Uncharted (Unexpected Book 3) (22 page)

“You look sober.” Matthew is sitting at my piano when I enter the house.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I question him. Damn, I forgot he was here for a couple of days.
Go back to California, buddy.
“Every time I disappear doesn’t mean I’m fucking or drinking, Matthew. There’re many reasons why I leave and many places for me to go. Not everything is alcohol and women for me.”

He isn’t really wrong. Normally it is just alcohol and women.

Looking at my brother, I think about what Pria said.
“I’m not the only one who gave up on their dreams.”
I didn’t, did I? The band is on hiatus while Matthew decides what he wants to do with his life. Gabe really wants one of us to take over the production company, and MJ’s the one who digs that movie shit. I like it, but not as much. In order to take over, my brother moved to California, where he goes to school and works odd jobs for Dad’s company.

Both my parents want to delegate as much as they can and enjoy life—the life they denied themselves for years because they wanted to protect each other and the family from the media. Which is why I took over the record company.

Did I have any dreams? Yes, become a famous rock star, create timeless music that would become a legacy and transcend generations. Not one fucking tune of mine will make it that far. I haven’t written lyrics in years; only arranged what my brother and sister cooked up.

“Do you need me to come back home?” MJ offers, and God, I love my brother for being such a selfless bastard. “Deferment is an easy three-step process.”

“No. This is your last semester. Stay in school and follow those dreams, Matthew.” I head to the bench and hug him. “Promise that you won’t give them up—not for me or anyone else.”

My brother hugs me back and starts laughing. “How is she?” My brows pull into a frown. “I heard that Ana is Cypriana, alias Pria. How’s she doing?”

“Her life is a fucking mess, but she’s hotter.” I turn on my heel toward the glass walls, staring at the dark horizon. “She told me that everything’s gonna be fine. As if she has some magic formula.”

“She does,” my brother says matter-of-factly. My mouth spreads into a thin line. “I’m heading to bed, try to rest. Oh, and text Mrs. Princess. She’s worried, and you know she hates to be left out.”

I walk, following him to the staircase, each to our own room. As I shut my door, my phone rings. “Hello?” I don’t check the caller ID because at this time at night, it’s usually an emergency or AJ, who doesn’t give a shit about sleeping hours.

“I drank more than what I intended and didn’t eat dinner.” A female voice slurs on the other side of the line. “I’ll be at your office later…like in the afternoon.”

“That’s fine, Pria. See you at one o’clock then.” I’m about to hang up when I hear her slurry voice mumbling nonsense. “Come again?”

“I said, why didn’t you call me?” She drags her words. “I waited. Until I realized it had been just a fantasy. A fantasy I continue playing in my head. For years I’ve dreamt of the perfect man. A guy who had your voice, looked like you, but is nothing like you. I obsessed so much that one day I even bought a dog, named him Max and imagined he was ours. Later I had to give him up, like I did to all my hopes and dreams. I don’t have any—dreams. Wait, maybe I never had any real dreams.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Most definitely. That’s why I called, because I won’t be able to arrive at the office early.” Pria laughs. “Not to worry, I wrote myself a note—never again to buy alcohol or to fantasize about you. So this is the last one, ever. I’m loyal to those notes.”

Fantasize about me? Never in my life has my cock hardened this fast, and during a phone call. The things I could do to that woman. But I wouldn’t because I am loyal too. I
only
fuck nameless chicks.

I promised Norah to never think about Pria again. And now she is back in my life. I can’t help but think of her. Of how hot she is now. Of how my fantasies about her didn’t do her justice.
Stop there, Jacob.
She. Moved. On. Didn’t she?

“Both for the best, Pria. Have a good night.”

“Ana. The name is now Ana.” The line goes dead.

Ironic how I met her back when we both had dreams and believed we could take on the world, and now we both are a couple of ghosts floating with no direction. After seeing her today, I realize that the anger I carried for so long is gone. I wasn’t angry at her, but at life. The frustration of what I became remains, but my resentment against her is no longer there. It doesn’t matter. Regardless, Pria and I can never be together again. Now it’s too late. That fantasy is the last thing I need right now, anyway.

Pushing papers around my desk doesn’t help organize it, nor does it take my mind out of the gutter. Yesterday I had a fucking dream that I can’t shake. A combination of the memories of when Pria and I had our first time together, but the girl I made love to was a grown woman who sucked my cock like no one has ever done before. I woke up drenched in sweat after a wet dream. Not exactly what I expected at my age.

Fuck, she’s back—Pria. AJ said she had the perfect solution for the two of us. My sister also needs a hand. The music school is a hit and she’s expanding it. It’ll become an art academy. Gabe’s creating an acting department that he’ll oversee. We’re including dance, sculpting and drawing. Everything will come together when we buy the building next door and remodel.

“Hello, Prince Charming.” AJ opens the door after knocking twice. “Good, there’s no fornication activity to interrupt during this lovely afternoon. I confess, your messy desk reminds me of your old room décor. Pigsty, ‘oink, oink.’”

