Jovon's Grandma three story-Bel air Mansion was just as awe inspiring as Annie pulled into the stone covered circular driveway. It was massive and out of place- this was America, not eighteenth century England. But the rich lived different lives,Annie thought as she climbed out of the Koenisegg Aggera. Lives with live-in staff. Her idea of help at home was Aunty Grail and her package of premoistened glass cleaning towelettes.

She glanced at the double door leading into the house and decided to wait until Jovon showed up before going inside. Okay,sure, she shouldn't be intimidated by a house,but she was. So what?

After their dinner last night,Cyson had driven her back to Mercer Island while Jovon stayed back in Seattle,but gave her the address of his Grandmother's house with a promise to meet her there. She had been expecting him to end the night by kissing her or even taking her to bed. To her disappointment neither had happened. He only kissed her on her cheeks and escorted her out of the hotel. She should be grateful that he was maintaining his distance, but she a little sad at the same time.

Less than a minute later,a gleaming silver Mercedes pulled into the driveway. The car was a sporty two-seater model,the kind that cost as much as the national debt of a small third world country. The guy that climbed out of it was just as impressive. Tall,well tailored and sexy enough to encourage smart women to make some stupid decisions. Cyson was nowhere in sight which surprised her,considering that she had never seen Jovon driving by himself before.

"Annie." Jovon said as he walked over to her. "I thought you would have already scouted the house and made a decision."

"We're a team,Jovon. I totally respect that."

He was dressed in a dark gray suit with subtle hint of pattern in the weave of the fabric. His pale blue shirt contrasted with his red tie. While she preferred his more casual look, he wore his power extremely well. She,on the other hand,looked like a college student with a limited budget. Although her skinny jeans had zipped up with no problem,which made this a very good day.

She collected her digital camera and a small notebook,then followed him to the front door. "I have everything I need."

"I have about an hour." He said as he checked his wristwatch. "Then I have to be back in SeaTac."

"Are you going out of town?"

"Yes. I have to fly down to Portland to check on one of our hotels there. Then to the island to check on our resort. There seem to be a problem there."

Annie raised her brow. "You also have an island? Impressive."

"It's the family's and as the older son, it's my responsibility to take care of our properties."

"You're really so smart,aren't you?"

"Well I didn't go to Harvard Business school and worked my ass off getting a PhD and masters degree both in business and science for nothing."

Her eyes widened. "Did I hear you say a Ph.D. and two masters?"

He loved people underestimating him. "Uh-huh. It's less impressive when you know I started college at the age of fifteen."

"Oh,sure. It's practically ordinary. You're pretty smart."

Jovon smiled,something he did whenever he was around her. "Smarter than you little girl."

She laughed. "I'll remember that."

He knocked on the front door and when the maid answered, he greeted her by her name.

"We are here to see the ballroom, Amelee." He told the rotund woman in gold and royal blue uniform. "Then check out the backyard."

The maid nodded. "Yes sir. Brian told me you'd be stopping by. Would you like me to show you upstairs?"

"We can find it."

Annie smiled at the other woman,then followed Jovon across a huge foyer and up a wide,curving staircase.

"So how big is your staff?" She asked as they reached the second floor,and walked along a long,carpeted hallway. There were dozens of paintings on the wall and pieces of furniture that were probably impressive antiques,if she knew anything about them. It seemed as if his family never did things in little amounts.

They had money and were not afraid to spend it,be it on a car or a house.

"Five live-ins,six dailies."

"What?" She asked. The house was big,sure, but all that maid for a house? "What do they do?"

He turned to her,touched his finger to the tip of her nose and smiled. "They eat and mope around the house." He rolled his eyes.

Annie tried to fight back a smile and failed. "Sarcasm becomes you,señor."

They took a second staircase that flowed into a landing that was bigger than Lea's house. A wall of ornate doors opened into a ballroom the size of a football field. She stepped into the center of the room and turned in a slow circle. There were glided mirrors on the wall and dozens of sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The parquet floor gleamed and reflected the sunlight from the windows.

