Silken Desires (19 page)

“True story.” Jonathan smiled. “I miss you
both. When the honeymoon is over, let’s get together and hang
out.”

“Deal. But I’d like Roxi to be a part of
that, too. It would be even better if the two of you could get your
shit together and just admit you have problems and need to work
them out.” Jake stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets and rocked
back and forth on his feet.

“I don’t know, Jake. For the past few years,
whenever we’ve been together all we did was fight. We wanted
different things. It was hell. I don’t want to go through that
again and have her leave me. I couldn’t survive it twice.” Jonathan
looked away with a tightness in his chest and a hint of tears at
the back of his eyes.

“Everyone has growing pains. Just know I’m
here for you.” He gave his friend’s shoulder a pat.

“Thanks, Jake.”

“No prob, now let’s go in and get our girls
and go home.”

Of course, the girl that came to mind was
Roxi. Linda fell second to Roxi. Would that ever change?

Inside, Jonathan saw Kristy and Roxi wrapped
together in a blanket talking on a leather couch off in the corner.
Linda spoke with Roy. Liam was nowhere in sight, and that pissed
Jonathan off. Walking over to Linda, he put his arm around her
waist, and she leaned into him.

“I’m tired. I’d like to go if that’s all
right.” Jonathan kissed her temple.

“Sure, if that’s what you want.” She smiled
and pressed her lips to his cheek.

They didn’t leave quickly enough, and
everyone except Liam joined them, including Roxi. She addressed the
group as a whole. “Liam wants to stay longer and he’s in a theme
room with some other people. Can anyone give me a ride home?”

“Kristy and I have decided to stay and
play.” Jake motioned to the back.

Roy cleared his throat. “I, uh, I’m meeting
someone.” He looked up and a cowboy at the bar tipped his hat
toward them, and Roy smiled in return. A smile so big his dimples
deepened in his cheeks.

Jake cupped Roy’s back. “You sly dog. I
never knew.”

Roy smirked. “There’s a lot you don’t know
about me, boss.”

“Boss?” Jonathan asked.

“Yeah, we haven’t announced it yet, but Roy
sold most of his share of the gym to me. He wanted to cut back his
hours and wanted less responsibility so he could enjoy life a
little more.” Jakes gaze went back to Roy. “I see you’ve got a
start on that already. So you gonna introduce us?” Jake nodded
toward the bar.

“Nope. First date. I don’t want to scare him
away.” Roy waved a hand in front of him.

“Maybe next time then. Have a good one, Roy.
See you at the gym tomorrow.” They shook hands, and Jake said,
“Ride ‘em cowboy.”

Everyone laughed, except Jonathan and Roxi.
There were in a dead stare with one another until Kristy spoke.
“Jonathan? Can you give Rox a ride home?”

Linda, as if coming out of a daze, stepped
back suddenly, pulling away from the arm Jonathan had around her
waist. “I can get a taxi.”

Roxi shook her head. “No, that’s not
necessary, I can get a taxi.”

“But you live much farther away than I do.
It’ll cost you. Besides, it’s late. How about you stay with us?”
Linda asked, as she looked at Jonathan. “I have a spare room you
can stay in, and when we all wake up tomorrow, Jonathan can give
you a ride home.”

Jonathan turned to Linda and stared at her
like he didn’t know her. How the hell could she invite Roxi to her
home? He wanted to yell, “No!” but all he could do was go along
with it. He didn’t want to look like an ass in front of everyone.
“Sure thing. Get your things and let’s get out of here. I’m
beat.”

“I don’t have anything. Just me.”

“You don’t have your bag?” Jonathan felt his
forehead crease in surprise. She had a huge purse that she’d bring
everywhere. He used to argue with her all the time that she never
used anything in it, and that she should leave it at home instead
of lugging it around.

“No.” She averted her gaze. “Liam won’t
allow it.” Jonathan laughed out loud. He knew how much she liked to
be in control. That’s all it was, a control issue with them. They
both knew she didn’t need that stupid bag, and he had put her over
his knee a time or two about it.

The three of them walked out of the club and
headed to the parking lot. Jonathan pulled a key fob out of his
pocket and chirped the alarm of his Corvette Stingray.

