Deceptions Revealed (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

“I brought protection after our first meeting, just in case.”

  “Pretty sure of yourself.”

  “Just careful. Our next child should be born after we get married.”

  “Married? You’ve had a long week. I’m not talking about marriage, only a weekend where Daniel won’t walk in on us. I’m thinking we can say hello and goodbye at the same time. Get the itch out of our systems. We can’t go back, only forward. I’m thinking closure not a new beginning.

  “But it will be a beginning?”

  “No, it should be closure.”

  “It will be what it turns into. It’s just a matter of time, and we both know it. You want me as much as I want you. You want to remember and to trust, and so do I.”

  “Couldn’t we just see what happens with time? I’m not ready to make any commitments to you or anybody else. You’d better understand that, James. If I decide to sleep with you, it’s purely for my own personal benefit, not for setting the future.”

  “For now, it’s all I’m asking for. Time together.”

  “Without any strings or promises for the future!”

  “Let’s just get the now settled and we’ll worry about the future. But Joey, our futures do lie together with Daniel. I feel that to my soul.”

  “I’m nowhere near as confident.”

  “Don’t worry about it for now. We’re almost home, where would you like to stop for supper?”

  They decided on a small place on the outskirts of town. When he dropped her off, James walked upstairs behind her. He made sure the place was intact and pulled her into his arms. His kiss started gentle and firm, until Joey let her mouth drop open on a sigh. She gave him full advantage, tasting him, taunting him. Her hands smoothed along his back and shoulders, pulling him closer. James deepened the kiss further, enticing her with his tongue in motion to his hips gently sliding against hers. Just when she thought her legs wouldn’t hold her up, he pulled away.

  “Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be busy. How about I make supper at the condo, give you a night off?”

  “All right, I guess.” Just when she was ready to take him to bed he pulled away, leaving her more confused than before. He left her wanting him, physically.

  “Good, come by when you’re done here tomorrow.” He moved easily to the side door, hesitating. “Joey, I don’t want anyone in bed with us except us. Not Danny or Pilar and especially not Ben. Tomorrow we start fresh and see where the night takes us.”

  “All right, dinner at your place after I close the shop.”

  The next morning the snow started. Most of the upper east coast was under a blizzard warning. Joey called James around noon and asked him to come to her tonight. She didn’t want to mess up his arrangements, but if it was a heavy snow she needed to be able to open the shop first thing. People in ski country went out regardless of the weather. He didn’t seem to mind and showed up just as she was closing for the night.

  “The streets and sidewalks are all clear. I can’t believe how they manage to keep up with it all.”

  “It’s a ski resort, James. People come here for the snow. Most of them are thrilled. Town will be busy, the slopes will be crazy and the streets will stay plowed.”

  James made the pasta he’d brought along with the salad fixings. Joey offered bread and dessert. In the dark of her kitchen, with the lights down low, they ate quietly and did the dishes with few words. Intense didn’t describe how she was feeling. Finally, Joey turned to James.

  “Come and kiss me, James.”

  She watched him hesitate for only a second before crossing to her. JoAnna reached toward him. He slid against her with heat already building, his erection pressing against her belly, giving her the kiss she’d been missing for so long. Smooth and firm, his lips pressed to hers as the tip of his tongue danced along her mouth. Opening to him was automatic, her hands slipping down his back and along his sides pulled him closer. James tugged the band from Joey’s braid and set her hair free in soft waves around her shoulders.

  It was JoAnna who led him through the darkened space, stopping to toss cushions off the sofa and onto the carpeted floor. Tying back the lace curtains, they could see the dark sky and the street light reflecting off the snow flakes. Up so high, she didn’t worry about them being seen. With slow movements, she lowered herself to the floor near one of the heating grates. It was easy to reach for his hand, to take the wine he remembered to bring from the kitchen.

  There was no awkward moment, rather a flow of arms and legs tangling together as they slowly stripped each other. JoAnna reveled in the feel of his bare skin against her and caressed and kissed him all over. Without conversation, they took turns relearning each other, how their bodies molded together, and how it felt to make love with someone you loved and trusted. She didn’t let the past enter her mind, rather let James love her. Different than she remembered from so long ago, his touch still thrilled her. She’d been hot and bothered for weeks now at just the idea of him touching her. To have his mouth suckle her breast while his fingers thrust in her pussy was heaven. She tried to move their position so she could reach him but he made it clear he had a plan. If his plan was to drive her crazy, it was working.

