THEIR LIES, OUR LIVES Read online

  She was smooth and at another point in time her display would have been very convincing. But Luke was tired and her sugary approach was over the top. No doubt she would get pissed if he outright turned her down though. She wanted sex when she wanted sex. Before, he would have gladly taken his wife to bed for some mind-altering sex. But the past year with her hurtful remarks and mood shifts, his libido had definitely taken a toll. Luke Timmons enjoyed a good toe curling, back scratching, sheet clawing, lovemaking romp as any red-blooded male does. Now though, not so much. He wanted a hot shower and some shuteye with no expectations. If he had enough time he could shower and be asleep avoiding an argument. Giving her a little smile he placed a kiss on her forehead while gently enfolding both her hands into his. “Jenna, as tempting as your offer is I am beat. I’m off the next two days so maybe then...” That should buy him some time to ward off any argument.

  She looked up into his clear ocean blue eyes and lovingly whispered, “ I really need to be close. All night I wished you were in our bed. I dreamt of you, loving me. I can make you so happy, make you feel so good.” She moved closer imprinting her body to his, pulling her hands free to wrap around his neck and pull his face down to meet hers. She didn’t want to be denied. Too much was at stake; and she had to get him to make love to her or her plan could be ruined.

  He kissed her lightly and with a little wink said, “Let me get a shower. Give me about twenty minutes.” He’d planned to move like the wind and be asleep before she made it upstairs. Yeah she’d be pissed, but he could deal with that tomorrow.

  She smiled and winked, gave him a little push towards the living room and breathlessly vowed, “Twenty minutes.”

  Luke took the steps two at a time and was pulling his shirt up over his head as he went. He tossed his clothes in the basket inside their walk-in closet and turned on the shower. Once the water was at a temperature to his liking he stepped into the pulsing spray. He lathered his body and closed his eyes to rinse. At that moment he instantly saw Miranda “Randi” Shaw in his mind and without hesitation, he smiled. He could feel his heart grow light, and he could feel his blood rush south. His arousal was bobbing for attention. What the hell! I think of Randi Shaw and presto I’m rock solid…….

  “Baby, it’s lonely out here. Let’s limit the cleanup since you’re so tired.” Jenna stepped into the shower behind Luke. Pressing her breasts against his back, she feathered light kisses up his spine and over his shoulders. Sliding her left hand around to grip his penis and using her right hand to massage his nipples, she felt his solid arousal and was pleased, very, very pleased. This would be easier than she thought.

  Son of a bitch this could not be worse timing. Luke was having a moment of fantasy lust remembering Randi Shaw and here was his wife in living color filling in the physical. Stroking her small hand over his length, he ached for release. Gradually increasing the speed and grip with each movement and massaging his chest, Jenna rubbed her generous breasts into his back. He could not get cute, sexy, vibrant Randi Shaw out of his mind. She had captivated him, and he felt like on some level, he was meant to cross paths with her. Every thought was of Randi. Just her. Jenna must have sensed his deep thought and she coaxed him to turn towards her. Wrapping her arms around Luke’s neck impatiently signaled him to lift her up so she could slide herself onto his jutting manhood. Automatically, he did just that and she cocooned him. Images of Chad invaded her mind, and Jenna began to move faster quickly reaching a climax. Luke followed right on her heels but pulled out just as his hot release shot from his erection.

  “Son of a bitch! Why’d you do that Luke? You felt so good in me, I wanted you. ALL of you.” Jenna ripped back the shower curtain and grabbed a robe off the door hook. Fury rolled off her body.

  “We’ve been over this. You’re on the pill. I use a condom or pull out. I won’t create a child with you right now.”

  “Right now - or not ever? Which is it?” Anger was strangling her words.

  “How can I answer that? We need to work on us, this marriage first. You are all over the place emotionally. Nothing makes you happy, except...” And then he fell quiet.

  “EXCEPT WHAT!” Jenna screamed at him.

