“My romantic husband. I get a babysitter, and he wants to check the corn!” Lisa laughed and grabbed her horse’s reins, heading toward her husband.
“Still want to ride?”
“I want to ride you, but you still seem hesitant, so I’ll ride the horses. This time.”
“Go get changed,” Clay teased her.
Dana was back quickly, swapping her short skirt for old, worn jeans and her well-broken-in riding boots. When they were out of sight from the home on the south side, she turned to Clay. He was a handsome man, especially on horseback.
“You know, all this time we’ve been riding I’ve been flexing my thigh muscles to get rid of the ache you cause.” Dana didn’t turn away, wanting to see his reaction.
“I’ll make you a deal, when we get someplace dry, soft, and warm, I’ll take care of your ache.”
“Promises, promises,” she teased. “Next you’ll tell me you don’t have any condoms, right?” It was a reference to the night of the storm when she stayed with him. “Just so you know, I’m on the pill and my last physical was clean of any disease.”
“What?” Clay seemed shocked at her comment.
“We’re adults, Clay. We need to talk about these things openly because they’re important.” Dana waited to see what how he would react.
“You want blunt, you got it, at least when we’re alone.” He cleared his throat. “Do you have any idea how hard it was for me not to pick you up on my shoulder this morning and carry you back to bed? Hell, I almost had my hand up your shirt and you weren’t stopping me.”
“I figured you’d take the hint,” she told him. “But I suppose I’ll have to romance you a bit. Are you the flowers and candy kind of man?” Dana started laughing and goaded her horse into a trot. She hadn’t felt this good in a long time. She knew one thing was for sure, next time she went out of town, she was going to buy him a crate of condoms and send them to him. Then he’d have no excuse.
In a fleeting second, she wondered if he just didn’t want to have sex with her, but it left just as quickly. He’d been openly telling her he was interested, and she was the one who kept pushing him away. Times were changing, and Dana liked the change.
Chapter Eight
One week later, Jeff stood to the side of the tractor he’d been working on, watching the scene unfold with his foreman, Jeb, standing beside him. The two men looked to each other, Jeb mumbling something about a bee in her bonnet before leaving Jeff to wonder what had happened. It was over an hour later when she walked the horse back to the barn, refusing the offers to put him up. Even the barn hands were confused. To Jeff’s view, her skirt was ruined, her hair a wild mass of tangles, and the look on her face read total anger. He didn’t know what happened to cause this temper tantrum, but he’d find out. Even if she had been away for a while, she was still a Britton, and news of this tantrum would make its way around town.
Dana drove like a maniac, which wasn’t unusual. While in New York, she rarely had an excuse to drive. Home, on the back roads, she was able to let loose. Today was different. Today was about anger and frustration. She skidded the BMW to a halt just outside the paddock, garnering stares from the workers all around her.
Still dressed in her business suit, she stood beside the small convertible, stripping off her shoes and jacket. Next she pulled the elastic band from her hair, letting it fall around her face. One of the stable hands started to approach her, but she stopped, put her hand up to ward him off, and then marched into the barn. Several minutes later, she emerged atop her favorite horse, William the Conqueror. Her skirt was hitched up around her hips. She didn’t care. Once away from the barn, she goaded the horse into a full-out run, forgoing the warm-up or gallop she would usually pace him with.
Skirting the big house to the right, Dana avoided contact with anyone when she finally returned. She left the car where it was, walking the distance barefoot. As she turned the corner of the backyard, she paused only to tug off her skirt before diving into the cool water of the pool. Swimming laps, she tried to work out her options in her mind. No clear-cut choice presented itself.
When she finally let herself roll onto her back to float, she saw Lisa sat beside the pool. She had draped a robe by the ladder. Dana went under one last time, wondering how she was going to work this out, dreading the explanation for her temper tantrum. She finally swam to the ladder and pulled herself from the crystal water, grabbing the robe.
