Jacquelin Thomas - Five Star Attraction

The telephone rang.

She saw her sister’s name on the caller ID and picked up the receiver.

“Natalie,” she said into the phone. “It’s about time you called me back. Mama’s been driving me crazy about your engagement dinner. Remember how she was when Nathan got married? Well, she is even worse now.” She glanced over at a photo of the three of them. They were triplets and very close.

Her sister laughed. “I’m sorry. My caseload is really heavy right now. I’ve been trying to clear my desk before the wedding.”

“I understand, but our mother doesn’t. You know she wants everything to be perfect.”

“It will be,” Natalie responded. “She just needs to relax. How’s my little sweetie?”

“He had a good day today, sis. He was tired after dinner, so I sent him to bed.”

“I know deep down that Joshua is going to be fine,” Natalie stated. “Just let me know if I can help you with money, doctors…anything.”

“We are going to be fine, I think,” Natasha said. “I feel so much better having a full-time nurse caring for him when I’m not here.”

“That has to be expensive.”

“It is,” Natasha confirmed. “But I’ll do whatever I have to do for Joshua.”

“Have you heard from his father?” her sister asked.

“No, and I don’t expect to hear from him. Natalie, the man that was supposed to love me forever…he left me for a stripper. Calvin never wanted to be a father, so when I got pregnant—that was the last straw for him.”

“I never thought he was good enough for you, Natasha. You know I never liked him.”

“I know. Back then I couldn’t understand why, but I do now.” She ran her fingers through her hair, fingering the curls. “Let’s talk about you. My sister’s getting married.”

“I am,” she squealed on the other end of the line.

“I’m really happy for you, Natalie, but I have to confess that I’m a tiny bit jealous. I want a happily ever after.”

“You’re going to get yours,” Natalie assured her. “The right man is on his way to you.”

An image of Ari formed in her mind, but Natasha shooed it away. He’s a married man, she silently screamed.

“Natasha, you still here?”

She forced her thoughts back to her conversation with her sister. “Yeah, I’m here.”

They talked for almost two hours before Natasha said, “Natalie, I can’t wait to see you this weekend.” She glanced over at the clock and said, “Sweetie, I have a meeting tomorrow morning, so I need to get ready for bed.”

“Give the munchkin a big hug for me.”

“I will,” she promised.

Natasha hung up the phone and then went to check on Joshua one more time. She sat down in the chair beside his bed, watching him as a smile tugged at her lips.

Malcolm was in the kitchen pouring a cup of coffee when Ari walked out of the guest bedroom. “Want some?” he asked.

“Sure,” Ari responded. “Where’s Chef Ricardo? I’m sure he’d have a fit to find you helping yourself to coffee. I think it’s impolite or something.”

Smiling, Malcolm handed him a cup of steaming-hot coffee. “He offered, but I insisted on doing it myself. Ricardo left for a grocery run this morning. Apparently, he takes care of all of the shopping when it comes to the kitchen. He told me that he gets here at 7:00 a.m. and doesn’t leave until after seven in the evening. He has weekends off, however.”

“How did you sleep?” Ari inquired.

“I slept pretty good. Missed your mother, though.”

“I still haven’t gotten used to sleeping without April.” A wild flash of grief ripped through him. “Dad, I miss her so much.”

“She was a wonderful woman.” Malcolm took a sip of his coffee. “Oh, the food is already set up in the conference room. We’re going to have a working breakfast with Ira and Natasha.”

“I don’t trust that woman,” Ari stated at the mention of Natasha’s name.

“Get to know her, son, before you make any assumptions.”

Ari eyed his father. “I know you, Dad. You don’t trust her any more than I do.”

There was a knock on the door.

Ari followed Franklin into the foyer and greeted Ira with a handshake.

Natasha entered the elegantly appointed quarters a few minutes after Ira arrived. Ari felt his pulse involuntarily leap with excitement.

She greeted everyone before saying to Ari, “Good morning. I really hope that we can find some common ground today.”

He cleared his throat, pretending not to be affected by her. “My position hasn’t changed, Miss LeBlanc.”

“I see.” She switched her purse from one side to the other. “Well, if you will excuse me, I need to speak to Ira before we get started.”

Her perfume attacked his nostrils, casting a spell of seduction. His heartbeat throbbed in his ears. Ari couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away as Natasha made confident strides across the marble floor, her hips swaying gently as she walked.

What is wrong with me?

His pulse skittered alarmingly. Ari was knocked off guard by his response to Natasha. Never had he experienced anything so powerful. None of this made much sense to him. He took a few minutes to gather himself before joining the others in the conference room.

Malcolm surveyed his face a moment before asking, “You all right, son?”

Ari ignored the amused look on his father’s face and nodded. He sat down beside his father and across from Natasha.

She looked up from the document she had been reading just as he took his seat, but she didn’t say a word.

Ira closed the door to the conference room so that they wouldn’t be overheard. “I trust you and Ari slept well, Malcolm.”

“We did,” they responded in unison.

Natasha was the first to speak. “Mr. Alexander, I would like to offer my apologies if I said anything to offend you yesterday. It was not my intent. I had only hoped to offer advice on what should be done in regards to the hotel properties. I never meant to imply that you should rescind your rights to the rest of the estate.”

“Miss LeBlanc, you will find that I am not easily offended,” Malcolm responded. “My son and I are anxious to return home, so we will make this quick. I am not prepared to make a decision today regarding the estate. When I get home, I intend to discuss it with the rest of my family. As soon as we decide what is best for our family and the DNA results are back, I will meet with you and Ira. You will know what we have decided at that time.”

Ari silently noted that Natasha and Ira both looked surprised by his father’s response.

After a moment, Natasha said, “I completely understand.” She pushed away from the table and said, “I look forward to our next meeting. Safe travels to you, Mr. Alexander, and to you, as well, Ari.” She checked her watch. “I have another appointment in an hour, so I really need to get going.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Ari stated as he rose to his feet.

He waited until they were out of the conference room before saying, “It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss LeBlanc.” His heartbeat throbbed in his ears.

She looked up at him. “Really?”

They halted their steps. “You sound surprised.”

“I am, because that’s not the impression I got from you.”

He was struck speechless for a moment.

Natasha flashed him a quick smile. “Ari, I really hope you enjoyed your brief stay, but I’m sure you’re very anxious to get back to your family.” Her eyes traveled down to his left hand. “I look forward to hearing from your father.”

Ari inhaled her intoxicating fragrance, savoring the light floral scent. “You have a good day, Miss LeBlanc.” He thought he detected a flicker of interest in her intense, warm brown eyes, but it was gone in a flash.