The Art of Hiding

by Kathleen Grace

  He tapped a finger to his temple. “No, you just think I’m dumber than I am.”

  “Jerry, I don’t think you’re dumb. What in the world do you mean?” She stirred uneasily in her chair.

  He smiled suddenly, his white teeth brilliant in his tanned face. “Hey this is getting pretty heavy.” He held up his hands. “I’m pretty intuitive. I know you’re hiding a secret, but I respect your right to keep it, man.”

  “Well, thank you.” She hoped her smile was noncommittal. Her thick hair hung in long graceful curves over her shoulders. Her dark lashes hid her eyes. She was conscious of Jerry scrutinizing her.

  “I really like you Kelly. I want to get to know you better, but… I don’t think you’re available.” He sounded disappointed.

  “I’m sorry Jerry. I was going to talk to you today. I was going to be sure I didn’t mislead you.” She laughed dryly. “But with your radar, I didn’t have the chance.”

  He shook his head regretfully. “Oh well… do you mind if I give Gayle a call?”

  Kelly tossed her head back and laughed. “Don’t be too heartbroken… you’ll get over it in time.” Actually he did seem like someone Gayle would have a good time with. “Of course I don’t mind, I think that would be great. It would lessen my guilt factor too.” She grinned.

  “No guilt man, no guilt allowed.”

  Jerry took her home and walked her to her door. She felt her heart pounding as she saw Peter’s car in the drive. Jerry put his hands on her shoulder and his mouth swooped down to capture hers. She was so surprised, she stood as still as a ghost. She didn’t respond, but she didn’t pull away. There were no bells ringing or birds singing. It was like kissing a distant cousin. She took a step back and smiled.

  “What was that about?”

  “I had to try man, it might have worked.” His smile was mischievous.

  He sprung down from the steps and walked over to his truck. Waving cheerfully, he tore off down the road.

  She walked into the house, to find Peter sitting at the kitchen table. His expression filled with annoyance. “Is he picking up where I left off?”

  She hesitated, torn by conflicting emotions. Was he jealous or was he just being territorial? Part of her was glad he had seen Jerry kissing her. Her pride was still smarting from the previous night’s rejection.

  “Well he certainly seems willing to take over.” Her voice was purposefully cool.

  Red spears appeared in his cheeks, and his jaw clenched tight. “He looks vaguely familiar. Wasn’t he that guy from the beach party?” His tone was derisive.

  She dropped her purse on the counter and turned her back on him to take a coke out of the fridge. “His name is Jerry, and he’s a refreshing change from the kind of men I’ve met lately.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, really,” she snapped.

  “He doesn’t exactly seem like your type.”

  His knowing tone made her angry. Apparently he’d decided he wasn’t her type, so why was he so worked up about Jerry? Tossing her hair, she faced him with a sarcastic smile playing around her lips. “What would you know about my type? I find Jerry incredibly sexy.” She felt a little silly saying that about Jerry, considering he didn’t interest her at all romantically. But Peter’s look of displeasure made it worth it.

  “You must be kidding?” His tone was harsh.

  She put her hands on her slender hips and laughed. “Nope. When he touches me, I don’t want him to stop.”

  He sat very still. His eyes narrowed. He stood suddenly and covered the distance between them in long purposeful strides. Grabbing her shoulders his hands burned through her thin sweater, he crushed her breasts against his hard chest. His gaze traveled over her face, searching for something.

  “What kind of game are you playing?” His voice was hoarse.

  Her heart ached and her insides jangled with excitement. Her desire for him buzzed through her, but she steeled herself. He’d rejected her and made her feel like a fool. He had some nerve coming off like the jealous spurned lover after turning her down the other night. “Jerry and I don’t have to play games. He knows exactly what I want.”

  His lips thinned. “Is that right?”

  “Yep.”

  “What is it you want, Kelly?” He swallowed hard. “Is this what you need?” His mouth covered hers hungrily, crushingly. His kiss was punishing and angry. His tongue explored the recesses of her mouth, sending spirals of ecstasy through her. Unable to help herself, she returned his kiss with reckless abandon, drinking in his kisses. When he felt her responding to his kisses, his lips became gentler, and he slid his warm hands under her sweater. Cupping her breasts, he swiped his thumb over her perky nipple, and she shivered with pleasure.

  Raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes. “I’ve tried to be good. But if this is what you want, I’ll give it to you, Kelly. I’ll happily take you right here in this kitchen.”

  “Peter,” She whispered, feeling out of control.

  He groaned at the hunger in her eyes, and reclaimed her trembling lips with his firm mouth, the passion ever deepening. He scooped her into his arms and strode toward his room. A little voice inside told her to tell him no. She knew that she should stop him now, before it was too late. But she couldn’t say the words. She felt drugged with her need. Right now, she didn’t care about tomorrow. She simply wanted him more than she’d ever wanted a man.

  He gently eased her down onto the bed, but he was still so close, she felt his heart thudding against her own. He’d tried to act like he didn’t care, but he did. He couldn’t seem to control himself any more than she could. She detected a flicker of something in his intense green eyes, as he hesitated.

  “If you don’t want this, tell me now.” His voice was thick with lust.

  She touched his smooth cheek, smiling shyly. “Do I seem like I want you to stop?”

  He licked his lips. “No. But, Kelly, are you sure?”

  She moved toward him, impelled involuntarily by her own aching need. She wound her slender arms around his neck and pulled him down onto her. Pressing her moist open lips against his mouth, she teased his tongue with hers, pausing just long enough to whisper, “I need you, Peter.”

  He groaned and reclaimed her mouth under his. She writhed beneath him, eager to touch his bare skin. He gently pulled her sweater off over her head and slipped his fingers under her bra strap, pulling it down over her white shoulders. His hands slid gently over her breasts, and across her silken belly. Her trembling fingers unbuttoned his shirt, running her fingers over his hard, tanned chest. Instinctively her body arched towards him, she gave a small moan as his body moved to cover hers.

  They kissed passionately for a few moments, and then he stood and stripped. Then he again covered her naked body with his. His hard shaft pressed her soft, fleshy folds. He kneed her thighs further apart, and he held himself above her, his cheeks flushed as he looked down upon her.

  “You want me?” he whispered.

  She sighed and tugged at his hips. “Yes. More than anything.”

  “Oh, god, Kelly.” His voice broke as he pushed in, groaning as he invaded her tight heat.

  She gasped as her body clutched him, shuddering with delight and digging her fingers into his arms. “Peter,” she moaned.

  He flexed his hips, and sank deeper and deeper, moaning and thrusting until she couldn’t hold back her climax. With a cry she arched her back and came, delicious pleasure radiating through every inch of her shivering flesh, and making it hard to breathe.

  “Yes, my love,” he whispered. “So beautiful.” His gaze was intense, but then he threw his head back, and his shaft throbbed deep inside of her. His hips bucked as he came too, and they held each other close, finally accepting how much they needed each other.

  Chapter Nine

  Kelly awoke the next morning from a deep relaxing sleep. Her eyes felt heavy, and she stretched in the sheets feeling wonderfully serene. She sat up straight abruptly, remembe
r the events of the night before. Clutching the sheets around her naked body she looked over to see Peter wasn’t in the bed. Her cheeks flushed red when she remembered his lovemaking, and her abandoned response.

  She was in his room. There was the smell of his cologne in the air. A couple of his shirts hung carelessly over a chair in the corner of the room. Her sweater and pants were lying neatly on the bed. She flushed, that certainly wasn’t because of her. She jumped out of the bed, and quickly threw on her clothes, opening the door to Peter’s room, she peeked out and dashed to the safety of her own room.

  Once in the warm shower she let the water run down over her head. What had she done? What had happened to her iron will? Her knees went weak when she remembered his touch. She wasn’t sure how to act. She never slept around casually. This was a first for her. What should she do now? Avoid Peter? Act like nothing had happened? She covered her hot face. She couldn’t very well do that, something had most definitely happened.

  She dressed and pulled her hair up in a French twist, maybe subconsciously trying to appear reserved. It was a little late for that, she told her reflection.

