The Beautiful Ones (Arabesque) (18 page)

He blinked, thinking it was a preposterous question. “Because you’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” he said simply. “You’re smart, kind, caring…and not to mention beautiful.” He brushed his hand against the side of her face. “I look at you, I see everything I need to make me happy.”

She stilled his hand and continued studying his gaze. After a while she pressed a tender kiss against his palm. “Good night,” she whispered, and then turned and headed off to her bedroom.

When he heard the door close, it occurred to him that he had missed his opportunity to ask her the same question. Maybe that was a good thing.

Chapter 23

I
t took another two weeks before Jonas strolled through the offices of T & B Entertainment. His fiancée’s demeanor had improved. She was laughing and smiling more, but it was the quiet times that disturbed him. As a wealthy man, he could give his future wife anything her heart desired. However, it was clear the one thing she wanted wasn’t for sale.

Yet, Jonas wasn’t a man without charm and persuasion—and he had a feeling he was going to need both of those things to pull this off.

He wasn’t in the office long before he noticed the high traffic of beautiful women. Hell, he wouldn’t mind working here himself.

“I’m here to see Mr. Bassett,” he informed the young receptionist.

“Certainly.” She smiled. “Do you have an appointment?”

He hesitated. “No. But I’m sure he’ll speak with me. Can you tell him that Jonas Hinton is here to see him?”

“One moment.” She punched a button on her keyboard and spoke to someone through her headset. She listened for a long time and even snuck a few questioning glances his way.

His antennae rose, and he had a sneaky suspicion he wouldn’t get past the lobby. After deciding he should make his excuses and leave, the receptionist finally met his gaze.

“Mr. Bassett is in a meeting. You’re more than welcome to have a seat in the lobby if you prefer to wait.”

Jonas drew a deep breath, uncertain if this was a genuine offer or if he was being given the big heave-ho. But remembering he was there for Ophelia and not himself helped him make up his mind. “I’ll wait,” he stated, and then followed her directions to the small lobby.

After settling into a leather chair, he picked up the latest issue of
Vibe
and flipped through the pages. Several magazines later, his patience was reduced to a thin thread. A glance to his watch confirmed he’d been waiting well over an hour.

He stood and returned to the receptionist’s desk. After another call, he was given the same line that Mr. Bassett was still in a meeting. He was tempted to leave, but he was determined not to give Solomon the satisfaction of getting rid of him.

Jonas returned to the lobby and started a new pile of magazines. Another hour slipped by, and his annoyance escalated.

Enough was enough.

As he stormed out of the lobby, he came within inches of smacking into Marcel.

“Oh, hey, man. What are you doing here?” Marcel asked, jabbing out his hand in greeting.

Jonas quickly slid on a smile and pumped his new friend’s hand. “I came by to speak with Solomon, but it appears he’s tied up today.”

“Is he now?” Marcel nodded, his brows knitting together. “Well, let’s go see what he’s doing, shall we?”

The men breezed past the reception area, and Jonas’s gaze occasionally drifted to one short skirt after another. A few of the women openly flirted with him, but since his heart belonged to another, it was easy to ignore all their signals.

“Afternoon, Chelsea,” Marcel greeted. “Is Sol in?”

“Yes, sir.” Her curious gaze shifted to Jonas, but she didn’t stop them.

Jonas was impressed the moment he stepped into Solomon’s spacious office. It appeared they had the same taste in décor and women.

“Hey, buddy,” Marcel said. “What are you doing?”

Solomon turned from the window, but his gaze immediately narrowed on Jonas before shifting to his friend.

“It’s good seeing you again, Mr. Bassett,” Jonas said, squaring his shoulders. “I see you’re finally out of your meeting. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”

Solomon boldly met his gaze. “I wasn’t in a meeting.”

The room immediately crackled with electricity.

“Well, I guess I’ll leave you two alone,” Marcel said with a lazy grin and turned back toward the door.

The look Solomon gave his friend as he retreated gave Jonas the distinct impression the man wished he could throw a few daggers at him. Once the door closed, Solomon’s gaze shifted back to Jonas.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Hinton?”

Solomon left no room for dancing around the subject, so Jonas ditched the charm.