“What up, Princess?” I snarl at her and check the time. One o’clock.

AJ steps in, placing a hard copy of C. Ana M. Walker’s resume on top of my desk. I read it again. She has a business degree with a minor in graphic design, and a master’s degree. She is a Certified Image Consultant. She worked for several department stores during college, then Microsoft and some consultant company I’ve never heard of before. She has experience in accounting, office management, public relationships, and corporate events. I’m impressed. Pria obviously works hard, yet has a clunker for a car and lives with her father.

“Is she here?” AJ answers with a nod, and opens the door wider.

My cock swells even more at the sight of her plump lips. They’re the stuff of fucking dreams, fantasies, and yes, memories of our week together.

The woman entering wears a black suit skirt, a pair of black high heels, and her hair is tightened into a sleek bun. Professional. My eyes dart toward those lips again. They’re covered with a soft color of lipstick that matches her eyeshadow. The dark eyes are covered by those big, thick eyelashes that reach the sky.

“Are you going to tell me why she bolted yesterday?” AJ points at Pria. “And why you became a prime asshole; not to mention why you keep calling her Pria?”

She’s going to do this now? In front of Pria? What the hell? I give her a stern glare. Pria stares at me.

“You slept with her and never called, didn’t you? What else is new with you?”

Pria’s lashes lower, covering her eyes and not letting me look into them. Her entire body tenses and I want to kill my sister for embarrassing her.

“Out.” I order AJ to leave, pointing at the door. “You’ve no idea what you’re talking about, AJ.”

Her eyes become a couple of slits. She glares from me to Pria a couple of times, sizing up the situation.

“One thing I noticed is that her eyes are dark—like the night.” I gulp. AJ smirks and her intelligent eyes grow wide, as if she solved the riddle that kept her up all night long. Then she scans my office one more time and tsks. “You’d think that after that messy incident, you’d have at least learned to organize and clean. Ten years and you’ve learned nothing, my little grasshopper.”

She whistles the tune of a song I wrote for Pria.

“Who told you?” That was between MJ and me. Well, Mason too, because I asked him to search for Pria, but I made both promise not to say anything.

“Mattie, of course.” She laughs, that evil laugh that never fails to tell me that she’s one step ahead of me. “I’m not stupid, Jacky.”

She tilts her head slightly and looks at Pria.

“I knew we had a connection, Ana. My beloved Prince Charming, I believe now you’re entering uncharted territory. Good luck.” AJ leaves my office, laughing and closing the door behind her. “This is going to be a blast.”

I stare at the door, dumbfounded. My sister’s instability is reaching unimaginable places. Having her committed to an institution is impossible, as her husband wouldn’t allow that. Damn Bradley. I should suggest he takes that woman away to some exotic location for a year or two—at least until I fix the crap we have with the media.

“Wow, you’re scared of your sister.” Pria’s voice drags my attention from the closed door. Her raspy voice travels from my ears down through my nervous system and shocks my heart. God hates me. “I think I like her even more than I did before,
Jacky
.”

I scratch the bridge of my nose and stare at the résumé, searching for a way to cool down.

“Uh…we have to set a few rules, Pria.”

“Ana, the name is Ana.” She looks up to the ceiling and twists her lips to the side. “Déjà vu. No, I don’t think I’ve said that before.”

“Yes, you did after drunk-calling me,
Pria
.” She cringes as I say her name and it brings me some sick satisfaction. Or maybe the cringing was about the call. It doesn’t matter. I have the upper hand here. “When you told me about your notes.”

“Oh no, I did it again. See, that’s why I forbade myself to drink.” The comment about the note is long gone. “After Robbie and I broke up, I called him too. Not the best call ever.”

A foolish instinct makes my insides roar when I hear the name of her ex-fiancé.

“I told him that sex with him sucked.” She laughs. “Which it did, not that I have much experience. But my one and only before made me feel a lot more in one weekend than Robbie did in years.”

Satisfaction runs through my veins.
She didn’t sleep around after me?
Then I feel anger because someone else touched her.
And the douche couldn’t satisfy her.
Pria clamps her lips and her hands become two perfect fists. I rise from my seat and walk to where she stands, towering over her, pinning her down. Her eyes become pitch black. There’s the twinkle.
My twinkle
.

“Maybe it wasn’t him, but you. By my assessment, you’re frigid, tight, and edgy. Nothing good can happen with that kind of personality.” I bring my hand close to her face and caress her jaw with my index finger.

“I promised your sister I’d loosen that tight ass of yours. My fingers know the way in, and how you like them to move inside you.”

Her hitched breathing picks up in speed, but she doesn’t move. This is fun. Torturing her for all those nights my soul agonized because of her imprisonment.

“I doubt he knows how much you enjoy dirty talk. Did he ever make you wet by murmuring in your ear?” I whisper, my lips caressing her earlobe. Pria doesn’t move. “Did he take your ass? No. I’m thinking that’s also up for grabs. Another place I can claim as mine.”