  She went out into the kitchen and saw a note on the coffeemaker.

  Kelly, sorry I couldn’t be here when you woke up, had to take care of some business. See you tonight. Peter.

  She felt disappointment and relief all at the same time.

  She poured a cup of coffee and took a sip and sat outside on the steps. The warm sun felt relaxing on her shoulders and neck. She closed her eyes. It was as if she was sixteen years old and had her first kiss. She didn’t know how to act when next she saw Peter. Just the thought of him had her feeling giddy.

  She heard the sound of a car pulling up the driveway and opened her eyes. With her heart pounding in her throat, she thought it might be Peter. But it wasn’t Peter, and surprise filled her as she recognized Stephen’s blue car.

  He got out of the car, his blonde hair shining in the morning sun. He smiled tentatively as he neared her. “Hello stranger.”

  “Hello.” Her voice was guarded. “What in the world are you doing here?”

  He flushed. “I heard about your accident, and I wanted to come and see how you’re doing.” He gestured to the space beside her on the stairs. “May I?”

  “I guess.” Kelly scooted over to give plenty of room.

  Stephen cleared his throat. “I had to check on you. It’s impossible not to care after two years of knowing and loving you, Kelly.”

  He sounded sincere, and Kelly had to admit she cared about him as a person too. Regardless of what he had done to her, she wouldn’t want anything to harm him.

  “Fair enough, but, as you can see, I’m doing fine. No broken bones.” She smiled, patting her legs.

  He visibly relaxed when she smiled. “Happy to hear it.” He paused. “There is actually another reason I wanted to talk to you.”

  She scrutinized his somber face. “What is it, Stephen? You look like your favorite pet hamster died.”

  “I felt it was important to come clean with you… about everything.” He turned and clutched at her hands. “If anything had happened to you… if you had…” He shuddered. “I know it’s your right to know the truth.”

  Kelly’s heart beat faster at his grim tone. She pulled her hands away, nervously twisting them in her lap. “What are you trying to say?”

  “Well, something happened and I need to tell you about it. A few weeks ago, since you’d broken it off with me so completely… I was kind of at a loose end.” He flushed. “Constance called me wanting to get together.”

  Kelly’s mouth thinned in distaste. “You’re certainly free to pursue whoever you choose Stephen. I just don’t think much of that woman.” She paused hopefully. “Was that the great confession?”

  He shook his head and her heart plummeted. “No that is just part of it.”

  “What else?”

  “Constance seems to be under the impression that you’re the reason she was fired.”

  Kelly frowned. “I didn’t even know she’d been fired.”

  “Well, she won’t believe that anytime soon. She thinks you’re having an affair with Peter, and that you insisted she be terminated.”

  “What? I had nothing to do with her being fired.”

  “I notice you’re not denying the affair part.”

  Her face warmed, and he seemed to notice.

  “So it’s true? You’re with him now?”

  “I wouldn’t say I’m exactly with him.” She stopped, uncertain. “I don’t know what you’d call what I have with Peter.”

  “But you had sex with him?” His cheeks were flushed.

  She grimaced. “Yes.”

  He curled his lip. “I’m shocked you’d sleep with him so quickly.”

  Her eyes flashed with anger and embarrassment. “You should talk. Your attraction to Constance is what started this whole thing. I’d never have even met Peter if you hadn’t been cheating on me.”

  He looked down ashamed. “Touché.”

  She sighed, feeling uneasy. “Do we really have to do this? I don’t want to argue and throw insults back and forth.”

  Stephen nodded. “Me neither. Unfortunately, I still have something I have to tell you. Something you’ll be upset about.”

  “What?” she asked breathlessly.

  “I… I lied to you about how I met Constance. I actually met her when she approached me about interviewing me.”

  Kelly frowned. “Interviewing you about what?”

  He swallowed hard. “You.”

  A chill went through her. “I don’t understand.”

  “She offered me a lot of money to talk about you. Actually they offered me a lot of money, not just her.”

  “They?” Her voice was a whisper.

