Their Heats Desire

Chapter 20

Sandy spoke to her best friend a couple of times while she was away. Sonia sounded happy and relaxed. Now that she's seen her, Sandy can see how relaxed Sonia is. Yet she wondered what truly happened in Ocean City between Sonia and Andrew. She caught a glimpse of an eternity band on Sonia’s hand and only fathomed a guess at what it meant. They had a light snack, and she watched the way Sonia and Andrew interacted with each other when they thought no one was looking. Sandy had her suspicions and wanted to fill her husband in on what she thought. She excused herself and called James to make sure he would be on time. Sandy waited till Andrew was alone to question him a bit. She wondered if he had the same view as Sonia.

Andrew knew Sandy well enough to know that she was up to something. After making a light snack before dinner, they ate. Then he made sure that Sonia took a nap while he got ready to prepare dinner. After Sonia was asleep Andrew went into the kitchen.

“Hey Andrew . . . ?” Sandy called. They were alone. “How was the trip? Did Sonia have a great time?”

“Yes she did, didn’t you two discuss this?”

“Yes, but she seemed a little distracted. Is there something she’s not telling me?”

“Like what?” Andrew said nonchalantly.

“I don’t know that’s why I’m asking you.” Sandy paused for a moment. “Something happened, didn’t it?”

“What are you talking about? Sonia and I had a wonderful time. We got to know each other better.”

“That’s all?” Sandy was not convinced.

“That’s all. Sandy, things are going well. I want to keep it that way.”

“Fine, I’ll see you guys later. You had a long trip, so we’ll come over tomorrow for dinner.”

“Sure thing I’ll cook okay."

“Yup, see you later, and Andrew?”

“Yes.” He knew she was being protective of Sonia. Who could blame her?

“Don’t hurt her.” With that, she walked out of the house. Sonia was asleep when she left. Sandy had a feeling that something more had happened, but she could wait. They won’t be able to hide it for long. She would run her suspicions by James and see what he thinks. Sandy has a feeling that James will see what she is speaking about tomorrow night.

Andrew smiled to himself, with a friend like Sandy in their corner who could go wrong? He just continued to straighten up a bit. Then, work on what he needed for his meeting with Mr. Harding tomorrow.

It was several hours before Sonia woke up; Andrew made them a small dinner. They sat at the table in silence. Even now and then, they would look at each other. Andrew got tired of it and broke the silence. “Sonia, what’s wrong? Did I do something?”

“No Andrew, I– things were different with just you and me, but now I don’t know how to...never mind it’s stupid."

“No, it’s not. Look at me. We’ll take it one step at a time, nothing major, nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Sure.” Sonia thought, easy enough for you to say, it’s getting harder and harder not to want you or be close to you. She looked at Andrew and wondered how they would handle their first night home.

Later on, once everything was settled, he thought about tomorrow night’s dinner. Andrew wanted it to be family and friends, so he called Rita and invited her over for dinner. Then he called and left a message for Jan, letting her know he was back.

Andrew recalled he had several messages from Sammi. She called to welcome him home and to find out about the meeting tomorrow. Andrew decided to call her and invite her and Jon also.

Andrew decided to use Sonia’s office to make his calls. It was late, and Sammie was not answering her phone, so he called the site on a whim.

“Hastings Construction, Sammi speaking.”

“Hey, Sammi, what’s up? Why are you there so late?”

“Someone has to do the work the boss was on his honeymoon.”

“You’re funny,” Andrew said, laughing.

“Anyway, how are you? How is Sonia?”

“I am fine, and Sonia - she’s great. How are things on the site?”

“Good, good. So let’s discuss this family thing. When’s this baby due again?”

“In less than two months, why?” What he wanted to talk about was how much he’s in love with his wife, and she just refuses to see it.

“Okay, Andrew, what’s wrong?” She heard it the moment she mentioned Sonia.

“Nothing, I’m just returning your call, and I want to invite you and Jon to dinner," Andrew said, trying to change the subject.

Sammi wasn't having it, “So, you didn’t tell her how you feel, did you?”

"Sammi, I tried, and every time, she would shush me or turn away. It’s like she doesn’t want to be loved or wants me to love her.”

“Oh Andrew I’m sorry, look, you just have to wait for the right time.” Sammi knew he was deeply in love with Sonia and would do anything for her, but would she let him?

“When will that be?” Could someone point out the right time?

“I don’t know, but you’ll find a way. Anyway, what time will you be in the office tomorrow?”

“Around 10 am, is that okay? It gives us time to get everything together."

“I guess, so I’ll see you tomorrow morning and tomorrow night.”

