Tropical Storm (17 page)

“I’d like to say goodbye to Shane before we leave.” Storm started across the lobby but froze when Cairo abruptly
stopped. That’s when Shane ran up to her and momentarily diverted her attention. When she looked up at Cairo he had a big smile on his face. He hadn’t smiled at her all day so she followed his gaze across the hotel lobby to see what had brought him such pleasure.

Her name was Ambrosia.

She heard the name pass his lips in a pleasurable sigh. Her heart started beating painfully in her chest as she saw Cairo affectionately greet and hug the woman. The way they spoke to each other with just a breath separating them; the way he held her hand lightly in his grip as they spoke; the way she looked at him with easy affection convinced Storm that this was no casual female friend. She felt an unreasonable possessiveness grip her. Shane, who was always sensitive to her moods, tensed beside her as if he too sensed the danger that this woman brought to his newly formed family.

Storm stood seemingly forgotten by Cairo’s side as he carried on his conversation with the woman. It seemed she was destined to be a part of the furniture until Ambrosia turned and looked at her. She then whispered something to Cairo that made him turn back to her. Nodding reluctantly, he introduced the two women.

“Jessica
Storm, this is Ambrosia Harris.” He then struggled to find the right words. “She’s a . . . friend.” The pause was almost imperceptible, but it was not lost on Storm.

Ambrosia held her hand out to Storm with a pleasant, open
smile.

Looking at Ambrosia, Storm almost flinched; she was even more beautiful than she’d first thought. She searched her face for some imperfection but none were visible. She had smooth silky skin that was a rich, dark bronze that complimented high cheekbones and full lips. Her hazel eyes were flecked with gold and her thick dark hair fell in waves down her back. She looked cool and elegant in a short, sleeveless linen dress that complemented her lithe, leggy figure.
To add insult to injury, at nearly six feet tall, she was statuesque and gifted with proportions that a supermodel would envy. She was everything Storm was not. Her eyes were friendly and candid with strength and gentleness in their depths.

“Lovely to meet you.” She said clasping Storm’s hand warmly.

Her lilting Jamaican accent held a hint of British reserve. Storm could find not one thing wrong with her. She felt like a fool.
She never thought for a moment that there might be another woman
in Cairo’s life. The magnitude of her mistake was devastating. To her credit, Storm tried to appear calm in the face of her enemy. She didn’t care if he’d introduced Ambrosia as a ‘friend’, if the woman wanted Cairo that meant she would have a battle on her hands. Cairo was hers and she was not about to let anyone else have him.

“Cairo tells me that you have recently arrived on our island. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.” Ambrosia said gracefully tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

Storm summoned a smile hoping the effort didn’t cripple her. “My son and I are having a wonderful time.” Storm gestured towards Shane who was watching the woman closely with a frown on his face. “The hotel is wonderful and Cairo has done his best to keep us entertained.”

Ambrosia placed a delicate hand on Cairo’s shoulder and squeezed it
affectionately. “Well the hotel is a masterpiece of both architecture and hospitality. He’s worked very hard. I’ve never seen a man so determined to make a success out of something. Watching
The Victory
transform from a dream into a reality was very gratifying. We are all very proud.” The look she gave Cairo was tender and knowing. Storm wanted to punch her.

At her words, Cairo gazed deeply into Ambrosia’s eyes and a look of understanding passed between them—a silent communication that spoke of something more than just a physical bond, it was
something infinitely more dangerous, it was
an emotional one.

Storm’s stomach churned and she thought she might be sick as a strange sense of doom held her in its grip. She unconsciously tightened her hold on Shane’s hand. Sensing her discomfort Shane pulled his hand out of hers and looked up at Ambrosia.

“Hello, Miss Harris. My name is Shane. Did my daddy tell you that he and my mommy are getting married?”

Cairo groaned loudly and Ambrosia, whose face had held nothing but polite friendliness up until that moment, showed a quick flash of pain before she could disguise it.

“Your daddy?” She questioned clearly
startled.

Cairo spoke quickly. “It’s a long story.” He explained. “I’ll tell you all about it later.” He reassured her.

