Ignite Me (A Burning Desire Novel) (17 page)

He leaned down, and lifted her on his shoulders, “It’s my
new nickname. And my team will own yours.”

I propped my head up and laughed smugly, “I’d love to see
you try.”

Landon gave us, the ‘watch me’ sign and went back inside
the living room with Aurelia hovering and clapping.

“This isn’t happening!” Brandon barked as way of ranting
over his defeat.

“Don’t be smug little sis, you’re losing to a bunch of Barbie
and teddy bear names.”

I suppressed my grin. We were losing to Aurelia and her
team of minions, composed of Landon and Emilia.

We were playing Taboo and they wrote a bunch of characters
we knew nothing about; it went from Barbie to Snow White, along with Pokémon
and of course, the bloody minions.

Emilia was jiggling around miming a short person with an awkward
hair, “Titeuf.” Landon finally exclaimed. Aurelia shook her head violently and
jumped up and down, “Phil” he said again, and they moved to another one.

 
“He’s so good
at this; it’s scaring the crap out of me.” Jude leaned down and murmured to my
ear.

Landon had a whole lot of knowledge about cartoon
characters, but then again, the way he mimicked them was adorably cute. It was
fun watching him enjoying himself with the girls.

“Time is up.” Corinne announced.

Clapping his hands together, Jude turned to me, “Okay
boo-boo, there are only two left. You’ve got ninety seconds, take your time,
and let’s keep our title.”

Stepping inside the circle, I removed one of the two
pieces of paper left in the jar it was a movie title. I started mimicking the
words, as Jude moved up and down in anticipation.

“Movie, three words, first one.” Jude kept following my
instructions, “First word, hand shake, oh - oh, hi, no, umm, meets…” I nodded
and Jude shouted, “Meet Joe Black, Yes.”

Picking the last piece of paper, I studied Landon, he was
eager for me to lose. I could tell, by the way he stared at the stopwatch.

“Come on Clea.”

I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. Jude must have
written it. I knew it because we had only one way to mimic it.

I sank into the chair, and Jude pushed to his feet, ready
to win.

“Okay, one word, no, two words, name, oh okay.”

I curled my toes and faked a silent moan, “Fuck, Landon
Davis?”

“Is that an orgasm? Are you mimicking an orgasm? Watch
your language young man, there are children here.” Nana gasped and bit out at
Jude.

I flushed in embarrassment.

“Oh fuck, I know this one, yes, it’s Harley Spector. Yes,
yes, yes.”

Pushing to my feet, I gave a tense Landon a small shrug
and hugged Jude as we claimed our prize again.

“Come on DeeDee, let’s play house.” Emilia grabbed Landon
and he took her and Aurelia to the beachfront of the house.

Leaving a sore winner to mock Brandon, I joined my mom in
the kitchen, “Hey mom, can I talk to you for a second?”

She was sipping a glass of Merlot while watching Uncle
Keith preparing lunch, “Sure baby, what’s on your mind.”

“Come with me.” I extended my hand to her and she took it.

“Where are we going?”

“To take a walk on the beach, I need a private moment.”

“Okay. Let me take off my shoes.”

Grabbing my purse, I led her to the beach. We passed
Landon and the girls and I blew him a kiss and mouthed “You the only one.”. His
smile broadened and he mouthed smugly, “I know.”

As we reached the beach, I turned to my mom. She looked
beautiful; her skin glowed with happiness. Her hair flew gently in the wind and
fell back to cover her arms. She wore a sleeveless white wraparound dress, and
her pearls. She was both elegant and fresh.

“Honey stop staring me like that, you’re worrying me.”

I shook my head and beamed at her, “I’m sorry, you’re just
so beautiful mom, and glowing.”

She brought her palm to my cheek and smiled, “Thank you
baby. I could say the same about you, you know.”

I scrambled through my purse and removed the boxes and
handed them to her.

“What are these?”

“Those are our wedding gifts to you.” I announced, “One
from me, one from Jenna, and the last one is from Jude.”

Her eyes gleamed.

“Jenna won’t be able to come next week, and she didn’t
want to give it to you before the ceremony and take a chance to ruin your makeup.”

