The Secrets of Paradise Bay (15 page)

Maybe I should be happy that I can't speak to my wife only to be given an earful. But I'm not
.

He missed being with her, even if she was not all that thrilled these days for the most part to be with him. As she hadn't left him, Trey considered that a good thing. He would try his damnedest and do more to make their relationship work when he got back.

He tried Clyde, figuring he was probably raiding the fridge at about this time, or catching up on some of the TV programs he'd missed over the last nine years.

Clyde also wasn't answering, leaving it to his voice mail.

“It's just me,” Trey spoke into the phone disappointedly. “Tried Ivana but . . . you know my wife—well, maybe not in so many words—still trying to get on her good side to stay. Guess that's harder when I'm a few hundred miles away. Keep an eye out on her for me, will you? See you tomorrow.”

Trey held the phone for a moment, staring out the window at the glittering lights of the city that never slept. When all else failed, he knew there was someone he could always talk to when feeling the need. And he was ever thankful for that, given the situation of having no one else available.

Should he or shouldn't he? Was it a good idea to ring Helene as a wife substitute and friend when Ivana wasn't interested in speaking to him? Or was he supposed to forever suffer from his wife's detachment and seeming indifference?

Trey punched the redial and sucked in a deep breath. He thought about hanging up again, not wanting to intrude on Helene's life that, for the most part, seemed happy. Or was he simply reading into it what he wanted to?

The phone was answered. “Trey . . .”

“Hey, Helene. Was wondering if you had time to talk?”

“I can make time,” she said, “for a friend. . . .”

Trey smiled, appreciating the invaluable gift of camaraderie.

Clyde carried Ivana up the stairs, their mouths never parting. Bypassing her room, he went to his, setting her on the bed.

“Take your clothes off,” she demanded breathlessly.

“Not yet,” he said, unable to wait a moment longer to enjoy the wares of a woman.
This woman
.

Ravenously, Clyde parted the silk of Ivana's chemise covering her crotch. Without preamble he spread her legs and put his mouth between. His tongue whipped at her clitoris, and Clyde drank in Ivana's intoxicating scent. Creamy wetness quickly covered his mouth. He had forgotten the thrill in tasting a woman's sex and having her want him to just as badly.

Ivana moaned and shuddered violently in having her orgasm. Clyde felt her holding his head in place between her thighs as he continued to orally gratify. It turned him on to no end, and he couldn't wait to make love to her.

She raised his head up. “It's my turn to give you something special,” she murmured.

Clyde had no problem with that, needing the release before they got down to the real business. He allowed her to take control, laying him on his back before unzipping pants and pulling out his erection. She took him full into her mouth, bathing in her warm saliva. It felt so damned good that he was almost frozen with anticipation. She had brought to life his pent-up yearnings, and he was ready to experience the payoff.

But just before reaching the point of no return, Clyde decided he didn't want that first time climaxing since becoming a free man to be in her mouth. He lifted Ivana up and into the air, bringing her gently down onto his erection.

“Make love to me,” he ordered, loving the tight, tingly feel of her around him.

Ivana gasped with desire. “Yes, I will.”

She galloped wildly atop him, seemingly adjusting to his size with no problem. Ripping his shirt off, she dug long fingernails into his chest, causing him to wince, but otherwise turning him on like the lady herself. He brought her face down to his and kissed every part of it, ending with Ivana's luscious lips, which eagerly attacked his. Feeling his orgasm approaching, Clyde turned them over and pounded into her with elemental need.

Ivana wrapped her legs up high across his back and bit into Clyde's shoulder. He groaned in pain and passion as the orgasm came with a shudder. Ivana cried out loudly and Clyde felt her contractions around his penis as she climaxed a second time.

The intensity of their perspiring bodies entangled in sex waned after a final burst of deep breaths, and Clyde rolled off Ivana. Immediately, he regretted what had happened, in spite of feeling a sense of carnal satisfaction he hadn't in years. Though the sexual magnetism between them was undeniable, she was his brother's wife. He and Trey still had their issues, but it was never supposed to come to this as some sort of oneupmanship or conquest over something that was Trey's.

“I think this was a mistake,” Clyde muttered, still tasting Ivana on his lips.

