Two-Faced (3 page)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Dinner was delicious. Zach seemed know the best eating places in El Paso
—the ones frequented by locals that the tourists hadn’t discovered. As they walked from the restaurant back to their hotel, Zach stopped and tilted her face toward his. "You’re smiling, Jess.”

"Was I?" she teased.

"Jess, you know, I wasn't going to come to this conference. Since Bonnie died,” he paused, “I haven’t wanted to get involved with anyone. At the last minute something made me come here. I think the reason was to meet you." He brushed a lock of hair off her cheek, then leaned over her and kissed her softly on the mouth. “I don't want it to end tomorrow.”

A
s much as she wanted to linger in his embrace, she couldn't let him labor under any illusions, and pulled away. "Zach, I'm sorry, I thought I explained to you that I can't get involved now. I have this custody battle to think about. I'm not even divorced."

"I know what you told me. But it doesn
’t have to be that way.”

"Not now. I can't get involved in anything serious. My life is just too complicated." They walked back to the hotel in silence. Then took the elevator up the second floor. When they reached Z
ach's doorway, he turned to look at her.

"All right Jess. We'll do it your way.”
Frowning, he studied her. “I want to make this a night that you’ll remember. That we'll both remember." He opened his door and led her into the room.

He was looking at her wit
h an intensity that made her shiver. "Do you trust me, Jessica?”

She looked up at him, searching his eyes. His eyes never wavered from hers. She turned her back to him and waited. His lips grazed the back of her neck as he slowly unzipped her dress.

“What is it you want, Jessica? What is it you really want?”

****************************************************

Jess couldn’t remember getting on the plane. Last night felt like a dream from which she hadn’t quite awakened. Zach's presence flooded her being. She could smell his scent on her skin. Taste him in her mouth. Feel the touch of his strong hands on her body.

Perhaps she'd gone too far, telling Zach her deepest fantasies. But there was something about him that made it okay. She would never see him a
gain. That made it easier. It made it possible for her to be so open with him. To not only share her fantasies. But to live them out.

Even now, thinking back on their last night together, Jess could feel the pressure of Zach's lips exploring her body.

"Miss, would you like something to drink?" The stewardess interrupted her reverie.

"Tomato juice please." She took the drink the stewardess handed her. “
What time do we land?" 

"12:20," the stewardess said.

Only an hour left to relive last night. She put her drink down on the tray, lay back and closed her eyes. She would savor it for just a little while longer. Then it was back to real life.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Maddy plopped down in the chair opposite Jess's desk. "Okay, Tell me everything. And don't leave out a single detail. I was so afraid you weren't going to come in to work today."

Jess laughed. "Why wouldn't I come in?"

"You know, you just got in. Maybe you'd be too tired after your weekend of wild sex."

When Jess didn't respond, Maddy looked at her. "Oh my God! I'm right. That was it."

Jess couldn't stop herself from smiling. "Maddy, ssh! Quiet down. Everyone will hear you!"

"Oh my God! You took my advice! I can
’t believe you weren't going to tell me.

Between her own laughter, and Maddy's excitement, Jess couldn't get a word in. She was still smiling when Mr. Collins walked in two minutes later.

"You're looking very chipper this morning. Have a good time in El Paso?"

"Yes, it was very nice. Thank you for sending me, Mr. Collins."

“Glad you enjoyed it, Jessica. I hope you'll share what you learned with the others in the office. Perhaps at our Wednesday morning meeting you could give us a quick rundown. You know, not more than 10 minutes or so. Just the salient details."

"Oh, yes. I'll be happy to," Jess smiled .

"Great," he beamed, closing the door behind him as the two women struggled to contain their laughter.

“
So?" Maddy said, shaking her head impatiently.

"Well,
I met a guy. And...," Jess paused, "he was great. Funny, sweet, rich and very sexy. We had the most wonderful weekend. Dinner, walks under the stars.”

"And?”
Maddy prodded.

"And great sex." Jess took a sip of water. "Maddy, I didn't know what I was miss
ing."

"Oh my god, Jess! I'm so happy! And it
’s not that I'm taking all the credit for it.”

"I know. I know have you to thank for pushing me into it."

"So where's he from? What does he do? And when are you going to see him again?"

"He's from Houston and he
owns his own real estate firm. And I hate to disappoint you but this weekend was it. I'm not going to see him again.

"Are you nuts? You liked him, right?"

“You know my situation, Mad."

"But still..."

"No. It was just a one time thing. A break from reality. And now it’s over. Back to real life."

CHAPTER NINE

Sally looked up as Jess walked into the office. “
A call for you on line two."

“
Thanks, Sally,” Jess said. She'd just finished showing the Simm’s house to a couple who appeared to be very interested and it looked as like they were going to make an offer. She hoped this was them. "I'll take it at my desk."