“Yes, later." Andrew smiled to himself. He could never fool Sammi; she’s the only person who knows him so well. Maybe just maybe she’s right. He has to wait for the right time to tell Sonia that he loves her. While deep in thought, he didn’t hear her come in, but he sensed her and turned around. A slow, sensual smile began to form on her face.

"Hey, there I thought you were asleep?”

Sonia couldn’t sleep and wanted to see what Andrew was up to. “Was that Samantha you were speaking to?”

“Please don’t let her hear you call her that, and yes, it was Sammi.” They both laughed at that point, Andrew thought, 'gosh, I love to hear her laugh and see that glow on her face. Oh, how I love her and wish she could see it.' He could get used to this with her. There is no way that he's letting her go. He has to make sure she knows he loves her. Just being friends was not an option. They were both lost in thought, then Sonia said. “I couldn’t sleep. Do you mind if we just sit here and you hold me?”

“No problem.” Andrew loved the idea very much. They sat down on the sofa, and Sonia laid her head on his shoulder. Andrew held her close and used the afghan for covering. Soon, Sonia was fast asleep. Andrew listened for a while to her, even breathing, then lifted her carefully, carrying her to her room. He laid her on the bed and then got in next to her. He was soon asleep.

When Sonia woke up and found Andrew next to her, she smiled and decided to make him breakfast. She thought some bacon, eggs, sausages, and freshly squeezed orange juice would do nicely as breakfast for him. She was happy that she didn’t have to worry about sleeping alone.

Andrew always knows what she needs and is there to supply it. Why would she want to let that go? Sonia had some serious thinking to do.

Andrew finally stirred, only to find that he was alone. He jumped up and looked around the room. The clock on the nightstand was saying 8 a.m., and then the smell hit him. Someone is cooking bacon and eggs. Oh boy, what he wouldn’t give for some right now. Maybe that’s where Sonia was, in the kitchen.

Andrew got up, used the bathroom, and then headed to the kitchen. Sonia was at the stove cooking breakfast. He stood there watching her. He envisioned himself walking up behind her, kissing the back of her neck. Hearing her moan, he’d turn her around to kiss those wonderful lips. Moving her hair behind her ear, gently taking a bite. . . . Watching her respond to his touch and loving it. Umm, just the thought alone made him hot. His imagination continued until they were making love on the kitchen floor.

Andrew was hungry, but it was not because of food. He was so caught up in the thought that he did not see her when Sonia turned around. However, he could hear her calling his name. It sounded so sweet.

“Andrew! Andrew! Andrew honey! Andrew!”

”Huh, what . . .?”

“Your breakfast is ready,” Sonia said, handing him his plate.

“Oh yeah, this looks delicious.” He took the plate and quickly sat down at the counter and ate in silence. What else could he do? His manhood was at attention.

Sonia wondered where his mind was. “What were you thinking about just now? The expression on your face was quiet. Ah, I don’t know, sensual.”

“Really . . .! It was nothing.”

“It looked like something, fine… if you don’t want me to know. Anyway, eat up, it’s getting late.”

Looking at the time, Andrew remembered the shopping he wanted to do before he went to the meeting. After an excellent breakfast, Andrew went upstairs, showered, changed, and left the house. He decided to go to the supermarket before his meeting so that everything he needed would be at hand once he was ready to cook. He walked up and down the aisle, gathering all he wanted once he had acquired everything. He checked out and headed back to the house.

Going into the kitchen, he pulled out the whole duck he had brought and skinned it. Placing it in lime and salt, he set it in the refrigerator and then headed upstairs to get his briefcase. Gathering the company books and putting them in his briefcase, he left for the office.

Pulling up to the office, he noticed Jan’s car in the lot. Walking into the building, he asked, “Jan, what are you doing here?”

“I found out about the meeting and decided to help out.”

“You didn’t have to come in, Sammi, and I have it under control. We’re going to show Mr. Harding some projections, then take him to the site to see where we are with the building.”

“I can come and pitch in, ya know.” Even though her time with Malcolm made her truly rethink why she desired Andrew, Jan was still on a mission to get Andrew away from Sonia.

“Jan, you can go. I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Andrew, don’t you want me?”

“Jan, I never led you to believe that there was more between us.”

“Can’t you see how much I care about you?” Jan said, coming around her desk to stand in front of him. Playing with her hair; lowering her voice so she could sound sexy and swaying her hips.

Woo, this is not good, Andrew thought. Now he felt bad. He should have stuck to his rule of not dating employees. “Look, Jan, if this is going to be a problem then—. Maybe you should look for another job.”

Jan stopped and truly looked at Andrew. He was not kidding, and she was not ready to give up yet. “No Andrew, please, this will not be a problem. It will never happen again, I promise.” The thought of not seeing Andrew or being around him made her upset. She would try another approach.