Ivana lay her head back on the pillow. “Maybe you should have thought about that before now.”

“Yeah, maybe I should have.” He lowered his eyes upon her. “Look, it's not you, Ivana. You were great—”

“We were both a little tipsy, and things just happened,” she said, her legs still splayed invitingly. “Don't beat yourself up about it.”

“I'm not,” he insisted.
I betrayed Trey and there's no getting around it
.
We both did
. “But it can't happen again.”

Ivana sat up. “Do you want me to go?”

Clyde eyed her naked body, feeling a fresh surge of arousal. Part of him wanted nothing more than to make love to her again and again after that. The other part knew it couldn't happen. It would only aggravate an already regrettable situation.

“Maybe you should, for both our sakes.”

“Fine,” she hissed, sliding out of Clyde's powerful arms and off the bed in one motion.

“Wait,” Clyde stopped her with the deep sound of his voice. He got up and approached without touching. “We can't ever tell Trey what happened tonight.”

Ivana's eyes flickered. “Do you think I would?”

Maybe if you wanted to stick it in his face and make him hurt the way he hurt you
. “No, I don't,” he told her. “Just want to make sure we're on the same page with this. No one needs to get hurt by this—especially Trey.”

“Since when have you given a damn about Trey's feelings?” Ivana's voice thickened. “Was it before or after you screwed his wife?”

Clyde wrestled with that thought, blaming himself for being put in an unenviable position. “Guess I deserved that,” he said in a low tone. “I've always cared about my brother, believe it or not. This was never about him.”

“Uh, excuse me, but I think we both know it was
only
about Trey to one degree or another.” Ivana covered her breasts. “He's caused us both pain and we've had to deal with it in our own ways. Maybe this was the inevitable result.”

Clyde could not dismiss that assumption altogether. He had always been in Trey's shadow, even going to prison for him. Even now, he still saw himself as trying to pull even with his brother, while knowing they remained miles apart on so many levels. Could it be that sleeping with Trey's wife had been a way to beat Trey at his own game, by doing something highly personal that he apparently wasn't able to accomplish himself much of late?

It made Clyde feel no better about what happened. “Trying to psychoanalyze it makes no difference now. It's over and done with. Let's just leave it at that.”

“Whatever you say.” Ivana sneered at him. “I'm sure when Trey gets back we can all just go about our lives pretending everything is normal, but knowing otherwise.”

Clyde gazed at her nice ass through the chemise as she left the room. He wasn't sure what normal was. Or if his life would ever be normal. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. Not when temptation was staring him in the face, making him do something he hadn't fought hard enough to reject. He wasn't sure what would happen next. Only what wouldn't. He would make sure of that.

 

 

Ivana stepped out in the hall, fuming. Clyde had taken her to bed, and now he wanted to push her out of it and his life, as if nothing had happened. To hell with him. In spite of feeling this way, she half expected that he might come after her and at least offer comfort in his powerful arms, if not much more. But it wasn't the case. Like Trey, he had apparently become set on his position and nothing she could do would change it.

At this point, Ivana doubted she wanted to change anything. She certainly had no interest in leaving Trey to become involved with Clyde in a serious relationship. And go where?

Do what? He struck her as a man who wouldn't know what to do with a real woman outside the bedroom when push came to shove.

But it was in the bedroom—his bed—where Ivana felt confused. Was it unbridled lust that drew her into sleeping with Trey's brother, leaving her wanting more? Genuine feelings for Clyde? Or just a way to make Trey pay for what he'd done to her?

In her own room, Ivana somehow felt even lonelier. Would that change when Trey returned? Or put an even greater divide between them, now that his brother had taken her to new sexual heights and left his mark on her, whether she liked it or not?

She shed a few tears, though not sure for whom—her, Trey, or Clyde.

 

 

Willie parked his car outside the gated entry to the property owned by Trey Lancaster. He had followed Clyde there from the tavern, keeping a safe distance. He wasn't prepared to mix it up again with Clyde. Not just yet.