A low, throaty moan tightens my dick even harder. To control my body, I close my eyes, and it’s in that moment that her skin’s honey-flowery scent hits my nostrils, followed by the aroma of her arousal. The blowing sound that her hand makes as it slaps my face opens my eyes instantly. My cheek burns, but not as much as her hateful eyes do.

“You have no right to mock our week together. It mattered to me. It was my first.” She takes a step backward and stabs my chest with her long fingernail a couple of times. “I trusted you. Yes, I became part of your pile of willing bodies, but don’t you dare bring it up again. The fact that you became this asshole I can’t stand is another matter. From now on, you’re not allowed to talk about our past. If you want me to help you and your dad, you do as I say. Sex isn’t part of your vocabulary anymore. That’s one of your famous moves. Fuck ’em and leave ’em—just like your father, Chris.”

I’m about to open my mouth to protest, but she places a finger on top of my lips.

“That’s what I read—your image. It’s part of what you want me to fix.” She drops her finger but her eyes order me to shut up. “You do as I say. I’m here to tighten up that ass of
yours
, Jacob. I’ll use superglue if I have to seal your crack.”

My jaw bounces several times and I have a hard time picking it up from the floor. Who is this woman? Definitely not the sweet, demure Pria from ten years ago.

“You’re here to change me?” My tone of voice lowers, as I realize she doesn’t like me either. I’m shaking with rage. She has no right to fix me. It was her. She was the one who cast me aside, who didn’t bother to wait. She began this self-destructive path. “Make me a prissy man with class?”

“No. I’m not here to fix you or change you.” She purses her lips. She takes a deep breath, as if rethinking what she wanted to say. She smooths her skirt and her tone of voice decreases to a businesslike level. The anger from her posture dissipated, but her eyes are burning with rage. “I’m here to show everyone that they don’t know you, Jacob, and maybe, while I’m here, I’ll help you find that guy you lost somewhere along the way. You didn’t lose your dreams, Jacob; you lost yourself.”

How does she know?

Pria takes two steps toward me, and before I know what she is doing she encircles my waist with her arms, placing her head on my chest, giving me a tight hug. My arms fight the need—the desire—to hug her back.

“You’ll never talk or think about her again?”

“About who? There’s no other girl in my life but you.”

“Promise, JC.”

“I swear. No one will ever take your place.”

I promised Norah.

How did Pria see through my façade?

“It needs a lot of tuning.” Pria releases me and smiles. “See you tomorrow. I’m working from home today. I’ll email you the contracts for you to sign. I’ll be doing some online research about your crazy life.”

“What needs tuning?” I ask as she leaves my office.

“Your heart. It’s out of whack, like your soul—it’s kind of lost.” She winks at me as if she has finished her assessment and is about to repair the damage. “Someone once told me that strumming a guitar helps tune a piano. Try that with your heart. That’s your homework for today.”

“Pria, we can’t—us—”

“Jacob, I’m aware of everything and what that week meant to you, compared to what it meant to me.” Her calm voice takes over. “Ten years ago, we shared a crazy week that marked my life and my future. It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. It sculpted who I became and who I should be. That girl is most definitely in the past. I’d never believe now that a guy like you would look at me. We’re simply different species.”

She’s not making sense. Different species? I don’t understand but I need to know if she…if she… “Pria, are we friends?”

“Ana. Please never call me that again. You contracted me, which makes you my client. We can have a harmonious relationship if you want to. See you tomorrow, sir.”

What she says doesn’t clear my confusion. I have no idea what I want to be; I’m only aware of what we can’t be. Once upon a time, when I was eighteen and stupid, I imagined things, said things I forgot, and in an instant, they’re cascading back through my mind.

“I like your eyes; they’re pretty.” AJ storms into my office using that evil laugh that only the bitch can pull. She sits on the chair across from me and rests her bare feet on top of my desk. “I have to make Matthew play me the scene: ‘I’m going to marry her.’ Do you think he’ll wear a dreadlocks wig?”

I glower at her; my tongue is too thick to form any words. She’s mocking me, and in other circumstances I might laugh with her. Or lash back. But this is not a laughing matter. My life changed in many ways when Cypriana Marie Walker walked into my life. Day in and day out I wonder what would’ve happened if we had ordered our books online instead. Or ignored her at the coffee shop, as MJ suggested. Or if I hadn’t have lost her phone number. Or if I hadn’t headed to Redmond on a wild goose chase.

AJ laughs some more, holding her midriff. As she tries to contain the laugh, she speaks. “I forgot about his stupid hairdo. You know, sometimes I wish the three of us had gone to the same school…together.” AJ composes her posture. “But then I remember that if we change one single thing, maybe today I wouldn’t be here, our parents might not be together, and everyone would be unhappy.”

“AJ, stop right there before we both end up lashing out at each other.” Her green eyes close for a couple of breaths and she mouths “sorry.” “Not sure if this will work, but for you I’m giving it a try, Princess.”