Pulling the robe around her, Dana accepted the glass of lemonade Lisa offered her. With a gentle arm around her shoulders, Lisa walked with Dana to the guesthouse. Once inside, she went about pulling out shorts and a top for her to change into. Dana toweled off her hair then stripped off the wet layer of clothes. “Thanks.”
“Anytime. Let’s go outside to talk.”
Dana followed a few minutes later, dressed and semidry. She found Lisa had pulled two of the patio chairs to the far side of the small guest quarters. Once there, they sat in silence for a long time, sipping from their glasses. Lisa waited for Dana to tell her what had happened and how far it was from over. It hurt Dana to see Lisa so upset, knowing she was the cause. With a conspiring laugh, Lisa pulled two of Jeff’s slim cigars from her skirt pocket, along with a box of stick matches. Lighting one, she drew on it until it glowed, then handed it to Dana. She did the same with the second one. They puffed in silence until Lisa decided enough time had passed.
“Ready to talk about it?”
“I don’t know if I can, I’m so mad.”
“Start at the beginning.”
Dana straightened in her chair, leaning forward. “You know my meeting with the board two weeks ago seemed to go fine.”
“That’s the impression Jeff and I both got. The board seemed to think it was just a matter of processing. Dana, did they refuse your permits?”
“No, it’s nothing that easy. I’ve spent the last five days arranging meetings with Linda Cole, who, by the way, is the last one to sign off on the process, to no avail. First, something came up, then something else. She’s cancelled five appointments with me, all last minute. Today, we were supposed to meet at noon. I called her office at eleven and it was on.”
“And?”
“And at eleven twenty, Linda left the building. Apparently something else came up.”
“But you saw her?”
“More like cornered her in the parking lot.”
“Dana!”
“Well, what was I supposed to do? I explained I was early, thought she might be free.” Dana shrugged her shoulders. “I got to the bottom of it all.”
“Which is?” Lisa took another puff on the cigar.
“A veiled ultimatum.” Dana paced the small stone patio where they sat. Lisa leaned forward, anxious to hear the next installment of what Dana would say. “It’s simple really. I am to hand over Clay to Linda. Then I can have my permits, no problem!” With the words spoken, Dana finally collapsed into her chair.
“What!” Now Lisa was pacing, anger filling her quickly. “Are you sure you understood her correctly, Dana? This could be serious. She has no right to use her position with the board to delay your permits for personal gain. I’ve known she had an eye for Clay, but he doesn’t have any feelings for Linda. What would make her think you could deliver him to her?”
“Simple. I make it very clear to Clay there isn’t a chance in hell he’ll ever be with me, talk up Linda, who by the way feels she’s much better suited for him, and when she’s secure in their relationship, I get the permits and the town’s blessings.”
“Of all the deceitful, unethical…”
“Don’t forget mercenary, arrogant, dishonest, vindictive…I have more, should I go on?” Dana offered with a grim face.
“No. The list is too long. What are you going to do?” Lisa sat, taking Dana’s hand in hers. “How can I help?”
Leaning forward, Dana accepted the hug from her sister-in-law. “Nothing. And I mean that in the strictest of all senses. All I got was double
talk about environmental issues, impact studies, et cetera. Bottom line, Clay for the clearance.”
Dana left Lisa sitting in shock, returning with a bottle of iced vodka and two small shot glasses. Filling each, she handed one to Lisa, sipping the other. “Linda has decided I’m not right for him, she is. Nothing like little old unsophisticated me is going to stand in her way. Hell, she told me as much in plain English. I might as well go back to New York. I should grow up and find someone my own age.”
“That would make her job with Clay a whole lot easier.”
“Yes, it would. But I’m not going. The sad thing is, she talks about him like he was a commodity or something. Not like a human being. I couldn’t give her Clay. He’s not mine to give.”
Lisa tipped her glass to Dana’s, and they swallowed the liquor at the same time. “Dana, do you love Clay?”
“I wish I knew. Oh, God, Lisa, how did this happen? All I wanted to do was come home to my family and friends. Now look at the mess I’ve made of it all.”
