by Ewing, A. B.
Caleb was in a mess. Watching Neela, a vision of astonishing beauty, lying back like that on his bed in nothing but the slightest piece of lace, was wreaking havoc with his senses. Red - his favorite color!
Five years had only made her more beautiful. Long, thick legs travelled up to wide hips, a slim waist line, flat stomach. Higher, large breasts spilled over the top of the red fabric. Her hair! Dear God, her hair. That was his kryptonite. That mass of long thick curls, spread across the pillows, beckoning him to come closer.
Undressing in half the time Neela did, Caleb took the same path. Dressed only in his boxers alone, he crawled up the bed until he was lying above her.
Cupping his face in her hands, she pulled him down to meet her lips. Five years was a long time and restraint was the name of the game.
Slowly, he punished her lips. Taking control he teased, torture so slow but yet so sweet.
She tasted just as she did the first time, of the sea and vanilla. Her soft breath feathered against his lips, setting his soul on fire. He craved her sweetness.
Her soft whimpers tangled with his low groans as passion, want, and need ravished their starving bodies.
Caleb brushed kisses down her neck and chest until his lips found its destination. Through the fabric, his teeth nipped at the swollen bud. Neela arched, wanting- needing more.
“Caleb…?” she begged.
“I know, baby, I know” he growled reaching behind her to unclasp her bra.
When the full mounds spilled free Caleb lowered his head to take one of the peaks in his mouth.
All plans to take this slow went out the window when Neela’s hand came up to stroke his arousal.
Later there would be time to take it slow, now he just needed to be inside her.
What started off as a slow seduction, quickly turned into a frenzied session of mind blowing, raw, and animalistic sex.
Later when heartbeats returned to normal, Caleb explored every inch of her body, his tongue and hand taking her on a journey beyond this world.
When sleep finally claimed the exhausted couple, the sun was making its first appearance from behind the horizon.
****
She looked so beautiful, asleep in his bed where she belonged. Curled up in a fetal position, her cheek rested in her palm. The coverlet pulled over her, innocence embalmed her face.
Last night was exceptional. Being with her like that after five long thirsty years was pure ecstasy.
How long it would last, he didn’t know. They made love several times in the few short hours before the sun woke. Even though he had repeatedly bared his heart to her, she never once said she loved him.
Then there was still the argument that had resulted with them ending up in bed - why he couldn’t tell her the truth about Lori and Craig.
It was a hell of a thing when a man had to choose between loyalty and love. Neela meant the world to him and keeping the truth from her was something he wished he didn’t have to do.
He hated secrets but this secret was not his to tell. Too many lives would be destroyed if Craig’s parentage ever came out.
The twins were already up and dressed. They were supposed to spend the day at his parents’ so there was no need to wake her. After last night she needed the rest.
Maybe there was some way to salvage this whole situation. If there was truly a way, only one person he knew could help him.
When he needed advice there was only one place Caleb could go - George Wilder. His father had a wealth of knowledge and Caleb needed some of that right then because there was no possible way he could let his family go again.
****
“It’s so good to see you, son. It almost seems that since your wife’s return you have forgotten your old man,” the elder Wilder heartily said, slapping Caleb on his shoulder.
“Forget you, Paps? Never. It’s just a lot of hard work when a man is trying to woe his wife into forgiving him.” Something similar to pain flashed across his father’s face but as the Wilder men were good at doing, it was concealed in a heartbeat.
His father turned to the wide-glassed window that opened up his ground level home office to the backyard. Caleb joined him to observe the scene outside.
Helen Wilder sat on a lounge chair under the large weeping willow tree. Next to her Daphne sat with her new son in hand.
Both looked on as KC and the twins ran a football across the yard. As angry as he was with her, something in his chest moved when he saw her like this.
“I am so happy to see her back to her old self.” Caleb knew who his father was talking about - KC!
“Yeah, me too.” Both men took a sip out of the glasses in their hand.
“I would do anything to protect them. You know that, right?” George motioned to the family outside.
“I know, Dad.”
Turning to his son George Wilder questioned, a seriousness in his tone that made Caleb’s hair stand on edge. “How are things with you and your wife?”
Eyes still trained on the site outside, Caleb chose his words carefully. “I honestly don’t know, Dad. I think we may have made some progress but then again I may be wrong.” He took a swing of his Jack Daniels again.
“It’s because of this situation with Lori and your son, isn’t it?” his father stated, more than asked.
Caleb moved from the window to sit on the large leather sofa that lined one of the walls.
Draining the glass, he looked up at his father.
“The hardest thing I ever had to do was tell her about him. Asking her to accept that may be too much.”
For a long time silence overpowered the room. Then George Wilder spoke. “This is my fault!”
“Paps, how could this be your fault? I am the one that screwed up.” Confusion masked Caleb’s voice.
“It’s my fault because I am the one that sent those pictures to Neela,” his father delivered smoothly, not one sign of fear evident in his tone.
“You did it? You sent those pictures?” Caleb shot to his feet glaring at his father.
