Chapter Five (Misha)

"As a matter of fact, I am."

"Wonderful. I know this lovely little Italian restaurant in Center City called Pigale's. Perhaps you've heard of it?"

"Afraid not. I only relocated to the East coast a couple of months ago and since then I've been pretty busy with work. I'm up to my neck in projects. But hey, if you say it's good, I'm game. One car or two?"

"If you don't mind, I'd just as soon take one. It's been a long day and I'd rather not fight the traffic."

"No problem."

"I'll just grab my purse . . ."

Conversation with John came easily and before Erica knew it, they were shutting the place down. As they made their way back to the car, he regaled her with tales from his college days. Erica took care to stay interested though the day was beginning to catch up with her and she let out a small yawn.

"I'm boring you, aren't I?"

"No, of course not. I'm just not used to staying up this late."

"You get me talking about my time at Stanford, and I don't come up for air. My friends tell me it's 'cause I come from a big family and always had to fight to get a word in edge-wise. I promise. I'll shut up the whole ride home."

True to his word, John was quiet during their drive back to Pine Valley. Erica gazed out the window but the only image she saw was the last few words from Jack's email . . . until then, Mariele. Erica had been convinced they were simply the words of a woman who had managed to delude herself into thinking there was more to her relationship with Jack than business. But after learning that he would be spending the evening with her at the Inn, all of Erica's insecurities and self-doubts came bubbling to the surface. Maybe I'm the one that's delusional . . . Erica thought.

"We should be back at the office in a minute."

"I'm sorry. What?"

"I really did put you to sleep with my stories didn't I?"

"I was just thinking about a business matter" Erica lied.

"I had a great time tonight. Maybe we can do it again?" John asked as he pulled into the Cambias parking lot and turned off the engine. Erica smiled graciously but didn't answer. She made a move to open the car door but before she could, he was out and coming around to her side.

"Goodnight, John. I had a lovely evening." Erica was about to walk away when she noticed a light in Jack's office and a familiar silhouette poised by the window. On impulse, Erica leaned in and gave John a kiss. There could be no confusion on the recipient's part that the light peck was a simple thank you for dinner but that subtlety was indiscernible from a distance.

"Let me walk you to your car."

"Actually, I was heading up to my office. In the rush to leave for dinner, I left a file on my desk that I absolutely must have for a breakfast meeting tomorrow. If you wouldn't mind . . ."

"Not at all."

———

As they stepped off the elevator, Erica's laughter filtered through to their offices. Clenching his jaw, Jack stared back at the computer but was unable to process a word on the screen. Dammit, Erica, I thought we were past this. When they entered the room, Jack tried to look up nonchalantly but his furrowed eyebrows gave him away. He was angry and Erica was delighted.

"Jack, what on Earth are you doing here? It's so late; I didn't expect to find you here."

"I was about to ask you the same question. I'm sorry. I don't think we've met; Jackson Montgomery" Jack said, extending his hand to Erica's date.

"John Andrews. I stopped by earlier to introduce myself but lucky for me, the only person here was Erica."

Jack forced a smile and nodded politely. "Andrews? Why is that name familiar?"

"I'm the new building contractor for Thorquist."

"Of course. Mariele Girtz mentioned that you were replacing Zingani. We didn't have a meeting that I forgot about did we?"

"No, I was just inspecting the site and thought maybe I'd catch you in. I should have called" John replied, turning his attention back to Erica "but then I wouldn't have had the pleasure of dining with you this evening. Thanks for taking pity on me. Pigale's was everything you said it would be. Look, it's late and you've probably got a few things to go over before tomorrow so I'll be leaving. Mr. Montgomery–"

"Andrews–" The two men shook hands, despite Jack's overwhelming desire to plant his fist elsewhere on John's person.

As soon as John left the room, Erica busied herself around her desk making a great show of placing folders and spreadsheets into her briefcase while Jack perched at the edge of his desk and watched.

