. The dress clung so invitingly that not much was left to the imagination when it came to her curves. "I don't think I can wear this Lorenzo."

"Why not?" he asked raising an eyebrow smiling slightly

Evangeline looked down at herself. "Well it's kind of not my style. I'm more of a understated type of woman, this is a bit more revealing. Besides its cool this evening I don't have a coat that would protect me against the weather outside."

Lorenzo smiled and stared at her saying nothing.

Evangeline looked into his eyes and almost approached him, that's how much his stare pulled at her. Breaking her gaze to remain in control she looked at the box. Pointing she smiled "What's that?"

Lorenzo pulled the box from behind him and smiled "This is your coat to protect you from the weather outside. They forgot to deliver it earlier, which is why I'm early."

Evangeline eyes grew wide "No….you can't."

"Evangeline, stop with the 'cant's' you're my escort this evening and these things are flattering only if worn by the proper woman. I would love it if you indulged me tonight, just this. If you feel they're too extravagant for gifts then return them tomorrow." he said staring intensely at her.

She didn't know how to respond so she stepped to him and took the package. Walking to the table fully aware that he had a view of her backside and the way the fabric clung to her hips she felt flushed. The man was always staring at her and it made her nervous with excitement.

He was unlike any man she'd ever known. Pulling at the wrapper on the package she felt like a nine year old on Christmas morning opening the largest present under the tree.

The box was made of black satin and her hands shook intimidated by what lay inside. Pulling it free she moved through the tissue paper to reveal a soft brown mink coat. Evangeline put her hand in the fur and felt it escape between her fingers. It was magnificent.

She looked at it afraid to pull it out of the box. Feeling Lorenzo walking behind her he reached around her and she felt his chest brush against her back as pulled the mink free. Taking a step back he put it around her shoulders. Evangeline felt the warmth of the sable lining against her bare skin and pulled the coat around her tighter.

Lorenzo turned her to him and looked into her face.

Pulling her hair free out of the mink collar and fanning it around her shoulders he smiled seductively at her "You make this coat look good."

"Lorenzo……"

Placing his finger to her lips he shook his head "Remember the rules for this evening."

Evangeline shook her head "What am I doing? This isn't me. This is too much…."

Lorenzo watched her look at him suspiciously. "I don't know you, you don't know me" she said distrustfully.

"That's true, but let me tell you why you should get to know me." He said folding his arms and looking her up and down

"You've spent the last year investing in others. Sacrificing your needs to be available for another man's whims. Tonight a man stands before you and all he wants is to give you what a woman like you deservers and you question it. Take tonight Evangeline to be 'first' for a change and I promise you won't regret it"

"Well for someone that just met me you sure did do your homework." she said smiling.

Lorenzo nodded and pointed to the door. "Shall we?"

Evangeline smiled "Let me get the Steven Tyler shoes your bought me first" she said smiling.

Lorenzo watched her walk into her room with the fur on her shoulders. He shook his head. "John man how did you let her slip through your fingers, you won't have her again man, not if I have any say about it."

Evangeline reappeared. "Okay, let's go…"

Lorenzo nodded confidently "Let's"

John pulled outside of Evangeline's and saw a black stretch Lincoln Town car limo out front. Turning off his car off he watched as the door to her condo open and she stepped out into the night air wearing an expensive mink coast her hair blowing away from her face by the rush of the wind breezing pass her. Her diamonds sparkling in her ears, she was smiling as the limo driver opened the door for her.

Lorenzo at her side climbed in after her and John fought the urge to draw his gun and take her from him by force. His anger making his ears hot he tightened the grip on the steering wheel as the driver walked back around the car his suit jacket flapping behind him. John started his car and pulled from the curb as the limo peeled off and kept up with them.

She was with him.
And what was she wearing?
Why would she let him dress her like one of his women?
He was notorious for romancing women from presidents and kings. John scowled at what was Lorenzo's latest obsession, his Vangie.

