by Ewing, A. B.
“Zip it, Blake. I’m in no mood.” he wasn’t. He hated the idea of leaving Neela so soon after making love. One time was no way near enough. Already he could feel his need for her building again, a need that he would not be able to do a damn thing about until tomorrow.
“Hey, don’t bite my head off because you’re horny.” Blake was trying to keep up with him as he stormed off toward the house.
“Hey Caleb, wait up, man. I was only playing.”
Caleb halted, turning to look at his friend. He ran a hand through his already untidy hair.
“I’m sorry, Blake. I’m just a little bit confused right now. I leave in a couple of weeks and the thought scares me half to death. I’ll have to leave her and my head hurts just thinking about it,” he confessed, pointing in the direction Neela went.
Blake’s face broke out in the most ridiculous smile. “Well, I’ll be damned. You’re in love with her? The great Caleb Wilder is in love.”
“What? No, I’m not.” his denial came a little too fast.
“Okay, if you say so.” Blake left him standing on the beach and headed for the main office.
Back at the beach house that night, Caleb did his best to avoid his friend, their earlier conversation weighing on his mind. Sleep evaded him as his thoughts were haunted with the memories of Neela -Neela smiling, Neela in that wicked bikini, Neela in his arms naked, Neela calling out his name as she reached the pinnacle. He was further plagued with a feeling of dread every time he thought of going home and leaving her behind. God, why the hell did everything have to be so complicated? By the time sleep finally came in the early hours of the morning, he admitted one thing to himself - Blake was right; he was hopelessly in love with Neela Moraine.
****
Two weeks later, Caleb stood at the alcove, Neela’s hands in his and listened as the Minister recited the vows. He repeated them.
“I, Caleb Seth Wilder, take you, Neela Moraine, to be my lawfully wedded wife…” She was so beautiful that it was impossible not to love her. There was no way in hell he was leaving this island without her.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.” He did.
Neela was his wife and it was going to stay that way for the rest of their lives.
“Congratulations, man. I wish you all the best.” Blake offered, clasping his friend on the shoulder with one hand while he shook the other.
“Thanks Blake. That means a lot, man. Thanks for everything.”
“It was my pleasure. I know you guys will be happy together.” his friend assured him.
As a wedding present to his friend, Blake had taken matters into his own hands, arranging for the special license and the reverend to perform the ceremony.
Caleb looked over to where Neela and Adria stood and felt his heart swell. She looked so beautiful in the plain white knee-length dress, her curls piled on top of her head, exposing the expanse of her long silky neck. He made a mental note to start kissing her there, later when they were alone.
If anyone had told him that he, Caleb Wilder, would meet a woman, fall in love and marry her in six weeks he would have said they were crazy, but that is exactly what he did. He had no regrets.
The next two weeks were spent making the necessary arrangements for his wife to fly home with him. The nights he spent in her arms. They stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, talking and making love. He had been right. Once would never be enough.
When Blake drove them to the airport, it was with the promise that they would keep in touch and return for his wedding.
As the airplane ascended into the clouds, Caleb looked at the woman that sat at his side. He kissed the back of her hand that was clasped in his. She smiled up at him.
“I love you, Neela!”
“I love you too, Caleb.” he brushed her lips with his and lingered a little. This was his wife!
She cuddled close to him; placing her head on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head. He looked out the window at the islands as they disappeared behind the clouds. Smiling he said a silent goodbye to the beautiful little islands that had brought him so much happiness.
****
“I love her, Mom, and the sooner you accept that the better.” Caleb tried to reason with his mother.
“You can’t be in love with her. You don’t even know her.”
Helen Wilder was no ordinary woman. She was like a lioness with her cubs when it came to her children but she was also a pampered wife that always got what she wanted.
His father had spoiled her rotten and what Helen Wilder wanted, Helen Wilder got. Right now, she wanted Caleb’s marriage to Neela, to be over. Standing in the middle of her large living room, Helen let loose the force of her rage. Her son was not going to be married to a little nobody from some godforsaken island no one had ever heard of. His father sat quietly listening to the bickering between mother and son.
“I know her well enough to know that she makes me happy.”
His mother threw her hands up in mock defeat. Helen didn’t look a day beyond forty, even though she had a son that would soon turn thirty. Her strawberry blonde hair was wrapped in a tight bun, her face carefully made up with the expensive makeup she never ran out of. Caleb found himself wondering if his mother had any wrinkles. He certainly never saw any.
“Are you listening to this? I don’t believe this. George, can you please talk to your son?” His father didn’t get the opportunity. Helen continued.
“She doesn’t belong here, Caleb. She isn’t like us.”
“What the hell do you mean she’s not like us? Exactly what are we, Mother?” Caleb was angry and he was growing angrier by the moment. His fist folded and unfolded at his side, his skin pulled tight against his face.
“Son, I love you, and I only want what’s best for you and marrying this girl is not. She comes from a different walk of life. For God’s sake Caleb, she’s not even… American.”