She shook her head in disbelief, unable to speak.

Taking her hand in mine, I swallowed the lump in my
throat, “You didn’t get to have a traditional wedding with dad, since you two
got married on the back of a camel.” She laughed and I continued, “So this
time, you get to have one, Jenna got you something new, I got you your
something blue, and Jude had an idea for your something borrowed.”

I removed two boxes and l left Jenna’s gift in her hand.

“Open it.” I said.

Removing the cover, she pulled out the necklace Jenna had
gotten her and gasped. It had a little pendant holding the letters C and J.

“She says that it would make her your daughter, Clea and
Jenna. I told her she already was your daughter, but you know how she is.”

My mom had always been careful about showing emotions in
public, but she couldn’t hold her tears.

“That girl is as stubborn as a Davis.”

“I Know.” I stated.

Putting the necklace back in the box, she picked up my
gift and opened it.

Removing the blue hair brooch, she took me in an embrace, “This
is beautiful baby. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome mom, do you like it?”

She pulled from me, “Like it? I adore it sweetheart.”

“Good.” I said, and handed her Jude’s gift.

“Now before you open it, I have to tell you something.” I
put my hand on hers and spoke, “The reason Jude didn’t give you this himself,
is that he thought you might find it inappropriate. I told him that you won’t
but he insisted. This is something very special.”

A frown formed on her beautiful face and she stared at my
hand, “What is it?”

I inhaled deeply, “Remember when Jude had his first
contract with the men fragrance perfume, and he was all fussed up and stressing
about the party?”

She nodded.

“Well, you didn’t know this, but dad drove with us that
night, and when he saw how anxious and brooding Jude was in the car, dad gave
him his watch.”

“He did?”

I nodded, yes, “He thought it would give him a boost of confidence
as it did with him.”

I continued telling her the story, “He was barely
seventeen, and you know how his family was. We really are his family, his only
one.”

“We were fortunate to have him, especially you.” She
caressed my cheek and I smiled.

“”We were, we are.”

“Anyway, dad never took the watch back, and that night
Jude had signed his first contract, so dad told him to keep it as a reminder,
and a token of his pride.”

Removing the box from her hand, I opened it to reveal the
bracelet, “This is your something old. Jude had a jeweler add the gold chains
to the strap and make it a bracelet. He kept the watch and gave you this.”

Tearing up and unable to hide her emotions, my mom sank to
her knees and pulled me with her.

“Oh mom, I’m sorry maybe he was right.”

She shook her head and wiped her cheek, “Oh that boy.” She
admonished and smiled, “I am going to kill him.”

“So you’re okay with wearing it?” I asked hesitantly.

“Of course I am, your father is always going to be a part
of me, he’s in your laugh, and your big heart. He’s in Brandon’s eyes and his
passion. He’s also in that sweet boy; in the way he loves you and strives to
protect you.”

She fisted her hand and circled her chest, “But mostly,
he’s in here, and he always will be.”

“Oh mom, I’m so happy for you, Keith is a wonderful man,
and I love him so much. If only for the way he makes you happy.” I said
sincerely.

Grabbing my hand in hers, she pressed a kiss to them,
“Merci mon bébé. You have no idea what your words and approval mean to me.”

I wiped my own tears and hugged her.

“Hi.” Jude greeted hesitantly, “Am I in trouble?”

Looking at him with nothing less than motherly love and an
expression of pride, my mom pushed out to her feet and pulled him to her. “You
are
in trouble; you made me cry, in
broad day light, and my dress in ruined.”

Jude held her tight in silence and pulled me in to join
them.

“Landon?”

Reaching my arm behind me, I found it empty, except for a
piece of paper. I felt instantly lonely and disappointed. I rolled over to his nightstand
and removed the remote control to open the blinds. A cold white Manhattan
greeted me. Christmas was approaching at a fast pace, and it has been snowing
for two days.

I sat up on the bed and read the note with the
Davis
& Crawley
letterhead.

Good morning sun of my life,

I broke the rule, I know.

I will pick you up for lunch. I will see
your adorable pout and raise you double chocolate dessert.

