Charlotte frowned with fury. “You must be crazy if you think I’m having sex with you.”
“And why not?”
“You know why.”
“Because we’re having problems? Because you’re mad at me?”
“What other reason would it be?”
“You tell me. Because being mad has never stopped you before.”
“Well, this is a new day, and you might as well get used to it.”
Curtis got out of the bed. “So it’s like that?”
“It is. And it’s going to stay that way until you do right by me.”
Curtis walked over to the door but then looked back at her. “Fine. But when it’s all said and done, I want you to remember something. I really tried. I did everything I could.”
“And what is that supposed to mean exactly?”
“Just what I said,” he told her and left her sitting there.
Chapter 20
Michael was a drug. The kind Charlotte simply couldn’t get enough of. It was Super Bowl Sunday, four days since she’d given Curtis that ultimatum about his daughter, and Charlotte was having the time of her life. She and Michael were locked away in a fabulous five-star hotel suite at a well-known resort down in West Palm Beach, Florida, one that offered mouthwatering meals and the best spa services.
As it had turned out, a few months ago Michael had booked a Super Bowl trip with a few of his friends, but a couple of days ago he had come up with the perfect idea: Charlotte would fly to another city in Florida so that he could skip out on the Super Bowl in Miami and come spend all his time with her instead. Needless to say, Charlotte hadn’t hesitated and had quickly told Curtis that she needed a vacation. She needed to get as far away from Illinois as possible. Curtis hadn’t commented or objected, which was strange, so on Friday morning, she’d caught the first flight available out of O’Hare.
She was thrilled about it, too, because right now she was lying next to Michael, reminiscing about the five times they’d made love over the last two days. Michael made her feel as if she was the most important woman in the world, and she needed that. She needed what Curtis was no longer giving her: his undivided affection and attention. She needed the kind of love and attention that little heifer Curtina had stolen from her.
“Gosh, baby, you have no idea how much I wish we could just stay here from now on,” Michael said as he walked away from the balcony doors with a bath towel secured around his waist.
“I know. I’ve had an amazing time here with you, and I hate for it to end.”
“If I didn’t have to be back in my office on Tuesday to meet with some very important clients of mine,” he said, sitting down on the bed next to where Charlotte was leaning against two pillows, “I would ask you to stay here until next weekend.”
“That would have been wonderful.”
Michael locked eyes with her. “You might not believe this, but I haven’t been this happy with a woman in a very long time. I’ve dated other women, which I’ve already told you about, but I never felt anything like I’m feeling with you. You and me, we’re so right together. So in sync and we understand each other.”
“I know, and it’s weird, isn’t it?”
“Very. Especially since we hadn’t spoken in so long, but now I don’t want to be without you. What I want is to see you all the time,” he said, leaning forward and kissing her.
Charlotte’s body shivered. It did this every time Michael touched her—or when he did anything to her, for that matter. He was driving her wild and completely out of her mind. She could barely think straight, and at this very moment, she felt like calling Curtis and telling him that she wanted a divorce just as soon as he could give her one. But then her phone rang, interrupting her daydream. This was part of the reason she’d wanted to turn her phone off and keep it off the entire time she was gone. But she’d known Matthew would want to call her, and she didn’t want to disappoint him. Ironically, it was him now.
“Hey, Mom. Are you having a good time down there in sunny Florida?”
“I am, honey. I really needed this,” she said. Michael kissed her on the cheek and went back over near the balcony. “But how are you?”
“I’m great. Can’t wait to get over to Elder Jamison’s in a couple of hours, though. Remember, I told you he’s having a big Super Bowl party for some of the men at the church and their sons.”
“I know you’ll have a wonderful time.”
“That’s for sure,” he said. “And hey, do you wanna speak to Dad?”
“No, not right now, sweetie.”
“Why? You haven’t spoken to him since you left, have you?”
“Matt, your dad and I are having some problems.”
“Because of Curtina still?”
“Honey, let’s not talk about this, okay?”
“Mom, I really, really don’t get it.”
“Don’t get what?”
“You. And the way you hate Curtina. I don’t get how you could make a mistake with that Aaron dude and have Marissa by him, but now you’re mad at Dad for doing the same thing with Miss Tabitha.”
Charlotte’s heart sank. Just the other night, Matthew had questioned her about Curtina and compared her to Marissa, but she’d never expected him to ever bring up Aaron to her. She heard about Aaron all the time from Curtis but never thought her own son would even think on that level, and she was mortified. She was ashamed and humiliated.
“Mom, you there?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m here, but Matt, it’s like I told you. I really don’t want to talk about this. What your father and I are going through is very complicated and not something you’re old enough to understand—”
“Mom, I’m seventeen, remember?” he said, interrupting her.
“Still, you’re much too young to understand these kinds of adult matters.”