Well he won't take away his Evangeline. Driving behind him the blood rushing to his head he fought back the tears that welled at her doing this to them. How could she be near a man like that, after what happened between them today?

He couldn't wrap his mind around it. Why would she do this? Turning onto the expressway he cut off a car angrily to keep up with the limo. Where were they going? He squeezed the steering wheel and thought about Lorenzo and the type of evil he and his ruthless father were capable of. He vowed to make him pay for what they did. He vowed to make it up to his father!

"You son of a bitch!" he hissed as he swerved around another car keeping up with the limo now driving over 80 mph.

"You came her for this. Not to bring your poison of a crime life to Llanview. You came here for her. Just as your father did years ago! You won't get her, I'll stop you! I'll kill you first!"

Evangeline sat in the limo next to Lorenzo and looked out into the night through the smoky glass. Lorenzo stared at her sparkling and beautiful next to him and slid his hand to hers. Evangeline felt him close his hand around hers and looked at him surprised. She didn't pull it away.

"Do you have a nickname?" he asked huskily
Evangeline blinked at the question. "A what?"
"Nickname, something that people call you other than Evangeline?"
"Well yes but I'd rather…."
"Share it with me. I'm curious about you Evangeline."

Evangeline looked down at his hand over hers and saw the onyx ring. Looking back into his now dark blue eyes she smiled "I'll tell you my nickname if you share with me what that ring represents."

Lorenzo looked at his hand and then her "Deal"
"Okay, the people of Llanview call me Van or Vangie…"
"What does your mother call you?"
Evangeline blushed and looked away "Cookie"
Lorenzo smiled. "Cookie? I like that, you look tasty like a cookie."
Evangeline frowned "Oh brother that was lame!" she said now laughing.
Lorenzo laughed "Sorry I couldn't help it. Can I taste you to see if it's true?"
Evangeline pulled her hand back "No!" she said laughing.
Lorenzo faked a wounded look "Maybe after dinner" he said winking

Evangeline rolled her eyes "You wish"
"I do…" he said seductively

Evangeline looked back at his hand "What does E/A mean?"

Lorenzo pulled the ring from his hand and handed it to her "It was my father. He had it made to remember a happier tome. The initials are important but I'll have to reveal that another time."

Evangeline fingered the raised gold lettering. "That's not our deal I told you my nickname..."

"And you refused to let me taste to see if it is well deserved."

Evangeline handed him back the ring. "Good things come to those that wait" she said winking at him.

Lorenzo nodded "I'm a patient man."

The driver pulled up to the valet in front of the Palace. Evangeline closed her coat protectively when the valet opened the door. Stepping out with the help of the valet she felt the chill in the night grip her ankles but the warmth of the mink shook off the shudder. Smiling as Lorenzo slid his arm around her waist she allowed him to lead her in. She was so excited about their evening. She hadn't thought about John once. For her that was a small miracle.

John stopped the car across the street and watched the woman of his dreams exit with the man from his nightmares. His mind now racing with a million thoughts he lost focus. All he could see was the slip of his enemies hand around his woman's waist as he entered the door with her. The mere thought of him touching her was nauseating. Pulling from the curb he drove his car up to the valet. He would put an end to this night. He had too. Tossing his keys to the valet he leaped up the stairs two at a time. Walking into the Palace he was all set to head to the dining room when he felt someone touch his shoulder. Turning he saw Antonio.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to meet Jessica, what are you doing here?"
John looked toward the dining room "Did you see Evangeline…"
"Yes I did and that's why I had to stop you….calm down bro. You don't want to do this"
John looked at him angrily "Do what?" he snapped
"Ruin her evening…"
"Evening? She isn't having an evening with that scum! He's manipulated this dinner with her. He's just a client. It's probably a business dinner."

Antonio shook his head "Did you see her dress?"

John looked at him confused. He walked away and stood at the entrance of the Palace seeing Lorenzo pulling out a chair for Evangeline. He looked at the revealing dress she had on and the way Lorenzo touched her shoulder and clenched his fists. Antonio came up to his side. "Bro that's a date….."