  “SEX & MONEY, Jenna, and not necessarily in that order. As long as you can be a kept woman, spend money freely and dictate when, where, and how we have sex, you’re golden. That my wife, is when you are happiest.” Luke grabbed a towel quickly dried, and walked toward the bed. He sat down on the edge and dropped his head to his chest, gently shaking his head. He was too harsh, but she pushes and pushes, pressing all his buttons to suit her. Up to this point he’d let it happen. Picturing another woman while balls deep in his wife alarmed him, and he had to stop the madness. No vacation or change of scenery was going to help their problems. He was done with the drama, the arguments, and the continual badgering for a child. Disgust and frustration rolled through him. Easing back to the bed, he quietly exhaled a cleansing breath.

  Jenna headed towards the bedroom door, grabbed one of her hair ties from the dresser and began to work her hair in a loose wet twist. She turned the knob and partially opened the door. “Would a baby be the worst thing that could happen to us?”

  “No Jenna, the worse thing is having loved and lost a baby that you never wanted in the first place.”

  “How dare you, Luke? The miscarriage was not my fault. Car accidents happen every day, you of all people should know that.”

  “Yeah….yeah I do. But let’s be honest. You never were happy about being pregnant. You didn’t want your body to change. You didn’t want to wear ugly maternity clothes. Did I miss any excuse in that little run down?” God he just wanted her to leave. Let him in peace.

  “Just one thing, that up until now I didn’t figure you needed to know, but since we’re clearing the air, here goes. We were dating, what about two months when I found out I was pregnant? When the accident happened, I was nearing the end of the sixth month. You and I had married by that point. I knew you’d do right by me, protect your wife, and your family. But here’s the rub, that baby might not have even been yours. You gave me money and my security, but you NEVER satisfied me sexually. She might have been yours, but I’m not sure. Sweet dreams baby.” The door slammed behind her.

  Luke’s mind was reeling. His life was built on lies and half-truths, and again Jenna ripped away at his heart. His wedding vows had meant something to him, and he had signed up for the long haul. But this disclosure broke him. His eyes burned from being tired and hot tears stung to break free. He had to explore his options, but he knew beyond any reasonable doubt, she had just manipulated and burned him for the last time. He rolled to his side and again silently offered a little prayer for the unborn child. His or not, there was no difference.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Storming out of Randi’s apartment building, Chad jumped into his pickup slamming the door. He immediately began to pound his hands against the steering wheel. “You fucking bitch! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT. What a cluster fuck.” He dropped his head onto his hands, which were now clenched around the steering wheel. Where did she get off talking to him like that? It would be over when HE said and not before. Suddenly there was a light tapping on his driver side window. Chad jerked his head up only to see a petite young woman with black hair and huge brown doe eyes peering at him. Her lips were extremely full bodied, and in Chad’s mind, he knew where he’d like those lips to be. He pulled the door handle and opened the door. She stepped back. “Must be my lucky day seeing you here. I didn’t know if it really was you, but man I was hoping. Are you just leaving?”

  Did he know her? Should he know her? He certainly didn’t want to act as though he had no damn clue who she was, so he turned on his best pickup smile. Visually he undressed her from top to bottom, definitely liking what he saw. She had a tiny frame and two of the best double D boobs money could buy. Flawless skin kissed by the sun and perfectly manicured hands and feet. Bright cherry red polish his favorite color. All that – tucked into tig
ht white short shorts and a body hugging black cami. Nice, damn nice. His voice was low and smooth. ”Ohhhhh sweetheart the luck is all mine. Damn girl, you’re lookin’ H-O-T. Actually, I was just gonna hit the road.” He waited, would her words jog his memory, if he knew her, and how?

  She stepped over to him, placed her left hand on his left thigh, and lightly began to rub up and down. Lifting her head to look directly into his eyes, she leisurely swept her tongue across her plump lips, and whispered, “I’m a little spoiled, I don’t like to share. Especially you,” and with that she was resting her hand on his crotch.

  Placing his hand at the nap of her small neck, he whispered. “I was raised to share with everybody. Wasn’t I nice to you? Can I make it up to you?”

  She pulled herself up into his truck cab with a little help from him straddled herself across his lap, putting them face-to-face. Pressing her lower body harder to him, she pressed her lips to melt with his and then licked him breaking the kiss. “Have you remembered me yet? I remember you and that night I had to share you with another,” and she stuck her lower lip out in a pout.

