Devious Little Lies (10 page)

Chapter Fifteen

“How long have you been watching me?”

“Long enough to know you’re upset,” he said.

He was in the shallow end of the pool with the water barely up to his waist, staring at her as if she was the only thing in his universe.

“I’m fine,” she lied.

“No you’re not. I heard you inside.”

He made a move towards her and she put up her hand to stop him from advancing. “You were spying on me?”

He stopped and crossed his arms. An annoyed look marred his face. “I didn’t have to. I’m surprised the whole block didn’t hear you screaming.”

“I wasn’t…” she started to say, but quickly closed her mouth. What was the point in telling another lie? She treaded to the middle of the pool as her tears came again. Rena didn’t fight them because right now she could care less if the whole world saw her crying. She was past being able to hold in her pain. Closing her eyes she turned away and cried. A few moments later, strong arms were holding her and she was pressed against his chest.

“It’s okay, Rena. You’re not alone.”

Wrapping her arms around Shane she cried harder, pressing her face into the curve of his neck. His hands caressed her back slowly. It felt wonderful to have someone hold her and care about her pain. She stopped crying long enough to look at him. He brushed a lock of hair from her face.

“Why do you care so much?”

Shane’s hand cupped her cheek. “We’re friends.”

“We barely know each other.”

“We know each other enough. Now, tell me what’s got you so upset?”

His eyes implored her to confide in him and she wanted to. Sometimes it was so hard to hold onto everything.

“Come on. You can tell me anything,” he coaxed.

A small smile touched Shane’s lips as his hands stopped caressing her back. Instead they hovered just above her ass, in territory neither safe nor appropriate. Suddenly she was hyperaware of exactly how close they were and how right it felt to be in his arms.

“My husband…I’m not sure if we should stay married any longer.”

His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Forget it. I shouldn’t be talking to you about this.”

She tried to disengage from the circle of his arms, but he stopped her.

“I told you when we first met that your husband didn’t deserve you. What did it take for you to finally realize that?”

The bluntness of his statement jolted her, but he was right. So right.

“I think I’ve realized that over the past few years.”

“Then why do you stay with him?”

“It’s complicated,” she hedged.

“Is it really?”

His hands slid lower until he was cupping her ass. She should tell him to stop and then slap the holy hell out of him for daring to get fresh with her, but she didn’t. Tonight she just didn’t care.

“Yes. A part of me still loves him, but a bigger part hates him so much.”

“Where is your husband, Rena? Is he always away on business?” Shane asked.

She laughed, a harsh bitter sound to even her own ears. “Business? That’s what got him in trouble in the first place. My husband is in a federal penitentiary serving fifteen years.”

“Wow. That’s a lot. How long has he been in?”

“Five years.”

“Rena…” his voice trailed off.

“I know, it’s a long time.”

“Too long. How long were you married before he went in?”

“Five years.”

“And were they happy?” he probed.

“The first three were.”

Shane shook his head. “That’s not good enough. What happened?”

“He wanted children, a son specifically, and I couldn’t give him one. One that lived anyway.”

Shane’s eyes were soft as he pulled her even closer. Her breasts were crushed against his chest and she tried to ignore how her nipples hardened.

“You miscarried?” he asked, his tone soft.

“Three miscarriages after our stillborn son, Reno. That’s why you heard me laying into Tony. Yesterday would’ve been our son’s ninth birthday and my bastard husband didn’t even bother to call. He wants to pretend like our baby never even existed.”

She swallowed back tears as his lips pressed to her forehead. Rena couldn’t remember a time she’d ever felt anything so sweet.

Tony Rosetti was a real bastard and a federal penitentiary was too good for him. What kind of man punished his wife for her inability to have a child? Shane knew the answer to that question. A man that was the scum of the earth. Rena needed to unyoke herself from her husband before it was too late.

