"A man painted me once."

"Painted you?"

She'd come put of the bathroom wearing only her sweater and panties. She smelled like soap and damp skin, some of which he'd glimpsed when she pulled her sweater over her head before sliding between the sheets with a sigh. He had taken a post in the chair near the window, and was doing his damnedest not to think about a clean-smelling, seminaked Annie only a few yards away. Not when she was still a bit under the weather.

"I don't mean he painted my body," she clarified. "He painted me on canvas. I posed nude for him."

"How come? Need the money?"

"No, it wasn't that. I was in college, feeling frisky and rebellious and wanting to do something outra-geous and that my parents would definitely disapprove of. He asked, and I thought, what the hell. As long as he kept his studio warm."

"How'd it go?" Jovon asked.

"His studio turned put to be a ratty attic apartment that smelled of turpentine and unwashed artist. He smoked a lot of pot, drank a lot of cheap wine, and was very morose and moody."

"What about the painting?"

"It was a disaster. A few of my body parts got lost in the translation. He felt he'd been betrayed by his own labor of love. He was in the throes of an artistic tirade when I collected my clothes and sneaked out. But he did hold on to his promise to keep the place warm."

Jovon's snuffle could have passes for a laugh. "Was he the one who taught you how to give head?" After a moment, when it became obvious that she wasn't going to reply, he turned toward her.

She was laying on her side, facing him, knees drawn to her waist. Her hair was tumbling around her face and over her bare shoulders, child-like. Which had been one of the first things he'd found intriguing about her- that irresistible combination of womanly allure and childish vulnerability. Of course now, when the snug heat of her still vivid in his memory, there was no question that she was more woman than child.

Her expressive eyes showed a mix of innocent Perplexity and hurt. "Why do you do that, Jovon?"

"What?" He asked.

"Why do you say things intentionally crude, insulting and hurtful?"

"It wasn't meant that way. I was trying to tease you. I guess I'm not very good at it."

"I'd say you're pretty lousy at it."

"Character flaw."

A long moment passed before she said in a whisper, "The artist taught me nothing except to keep away from artists. As for learning how to.. I sort of, hmm, developed my technique as I went along." After a significant pause, she added in a softer voice. "That day in your mansion."

His body responded to the erotic memory,making the damned uncomfortable chair even more uncomfortable. Changing the subject, he asked, "What brought that story to mind? About the painter?"

She gave a shrug. "I don't know. I guess I didn't know what else to say."

"That's a real thing with you."

"What?"

"Always feeling the need to say something."

"That's not true."

"See?"

She made a face. "Very funny."

"Yeah, I'm a regular comedian. People tell me that all the time. That I'm a comedian and a tease."

He didn't even crack a smile,but she laughed. Giggled actually, rolling onto her back and flinging her arms over her head. Her laughter was as enticing as her voice, genuine and spontaneous. He liked the sound of it.

"Thanks, Jovon." She said. "After the shitty day I had, I needed a good laugh. Although I should be used to it by now."

When they returned from the catering services, his grandmother had ambushed them and verbally abused Annie till tears filled her eyes. Lukas had stepped in before Jovon could say anything, and he was grateful for that because he wasn't sure of what he would say to his grandmother. Megan and Marcello had intervened to, and they all decided that it was best if his grandmother left for her own house for now. He hadn't waited to watch her departure, since Annie became sick again.

She decided to take a shower and here they were.

"What?" He asked.

"Being told I was useless or shouted at."

He frowned. "Someone told you that?"

She cocked her head. "My father. We didn't get along too well. I wanted to study something other than business; Maybe Mass communication or Law. But he sent me to business school so I could join the family company like my brothers." She smiled bitterly. "I've always done everything to get his approval but it was I was never enough. Even when Kaden was dating Skylar, and I tried to tell them that that bitch was manipulative and was out for Kaden's money, he yelled and asked me to leave the dining table. Will had been the one to comfort me. He was like the father I never had."

"Skylar? Shawn's wife?"

Annie nodded. "Yes. She almost led Kaden and his wife to the slaughter. She was set free because her parents were quite influential and she almost lost her own life in the process. But still, she hurt me at every chance she got. Even threatened to kill me if i got in her way then."