Willie took a swig of the bottled beer in his hand. He was high on meth, and the beer added to it. He had once wanted to rob Trey Lancaster of many of his valuable possessions, but Clyde had interfered, forcing Willie to abort the plan. Maybe he could still go after the man. Surely Trey had accumulated even more valuable things after all these years. Things that Willie believed could support the lifestyle he'd long envisioned for himself.

He contemplated having a closer look at the house without being seen.
Maybe I can climb the fence and sneak a peek. If there are guard dogs, I'll get my ass out of there in a hurry.

Willie drank more beer before getting out of the car. He went around to the side of fence, awash in shadows, and managed to climb over. The grass was damp, causing his shoes to make a sloshing sound with each step. He moved more slowly to lessen the noise announcing his presence. No sign of dogs. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Passing through some tall rosebushes, Willie got near the house. An impressive house it was, at that. He imagined replacing his digs for a place like this. Maybe some day. There was a light on in an upstairs bedroom. With his one good eye, Willie spied through open blinds an attractive, scantily-clad woman standing near the window. He suspected it was the wife of Clyde's millionaire brother. He'd heard that she was a former model and could envision that. She seemed to be looking out. At him.

Instinctively, he ducked behind some shrubs, fearful he'd been spotted. Soon, it became clear that the lady was not aware of his presence, seemingly caught in a trance while holding a drink.

The mere thought gnawed at Willie's libido. He regained control of his mind, realizing that to get to her, he'd likely have to go through the Lancaster brothers. Or at least one of them.

Another time.

He heard a sound, and realized that the front door was opening. Panicking, Willie decided he'd better get the hell out of there before getting caught. The last thing he wanted was to come face-to-face with his arch-nemesis right now. Or be arrested for trespassing and maybe be connected to the vandalism at the car dealership.

Willie hustled out the way he came, nearly tripping, before reaching the fence and climbing back over. Sure he was being followed, he got in his car and sped off without looking back.

Next time he came there, Willie fully intended to take what he wanted. And that included the fine-looking woman he'd laid eyes on.

Clyde stepped outside, thinking he heard something. He had been unable to go to sleep, and came downstairs for some water. He followed what sounded like hurried steps toward the front gate, then heard a car drive off before seeing who was driving it.

Had an intruder been on the property? Or was he imagining the whole thing—including what seemed like shoe impressions in the wet grass—simply as a way to take his mind off what happened between him and Ivana tonight?

On the way back to the house, Clyde spotted what looked like a raccoon racing across the wet grass.
Maybe that was my intruder?
he thought.

Or maybe not. He would speak to Trey about improving his security around the perimeter of the property.

When Clyde reached the house, he saw Ivana's light turn off. It made him think of the time they spent in his bed. Mistake or not, it was something that he would carry with him for the rest of his life, as Clyde knew she would.

It was still a stupid thing to let happen—to lose control as he had. He only wondered what the consequences would be for all parties concerned. He hoped to hell he never had to find out.

Trey's plane arrived two hours late. He collected his car from the short-term parking and headed home, ringing Ivana during the drive. The fact that she answered caught him by surprise, considering yesterday.

“Why didn't you pick up?” he asked gently. “I must have called half a dozen times.”

“I'm sorry, Trey,” she said levelly. “I wasn't really in the mood to talk.”

Are you ever?
“The trip went well, thank you.”

“Let's not fight, Trey.”

“Who's fighting?” And who usually seemed to almost look forward to it?

“I'm going to take a bath. I'll see you when you get home.”

Don't sound so enthusiastic
. “Yeah, all right.”

Trey decided maybe it was time he stopped feeling sorry for himself and do something about it. He made a detour to a florist and bought a dozen long-stemmed red and yellow roses.
Hope she likes them. It's a start anyway
.

When he got home, Trey spotted Clyde's car in the driveway. It looked like it had been freshly washed, cleaning away whatever the rain left and would likely leave again, if the forecast was accurate. It pleased Trey to know that his kid brother took care of what had to be his prized possession at the moment. He was happy to give him ownership of it, and hoped it was just a stepping stone for Clyde to bigger and better things.

“You must be hungry,” Francine told him the moment Trey walked into the kitchen.

He had eaten something on the plane, but responded, “Always.”

She smiled. “Good, then I'll whip you up a real treat.”

“Sounds great.”