He kissed her forehead from left to right. A soft sigh escaped her mouth as his kisses moved lower to the bridge of her nose and then the soft tip. He eased back to look at Rena. Her eyes were dark and there was a pronounced flush on her cheeks. Against his chest he could feel the increase in her breathing and the hard pebbles of her nipples. She was aroused, heartbroken, and vulnerable and Shane couldn’t remember a time he’d ever wanted a woman more.

Her tongue swiped across her bottom lip and he couldn’t take it any longer. His lips crashed down on hers and nothing else in his world mattered. Mouth opening, his tongue dove inside to taste her sweetness. Rena’s tongue met his and he sucked on it softly. He grew hard as she moaned against his mouth. If he couldn’t have her he was likely to combust.
Lord help me.

Rena’s body burned like a flame as Shane kissed her. His lips were firm and hot against hers, desperate for her kiss. As their tongues dueled, she could feel how hard he was for her. His kiss was all consuming and she reveled in it. He kissed her like a man who knew exactly what he wanted and that was her. Only her.

She gripped his shoulders, holding him tighter and kissing him harder. He lifted her against his rampant desire and they rubbed slowly against one another. Deliciously slow. His hands were gripping her ass tight enough to leave a mark, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care about anything except the way he was making her feel.

Shane’s lips left hers and trailed down her neck. The feel of his tongue made her moan and as his mouth went lower and lower, her heart squeezed tight in anticipation. Her chest heaved and then his lips were there kissing across the top of her breasts. With a deft hand he freed her right breast and began to suckle at the same time his other hand slid inside her bikini bottoms to toy with her clit.

“Shane…mmmm.”

His tongue laved around her nipple before he suckled her hard again. Rena couldn’t help herself as she pressed closer to the hand that was rubbing her clit with vigor. She could feel the pressure building at the base of her spine as the tiny flicks of pleasure started to get more intense. When the orgasm ripped through her body, Rena held onto Shane as the only stable thing in her universe. She convulsed as the pleasure spasms rocked her body to the core.
Dear God. What have I done?
Pushing Shane away, Rena made a mad dash for the other side of the pool.

It happened so fast. One minute he was in an amorous embrace with a willing, sensual woman and the next she was moving away from him as fast as she could.

“Rena, wait.”

She ignored him and he went after her, but she had already retied her bikini top and hoisted herself out of the pool. A look of panic crossed her face.

“Stay back.”

“Let’s talk about this.”

She waved her hands in a haphazard manner. “Are you crazy? There’s nothing to talk about. You’re my daughter’s boyfriend and we shouldn’t even be near each other, much less us kissing and me letting you feel me up. It was wrong. It was a mistake.”

“Was it?” he challenged her.

“Of course it was. I’m not some desperate cougar that goes after her daughter’s boyfriend.”

“The circumstances may not be the best, but what happened between us was no mistake, Rena. It’s been building since the moment we laid eyes on each other. There’s no denying that.”

“Do you know how crazy you sound right now?”

“Denial is not a good look for you. Besides, I’m pretty sure no other man has made you orgasm as quickly and as hot as I did.”

She gasped and Shane was pretty sure that if he were close enough to touch, her pulse would be racing beneath her skin.

“You think I didn’t feel it? I know you, Rena.”

She frowned and as she stood in her wet bikini, he could see the outline of her breasts. He was still hard for her. There was nothing he wouldn’t give to bury himself in her softness. His face between her breasts while his cock pounded deep inside her.

“You don’t know a damn thing about me. I had a weak moment and like any other man you were there to take advantage.”

“Stop lying to yourself. I know you’re a passionate, vibrant, drop dead gorgeous, woman who has allowed herself to be trapped for too long in a marriage with a man not worthy enough to kiss the bottom of your shoe.”

“Even if what you said is true, it doesn’t change one very important thing, you belong to Tricia and not to me, Shane. Let this go. Forget about what happened tonight. Forget about me,” she pleaded.

Her lips trembled and he knew she was near tears again. He wanted to say whatever it took to put her mind at ease and give her a measure of peace, but he couldn’t do what she wanted.

“I can’t do that, Rena. I don’t know how.”

“What about Tricia? She cares about you so much. You’re the first guy she’s ever brought home.”