“Oh. My. God. Jonathan.” Roxi practically
screamed. “You got it! You actually convinced them?”

“It’s all about who you know.” He sounded
cocky.

“And how much money you have!” Roxi
added.

“Well, yeah, that too.” He shrugged.

Jonathan and Roxi stared at the silver car
under the streetlights, and Linda stared at them. Judging by the
wrinkle in her brow, she was a little confused, so he explained.
“This car hasn’t actually been released to the public yet.”

“Oh, Jonathan, she’s gorgeous.” Roxi ran her
fingertips along the side of the car walking around to the front.
She leaned forward to take a look at the front of the vehicle.
“What did you name her?”

“I—I didn’t name her.” He shook his head and
pinched the bridge of his nose.

Roxi stood immediately. “What? Why not?”

“
You
named all of my cars. I never
did. Remember? I always thought it was stupid.” He didn’t really.
He loved that she cared as much about his cars as he did. He’d
almost named his new car, but without Roxi, it seemed wrong, so he
didn’t.

“Maybe so, but you went along with it, and
you referred to them by name as I recall.” She laughed. It was a
magical sound. One he missed hearing and it made his heart ache.
Fuck!
Would his heart ever stop hurting when it came to
her?

“Roxi.” Linda chimed in. “If you were to
name this car, what would you call her?”

Jonathan chuckled and pulled Linda to him.
“Don’t encourage her.”

“Hmmm.” Roxi thought about it with a finger
to her chin. “I think something like Silvey, or Silvia for the
silver color.”

“See? You had to get her going. This could
take all night.”

Linda just laughed. They watched as Roxi
continued her walk to the back, feeling her way around the car with
a palm. “Argentina! That’s the land of silver. We could call her
Tina for short.” After spending time looking at the rear of the car
she joined them by the driver’s side.

“How does she know that?” Linda asked,
amused.

“She just does.” Jonathan answered softly.
“She’s always learning new things; she worked in some sort of
creative research department once, and learned a ton of odd things
there.”

“God she’s gorgeous, Jonathan.” Roxi
couldn’t keep her eyes off the car. “Just one problem though.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Only two seats, there’s three of us.”

He looked back and forth between the two
women. “Shit,” he chuckled. “My first two-seater, I’m not used to
that yet.”

Linda pulled her phone out and held it up.
Jonathan tilted his head and watched her curiously as she grinned
at the touch screen.

“I thought ahead, the boys are coming to get
me. Go ahead take Roxi home. I’ll see you soon. I have to work the
next few days and I’ll call when I finish my schedule of flights
for the week.”

“You sure?” He stepped close to her and ran
his hands down the length of her arms.

“Yes, it’s a done deal.” She wrapped her
arms around his waist and pulled him in for a sweet kiss, and
whispered, “Why don’t you try to make things work with Roxi.
Everyone deserves a second chance.”

He stepped back in shock and looked her in
the eyes. “She’s had a couple of second chances already.” He
sighed, and pulled her toward Roxi. “Let’s all go inside and wait
for Billy and Damien. I don’t want to leave until I know you’re
safe with the guys.”

Inside the three of them sat at the table
closest to the door in an uncomfortable silence. Linda excused
herself after a moment and went to the bar. Jonathan watched as
Spike handed her a paper and what looked like a pen. She scribbled
something, looked up thoughtfully and wrote some more. After giving
Spike back his pen, they exchanged a few words, both smiled, and
then she headed back to her seat.

“What was that all about?” Jonathan stuck
his chin out toward the bar.

“Nothing. I just needed to write something
down.” She smiled at him and leaned forward stuffing the folded
paper in her back pocket.

Five minutes later the guys texted Linda
that they were out front, and everyone said their goodbyes for the
night. Linda’s goodbye lasted longer than he would’ve expected. She
held on to him tightly and her kiss lingered.

Jonathan and Roxi headed to his car. He
stopped before he opened her door and shook his head, laughing.
“Two seats,” he mused out loud.