  Chad was frantically searching his memory for this one little pixie, and then he recognized her. The first night Randi was out of town he went to TOM’S for a beer. Many beers later he decided to head out, but was stopped in the parking lot by a very attractive blond. Chad liked women; all women, and he had no reservations when it came to sex. She was drunk, she wanted laid and it had to be now. So they went to her big SUV, all black with heavy tint on the windows. Before she unlocked the door she told him her friend would be joining them. Shit yeah! 3 way….go time. This pixie, resting her little round bottom on his manhood, was the “girlfriend”. Putting his hands to her face and pulling her close so he could whisper in her ear, “SWEET-heart you made me crazy that night. I’m all yours now, no sharing. How’s that sound?”

  “Perfect. My house is down the road about a mile.”

  “Then move your pretty little ass off me, and let’s go for a ride.” Chad lifted her over into the passenger seat and quickly got his truck moving. The last thing he needed was for Randi to see him with another woman. Again. He’d have some fun and then reevaluate the current mess. Let her stew awhile. No way was she serious about calling their relationship quits. He’d let her feel like she was calling the shots for now, but he’d woo her back. She wouldn’t dare take this charade too far. He wouldn’t let her.

  ~~**~~

  The rental company expected the car back today. Randi had showered and dressed after two cups of strong coffee brought her some calm. She’d been rudely awakened by Chad and then the shocking realization that Officer Timmons could very well be Chad’s neighbor and married to, Jenna. If Officer Timmons was really Jenna’s husband, she felt sorry for him. Or maybe she shouldn’t. Did he know she was screwing the neighbor? Was he OK with that? Was he clueless as to what was really going on while he was working? No, somehow she felt deep down that he was a victim same as her. Words that he’d spoken were echoing in her mind….”Life sure can test our resolve, and relationships in particular, can be a challenge.” Maybe, just maybe, he was waiting for his own door to freedom. Not that she’d ever involve herself and tell him what she suspected, but she genuinely hoped that he would see what a miserable cheat his wife is. The good guys (or girls) always seem to finish last, but last place was not where Randi intended to be. She was not a victim, but a survivor.

  Driving down Orchard Road, Randi remembered that the gas tank had to be full when the car was returned. She made a left into the convenience store lot and pulled up to an empty pump. Sliding her sunglasses up over her eyes into her curls of craziness, she heard a booming voice bellow her name.

  “RANDI! You hot mess. Did you listen to my voicemail? I figured you’d jump at that beach trip.” Wiggling his eyebrows, he added, ”After all, I’d love to make you an offer you couldn’t refuse.” My adorable, huggable, friend David Dupont. With open arms, he wrapped her into a strong bear hug, patted her back and said, “Damn girl. Linda and I have missed you. Pack your bag, run away with us.”

  She’d loved David’s happy go lucky manner and his teasing humor. He valued his friends, and he was loyal. To hurt or insult a friend of David’s was to attack him personally. David was a great listener. He never would judge you, but would hear you out. He would offer his opinion, IF, and only if, you wanted to hear it. No pretense. David was just David, and Linda rounded everything out.

  “You’re crazy. Someday I may just tell you to run away with me what’re going to do then?”

  “Hell girl, I’m gonna go but we have to bring Linda with us,” and he laughed heartily. “You alone, or is Mr. Personality along?”

  Tossing her head back and speaking to the heavens, she said, “Very much alone!” Without even looking, she knew David would be wondering if her comment meant what the words and tone implied.

  “I hope to hell what I am hearing is that you’ve seen the light. Randi, you know if Chad is the guy to make you happy, I would support that. But I don’t have to tell you that once you hooked up with him, Linda and I never saw or heard much from you. Granted, we all work and life seems to take over, but Chad …he never liked us. We knew that…so…having said that, I would bet my paycheck your answer to my voicemail is YES!

  Grinning from ear to ear, Randi shouted, “Hell yeah Woohooo. I’ll give Linda a call next week sometime.”

