Page 55 of Tempting Eden

JACK

ISTAYED INBIRMINGHAMfor two days longer than intended. I made Mama Reed’s funeral arrangements and spoke with the county administrator about her estate. She had no natural or adopted children, only the long line of fosters like myself. I arranged for the money and the property to go to a charity that specifically helped foster children transition into their adoptive homes.

Her funeral was brief. The cloudy, cold day sped the preacher along through his sermon. Only a couple of other foster children showed up to send Mama Reed off. They were strangers to me, having come and gone before I ever made my way to Lowood. Ms. Temple accompanied me and said a few words, serene and comforting, though she knew I had already made my peace.

After the funeral early Friday morning, I returned to the airport where Tom waited.

“Everything all right?”

I slung my bag into the aircraft before climbing in. “Yes. Just ready to get back to it, is all.”

“I was sorry to hear about your bad news.”

“Thanks, Tom.”

He hit the ignition, the now familiar roar of the engine greeting my ears. I was eager to return to the project and more so, to Eden. We had spoken each night I was away. She gave me details of the rapid progress at Belle Mar—the structure and the finishes coming together right before her eyes. I knew she was trying to distract me, afraid I was in the throes of grief despite my assurances that wasn’t the case.

The flight was uneventful, save for Tom’s retelling of certain carnal events that had occurred over the few nights we were back in Birmingham. He had me laughing so hard I swore the little plane shook. Viagra was a hell of a drug.

We touched down as the sun was high overhead. Stepping out into the warm air of the Gulf Coast raised my spirits even higher than Tom’s tall tales did. I was already overheated in my long-sleeved button-up and khakis, but I didn’t mind. I was glad to be back to what I felt was my “real” life. The one that had a definite future. I adjusted my sunglasses and slung my bag over my shoulder.

My breath caught when I saw Eden leaning against the car, waiting for me. She wore a pink tank top and a blue jean miniskirt. Her shoes had some sort of chunky heels that appeared as if they were made of rope, and the straps from them snaked up her lower calves. Her legs somehow looked even better than the last time I’d seen her, which seemed impossible. Long and lickable. Sunglasses hid her eyes, but her smile shone open and bright. I felt a tug in my heart, as if a string was inextricably knotted there that reached all the way to her.

“You’re back.” She flung her arms around my neck and pulled me down into a fervent kiss, messy and wet. I was stunned for a moment before answering her demanding tongue with my own.

When she finally let me up for air, I put a hand to my chest. “Happy to see me?”

She smiled, her plump lips smoothing out into delicious curves. “Maybe a little.”

Tom wolf whistled behind us. Eden flipped him off. She was in high spirits, the highest I’d ever seen.

“Come on.” She dropped into the backseat and, after stuffing my bag into the trunk, I slid in next to her.

She draped her knee over mine, and I couldn’t help but rest my palm along her smooth, warm skin. I wanted more from her. I wished she didn’t have a driver so I could pull over and give her body the attention it was begging for.

She’d only ever shown me glimpses of this side of her. She was so bubbly—girlish almost. Excitement and happiness balled into one.

“Bess wouldn’t let me look at the lobby or the pool today. I’m dying to see her progress, and I can’t wait for you to see it all. The pool? Oh my God. They tiled it two days ago. It’s amazing. The bar has the most perfect setup I’ve ever seen. Beautiful and posh.” Her giddy voice slowed until she frowned. “And I’m being a total asshole gushing about the project when you’ve just had to go to a funeral.”

She clasped my hand in hers. I gave it a squeeze. “No, please continue gushing. I have nothing to share other than what you already know. It’s behind me now. All of it. I’d rather hear about Belle Mar.”

She threaded her fingers through mine. “I’m glad.”

She continued her descriptions and gave me a tally of the newly-signed contracts. We were over sixty percent sold.

“You are going to get this done tomorrow night.”

Her giddy demeanor faltered for a second. “I sure hope so.”

We pulled up on the freshly-paved blacktop in front of Belle Mar, the sun catching along the chrome supports and wide windows. The landscapers had done their work; palm trees, bougainvillea, and a host of other tropical flora overflowed the planters along the entryway and next to the gleaming front doors.

Eden led me through the entryway, her steps light and quick.

I slid my sunglasses to the top of my head and let my eyes adjust to the slightly dimmer light. Workers flitted about here and there, as if finally put into motion by the barbed tips of Eden’s and Bess’ whips. I was amazed at the progress. Eden’s description didn’t do the place justice. It looked like a scene out ofThe Great Gatsby, all glitz and opulence.

Bess Xiao was high above, perched on a ladder like a gorgeous butterfly, as she twisted silver lights through a vibrant green topiary ball. Leafy pendants filled the lobby, and silver lights shined through them, giving the ceiling a look of half rainforest, half starry night. Woven between the orbs of greenery and light were swaths of silver tulle. The fabric seemed to emanate from the center of the high ceiling and descended through the rest of the décor in a perfect pattern.

“You should see it when it gets dark. I promise it’s perfect.” Bess’ voice floated down from her height.

---