Their Heats Desire

Chapter 19

Trapped was how Jan felt. Caged like an animal, she began to pace back and forth, waiting for whatever happened next. It’s not part of her new self-image or her new personality, but Andrew was causing her to act this way. Why would he go off and not tell her where he was going and what was the big secret anyway? Jan got more and more restless by the minute. What is going on with him? He was distant and she didn’t like it.

'Okay, fine, I’m going up there, I’m just going to get into my car and drive up the coast.' She said to herself. Since she had the name of the hotel, she decided to be with him, and whatever happened.

Her nerves started to act up while driving. She felt her heart rate increase. Her palms became sweaty. Soon, the city limits were in her sight. Jan got anxious. 'What if he doesn’t want me? What if he has someone else? Girl, you trippin'! Stop it right now. Don’t make it worse than it is. He isn't seeing anyone. He's doing business.'

Jan had a pep-talk with herself. She talked herself into believing that Andrew was hers and hers alone. When she arrived at the Ridgemont Hotel that evening, it was dinnertime. She knew Andrew would have to come to dinner, so she waited at the bar of the restaurant, hoping to see him. She knew he planned to return home on Saturday, but maybe she could keep his company until then.

After an hour had passed and Jan was getting a bit frustrated. She did not see any sign of Andrew, anywhere. She knew this was the hotel he was staying at. So where is he? She decided to check at the front desk. She asked for Andrew Hastings' room and phone number but was told that the information was not available. “What! What do you mean, I’m his secretary?”

“Sorry miss, Mr. Hastings's instructions.” The clerk went back to what he was doing and ignored her.

Jan didn’t make a scene but would try a different approach. She tried flirting with one of the bellhops, but that didn’t work. Jan’s frustration showed, and she yelled at the man. She began to pace the lobby, hoping to see Andrew, but nothing. He did not appear.

Jan checked into the hotel for the night. Once she got to her room, she began to pace again. It’s a nervous habit she has when she feels things are not going her way. When she could not find any so5litude, she went back to the bar for a nightcap. She was on her way into the bar when she saw him, Andrew. He was holding a very pregnant woman in front of the elevator.

Jan's hands fisted as if ready for a fight, she was fuming. Who is this woman with her man? She wanted answers and decided to confront him and demand he explains what was going on. Then the unthinkable happened, he kissed the woman very intently and Jan saw red. She wanted to scream, to do damage. Then she started to do the exercises the therapist gave her, calming herself. Then she began to reason that didn’t mean anything, it couldn’t, and he would have told her he was seeing someone, wouldn’t he? Jan began to question herself. The question is, where did she go wrong? How could this happen? Who is she? All of a sudden, a picture flashed across her mind. Sonia Rose Harding. No, it can’t be, no, no, no. Jan was yelling in her mind. Her anger was building inside, so much so that she began to dig her nails into her skin until she saw blood.

Jan took deep breaths trying to relax. She had to pull on what her doctor told her to do when she felt an attack coming on. Breathe, breathe, think another thought, and go to a place of peace and serenity.

Once she was calm, Jan recalled the many conversations she had regarding Sonia Rose.

So this was Sonia Rose, the same Sonia that'd been calling Andrew, the same Sonia who’s the boss's daughter and with the man she loves. Jan began fuming and began to plot how to expose Miss Sonia.

Pulling out her cell, she dialed Bill Springfield. 'Bill, it's Jan.'

' Yes Jan, how can I help you?'

'Let Mr. Harding know that Andrew is away on personal business and plants the seed that it might be shady to check the books.' She dropped enough hints to cause suspicion about Andrew and his business. Jan knew that Bill, being Mr. Harding’s right-hand man and bloodhound would try to find out what was going on. If there was any truth to the seed she had just planted. Then she went to her room to get some sleep.

Her sleep was fitful and restless; she could not stop thinking about Sonia with Andrew. Jan woke up, ready to find out the whole situation between the two of them.

Jan decided to sneak into the maid’s locker room, where she overheard some of them speaking about how wonderful Mr. & Mrs. Hastings have been to them and how they will be missed once they’re gone. How they hope that the baby is healthy and happy.

Jan stumbled and then ran out of the room as fast as she could. Married, Andrew’s married, no, that can’t be, they’re talking about someone else, another Hastings. He can’t be married to her, not her. The pain was unbearable, and she began to plot how to get back at them for hurting her.