"Which was why you reacted that way when you saw her that day." He stated rather than ask.

"It triggered so many memories." Annie sniffed. "I'm scared."

He was alarmed by her tears. Jovon crossed the room to join her on the bed and pulled her into his arms. "What are you scared of?"

"A lot of things." She whispered. "Loosing the people I love."

He stroked a hand down her back. "Why would you say that?"

Annie shook her head. "I can't tell you. You'll be in d-danger if I do."

Jovon didn't push for answer as he desperately wanted to, but that didn't mean he wasn't angry at whoever was responsible to make her feel this way. It was his first time of seeing her so vulnerable and it made his gut hurt. He felt bad for thinking she was some shallow spoilt brat the first time they met.

Annie was anything but shallow. He knew that now.

"It's been a very tiring day." Jovon spoke into her hair. "Try and get some sleep."

He dropped a kiss on her head, before tucking her in. He got up and turned off the lamp, then returned to the window and peeked through the blinds. It was already dark outside and the moon was slowly appearing behind the thick clouds.

He let the blinds drop and glanced at the bed and was disconcerted to find Annie watching him. "I thought you'd gone to sleep."

Again, she was laying on her side, but now her palms were stacked palm to palm beneath her chin. "Who are you,Jovon Phim?"

"Me? I'm nobody."

"Not true," she said sleepily. "You're somebody."

"Go to sleep."

"You need rest too. Come and join me."

No way in hell could he crawl in with her and not per take of that skin, that voice. "I'm going to work for a while."

"Work?"

"Yes."

"What work?"

"Go to sleep, Annie."

"One more question?"

"Okay," he sighed.

"After the anniversary, would we still be seeing each other?"

"Maybe."

She lowered her eyes for several seconds, then looked up at him again. "Pretty terrific sex, though."

"But we've never really had sex except for that day and this morning. Why? I thought you wanted me to be your fuck buddy?"

"That's two questions. Good night."

° ° °

"The plan to kill that wretched Ella and Kaden failed. Thanks to that stupid nurse and that smart Kaden." Skylar gritted, as she paced her room. Pausing long enough to gaze into her laptop screen where an image of Lukas was. "It's getting on my nerves."

Lukas snorted. "And you think I am happy about it? But look on the bright side, we struck down two people she loved. That stupid old woman made things difficult for Nico, but he got the job done just fine. The dog and the woman is dead."

Skylar sighed and plopped down on the stool of her dresser, staring at Lukas. "You're right. But I want to get my revenge on those bastards and that girl."

"Relax," Lukas smiled. "I have a plan, but to set it in motion I need to get her alone."

"I don't think you know how smart that girl is. She wouldn't be alone with you,ever."

"Not if she trusts me." He boasted. "I defended her from my grandmother this evening and I'm sure she and that fool are grateful to me." He scratched his beards. "I'm dying to kill that bastard."

"Just as I am." She tucked strand of her hair behind her ear. "And that plan of yours better work. Get her away from Jovon and leave the rest to me."

Lukas scowled. "How about you keep yourself busy with the other members of her family?"

"In chess, killing the knights do not guarantee that you will win the game. But when you get the queen and the king, the rest is easy."

"Ah!" He grinned. "Such smart words my dear. And I suppose you are right. Seeing how my dear cousin is smitten with the bitch, getting him to do my wish would be easy, just as getting her to do your wish would be."

"Yes. Tell me about this plan of yours."

"Once I get her alone..."

° ° °

Annie fingered the incredibly soft fabric of the wedding gown. Except for the basics, like cotton versus leather, she knew nothing about material. Only that whatever this one was, she wanted it in her life always.

Serene came into the dressing room and smiled. "You look beautiful."

Annie grinned. "I know you say that to every bride,but right now I don't care. I feel amazing. I love how this dress feels and moves."

Serene fastened the buttons Annie couldn't reach, then held the open the dressing room door. "Come see how you look."

Annie had been dragged out of bed along with Jovon, and despite her complaining about feeling tired, Alix had insisted that they go and pick out the dresses for the females and also the children. During her bath that morning, Annie had thrown up twice,but didn't let Jovon know or he would have insisted about her staying in bed. And she didn't think that would help her bond with Alix.