“Good, now please go home.” Andrew could not believe what happened. He began to recall events with Sonia.

Out of nowhere, Jan asked, “Andrew is the baby yours.”

“Excuse me!” She knew about Sonia, how?

“I saw you with her. Is the baby yours?”

Andrew was stunned. She must have been at the Ridgemont, but he did not see her. “Whom are you referring to?”

“The woman you were with at the hotel, is she the one you’ve been seeing? Is the baby your baby?”

Andrew was fuming and tried to keep his anger under control. How dear she, how could he have been so wrong about a person? This woman is unstable. He didn’t know what to say just yet.

Jan realized her mistake; she had to try and get around her slip. “Ah, I went to visit a friend the other day and saw you with this woman.”

“I don’t care why you were there, and I don’t even want to think you were following me, but I want you to know my personal life is my business. Let’s keep this professional.”

“I’m sorry I won’t bring it up again.” Jan saw a side of Andrew she didn’t know about. It’s time to back off just a bit, she thought.

Now more than ever, he was convinced that Sonia was right about Jan. She deliberately hung up on Sonia and didn’t relay her messages. He needed to speak to Sammi about this. How should he handle this with Sonia?

About a half-hour later, there was a knock on his door. “Come,” he replied.

“Hey there, Mr. Newly Wed, how are you this afternoon?”

Boy, was he glad to see Sammi? “Disturbed . . .” Andrew paused. “Did you know that Jan was out of the office last week?”

“Huh, ah, I gathered. It was a couple of days ago. Why?”

“She was up in Ocean City.” Andrew still couldn’t believe it.

“What? So she knows about Sonia.”

“To tell you the truth, I don’t know what she knows, but it’s scary. She kept asking if the baby was mine.”

“Oh no, Andrew, she has to go. I have never liked her from day one.”

“Now I know . . . Sonia was right all along. Man, what do I do now? I don’t want her to go to Mr. Harding.”

“Woo, let’s not even go there. I don’t know what to tell you except to watch her. I think you should tell Sonia.”

“No, not now. . . .”

“Andrew!”

“No Sammi, I won’t.” Andrew doesn’t feel the same way Sammi does about this situation, besides. Besides, he felt it would be adding more stress to what Sonia was going through. He means for her to be happy and will do whatever it takes to assure it.

They argued about it, and eventually, Andrew told Sammi to drop it.

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

Mr. Harding arrived along with Bill and two other people. He wanted to get to the bottom of the issue. He did not believe that Andrew had done anything with his money, but he had to be sure. The other investors were ready to see some progress and JA was there to make sure they were on schedule. JA decided to be the business shark he was known to be and kept sizing Andrew up. Even though he liked Andrew. JA had a business to run and wanted progress. If there was anything shady going on, he would get to the bottom of it and if he had to go with someone else, he would. Bill did not disclose who the source of the phone call was, but JA suspected he knew who it was. He wondered why this person wanted him to be at odds with Andrew.

When the questions started flying, Andrew was able to counter them and give the appropriate answer, thereby defusing the situation.

The entire meeting was not what Andrew expected. Yes, Mr. Harding wanted answers, but he knew something was off with this inquisition. JA was happy with the projections and was looking forward to going to the site.

Bill could see that Mr. Harding was not asking Andrew about his trip so he decided to get to the real reason the meeting was called. “It was brought to my attention that there seemed to be some misappropriation of funds this past week. It seems you took an unscheduled trip up the coast.”

Andrew knew this was coming. “Mr. Harding, what do you have to say about this?”

“Well, Andrew, I’m here to find out where all my money is going.”

"Your money, sir? Why would I use your money for personal trips? That is not how I do business."

“Fine, I brought the books for you to see, and if you need to look them over I’ve made copies for your accountants.”

Justin took the books and looked them over. Everything seemed to be in order, then he looked at Andrew and asked, “It seems that someone is out to stop you young man.”

“Mr. Harding, I don’t do dirty business, any money I used this past week was my own.”

“I see, so when I asked you about your personal life, your answer was a polite mind your business.”

“Something like that?”

JA smiled, he likes Andrew. He’s someone that speaks his mind and stands up for what he believes in. He would be a perfect match for Jan, but it seems that he’s already taken. “You’ve met someone then.”

“Yes, I’ve been seeing her for some time.”

“Well, I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you. Now, if this is all you wanted to find out, if it’s okay with you, we can go to the site.”

“Sure, let me just make a few calls, then we can go.” Justin was more intrigued by Andrew than before. No one has ever kept him out of their life once he’s asked. What is so different about this one? He needed to do so much digging. He would have Bill take a deeper dive into Andrew Hastings' past and see what he comes up with.