She stared at the small,gold-foil wrapped box sitting in the middle of her bed. Ever since Cyson brought the box that morning, she refused to open it,even when Brown eyes had whined each time they made a brief trip into the bedroom. Annie had avoided that box all day because she didn't want to know what's inside it. They didn't have any relationship going on,so why would he send her a gift?

One glance at the clock told her that he would be here anytime soon to collect her.

"He's so confusing." Annie told Brown eyes, who bounded up the bed and went to sit beside the box with his tongue lolling out of his mouth. "He didn't need to give me a gift. Knowing him, he probably didn't mean anything by it."

Brown eyes tilted it's head to the side as if he was listening to her. Then it nudge the box with his nose.

Annie sighed. "Fine." She sat at the foot of the bed and reached for the box. She slipped the ribbon off the box and set it aside. Then she slipped her fingernail under the seam in the paper and ripped it away. The box was long and narrow,and when it fell away she was it was that distinct Tiffany Blue. Jewelry. He'd gotten her jewelry.

Brown eyes shifted forward until he was beside her and craned his neck forward as Annie lifted the lid. It was a platinum diamond-encrusted choker.

"It's beautiful,isn't it?"

Brown eyes tilted his head to the side as if say, 'It is.'

"Well," she placed the choker in it's box. "I better go and get ready. You stay here,okay?" She flashed him a smile before going into the bathroom.

Twenty-five minutes later,Annie stood in front of the mirror adding finishing touches to her makeup when the doorbell rang. Pouting briefly at the mirror, she added one last coat of her peach lipstick before grabbing her bag and making her way out of the room with Brown eyes at her heels. When she opened the front door,he was about to ring the bell again but froze halfway as his eyes took her in. Annie secretly patted herself on the back for choosing that dress.

The hemline of the dark blue dress stopped above her knees. The neckline of the front was divided in the middle with the slit stopping at the valley between her breasts. The skin was for all to see as each side cupped her breast revealing enough cleavage to tease one's imagination. Lacy sleeves stopped above her elbows,and a diamond shaped design was cut in both side of the dress. It brought not only her eyes,but also complimented her skin. The silver strappy louboutin heels she wore boosted her height so that her head was equal with his chin.

Annie took in the black tuxedo he was wearing. It fitted him to a tee and the Navy blue polka dot bow tie completed the look. His hair was slicked back to the nape of his neck,bringing out the beauty his face boasted of.

Their eyes met and held. Neither of them spoke a word but kept stating at each other with fire sizzling in the space between them. Annie unconsciously licked her suddenly dry lips,watching as his gaze followed the movement of her tongue,his eyes darkening until they almost became black.

Woof!

The both of them jerked as Brown eyes pushed past Annie's legs to stand between them with it's teeth bared at Jovon. A low growl made it's way out of it's throat.

Jovon took a step back with his palm raised outward in surrender. "I mean no harm buddy."

Annie laughed at the dog's antics. "Come on,Brownie. He's a friend."

The dog didn't budge. Instead it pushed it's hind legs back and crouched on it's front legs.

"I don't think he's listening to you."

"Brown eyes." Annie used her firm voice. The dog whined in it's throat as it straightened up. "Be a good boy and go inside and maybe I'll get you pizza on my way back."

At the name of his favourite food,Brown eyes let out a bark and leaped in the air two times. Then he paused to growl at Jovon before tossing his head then trotted inside.

"Whew!" Jovon breathed as Annie locked the door. "For a moment there I thought he was going to attack me."

"Is the Great fearless Jovon Phim scared of a retriever?" She teased as she stashed her key under the plant pot,before following Jovon down the porch and towards his car.

"What? No." He straightened his jacket. "I was merely worried that he would hurt himself." He paused to open the door for her.

Annie threw her head back and laughed. "Yeah,Sure."

Jovon smiled at her before closing the door.

Jovon eased deeper into the shadows waiting for Annie to reappear. He was surprised by how much he was enjoying the evening. Normally these events were a total bore. But tonight, with Annie at his side, he'd been enjoying himself. Everyone briefly stopped by to greet them when they arrived and some reporters even took pictures of them,which he totally ignored making a note to tell Aaron to take care of it tomorrow.