To her credit, Ambrosia kept her composure as she bent down to smile at Shane. “No, your father didn’t tell me the news,” she explained. “But maybe he wanted it to be a surprise. Congratulations to you both,” Her gaze
flickered briefly over Storm and Cairo before returning to Shane’s. “I know your father must be very happy.”

Shane seemed momentarily sidetracked as he stared at Ambrosia’s exquisite loveliness. Even at six, he was not immune. He touched her cheek gently. “You’re very pretty,” he admitted. “But you can’t have my daddy. My mommy and I just got him back.”

“Shane!” Cairo said sharply still not used to his son’s candor.

Ambrosia held up a hand and smiled at Shane warmly. “That’s okay, Cairo,” she said straightening back up to her full height. “It seems your son and I understand each other perfectly.”

She turned to Storm and smiled. “Nice meeting you, Jessica. Your son is delightful and you have a good man in Cairo. I hope you know just how lucky you are.”

“I do.” Storm said quietly. “I really do.” The few words held a wealth of meaning.

Cairo took Ambrosia’s hand. “Come walk with me,” he said gently. “I have a lot to tell you.” He then turned briefly
back to Storm “I’ll meet you both later. We’ll talk then.” And without remembering their date, he was gone.

Storm watched helplessly as he walked away hand-in-hand with a woman who might have the power to change everything she’d worked so long and so hard for.

No one, not her son, not Cairo, no one that saw her as she passed quietly through the hotel lobby back to her room would ever know what it took for her to walk calmly to her suite. Cairo was with a woman he’d clearly been intimate with and one he apparently still cared about. Storm felt like she was falling apart, like she was breaking apart from the inside, but she couldn’t, she wouldn’t, let it show. She had too much pride, had come too far and had suffered too much to let this stop her. Despite this, as soon as she closed the bathroom door away from her son’s worried and prying eyes, Storm sank to her knees near the tub and cried. The sobs came out in silent gasps. The pain she was used to, had been familiar with ever since she’d been ripped from Cairo’s arms on their wedding night, but this feeling, the powerlessness, this
jealously, was new and Storm had no idea how to deal with it. Suddenly, this woman, who obviously held an important place in his life, made Storm feel less desirable, less capable, and less sure of Cairo’s love.

Storm’s body rocked with the effort it took not to sob out loud, not to release the pain her body was now racked with. Shane was in the other room and she would rather die than let him see her this way. She didn’t know how long she sat on the cool tile of the marble floor, her shoulders hunched over her knees, her head in her hands. But when she had no more tears,
she got up, washed her face and replied her makeup doing her best to hide the ravages of her tears. To no avail, like his father,
Shane was a very astute boy. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door slowly and saw
her son at her feet.

Storm leaned down and scooped him up in her arms, a feat that was proving more and more difficult every day. He was growing so quickly.

“How long have you been sitting outside the door, young man?” She asked playfully.

Shane snuggled in her arms and held her tight. “Don’t worry mommy and don’t cry. I won’t let that lady take daddy away. But you can’t give up, okay?”

Storm could only squeeze him tight. It was amazing how perceptive her son was. There was very little that escaped his notice. She stroked his hair lovingly; he had wanted a father for so long.

“Don’t worry about me, Shane.” She reassured him. “I’m fine. No matter what happens we’ve found Cairo and he loves you. He will always
be your daddy.”

“I know but we both have to get what we want: a daddy for me and a husband for you. That was the plan and we must stick to it. Promise.” He demanded.

Storm was mute, suddenly it seemed it was a promise she couldn’t keep, but Shane was adamant. “Promise!”

Storm squeezed him tightly, gripped by an incredible love for him. He had been the only constant in her life; she wouldn’t fail him now. “Promise.” She whispered.

Shane’s grin went from ear to ear. “Good, that is all I want to hear. I’m going back to find cousin Tyrone and see if he’s ready to watch movies now.” He wiggled down from her arms, the serious moment between them already melting away. “No more crying, okay?” he warned and then he was gone.

When she was finally alone, Storm sat on the bed and put her head in her hands. What was she going to do now? The light knock on the door saved her from seriously contemplating the question. She sighed and dragged herself to the door and swung it open. Cairo stood there looking at her with an expression she couldn’t read.