"Jessica Parks,”
she said into the phone. There was no response. "Hello?"

"Jess…
."

She rec
ognized the Texas drawl immediately.

"Jess, it
’s Zach. We need to talk"

Jess arrived at Will Rogers Park. She got out of her car and walked up the path that lea
d from the parking lot, past the tennis courts to the small man-made lake in the center of the park.

She was relieved to see that the park was inhabited by few people at this time of day-- too early for the runners and too late for the mothers with small
children. A couple of teenagers, probably playing hooky from school were too busy groping each other to pay her any attention. She scanned the area, searching for Zach but didn’t see him at first.

Then she spotted him. A lone, solitary figure, leaning nonc
halantly against the basketball pole with his back to her. She’d recognizes his tall, well built form anywhere though she was surprised to see him smoking a cigarette.

A smile flickered across her face
––she had to admit she was secretly pleased that he'd called, in spite of his promise not to.

Willing herself to calm down, she reminded herself that she was meeting him in order to put an end to the relationship. To tell him she couldn't see him again. El Paso, no matter how wonderful it had been, was a mome
nt of crazy weakness, not to be repeated.

She strode resolutely toward him and took a deep breath. "Zach…
"

Before she could say another word, he turned to face her.

"Jessica, long time no see.” He grinned, and removed his dark sunglasses. “Well actually it's only been a week."

She hesitated. His hair was pushed haphazardly behind his ears and looked like it hadn't been washed since she
’d seen him last. He sported a three day growth of beard, and the dark circles around his bloodshot eyes made him look as if he'd spent the last two days on a drunken binge. But it was his voice, the change in his voice that was the most shocking–––his thick Texas drawl was gone, he sounded like he could be from New York.

"Zach?”

The coldness of his grey eyes as he looked her over from head to toe sent a chill through her body.

"Good to see you again, Jess.”
He took a step towards her, his manner ominously intimate.

She instinctively stepped back. "I don't have long. I…
I have to get back to work," she stammered.

"So soon? But we've only just found each other again." His voice trailed off. He reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Stop it," Jess said, trying to pulling away. "What's going on? Let go of me."

His grip on her arm tightened. "Jessica, I don't underst
and. The last time we were together you said you wished I could touch you forever. Don't tell me you've changed your mind already.”

"Let go of me," she said struggling to break free.

"You're just as good looking as I remembered,” he said, his eyes lingering on her body. “And just as feisty.”

Jessica felt naked and dirty under his smirking gaze. "Don't ever call me again," she said, trying to control the rising panic in her voice. She was barely able to stand, her legs were trembling so. She had to get away
. She didn't understand what was going on, only that she'd somehow been duped. And used.

"Don't you even want to know why I called?”

Something in his voice made her stop struggling. She forced herself to look into his icy grey eyes.

"This should make it
clear," he said, reaching into his backpack and pulling out a DVD. "You know they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I think this one might be worth at least eighty thousand. Dollars that is." She backed away as he shoved the DVD at her.

"What is th
is?" she said softly, barely able to get the words out.

"Jeeze, Jess. You said you'd remember our special night forever.”
He let out an exaggerated sigh. “This tape will ensure that you remember it in every juicy detail. Eighty thousand is a bargain when you consider what's on it. Since it’ll be priceless to your husband in court."

Jess took a step back, trying to catch her breath. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"My huband?" She looked at him. “What does Lars have to..." her voice trailed off as she began to comprehend the meaning of what he was saying. "Lars put you up to this? I can’t believe this is happening.” She stumbled backwards, hot tears of betrayal streaming down her face.

Zach reached out to steady her.

"Don't touch me," she screamed. "Why are you doing this? What do you want?"

"I think the more pertinent question is 'what is it you want, Jessica?' He held the tape up, a familiar grin lighting his face. "What is it you
really
want?"

Jess sank down onto
the park bench as the phrase he'd spoken from that weekend came back to her with painful irony.

What is it you want Jess. What is it you really want?

She was going to be sick. “Why are you doing this?"

"For the money, of course.

"Eighty thousand…" She said in shock.

"Sold! To the lady in the short skirt. Tell me Jess, did you always dress that way?" His eyes slowly scanned her from head to toe. "Or has it only been since you discovered your inner slut in El Paso?"

Jess felt rage burn through her entire body. She wanted to scream and tear at him with her nails. "I don't have that kind of money and you know it."

"Well I suggest you get it. Soon. Let
’s say we meet here again next Tuesday.” He turned to leave.

"No. Wait. Please. I can't get that kind of m
oney. Please don't do this to me."

"Sorry, hon. See you next week. Get yourself some popcorn and enjoy the film. I sure did.”