  “GREAT! Call her, don’t tease me.” Embracing Randi once more, David hugged her tight, lightly kissed her forehead and bounced back to his SUV.

  She was just beginning to fill the car with gas when she noticed a shiny white Ford pickup pulling in beside David. David had walked around to the driver’s side and was talking. Her gas dispensed and sale complete, Randi glanced back toward David. As she was reaching for her receipt, she momentarily froze. David was leaning on the bed of the white truck and so was Officer Timmons. Out of uniform, but there he was, leaving no doubt in Randi’s mind, who he was. David gave her a quick wave as in see ya later. Officer Timmons gave her a solid stare and a heart melting, sexy smile. OMG! He is gorgeous….he is married…his wife’s a whore…. Her left hand was operating separately, gently waving “see ya later,” and her mind was singing (rather loudly), “you can find out more about Officer Timmons…from David…LALALAALALAALA!”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Sunlight streamed into Luke’s bedroom. When he looked at his watch, he realized he‘d managed to stay in bed until late afternoon. He had experienced one of the most restless nights of his life. Sleep eluded him for hours, and he replayed Jenna’s tantrum and her precisely plunged daggers to his heart. Those words made him physically draw up in pain. “The baby might not have been yours” “You NEVER satisfied me sexually” “She might not have been yours.” “The baby ….the baby….she might not have been yours”

  Springing upright in bed, Luke twisted his body around to the edge placing his feet on the floor. I gotta get outta here. There is no way I can face her today. Not right now. He grabbed his cell phone off the nightstand and dialed. On the second ring, he heard a friendly voice.

  “You finally decide to sell me that piece of shit you call a truck?” David Dupont was always the comedian, and he was a man Luke was proud to call a friend. Foster care was all David had known as well when it came to family, but he seemed to have hit the jackpot with Linda. Married for ten years, they still act like they can’t get enough of each other. They are a partnership bound by love, abiding love, a forever kind of love and respect. Luke had wanted that, but he now knew that was never going to happen. He had hard decisions to make, and he needed to talk. David would listen, hear him out and ask him the tough questions, forcing Luke to seek his own answers.

  “Piece of shit! Not likely pal.” Smiling and walking toward the closet, Luke earnestly asked, “Do you have some time to go fishing today? Hell, if we really had any intentions of catching anything we should’ve been on the lake at five this morning ...an image of Randi flashed in h
is mind…. but do you have the time?”

  “You sound odd. Are, you OK?” Silence. “Hell yeah, meet me at the store and we’ll head out from there, how’s that sound?”

  “Great. And, thanks. I’ll see you in about fifteen minutes.” Luke disconnected the call and dropped the cell in his jean pocket. Hurriedly dressing and moving rapidly down the stairs, he headed toward the oak front door.

  Jenna was lying on the sofa, still in her robe. She never moved, but the temptation to verbally antagonize him was too much for her. “I’m not leaving you know. You are stuck with me cause you know I can ruin you. Financially busted.”

  Luke was raging on the inside, but he wouldn’t let her see it. He was composed and outwardly relaxed. His hand resting on the cool metal of the doorknob, he stood perfectly still, never turning to look at her. “Glad to know you have it all figured out. You’ve had months, hell years, to fine tune your strategy,” and with a head turn to the right he peered directly into her cold eyes. His voice was hard, and unyielding. “Try to ruin me. I couldn’t give a damn. But just remember that you chose the game, and now that I know there is a game, I understand the rules.” He opened the door and walked out into a humid July afternoon. He heard her scream, “I HATE YOU, YOU SORRY EXCUSE FOR A MAN…I HATE YOU.”

  At the store, Luke pulled in beside David’s SUV, and David came to Luke’s driver side window. Luke opened up his door and jumped to the pavement. “Hey, I just need to run in and grab some water, then I’m good to go.” David had walked along the driver’s side truck bed and was staring over at the pumps.

  Luke stepped up beside him and said, “Don’t scratch up this magnificent paint job. Hey, did you hear me?” David was focused on someone or something. “What’s so interesting over there? I’m off duty you know, and I don’t want to have to kick anyone’s ass because you’re making eyes at their wife.” Ouch…that comment hit home today!