“I want you to talk to Ophelia.” There, he said it, but it didn’t mean his stomach didn’t twist into knots. The last thing he expected was for Solomon to laugh at his request. “Did I say something funny?”

“You tell me.”

Jonas felt challenged by his somber gaze, and he realized that this was harder than he imagined. “Look, I know you and Ophelia have a long history together. And I also know I’m responsible for what happened recently between you.”

“Is that right?” Solomon moved away from the window and strolled over to the bar. “Want a drink?”

“Sure. Scotch on the rocks.” Jonas remained off-kilter and confused by Solomon’s reaction. He followed Solomon to the bar and then watched him as he prepared their drinks. Standing this close to him, Jonas noticed the tired lines etched around Solomon’s eyes. They looked like the same ones around Ophelia’s.

“So, what do you say, Solomon? Why don’t we bury the proverbial hatchet and try to get along, for Ophelia’s sake?”

“Can I be honest with you?” Solomon’s dull gaze met Jonas’s before setting his drink down in front of him.

Jonas shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Stunned, Jonas wasn’t prepared for that answer either. For a few silent seconds, he watched Solomon take a few gulps of his drink.

“Mind if I ask why not?”

“Actually, I do mind.” Solomon drained the rest of his drink, poured another, and then walked away.

“This thing is tearing Ophelia up inside. Surely you have to know that.”

Solomon didn’t answer. Instead, he made his way over to his desk and eased into his chair.

“Don’t you care?”

“I care for Ophelia more than you’ll ever know.” Solomon’s gaze lowered and he appeared thoughtful before he added, “But my answer is still no.”

“You don’t think this is just a little juvenile?”

“You mean like you forcing her to choose between us?” Solomon challenged, once again meeting his gaze.

“No. More like you trying to pay her back for not choosing you.”

A spark lit in Solomon’s eyes, but it quickly died. “There may be a little truth to that. But my answer is still no.”

Frustrated, Jonas drew a deep breath and glanced around. For the first time, he noticed a few boxes packed in the corners. “Going somewhere?”

Solomon hesitated, and then answered, “I’m transferring to our New York offices. Atlanta has gotten a little too…crowded for me.”

“Selma lives in New York, doesn’t she?”

Solomon laughed. “She has nothing to do with this. Selma and I are just good friends—not lovers.”

Jonas frowned, unsure if he should believe him. “Then why—?”

“Look, as much as I’m enjoying our reunion, I need to get back to work. You do remember your way out?”

“You’re not making this easy.”

“No, I’m not.”

“So this is it? You’re going to walk away from a twenty-five-year-old relationship?”

“Funny. That’s the same thing I asked Ophelia.”

Jonas tossed up his hands. “You’re being a jerk.”

“No, I’m doing you a favor,” Solomon said.

Their gazes clashed again.

“You were right to worry about me,” Solomon confessed coolly. “I don’t just love Ophelia like a friend. I’ve been in love with her since I was eleven years old. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting. That was my mistake. But burying the hatchet would require me to go back to sitting on the sidelines—and I just can’t do that. Not anymore.

“My move to New York should make things easier—for everybody. I can get on with my life, and you two can get on with yours.” Solomon winked at him. “Call it my little wedding present.”

Jonas’s grip tightened around his drink, but his heated gaze remained locked on his new enemy. “I guess I should thank you for your honesty.”

“That’s not necessary.” Solomon lifted his glass in salute. “Just make sure you take good care of
our
girl.”

Jonas drained his glass in a single gulp and then slowly set his glass down on the bar. “I’m out of here.” He headed toward the door.

Solomon chuckled. “It was good seeing you. We should do it again some time.”

“Don’t count it.” Jonas jerked opened the door and stormed out.

Chapter 24

S
even days before the wedding, Ophelia finally settled on a wedding dress. Actually, Kailua and Diana had selected it, but she was grateful it was one more decision out of the way. Standing in front of the mirror in the bridal shop’s dressing room, she studied the intricate details of her strapless beaded white dress and marveled over how much she looked like a princess.

“Hey, come on out. We want to see you,” Kailua yelled.

Ophelia drew a deep breath and slid on a smile before exiting the dressing room.

