Deceptions Revealed (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Lillith Payne

  It was a great feeling of freedom he was experiencing. During the week he’d made sure his investments were in order, that Ben had no access to them. He’d packed last night, stopping back at his apartment to grab his bag and car. He was polite to Bernard, but formal. The ride up to the mountain was calming, even in the mounting traffic. He made the trip in just over two hours.

  After checking into the chain hotel, he drove to one of the resorts for supper, enjoying the solitary meal, not feeling alone or lonely. James noted he was getting some speculative glances but didn’t know if they were locals or guests at the resort. Either way, it reinforced what Joey and Allen had tried to impress upon him. This was a small community and most likely everyone knew everything about everybody. He was about to enter uncharted territory, losing his anonymity.

  Sitting back at the hotel he thought through the whole situation one last time. Nothing changed. Joey and Daniel were worth any price. James hoped he’d be able to rise to the moments that would challenge him in the next weeks and months. Joey had picked their location, but he still had the ability to control his responses. Part time, he could be comfortable here. There was plenty to do, and it would be a fresh start for them all. The James he’d become in Manhattan could stay there. The mountains had a way of distressing him. He didn’t take a drink that night, rather fell asleep before the restlessness set in.

  In the morning he had vague memories of dreaming of them as a family, as a unit always together. His dreams let him have the vision he wanted so much, of them laughing in the sunshine together, happy and content with their lives.

  Saturday he met the rental agent early and by late afternoon had wrangled a six-month lease on a condo at Liftside Village. He’d moved in that same day, wanting a place Daniel and Joey would both understand was permanent. In the spring he’d look for a small place of his own to purchase. Then Daniel would have a room to call his own in James’ home. Already he wasn’t sure if taking the child half the time was right, but it was a start. James knew, deep inside him, he would not walk away this time, under any circumstances. This was the best way to spend time with his son, minus Ben’s influence.

  For the time being, he’d keep the status quo at work, but only until he investigated some options. His future was in a complete state of flux. James could get an ulcer trying to control it all or sit back and watch it unfold around him. He decided to go with the flow for a while before making any major changes or protests. Which left him here, this very minute, waiting for Joey and Daniel on the slopes Something he’d never thought possible in the last years.

  Daniel and Joey were signing in with the Explorer’s group when he first saw them. Keeping a safe distance, he watched them interact with the crew and other children. In sunlight, her sable hair shone more red than brown, even if plated down her back. Her ski suit was a dark blue with white trim. It fit her exactly, made each curve stand blatantly on display. James shook himself, realizing he had no right to be jealous of her in any manner, especially when it came to how she dressed.

  Actually, he loved the way she looked. Every man who saw her would think the same thing, what would be the quickest way to get her out of her ski suit. She laughed openly with the children. He didn’t know why. James didn’t like being excluded and knew of only one way to change it. Catching them off guard, he approached through the crowd, surprising Daniel and setting Joey on edge from the grim look on her face.

  Her smile faded, and her eyes became wary. Any joy he’d seen just seconds before was long gone. He’d done that, taken the smile from her face. If he was any kind of man, he hoped he’d be able to restore it. The idea blossomed in his mind of how he used to make her smile, and he pushed it away, shifting to curb the mounting erection he was sporting, making him sorry for the thought. This was going to be difficult enough today.

  “James, you came back.” At least his son had a smile for him, or at least the stranger he thought him to be.

  “Hello, Daniel. JoAnna, how have you been?”

  “Fine, it turned into a nice afternoon for a run.”

  It was all she could manage and keep her tone smooth. Even though she knew he’d turn up she wasn’t prepared for the sight of him in person. Skiing was the one place where she bested him. Today she just wanted to get lost in the powder and the run, didn’t want to be competing against him in any category.

  “Did you come back to have Mom teach you?” He pointed to the skis James held.