Part of her therapy was not to let what she desired to become an obsession, especially if she could not have it. But Andrew was different; she knew he was the one person for her. Now he’s married, and she’s left alone, Jan promises to make them all sorry for hurting her like that.

Going back to her room, Jan paced, fuming. She felt like throwing something and breaking things, but an end that would not stop the pain, no revenge would work wonders right now. That is what her mind is saying to her.

Jan grabbed her bags and headed out. She would make it back in time to do some damage, she was sure. As she was leaving, she overheard a woman speaking Andrew’s name, so she stopped and listened.

“William, your brother is seeing someone, a very pregnant person.”

“Yeah, he said the baby’s his, but it can’t be. We both know that.”

“I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Okay, I’ll calm down because I have to find out what’s going on.”

“I still love him. Yes, William, I’ll keep in touch.”

Yet another woman in Andrew’s life, Jan's mind, was reeling. Then she remembered what the woman said about the baby. She recalled the maids saying about the baby. No, this would mean that he was seeing her while they were going out. She had to think, think about Jan, and think she told herself. Something was very wrong here, and she had to find out what.

Jan moved on. She had heard enough. She needed to go somewhere and think, but where could she go? She needs to put everything together. Jan walked to the exit of the hotel in a daze; she did not remember giving the valet her ticket. Even the moment the car arrived, she got into her car and began to drive. She did not have a set destination. She just drove. She can’t lose herself again. She worked so hard to get where she is now. Then, the tears began to roll down her face like a river. Jan had to pull over because it was becoming hard for her to see through her tears.

Jan sat in her car with her head on the steering wheel sobbing and did not hear when the man asked if she was all right. She slowly looked up at the sound of tapping on her window; he was just standing there looking at her. He asked her if she needed help. Jan rolled down the window but couldn't remember if she said yes or no, but he opened her door and helped her out. “My name’s Malcolm. What’s yours?”

“Ah, my name’s Jan. Where are you taking me?”

“Just over here to my office, do you mind?”

‘No, I guess not.”

“Can you tell me what’s wrong? Were you in an accident?”

“No, no, I ah...” The tears began again like the water’s brook, which could not stop. Jan could not believe what was happening around her anymore. Everything came tumbling out, and Malcolm listened.

They talked for hours, and he comforted her the best way he knew how. Then he took her home with him. Malcolm felt drawn to Jan. For some reason, he wanted her, wanted her in such a way that he could not explain it if he tried. He consoled, pampered, and even made dinner for her. Then they spent the night in front of his fireplace, making love to each other.

Jan had no clue what to do about Malcolm; he became her savior of sorts. He was everything she thought Andrew should be to her, and for once, someone thought of her and how she was feeling. Jan lost the battle of not wanting to feel anything for this man or with this man, but he was overpowering her with his presence, and she began to crave it. She was lost in him and when he kissed her again, she felt a strong pull, a pull she wanted to fight but couldn’t, and when he pulled her closer and began to love her again and again she could not say no. Jan’s battle with herself and her thoughts of Andrew was lost that night. She let herself go and made love with Malcolm all night well into the early hours of the morning.

All night, Andrew had an uneasy feeling but couldn’t understand why. He spent the day with Malcolm talking about Sonia and then went back to the hotel to find her sleeping fitfully. Once he saw her, he lost the battle within himself. He couldn’t stay away from her any more than he could leave her. Andrew lay down beside her, holding her close, and they slept for hours. Then, when they were awake, Sonia told him that she had missed him all day and was glad he was back.

They had a late dinner at a restaurant Malcolm suggested. Once it was getting late, they headed back to the hotel. That night, they slept without a care in the world, holding each other close.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday morning was chaotic. Andrew spent most of the morning on the phone with Sammi, who had paged him to fill in on what was happening. She informed him that someone had tipped Mr. I'm Harding off about him not being at the office. Sammi also told him that Mr. Harding called a meeting for Sunday morning in the office. Andrew was upset, to say the least. This was his honeymoon, and he wanted to savor every moment. His mind is bent on finding the person who leaked to Mr. Harding his business.

Sonia saw how upset Andrew was and tried her best to console him. “What’s wrong?”

“Someone called your father and told him I was out of town, among other things.”

“What other things?”

“I don’t know, but he’s called a meeting early Sunday morning.”

“What! So when are we leaving?” Okay, she was not ready to leave just yet. She was enjoying their time alone to get acquainted.

