A Burning Secret

by Montgomery, Beverly

  “Maybe not but I really like you and I would like an opportunity to try.”

  “Can we at least start with that?” Tony questioned.

  “Okay,” Sasha agreed. “But don’t get mad when I run into past clients. It is no different than running into an old boyfriend, husband or in your case, a wife. We all have a past.”

  “We all have been intimate with other people before meeting someone else. That’s the way it goes! So either we are grownups about it or we simply call things off before we get too far along in our relationship.”

  “Look Sasha! I am crazy about you! I knew it the very first day I saw you when I brought my daughter in to meet with you.”

  “I think you are fantastic and yes, I am willing to do whatever necessary to continue to see you but you will need to be patient with me as well.”

  “I am not perfect,” Tony acknowledged.

  “Neither am I and that’s my point,” Sasha remarked somewhat peeved by Tony’s attitude about the incident with the stranger.

  Tony took Sasha by the hand and they danced to a slow song from long ago.

  As the music played on and on, Sasha felt tingles up and down her spine and it was obvious that Tony was getting a little turned on.

  He wanted to be intimate with Sasha but he knew he needed to take his time, especially after the conversation they had just had with one another.

  Tony and Sasha had a great time dancing the night away and when he took Sasha home, they shared a passionate kiss and then looked longingly into one another’s eyes. Both wanting to do more than kiss but they knew that this was not the right time. They needed to take it slow so they both said good night and Tony went on his way.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Tony and Sasha had been dating about two months when they both agreed that it was time to consummate their relationship. Those were Tony’s exact words and it sounded so unromantic to Sasha but yet she was excited and anxious about making love with Tony.

  They decided to go to the Remington Hotel, an upscale hotel in Montclair because they desired to make the night special.

  Tony went ahead to get things set up for Sasha.

  He ordered rose petals from the hotel and had them strewn from the front door of the hotel room to the bedroom and bath.

  He purchased a short black negligee for Sasha and ordered lobster tails, caviar and champagne. He also ordered strawberries and he had already stopped in town to purchase whip cream.

  However, the whip cream was not for the strawberries. He wanted to take his hands and spread the whip cream all over Sasha’s body and then lick it off.

  But he wasn’t certain if Sasha would be turned on or off by his whip cream fantasy.

  When the knock came to the door, Tony opened it to see Sasha standing there in a long red dress that fit her body perfectly. The back of the dress was made of a sheer piece of material that gave the illusion of a bare back dress and it was done very tastefully.

  The only thing Tony could say to her was, “You look sensational!”

  Sasha said, “Thank you and so do you.”

  Tony was dressed in black slacks, black casual dress shoes and a white knit sweater. He was very handsome with thick black hair that was combed wild and sexy, and he had a thin mustache. He was gorgeous!

  Tony pulled Sasha closer to him and kissed her. He told her that he had purchased something sexy for her to wear but he said, “Now I don’t know if I want you to put it on because I love the way you look in that red dress.”

  Sasha asked to see the lingerie and then she began to take off her clothing because she desired to model the negligee for Tony.

  She knew that Tony was getting turned on because the back of his neck appeared wet from perspiration.

  He said, “Wait, don’t put it on.” He pulled Sasha close to him and practically threw her onto the bed.

  As he lay on top of Sasha she could feel that he wanted her because he could not control himself. Tony started kissing Sasha all over her body and she was completely into him. She loved the way he was willing to take his time and not rush their lovemaking.

  He was gentle when he should be and rough the way she liked it. Tony was definitely in the dominant role and Sasha was so carried away with him. He smelled and taste good as did she to him and they were like one.

  Sasha had been afraid that the first time with Tony would be a disaster because that’s what often happens the first time when one partner feels awkward or self-conscious but this was not the case with them.

  They were two beautiful yet still imperfect people joining together in the most intimate way.

  Later on as they lay together in one another’s arms, gazing into each other’s eyes as two people in love often do, they talked about their future together.

  Tony told Sasha that he could see himself marrying her in a few years when Tyler has gone away to college and out of the house.

  Things were starting to move a little too fast for Sasha and there was one thing she knew for sure, if she and Tony were going to be together, she was not willing to put her life on hold until everything was settled with Tyler. She cared deeply for Tony and Tyler but not at the expense of her own future.

  Nevertheless, she just let Tony talk and share his feelings and then Tony asked, “What are your thoughts about what I’m saying?”

  Sasha said, “Honestly, it’s way too early for us to be having this conversation because I don’t know how I feel at this point. I know I care deeply for you but I can’t say that I am in love with you because I still have some unsettle feelings from my previous marriage. I mean I am no longer in love with Justin but we were together seven years so I simply don’t want to rush into another relationship.”

  “Let’s enjoy one another for now, take things slow and see how it goes. Let’s not ruin a good thing! “

  Tony responded disappointed, “Well, I thought you felt the way about me that I do about you.”

  “I do, that’s the scary part!”

  “What’s scary about it?”

  “I don’t want either of us to do something we will regret.”

  “For instance, I want a child and you already have Tyler. How do you feel about having another child?”

