Deception by Design

by Tara Wentz

Kellen stopped in front of Joshlyn and tilted her head. Seeing Joshlyn’s smirk affirmed that she did indeed know what Kellen was talking about.

  “You may think that smile and charm will work on someone else, but it certainly won’t work on me,” Kellen challenged.

  “Oh really?” Joshlyn asked, stepping as close to her as she could without actually touching her. She ran a finger lightly up the buttons on Kellen’s white, sleeveless shirt and tapped her chin. “Somehow I doubt that if I really wanted to charm you that you’d be able to resist.”

  Kellen was about to respond when Joshlyn ran her finger back down her shirt and continued on down the zipper of her shorts. She opened her palm and cupped Kellen briefly before sliding her fingers back up the front of her shorts, flicking the button.

  Kellen gulped audibly, wrapped her arms around Joshlyn, and shoved her back through the door, kicking it closed with her foot.

  “Sweetheart, I hope you didn’t start something you aren’t ready to finish.”

  “Oh, trust me, we’ve only just begun,” Joshlyn hummed in her ear as she pulled Kellen to the floor.

  ****

  Kellen tucked her shirt back inside her shorts and clasped the small belt buckle. She retrieved the flowers from their spot on the chair and handed them to Joshlyn, who was just finishing dressing herself.

  “Since I didn’t get the chance to give these to you earlier, beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman.”

  “Oh, Kellen, they’re gorgeous,” Joshlyn said, sniffing the fragrant buds. “That was really sweet of you. Thank you.”

  Kellen placed her hand against the side of Joshlyn’s face and let her thumb graze over the smooth surface of her cheek. “You are more than welcome. Thank you for a wonderful evening and afternoon. You can’t possibly know what this has all meant to me, Joshlyn.”

  Joshlyn cleared her throat, turned her head, and kissed the thumb stroking lightly against her skin. She tilted her head, catching the hand between her cheek and shoulder and squeezed gently. “As much as you can’t possibly know what it means to me, Kellen.”

  “So…” Kellen trailed off.

  “So, oh, hang on just a second.” Joshlyn turned and ran down the hall to her office.

  Joshlyn grabbed the small packet of pictures off her desk and held them against her chest. She took a deep breath before going back down the hall to Kellen.

  “I took these at the race, I hope you like them,” Joshlyn said, tentatively handing the pictures over to Kellen.

  Kellen opened the package and pulled the pictures out all in one grouping. She glanced at the first one and felt the air leave her lungs. How had Joshlyn managed to make her look so good in that hideous race suit? One by one, she worked through the pictures, each one just as amazing as the first. There was a clear shot from the front of the car as Kellen came off a turn and another of her coming down pit row. A couple of her standing by the car clearly captured the love she held for racing. Her hand resting on the car, the helmet under her arm, and the grin on her face drew her into the picture. She felt like she was standing there again, the ever-present butterflies winding their way through her stomach and the adrenaline coursing through her veins just waiting for the race to start.

  “Joshlyn, I…I don’t even know what to say.” Kellen shook her head. “These are amazing. You have a great eye.” Kellen glanced at the pictures and looked back up. Softly she spoke directly from her heart. “Thank you.”

  Joshlyn released the breath she was holding. “You’re welcome. I was hoping you’d like them.”

  “I love them. Maybe while we are out we could get some frames?”

  “Sure. Do you know where you’d like to hang them?” Joshlyn asked.

  “Well, I thought maybe in the living room on that wall that is so bare. What do you think?”

  “I think that sounds like a perfect spot.”

  Kellen smiled and offered an arm. “Shall we get started then, my lady?”

  “We shall. Lead on, my dear.” Joshlyn smiled in return.