“No. This is Linda’s mess. Don’t take responsibility for it. You still haven’t answered my question. Are you in love with Clay?”
“Yes.”
Lisa settled back in her seat, waiting. “How long has the romance been going on?”
Dana’s laugh surprised her. “Romance, what romance? We’ve kissed a few times, only since I came home. Adam’s christening was the first time he kissed me.” It was a small white lie leaving out the details of their earlier sex acts, especially from her wedding to Jeff. Dana decided it wasn’t a good idea to tell her sister-in-law their best man pulled her into a closet during their wedding party and licked and fingered her until she was wilting against his body, pushing his fingers deeper in her body.
“You mean you haven’t…been together yet?”
“Of course not, and we wouldn’t be. I tried to explain. I can’t find the words to make him understand.” She looked away, “I’m not right for any man.”
“Dana, you’re confusing me, let alone poor Clay. Start over.”
“I can’t love him, Lisa. I’m not the right woman for him, he deserves more. I wouldn’t be beneficial to him personally, or professionally for that matter.”
“Oh,” was all Lisa got out, and then she went on. “Well, I know a few nice women if you’d like to be introduced.” Dana started to laugh. “What? Why are you laughing at me?”
“Nothing against women, but my tastes are definitely for the male body.”
“Then why say you can’t love any man?”
“Because it’s true.” Lisa accepted Dana was wrestling with how much to tell her about her prior relationships, not pushing for information. “You knew I was dating Walker for a long time in New York.”
“Yes, but he wasn’t right for you. He was too bossy and arrogant, too full of his own agenda.” Lisa watched as Dana searched for the right words, blushing as she thought about it.
“Lisa, I can’t seem to enjoy the physical side of a relationship.” If she left it at that, Lisa might think Dana was frigid and she wouldn’t have to reveal her pension for bondage.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Dana, you just haven’t tried with the right man. Now Clay, he strikes me as the right stuff for you. Why not give him a chance?”
“I know what I’m talking about here, sis. After Walker—” Dana shook her head, refusing to discuss the memories of the disastrous time they spent together. “It’s not in me to be conventional.”
“And you’re going to take the word of a spoiled playboy as gospel? Dana, grow up. Whatever Walker did or didn’t do for you physically has nothing to do with how you would be with Clay, or any other man, for that matter.”
“But he impressed upon me all the time, our compatibility issues were my fault. Lisa, what am I going to do? He’d get mad, I’d be embarrassed. I won’t put myself in that position ever again.”
Lisa laughed aloud, enjoying the release.
“I’m glad you think my life is so funny, just because you were lucky and found Jeff.”
“Oh, Dana. Yes, I was lucky finding Jeff, and he had a little luck finding me. That’s how it is, waiting for that right fit. When you find yours, you’ll know it. It’s called magic or chemistry or fate.” Lisa let her voice fade off, and they sat in a companionable silence smoking the cigars. “Remind me to use your mouthwash before I head home.”
“Whatever you need,” Dana said, preoccupied by her thoughts. Hopefully Lisa would let the subject drop. If she didn’t, Dana would come up with something to stop the questions. Probably tears, she decided. The next time anyone started hounding her about relationships, she’d burst into tears. That should stop the questioning.
“We’re supposed to meet Clay in town for supper. Join us?”
“No thanks, I’ll stay here and be miserable for a while. Besides, with my luck, Linda will be at the same restaurant.”
“With a little luck, yes,” Lisa said.
“Lisa, promise me you wouldn’t do anything. Let me handle this on my own. I just want some time to think about it, think it through.”
“All right, no action yet. But don’t wait too long.” She started to leave then turned back to Dana. “When did you first think about Clay romantically?”
“A while ago.” Dana omitted revealing details of the night of the storm. Besides, that was before Lisa knew Jeff, she’d have no reference for it. Finally Dana added, “Christmas three years back, I was home for your wedding. That was when I looked at Clay differently.”
“You were twenty-one. Why didn’t you go to him?”
