A Woman Like You: Book Two (The Woman I Love Series 2)

by G S Binkley

  David smiled then glanced deviously to Lacy. “I hope you like it.” He said with absolute assurance.

  Small fingers carefully unwrapped the present to find a burgundy velvet box. Dani gently opened it. Her eyes nearly skyrocketed out of her head when she saw the pristine diamond studded earrings. “Wow! They are absolutely the most… the best gift ever.”

  “Go ahead take them out and see.” David prompted his daughter.

  As she did, it was revealed that the diamond earrings were meant for pierced ears which propelled Lacy from her comfortable seat next to Gage. “David!” Lacy’s naturally velvet voice turned steely.

  “Mom. Look! Can I get my ears pierced tomorrow?” Her words came rushing out unmindful of the inevitable confrontation between mother and father because her orbs were glued to her very special gift.

  Lacy forced in a deep calming breath lowering her voice to a quiet whisper. “I thought we talked about this?”

  “We did?” Playing ignorant, David continued directing his attention to his daughter. “Honey, did you save me some cake?”

  Nodding, Dani rushed off into the kitchen with her godmother in tow.

  A long nearly unbearable moment passed before David spoke up. “Dan, Lynn, it’s nice to see you again. Hank, you too.” David noticed Gage was now holding his son.

  Lynn offered a brief awkward hug. “Hello, David. You made Dani’s day.”

  Through pursed lips, Lacy hissed. “What you’ve made is a rather difficult situation for us…. putting our daughter right in the middle. I hope that makes you happy.”

  Ricocheting a jealous glance to Gage then back to his wife, David asked. “And, what makes you happy, Lacy?”

  “Don’t even start David. Or, do you want me to bring up your very pregnant girlfriend?” Lacy countered quietly so only he could hear. Her husband and Lacy’s co-star in her recently defunct television series had been having an affair for the last year and were now expecting a baby. It was a point of contention between them bringing about the end of their already eroding marriage.

  David spat right back at Lacy. “Do you want me to bring up yours?”

  When Dani returned with a plate full of cake, her father nibbled at it sparingly as his daughter sat next to him. “Thank you for the earrings, Daddy.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek then said sincerely. “But, mostly for not missing my birthday.”

  “Now would I ever do that?” Dani chose to ignore that comment from her father knowing it wasn’t true. Instead, she focused on the fact that he was there with her.

  David knew his presence was the source of the uneasy ambiance amongst the group and played it for what it was worth. “Lynn, I just got in and didn’t have time to get a hotel room, you’ll put me up, won’t you?” A sugary sweet smile dripped with sarcasm.

  Dan Lewis was about to speak up and send his soon to be ex-son-in-law packing to a hotel when his wife gave him a slight nudge preventing him from speaking his mind. Concerned about her granddaughter, Lynn suggested. “We do have the basement room or… the couch.”

  Straightening his back, David stretched. “Not a good idea about the couch. And, I’m allergic to basement mildew.”

  Balling a fist tightly, Dan took one step forward. Lynn stepped in front of him knowing her husband’s hair trigger when it came to rude behavior directed at his family.

  Lacy yanked David up from his seat, shoving him toward her brother. “You can sleep with Nate.”

  David dropped his voice allowing a smirk to plaster on his face. “And, who will you be sleeping with?”

  Relieved Dani did not hear her father’s comment because Gage drew her away fawning over the prized gift. Lacy murmured in a sultry seductive voice only allowing David and Nate to hear her. “Oh, rest assured, I won’t be sleeping.” She flashed her fiery blue eyes at him. “My night will be filled with unadulterated barely controlled passion….” Breathing heavily, Lacy wetted her lips then continued. “…wild, mind-blowing, steamy, hot sex making me scream out in orgasm after orgasm.”

  Stunned into silence sweat beaded on David’s forehead. Yanking the overheated man away, Nate said. “Come on. I’ve got something that will cool you down.” As he passed his sister, Nate whispered in her ear. “You almost had me going there for a minute. Good job.”

  “Dani, say goodnight to your father.” Lacy called to her daughter who waved and watched her father wobble away just like her three-year-old brother did sometimes.

