After the End Read online

  "I was asking if you can come by tomorrow," Renata asked hopefully, "and maybe do a beach scene at Hellshire Beach? A live beach scene would be absolutely perfect…some earth tone colors with the sea as a background."

  "I... uhm, I work," Colleen said absently. "In Whitehouse. That's where I live, actually."

  Renata's eyebrows lifted. "Whitehouse. Really? Where do you work?"

  "Sea Breeze Inn. I am a breakfast cook there."

  "Oh my gosh! It's a small world," Renata said excitedly. "My family owns Sea Breeze!"

  Colleen nodded slowly. That was not really a surprise. Though she hadn't known that Enrique had siblings, Renata's eyes were eerily similar to his. She wanted to ask about him. Where was he? What was he doing? Had he gotten married yet?

  Why did she care? She wasn't supposed to be curious. Through the three years of working at Sea Breeze, she had to admit that she had not discouraged Juliet, a sous chef that worked for the Lopezes, from gossiping with her about the Lopezes. She had listened keenly as Juliet, who sometimes had to go to Hibiscus Lodge, the Lopez's mansion by the sea, to cater for special occasions, returned with juicy tidbits.

  She had heard from Juliet that Constanza Lopez spent most of her time in Whitehouse and her husband Franco Lopez spent most of his time in Kingston and that their marriage was on the rocks.

  Juliet had a crush on Franco Lopez and her deductions were really wishful thinking because the Lopezes were still together and by all accounts other than Juliet's they were a happy couple. Colleen had only seen Franco Lopez once, from afar. He had the same profile as his son; she had no doubt that he was swoonworthy, as Juliet put it.

  She looked at Renata now as they headed for a clothes rack. Renata was rifling through the clothes that were hanging there. Her face had on an intense look of concentration. No doubt about it, they were a beautiful family. Renata was pretty and petite and obviously had a thing for Irwin. Her eyes seemed to melt when she looked across at him, which was often.

  "Irwin wants to see you in green," Renata gushed, holding up a dress. "Forest green brings out the nature theme for the aromatherapy oils and blends. And then we want to see you in other earth tones and accessories. I think this dress will do, don't you?"

  Colleen nodded.

  What did she know? The dress looked okay. She did not have the luxury of shopping and choosing clothes like most girls her age. She rarely had enough money to do that. Even though Maureen would give her eye teeth to 'fix' her up as she put it.

  "Okay…changing room's through here," Renata said, opening a door to the right with a flourish. "Get in the dress and then I'll do your makeup."

  Enrique took the elevator to the top floor of the Pegasus building, passing through several yards of carpeted hallway before he reached the door with gold letters. This would be a quick visit. He hadn't seen Renata for close to a year. She would have a fit if she heard that he had come by and not stopped to say hello. He knocked on the door and waited. When the door opened, a short lady with her hair cut in a Mohawk style looked at him curiously and then gasped. "Ooh... my..."

  "Is Renata here?" Enrique asked slowly, looking at the door again. His father had said Suite 2, hadn't he?

  The lady was blinking at him slowly as if she had seen a ghost. "I know you."

  "Okay," Enrique smiled politely; she was still standing at the door, blocking him. He tried to see past the door to confirm whether or not Renata was in the room.

  "Enrique Lopez. Class of 2000, Whitehouse Academy." She held out her hand. "My name is Maureen Slater. It was Maureen King in high school."

  Enrique smiled in relief. So she did know him. He was afraid it was another girl trying to pick him up. He grasped her outstretched hand in his. "Nice to meet you, Maureen. I am sorry. I don't remember you."

  "That's okay," Maureen said, finally standing aside. "I lost a ton of weight. And I changed my hair."

  Enrique looked at her hair, and then at her again. It was possible that she was vaguely familiar. "I was only there for a year. Forgive me for not remembering."

  Maureen grinned. "Forgiven. No worries."

  "Baby brother," Renata squealed, running toward him when he entered the room fully and she caught sight of him.

  Enrique turned from Maureen and lifted his sister into the air. "For a big sister you weigh next to nothing," he teased her. "How are you, squirt?"