  “I’m sure she’d rather enjoy her run than babysit me.” He glanced and saw her eyes narrow and knew his statement annoyed her, but she’d play. “Why not make the first run together. You may not be as rusty as you think.”

  The children were called away for their lessons, leaving them standing alone, too close for comfort. “When was the last time you actually were on the slopes?”

  “About an hour ago. I’ve got some things to talk to you about.”

  “All right, but let’s get going while we talk.” She turned left toward Hunter One. “This okay?”

  “Yeah.” He pulled in step beside her before clearing his throat and waiting to get her attention.

  Joey decided it wasn’t fair. He was in his thirties, he shouldn’t look this good. Yet in the afternoon sunlight his tanned face and wide smile warmed her in too many places. Even in bulky ski clothing he still looked fit. His shoulders were wide and strong, his waist slim and belly flat. His muscled thighs led to long legs. He was quite a sight.

  Joey sat rigid beside James on the lift. Their thighs brushed and she pulled away, shrinking into the corner. James watched her but didn’t comment. Instead, he seemed to enjoy the ride.

  “What made you decide to settle here?” It was a topic he’d been curious about. If he was going to spend time in the area, he wanted to know her motivation.

  “It was a long process. After I accepted I was on my own with Danny,” she continued, staring straight ahead, the reference not a dig, just fact, “I knew I had to make a future for us. I tried to think about what I wanted to do, what I was good at and what was actually possible.” She drew a deep breath and exhaled the cool air, leaving a trail of breath.

  “Finishing law school had lost its appeal, and I needed the money to open the business. All I had to rely on until the business turned a profit was the rest of the trust fund from my parents’ accident. After that I put together a business plan. The shop seemed the most reasonable.

  As to this area, its two hours up to the family farm further north. Uncle Henry wanted me close so they could help. I knew I had to put some distance between us or I might become too reliant on them. Aunt Alice suggested I’d be a better mother if I was truly happy inside as a person. In that vein I had to think about what made me content, beyond Danny being healthy. Every road kept leading back to snow and skiing. I realized it was the one place I could really lose myself for a while, and it was something I could share with Danny as he got older.” She smiled at a thought but didn’t share it’s basis with him.

  “Once I decided, Hunter seemed a logical place. The building was empty and had space for an apartment upstairs. For my business the location was viable. I’m in the heart of town so I get local business and the vacationers. So far, it’s been a long, tiring road. Sometimes, especially since the renovation, I look around the shop now and can’t believe it’s real.”

  “It’s real Joey,” he whispered. “I’ve been there. I’ve seen and tasted what you’ve accomplished.” Their eyes met, and she didn’t turn away, instead she studied him. He should have been her husband all this time and instead he was a polite stranger. She didn’t want to blame him anymore, it just took too much energy, she rationalized. Joey realized James was slowly inching toward her and she shook herself away, taking a breath as if the tense moment hadn’t happened.

  “We could get to the city in about the same time when I wanted to.” Her voice was unsteady at first, calming to normal. She went on to tell him about their pre-Christmas shopping and skating weekend in
the city each year.

  “Danny’s first time on the ice was three years ago at Rockefeller Plaza.” She laughed aloud and turned to James. “You should have seen him, all bundled up with these tiny little skates with a look of amazement when he found his balance. After that, we’ve come back before the holiday rush. We skate and usually see a Christmas show. Than we look at all the store windows and he decides what Santa should bring him. When we get home, we’re both in the holiday mood and then the shop gets busy.” She became lost in a memory she didn’t share.

  Joey silently cursed Ben. James might have been standing beside them both on the ice that day if it hadn’t been for the old man’s interference.

  The lift pulled closer to their dismount site, and James pulled her to the side, away from the crowd. Her brown eyes were welcoming, soft and trusting. The cool air had tinted her cheeks and nose red. Her lips were slightly parted. She didn’t blink, flinch or try to pull away when he touched her chin.