“Yes I did!” he stated matter-of-factly. “And I know what your next question is going to be. Why? Why would I try to destroy your marriage?” the older man looked straight at his son, regret swimming in his eyes.
Raising his hand, he motioned once again outside.
“That woman. She was the reason. I love that woman more than life itself and I would do anything to see her happy. Your marriage was really hard for her to deal with. I just wanted to make things better for her. I thought that could happen if Neela was out of your life. That couldn’t be further from the truth. When she found out what I did she almost bit my head off.” A sad smile crossed his face at the memory. “Turns out as much as she hated your wife, she was more concerned at how you would cope if she left. We all know how that ended.”
“Your heart attack! That’s what triggered it?” To think that his father’s heart attack happened because his parents were fighting over him was a humbling but frightening thought. Two people who obviously loved him, going about the wrong way to secure his happiness.
Coming to sit by his son George asked, “So, my son, does this mean that I have lost your respect?”
The anger, the feeling of betrayal that Caleb expected never came. What good would it do now? The damage had already been done.
“Paps, you could never lose my respect. Maybe if you had told me back then I may have wanted to punch you but now being angry doesn’t change anything.” Funny how one could see things differently as one got older. Age really did bring reason.
“Besides if I hadn’t messed up, there would not have been any pictures to show.”
Both men leaned back, staring at the ceiling fan as it slowly rotated, an unspoken measure of understanding shared between them.
“What are you going to do now, son?”
“I don’t know, Paps, I don’t know”
Neither man was aware of the voices that had subsided outside. Neither man was aware of the woman that
stood outside the door. Neither man was aware that she closed the door with a soft click or when she left. Neither man was aware that she was going to meet Neela.
****
Chapter 17
How she wished she could stay like this forever - wrapped in his sheet, buried in his bed, his scent surrounding her, caressing her naked skin.
Last night had been immaculate. Caleb was as attentive a lover as he had been in the past. Even though their first time, the previous night had been hurried, Caleb had made sure that she reached that place before he joined her.
The second and third time were different, but in a good way. Caleb took her to heights she had never experienced in their short marriage. And even though he had been focused on her body, he made sure her mind was satisfied.
How many times had he whispered he loved her? How many times during that short time had he begged her not to leave him again? How many times during that short time did she taste his salty tears on her lips?
Amidst it all, she could not answer him. She could return his vows of love and commitment. She was too afraid. Loving him was not the problem. Her heart had never belonged to anyone but him.
The problem was Lori Parks and her son. It was bad enough knowing that she worked for Caleb. Being aware that he was in close proximity to her every day, was enough to drive her up a wall.
Now he was willing to keep secrets for her, willing to accept her son as his. How could he possibly expect her to live with that?
Calling that baby a bastard was harsh. It was uncalled for. He was an innocent in all this but it was hard to remember that when Caleb was willing to put him in front of his own family. Why?
Aggravated by the thoughts that were swirling around in her head, she stuffed one of the silk-covered pillows over her head and screamed. It didn’t help.
When she removed the pillow the thoughts were still dancing around up there.
Looking at the note he left on the pillow she smiled.
You look so beautiful asleep; waking you would be a sin.
Taking Adam and Melody to my parents. Will talk when I get back.
I love you!
Caleb.
Disappointment was the first thing she felt when she opened her eyes and realized he wasn’t next to her. Relief quickly flooded her because she honestly didn’t know what she would say to him. Right now she was so baffled she could scream. So she did. Again!
This time she actually felt a little of the built up tension slip away. What she needed was advice - that, and a huge tub of chocolate ice cream.
Throwing the sheet aside, she hesitantly climbed out of the huge bed.
Not bothering to put on her clothes, she wrapped herself in Caleb’s robe and headed for her room.
A visit to Kaylee’s was long overdue.
****
“So let me see if I get this right. First he tells you he loves you and he wants you back. Then he tells you he has a son with that woman. Next he tells you he hasn’t had sex in five years but now he’s telling you that the child isn’t his but he wants the world to think he is.” Kaylee was summarizing everything Neela had explained to her in the last couple of minutes. She was curled up on the sofa in her small bungalow, while her new baby suckled greedily at her breast.
Confirming the information, Neela sighed before answering. “Yup! That about sums it up.”
Kaylee grunted while rolling her eyes before she concluded, “Okay, I give up. That man is officially bipolar. There is no other explanation,” she pressed putting her hand to her head in mock confusion. Leave it up to Kaylee to make her laugh in the worst of times. Her corny sense of humor had kept Neela on her toes so many times in the past.
“Kaylee…” Neela chuckled as she jokingly warned her friend.
“What? It’s the truth. I mean come on, Neels, what other reason could he have for risking his family’s happiness?” Although the last question was asked in good spirits, there was something more serious hidden in Kaylee’s tone. The marriage counselor was emerging from behind the friend.
“I don’t know. I have been killing myself trying to figure out this mess. I know he’s protecting someone but I don’t know who.” Neela groaned from the bar stool at the kitchen island where she sat, nursing a glass of juice.
“Do you think maybe it’s his father?” her friend suggested.