“Tomorrow. . . ” Andrew saw the instant hurt and frustration that flashed across her face. “Sonia, I know you’re not ready to go back yet. Neither am I, but I have to find out what’s going on.”

“I know, I know, but I don’t like it.” Sonia wasn’t ready to go back to the real world just yet. She didn’t know how they were going to act because it was because of the people who didn’t know about their marriage.

Andrew knew that Sonia was worried about Sandy, James, and Rita finding out about their marriage, but he also knew that her father factored into things just as well. “Sonia, look at me. Your father is not going to find you.” He said, placing his hand on her stomach. “I won’t let him take our baby away.”

The way he said it, she felt like it was true. “I know it’s just a dream, and his presence seems so real.”

“Let’s not think about that right now. Let’s just enjoy the rest of the time we have here.”

“Okay.” She said, moving away from him, trying to decide what to do with herself right now. Sonia decided to ask Andrew a question. “Andrew, do you realize that you’ve said our baby and belong to us twice?

“I did, didn’t I? Does that bother you?”

“I don’t know, it's just that... I don’t want you to feel like you have to stay with me in the long run.”

“Sonia, what are you talking about? The other night when we made love, and we did make love, did it feel like I was going to leave in the long run?”

“Well, no, but...”

“No buts, you and Terrence are my family, so let’s not talk about leaving.”

“Andrew! You can’t mean to tie yourself down to the baby and me... Terrence. You have a right to live your life the way you want to.”

“And who says that this is not the life I want? Have you ever stopped thinking that I might have feelings for you, and I don’t mean I care or I like you? I lo-v...”

“No, don’t say it, you might regret it later, don’t.” She said, putting her hand to his lips.

“Sonia, I won’t regret loving you or wanting to be with you.” Just the look on her face told him he was pushing. He sighed. “Look, let’s talk about this later.” He could see that she was scared and he couldn’t blame her, but he was determined to show her that he meant what he said.

Even though she was fighting her feelings and herself, she felt that pull of desire, and she kissed him.

Then the phone rang just as the kiss was getting hot. Andrew pulled away enough to answer it. It was Peter the desk clerk informing him that Ms. Brown had called to see if any help was needed. Andrew informed Peter to let Jan know that he would call her later.

“Who was that?” Sonia asked.

“It was Peter letting me know that Jan called.”

“Does it have to do with work?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll call her once we reach home.”

Because of the call, among other things, Andrew and Sonia decided to leave the hotel later that day. What didn’t make either of them happy about it?

Once everything was settled at the front desk, they got into a waiting limo that Andrew requested to take them home. Once in the limo, Sonia looked back as Ocean City began to fade and become a distant memory of good times between her and Andrew. She tried to hide her sadness because going home meant dealing with the problems she had left there a week ago.

Andrew could sense her sadness and reached out and held her hand as they rode in silence. By this, Sonia understood that he, too, was not happy about leaving, and she briefly looked at him with a smile and then out the window at the passing scenery.

They arrived home at about 5:30 pm that evening, and Sonia was having a hard time dealing with being home. She couldn’t help feeling that something was going to happen to spoil their happiness.

Andrew looked at her before getting out of the limo to help the driver with their bags.

Sandy was on her way to Sonia’s and she thought how great it was for Andrew to take Sonia away for a while. If anyone needed or deserved a break, it was Sonia. Sandy is sure glad that they are getting along better than before. She sure hopes that things went great with them. As she draws nearer to Sonia’s place, she sees a limo pulled up in front of the house and wonders who that could be. Then she saw Andrew get out and help Sonia out, then went into the house with some bags.

By the time she reached the house, they were inside, and the limo was pulling out. Sandy knocked on the door. She could tell by Sonia’s appearance that something was wrong and she wanted to know what went on with them for the week.

Sandy could only hope that their friendship had become strong and that Sonia was willing to let Andrew help more with everything. She doesn’t know why, but she’s hoping that they will get together. Andrew is what Sonia needs in her life, and he’s looking for something in her. Sandy could only hope that Sonia was what he was looking for.

Sonia and Andrew, huh, what a good combination and the baby does need a father. She knows that Alec will never be a true father to this child, and, for some reason, she knows Andrew will.

Sandy was about to knock again when the door opened.

Andrew was about to open the door to get the rest of the bags when he heard the knock. Opening the door, he smiled when he saw it was Sandy. They hugged each other; Andrew moved back so she could enter, Sandy walked in to see Sonia coming from her bedroom. “Hey there . . .” She said she was happy to see her friend. “How was the trip?” Sandy asked while noticing how great and relaxed Sonia looked.