"Who are you hiding from?"

Jovon glanced over at Lukas Russell. He and his cousin, although in the same state, rarely saw each other. Their mothers were sisters and they had been raised together. Lukas handed him a martini glass.

"Waiting for Annie."

"Ah,the mystery lady. Rumor has it that you two have been jolly this past week."

Jovon knew Lukas was trying to get a rise out of him. The fact that he'd hit so close to the mark was something Jovon chose to ignore. "You're the one who has to pay for companionship."

"I don't have to pay,but it does make life easier. None of those messy entanglements that come from getting involved."

Jovon shrugged. Lukas had a bad attitude toward women and it was understandable. He'd been raked over the coals by a first-class,gold-plated bitch.

"So who is she?"

"Ansela Mckade." Jovon said. Lukas leaned back against the wall. The bidding was going on next door and this room was relatively quiet.

"Where did you find her?" Lukas asked.

"Hiding."

"Ah,so that's what you two have in common."

Jovon punched Lukas in the arm. "I'm not hiding,I'm waiting." He ignored the dig at him.

Lukas glanced around the corner. "In the corner?"

Jovon shrugged.

"Why did you decide to come to this orchestra?"

"Is there anything wrong with it?"

"Nope." Lukas grinned. "It's nice seeing your ugly face again after two years."

"Ditto."

"She is beautiful."

"Who, That lady in white?" He pointed his chin out in the said woman's direction. "Yes,she is."

"No,thanks. I meant your lady," Lukas said,gesturing to Annie, who was slowly walking toward them. "That's one killer dress she's wearing. Think she'd be interested in me?"

Jovon growled at him. "Back off."

She glanced up,and caught them watching her and smiled.

"Later."

"Later? Don't I get to meet her?"

"I'm taking her out to the dance floor. I think there would be a crowd."

"I'll just cut in."

He knew from Lukas' tone that he wanted to question her. "Leave her alone,Luk-"

"A little chat won't hurt. I'll be good,I promise."

"Somehow I doubt that."

He went to meet her,aware that Lukas was only a few steps behind him. Jovon cupped her elbow and drew her away from the orchestra into a third room where a live band and dance floor was set up, ready for the party to spill once the orchestra ended.

"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting."

"No problem." He heard Lukas chuckle behind him and suspected it was because he sounded like an idiot. What the hell was it about this woman that made his brain short circuit?

There was something about her and it wasn't just because of her beauty or the dress she was wearing. No. It was something else.

"Hello." Lukas said, reaching past him and offering her his hand. "I'm Lukas."

She took the hand. Lukas lifted it to his lips,kissing the back of it and smirking at him as colour appeared on her cheeks.

Jovon felt his gut tighten. He knew she was his,at least for the time being,and she knew it too. But he still felt a twinge of jealousy, which was ridiculous.

"Let's dance." Jovon said,drawing her away from Lukas and up against his side.

Lukas' laughter followed them as they walked away. Jovon ignored it. He wanted to believe his reaction had absolutely nothing to do with jealousy. She was his until the wedding plans were completed, nothing more. He told himself that he only wanted to keep Annie from being hurt by Lukas,who could be charming but would never be sincere.

"What was that about?" She asked,a different note in her voice. He glanced down at her and saw the smile lingering on her mouth. She was still nervous,but the exchange with Lukas had relaxed her. She was teasing him.

"Lukas' a goofball. Don't pay attention to him," He said.

"You have a friend who's a goofball?"

"Unfortunately, I'm related to him."

"How?"

"Cousins. Our mom's are sisters."

"Ah,so the crazy gene..."

He pulled her into his arms as the live band started a slow song titled 'How do I live without you' by LeeAnn Rimes. "Skipped the branch of my family."

"Whatever you say."

He didn't say anything else, just pulled her close into his arms. She relaxed against him,following his lead. They fit together perfectly.

He kept stroking his hand down her back,completely obliterating her thought process.

She liked the strength in his arms. The way they felt wrapped around her. For a minute Annie bought into the illusion of security that his arms offered. She closed her ryes and let the spicy scent of his aftershave wash over her. The music was slow with a hint of romance and longing. With her eyes closer,she could let her worries and fears and the past years drop away.