Your
One
and
Only
.

Holding the note to my chest, I picked up my phone, and
composed a quick text. Once I hit send, I ran for my bathroom needs.

 
Forty minutes
later, I walked inside my office to find a bouquet of Stargazer Lilies and
Irises waiting for me on my desk with another note.

You
drive a hard bargain, baby.

You
have yourself a deal.

Do
not forget to think about me…

Your
One and Only.

I stared at the card, “How could I…” I mumbled. He haunted
my every thought.

“Good morning traitor.” Liam roared as way of greeting.

I hadn’t seen him since Ryan’s party; he was visiting his
family in Connecticut.

“Why do you say that?”

He placed his briefcase on the desk in front of him and glared
at me, “Um… Hello? Lake George?”

“Screw you Liam, you disappeared with one of the models.
Didn’t you find my voicemail, you could’ve joined us.”

He walked to me and handed me an envelope, “Calm down
sugar, I’m just messing with you.”

“What’s this?” I took the envelope and opened it.

“It’s our communication strategy for Thomson, you get to
enjoy lunch with him and explain the process.”

I cursed inwardly. I hated the idea of being alone with
our client, he made me uncomfortable, and I was looking forward to having lunch
with Landon.

“Hey Liam.”

He interrupted me, “Forget it Clea.”

“Come on, please.”

“No, no way, I’m having lunch with Brooke and her sister.
I can’t bail.” He blew me an air kiss and walked out.

I chased after him, but he disappeared inside Eloise’s
office, and I didn’t want to appear irresponsible. Amory Thomson was a
challenging client and he’d made it clear on the several occasions I had met
with him that he had an agenda. I couldn’t be rude to him so I politely
declined his invitations.

I sank into my chair and searched my head for a way to
avoid the meeting.

Brooke came in and pulled a chair, “I can’t believe my
sister is coming, come with me to lunch, please?”

Brooke had an eclectic relationship with her sister.
Heather was a successful accountant at one of the biggest firms in the country.
They only spoke on holidays, or when Heather came in town for work. She didn’t
understand Brooke’s passion for art and mocked her work ever since she got into
an art school. Liam added to Brooke frustration when he’d slept with her sister
a year ago.

“How about I give you a good reason to bail, and I’ll owe
you one.” I offered.

Straightening her back, she leaned forward, “I’m
listening.”

“Landon and I had plans for lunch, but Liam just came in
and told me that I had to meet Mr. Thomson instead. How about you go have lunch
with him?” I was pleading.

She beamed at me, clearly aware of my struggle, “You had
me at ‘owe you’.”
 

“You’ll do it?”

She nodded and I walked up to her and hugged her, “Thank
you. Let me brief you on the strategy.”

She shook her, “It’s okay; I worked on it with Liam
yesterday night.”

“However, I’m collecting, and I’m collecting big.” She
chanted.

“Anything.” I answered decisively. I would’ve done
anything to avoid that man.

“Didn’t you tell me that Jenna kicked out her tenant?”

I frowned, “In Paris?”

She nodded, “Yes.”

I shook my head in affirmation.

“I just purchased a ticket to spend Christmas there, but I
couldn’t find any vacant apartment or hotel rooms.”

I brushed her off, “Say no more, it’s yours.”

“Really?” She squeaked.

“Free of charges, just bring me some cheese.”

“Cheese.” She laughed.

“Yes, I’ll send you a map for a shop, and it will be ready
for pickup.”

“You got it, you Parisian snob.”

By ten to twelve, I got a call from Adam announcing that
Landon just pulled outside the building, and that I had a package at the
reception. I gathered my purse and made my way to the elevator.

“Damn that man is hot.” Adam greeted me in front of the
door.

“I know.” I said with a proud beam, “I’m lucky.”

Handing me the package, he huffed, feigning envy, “That
you are.”
 

I thanked him and walked to my man. He was standing at the
entrance door holding an umbrella. He looked sharp in a regency blue gabardine
trench coat, latched at the throat.

He looked edible; his dark gaze followed me until I
reached the door. He stopped the door attendant, and pulled the door for me.