  After they left the room, Dan was livid. “That son of a bit…..”

  “Dan! We’ll talk about it later.” Nodding at their granddaughter, Lynn learned a long time ago how to soothe her husband’s savage temper. It was something best suited for the bedroom.

  “Mom, dad.” Hank hugged them both. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Are you bringing Jen with you?” His mother asked.

  “Yep.” Confirming the presence of his girlfriend to the family barbeque then turned to Lisa. “You need a ride?”

  After giving her parents a hug and bidding farewell to Lacy, Gage and the kids, Lisa followed her older brother out the door. “Oh, and…..” Hesitant, knowing what the family thought of her boyfriend, Lisa reminded them. “Chris is coming, too.”

  Chapter Five

  It was a beautiful afternoon and perfect for a barbeque. Lynn placed a hand on her youngest son as he lit the grill. “The weather cooperated.” Now, if only all the guests do.

  “Too bad it’s not the fourth of July. Somehow, I think that would be an appropriate theme for this little gathering.” Nate chuckled then opened an unexpected can of worms. “You know, Jason’s going to be here?”

  “And, the hits just keep coming.” Lacy interrupted mother and son. “Why does that not surprise me?”

  “Hank was going to tell you last night, but he….” Nate started.

  “Chickened out.” Hank supplied. “Is that what you were going to say, Nate?”

  Lynn kissed her son then turned to his girlfriend. “Hello, Jen. You remember Lacy.” Suddenly recalling something, Lynn startled them. “Oh, you kids just… do whatever you’re going to do I need to get something out of the freezer.”

  “I’ll go with you.” Jen Farris offered, holding the covered dish she brought.

  “And, behave.” Lynn ordered her children.

  The trio looked at each other innocently when Hank interpreted his mother’s warning. “She must be talking about Denny and Lisa.”

  “What’d I tell you Chris, you can’t turn your back on this motley crew before they’re throwing you to the slaughter.” Lisa piped up offering an ersatz scowl at her siblings. “Chris, you know Hank and Nate and this is my sister Lacy.”

  Reaching for her hand, Chris James lifted it bringing it to his lips. “Of course, the courageous Samantha Gordon.” He referenced Lacy by the character she played on her cop series.

  The brothers rolled their eyes at Lisa’s boyfriends display while Lacy clamped her lips preventing a snort from escaping. “It’s nice to meet you.” Lacy finally forced out.

  “The pleasure is all mine.” The Prince Charming smile he offered Lacy turned slightly villainous when he shifted his cool blue eyes to Lisa commanding her attention. “Hon, I could use a drink.” The dismissive tone grated against the trio as they watched Lisa yield to his authority.

  Returning his undivided attention to the bona fide star, he smiled. “I’d love to talk with you about acting. You know, I’m with the Little Theatre here in town.”

  Hank mumbled in a veiled attempt to smother his comment. “Yeah, big fish in a little pond.”

  Ignoring Lisa’s brother, Chris gazed into Lacy’s blue eyes while still clasping her hand. “Seriously, perhaps we can get together later and discuss….. acting techniques.”

  A possessive voice injected the interlude. “Mister! She is way out of your league.” Gage finished her words with a light-hearted yet jealous laugh. Removing Lacy’s hand from the leech attached to it, Gage stepped between t
he Romeo and her woman. The blonde extended her hand to Chris. “Gage Ballant.” When he was slow to take it, Gage offered sarcastically. “You can kiss it if you want.”

  Seeing the stunned and confused young man gawk in surprise, Lacy whispered from behind to her partner. “Be nice.”

  Gage tossed a reply over her shoulder. “I thought I was.”

  “Here you go, Chris.” Lisa handed him the drink unaware of the previous events. She then greeted Gage who keenly noted the long sleeve shirt Lisa was wearing on the warm summer day.

  “Where’s the kids?” Lacy asked.

  “Your dad took them to the store.” David supplied as he joined the group. “David Levine.” Introducing himself, he grabbed Chris’ hand, shaking it. “And, now, all we need is Denny and his family to make it a full house.” Shooting a sneering glance toward Gage, David sneered. “We’ve even got our very own wild card.”