  Kissing his way down her body, he left no spot untouched, arousing her beyond her memories. She came when he slipped two fingers inside her while sucking the tender skin on the inside of her thigh. All the old tensions left her body and she forced him onto his back, rolling over to straddle his thighs, inflicting her own kind of torture to his body. She too kissed every patch of skin she could reach, until she worked her way down to his cock. It was thick and long, her fingers not closing around it completely. Stroking him several times she was rewarded with drops of clear fluid which she lapped up immediately.

  His taste was still familiar and she settled between his legs to make love to his erection. Her mouth, lips and teeth all added to the patterns she was making up and down his shaft. His groan was familiar, the sound he would make before losing control. She paused and smiled at the idea she could still make him writhe at her attentions.

  “Come for me, James,” she told him before engulfing him completely, swallowing him to the back of her throat. Making repeated passes along his length, she felt her own juices start to drip from her, wetting her thighs.

  “Joey,” he whispered, but she didn’t acknowledge him. She swallowed his cock, burying her nose against his crotch, her hand fondling his balls. He came with a groan, his hips lifting off the floor as she worked him through his orgasm. When he stilled under her, she reached up and drew his head towards her, sharing his release still on her lips. He deepened the kiss, easily rolling her under him, shifting her hips to align with hers. His cock was full again, hard and inching inside her.

  She startled when he pulled away suddenly, and relaxed when she saw he was searching the pile of their clothing for his pants. When he found the condom, her fingers smoothed it over his length, and helped to guide him inside her. It felt like she’d never been fucked before, he was so thick inside her. James’ hands moved her face to look directly at him, watching her reaction to every thrust. She had to acknowledge to herself silently the intensity and passion still existed between them.

  It inspired her to want control. “James, let me on top,” she told him, moving from his hold before he could stop her. Straddling his thighs, she took what she wanted, using his cock as her tool, using him to liberate her from her celibacy. His hands molded to her breasts, his fingers pinching her nipples on each upward pull. This was the heady combination she remembered, the overwhelming need to have him inside her, to force his release to her.

  Joey felt it building inside her, felt her body starting to tense. She took his hands from her breasts and moved them wide to his sides, holding him for balance as she leaned forward, grinding against him at a different angle. She let her eyes slip closed when the pinpoint lights started to dance before her. His body relented and he came with a shudder inside her.

  She kept his hands in hers
, still spread wide to the sides, and let her body drop to his chest. He slowly took his hands from hers, using them to hold her against him, not letting her go. Joey felt him twitch inside her and she pushed up to take his length, using slight hip movements to taunt him. He managed to stay with her a bit longer before collapsing under her.

  Their feelings reawakened and renewed, the longing still there.

  Sated temporarily, they lay on the cushions, watching the night sky in silence while sipping from his wine glass. The street lights illuminated the heavy snow that fell all around them.

  James gathered her up in his arms and slowly started them at the beginning. Having had a taste of him, there was no way she was going to let him go now. Reinforcing it was paramount in her mind, he was always meant to be with her, now she had him back, she wouldn’t run or let him go.

  “Hello, James,” she said with a small laugh, trying to deal with how they’d just loved and explored each other with complete abandon.

  “I love you, Joey,” he told her and held her still when she went to move. “Don’t go, not yet. Just let’s catch our breath,” he added, as his hands moved to make small patterns against her bare back.

  “Would you like to try this in a bed,” she jokingly asked.

  “I’d rather have you over the back of the sofa.” With little fuss he helped her up and drew her to the edge of the furniture. His strong hand ran along her back and lightly pushed her over the back of it.

  His cock was inside her before she was settled, bracing for his weight as he fucked her with abandon. Pulling from her completely he dropped behind her, using his lips and tongue to catch her juices trickling down her thighs. Pushing back inside her, she felt her body clasp him tight and let herself come, pulsing several times before he thrust one last time and came himself. He dropped over her, using the furniture to support most of his weight. With his mouth close to her ear, he told her, “I need a shower, than you can take me to bed.”

  “Is that so, and once we get there, what do you have in mind?”

  “I’ll think of something. After I get you all hot and bothered again, I want to fuck you ass while I finger your pussy.”

