Anna's hair was tangled, messy. Her eyes were barely open and she yawned for a moment and Jeff's breath caught. She was so beautiful and yet, he couldn't bring himself to tell her. There were so many things he anted to say; he wanted to do, but… he loved her nearly too much to do so. HE would ruin her life and he didn't want to be added to her list of hated men.
"Hey… you want breakfast?"
"You can cook?"
A grin appeared of his face. "OF course. Why do you think Raven's so fat?"
Anna laughed, then stopped and her mouth tightened as she clenched her teeth to hold back the tears.
"Oh…" Jeff's face fell flat. "I'm sorry, Annabelle. I only…" He drifted off, not knowing what to do.
She slowly shook her head, a sad laughing bubbling out of her throat. "It's okay, ya' know? Breakfast then?"
He nodded and smiled.
***
Chrissy's hair was short, cropped down to her neck. It was tied into two pigtails, braided to the sides. She almost looked the same as ever, except the weak, lonely look that was in her eyes. Her body was still voluptuous, but more toned. Raven smiled to himself. She would be a beautiful grandmother… if she only would recognize her child and husband.
Raven wanted to cry, seeing her lying on the beach, clad in a bikini. God, he thought, he had once had her in his arms, and now all he could do was watch. She would never recognize him. She had shoved him out of her life 18 years ago, and now… He bet that she never gave him a thought, living it up on Singer Island, in Palm Beach.
There was only one fact that he could console himself with; she was with no one. She was by herself, and had been, for the last day. He hoped that she didn't have a husband away on a business trip… or something. He had to know that maybe, just maybe, he still had a chance to get her back.
***
"I…I've never had sex." Anna blurted out.
Jeff stopped mid-bite of his waffle, and muffled, "Wha?"
She fumbled with her fork. "I know I was acting like I was… uhm… coming onto you I guess… and I just… I'm not like that…" Blushing, she lowered her eyes and cut the waffles with her fork.
Jeff didn't know whether to laugh or jump up and down in the air. Nearly choking on his waffle, Jeff finished and then said, "I know."
She looked up. "You did?"
"No, but I want to sound cool," Jeff almost said, but stopped himself. He couldn't be a 40 year old man acting like a 20 year old. He nodded and grabbed a piece of bacon.
Anna started to chew on her nails, getting nervous. Was she really that bad? Maybe that was why Mike had left her… She knew she wasn't sexy… Her face slowly turned into a frown and she stared at her waffles.
Whatever she was thinking must have really upset her, and Jeff watched closely and she stabbed the fork in the waffles, destroying what hadn't happened before. "Annabelle… it's okay, whatever it is."
She forced a smile, and whispered, "Thanks."
Later, Jeff drove to the airport, and booked two first class tickets to PBI Airport. He looked over at Annabelle, and grinned. "Well, honey, we're going on a vacation.
***
Annabelle went along as Jeff's girlfriend. Many people came up to Jeff, stopped and begged for his autograph. The women all said how beautiful Anna was. Anna blushed, and each time shyly nodded in appreciation.
She walked hand in hand with Jeff. She blushed non-stop, and she felt as if she were on fire. She looked up to him and her eyes caught with his. "Everyone knows you. They all love you."
"No, not everyone."
Jeff said nothing more as they had their luggage and went to call a cab.
Later, they arrived a spacious house set ten feet from the water. Anna was amazed, and she only stared for a long while before speaking. "Who do you know that lives here?"
"I'd rather not explain." He grabbed the bags and carried them to the front door.
"Is this your house?" Anna prodded, peering in through the front windows.
He sighed, then nodded. "Yeah, I Bought it about… uh… fifteen years ago. I just don't come here often now…"
Amazed, Anna slowly followed him in. She had never been to Florida before. Her grandmother was overly protective of her. She believed that everyone was going to be out to get Anna.
Anna quickly saw the object of her desire in plan sight and ran over to the couch and plopped down. She leaned back and closed her eyes, giving a long sigh of contentment. "This is wonderful; I wish I could live here."
"You can, as long as you like, Annabelle."
"I wish…" She muttered, then stretched her legs out to the coffee table.
"You could have the house; it suits you." Jeff dropped the bags down and stared at her for a moment.
Anna laughed. "Stop joking, yah?"
Jeff scratched his hand through his hair, tugging out a few pieces. "Whatever you want, Annabelle." He moved over towards her and sat.
Anna smiled. "Well then, we're going to the beach!"
***
Anna jumped into the ocean; Jeff running after her. She backed away from him, nearly swallowing a mouthful of water.
A grin appeared on Jeff's face as he grabbed her easily in her arms and shoved her head down under. Her laughed to himself, and pulled her back up, close to his body.
Water was streaming over her eyes as she moved her hair out of her face. She was pressed against Jeff's hard body & she couldn't say that she didn't like it.
Jeff couldn't help himself as he bent down and his lisp touched hers. A once hidden desire burst into flames and he held her close, slowly pressing his lips to hers.
Anna was shocked at first, and went rigid in his arms. She had never thought he would kiss her. Never in her wildest dreams did she believe that a fantasy like that could come true. Then, she relaxed and let her mouth open to his. The feeling was intoxicating; almost as if she was floating atop the water.
"JEFF! Get AWAY from my daughter!"
Jeff barely pulled away and craned his neck around.
"Hardy I mean it!"
Anna slowly opened her eyes and registered her father standing at the edge of the sand, his face bright and red. She looked up to Jeff; neither said a word.
TBC….
A/N: Hahaha… I love this chapter. Hope to have some more soon ,yah? Thanks for the review last time guys--- that really kept me going. Please please please review again. You'll forever have my gratitude! Now, thanks for reading and please go review! Have a good day ! : )
-Saph