“Oh hi Sandy . . .” Sonia said in the most cheery tone, trying not to show how bad she was feeling. The baby felt it and began to act up.

“Sonia, what’s the matter? Are you okay?”

“Yes I’m fine, the baby just kicked, that’s all.” Yeah, he’s reacting to the way I’m feeling," she said to herself.

Andrew went into the room with the rest of the bags. He sensed Sonia’s unhappiness and decided to have a private conversation with her. “Sonia, I need to speak with you for a moment. Excuse us, Sandy?’ He took Sonia’s hand and led her to the kitchen where he closed the shutters and the door.

Sonia just looked at him; she did not know what to expect. As he came through the doors behind her, Andrew reached out and pulled her into his arms, not saying anything. He inhaled her scent and the feeling of her being in his arms one more time. For Andrew, this was hard, harder than Sonia would ever know. It wasn’t just about them returning home. It was about them being together as man and wife. Things couldn’t be as they were in Ocean City. It would be hard to do this without someone noticing. Once he felt her relax just a little, he asked. “Are you upset that we had to come back so soon?”

“Yes! I don’t know how to react around you with everyone else here.” She thought for a moment then said, “Besides, it would be good for us to see if this is what… you want.”

“Don’t worry about me. I will make you a promise.”

“No, you don’t have to. Don’t do that, Andrew, please.” Sonia was scared that he would make things harder for her.

Andrew smiled, kissing the corner of her mouth. “Can I make you a promise?”

“Sure, what?” Sonia said, leaning her head on his chest, taking in his strength.

“After Terrence is born and is old enough we’ll go back, or better yet, we’ll go anywhere you want to, okay.”

“Andrew, you don’t have to make such a promise. I know you have other things in your life, and I won’t be the cause of you not doing them.”

“Sonia, you and Terrence are the most important things to me, so don’t worry.” He said, setting her away from him and lifting her chin with his index finger. “Deal . . .”

She knew that nothing she could say right now would change his mind. “Deal. . . .” Just the thought of spending more time with Andrew gave her what she needed to face, Sandy.

Sandy became worried and asked, “Are you two okay in there?”

“Yes, we’re fine,” they both said in unison. Andrew turned back to Sonia and said, “Cheer up, okay, and remember what I promised.”

“I won’t hold you to it.”

“You’d better.” He said, kissing her lips gently, then walking away. Andrew was determined to show her he was here to stay.

All Sonia could do was follow him out the door to where they left Sandy.

“Is everything good, you looked upset?” Sand also notices a more upbeat Sonia when she comes in.

“Yes, everything is alright,” Sonia said, looking over at Andrew, who winked at her.

“So, how was it? Did you have fun?” Sandy asked with a smile, wanting to know all that happened.

A smile broadened on Sonia’s face, and she couldn’t help but look over at Andrew again.

Sandy caught it and looked over at Andrew, who was busy moving things around.

Andrew caught Sandy’s underlying meaning and decided to let Sonia handle this on her own. “I’m going to take my bags upstairs.” He took one more look at his wife and then headed up to his place.

The two ladies said okay and then headed into Sonia’s study. They sat on the sofa, and Sandy started asking questions. “So how did it go?”

“It went well; we did some sightseeing, some shopping. Andrew had some other business to take care of, so I spent most of my time either writing or in the spa.”

“In the spa . . .? Wow. Did you get to go to the aquarium?”

“Yes, we did. It was fab. We had a great time. Andrew was a true gentleman. I don’t know why I was so worried.”

“Really; and you didn’t want him as a tenant. Go figure, now look at the two of you. So tell me, what was the hotel like?”

“It was nice. We had the penthouse suite.”

“You did,” Sandy said with a twinkle in her eyes. “And what happened? Did he try to put the moves on you?”

“Sandy! I don’t believe you. Don’t you and James do it enough for the rest of us?”

“Girl, please, it’s time you let someone in. Why not Andrew? He’s a hunk, if I must say so myself, and he cares, I can tell.”

“Sandy stop, Andrew and I are just friends, good friends,” Sonia said, looking away, trying to hide her feelings that were bubbling up inside of Andrew. Then she said softly with a smile, “Special friends.”

“What was that?”

“Oh nothing . . .” Sonia said, trying to hide her hand with the ring on it. She has to be careful not to wear it when Sandy and James are around. They sat there in silence for some time.