Matthew sighed but digressed. “So, are you still coming home tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
“I miss you, Mom. And I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetie. And you enjoy yourself, okay?”
“I will.”
Charlotte told him good-bye and set her phone on the nightstand.
Michael strutted back over to the bed and sat close to her again. “That can’t be easy on you.”
“It’s horrible.”
“It’s never easy when children think their parents are going to separate or that things just aren’t quite right between them.”
“No. And especially for a kid like Matthew who knows his parents have had trouble in the past. Then, add in the nationwide embarrassment we caused him just a couple of years back, and you end up with a child who is terrified that the same thing will happen all over again. It was so bad last time, he wanted to change schools.”
“Wow. Not good at all.”
Charlotte rested her head against the shiny, cherrywood headboard.
“So, this might not be the best time to ask you this, but since we’re kind of on the subject of you and your husband, do you still love him?”
“Yes,” Charlotte said.
“Man. So, it’s not like you even had to think about it. That hurts.”
“I’m sorry. I just want to be honest with you about everything. I don’t know how long I’ll be in love with him because right now, I certainly don’t like him very much, but I can’t deny that I do still love him. I always have.”
“I appreciate that. I guess I was just hoping you didn’t because ever since we were together on Wednesday, I haven’t been able to take my mind off you. Then, now after being with you these last two days…Charlotte, I think I might actually be falling in love with you.”
Charlotte hadn’t expected to hear anything like this so soon, but his words gave her a warm feeling. “I didn’t know you felt that strongly. But I can’t deny that I have very strong feelings for you as well,” she said. She didn’t know if it was love, but her feelings for him were definitely intense.
“Lie all the way down,” he told her. Then he moved on top of her and stared straight into her eyes. “Promise me that you won’t stop seeing me.”
“I don’t know if I can do that.”
Michael kissed her rough and then asked her again. “Promise me.” Then, he kissed her entire neck like a madman. “Promise me.”
Charlotte grew weaker by the second. She was under some forceful spell and was tired of fighting him. She was so tired, she told him what he wanted to hear. “I promise, I promise, I promise.”
She lay there, enjoying the magnificent way Michael was pleasuring her, and she blocked out all that normally mattered to her. She let herself go completely just like he wanted her to. She lay there in absolute heaven.
Chapter 21
Matthew was at school, Curtina was in her room, sitting on the floor watching a video, and Agnes was downstairs washing a load of clothes and cleaning up the kitchen. Curtis, against his better judgment, was on the phone with Sharon, the woman who’d claimed she wanted prayer—and him at the same time.
“I knew you couldn’t wait to call me, and I’m so glad you did.”
“Oh yeah? So, how did you know?”
“Because you need me.”
Curtis relaxed his body on the chaise in his bedroom and crossed his legs. This woman didn’t beat around the bush, and he sort of liked that about her. “No, I called because I was simply looking for good conversation.”
“Okay,” she said, laughing, obviously not believing him.
“I’m serious.”
“Well, if that’s true, then why can’t you just get that from your wife? And why did you keep making eye contact with me during service yesterday?”
“It’s complicated. But let me be very clear on something. When we talk, my wife and my children are off-limits.”
“No problem. I’m fine with that.”
“Good.”
“So what do you want to talk about then?”
“You.”
“What do you wanna know?”
“Anything you wanna tell.”
“Well, let’s see. I’m past thirty but not quite forty. I’ve never been married, don’t have any children, and I plan to do whatever it takes to make you fall in love with me.”
“Hmmm. Now, that’s funny.”
“Maybe to you.”
“So what do you do for a living?” he asked, dismissing her last statement.
“I’m an IT manager.”
“Is that what you’ve always done career-wise?”
“Pretty much. But I love it even more now that I can basically work from home if I choose to.”
“Is that where you are now?”
“I am. Why?”
“Just asking.”
“Maybe you’re asking because you want to come over.”
“No. That’s not it at all.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“So what else do you wanna know?”
“Are you seeing anyone?”
“No. Just you.”
Curtis laughed. “Well, we both know that’s not true. But since we’re on the subject, why did you take it upon yourself to approach me the way you did?”
“It’s like I told you in the letter. From the moment I saw you at that conference last year, I wanted you.”
“But why?”
Sharon paused. Then said, “Truthfully?”
“Of course.”
“Because you’re a powerful, attractive man who is known everywhere.”
“Well, at least you’re honest.”
“Honest is the only way to be. As long as you can handle it.”
“It’s better than being lied to.”
“I agree.”
There was a bit of silence, and then Sharon said, “So does that answer all your questions?”
“For the most part. Although, I am wondering why you left the great city of Chicago for a small town like Mitchell.”
“I told you that in my letter, too. I did it so I could be closer to you.”