Once settled in, neither of them spoke. He
thought about putting the radio on but opted for silence. His mind
was too full. How could Linda think Roxi needed another chance? He
couldn’t give her another one, could he? Hell no, he liked Linda,
and Roxi had her day, but there was always that tug on his heart
when he thought of them being back together.

Debating again whether or not to put on some
music, he decided against it, any other noises would put him over
the edge of angst. He just wanted to be home with his feet up, or
maybe a soak in the hot tub.

On the highway, his exit was next, and the
exit to Roxi’s place was still another few down the road. So close
but so far away, he thought. It would be another hour or so before
he would be home to relax.

“Jonathan, why don’t we go to your house? I
can take a cab from there. You look tired.” He could sense her gaze
on him.

“No it’s all right. I’m fine.” He gripped
the steering wheel tightly.

“You sure?” She patted his thigh. “There’s
another option—I could stay in the guest room and head home in the
morning.”

As he pondered that, his exit was fast
approaching. He really did want to get home. “Okay.” He merged off
the exit ramp heading to his house.

The house stood dark so he knew Pilar was at
her place and there’d be no big fanfare when Roxi entered with him.
He’d have to make sure to get up early enough to sneak Roxi out
before Pilar could find her there. As far as she knew, he and Roxi
were over for good. At least that’s what he’d told her. Pilar had
gotten very upset with him and went off on a tangent in her mother
language saying something about his foolishness.

Jonathan used his key fob to turn off the
house alarm and then he unlocked the door. Brushing past him, Roxi
went off on her own. He put his keys on the table in the foyer and
looked up at the mirror. He did look tired; his eyes were lined
with dark circles underneath.

Heading to his room, he didn’t see or hear
Roxi. He had no idea where she went. In the past, she would stay in
his room. Walking down the hall, he saw light streaming along the
floor from the door directly across from his. He knocked on the
door. “Roxi, do you need anything?”

“No, I remember where everything is. No need
to worry. Good night.”

“Good night.” Roxi was in his house. He
never thought she’d be there again, what an odd feeling, and this
situation was just plain weird. He needed a nightcap.

Drink in hand he stood outside overlooking
the pool where he watched as the LED lights in the water changed
colors. The sound of the fountain in the garden nearby set him in a
trance until the soft hoots of an owl brought him out of it. He
looked at the glass in his hand and swirled the amber liquid.
Before it could still, he kicked it back, enjoying the burn as it
went down.

In his bathroom as he readied for bed, he
heard the crinkle of paper when he removed his pants. He didn’t
remember putting anything in there so he reached in and pulled out
a white paper folded into fours—a note. Glancing at the bottom it
was from Linda.

Jonathan,

I wish I had the nerve to tell you this in
person, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to go through with it.
So, a note will have to do.

I’m not one to settle down, and you know
that. What I know about you is that you need to be with someone. I
know who that someone is and so do you. So, please go to her and
love her like I know you do. She loves you too, Jonathan. You might
not think so, but she does. Everyone around you can see it but you.
Open your eyes and your heart. Give her another second chance.

Don’t try to contact me, at least not for a
long while. I wouldn’t mind being invited to a wedding one day,
though. Thank you for being a great friend, and for sharing your
world with me. I enjoyed it and I learned a lot about myself.

All the best…

-Linda

Jonathan grabbed his phone and dialed
Linda’s number. The phone rang three times before a recorded
message informed him that she was “not accepting calls from this
number.” She’d blocked him.
Fuck!

Jonathan sat on the edge of his tub and read
the note again. He felt as if his lungs were being restricted.
Linda was the best thing to happen to him after Roxi dismissed him
from her life. But had she dismissed him? She slept just across the
hall. Did that mean she was speaking to him again? “What the hell?”
He was so confused.

Knowing he wouldn’t be getting sleep anytime
soon, he put on his swim trunks and headed to the hot tub. Walking
from his room, he could smell Roxi’s perfume in the hall, and he
stopped a moment to breathe it in. The scent made him turn to her
door. Splaying his hand across the panel, he leaned his head
against the wood frame.

He almost fell in when she swung open the
door. “Shit! You scared me!” She stood there staring from huge
eyes. “I was heading to the kitchen for a glass of water.”