  Slapping a hand on David’s back, Denny announced his presence. “Did someone mention me? How are you… you old…..”

  “Ah, ah, ah….you’re older than me.” David countered.

  “One year…. one lousy year.” Denny then greeted the rest of the group, brown eyes sparing Gage a petulant look. “When do we eat?”

  Flames jumped from the grill, sizzling smoke. “Stand back. I think she’s about to blow.” Nate was actually referring to the group’s demeanor instead of the grill.

  “Denny, where’s Crystal?” He nodded toward the house. “Come on, Gage, I want you to meet my sister-in-law.” When Lacy whipped around, she came face to face with her ex-husband.

  “Lacy.” The tall cool drink of water, Jason McIntyre, greeted her.

  “Jason. Hi.” Startled, a small smile developed quite unconsciously.

  “It’s nice to see you. You’re as beautiful as ever.” Sincere warm brown eyes scanned the star’s perfect body.

  Feeling a bit unbalanced, Lacy swung her arm around her back desperately searching for the anchor she knew would be there. Gage secured Lacy’s hand reassuring her partner. “I…I….”

  Gage moved to Lacy’s side greeting the very handsome man. “Gage….”

  “I know. Hank gave me a head’s up. Jason.” Lacy’s ex-husband clasped her hand, greeting her with a genuine smile. “Nice meeting you.”

  “We were just heading inside.” Gage said.

  Nodding, Jason looked fondly at Lacy once more. “Later.”

  After Lacy and Gage walked well out of earshot of the group, the blonde sighed in frustration. “Does all your exes have to be so damn good looking?”

  “You don’t have to worry, you’re the only one I’m looking at.” Then Lacy bid her a brief kiss.

  “Mmmmm hmmm.” In that moment, a sliver of doubt entered the writer’s mind.

  *************************

  After dinner, David and Denny huddled together covertly sharing their concerns. “What do you make of it?”

  Crunching his eyebrows together, Denny shook his head confused. “I don’t get it. What could she possibly offer Lacy? I mean she’s not a man. You know… not the right equipment.” Denny threw a look at his friend clearly indicating his meaning.

  Over the last ten years that David was married to Lacy, he had become closest with her older brother. They shared the same work ethics and moral values where the man was the head of the household. It was a bond that held steadfast even in the face of David’s affair. Denny consciously choose to overlook this small fact since he strayed himself once.

  “And then there’s the age difference.” David tossed on the table for debate.

  “Yes. That would be what…. twelve years?” Dan Lewis joined the duo. David smiled thinking he was welcoming a comrade in Lacy’s father until the next words were spoken. “That would be the same age difference between you and…. the woman you’re having an affair with, wouldn’t it?”

  Touché. David gave Dan his due quelling any further nasty comments about Lacy and her partner.

  The trio stood silent for the longest time. Both Denny and David waiting patiently for the older man to speak. Dan purposely held them at bay with his strong silent pose.

  Off in the distance from where the three manly statues stood, Hank, Nate, Jason and Lacy observed Lisa and her boyfriend engaging in some friendly banter that soon turned sour. When Chris grabbed Lisa’s arm, Hank started to get up and intervene, but Jason stopped him. “Excuse me.”

  Voices rose as Jason approached the arguing couple. “Lisa, everything okay?”

  “Do you mind?” Chris spouted. “This is a private discussion.”

  “I don’t want to flex my muscles here.” But, Jason did just that as those same muscles outlined his skintight tee shirt. “Working construction helps me to keep fit.”

  “And that’s supposed to mean what?” Chris taunted him.

  “That I am gonna kick your ass if you don’t behave yourself.” Venom dripped with each word.

  “Jason, please!” Lisa pleaded. “It’s nothing really.”

  When Chris moved forward on the verge of shoving up against the taller man, Gage calmly intervened. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

  Snorting loudly, Chris asked. “And, what are you gonna do about it?”