He had the distinct feeling “American” was not the word on the tip of his mother’s tongue. That did it. He wasn’t going to listen to any more of this.
“I want you to listen to me, Mother, and listen carefully.” His voice dropped to that no-nonsense tone he used strictly for business, taking his mother by surprise. “You are my mother and I love you, but you have no say in how I live my life. I love Neela, she’s my wife and it doesn’t matter if she is American, Chinese, Indian or whatever else there is. There is a lot she needs to learn and I will help her. I will not have this conversation again. Neela is here to stay and you better get used to it. You will not disrespect my wife again. Do you understand?” He was standing dangerously close to his mother, his fist clenched at his side.
“Caleb I just want…” she began, taking a few steps back.
“That’s enough, Helen.” his father interrupted, unwrapping his long body from his sitting position. He came to where the pair stood. George Wilder knew his son was at a boiling point and he needed to put a stop to this now.
“Caleb your mother is just worried about you as any mother would be. Just give her some time to get used to the situation.”
“She can take all the time she needs, Paps, but I will not tolerate her insulting my wife.” speaking to his father, he kept his eyes fixed on his mother.
With nothing left to say Caleb left his parents staring at his retreating back.
****
Chapter 6
Caleb knew his mother would give him hell about his marriage but he didn’t expect her to be this bad. He almost never raised his voice but she’d gotten him so upset. There would be time for apologies the next day.
Standing at the foot of the large bed, he admired his sleeping wife and felt the familiar stirring in his body. God, all he had to do was look at her and he was completely turned on. Even though his body instantly responded to his wife, he knew there would be time to ease this ache in his groin. First he needed a bath.
The day had been horrible. Running a business was tedious a
nd being away for three months didn’t help. It had taken him three years after leaving the fire service to build ‘Wilder Inc.” from scratch and now it was one of the most sought-after software companies in the state.
His parents George and Helen Wilder were very prominent figures in Washington, his father a Supreme Court Judge and his mother head of numerous charities. Being the children of Judge Wilder, Caleb and his sisters were always in the spotlight and he hated that.
His sister, Daphne had been more accepting of his wife. She was a fool for romance and thought that Caleb and Neela’s story was one for the books. He smiled to himself. Maybe she was right.
Daphne was in her second year at med school and engaged to a very good friend of his. He took Stuart O’Connor to work at “Wilder Inc.” in the very beginning and Stuart proved himself to be a very dependable employee. He knew the business as well as Caleb did, and he had no doubts in leaving him in charge while he took his vacation.
Caleb knew Neela would have a difficult time adjusting to his way of life but he would help. There would always be parties, functions and charity events and as his wife she would have to host them all.
Being the wife of a Wilder was not going to be an easy task. He would have to buy her a whole new wardrobe. She would have to learn how to use makeup and how to dress for certain events. She needed a hair dresser to style all that beautiful hair but it was never to be cut. That was the one thing he wanted to remain exactly the same.
Resting his hand against the shower wall, he let the water beat against his naked body. It was going to be hard. He knew what his mother said was true. Neela was not from here and that would cause problems. If he did not protect her, society would chew her up and spit her out.
Straightening up, he pushed his hands through his wet hair. Why did he feel so frustrated? He was married to a beautiful woman who loved him as much as he loved her. So what if some of his family members couldn’t accept her as yet? They were happy together. That is all that should have mattered for now. He was sure his family would come around sooner or later. True, his mother would be the hardest nut to crack, but crack her he would.
Turning off the shower, he reached for the large towel hanging on the bar and started drying off. Neela was lying on her side, her head propped up by a hand when he stepped out of the bathroom.
“Did I wake you?”
She looked enticing, her hair tousled from sleep. The bedspread was tossed at the foot of the bed and the blue lingerie she wore had ridden up her thigh, exposing her smooth flesh. Sleep would be a long time coming.
“No. I missed you.” she patted the empty spot next to her. He needed no further invitation. Tossing the towel on a nearby chair, he covered the space between him and the bed. As he sunk down on it, Neela rose to take him in her arms. He could get used to this.
Hours later, he lay next to his sleeping wife; his own sleep would not come despite the passion he had shared several times with Neela in the last couple of hours. His mother’s word was inculcated in the back of his mind, leaving him with a sense of discomfort. He didn’t like it!
****
The society pages were buzzing with news of the new Wilder bride and the public was demanding an appearance. He would give them what they wanted. One month after their arrival home, Caleb held a small social gathering to introduce his wife to friends and family. Only a few were invited.
He chose a long pale yellow dress which clung to her magnificent curves and left much for the eyes to desire. Around her neck, she wore a beautiful diamond necklace; the matching earring hung low from her ear. Her usually wild curls were carefully wrapped on top of her head— a few hung loosely down her back. She looked enchanting.
Caleb observed her from across the room, where he was conversing with his father. Mrs. Carrington was saying something to her but Neela’s smile was as fake as the breasts on most of these women tonight. What was she doing? If he noticed it, he was quite sure others would.
“She is beautiful, you know?” It was the first time his father had spoken of her since his return home.