Kailua, Diana, and her mother all gasped when Ophelia stepped out from behind the curtain. Two of the store’s female assistants helped her onto a small circular podium before she was transformed into a large pincushion.

“I just can’t believe my baby is getting married,” Ophelia’s mother gushed with shimmering eyes.

“Don’t start crying, Mom,” Ophelia warned and wiped at her own tears. “See? It’s contagious.”

“How can we help it?” Diana said. “You look beautiful.”

Kailua crossed her arms and bobbed her head. “Yeah, girl. I can’t wait until Jonas sees you. You’re going to knock his socks off.”

“I hope so.” Ophelia experienced a flutter of nervousness. In the back of her mind, she knew there was no sense in worrying. Jonas and her mother were on top of everything.

“Your father and I had dinner with the Hintons last night,” Isabella said, approaching with the veil. “Interesting family.”

Ophelia rolled her eyes, thinking of her first introduction to the former Broadway actress and the near-deaf real-estate tycoon.
Eccentric
was too mild a word to describe Jonas’s parents—just like
spoiled
and
self-centered
did little justice in describing his two younger brothers, Sterling and Quentin. She was certainly lucky to have gotten the best one out of the bunch.

“Well, I, for one, am looking forward to meeting Jonas’s brothers at the wedding.” Kailua giggled. “Since Solomon isn’t coming, then I’m just going to have to set my sights on the next millionaire available.”

Diana and Isabella elbowed Kailua and gave her the evil eye.

Ophelia smiled at their efforts to avoid a taboo subject. “It’s okay. You guys can stop trying not to mention Solomon. It’s actually starting to get a little annoying.” She chuckled.

Kailua smiled. “See? I told you she was over this whole thing. It doesn’t bother her in the least that Solomon is moving to New York on her wedding day.”

“He’s what?” Ophelia blinked, feeling momentarily off balance.

The elbows attacked Kailua again until she literally cried out, “What’d I do?”

Diana smiled and met Ophelia’s questioning gaze. “We thought it was best not to tell you.”

Everyone else avoided meeting her eyes. Ophelia winced yet again at another painful pinch in her chest, but she forced on a brave smile. Solomon really wasn’t coming.

Until that moment, she didn’t realize she’d harbored the hope of Solomon surprising her at the wedding. Hell, she was even pathetic enough to fantasize sharing a dance with him.

“Well, I’m sure his move to New York will at least make Selma happy.”

Diana frowned. “Who?”

“Selma Parker. His girlfriend.”

Laughter burst from Diana before she was able to cover her mouth with her hand. “Selma Parker…Solomon’s girlfriend?” she asked, once she’d gotten a hold of herself. “I don’t think so. Selma is happily married.”

Ophelia held her head still while the crown of her veil was pinned in her hair. “I know she’s married, but Solomon and Selma made it no secret that they were also a couple.”

“Then they were pulling your leg,” Diana insisted. “Solomon and Selma are really good friends, but I think you’ve been bamboozled.”

“But why would he…?” Ophelia thought back to that day in his office, but then just dismissed it. “It doesn’t matter. I tried to make amends and I invited him to the wedding. It’s his loss if he doesn’t come. I’m marrying Jonas Hinton and living happily ever after.”

* * *

To take his mind off his pending nuptials, Jonas allowed his younger brothers, Sterling and Quentin, to drag him to their private box seats at the Georgia Dome to watch an Atlanta Falcons game.

Sterling, thirty and a near carbon copy of Jonas, except for two added inches of height, was a diehard bachelor obsessed with one thing: power. Throughout their childhood, Sterling worshipped the ground Jonas walked on; but as men, they often found themselves competing for the same corporate contracts.

Quentin, twenty-eight and the baby of the family, avoided hard work like the plague. After dropping out of Harvard, he’d spent the past seven years trying to find himself. However, everyone knew that Quentin could always be found at the hottest parties.

At first, Jonas thought it was a great idea to spend a Sunday with his brothers; but once he arrived, he realized he’d walked right into an old-fashion intervention.

“I’m just saying, I don’t know why you have to marry the girl,” Quentin said, handing Jonas a scotch on the rocks. “She’s gorgeous, I’ll hand you that, but definitely not worth giving up your freedom. No woman is.”