  “Constance seduced and bribed me, all on behalf of her employer.”

  “Her employer? You mean Peter?”

  “Yes.”

  She lifted her eyes to his, feeling confused. “Why? What would they want to know about me?”

  He exhaled roughly. “It would appear that you’re to be the subject of Peter’s next book.”

  “What?” Her voice was almost a screech as she searched his face for any sign he was making this up. “No. That can’t be true.”

  “It is true. I swear.”

  “Why would anyone write a book about me?”

  Seeing the pain in her eyes, Stephen moved to comfort her. “Kelly, I’m so sorry. I never intended to hurt you. I had no idea you were going to fall in love with him.”

  Fall in love? Oh, God. Had she fallen in love with Peter? She was bewildered as she struggled to try and understand what exactly Stephen was saying. “You’re telling me Peter was using me this whole time? Just… just to get a story?”

  “It looks like it.”

  “No.” Had this all been a game to him? How could the man she’d been with last night be anything like the man Stephen was describing? He’d seemed so sincere about not sleeping with her unless it was her idea. It seemed impossible to now believe it had all been an act. He’d been so tender and sweet. It had seemed as if his feelings were as strong as hers were toward him.

  She rubbed her face roughly. “It doesn’t make sense. I’m not someone people would write about.”

  “Constance said your disappearance caused quite a stir. Because you disappeared without any trace, the police actually questioned Robert thinking he had possibly done away with you. There of course was no body or physical evidence, so they couldn’t keep him locked up. But a lot of people thought he’d killed you and gotten away with it.”

  I scowled. “I just wanted to get away from Robert. It never occurred to me that people would even notice if I disappeared.”

  “Well, you were wrong.”

  “But…” She frowned. “How would Peter even find me?” Panic filled her gut, and she stood unsteadily. “My god, if they could find me, what about Robert?” Her heart beat against her ribs.

  Stephe
n grabbed her hand, standing up with her. “Kelly, don’t worry. I’m sure no one knows you’re here. This is what Peter does. I don’t think he’d share your exact location. He wants a scoop, remember?”

  Yes, he’d wanted to get up close and personal, and boy had she let him. Humiliation flooded her. Now that this piece of the puzzle was in place, a lot of other things now made sense. Things like the private phone calls of Peter’s, and Constance’s disdain for Kelly. No wonder Stephen had been paranoid that Peter would say something negative about him. Stephen had known all along of the deception.

  “Did you take it? Did you take the money?” Her voice was hard.

  He turned crimson. “Kelly, why do you think I came up here to confess? I feel awful.”

  It took every ounce of control she had, not to scream at him. He’d betrayed her, and she’d been completely duped. She swallowed hard. “I would have been better off if I had sunk to the bottom of the sea,” she said, her throat aching as she held back tears.

  “Kelly, don’t say that. I know it hurts now but—”

  “But what Stephen? By tomorrow it will all seem brighter?” Fury almost choked her. “I have no words for how this feels. Can you imagine how betrayed I feel?” She pushed past him practically running to her car. Grabbing a spare key she kept in the sun visor, she roared off down the road leaving a shaken Stephen behind.

  She didn’t know where she was going. Who could she trust? Surely they hadn’t gotten to Gayle? They tried to talk to Fred. She rubbed tears from her hot cheeks. She’d foolishly thought Peter wanted to find out more about her because he was attracted to her. What an idiot he must have thought her.

  She drove around for hours. Her pain was so intense she could barely stand it. Peter had been a complete fake. It all had been orchestrated from the beginning. She veered sharply onto a side road that led down to a small parking area near the beach. She climbed slowly out of the car, her limbs leaden.

  She took off her shoes, and walked across the white sand, heading for the far end of the beach where there were fewer people. It would be more private down there. She sat on the cool wet sand as the waves rolled up onto the beach. The seagulls hovered above screeching and floating, suspended in the air. She didn’t know how long she sat there, but one by one people began packing up their beach towels and heading off. There was no overnight camping allowed so soon she was the only one on the beach. She watched as the sky turned pink and red, blues mixing in softly and then finally black.