  "I am good." She stepped away from him and put her hands at her sides, regarding him with sisterly sternness. "You look tired."

  "Tired is not the word I would use," Maureen said near them. "Fine comes to mind."

  Renata threw back her head and laughed. "Women always think my brother is fine. I can see the fine too, but I also see tired. Knowing Enrique, he has been running himself ragged and pushing things."

  "That is why this is a fly-by visit," Enrique said lazily, "I am heading to Whitehouse, to take a load off. I just stopped by to say hi."

  "It's good to see you," Renata said, hugging him again and fondly running her fingers through his hair.

  "Stop." Enrique grinned at her and backed away. "I still have to go out in public."

  "Irwin, look who's here!" Renata said, excitement lighting her eyes.

  "Hey Irwin." Enrique nodded to Irwin, who was standing behind Renata; he came to shake Enrique's hand.

  Enrique looked around. There was a boardroom table that was placed in a corner. At one side of the wall was a white sheet; he assumed that was the background for the photo shoot. There was no sign of a model.

  "I see you guys haven't started yet. I am going to go. Don't want to hold up your day. See you this weekend?"

  "Sure," Renata said, kissing him loudly on the cheek. "Can't wait." She headed to the table with Irwin. He was already forgotten. They were looking over a broad piece of paper and having an argument over which poses would be done first.

  "No, wait," Maureen said as he headed for the door. "You are heading to Whitehouse now?"

  "Yes." Enrique nodded.

  "My friend, the model, would appreciate a lift down there," Maureen said. "I mean, this is perfect. I have to relieve my nanny by evening and I was not looking forward to driving to Whitehouse today."

  "You guys won't be ready for now," Enrique said regretfully. "Sorry I can't help your friend. I am looking forward to wetting my feet at the beach and having a jog along the white sands…the purest white sand beach on the planet."

  He said it with anticipation; he could see it in his mind's eye. It was amazing how he had stayed away from Whitehouse for so long. He clutched the door handle just when a side door opened and Colleen walked out in a forest green dress. She was still tugging at the material, trying to adjust the cloth over her lean, curvy shape. It highlighted the perfect globes of her breasts, and she was obviously uncomfortable with how the dress front dipped, showing her cleavage. When she looked up, a look of apology on her face, his eyes collided with hers.

  Colleen Perry. Enrique’s heart stopped beating for a second and his hand drifted from the door handle. He leaned on the door instead.

  "Great!" Renata said, gesturing to Colleen and breaking the frozen tableau.

  "No. Not great," Colleen said huskily, dragging her eyes from his. "I can't wear this, it's too revealing. I am not comfortable in skimpy clothes..."

  "Let’s try the blue." Irwin piped up before Colleen could protest further. He walked over to Colleen briskly. His eyes were glued on her chest.

  Enrique felt like butting in and telling Irwin to keep his eyes off of her. He had to restrain himself from interfering. He exhaled heavily, not even realizing that he had forgotten to breathe.

  "So," Maureen asked smugly. "Can you drop my friend home to Whitehouse?"

  "Sure, if your friend is Colleen Perry." Enrique finally pulled his eyes from Colleen when she went into the changing room with a blue dress. He looked at Maureen a little dazedly.

  "I'll just have a seat over there." He pointed to some settees, which had boxes of aromatherapy prod
ucts in them.

  "Well, I'll join you," Maureen said, "but only until I have to go and relieve the nanny. She is full time but she had asked me for this evening off. There is a death in her family."

  Enrique's eyes strayed to Colleen's again; he hardly heard what Maureen was saying. "Tell me about Colleen. Is she a model now?"

  "I just can't believe you remember her name!" Maureen looked at him with a half grin. "You two seem to remember each other quite well."

  Enrique paused, a feeling of triumph zinging through his veins. "She talks about me?"

  Maureen smiled so widely that he realized how utterly revealing and eager his question was. He should not have revealed his feelings about Colleen so clearly, but the fact that she thought about him enough to mention him was enough to make him happy. His eagerness for leaving was gone and he was now twice as eager to stay.