She had come in wearing Jeans and a gray hoodie, feeling frazzled and rushed. But dressed in this flowing confection of a dress, she felt beautiful and girly and like a princess. Even the high borrowed heels, compliments of the salon, had fit.

She stepped in front of a three-way mirror and gasped. The dress was perfection.

The fitted,strapless bodice clung to her and made her look impressively chesty. At the waist, the dress cascaded down to the floor in layers and layers of fabric, each row shaped and draping like a flower petal, including the three or four foot train.

There was a hint of pearl in the fabric and it made her akin glow. The style would hide Alix's pregnancy, but was still elegant to die for.

And, yes. Alix had somehow roped them into stopping by a wedding dress shop to help pick her wedding gown in case it would be needing any adjustment, or so she claimed; because the said person was nowhere to be found at the minute.

"Wow."

She glanced up and met Jovon's gaze in the mirror. She smiled and spun in a slow circle.

"You like?" She asked.

She couldn't tell what he was thinking but she definitely liked the way he had to swallow before speaking.

"Incredible. Both the woman and the dress."

Boy, did he have all the good lines, she thought, feeling herself react to his words and presence.

Serene moved in and began tugging on the dress. "The style is flattering to many body types, although if your sister is built like you, then this should work perfectly. Since she does not need one to go, we'll have another one ready by the time she's ready. Also by then we would have cleaned it and altered right before the wedding. Can you move in it alright?"

Annie took a couple of steps. The dress swayed gracefully. "It's fabulous. Every bride's dream dress."

"Good," Serene said. "Now let me put up the train and we'll see if you can dance in it."

Dance? Annie looked at Jovon again. "Can you dance?"

"I'm practically a professional."

"Liar."

"Try me."

Serene looped up the train, fastening the buttons and hooka until there was an impressive buckle in the back. Then Jovon stepped close and swept Annie into his arms.

She told herself none of this mattered, that it wasn't real. She was helping his sister, nothing more. Yet as they danced to an imaginary song, she felt something deep stir inside of herself. Some-thing dangerous and wonderful and a little more than scary.

She looked into his eyes and found herself wanting to get lost there. His fingers tightened on hers. She shifted slightly closer. The layers of beautiful dress kept her from feeling his body against hers, which was a serious drag.

"So lovely."

The comment came from an only slightly familiar voice. Annie looked up to see Jovon's mother, Megan, standing in the entrance to the bridal salon.

"Hello,my dears," The older woman said. "I know, I know, I'm not to meddle, but when Alix mentioned that the three of you are going dress shopping I just couldn't resist. Besides her fiancée is around, so she asked me to come in stead of her place."

Jovon released Annie and walked over to his mother.

"Mother," he said in obvious affection, then bent down and kissed her. "Watching Annie trying on wedding dresses isn't meddling."

"I'm sure Alix will be delighted to have one more opinion," Annie told her, then hugged her and kissed her. She stepped back and turned in a slow circle. "What do you think?"

"That you're very beautiful and so is the dress." Megan smiled at Jovon. "Have you taken pictures yet?"

"Not yet. We are seeing if Alix could dance in the dress."

Was it Annie's imagination or had Megan's eyebrows gone up a little?

"An excellent idea." Megan said. "I'm sure Alix appreciate your thoroughness."

Annie had the sudden thought that somehow Jovon's mother had guessed she and Jovon were sleeping together. Heat burned on her cheeks.

She posed while Jovon took several pictures, then escaped back into the dressing room. She eased into the second gown, this one also strapless, but with a lace bodice and shirring across the waist. The skirt, a stunning lace, fell in a sophisticated A-line that spilled into a train.

Megan stepped into the dressing room. "Another winner. Alix's going to have a difficult time choosing. But that's the problem to have. Here, sweetheart, let me help you with the buttons."

"Thanks. There are a lot of them."

Megan stepped behind her and began fastening the cloth-covered button. "You and Jovon looked very special together, dancing. While I always hoped he would find love again, I'll admit I thought it was little more than the dreams of an old woman."

Panic welled up inside of Annie. "You're not old." She said by way of a very pitiful distraction.

"Thank you, dear. But that's not the point. I was considering offering you a great amount of money when I heard that you had been seen with my son in West Mercer. But I see now I only needed to let nature take it's course."