The walls had been painted a neutral pale wall,so any theme would work.

"We are talking about tables of either eight or ten." Jovon said as he pulled out his own I-pad and tapped on the screen. "We can fit as many as thirty five tables in here and still have room for people to get around."

Annie did the math. "Can we fit twenty-eight tables and still have room for dancing and the band?"

Jovon looked at her. "Orchestra. Not band. If you want something elegant, then you'd go for orchestra."

She had seen enough weddings with orchestra that she was tired of it- William and Kaden's included. "I have some ideas and want to show you but the you would have to come over to my place. When are you going to come back from your trip?"

"I should be back by seven A.M. tomorrow."

"You can stop by at my place by six pm them?"

"Only if you agree to accompany me to a fundraiser event next tomorrow. "

"Fine." She put her notebook down and began to take pictures of the vast space. "I really love this room." She said as she turned slowly to get every angle. "I'll e-mail this photos to Cassie as soon as possible."

"There's more." He said and led her to a series of French doors. He unlocked the first one and opened it,then motioned for her to lead the way.

Annie stepped onto a wide balcony that overlooked the property. Although if one couldn't see where the fences lines was,did that make it an estate?

The grounds were stunning. She could see the terrace and the pool and the gardens beyond.

"This would give extra space," He said as he joined her. "A place for people to get some air. We could put strobe lights in the garden for the view."

"I like it," she said more to herself than him. "Anyone can get married in a backyard,but this is incredible for an anniversary. Like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

She turned to the ballroom where she could imagine the tables and guest and flowers. Talk about making memories.

"So you prefer the ballroom?"

"I do. But I have to check with the others first. Let's go downstairs and take some pictures of the garden so she and the others can decide. Once we know which way they want to go, we're free to start making other arrangements."

They made their way back downstairs, then stepped out onto the manicured terrace. It looked more like the grounds of a five-star hotel than someone's home, she thought as she took pictures, not sure how she felt if she was the owner of the house.

"I can't imagine leaving alone here. How ever did your grandmother and her husband stay here with all the children gone?"

"Grandfather is dead for four years now. Besides, Grandmother Elaine kept the house to preserve the memories of she and her husband. She now stays at the family house in Greece with the rest of the family." He pushed his hand into the pockets of his pants. "She went through a lot after Grandpa passed away."

Jovon Phim being sensitive? "Okay, now I'm freaked out on different levels. The contrast between what I'm used to and this, and your emotional perception."

"I'm a man of great mystery "

That made her laugh. "Of course you are. Wealth, power and Mystery. You should put that on your business cards."

He led the way around the side of the house towards their cars. "I'm way ahead of you ,Annie. I have it tattooed on my chest."

She grinned. "I thought this would be difficult since you always have a stick up your... butt." She said before she could stop herself.

"They know how to fix that now. Isn't that modern medicine a miracle."

She sighed. "You know what I mean. Considering the way you've treated me since we met."

"Unpleasant?"

"Imperious."

"I can be, if it would make you happy."

"No thanks." She retrieve her PalmPilot from her car and pushed a few button. "Venue research is complete now. Which leaves us with food, the cake, flowers, a photographer, the vacation place and other messy details."

"There's still the dresses and Tuxes." He reminded her. "We can look for a custom made gown since still time."

She glanced at him surprised he would know that. "Have you been reading through magazines?"

He shrugged. "I promised to help you."

"Somehow the image of you sitting down with a latte and going through magazines seemed a bit odd." She bit her lower lip. "But thank you."

Jovon unlocked his car. "Don't thank me till it's over." He moved closer to her and leaned forward with his lips few inches away from hers.

Annie closed her eyes and puckered her lips for the kiss to come. Nothing happened. Confused, she opened her eyes to see him in his car grinning. Her cheeks flamed up in embarrassment and she glared at him. Twice now,he had thinking he would kiss her only to withdraw the the last minute. It was infuriating as hell.

He smiled angelically. "I know a great caterer. I'll set something up and get back to you with the details."

With that he was gone.