  *****

  Colleen gave a sigh of relief when the photo shoot was over. They had her trying on outfits and posing with products and pretending to be carefree when Enrique Lopez was sitting in the room and watching her every move and making her jittery and nervous. She could feel his eyes on her. She couldn't shake his stare though she had tried to avoid looking in his direction too often, but whenever she did she could see him staring at her fixedly.

  What was he doing here?

  In the four hours it took to do the photo shoot, he sat in the far corner of the room talking with Maureen. She shuddered to think what Maureen, the over-eager matchmaker, was telling him about her.

  "That's a wrap!" Renata called out. "I wish you could do a beach scene but maybe we can do one on the weekend when I come to Whitehouse? Maybe it won't even be necessary but, it would be so nice to have you on a live location."

  Colleen shrugged. "I don't know. This was fun and all but I am not really into..."

  "She'll do it!" Maureen said, standing up.

  "You promised that you wouldn't interfere," Colleen reminded her friend smugly, "for six whole months of my life, starting today."

  Maureen opened her mouth and then closed it with a snap. "I knew I shouldn't have made that stupid promise. Anyway, you remember Enrique Lopez? He's heading to Whitehouse; he'll give you a lift home."

  Colleen inhaled shakily, hoping that he didn't hear her ragged intake of breath, and then she exhaled slowly. It did nothing to calm her shaky nerves.

  Enrique stood up and came into the lit area. He was dressed in full black; he looked taller and more muscular than she remembered him from high school, and even more handsome. He was beautiful. Long eyelashes, chiseled cheekbones, honey gold skin and those sultry green-gray eyes.

  "Yes, I remember," Colleen nodded vigorously. Her voice sounded breathless, though. One look at him and she was feeling that magnetic pull again. Earlier the feeling had been muted but now that he was standing so close…

  "I remember you too, Colleen Perry."

  "It's actually Reid," Colleen said shakily. "I got married."

  "To Isaiah Reid?" Enrique shook his head regretfully, "I heard about his death. I am sorry for your loss."

  Colleen looked at Maureen, who was backing away slowly. She knew Maureen told him; she had a guilty look on her face. Why did Maureen have to tell Enrique that she was a widow? She could just imagine Maureen saying it, too. Isaiah has been dead for a long, long time. Poor Colleen never dates, never goes anywhere. She felt like wringing her friend's skinny neck.

  "Well I... er thanks," Colleen said, "I am going to change my clothes."

  "You haven't changed much." Enrique's voice was low and husky. His eyes ran over her in appreciation. "I guess I was wrong about what I said in high school."

  "You remember that?" Colleen asked. She was trying for a coquettish laugh but it never really got started. It turned out into a high-pitched squeak. What she should have said was "I don't remember that," and then pretend indifference.

  She looked into Enrique's knowing eyes and then turned around toward the door awkwardly.

  Enrique stood where he was and watched her every step, her swaying hips, the way she glided when she walked: confident, self-assured. He had spent the past few hours talking with Maureen about her, forgetting all about white sand beaches or luxurious villas. She was the only woman who could do this to him and she was here, right now and single, with no Isaiah in the picture. He almost couldn't believe his good fortune.

  He only broke eye contact with her when she closed the door to the changing room. When he spun around, Renata, Irwin and Maureen were looking at him knowingly.

  Somehow he didn't care that they knew that he was interested in Colleen. She was single. He was single. What harm could there be in pursuing her? If he was honest with himself, he had always wanted to do just that.

  Chapter Four

  "Are you hungry?" Enrique enquired of Colleen.

  They had finally gotten the chance to leave the hotel. Maureen had gone to her car to get Colleen's bag and had told her warningly, "I know I said I wouldn't interfere but don't you dare mess this thing up. The guy is into you. Be honest with yourself; you have always had a thing for him too."

  And with Maureen's words ringing in her head, they were heading to Whitehouse. It was almost two o'clock and Colleen was indeed hungry but her stomach also felt heavy, as if tied up in knots.