  “Honestly, I hadn’t given it much thought because it has been me and Tyler for so long. Well, that’s my point.”

  “It doesn’t sound as if you’re interested in having any more children.”

  “Well, maybe. I don’t know.”

  “If I was the right woman for you, you would know!” Sasha exclaimed.

  “Wait a minute; you are the right woman for me and the only one for me.”

  “That’s your lust talking,” Sasha remarked. “My lust?”

  “It’s me, Tony Leppo, being of sound mind and body saying, I Love You.” Then Tony leaned closer to kiss Sasha’s ruby red lips.”

  Sasha took a deep breath as though she had just been asleep and awakened by her Prince Charming.

  She told Tony that she believed that they should take it one day at a time with no great expectations.

  And Sasha didn’t want to be part of a relationship where there was not total honesty between them and she wanted to be in a monogamous relationship with him.

  “There are to be no third parties,” Sasha said emphatically!

  “I can live with that because the only woman I want is you.”

  “Look Tony, I have lived the other life and I know that is not the way I want to live my life. That’s what I know for sure, my past is my past and it is behind me.”

  “Good, stop talking because I want to enjoy you right now Sasha. We won’t talk any more about tomorrow promises and tomorrow what ifs. Let’s just make this thing work!” Tony exclaimed. He was excited about the future with Sasha. Sasha agreed and they tried to salvage the food that Tony had ordered and delivered to the room.

  The lobster was cold but still quite good and the champagne and strawberries were magnificent. This was the perfect ending to a night f
ull of love and enchantment. It was like a fairytale and Sasha didn’t want to wake up.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Tony and Sasha have been dating for six months and everything is going great for them. They are together at least four times a week and they enjoy their intimate time together.

  They are both very committed to one another however; Tony was about to get a big surprise!

  Prior to swearing his love and commitment to Sasha, Tony had been dating a young woman named Cecily Long.

  His daughter, Tyler was unaware that he was seeing Cecily because Tony would drive to Cecily’s home in Sunset City to see her. Sunset City is a small town right outside of New York City.

  Tony and Cecily dated one another for a while but they had mutually decided to go their separate ways because Cecily cared more for Tony than he did for her and Tony told her that was not going to change.

  One day, Cecily phoned Tony at his job to let him know that she was eight months pregnant and she was due to deliver his baby in about four weeks. Tony was flabbergasted by Cecily’s announcement.

  “Are you crazy?” Tony questioned.

  “That cannot be my baby!”

  “I haven’t had sex with you since we broke up over 8 months ago.”

  “You’re right, and that’s why I am phoning you!” Cecily said fuming about Tony’s reaction.

  “At first, I considered giving the baby up for adoption but I decided to keep the baby and raise it myself without telling you.”

  “However, I decided that it took two to make this baby and my baby deserves to know his or her father.”

  “Why you little, floosy!” Tony yelled out loud while holding the phone away from his ears.

  “Floosy, you didn’t think I was a floosy when you were making love to me every Friday night for four months straight,” Cecily fumed.

  “I told you that I wanted sex only and you told me that you were taking birth control pills, Tony argued.

  “I was on the pills but something went wrong.”

  “That’s right something did go wrong and that was me getting involved with you in the first place.” Tony was more than upset with Cecily but he knew that he could have ensured that Cecily didn’t get pregnant by wearing a condom.

  But that fact didn’t keep him from being angry and he tried to bargain with Cecily.

  “What do I need to do to make this problem go away?” “How much money do you want?”

  Tony was trying to resolve the problem and he thought if he offered money to Cecily, she would both give the baby up for adoption and leave him alone.

  “I don’t want anything from you Tony.” “I am simply letting you know that you are about to be a father.”

  “Well, Tony said, I’m already a father to my daughter Tyler and she is all I can handle right now.”

  “I don’t want another child.”

  Cecily told Tony that she had been dining at the Montague Restaurant in Montclair a few weeks ago and she saw him being very cozy with a woman.”

  “Is that why you decided to contact me, Cecily?”

  “Is that what this is about?” Tony asked.

  “You are jealous of seeing me with another woman.”

  “No, but seeing you with her, made me realize that I needed to let you know what’s going on with me and your child.” Cecily answered.

  “Stop saying my child because that is not my child that you are carrying!”

  “I want proof because I will certainly not take your word for it!” “I won’t a blood test.”

  Cecily told Tony that she understood why he was so upset but she told him that she was sure the baby was his because she stopped seeing other men when she started dating him because he had asked her to.

  Tony realized that it was too late to second guess what Cecily was telling him because he knew that the bottom line is that he could very well be the father of Cecily’s baby. His concern though was how he would break the news to his daughter and Sasha.

  Although Tony tried to be rational about being the father of Cecily’s unborn child, he still argued with her insisting that she should have talked with him before deciding to keep the baby.

  But nothing he said made a difference to Cecily because there was one thing for certain, she couldn’t undue the pregnancy.

  The baby was going to be born with or without Tony’s agreement.