She could just be Annie and pretend this was her teenage fantasy come to life. She looked up and met his gaze. She was surprised that he was watching her. If he was pretending,then he was a better actor than she was. He held her and looked at her like she was his. She knew it was an illusion,but she hoped to make it a reality.

"What?" He asked with a hint of tenderness in his voice.

"Uh..." She couldn't remember what she'd been about to say. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, let her fingers caress the back of his neck. Held him. This was what she had always dreamed of.

Annie realized that giving herself up to Jovon freed her to just be herself.

He continued to stare down at her,making her wish she could remember what she'd been about to say. She started to worry that something was wrong with the way she looked. She resisted the urge to pat her hair.

"Why me?" She asked,finally remembering what she'd wanted to say.

He brushed his fingers down her cheek before he cupped her jaw. His hand enveloped the side of her face,his fingers caressing her neck. His gaze was compelling. She couldn't decipher what she saw in his eyes. He lowered his head until there was barely an inch of space between them.

"You're not like any other woman I know." He said.

That wasn't what she wanted to hear. But she was enjoying his arms around her wishing they were alone. Wishing for a minute that this entire night was real. Wishing he'd asked her because he cared for her,and not because she was going to be his mistress.

This was the very thing that woke her in the middle of the night. How was she going to help him conquer his demons without loosing her own heart in the process? Somehow, she had to seduce him into opening up and maybe see her as more?

"I'm sure of that." She said at last. She was different from all other women in the room. She had a father who didn't approve of anything she did. She doubted even Jovon understood what toll her father's detest had taken on her.

"I meant it as a compliment," he said,brushing his lips over hers.

All night he'd been touching her. Accustoming her to his taste and touch. The feel of his body brushing against her.

He didn't push his tongue into her mouth, just pressed his lips lightly against her. It was all she could do not to rip her clothes right there and beg him to take her. The teasing all night was slowly driving her insane and the bastard knew it. Someone cleared his throat but Jovon didn't pull away. He lifted his head slowly, caressing her face before he turned to face a man she didn't know.

"I see now why you decided to come out tonight."

Jovon kept his arms around her waist,but turned them toward the man who'd interrupted them. The music changed to a more lively number and Jovon led her off the dance floor.

"I'm Shawn Mendez." The man said,following close behind them.

"Ansela Mckade." She said.

"What do you want,Shawn?" Jovon asked.

"To invite you and your date to join us at our table." He said,gesturing to a round table of eight set near the dance floor.

Annie smiled over the table until she recognized Skylar Anderson. Her heart started racing and the blood drained from her face. Was this some twisted cruel of fate?

Shawn wrapped his arm around Skylar as she approached. "This is my wife, Skylar. Honey,this Ansela Mckade."

"We know each other." Skylar said.

Annie could only nod at Skylar, not sure what to say or how to fill the awkward gap of silence that grew between all four of them.

She pulled away from Jovon and then realized how cowardly that was. She didn't do anything to be afraid of Skylar, it should be the other way around. But then she didn't want Jovon to know yet about her family problems. Jovon glanced down at her. She shook her head, afraid to open her mouth. Afraid she'd blurt out something she didn't want to say.

Jovon took charge. "We'd love to join you, but we have a dinner reservation and have to leave now. Another time?"

"Certainly. Enjoy your dinner."

The look Skylar gave Annie before she and Shawn walked away was filled with revenge and promises.
And the good feelings Annie had had about being free and happy suddenly dispersed.

A/N: <<<<<< Angelique Boyer As Skylar Anderson. (Pic above).

Ah! Bet y'all didn't see that coming. Skylar Anderson is back... Wahhh?

For those of you who don't know Skylar, she's the character from the first book in the Mckade series: Love Always Wins. She was Kaden's former fiancé,who hated Ansela because she brought Cassie and Kaden together.

See?

*Evil laugh*

Will she hurt Annie?... Maybe. Maybe not.

For those of you who are still confused about Skylar, go on and check out Kaden and Cassie's story.

Without further ado, see you next update.