Sterling chuckled. “You know, it’s not too late to call the whole thing off. You can tuck her away in a nice penthouse somewhere with an allowance. That’s better than marriage, if you ask me.”

“That’s why nobody asked you,” Jonas joked.

“At least tell us you had her sign a prenuptial agreement.”

“That—” Jonas’s gaze sliced to his baby brother “—is none of your business.”

“Oh, no,” his brothers groaned, guessing the truth.

“Are you crazy, man?” Quentin sat up in his chair.

The crowd below cheered and rose to their feet.

“What happened?” Jonas’s attention returned to the field to see if he could make out what he’d missed. He then looked to the television screen to see if there would be an instant replay.

Sterling reached for the remote and shut it off.

“Hey!”

“Hey, yourself,” he responded. “Answer the question. Did you ask Ophelia to sign a prenuptial agreement?”

Jonas rolled his eyes and stretched his neck muscles. “There’s no need.”

Sterling placed a hand over his heart while Quentin looked as if he’d been struck dumb.

“Don’t you two start. I already know what you’re going to say, and I don’t want to hear it.”

“Do you also know we’re going to have you committed?” Sterling asked. “No way are we going to allow you to marry some woman you barely know without a prenup. That’s financial suicide.”

“Say what you want. I’m not listening. Ophelia isn’t a gold digger, and she has more class than all the women you two knuckleheads ever dated, combined.”

“That’s not saying much.” Quentin shrugged. “Besides, class is highly overrated.”

“Now, I’m going to have to agree with him,” Sterling said.

Laughing, Jonas returned his attention to the field. “Look, I don’t expect you two to understand. Just know I’ve made my decision, and I’m cool with it. Ophelia is everything a man would want. I feel lucky she’s agreed to marry me.”

“Hell, what woman wouldn’t? I checked out that rock on her finger. That had to set you back at least six figures,” Sterling said.

“And it was worth every penny.” Jonas winked.

“All right. It’s your funeral.”

“C’mon, guys,” he said, managing to hold on to his sense of humor. “Is it going to kill you to just be happy for me? I love her and I’m willing to take a chance.”

The doubting brothers paused to stare at each other and then fell back in their seats roaring heartily.

Jonas pretended to ignore them, but when their laughter refused to die, he couldn’t stop his lips from curling. “You two are just playa haters.”

“Oh, about that.” Quentin slapped his back. “On your wedding day, we’re going to have to confiscate your playa card. At least until after the honeymoon.”

“Hell, after not getting any for five months, he may never come back from that honeymoon,” Sterling added.

Quentin’s eyes widened to the size of silver dollars. “What? Five months? You have to be kidding me.”

Jonas reached over and popped Sterling on the back of the head. “That was between me and you, big mouth.”

“You mean to tell me you and this chick haven’t slept together in five months?” Quentin was still dumbstruck. “Why in hell did you agree to something like that?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but we wanted our wedding night to be special,” Jonas said patiently.

“We?” Quentin barked, sloshing liquor over the bar. “What’s this
we
crap? That sounds like a chick thing. And what’s so special about it? Either way you go, it’s going to be the first time you do it as man and wife. That’s as special as it gets.” Quentin turned up his glass.

“Unless she’s a virgin,” Sterling wondered aloud.

Quentin choked and spewed out his drink. “A what? What is that?”

“Do you two mind?” Jonas snapped. “You’re talking about my future wife. It doesn’t matter who said what or who agreed to what. This is just how it is, and I’m sorry I ever mentioned it.” He popped Sterling again.

His brothers’ silence lasted less than a second.

“So is she or is she not a virgin?” Sterling asked, chuckling.

“That is none of your business.”

Sterling took his turn in smacking Jonas across the back. “Look, maybe I can sort of see why you might be tempted to go down this dangerous path. You’re right. She’s a beautiful woman. But bro, it’s the beautiful ones you have to look out for.”

“Yeah,” Quentin intoned. “Don’t you remember that song? The beautiful ones hurt you every time.”

“You got it all twisted,” Jonas insisted. “Ophelia is not like that.”

“All right, bro.” Sterling shrugged and finally gave up the fight. “I hope you’re right…for your sake.”