"Forget about it, Erica."

"Excuse me?"

"You can give it a rest. I'm not buying it."

"Buying what? Jack, you're talking in riddles and frankly I'm too tired to figure out what it is you're trying to say."

"Uh, huh. So, you never answered my question. What are you doing here?"

"As you can see, I'm putting folders into my briefcase."

"Why?"

"Well, if you must know, I have a meeting in the morning with Ryan."

"That's funny. I hung up with Ryan not more than five minutes ago and he didn't mention a thing about a meeting."

"Are you calling me a liar?"

"You? Never. So . . . what's this meeting with Ryan about?"

"The new Men's Skin Care line. I've been trying to get a decision out of him about package design but haven't been too successful. He's obviously been distracted about something though for the life of me, I can't figure out what." Erica paused and turned to face Jack. "Do you believe me now or would you like to check my calendar?"

"I don't know. Where do you keep it?"

"You're kidding right?" Erica felt Jack's eyes bore into her though he remained silent. "You really want to check to see if I have a meeting with Ryan?" Jack remained still. Erica reached into her purse and flung her palm pilot at him. "Here, have a good look. In fact, take a look at all my meetings. Oh, and while you're at it, you might want to check my phone list to see if there are any names you don't recognize. God knows I wouldn't want to be accused of keeping any secrets from you."

Jack looked at the electronic device for a moment and then placed it down beside him. "Nice move. I'm impressed."

Erica threw her arms in the air. "Okay, now you've completely lost me."

"I'm just wondering how far you plan on going with this little game you're playing."

"This game I'm playing? Excuse me, but if anyone's playing a game around here it certainly is not me."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, really. If you want to know who's really playing a game I suggest you take a good, long look in the mirror. That is, if you can face yourself."

"Ahh, now we're getting somewhere."

"Actually, where we're getting is nowhere. So, if you don't mind, I think I'll head home for whatever's left of the evening. Oh, and in case you were wondering–and I'm sure that you were since you obviously plan on keeping track of my every movement, that would be to my place. Alone."

Jackson leaped off the desk and quickly blocked Erica's exit. "You're not going anywhere, not, at least, until we get this thing settled."

"Oh, it's settled. Believe me, it's settled. You, Jackson Montgomery, are free to do whatever you please with whomever you please."

Jack let out a big sigh. "Finally, you admit it."

Erica stopped dead in her tracks. "I didn't admit to anything!"

"Oh, you may not have said Mariele's name but you all but confessed . . ."

"Confessed to what? Just what are you accusing me of? And what does any of this have to do with Mariele?"

"Come on, Erica. I know what you did."

"Please, tell me. Tell me just what it is that you think I've done."

"Fine. If that's the way you want to play it. Let's see. For starters, you broke into my computer and read my email."

"I most certainly did not" Erica replied indignantly.

"Oh, really? Then just how do you explain the fact that the email Mariele sent me was marked "read" and that she got a receipt to that effect long after I had left for the Valley Inn, hmmmm?"

"And just what exactly were you doing at the Valley Inn? On second thought, don't tell me. It's clear that what you do and with whom is no longer any of my business."

"Oh no you don't. You're not changing the subject that easy."

"You're right, I'm not. In fact, I'm not having this entire conversation with you. Goodnight, Jack."

"Erica, don't do this. Don't walk away from me."

"Isn't it a little late for you to be worried about me leaving? You certainly didn't give it a moment's thought when you decided to spend the evening with Mariele instead of me."

"So, you did read my email."

"I never said I didn't." Jack looked back at Erica thunderstruck. "What I said is that I didn't break into your email. You happened to have it up on your screen when I got there" Erica replied with a self-satisfied look on her face.

"That's a technicality and you know it."

"What I know is that you cancelled out on me to spend time with that . . . that . . . oohhh, I could just–"

"Which explains your date with the muscle head."

"I assume by that you mean John?"

"Yeah, John. I can understand you going out with him to get even with me."

