She couldn’t go back to her house yet. It felt like a shrine to her stupidity now. How had Peter managed to actually work himself into her home? How could he possibly have arranged that? Was this his MO? Did he always throw himself into his work this much? Did he sleep with all his female subjects?
As the night breeze started to kick up, she still sat there frozen, unable to make a decision. Perhaps she should go home and confront Peter? Throw that liar out. She wanted to hate him. She wanted that so bad it hurt, but the memory of being with him last night made her heart ache with need. How could he have faked his loving expressions and passionate kisses? He’d had her completely fooled.
She hugged her knees, pulling her collar up around the nape of her neck. It was definitely getting chilly. Why should she sit here afraid to go home? Yes he’d made a fool of her. Yes he’d acted like an unscrupulous bastard. But it was her house, damn him. He’d offered to leave before, maybe she could take him up on that offer.
Maybe she could act like she didn’t know anything and find his research and destroy it? Her heart pounded at the idea. Would Stephen have told anyone he’d talked to her? She jumped up and ran to her car, pulling out her cell phone from the glove compartment. With trembling fingers she dialed Stephen’s number.
“Hello?” Stephen’s tense voice came over the line.
“Stephen? It’s Kelly.”
“Jesus, Kelly, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”
“Have you told anyone that you told me the truth yet?” Her voice was shaking as her desire for revenge grew.
“No. I was just about to call Gayle. I was afraid you might have… done something to yourself.”
“Stephen, I need you to do me a favor… you owe me this Stephen.” Her voice had a hard edge.
“What, Kelly? Anything.”
“I don’t want you to tell anyone that you’ve told me the truth, especially Constance and Peter.” She paused. “Swear to me Stephen. I need your word on this.”
“But… why, Kelly?”
“Just swear Stephen. You said you care about me. Prove it and do this for me.”
“Fine. But what are you going to do?” His voice was suspicious.
“I’m going to get revenge, Stephen.” She gave a bitter laugh. “Peter Barris is going to be sorry he ever even set eyes on me.”
“That sounds like a horrible idea.”
“You’re wrong. He needs to know what it feels like to be jerked around and lied to.”
“Kelly—”
She hung up on him and dialed Gayle’s number. “Hello.” Gayle’s friendly voice answered.
“Gayle?”
“Hey you, where have you been all day? I tried calling you earlier to see if you wanted to catch a movie, it’s too late now.”
“Sorry, are you going to be home tonight? Could I come by?” Something in her voice must have given her away.
“Of course, what’s wrong?”
“I’ll see you in about fifteen minutes.” Kelly rang off. Gayle wouldn’t want to go along with her plan, so she’d have to try to convince her.
She drove to her friend’s apartment complex. She knocked on Gayle’s door, it opened and a worried looking Gayle stood there.
“Come in, what’s going on, and why all the mystery?”
Kelly stepped into her friend’s one room apartment and sat down on the long pink sleeper sofa. “Well, I have some very disturbing news.”
“If this is about Jerry? Kelly I won’t go out with him if it bothers you.” Gayle plopped down beside her on the couch.
“Heavens no.” Kelly suppressed a laugh. “I don’t care about Jerry.”
“Well, what then?”
“First of all, I have to fill you in on a few sordid details, and catch you up to date.” She swallowed and colored fiercely. “Peter and I slept together last night.”
“Really?” Gayle’s eyes lit up. “Well, it’s about time.”
Kelly gulped hard. “Unfortunately, I’ve also just discovered it was a horrible mistake.” Hot tears slipped down her cheeks.
“Oh no. Why?” Gayle hugged her friend. “Is he married or something?”
“Probably,” Kelly choked out. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Tell me what happened.”
She rubbed her wet face. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Well, what part has you the most upset?”
“Peter. He’s a liar and a fake.”
“Why?”
“He came here to write a book about me. He and Constance bribed Stephen to get information on me.”
“You must be joking.” Gayle’s eyes were wide.
“I’m not. I wish I was, but I’m not.”
Scowling, Gayle asked, “Tell me that louse Stephen didn’t talk to them?”
“He did.” Kelly sniffed. “He went for the money, and Constance.”
Clenching her fists, Gayle looked furious. “What a jerk. I could strangle him.”
“You and me both.” Kelly sniffed.
“So, why would Peter be writing about you?”
“Because of when I disappeared all those years ago. Everybody thought Robert had murdered me or something.” She gratefully took the Kleenex Gayle offered her.
“Seriously?”
Kelly shrugged. “That’s what Stephen said.”
“If you’re dead, then why would Peter show up here looking for you?” Gayle asked, confused.
“I don’t know. How Peter found me I haven’t a clue.” She shivered. “But it scares the heck out of me. I mean, if he could find me, so could Robert.”
“Oh my God, that’s scary.” Gayle sat back, her hands pressed to her cheeks.
“I feel so stupid.” Kelly’s cheeks flushed. “I think you’re the only person in this world I can trust.”
“They must have known better than to approach me,” Gayle said angrily. “I find this hard to believe of Peter. I really liked him.”
“Obviously, so did I.” Kelly stifled another sob.