  ****

  Joshlyn ran her hands over the oak frame. It was a little more expensive than the others, but the quality was more than worth it. It would look perfect in combination to Kellen’s entertainment center. After a relaxing breakfast in a quaint little nook that Kellen knew about, they decided to walk down to the frame and photo shop. Joshlyn really enjoyed spending time with Kellen. Conversation flowed easily and when they weren’t talking, the silence was not uncomfortable in the least. She glanced over to where Kellen was standing and studied her unabashedly. The small buttons running down the front of her shirt about drove Joshlyn insane earlier. She was so turned on and the buttons weren’t cooperating. She had to rein herself in from just ripping the shirt open and the buttons be damned! Kellen was one sexy woman who could make her blood boil with just a look. I’m just lucky that I seem to have the same effect on her!

  “Hey, Kel,” Joshlyn waited for Kellen to turn her way. “What do you think of these?” Joshlyn didn’t even think when she shortened Kellen’s name, but when she saw the widened eyes and the stiffening of her shoulders, she made a mental note to ask her about it later.

  Kellen was startled by the shortened version of her name. She hadn’t heard that in…well, in a long time. By the look on Joshlyn’s face, she knew that she didn’t hide the reaction very well. She put the frame she was looking at back on the shelf and walked over to where Joshlyn was standing.

  “They are a little more than the others, but I think they’re a good quality,” Joshlyn commented.

  Kellen was glad that Joshlyn didn’t question her reaction. She took the frame, turned it over, and looked at the front and back. “I think you’re right. I’ll get these. I think they’ll look great with the entertainment center.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Joshlyn nodded, followed Kellen up to the register to pay for the frames, and smiled at the woman behind the register.

  “Oh, these frames are gorgeous and they are on sale this week. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in them at all,” the woman commented.

  Kellen handed her card over to pay for the purchase and waited to sign the receipt. “Thank you,” Kellen replied, folding the receipt and putting it in her wallet.

  “Thank you. You ladies have a nice day.”

  “You, too,” Joshlyn responded, following Kellen out the door.

  They walked quietly back to the SUV and headed home with very little small talk. Joshlyn was amending her earlier thoughts about things not being tense between them when Kellen finally spoke.

  “Listen, Joshlyn, about earlier, I, uh…it’s been awhile since I’ve heard someone call me Kel and it took me by surprise.” In fact, it had been twenty-three years since she’d heard it used. Honestly, she wasn’t really sure how she felt about it, but knew that being an ass to Joshlyn wasn’t the right thing to do. It wasn’t her fault.

  Joshlyn reached over and cradled her hand, rubbing her thumb over the back surface. “Hey, it’s ok. I wasn’t offended.” Joshlyn hesitated before continuing. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I think so…yes.”

  Kellen pulled up in front of Joshlyn’s house and turned the vehicle off.

  Joshlyn gave her hand a little tug. “Well, come on in then and we’ll have some coffee and if you feel up to it we can talk about it.”

  “Okay,” Kellen responded, getting out of the SUV.

  Kellen followed Joshlyn up the walk and debated on how much she wanted to share or how much she actually could share. It wasn’t an easy topic, especially since she didn’t know much of the details herself.

  Joshlyn unlocked the door and Kellen followed her inside.

  “Have a seat, I won’t be but a minute,” Joshlyn said, indicating the couch.

  Kellen kicked her shoes off and sat on the couch. On one hand, she could just tell Joshlyn everything she knew and hoped she understood that she probably wouldn’t have all the answers to her questions. But on the other hand, was she
ready for those questions she might not have answers to? Kellen shook her head. Either way it was going to be a frustrating situation. Kellen sighed and picked at some unseen lint on her shorts. She could hear Joshlyn moving around in the kitchen. If she really wanted to make this easy, she could just tell her some other time and make a break for it before she even came back from the kitchen. What are you, a chickenshit, Reynolds?

  Joshlyn crossed the room from the kitchen and set a cup of coffee down on the table in front of Kellen. She set hers down and curled up on the couch facing Kellen.

  “Do you feel up to talking about this?” Joshlyn asked.

  Kellen sighed again and then nodded. “Might as well.”

  Joshlyn waited for Kellen to speak again, trying not to push her. This was apparently something Kellen had been thinking about, from what Joshlyn could tell when she came back in the room. Kellen was nervously picking at her shorts and licking her lips. Joshlyn knew the signs and Kellen was definitely displaying them. She picked up her coffee and blew at the edge of the cup before gingerly taking a sip. The hot liquid burned a path down her throat.