  His gloved thumb stroked her skin several times before he circled her waist with his other hand, tugging her slightly off balance against him. James kissed Joey the way he’d wanted to since he’d first seen her in the conference room. The kiss was full out with no restraint, his mouth hot and heavy over hers, his lips drawing her to open, the tip of his tongue tracing the shape of her lip. It was suggestive and defiant and it made him heat inside.

  James knew the second before she gave herself to him that she would. The realization made him hard, made him push the kiss further than he’d intended. Someone in the distance let out a wolf whistle, distracting Joey just when she was reaching toward him. Her hand dropped quickly, and she turned aside.

  “I figured if we got that out of the way we’d both relax.” He didn’t hold back the sheepish grin that told her he did it for himself.

  “And put your mark on me at the same time?” She glared at him.

  She hated him, James decided, with all her soul.

  “This is not a good idea. Please don’t kiss me anymore, in public or private. I’ll not be part of your ‘benefit’ package that comes with Daniel.”

  “Relax, it was just a simple kiss.”

  “No, it wasn’t. It was a beginning if I let it be. And I won’t. This situation is going to be strained enough, getting sexually involved with you would be unwise on too many levels.” She studied him before continuing. “I admit it would most likely be…satisfying, but ultimately the cost would be drastic, and I’m not in the market for a weekend lover.”

  “All right, I’ll make you a deal. You’ll be the one to kiss me next!” The lift of his smile spoke the dare louder than his words.

  “Don’t count on it. Daniel’s more important than sex, and besides, look at where sex has gotten us.”

  “Yes, it’s gotten us right back together.”

  “We’re not the same people we were than.”

  “I know. I want you to be different, matured and willing.”

  “I was always willing in the past. That was part of our problem. Instead of talking through a problem, we always wound up in bed, the problem forgotten but not handled. I admit I’m still attracted to you, James. But I respect myself too much to jump into bed with you for old time sake.”

  “There’s something to be said for the old times.”

  He was taunting her, and it became clear JoAnna decided the best way to handle James was not to.

  Pulling on her goggles, she simply turned and headed toward the run. He watched every move she made, stretching into a slide, letting her body flow. If he’d wanted a show, she surely was giving him one. By the time he reached the lower run, he was hot and bothered. All the way down he thought about Joey sucking his cock. How she’d take him between her lips to taste him, then start the slow torture of her mouth, lips and teeth, holding back his release until she was ready to let him come.

  Suppressing the wonder of who else had seen and touched her had him cooled down by the time he reached her. Polite but business like, they decided a second run was in order. Before they boarded the lift, Alan appeared with a young girl by his side.

  James was introduced by Alan to his daughter Miranda. She was a shy and pretty teenaged girl who looked adoringly at Joey and Alan standing beside each other. James didn’t like her fantasy. If Miranda had her way, Joey would be her step mom. Putting a crimp in her plan would take some finesse. He didn’t want to hurt the girl, but he wouldn’t let her stand in his way when it came to his family. James understood the sooner people knew who he was in relation to Joey and Daniel, the better. Like next weekend, he decided. He abruptly ended their conversation and guided Joey toward the next open lift seat, telling Alan they’d see them later.

  James saw the perfect opportunity to extend their time together after the second run. Joey had introduced him to several acquaintances as an old friend when they’d finished. When Daniel came running toward them, he was full of what he’d accomplished that afternoon.

  “How about we talk about it over supper? What do you think Daniel, burgers and fries? Then we can find out if we’re allergic or not.”

  JoAnna glared at James, knowing she couldn’t say no. Daniel was already telling James about his favorite spot, and she found herself going along, watching from the side ground. Usually she was Danny’s focus. Just two short meetings with James and he’d turned to the male figure.

  She knew he looked to Alan at times, but when they were alone, she always gave him quiet, positive reinforcement that they were just friends. Now she wanted to do the same with James, but she knew she couldn’t. Letting out a sigh, James caught her eye, and she turned away.