  “I’m gonna let him kick your ass.” Gage confirmed then leaned in conspiratorially whispering. “You don’t even want to know what will happen to you when they find out about those bruises Lisa is sporting. Oh, the long sleeve shirt does a pretty good cover up job, but you can’t get pass this expert on spotting abuse. You have two choices. Leave or leave with an escort.”

  Grinding a hard stare into the woman threatening him with exposure, Chris spared an evil look at Jason standing guard. “Lisa….” The slight yet resolute nod from Gage silenced the rest of his words. Chris did an about face and left. Jason tailed the man through the house, out the door and to his car watching the obnoxious Chris drive away.

  Lacy was at her sister’s side in a flash. Shook up, Lisa shivered on the verge of tears. Lynn joined her two daughters escorting them down a walkway into the garden for what she felt was going to be a long discussion.

  When Jason returned, he approached Gage. “That was pretty courageous of you.”

  A small laugh erupted. “It’s easy to be brave with a good six foot and what….three inch solid wall of muscles right behind you.”

  Draping his arm over what he thought at one time might be a potential rival Jason smiled broadly. “I knew I liked you for some reason.”

  “What was that all about?” Hank asked his best friend.

  Nate piped up. “Chris finally had the smarts to leave. More than I ever gave him credit for.”

  *************************

  Lisa broke down crying in her mother’s arms. “I…. It…only happened a couple of times. He gets carried away……mad at the things I do wrong.”

  “Stop that right now Lisa.” Lacy sharply directed. “There is no reason in the world for anyone at any time to…..” She had a hard time saying the word that struck her sister. “….hit someone else. It’s not acceptable.”

  Sniffling, her voice cracked. “You’re ashamed of me?”

  “Honey, we love you. Why didn’t you say something?” Lynn cursed herself for not realizing it before. “I should have known it all along… the signs were there.”

  Violently shaking her head against her mother’s shoulder, Lisa countered. “No. I made sure…. and if it was too bad, I stayed away until….” She didn’t need to say anymore. Both, Lynn and Lacy knew exactly what Lisa meant. Until the bruises faded.

  “You are staying here.” Raising her daughter to face her, Lynn insisted. “I’ll have the boys go get your things. I will not have you in that situation for another minute.”

  “Please don’t tell daddy.” Lisa begged. She didn’t want her father to think poorly of her.

  “I most certainly will.” Lynn stated adamantly.

  Lacy softened her mother’s words. “Lisa, the only way through this is
if everyone understands what’s going on. That way they can help you. We all love you and you have everyone’s support.”

  Stifling the tears, Lisa recounted what happened. “Even Jason. He……stood up for me.”

  Lynn kissed her daughter on the cheek, wiping away a few tears. Her daughter’s word regarding Jason served up a seemingly unprovoked thought. “You know, this garden that your dad invests so much time in…… he always dreamed of having one of you… when you got married… having the ceremony right here.”

  “It is beautiful.” Lacy scouted the serene, peaceful and colorful garden housing a gazebo. “Where did that thought come from?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” She wasn’t sure what sprouted her husband’s long time wish to mind. Maybe it was the fact that Lisa had recently talked about getting married or that Lacy was now on the verge of divorce. She just didn’t know. “The mind takes a detour everyone once in a while.” Her loving eyes fell back on her distraught daughter and Lynn assured her. “One thing, for sure, that obstinate young man is going to take a permanent detour out of your life.”

  **************************

  True to her word, Lynn had her boys including Jason retrieve Lisa’s things from the apartment she shared with Chris James. And, when Lynn asked if they had any trouble or if there were any mishaps, the foursome innocently shook their heads. Although, in a small apartment across town there was one sore young man that would have vehemently disagreed.

  **************************

  Jason stood before Lacy ready to leave. “I’m glad you came. It was nice seeing you again.” Lacy said.

  Nodding over her shoulder, he motioned to Lisa. “Will she be okay?”

  “Yes, I think so.” Smiling at Jason. “You know, she really needed the knight in shining armor you provided for her today.”

  Returning his attention back to his ex-wife, Jason winked. “I did have help. I like her, Lacy. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Being a part of this family when we were together meant a great deal to me.”