  Kellen leaned forward and picked up her cup. Joshlyn watched the steam rise as Kellen inhaled the aroma.

  Kellen spoke so softly Joshlyn almost couldn’t hear her. “I don’t remember a lot of details from when I was a child, but I do remember my mom always calling me Kel. I remember the first time she said it.”

  Joshlyn watched Kellen’s eyes glaze over as she recalled the details from her childhood.

  “Daddy had come home one day from work and was pissed that dinner was not already on the table…”

  “God dammit! How many times do I have to tell you when I walk in that door I expect dinner to be sittin’ on this table, waitin’ and ready!” Jeff bellowed as the back door slammed shut.

  “It’s almost ready, just go get cleaned up and by the time you get back you’ll be able to sit down and eat,” Kellen’s mom, Anne, stated.

  Kellen stood in the doorway as Jeff grabbed Anne’s arm and squeezed. She could tell by the wince on her momma’s face that he was hurting her.

  “Listen you little bitch, when I say dinner is to be on the table that’s God damned well what I mean,” he said, jerking her arm and then slinging it away from him.

  “Jeff—” Anne started.

  Jeff turned on her, getting right up in her face. “What!”

  “Please, just go wash up for dinner.” Her voice quivered.

  Jeff brought his arm back, but before he could swing, Kellen ran into the room and wrapped herself around her momma’s waist. Jeff stopped and glared at her. Leaning down, he breathed right into her face. Kellen could smell the alcohol when he came in the door, but this close up just about made her vomit.

  “And you,” he said, poking her in the chest. “I don’t want to hear a fucking word out of you tonight.”

  Jeff stormed out of the room, leaving Anne and Kellen staring in his wake. Anne could feel the sobs coming from her daughter and knelt down and pulled her into her arms.

  “Oh, Kel, sweetie, please don’t cry. It’ll be okay,” she said, stroking the little girl’s long hair. “You are so brave to come in here when your pa is like this.”

  “I didn’t like seeing him hurt you, momma,” Kellen sniffled.

  “My little warrior,” Anne cooed.

  Joshlyn kept a careful eye on Kellen as she relayed the event from her past. She seemed somewhat agitated, but in control. What a horrible man her father must have been and for her to put up with it for so long. Based on what Bob had told her and the information Kellen just shared, it was no wonder Kellen turned out as well as she did. Joshlyn felt sympathy for the child Kellen was and the conditions she had survived.

  Kellen shook her head and took a sip of coffee. She swallowed and licked her lips for the nth time. She glanced in Joshlyn’s direction and felt relief more than anything, for there was no pity in Joshlyn’s eyes. Only a quiet understanding of what Kellen’s childhood must have been like. Kellen half expected a barrage of questions before she started recounting the story, but knew now that it wasn’t going to happen. Joshlyn apparently did not intend to dredge up a past that was better left where it was.

  “There you have it; my father in one of his bastardized moments.”

  “Does it bother you that I called you that, Kellen?”

  “No…actually it was somewhat comforting. I just didn’t realize it at the time.”

  Joshlyn scooted closer and traced the outer edge of Kellen’s ear. “Good.”

  Kellen stared into Joshlyn’s brown eyes and leaned forward. She closed her lips over Joshlyn’s full ones and slowly kissed her. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but one of understanding and thankfulness.

  “Thank you,” Kellen whispered.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Joshlyn juggled the bags in her hand and pulled the keys from her pocket with the other. She could hear the phone ringing on the other side of the door as she inserted the key into the lock. Pushing the door open, she set her bags on the floor and grabbed the phone before the final ring.

  “Hello,” Joshlyn answered, out of breath.

  “Hey there, did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “Not at all, Ami, I just got home and was unlocking the door when the phone started ringing.”

  “Darn, and here I was hoping Kellen was the reason you were breathing so heavy.” Ami laughed.