He hit the water with his fist. “I know that. Believe me I know. I’m not trying to hurt her. I’m not trying to cause problems but I can’t ignore what I feel for you.”

She shook her head. “It’s lust. I feel it too. There, you happy? I’m a lonely, desperate housewife deprived of sex, who lost what was left of her mind because a much younger man paid her a little attention.”

Shane was done. A few strokes took him to the concrete where he pulled himself over the side. Rena backed away from him, eyes wide, body trembling. He grabbed her by her shoulders.

“Don’t cheapen this. There’s nothing desperate about you. Why can’t you admit there’s something strong between us?”

“Because it’s wrong. Please don’t hurt my daughter. She doesn’t deserve it.”

“I would never do anything to deliberately hurt her.”

“You did when you kissed me. Do you know what would’ve happened if she’d seen us?”

Her eyes darted back and forth in a frantic motion.

“Nothing wakes her. You and I both know that.”

“That doesn’t matter, Shane. Please, if you care about me and I think you do, then stay away from me. Focus on building something real with Tricia or let her go so she can find happiness with someone else. But either way, what happened tonight will never, ever happen again.”

“What I feel for you isn’t going away, Rena.”

“It will. You’re young. Crushes and MILFs come and go and I can assure you that one day when you look back over this night, you’ll see I was right.”

His right hand caressed her face. “No. One day you’ll see I was right, but I hope for your sake it’s not too late.”

He kissed her hard and then walked away. He had to get himself under control because the way he felt right now, there was no telling what he might do. And with everything that was sure to come, Shane knew he could ruin everything and send all their worlds crashing down around them.

Chapter Sixteen

Rena dreamed of him all night long. Of his lips on hers, suckling her breasts and between her thighs. When she finally woke, her body was slick with desire and her clit throbbed. She wanted him in the worst way and she had no idea how to wrap her mind around it. Lying in bed, Rena was uncomfortable. Though she’d gotten used to the lack of sex in her life with Tony’s incarceration, she’d also never been as worked up as she was now. She was a raging hormonal mess and she didn’t like it.

Rena groaned in frustration as the pressure between her legs increased. Rolling over onto her stomach, she tried to ignore the ache her body was reminding her of. The sheets rubbed enticingly across her naked body and her nipples turned to hardened peaks. She silently cursed as her hand moved inadvertently to fondle her heavy breasts. She tried to still the urge. She was so past the age of masturbating alone in bed. Closing her eyes she hoped for the rapid beating of her heart to slow so she could get control of herself.

Hazel eyes smiled at her as lips parted and searched for hers. Her eyes opened and she grunted into her pillow. It was inevitable now. One hand reached for her breasts and the other moved to caress her clit. In tandem she rubbed and teased the most sensitive parts of her body. Mouth parting, a small sigh escaped as the slow sweet pleasure she was inflicting on herself started to build. Closing her thighs against her hand increased the pressure.

She couldn’t help forcing the bundle of nerves tighter against her hand. She was panting now, desperate for the release her body had forced her to seek. Twisting her nipple hard between her fingers, Rena was nearly beside herself as she fell off the edge. Biting her lip, she held herself from crying out. Her body trembled and the pleasure left her suddenly breathless. Orgasm over, she lay spent until her pussy stopped throbbing. Then she threw off the covers and headed for the shower.

Turning on the hot water, she stood underneath the triple heads and waited for the water to soothe her. It didn’t. Instead she was in even more turmoil than ever. She’d just gotten herself off thinking about her daughter’s boyfriend. If you looked up the word “sinner” in the dictionary, you would probably see her face. It seemed that as a non-practicing Catholic she’d committed all kinds of sins ever since Tricia decided to bring her man home.

Her man.

It seemed weird to think about Shane in that manner with her daughter. They seemed more like comfortable friends than a real couple.
Do they or are you just trying to justify what you did?
The sad thing was she didn’t know and that scared her. She’d never been the type of woman who intentionally went after another woman’s man, but as the water continued to pound her body she couldn’t help but let her mind rove to the forbidden. What would it be like to take Shane to her bed?