"What makes you think my date with John had anything to do with you?"

"Please. You've gone out with a lot of men in your life but a building contractor?"

"What's wrong with a contractor?"

"Well, considering you dropped the last guy who tried to build something for you–for me, by the way–I'd say you've had your fill of the brute types."

"Chris did a beautiful job on my penthouse."

"Aren't you forgetting that nasty little problem with the water pressure; it takes me a good twenty minutes just rinsing the soap off in your shower."

"Yes, but we have so much fun in the meantime."

"Good point! But we're getting off the subject."

"Which is?" Erica asked.

"Which is trust. I need to know that I can trust you—"

"And just how am I supposed to do that when you go behind my back and spend time with that, that, ice goddess."

"First of all, I did not go behind your back. I told you that I was going to the Valley Inn AND that I'd be home late. The only thing I didn't tell you is that I'd be there with Mariele."

"Which is the only part that you knew I'd care about."

"And the reason I didn't tell you about it is because I knew you'd react like this."

"Well, forgive me for being so predictable. And for feeling betrayed—again."

"Erica, I did not betray you. I may have used poor judgment not telling you who I was meeting but I'd never betray you and you know that."

"How can I know that?"

"Because you know me and because you know that I would never do anything to hurt you. Spending time with Mariele was business—nothing more."

"And why should I believe you—because you say so?"

"That's exactly why. I love you Erica. For the hundredth time, I love you and only you—got it?"

"Then explain to me why you kept your dinner with her a secret—and don't tell me it's because you didn't want to upset me."

Jack turned and closed the door to their offices. "Fine, I'll tell you."

"Don't you think that's a bit unnecessary. It's close to midnight already. I doubt there's anyone still here but us."

"Humor me." Jack cradled his face in his hands, trying to rub away some of the fatigue. "Look, you know the spreadsheets Kendall brought to me yesterday? Well, this morning I went over them again with a fine-tooth comb. Kendall was right when she said there was an irregularity in the final cost figures but for the life of me, I couldn't put my finger on how we generated that kind of discrepancy. Anyway, I had her do some research for me on our earlier dealings with Thorquist and I did some digging as well. When I put her notes together with mine, the name Brett Protevi popped up."

"Brett?"

"You know him?"

"No, I—"

"What?"

"John spent half the evening telling me about his days at Stanford. Frankly I just drifted in and out but I'm almost sure he said his roommate's name was Brett."

"You're kidding? Did he mention a last name?"

"Not that I remember but my mind was on other things—like your date with Mariele."

"Forget Mariele. She's not important, at least not for any reason that you need to be concerned about. Tell me everything that happened at dinner."

"Everything?" Erica replied coyly.

Jack rolled his eyes. "Don't you think it's time that you gave up this whole act of yours to make me jealous. I know you spent time with Andrews to get back at me because of Mariele."

"Her again?"

Jack looked at Erica impatiently.

"Fine, I'll drop it. Besides, he wasn't much of a kisser anyway." Before Jack had a chance to react, Erica continued, smiling "I saw you staring out the window. Trust me, it looked more impressive than it was."

Jack returned her smile and his eyes twinkled for the first time since she arrived back at the offices that evening. He moved toward her, making his intentions clear but Erica pushed him away. "I'd love to, really, but it's late and I'm exhausted. How about you drive me home—to the loft—and on the way, I'll tell you everything I remember about Brett."

"You've got yourself a deal. I'm beat, and besides, with all the hours we've both been putting in here, the kids probably forget what we look like." Jack and Erica quickly collected their things, turned out the light and locked the door behind them.

The man in the parking lot checked his watch: 12:21 AM. The cleaning crew wouldn't arrive for another 40 minutes, giving him just enough time to install the new program. He turned on his engine and swiftly moved his car to the other side of the building.