  Joshlyn chuckled as she plopped down on the couch. “You are relentless; funny, but relentless.”

  “Yeah, well, Jaxon doesn’t complain.”

  “Oh, that is way more information than I want to know.” Joshlyn shivered.

  Ami burst out laughing and Joshlyn felt her face heat up. Ami enjoyed embarrassing her any chance she got.

  “So, did you call just to bust my chops or did you have something you really wanted to talk about?”

  “Actually, I do have something I want to talk to you about. I don’t need an answer right away, but I want you to think about it.”

  Ami waited for Joshlyn to respond before continuing.

  Joshlyn tried to read the tone of Ami’s voice to determine if this was a good something she wanted to talk about or not.

  “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “Before you say anything, just hear me out and then I’ll answer any questions you have, okay?”

  “Ok****yyy.”

  “Earlier today I was contacted by a freelance writer who has seen your work. She wants to do a whole series of non-fiction books and she wants you to do the pictures.” Ami heard Joshlyn’s quick intake of breath and rushed on.

  “You would only be required to have an initial meeting and then you can correspond via email if that’s what you’d like. When the project is all finished, you’ll get together one last time to finalize everything. She’ll give you the topics and said you’d have free rein to take whatever pictures you wanted. She’s very impressed with the quality of your prints, Joshlyn.”

  Joshlyn was shocked. Of all the things she thought Ami wanted to talk about, this was not even in the realm of her thinking. Right now, she wasn’t sure how to feel. By all rights, she should be ecstatic that someone liked her photos enough to want them in a series of books. She was exhilarated and terrified at the same time. What would this mean for her career, but more importantly, what would this mean for her solitude and the safe haven she’d built for herself?

  “Joshlyn?”

  “Um, yeah, I’m here.”

  “You can ask questions now if you want or if you just want to be left alone to think about it then I’ll understand,” Ami asked worriedly.

  “Is this…I mean, who is this freelance writer?”

  “Her name is Robin Masters.” Ami smiled, waiting for Joshlyn’s reaction. Robin Masters was a goddess among freelance writers. Her awe-inspiring articles had won more awards than any other freelance writer in her time. The kicker of it all was that Robin was in her early thirties, hardly a lifelong veteran by indus
try standards.

  “The Robin Masters?”

  “The one and only, Joshlyn. This is an incredible opportunity for you, which is the only reason I told her I’d talk to you about it. So, take some time and think about it and let me know your thoughts, okay?”

  “Do you know what kind of books she wants to do?”

  “She just mentioned that they were children’s/young adult books about diversity in every form. She is supposed to send an email with all the details attached.”

  “All right. I’ll give it some thought and let you know,” Joshlyn hesitated. “That’s all I can tell you right now, Ami.”

  “That’s all I ask, Joshlyn. I’ve gotta run for now, but we’ll touch base later.”

  “Have a good evening, and I’ll let you know as soon as I make a decision.”

  “All right, honey. Tell that sexy woman of yours I said hello.” Ami chuckled.

  Joshlyn shook her head and smiled in spite of Ami’s comment. “Good night!”

  Joshlyn got up, put the phone back in its cradle, and stood leaning against the hall table.

  “Wow! The Robin Masters wants me, Joshlyn Davis, to take pictures for her books!”

  Joshlyn felt the excitement course through her veins. The last thing she wanted to do right now was sit at home. No matter how terrified she was of putting herself out there for these books, she was thrilled nonetheless. She glanced at her watch and grinned. Joshlyn snagged her keys off the table and headed back out the door.

  ****

  Kellen tossed the pencil down and growled. The software program she was working on needed an updated patch, but she was having a hard time coming up with one that would work with the current system yet give the owners the versatility they were wanting. She’d gone over the program with the company and tried to explain the program they had was outdated and needed to be completely overhauled, but to no avail. They were convinced that the program they purchased eight years prior should still be effective. At long last, Kellen threw up her hands and told them she’d give it a try, but there were no guarantees. For two hours now she’d been at it, with no luck in sight.