Trey left her in search of his wife and brother. Instead he found Emily, busy tidying as usual.

“How was your trip?” she asked, noting the flowers.

“Eventful.” He studied her. “Everything okay around here?”

Emily grinned. “It is now.”

Trey blushed, wishing everyone in the household felt the same. “I think you've earned a little something extra in your paycheck.”

“You don't have to do that.”

“I want to. After all, it's only money and I've got plenty to go around.” He didn't bother asking her where Ivana was, assuming she was still taking a long bath, whereas Clyde could be anywhere in the spacious house.

Upstairs, Trey found Ivana in her huge bathroom, in the Jacuzzi. She was surrounded by bubbles and looking sexy as hell.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

“These are for you.” Trey held out the roses, knowing she wasn't exactly in a position to do anything with them.

Ivana reacted. “Thank you. They're lovely.”

“Not half as lovely as you,” he expressed sincerely. In fact, she seemed to have an added glow about her this morning.

She put a smile on her face. “That's sweet, but I'm not sure I deserve those.”

“I'm sure you do. And a hell of a lot more from your husband.”

“Oh, Trey, don't—”

His eyes grew with befuddlement. “Don't what? Don't tell my wife how I really feel? Or don't feel that way because you don't?”

Ivana ran a soapy hand across one breast. “I didn't mean that . . . any of it.”

“So what did you mean?” Maybe he should just leave it alone. But he couldn't. If they were at a standstill in this relationship, might as well get it out in the open.

Ivana cast her eyes upon his warily. “I only meant that it may take a lot more from both of us to get back to where we were,” she said. “But I'm willing to try . . .”

Trey took that as meaning she was at least willing to shoulder some responsibility for where things stood between them.“I'm happy to hear that.”

“I know you are.”

“Why don't I go put these in a vase?”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

She smiled, and he returned it, believing that maybe they were starting to work their way back, slowly but surely, giving him hope for the future.

“You're back,” commented Clyde without looking as Trey walked into his room. He'd already heard Trey talking with Ivana, and Ivana trying to dodge her husband and his romantic overtures.

“Yeah, with another trip to put behind me,” Trey said. “Wish you could've been there. We could have played the slot machines.”

“Not much of a gambler,” Clyde said, wishing he were anywhere but there at the moment.

“Neither am I, unless it's a sure bet.”

What was these days? Clyde mused. Maybe stupidity, for some people.

Trey spotted the duffel bag on the floor half stuffed with clothes. He looked up at Clyde. “What's this?”

“I'm moving out,” Clyde said tonelessly, and resumed his packing, avoiding meeting Trey's gaze.

“Moving out? Where?”

“I don't know. I'll find something.”

“But why?” Trey probed.

“Why not?”

“You have a home here.”

Clyde faced him. “No, I don't. This is your home. It's time I found one of my own.”

Trey frowned thoughtfully. “What's going on, Clyde?”

I slept with your wife and can't stay here feeling guilty as hell about it and not knowing who to blame or how to face you.
“Nothing's going on,” he tried to assert. “It's just time for me to go.”

“But why so suddenly?” Trey peered at him. “Did something happen yesterday while I was gone?”

Clyde stiffened and contemplated coming clean, but couldn't do it, even if a side of him wanted Trey to experience just a little of what it felt like to come in second. This time with his own wife.

“No, nothing happened,” he said with a straight face. “I did some soul-searching and came to this decision.”

Trey scratched his cheek. “I don't suppose I could talk you out of it?”

“Don't waste your breath.” Clyde grabbed more clothes to stuff in the bag.

“Did you talk to Ivana about it?” Trey persisted. “If not, maybe she can—”

“There's nothing she can say to make me change my mind,” Clyde said snappily. Or do, for that matter. The more distance he put between them, the better for everyone.

Trey sighed. “Well, if you need anything. . . .”

“I'll let you know.” Clyde zipped the bag and flung the strap over his broad shoulder. Now for another dagger to throw at his brother. He turned to Trey. “By the way, I also quit my job.”

Trey's eyes bulged. “You what?”

This was harder than Clyde intended, but it needed to be said. “I'm through with the car-sales business. I tried, but it's not for me.”