  The place was busy but they managed to get a booth. With orders taken and shakes on the way, Daniel held court. He was the center of attention and shone bright. Joey left them briefly to use the ladies’ room and pull herself together. Watching them was like seeing a strange double. Her son and his father, part of each other and a part of her.

  They managed a restrained empathy for Danny’s benefit. He didn’t seem to notice the stress points. Instead he was enjoying his food and having James’ attention. They decided neither was allergic, and that was good. JoAnna dug in her purse and handed Danny a bunch of quarters. “Go ahead,” she told him. For the first time he hesitated to run from the booth for the video games.

  “I’ll keep your mom company while you play.”

  “Okay,” he said, comfortable with the arrangement.

  “Talk quick, James. Those quarters won’t last long. What did you want to tell me earlier?” JoAnna decided putting them back on track to business as opposed to the happy family unit after a day on the slopes was in order.

  “All right, I’ve rented a two bedroom condo here so I’ll have a place to come on weekends and Danny can have a room of his own when he’s with me. I’ve also rearranged my schedule. I’ll be able to spend three days occasionally.” He waited for a response but didn’t get the one he wanted. JoAnna bit back a smile, James was about to experience a bit of reality from her everyday life.

  She introduced him to several of the locals who knew Joey well. She gave them each her pat answer, “James is a friend from college, spending some down time on the slopes.”

  She should have been saying “This is Daniel’s father” or “my boyfriend” or “husband”, none of which happened or would happen in the near future. Sitting back finishing her shake, she watched how he interacted with each new person and after several decided he was loathing the chit chat. Was it because their conversation was interrupted or was this his personality now, she wondered.

  Danny was out of quarters and Joey nixed the one James was pulling out, telling Danny he could use James’ quarters next time. It was late and tomorrow was a school day. They headed to separate vehicles, Danny running out of steam by the time she got him belted in.

  “You’re just up the hill, and we’re only a few miles away. We’ll be fine getting home. We’ve been doing this for years.” There was no malice, just information
he wasn’t welcome. “Let us know the next time you’re in the area, James. Maybe we could arrange to have supper at our place. “With those parting words, Joey hesitated before opening the driver’s door and looked thoughtful. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, it’s just that we’ve managed this far.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ve made it clear from the start. I understand I’m the interloper. Until last week it was just you and your little guy against the world. Now I’ve been dropped in your lap and none of us knows just where we all belong yet.”

  “That’s one perspective, keeping my independence is another.”

  “Message received, loud and clear.” He took a few steps toward her, his hand extended. “Drive safe.” He handed her a slip of paper with the condo address and his new cell phone number. “If you need anything, give me a call. I’ll be up next Friday.”

  “If you have time in the afternoon, drop by the shop. We can firm up plans for Saturday night, and Danny can say hello.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll be here until the morning if you want to talk.”

  “Night, James. We’ll see you next weekend.”

  James drove to Hunter Thursday night. Friday he actually slept late. Heads turned as he roamed the aisles of the grocery store. Just what did little boys like to snack on? He chose a few bottles of wine and wound up with and odd assortment of food stacked in his cabinets, including several boxes of healthy cereal to offset the boxes of sugar frosted. Frozen pizza and ice cream waited in his freezer. He’d bought chocolate, vanilla and rocky road, not knowing Daniel’s choice. The idea gave him pause.

  He knew nothing about his own son. God, he’d been such a fool in too many ways to count. If Joey would give him a second chance, he promised himself not to screw it up this time. Shaking his head, he wondered if he’d ever cook the macaroni he picked up. He never cooked at home, rarely went into the kitchen unless it was to dump take out containers or get a cold beer. His refrigerator had faired better. With milk, cheese and fresh fruit, he could get through the weekend and then some. James bought two pounds of coffee so he’d wouldn’t run out, thereby taking away a reason to stop at Joey’s shop.