Annie's mouth open, then closed. Her brain froze and she had no idea what to say.

"We're not a couple." She managed to say at last. "Seriously. We're barely friends. Semi-friends, really. Acquaintances. We haven't even had our first date yet. That's not until the anniversary."

Megan finished with the buttons and stepped out in front of Annie. "Apparently a date isn't required. You look very beautiful."

Annie muttered something unintelligible, then hurried out of the dressing room as fast as she could on the borrowed three-inches heels. Instead of stepping in front of the massive mirror, she hurried to Jovon's side and gripped his arm.

"She knows. Your mother knows. She knows she had sex and I'm telling you right now, I can't stand it. I'm totally humiliated and you need to be too, too."

Jovon looked unconcerned. "She doesn't know. She can't."

"Want to bet?"

Megan stepped out of the dressing room and Annie moved in front of the mirror. They discussed the dress like rational adults and she did her best to keep from blushing. She even managed a smile when Jovon was taking pictures.

"I'll send this to Alix." He said.

"Great. I think she'll really love them."

Which all sounded normal, but she was thinking more along the lines of get me out of here.

Jovon obviously didn't believe her because he continued to joke with his mother, until his mother said. "I suppose a double wedding is out of the question."

Jovon looked at Annie, then back at his mother. "You mean Lukas and his girlfriend?"

"No,dear. You and Annie. There's obviously chemistry. Of course a relationship requires more than that, but passion is wonderful. I had it with your father every day of our marriage, still do." She gave a little laugh. "Well not everyday, but most of them."

Annie resisted the need to cover her ears and hum loudly so she wouldn't hear anymore. Jovon swallowed hard and muttered, "There's an image I'll never get out of my head."

Megan sighed. "You young people. Never wanting to know about older generation. You should be happy to know your father and I had and still have a wonderful marriage all this years."

"I'm thrilled." Jovon said. "Details not required."

Megan smiled. "That's all right. I've waited for you to find the right girl to start over again and now you have."

Annie swept past him and headed for the dressing room. He followed on her heels.

"I told you." She said as she presented him with her back so he could unfasten the buttons. "But no. You wouldn't listen. You knew best. Your mother knows we slept we each other. Do you know how humiliating that is?"

"It's worse for me. I've known my parents all my life. Now i have an image of the two of them. . ."

Annie spun to face him. "You're not taking this seriously. Megan knows. She's talking about double weddings. She might tell your father. I do not want to have a conversation about my sex life with your mother or mine."

He touched her cheek. "Then don't. Look, telling my mother wouldn't be my first choice,but she guessed. So what? We know what we want from each other."

They apparently don't want the same thing. She thought bitterly. She wondered if he was right. Maybe she was overreacting.

Megan stepped into the dressing room. "I have to leave, so you two enjoy yourselves. I hope it all works out. Truly I do. Not just because of what I want, but because of your happiness, Jovon. Since Americus died, this is the first time I'm seeing you so happy. And you too Annie, seeing as you're practically glowing."

Then Megan was gone, but Annie barely noticed. Instead her attention was riveted in Jovon's face- on the way his features tightened and the distance she saw in his eyes.

He physically took a step back from her. "I'll leave you to get changed."

Then she was alone in the dressing room. Alone and angry and confused.

Why did Megan have to bring up his ex-wife like that? For a woman who was so set on getting them together, she'd picked one way guaranteed to keep them apart. If Jovon had a button, it was the name of his deceased wife.

She wanted to stamp her foot in frustration. Talk about unfair. He must think now that she was set out to shag him to her in every way possible. And not to talk about the fact that he was going to pay for most of the things for the anniversary. He must think she wanted him for his money, now that she knew everything about him.

But she loved him because of him. He had to know that.

Except why would he? Given his past, he would think the worst because the worst had always been true.

"It doesn't matter."She told herself as she stepped out of the dress. "We don't have a real relationship. We're just friends."

Friends who slept with each other.

But sex wasn't love and there was no way he would fall for her. So what did it matter if he thought badly of her?

Yet somehow it did matter because she loved him enough to want to marry him.

When she left the bridal salon a few minutes later, it was with tightness in her chest and a sick feeling in her stomach.