“The way he was after the boat accident, Kelly, you can’t fake that kind of concern. Honestly, he never left your side.” She chewed her lip. “There has to be more to the story than Stephen knows.”
“I’ve sworn him to secrecy. He isn’t to breathe a word of this to anyone. I’m just not sure if I can trust him.”
“Why are you trying to keep it a secret? I would go home and dump all Peter’s stuff out on the ground and burn it.” Gayle’s eyes were bright with anger.
“I have a better idea; I’m going to get back at him.” She ignored her friends gasp. “I am going to try to recover all his information and get rid of it. I doubt he has committed it all to memory. I’ll need to get my hands on his computer, which shouldn’t be that difficult seeing as how we live together.”
“I don’t see how that will work, Kelly. He’s probably already sent in his information on you. Or he could have his files up in the cloud for all you know. Hell, the book might already be written and at the publishers.”
Kelly winced. “Then I’m sunk. But I don’t think he has finished the book. He still has a month and a half here. It would be a little soon to have compiled all he would need to write a book. From what I’ve heard, he’s very thorough.” She remembered how Fred had said Peter seemed to really capture his subjects. No doubt, if he tricked them as cleverly as he had tricked her, he could find out anything.
“Kelly I don’t like it. What if he catches you?”
“What, he’ll get really mad? Believe me his anger couldn’t begin to compare with mine.” She choked on the words.
“Suppose you do succeed in getting his information off the computer or whatever. You can’t erase his memory of everything you two have ever talked about, or that he has talked about with other people.”
Kelly slumped in her seat. “I have to do something Gayle. I can’t just let him use me like this and not hurt him too.”
“If you just want to hurt him, well you co
uld of course do that. But I still don’t see how it will stop him writing the book. He seems like a pretty determined character, maybe nothing will stop him.”
“Fine!” Kelly exclaimed a bit hysterically. “Even if he does still go ahead with the project, at least I’ll still have the satisfaction of humiliating him personally, like he has me.”
Looking at her friend’s stony face, Gayle knew there was no persuading her friend to give up her pay back plot. But she didn’t see how Kelly could carry this off, not as hurt and angry as she was.
“I’m here for you however you need, Kelly.”
“Thank you Gayle. I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”
“What are you going to do now?”
Glancing at her cell, Kelly said, “I should go home. I wouldn’t want lover boy to think something was up.” She sighed. “Maybe you’re right and the book is a done deal. But Peter is still a man, and men have pride. I think I’ll make sure his is crushed. He’s made a fool of me, and I’m going to do the same to him.”
“I sure hope you know what you’re doing.” Gayle bit her lip nervously.
“Honestly, I don’t know.” She sighed. “But hopefully I can make Peter feel like an idiot too. Why should I be the only one? Then he can move out, and at least I’ll get my cottage back to myself.” She made sure she sounded confident and ignored the little twinge of sadness at the thought of being alone again.
Chapter Ten
By the time Kelly arrived at her cottage it was late. Peter’s Rover was in the drive, and her anxiety and anger knotted inside her as she opened the door. Time for the performance of her life. She just hoped she could pull it off. On the drive over, she’d tried to formulate exactly how to attain her payback. She needed to play it cool, but not too cool. He might know something was up.
When she walked in the house, Peter was in the kitchen. “There you are. I was beginning to wonder if you were alright.” He came toward her, looking a little uncertain.
“I’m here now.” Her stomach tensed at how handsome he was, with the sleeves of his soft green sweater pushed up, revealing his strong forearms.
“I’m glad. Where were you?”
Kelly swallowed and forced a bright smile. “I took in a movie with Gayle.” She stiffened slightly as he gathered her into his arms, pulling her against him. His clean scent filled her nostrils, and she had to fight the desire to melt into him.
He must have sensed something because he drew back and held her at arm’s length, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
Her dark lashes shielded her gaze. It was impossible to calm her erratic heartbeat, but she steeled herself. If she couldn’t get through the first meeting with him, she would fail for certain.
“Nothing’s wrong, I just feel a little shy after last night.” Heat crept into her cheeks.
He placed a finger under her chin, lifting her eyes to meet his. There was a gentle smile playing around the corners of his sensuous mouth. “There isn’t anything to be embarrassed about Kelly. It was magic.” His voice was husky, and she felt his warm breath against her cheek.
The second he touched her, her legs went weak with desire for him. Just the touch of his hand had her pulse spiking. She was furious with herself for being so needy. She was pathetic. She swallowed, and sought to gain some distance from him. She withdrew from his arms. “I’m parched.” She turned on the faucet, conscious of his eyes burning into her back.
“Are you sure something isn’t bothering you?” His voice was suspicious.
She gulped her water, and after setting her glass on the counter, she turned toward him. “I’m positive.”
“Okay.” He didn’t look convinced.
She gave a fake yawn. “I’m so tired. It’s been a long day. I think I’m just going to turn in.” Hopefully his ego would be bruised that she preferred sleep over his company.
He narrowed his eyes. “Really?”
“Yep.”
He glanced at his watch. “It’s eight. You’re going to bed at eight?”
She shrugged. “I can’t think of any reason to stay up.”