“Back so soon?” She couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her tone.

He sauntered in. “Why, did you miss me?”

Storm elected to say nothing. She watched as he strolled over to her bed and sat down. She observed him as he sat there, looking for signs of passion: a rumpled shirt, errant
stray hairs or lipstick on his collar. Either there was nothing to see or he had already checked for signs of indiscretion before coming to see her. Cairo was nothing if not a smart man.

“What can I do for you, Cairo? I’m a little busy.” She couldn’t stop the insolence from leaking into the words.

“Oh, I can see that.” He mocked, scanning the room for signs of activity.

Storm started impatiently tapping her feet against the floor. She didn’t want him to know how much seeing him with Ambrosia had hurt her but she couldn’t help the rage that was churning inside her. She waited for him to say something about the woman, but he said nothing. He just sat there staring at her. Storm couldn’t take it anymore.

“Who is she?” She burst out, hating the sound of insecurity in her voice.

“A friend, just like I said.” He answered quietly.

Storm pointed an accusing finger at him. “No matter what you say, she is far more than just a friend.”

Cairo’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her. “Ambrosia is exactly that. We dated for a while in the past, but that has been over for a long time. Now we’re just friends. I don’t even know why I am telling you this,” he said suddenly furious. “I certainly don’t owe you any explanations.”

“Why!” Storm yelled losing the battle with her temper. “I’m supposed to be the woman you care about. Yet not even two minutes ago you were holding hands with another woman. She’s obviously in love with you. How do you think that makes me feel?” She cried.

He moved so fast that Storm felt him next to her before she saw him move. He gripped her hands over her head and pressed her body back against the wall. Storm’s eyes widened in alarm as she saw anger contort his features.

His voice was a growl near her ear, “How do I think you feel?” He asked in disbelief. “Why should I even care how you feel? You’re jealous of a woman from my past. Ambrosia is beautiful and sensual, believe me I know,” he said hurtfully. “But she is not the woman for me. She loved me and cared for me during one of the most painful times in my life and I treated her badly. Do you know why?” He asked his lips caressing her earlobe, causing her to tremble. “I hurt her over and over again because while she was with me, I could think only of you. You, the
curly haired temptress who had betrayed me. So you see Jessica, you have nothing to fear.”

He pushed himself away from her, and Storm finding herself suddenly free, slid partially down the wall. “How can I be sure that you don’t still
want her?”

Cairo slammed his hand down on the dresser so hard that the lamp fell over onto the bed. Then he turned swiftly around to face her. “You
won’t
know,
Jessica. You will never know for certain. But the longer you keep me waiting for this divorce, the longer you take to come to your senses, the more and more tempting Ambrosia will be. I won’t wait forever. Do you understand me?” He warned.

Storm started to shake and was barely able to get the words out. “Are you threatening me?” She asked torn between anger and pain.

Cairo walked over to her, lifted her left hand and absently fingered the diamond on her ring finger. “Why would I threaten you, Jessica? You wear my ring, you give me access to your body, and you have blessed me with a son. Seemingly, I have it all. But I won’t live like this. I want a legitimate right to you and to Shane. I want a family. If you refuse to do things the way I want, I
will
abandon this dream and start again
with someone I can trust. Are we clear?”

Storm could only nod numbly. What had she gotten herself into? It seemed as if she was now in
a trap of her own making.

Because the thought of cowering in her room all day was unacceptable, Storm went downstairs to the hotel lounge a few hours later. She took a seat at her favorite table and scanned the crowded
room for the one person she most wanted to see. After their confrontation, rebellion had gathered in her breast and she now wanted to teach Cairo a lesson that he wouldn’t forget. No one threatened her and got away with it. Ambrosia or not, two could play the game. With this in mind, when the first melody wafted across the moonlit night, Storm determinedly rose from her chair with the sole purpose of doing a little dancing. And danced she did. She walked to the center of the dance floor amidst the few couples there and she danced like she had never danced before. When she’d caught the attention of several admiring men she held the gaze of the one closest to her and blessed him with a smile that was blinding.