  She couldn't eat anything now. Not really. She was super-nervous. Sitting beside Enrique Lopez felt like high school all over again, except they were not high-schoolers. They were grown people in different stages of their lives. She was in the grieving widow stage, her life in a complete flux, and he was obviously in the handsome, successful, powerful stage.

  Colleen wondered if he had a girlfriend. He had to; he was so suave looking and handsome, and she would bet that his girlfriend was some sophisticated girl who knew the names of brand name clothes and shoes and always looked dolled up, like she had stepped off the pages of a magazine.

  "Are you hungry?" Enrique repeated, glancing at her.

  Colleen jumped nervously. "No... er... not really." She had to get her nervousness under control, but it seemed as if every breath she took was an inhalation of his scent. He smelled good. He looked so good to her that she was experiencing an overwhelming excitement, which was so unlike her. She was actually concerned that she was short-circuiting.

  Enrique smiled slowly. "Okay, I know a place."

  "I am not really hungry," Colleen repeated in case he didn't hear her the first time. I just want to go home and get my wayward body under control. She was glad he couldn't read thoughts because she would never want him to know the effect he was having on her.

  "But you have to be," Enrique said. "You've been working nonstop all day." He turned the car toward New Kingston. "There is no need to be nervous, you know? I don't bite."

  "I know." Colleen took a deep breath. "I know you don't bite. It's just that you are... my...my boss."

  Enrique glanced at her sharply. "You know we are more than that, Colleen. I am not about to deny the energy between us. It has always been there. From high school, if you are honest with yourself. However, if the boss scenario turns you on, I am sorry to say that I’m technically not your boss.

  "I have my own business in international real estate. I am headquartered in New York. That's where I live," he said conversationally, obviously trying to put her at ease.

  "These days I find myself living out of a suitcase. I just got back from showing a vacation property in Bali, really luxurious place with white sand beaches and palm trees, kind of like where my parents’ villas are in Whitehouse. The week before that I was in Greece. The week before that I sold an island to an Arab prince."

  "Wow," Colleen said, forgetting to be nervous. "That sounds exciting."

  "It was at first." Enrique shrugged and turned into a shrub-lined driveway. "But back-to-back trips get quite taxing after a while. I have a couple of eager young realtors working with me. I am going to give them a chance to shine, which means more delegating for me and more time in New Yor
k and, of course, Jamaica."

  He parked and got out of the car and held Colleen's door open for her.

  "Where is this?" Colleen husked out reluctantly. Her voice sounded scratchy and twitchy, like the rest of her body.

  "This is Bluebell's Steakhouse. Very nice food. Or at least that's the way I remember it. I have not been back here since university."

  Colleen got out of the car, her eyes trapped in his gray-green gaze. She looked away swiftly The air was practically sizzling with attraction. He had all but admitted that he had feelings for her from high school.

  She stepped closer to him and he didn't move. He tilted her chin up and stared into her eyes searchingly.

  "Like a drug," he whispered and then he moved away from her, slamming the car door. Colleen couldn't move for seconds after that. Her body was fighting the awareness to him, fighting her arousal, fighting the slow, slushy feeling of tension that had overtaken her when he had looked at her like that.

  She had actually thought that he was going to kiss her. She needed to get a grip. She tried valiantly to bring Isaiah's face to mind but it wasn't working. She was only seeing Enrique's green-gray eyes staring at her so deeply she could barely remember her own name. She forced one foot in front of the other and followed him into Bluebell's Steakhouse.

  *****

  "So what have you been doing with your life since high school?" Enrique asked after they had eaten. She had gotten jerk chicken and fries and he had gotten smoked fish and bammy. The steakhouse was furnished in all dark wood and was pretty busy, with several suits in the place. The murmur of voices swelled around them; added to that, there was the succulent smell of roasting meat.

  "I did a cooking course then I got married to Isaiah," Colleen said.

  "And you guys were married for a year?" Enrique asked intently.

  "Yes." Colleen dug one hand into the other. She didn't want to talk about Isaiah with Enrique. Somehow it made her feel disloyal.