———

When Jack and Erica returned home, both Reggie and Lily were sound asleep. The only thing waiting for them was a note from Reggie attached to the framed photo of Lily and him from Jack's birthday. It read, simply, "hope you had a good night too" and was signed by both teens, followed by the words "FYI: Lily's the blonde one" scrawled in Reggie's handwriting.

"I think the kids are getting fed up with our long hours" Jack said to Erica, handing her the note. "Not very subtle."

"We did promise them that at least one of us would be home for dinner each night . . ."

"Yeah, I know and we're doing a lousy job of it. We really need to figure this whole thing out before they give up on us completely. Look, you're exhausted. Why don't you turn in?"

"Don't tell me you plan on doing more work tonight? Jack, it's close to 1 A.M. If you don't get some sleep, you're not going to be worth anything to anybody including the kids."

"I know, I know. I just want to jot down some notes on this Brett Protevi character before I lose my train of thought. Something's definitely up between him, John, Mariele and Thorquist."

"Yes, well all of that can wait until the morning. I'm taking you to bed."

The mere mention of going to bed with Erica brought on a second wind. "Whatever you say . . ."

In the time it took Erica to change out of her business suit and into her nightclothes, Jack had fallen into a deep slumber. Without making so much as a sound she bent over his outstretched body and kissed him gently. A moment later, Erica shut off the bedside lamp, slipped quietly under the covers and, with Jack's breathing serving as a soft lullaby, was lulled to sleep.

It seemed like only moments later when the couple awoke to the shrill sounds of the telephone ringing. Jack's eyes squinted open as the sunlight streaked in through the bay window. Aware that morning was not Erica's friend, he leaned over and grabbed the receiver. It was Ryan. "Jack, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

"You could say that. What time is it anyway?" Jack asked, trying to focus on the clock that was perched nearby.

"It's 9:45. Erica was supposed to meet me over an hour ago. She's never late and I'm beginning to get worried."

"She's right here, Ryan. We had a late night at the office yesterday and I guess neither of us remembered to set the alarm clock."

"Sorry; didn't mean to interrupt. Listen, I can talk to her when she gets in. Just tell her I have some new ideas for the Splash. She'll know what I'm talking about."

"Will do. And, do me a favor. Let Dot know that I'll be in in about an hour. My schedule's clear until this afternoon so it shouldn't be a problem." Jack noticed Erica gesturing wildly but couldn't quite figure out what she was trying to say. "Ryan, hold on a minute" he said and rested the phone on his thigh. "What is it?"

Erica jerked her head away. "You were on my hair."

"Oh, sorry, sweetheart." He kissed her lightly on her nose, got back on the phone and made his goodbyes. After hanging up, Jack turned his attention back to Erica. "Ryan said he has some new idea for the Splash."

"Thrilling."

"You really are having a tough time with him, aren't you?"

"I'm sure that with a little extra guidance, he'll do fine in business. It's just that right now, I don't have too much free time to hold his hand."

"That's good because the only hand I want you holding is mine. Speaking of which, how about since we're already late we . . ."

Before he was able to complete his sentence, Erica grabbed hold of Jack's hair and pulled him toward her. He gazed down at her and savored the sparkle of Erica's espresso-colored eyes. My god, she's stunning he thought and covered her mouth with his own. His tongue delighted her as Jack kissed her fully and completely. His appetite for her grew more ravenous as he feasted his tongue first on one lobe and then the other until Erica moaned with pleasure. Not yet sated, he left behind a trail of gentle flickers on her ivory shoulders. By the time he reached the hollow of her throat, her skin glistened with satisfaction. Jack continued his journey, his lips barely a whisper tracing the backs of her knees as slowly, his tongue sailed upward, indulging her every desire. And then, finally his body became lost in her shadow. Jack gorged himself, dining hungrily, greedily, voraciously until both he and Erica burst with pleasure. As they lay there, their bodies intertwined, Jack and Erica felt blissfully alive, joyfully united and resolute that their all-consuming love would forever, gleefully, nourish their souls.