“Eww, Kaylee, that’s gross. That would make Lori Parks slut of the year. Father and son? Disgusting!” Kaylee snickered as she observed Neela’s contorted face, which reflected her uttered words.
“I know, but I mean, Neels, she did sleep with Caleb even though she knew he was married…” There was the marriage counselor again, hinting at stuff, leaving Neela to try and figure it out.
“Somehow I don’t think so. Maybe Stuart’s the father. Caleb would do anything to protect his sisters. I mean think about it. Daphne just had a baby. Do you know what it would do to her if Stuart did have an affair with Lori and got her pregnant?” Neela threw out into suggestion land. Right now anything sounded good.
“I don’t know, Neels. I don’t know that husband of yours much, but I think if his sister’s husband did that to her, Caleb is more likely to kill him than protect him.”
Neela admired her friend as she switched little Isabelle from one breast to the other. The darling little girl was fast asleep, her tiny fingers curled into a ball resting against her mother’s breast. Oh, how she missed the twin being babies. Maybe she and Caleb would have another.
Oh God! She was going mad. There was no ‘she and Caleb’ until they could sort out this Lori mess. If they ever sorted it out.
“God, this is so frustrating. Why won’t he just tell me? That would make it so much easier.” She grunted, sliding up from the stool to pace in front of Kaylee.
“Neela, do you love that man?” That question was sure to pop up once Kaylee was in counselor mode.
Taking the seat opposite her friend she soberly said, “Yeah, I do. I never once kidded myself about that. He hurt me really bad and I was mad as hell but I never really stopped loving him.”
Uncurling her legs from under her, Kaylee put the baby on the seat next to her then got comfortable.
Reaching for Neela’s hand she began, “Okay, so now you need to ask yourself, how much? Do you love him enough to forgive him for what he did? I think the fact that he knows he can lose you and those kids over this secret but is still keeping his mouth shut says a lot, Neels. The question is do you love him enough to understand and accept that?”
Emotions played across Neela’s face as Kaylee’s words penetrated her defenses.
“I’m your best friend and I know I’m supposed to say things like ‘kick his sorry ass to the curb’ or ‘he doesn’t deserve you’ but I’m not going to tell you that. I was there at that hospital, Neels. I saw what that man went through while he waited for you. I think he suffered more than any of us. He may be a bastard because of what he did in the past but he loves you. He loves you and those kids.” What was that saying? ‘Sticks and stones would break my bones but words would never hurt me.’ That was a lie. Kaylee’s words were having an undesired effect on her. That put her on edge.
“Are you telling me I should forgive him?” Neela snapped, yanking her hand away from Kaylee’s.
Shaking her head in remorse, Kaylee explained, “No. What I’m telling you, is that you need to make a decision. Either you do forgive him and accept that he will tell you this all-important secret if and when he is ready or you cut your losses and move on. Living there in that house but not committing yourself, prolonging his suffering is wrong, Neels. Don’t give him false hope.” Words from the wise. Kaylee was no novice; she knew exactly what she was saying. After watching her parents’ marriage fall apart, she had made it her life’s goal to help marriages in trouble and she was doing a pretty good job at it.
“Damn it, Kaylee. Why couldn’t you just be dumb?” A sad smile appeared on Neela’s face.
“And let you have all the
fun? Nah! Besides it takes a smart person to keep that husband of mine in check. If it helps you, I can tell you this. If Kevin ever cheats on me, I would castrate him. But I would forgive him the first time. Not because I’m weak or naïve or anything like that. It’s because I know he is imperfect as I am and I love him. Something I have learnt from counseling all those married couples is that we all like to think that it could never happen to us - that we would never do something like that. But then by some slip we do and we are left wondering how it happened. So I am going to say this one last thing. If it were you that had cheated for whatever reason, wouldn’t you want Caleb to forgive you?”
****
Kaylee’s words danced through her head like a recorder with someone’s finger stuck to the replay button.
It all sounded so simple when Kaylee said it. Either forgive him or move on. The first option sounded plausible but to Neela the second seemed impossible.
How could she possibly walk away from her life again? The man that held her in his arms last night was the old Caleb - the man she fell in love with.
In the early days of their marriage, Caleb had a temper he couldn’t or didn’t want to control. Once he had bruised her skin from holding her too tight while he was angry. His apologies had extended to days on end and although they had many arguments after that, he always kept his hands to himself.
The old possessive Caleb would have probably broken Garvin’s jaw last night but he didn’t. His anger had been evident but not once had he laid a hand on her or Garvin. And after it all he had been the gentlest lover.
Maybe it was time she stopped running. Caleb loved her, she loved him. They had a beautiful family that they could both be proud of. Why the hell should she give that up?
Lori Parks had won in the past when she had so blatantly tried to wreck her marriage and succeeded. Not this time. Caleb was her husband, the father of her kids and she was not going to give up so easy.
Maybe it was time she paid Ms. Parks a little visit and let her know exactly how she felt. Turning the little white Ford mini into the driveway, Neela was at first confused by the red Porsche parked in the yard. She didn’t know anybody that owned a Porsche. But when both the passenger door and the driver’s door opened, Neela stomped on her brakes in astonishment.