Trey's jaw clenched. “I won't try again to talk you into staying. It's your decision. If you should change your mind, there will always be an opening for you . . . and a place to stay.”

“Yeah, I appreciate that.” Clyde nearly backed down then and there to say he would at least stay on the job 'til something better came along. But what would that accomplish, other than to delay the inevitable? “I won't be coming back. It's time I found my own way and place in the free world.”

“How are you for money?”

Nearly broke,
Clyde thought,
if the truth be told.
But he didn't want his brother's charity to bail him out. Or the guilt of taking more from Trey than he already had—including his wife, albeit for one night.

“I'll survive,” he said, leaving it at that.

“You sure about that?” Trey gave him a doubtful look.

Clyde's brow furrowed in response to what he perceived as Trey staring down at him as the rich brother. “Yeah, I'm sure. Say good-bye to Ivana for me.”

Trey did not respond as Clyde walked by him, resisting the urge to look back.

Trey had known this day would come sooner or later. He just hadn't expected it to be today. It pained him to see Clyde turning his back on not only free room and board, but a great job with benefits he wouldn't find anywhere else. But what could Trey do if Clyde had made up his mind? He couldn't force him to stay. Or find words that hadn't already been said.

Still wondering if there was anything he could have done differently in appealing to Clyde, Trey found Ivana poolside, working on her tan and a martini.

“Clyde's moved out,” he informed her.

Ivana looked surprised, but seemed to recover. “I guess he got tired of living under his big brother's roof.”

“Did something happen yesterday that made him want to leave?” Trey regarded her with an accusing eye. He couldn't help but think that Clyde's rather abrupt departure had to have been triggered by more than just a need to strike out on his own.

“Such as?” Ivana questioned him uneasily.

“You tell me? Maybe you bitched at him one time too many and he'd had about all he could take.”

“So now you're blaming me for your brother deciding it was time to get on with his life without you looking over his shoulder?” Ivana huffed. “Maybe you need to look in the mirror before suggesting I had anything to do with Clyde leaving.”

Trey honestly didn't know what to believe. He had overreacted in pointing the finger at Ivana and regretted it. She and Clyde had actually gotten along well lately, and he saw no reason to believe Ivana had anything to do with his brother's abrupt departure. Trey blamed himself as much as anyone for Clyde deciding he wanted to get away from his world.

“Anyway, it's over and done with,” Trey said glumly.

“Clyde's not dead, for heaven's sake!” Ivana voiced evenly. “He's entitled to make his own choices on where to live.”

“And I guess work.” Trey sighed. “Clyde also turned in his resignation from the dealership.”

Ivana sipped her drink coolly, but he could tell she was shocked. “Maybe he has something else lined up,” she tossed out.

“Yeah, right—like collecting unemployment.” Trey's jaw jutted. “I really don't know how the hell he's going to survive since his stubborn pride won't let me help him.”

“As I've understood it, Clyde survived whatever way he could for much of his adult life without your help.”

“And look where it got him.” Trey thought about Clyde's prison stint. Might he be headed down that road again? And what, if anything, could Trey do about it at this point?

“Your brother served his time,” Ivana pointed out. “Don't continue to use that against him. Maybe you should just leave Clyde alone for a while.”

“You're right,” Trey said resignedly. “He wants his space, he's got it.”
I have to spend more time working on my own life instead of my brother's. Starting with saving my marriage
. “Maybe we can go out to dinner tonight, just the two of us. What do you think?”

He expected her to come up with any excuse as to why they couldn't, bracing himself.

“I'd like that.” She looked up at him warmly.

“How does seven sound?” Trey asked.

“Seven works for me,” she said sweetly.

“Good.”

Feeling encouraged, he bent down and gave her a kiss on the lips and had it returned. Suddenly Trey began to view Clyde's leaving as not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps having the house all to themselves again was just what they needed to put things back on track.
I'll do what I have to in proving my love for her. I couldn't stand the thought of losing Ivana to another man.

Trey didn't delude himself into thinking for one moment that Ivana was not still a great catch for any man out there. Quite the contrary, she was the very best. Even if he sometimes took her for granted and had done something stupid, his heart was still in the right place.

He hoped the same could be said for Ivana's at the end of the day.