  Tony wanted to meet with Cecily in person so he asked Cecily if they could meet at her home the following day and she agreed to see him but she warned Tony that she would not give her baby up for adoption and she told him if that was what he was hoping for he was wasting his time.

  Tony was aware that he would not get anywhere with Cecily unless he had a clear head so that he could make good decisions about Cecily and the baby.

  When Tony hung up from talking with Cecily, he knew that he needed to go home for the day because he wouldn’t be able to focus on his job. Tony is a Senior Engineer for a large engineering company and it requires him to be meticulous and focused.

  So John left for the day and headed home where he saw Tyler in her room studying. He chatted with her for a few minutes and then said to her, “I hope you know how much I love you.” Tyler smiled at her Dad and then got up from her chair and gave him a big hug.

  Tony went upstairs to bed but he couldn’t sleep because he wondered what and how he would tell Sasha about Cecily and the baby.

  Sasha and Tony had both agreed to leave the past in the past but Tony hadn’t counted on Cecily’s big surprise.

  Also, he had been so uncertain about having a baby with Sasha so he knew that she would be hurt if not devastated by his news. Tony reasoned that he had to find a way to make it right for everyone.

  The next day he drove to Sunset City without having a chance to tell Tyler he was leaving.

  Tyler was still sleeping and she looked peaceful when Tony looked in on her so he saw no cause to awaken her.

  While driving, Tony was trying to analyze the entire situation with Cecily to determine what did it all mean, he knew no matter what, someone would be terribly hurt by his actions but then he thought I did not set out to hurt anyone. Tony believed that he was clear with Cecily about his intentions so there shouldn’t be any expectations on Cecily’s part except for him to provide for the baby.

  On the other hand, he was thinking that Sasha would probably never see him again when he tells her about Cecily and the baby.

  When Tony reached Sunset City, he phoned Cecily to let her know he was about ten minutes away.

  Cecily didn’t answer the phone so Tony went to her home where he saw a familiar face leaving Cecily’s home. It was Justin Taylor, Sasha’s ex.

  Tony wondered what Justin was up to and what was going on with Cecily and Justin? Tony recognized Justin because he had seen him on the News a while back because he was the lead prosecuting attorney and responsible for the conviction of three high ranking executives who embezzled millions from their company.

  Tony watched Justin pull off in his red sports car and then rung Cecily’s door bell. Cecily quickly answered probably thinking it was Justin.

  She looked startled when she saw Tony and asked him how long he had been outside.

  Tony said angrily, “Long enough to see you with Justin Taylor.” “What’s going on Cecily?”

  “Nothing is going on?”

  “Whose baby are you carrying?”

  “Are you pregnant with Justin’s baby because I am convinced now that you are not pregnant with my baby?” Tony said.

  Cecily broke down crying and then said, “Okay, the baby is not yours.”

  “Justin has been scheming to get Sasha back ever since he found out that she was dating you and he even hired a private detective to spy on you and his ex-wife.”

  “I use to date Justin but the baby is not his baby.”

  “And it’s not mine, right!”

  “No, Tony the baby is not yours.”

  “Justin told me to say it was yours so that h
is ex-wife would find out and leave you.”

  “He said Sasha would never stay with you if she found out you were having a baby with another woman.”

  “So let me understand this; you were going to set me up that way!”

  “Well Tony, look how you reacted to me when I told you that you were the father. Your response was horrible!”

  “How much was he Justin is offering to pay you?”

  “He was going to pay me $50,000."

  “So who is the father of your baby, Cecily?”

  “Dante Moore is the father of my baby.”

  “We have dated off and on for a long time.

  “We met in college and he lives in Montclair and is a very wealthy businessman running several high end restaurants including the Montague.”

  “Oh, so that’s why you were there?”

  “No, that’s not why I was there.”

  “I told you Justin was spying on you and Sasha so he knew your every move and where you would be.”

  “He asked me to go to the Montague to spy on you as well and that’s when I first saw you with Justin’s wife.”

  “She is his ex-wife!”

  “Whatever Tony!”

  “Tony, I am so sorry about all of this, I never wanted to hurt you but he offered me all of this money.”

  Tony was in disbelief and so angry he thought he better leave before he did something he would regret. He stormed out of Cecily’s home obviously angered by the lies conjured up by Sasha’s ex.

  However, Tony was relieved that he was not the father of Cecily’s baby and even more relieved that he wouldn’t have to say anything to Tyler.

  However, he immediately and everything.

  did need to talk to Sasha he would need to tell her

  Tony phoned Sasha and she was very short with him but then Sasha said, “Justin phoned me to tell me that you are keeping a secret from me and he wanted to come over to tell me all about it.”

  “However, I told Justin that I would talk to you about whatever the secret is so I will see you at my home about 6 p.m.”

  “Okay, Sweets!”

  “I will see you then but I can tell you not to worry because it’s one big lie created by Justin.” “Okay, now you have my attention!” Sasha exclaimed. Justin had betrayed Sasha by telling her mother about Sasha’s true profession so she could only imagine what Justin had done to Tony.