“So, you moved all this way just to be near someone you don’t even know?”
“I did. I even made sure the home I bought was out in the country and very secluded so you wouldn’t have to worry about anyone seeing you. I know it sounds strange and maybe a little naïve, but some things are meant to be.”
“You’re right. Some things are, but I’m not sure that’s true where you and I are concerned.”
“Trust me. It is. You just don’t know it yet. Either that or you’re in denial.”
“You’re a very aggressive woman.”
“You think so?”
“You are.”
“I’m not afraid to go after what I want, if that’s what you mean.”
“I figured that out when you came up to me after Bible study and passed me that envelope.”
“Life is too short, and fear gets you nowhere. But enough of all that. When exactly are you coming to see me?” she said matter-of-factly.
“Maybe in the future.”
“What’s wrong with coming today?”
“Can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Both.”
“If you come see me, I promise to make it worth your while. I promise to do whatever you ask and then some.”
Dear God, please give me the strength to say no to this woman.
“Are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“So do you want my address?”
“No. And actually, I have to go now.”
“So you’re not coming?”
“No.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m a very patient woman, and I know you’ll change your mind eventually. You’ll be ringing my doorbell sooner than you think.”
Curtis told her good-bye and hung up. Last Wednesday night, after reading Sharon’s note, he’d told himself that he wouldn’t call her. But after Charlotte had denied him sex later that evening and then hopped up at the last minute and left for Florida, he’d had the entire weekend to think. Charlotte had claimed she needed a break, but Curtis wondered who she might be taking a “break” with. He didn’t want to think the worst, but he also knew who his wife was and what she was capable of. He was going to give her the benefit of the doubt, though, something he rarely did with anyone who had betrayed him previously, and it was the reason he’d made the decision to only talk to Sharon for the time being. Now, he wished he hadn’t contacted her at all because he found himself still thinking about her.
Thankfully, though, his daughter Alicia called, and that allowed him to focus on something else.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he said. “How are you?”
“I’m good, Daddy. What about you?”
“Can’t complain.”
“So did you guys make it over to Elder Jamison’s for the Super Bowl? Matt told me on Saturday night that he was having a party.”
“Yep. We did, and it was a great time.”
“I’m sure it was. And what did Charlotte and Curtina do?”
“Curtina stayed with Aunt Emma, and Charlotte flew down to Florida for a spa weekend.”
“Really? Without me? I can’t believe she didn’t call and ask me to go with her because she normally hates going to those places alone. Did Janine go?”
“No, as far as I know, she went by herself. Said she just needed a break,” he said, not wanting Alicia to think anything was wrong. “I’m sure she’ll ask you next time.”
“I hope so. But I’m still giving her the business when I talk to her,” Alicia said, laughing.
Curtis forced himself to laugh with her but then changed the subject. “So, how are things going with Phillip?”
“Oh my God, Daddy, they couldn’t be better.”
“Yeah, I know,” he said, chuckling.
“You’re a trip.”
“Phillip talks about you every time we speak, bu
t I just wanted to hear your take on your relationship with him.”
“I’m so happy, Daddy, and so glad to be back seeing Phillip. I know I messed things up pretty badly the first time, but I really hope to marry him again.”
“I’m hoping the same thing, baby girl. Phillip is one of the best men I’ve ever known, and you’re blessed to have another chance with him.”
“I know. And I’m very grateful.”
“But tell me. What have you heard about that fool JT?”
“Well, actually, one of his former members called me a few days ago, saying she heard that a lot of the members who left are slowly but surely rejoining. I mean, can you believe that, Daddy? Even when they know JT used to be a pimp and then got a woman pregnant while he was married to his first wife and then did the same thing when he was married to me?”
“Yeah, I believe it. It happens all the time,” Curtis said, thinking how his own congregation had stood by him, too, even after they learned about his affair with Tabitha and about the birth of Curtina.
“I just don’t get it. They couldn’t possibly think he’s sorry or that he’s really changed. Not to mention, he’s still out on bail and is sure to get at least some prison time after trying to forge your name on those recommendation letters.”
“The trial is coming up in three months, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens.”
“I know I’ve said this before, Daddy, but I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. You tried your best to warn me about JT, but I completely ignored you. I married one of the worst men alive, and I’ll always regret that.”
“But the good news is that it’s all in the past now. You got your divorce, you moved on, and that’s all that matters.”
“Still. I just wish I hadn’t gotten involved with him.”
“Like I said, it’s all in the past.”
“I guess,” she said.
“So what else is new?”
“Well, I’m almost finished up with the revisions for my second novel, and my publicist has just about finished confirming all my tour events. I can’t believe my first book is actually being released in four months.”
“I believe it.”
“It’s so exciting, and I hope it’ll be a good time out on the road.”
Love, Honor, and Betray Page 10