He crossed his arms in front of his broad chest. “What’s up Kelly? I’m not an idiot.”
Damn.
She decided to go for his ego since he wasn’t being fooled by her act. She tried to think of something that would really bug him. She bit her lip and hoped she looked ashamed. “I should have known you’d be too smart to fool.”
“Meaning what?”
“I… I wasn’t really out with Gayle.”
He frowned. “Okay. Then where were you?”
“I was with Stephen.”
His face flushed, and a muscle pulsed in his cheek. “Why would you go and see Stephen?”
“He actually came to see me, and we went back to his place.” She let that statement hang in the air, feeling pleased when his jaw clenched.
“Why?”
“To talk.”
“What about?” he asked.
“He was concerned about me. He knew about the boating accident, and he wanted to see how I was doing,” she said softly.
“Oh… well, yeah. I guess that makes sense.” He seemed almost relieved.
She smirked inwardly, and added, “He also wants to try again.”
His face flushed. “You aren’t considering going back with him, are you?” His voice was incredulous.
Getting him mad was easier than she’d hoped. “I do have a long history with him, and we were very much in love.”
“And now?” His voice had a raspy quality.
She turned her back on him, hiding a gloating smile. “I’m just very confused.”
He shifted impatiently. She gave him a sideways glance under her lashes. His face was rigid, his skin pulled taut over the elegant curve of his cheekbones. Keep him guessing, she thought. He was probably in shock that his lovemaking hadn’t been sufficient to clear her confusion.
“But you seemed sure you were through with him.” He sounded so bewildered, she almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
“Well, he can be very persuasive.”
“But how could you even think of getting involved with him again? Why would you ever trust him?” His voice was strained.
“How do I know I can trust you?” She turned her full gaze on him now, watching as a multitude of emotions played across his face. “How do you know you can trust me? Maybe no one is who they seem.”
“I think I know you pretty well.” His suggestive tone made her flush.
Her breath quickened. “I don’t mean sexually. I mean do we really know each other’s character?”
He moved towards her eyes narrowed, and alarm and anger rippled along her spine. “You don’t trust me?”
It took a lot of self-control not to drop the act and tell him she knew she couldn’t trust him. But instead, she dug her nails into her palms, and continued toying with his ego. “I’m confused because I still care about Stephen.” She looked up and gave him a sweet smile. “But I’ll admit; I also can’t get the memory of last night out of my head.” Unfortunately that part was true.
Some tension left his shoulders, and his eyes contained a sensuous gleam. “Neither can I.”
It was hard to remember how much she disliked him when he looked at her like that. She hated herself for wanting him. Taking a deep, unsteady breath, she stepped back when he reached for her, and said, “Peter don’t.”
He stopped, but his eyes still burned with desire. “I’m not going to force you to do anything you don’t want to do.” His voice was velvety.
A shiver of want ran through her, but she stamped it down. “You don’t understand. I want too,” she said breathlessly, her eyes resting on his firm sensuous mouth. “I just don’t think it’s fair to you.”
He froze, his mouth twisted wryly. “What exactly are you trying to say Kelly?”
She licked her dry lips. She had to say or do something to stop him from touching her, or she’d be lost. “I don’t want to make love to you, wh
ile all I can think about is Stephen.”
He stiffened, and a muscle jerked in his cheek. “What did you say?”
She hid her gaze. “I enjoyed being with you, but when he touches me.” She covered her heart for good measure. “I can’t explain it.”
“You’re still in love with him.” He sounded breathless. He stood there in silence for a moment, and then he turned and left the house, slamming the screen door behind him.
Kelly slumped against the counter. If he’d touched her he would have known what a fake and a liar she was. She was trembling from holding her desire in check. She went to her bedroom, her nerves throbbing with fatigue. She stripped off her clothes and climbed into bed, feeling depressed.
Laying there in the dark, she thought about the pained expression on Peter’s face just before he’d left. She felt triumph, but also something else. Was it regret? He’d seemed genuinely hurt. How could someone as callous and calculating as him be hurt so easily? It didn’t seem to fit in with the picture she’d painted in her mind of what kind of person he must be.
She turned over restlessly wondering where he had gone. Was he in search of some ego building? Had he run to Constance? Kelly was only too sure the other woman would welcome him with open arms. The image of the two of them in bed together made her stomach sour. Why did she care? She could have had him here with her tonight if she’d wanted him. She groaned and punched her pillow. Who was she kidding? She wanted him all right. Every inch of her longed for him; ached for him.
It was impossible to sleep, and when the dawn finally broke, Kelly still lay there sleepless. She roused herself and climbed tiredly from the bed. Peter hadn’t returned home last night. She’d waited and waited to hear the sound of his car, but it had never come.
She took a quick shower, feeling empty and drained. Why did she feel so depressed? Things had gone just like she wanted them too, right? He had set her up, used her to get a story. She’d hurt him back a little. He deserved whatever he got. Besides this was perfect, with him gone licking his wounds somewhere, it gave her the perfect opportunity to go through his stuff. He’d left in such a hurry last night, she was certain he didn’t have his laptop with him.
The Art of Hiding Page 15