“She is, isn’t she?” Why had his father chosen this moment to compliment his wife’s unique beauty?
“Are you happy, Caleb? I mean really happy?” Looking at his father he answered honestly.
“I am, Pap.” That was all he needed to say.
“That’s good, son. I’m sure if you give your mother some time she’ll come around. In the meantime, just be patient.”
“I hope so. I hate fighting with her.”
His mother was the only family member that was still giving him grief about his marriage. His father didn’t have much to say on the matter, until now. Daphne and Neela got along like old friends and KC thought her hair was ‘rad’.
“You know your mother, Caleb. She’ll settle down.” He had a feeling that it would be a cold day in hell before his mother accepted his wife.
“Caleb, your wife doesn’t talk much, does she? Does she even speak English?” Mrs. Carrington interrupted.
“I’m sorry Mrs. Carrington, but I don’t understand what you mean.” He was puzzled. Of course Neela spoke English.
“Well, I asked her what she thought of my dress and she said I looked like a ‘mampee’ whatever that means.”
Caleb choked. She didn’t! He knew very well what that word meant. It was a word used in Trinidad to insult fat people.
“I’m sure she was complimenting you,” he lied. His eyes followed the grey-haired lady as she disappeared into the crowd. When he was sure she was out of earshot, he turned to his father.
“Paps, will you excuse me a minute? I need to speak with my wife.” He didn’t get far before his path was blocked by Lori Parks.
“Caleb, darling!” she drawled, kissing him full on the lips.
“Lori…hi. How have you been?”
“I’ve missed you dreadfully. You left for your vacation without telling me.”
“We weren’t seeing each other at the time, Lori, so I didn’t see the need to tell you. You were seeing that doctor, remember?”
He and Lori had an on-again, off-again affair for years. Everyone, except his mother, thought that they would eventually get married. He guessed everyone was wrong.
“Yes, but you could have warned me you were bringing back a bride. After Leo and I split I wanted to be with you.” Her finger was playing with one of the buttons on his tux. Her lips pouted, she looked up at him from hooded lids. He reached up and removed her hand, carrying them back to her side.
“Lori, what we had was good while it lasted, but it’s over now. I’m married. We agreed, no strings attached, remember?” He looked down at her, emerald colored eyes, pale skin, long blonde hair carefully styled and her face made up to perfection. This was the type of woman he was used to, the type his mother would have preferred as a daughter-in-law, but he felt nothing.
“Yes but I miss you. I need you,’ she hissed, her hot breath near his ear.
A movement from across the room caught his attention and he looked up just in time to see Neela storming out toward the balcony.
He could hear whispers around him and knew it was about his wife’s sudden exit. What was she doing now?
“Lori, will you please excuse me?”
He left her standing and followed the path Neela had taken. He found her standing on the balcony, looking down at the city lights.
“Do you mind telling me what the hell was all that about?” His voice although just a whisper, was laced with anger.
She whirled around, her face contorted in anger.
“Do I mind? You’re the one playing seduce the groom with that… that… woman,” she sputtered.
What the hell was she talking about? She was being ridiculous.
“Keep your damn voice down,” he demanded through gritted teeth. “How dare you insult Mrs. Carrington like that?” he asked stepping closer. “Those people are here to meet you and instead of playing the proper hostess you insult my guests. I try to h
ave a civilized conversation with an old friend and you act like a jealous fool. What is the matter with you?”
“Well, if that’s how your friends greet you I hate to see how your lovers would.” She was being sarcastic and he didn’t like it. She was not going to embarrass him with some stupid tantrum.
He stepped even closer, grabbing her by the upper arm his finger cutting into her skin. His face close to hers, he whispered, his voice hard, “I will have no more of this nonsense. You will go back inside and you will act your part as my hostess, you will smile and make polite conversation. Do you hear me?”
When she didn’t answer he shook her. “Do you hear me, Neela?” His finger tightened on her arms. She cried out, her eyes smarting with tears. He didn’t let go. She nodded in understanding, and then he released her.
“Good, I’m glad we understand each other. Now smile and let’s go mingle with our guests.”
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. During the evening meal Neela sat quietly at his side. She answered politely when she was asked a question but volunteered no conversation. She didn’t look at him once. Putting a hand under the table he gently squeezed her hand in an effort to apologize for his earlier behavior but when she attempted to snatch it away he grabbed for it again, this time squeezing a little harder than necessary, reminding her of their earlier conversation.
It was late when their last guest left and Caleb’s anger erupted.
“What were you thinking? Were you deliberately trying to make me look like a fool?”
“No Caleb, you weren’t the one looking like a fool. I was. You were too busy having polite conversation with your old friend to notice.”
She turned with all intention of walking away but he shot out a hand, grabbing her by the wrist, wrenching her around.
“Care to tell me what the hell you mean by that?”
She tried freeing herself but he tightened his hold jerking her closer to him, his blue eyes glaring at her.
“What…do…you…mean?” he asked angrily; the tears welling up in her eyes did nothing to calm him down.