Rena hit her fist against the shower wall. She couldn’t believe she dared to let her mind wander. What kind of mother was she? Maybe she needed to see a shrink, but then again with no father, a mysterious mother, dead-beat baby’s father, and criminal cheating-ass husband, Rena was pretty sure she was already too screwed up to fix.

“Mom, are you in there?”

Rena’s head turned as she heard her daughter’s voice. Turning off the shower she yelled through the bathroom door.

“Yeah, baby. Give me a minute.”

Quickly toweling herself dry, she threw on a silk robe. Releasing a breath to calm her guilty nerves, she opened the door to see Tricia holding up a pair of black diamond chandelier earrings to her ears.

“Those look good on you.”

She smiled and put them down. “That may be, but I have nowhere to wear them.”

“Date night.”

“Mom, those are way too fancy for a night out. That’s the kind of jewelry you wear to a ball or a wedding or something.”

Rena rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You know you’re welcome to them if you want them.”

“Thanks but no thanks. Now I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Shane and I are about to leave.”

Rena’s heart raced to her throat and she swallowed trying her best to appear calm.

“Why? Did something happen?”

Tricia laughed. “Yeah, I have to study and Shane forgot that he has to finish the figures for a new project at his accounting firm.”

Rena’s heart slowed. “Oh. The busy life of young professionals.”

“I’m not a professional yet, just trying to get there.”

“You will. You can do anything you put your mind to. Don’t forget that.”

“As if, Mom.”

“Where’s Shane?” Rena asked, hoping her interest was nonchalant.

“Putting our bags in the car. He’s waiting outside now.”

“You guys aren’t wasting any time. And here I was going to make breakfast and treat you guys to a day out on the town.”

Tricia hugged her. “I’m sorry. I promise as soon as I’m finished with my R.N. we’re going to have more time to spend together.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

Hugging Tricia back, Rena was ashamed of the sense of relief that she would not have to face Shane much longer. After last night and what had just happened she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to keep her composure. For now she’d won a temporary reprieve and she was immensely grateful for it.

Pulling back Tricia said, “Well, I guess I’d better go.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

Tricia smiled as they left Rena’s bedroom and went downstairs. The brightness of the sun shone through the white curtains in the foyer. When Rena opened the door she was nearly blinded by the light. Once her eyes adjusted she noticed Shane leaning against the side of a black Volvo sedan, hands tucked into his jeans pockets. He wore a white Calvin Klein shirt with an American flag across the front. He looked like the boy next door and as his eyes found hers, Rena quickly looked away.

“Alright, Mom, you take care of yourself and think about what I said.”

“Are we switching roles?” she teased her daughter.

“Hardly. I just want you to be happy.”

“I might find my way there sooner than you think.”

“That’s what I want to hear. I’ll call you soon.”

She kissed her mother’s cheek and they hugged again before Tricia walked towards Shane and the waiting car. He opened the passenger side door and closed it once she was comfortably inside. Her body tensed as he looked again in her direction. He took a step towards her and she was afraid that he would come where she stood, but he didn’t. His hand closed in a fist and he said something under his breath before the full force of his gaze pierced hers once again.

“Rena…”

Goose bumps rose on her skin at the aching tone of his voice. She wanted to run inside and lock the door, but Tricia was watching so she gave him a pageant wave. A frown darkened his face and Rena was well aware that was not the farewell he’d wanted. His steps were quick as he went around to the other side of the car and climbed in.

As the car roared to life, Rena leaned against the door frame and watched as Shane turned the car in a circle. He looked straight at her as he passed where she stood. His gaze stabbed her in the chest and she was afraid of what she saw in his eyes. Suddenly she had the feeling that things were not over between them.

In the short time she’d known him, Shane struck her as a persistent man. She could only pray he didn’t use that persistence on her because she had enough to deal with. The last thing she needed was an overzealous admirer reminding her of all the things she was missing in life.