“It didn’t seem right. Once I went back to the city, I figured it was just all the romance of your wedding and the holidays. Besides, after that, if you think about it, Clay made a point of avoiding me when I was back. I figured I read all the wrong signs.”
“And you met Walker around the same time?”
“Yes.”
“Dana, think it through, but don’t let Clay get away. I think you two would be good together.” Handing Dana her shot glass, she smiled. “I’m aching to ask you what you mean by conventional, but you’ve gone out of your way to dance around it, so I’ll let it drop. I just wanted you to know it didn’t get by me.” Lisa gave her a sly smile. “Are you sure about supper?”
“Yes, thanks anyway.”
“Clay asked if you were coming.”
“Not tonight, Lisa. I’m too wound up. I’m afraid I might say something out of place. I need to deal with this in my own way, without Clay or Jeff interfering.”
“Okay, no more lectures.”
“Lisa, I’m sorry if this is a problem. I don’t want to come between friends.”
“Clay and I are fine.” Lisa gave her a confused look.
“I meant you and Linda.”
“Linda? She’s not a friend. What made you think there was a connection?”
“She was at the christening. She came to the chapel after the ceremony, telling Clay and me you and she were discussing us.”
Dana watched Lisa think back, her eyes squinting, her mouth twisting from side to side. The pieces were falling into place as she looked at them from another side.
“Dana, she wasn’t invited to the party. She showed up as some of the first guests were arriving, said she stopped by to talk about the senator’s retirement party. I only asked her to stay, because how could I not, with all the guests arriving.” Lisa snubbed the last of her cigar in a cement planter near the door. “As for sending her to the chapel, no, Dana. She asked me where you were right after the ceremony, I wasn’t really listening. I remember telling her I thought you and Clay were still in the chapel. That’s all.” Dana filled her in on the conversation at the diner over Sunday breakfast. Lisa wasn’t happy. It was written all over her with her body language.
“Lisa, today she as much told me I wasn’t woman enough for Clay. Said she knew I had a history of not being able to make a commitment.”
“Dana, you didn’t think I would talk to her about y
ou, did you?”
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t. But if you hadn’t mentioned anything, how did she know about it? You and Clay are the only two who…and before now, we’ve never really discussed him, have we?”
“Walker knew you were uncomfortable with him.” Lisa broke in.
“How would Linda know to go to Walker for information?”
“Please, you’re big news in this town. Every time your photo showed up in print, everyone in town knew about it. And they saw the photos of you and Walker from the charity event you chaired. That was all over town for weeks.”
“Walker wouldn’t talk to her.” Lisa just shrugged her shoulders at Dana. “Then again, maybe he would. I wasn’t very good for his ego.” Dana didn’t add that her matching his blackmail threat had left them at a stalemate. If he talked about her, she had ammunition to use against him. They had decided to consider their relationship a wash and to let it lie. No, she reinforced, he wouldn’t go public. I have the videotaped proof of his preferences. She let her lips curl into a small smile and pulled it back quickly.
“We don’t know what she told him, how she approached him, or even if she did, technically.”
“I won’t give him the satisfaction of a call to find out. I’d rather deal with the unknown on this one,” Dana said ruefully.
“Be careful, honey. She’s an achiever, a real closer, and I’m beginning to see how she gets the deals done. I’m getting a clear picture of how she operates. Did you know she was with Jay for a while, about two years ago, I think.”
“Jay as in Jason Harris?”
“Yep, until she started making a play for Clay.”
“Lisa, promise me. Let me handle it on my own. And I’m sorry I thought you and Linda could be friends. I was upset.”
“You must have been to believe that. Don’t take too long, honey. Let me know if I can help.” Lisa hesitated to go. “Sure I can’t change your mind about supper?”
“No, thanks. I’d rather be miserable and sulk. I’ll feel better tomorrow. One thing, though.” Lisa waited while Dana stood. “A doggie bag would be appreciated,” she joked.
Payne, Lillith - His Unconventional Woman (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 10
