Chapter Three - Attraction

Ramon watched her through the open door and felt a surge of jealousy course through his body as he caught sight of the younger gentleman. He watched the other man as he smiled and looked over Jeanette. His gaze shifted back to her and you could visible see her stiffen.

"What are you doing here, Anthony?" Ramon glanced sharply at the man, knowing him from somewhere but unable to place it. He replied but Ramon couldn't make it out. "So, you thought I would let you stay with me? Talking a few moments on an airplane doesn't make up for the past; forget it! Go and try to work it out with Sapphire." At that point, Ramon knew it was time to step into this dispute, unable to fight the need to protect her.

"Who are you?" In the dark, Anthony couldn't see who the man was, nor was he certain it was a man, but he did see someone get out of the car.

"Who I am does not matter." Jeanette glanced at Ramon, being even more annoyed with him over his intrusion.

"Anthony, it was a pleasure seeing you again, but please leave," she had asked but Anthony ignored that request, just like he ignored the tall, angry man. Anthony stumbled further and slid an arm around Jeanette's waist before she could stop him. "Damn it, Anthony, you're drunk."

"I think the lady asked you to leave, Anthony. You did not listen to Sapphire when she asked you to but you are going to listen to the lady." Ramon grabbed the collar of Anthony's shirt and quickly hauled him off of her. "Be gone, Anthony."

They watched as he scuttled off, stopping to glare at them and looked over at Ramon, "this isn't over Capillini," he called out before turning back around, swaying as he went,

"Thank you for your assistance, although, it wasn't asked for," she told him, unable to phantom why the fact that Anthony knew Ramon bothered her, although she would assume that had something to do with Sapphire. Ramon tuned to look at the woman at his side, seeing the clenched jaw and the annoyance in her eyes. He took in her small frame and knew she couldn't fend for herself, not with a man like Anthony, and probably not to many others to be honest.

"My pleasure. Why are you so upset, señorita?"

"I'm not," she snapped. Jeanette took a deep breath to clam herself. "Mr. Capillini, thank you for all your help, but it's been one hell of a day and I wish to lie down and forget all about it."

"But of course. I shall have my limo waiting outside for you, say around 8:30." Before Jeanette could refuse such a request, Ramon was in the car, closing the door.

"Men, damning creatures," she mumbled to herself and walked into the hotel, regretting letting both men know where she was staying.

By 8:45, the next morning, Jeanette was just waking up due to the annoying sound of her room phone. Blindly, she reached for it and managed a grumbled 'hello'.

"I thought I said to be ready by 8:30, Miss. Washington." Jeanette frowned, hating this man by the second.

"Perhaps I should have told you last night that I don't take orders. On that note, Mr. Capillini, have a pleasant day." Jeanette quickly hung up before Ramon could say another word. She threw the covers back over her head and told herself to fall back asleep.

Although, the world around her wouldn't let that happen. A few minutes later, the sun was pouring through the open blinds that she could have sworn were closed. She rubbed her eyes, grumbling about it being too early to wake up.

"Rise and shine, mio señorita." She opened one eye and stared into Ramon's handsome face. She groaned and threw the covers over her head again, not realizing how Ramon got in there.

"Wait, what are you doing here? Better yet, how the hell did you get in my room?"

"By a key, of course," he replied, giving her an innocent smile. Jeanette pulled the covers away and stared at the man, wanting to slap the smile from his face.

"I figured as much, señor Capillini. How did you get a key?"

"From the front desk." Jeanette rolled her eyes this time at his response, wanting now to punch the stupid man. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying not to yell or lose her patience.

"Okay, how did you get the key when I told them that no one was staying with me?"

"I told that nice lady at the front that I was your husband and wanted to surprise you." Jeanette's mouth dropped open and she stared at this man, dumbfounded.

He was the bravest man she had ever met. Or, the stupidest, she counter acted. Who would lie to get into someone's room? What was the point? Death? Rape? Abduction? Mentally, Jeanette tossed aside all those answers, not believing that a man so devilishly handsome would play with her like that; although she really shouldn't have believed that all. In her experience, men did not go to these extremes to be with her, they just never did anything like this!

"I'm going to have that woman fired! She can't just let anyone in; she has to understand that…" His fingers silenced her rant as they pressed against her lips. Through her brown eyes, she glared at him, making the gold and green flakes in them stand out even more. Her eyes on fire with heat, with passion, were something he could easily get lost in.

"Cara mia, do not blame Susanna. My family owns this building; it was not hard for her to trust me in such a matter."

Jeanette leaned her head to one side, looking at this man. "Tell me, Mr. Capillini, why would you go through so much trouble?"

"Because, mio bello señorita, I find I am attracted to you. An attraction like I have never known before.