  “You have this all thought out,” she teased, starting to stand when he finally lifted his weight from her.

  “I’ve had it thought out for years,” he told her in a tone that sounded very serious to her ear.

  “Shower first, than we’ll see if we can create your fantasy.”

  The next day, even though it was still snowing, the town was alive and busy. James wandered around, window shopping and walked into the diner a few blocks away. He nodded to the police captain, Robert Lindor, whom Joey had introduced him to the last time they were at the arcade. The waitress, Erin, knew him by name now. He sat at the counter while he ate and listened to the talk of the storm and when it would blow through. It gave him an odd comfort to be known by name and to be recognized and welcomed.

  That night, he and Joey walked to supper at the near resort. It was a crisp, cool walk, but it felt good after being cooped up inside all day. James noted some people seemed interested in them and could feel the stares and heard some of the whispers about them. The walk home was colder, but cuddling Joey against his body made it worthwhile.

  Back in her apartment, it was easy to slip out of clothes and into a warming shower. Somehow it was if no time had passed between them. Instinct took over, and only after finally running out of hot water did she force him to take her to bed. He didn’t waste time questioning her decision. Instead he carried her across the distance to drop her very unceremoniously in the center before lying over her and taking her mouth under his.

  From there all bets were off. Joey took as much as she gave and still wanted more. James had never felt so satisfied in his life. Only once, he thought as he was drifting off to sleep, when he was with Joey in Manhattan, had he ever felt this peaceful. It was a feeling he’d fight hard not to give up.

  It all seemed so idyllic, work was busy but with her cheery attitude the days went quickly. The evenings went quicker. No longer a pretense of if they’d get together, it was when. He’d stayed with her during the blizzard, venturing out each day for a few hours and meeting her upstairs with food ready at the end of her day.

  This has been the best week of my life, Joey,” James said late Sunday evening. He’d pick up Danny tomorrow and bring him home. They’d all have supper together and hear about his trip, then James would have to go back to his condo. That was the part he hated. Leaving her each night from now on seemed wrong. “If I tell you something, promise not to hold it against me?”

  JoAnna snuggled closer to his body, her bed warm from their body heat. “No promises,” she teased, “but tell me anyway.” Her hand smoothed along his belly, her fingertips just grazing across his groin, missing the contact he assumed was destined for his cock.

  “It’s just that, well, I’ve never been happier with you. These nights, it’s like how our lives should have been all this time.”

  “That’s one of the nicest things you’ve ever said to me.”

  “I miss Daniel, Joey. I hardly know him and I feel like there’s something missing.”

  “Now you’re starting to understand how I feel about him.”

  “God, I missed so much. I don’t want to miss anymore.” Joey noticed the catch in his voice but didn’t acknowledge it. This was all happening too quickly.

  “I’m not moving, James. Your commute will have to be just that.”

  “I’m working on something different, Joey. Give me some time to work it out.”

  “You’re not going to share any of the details with me?”

  “Not yet, too many variables. Just know I’m working on getting more time to spend with you and Daniel.”

  “All right for now. But only because I like the idea of the eventual outcome.” Her tone changed, deepened, and James knew she was thinking about something important.

  “Out with it,” he said, taking her chin in his hand to direct her face toward him.

  “We agreed to limit our physical contact in public and in front of Daniel until you’re sure you really want us to be a family and until Danny gets used to you. But I’m going to miss you in my bed at night. Our private time is going to spiral downwards after tomorrow.”

  “I know. I figure if we’re just natural with each other, he’ll accept us on his own terms. And until then, I’ll just steal you away for private moments when we can get them.” He gave her a sly smile.

  “Oh, I like the sound of that, being stolen away for private times.” This time her hand moved a fraction lower, capturing his growing interest in her palm. “Reality starts tomorrow, James, for tonight, nothing else matters.”

  “Nothing else, just you,” he whispered, shifting to take her nipple between his lips.

  Chapter Nine

  By the middle of March life became hectic but within reason. Daniel was excelling in school and had taken to James being around as much as possible. He didn’t acknowledge the hand-holding or occasional kiss that was more than a peck. They settled into a calm rotation. James would come up Friday and meet Daniel after school. Whatever the weekend brought, James and JoAnna worked it out. Sometimes they each did things separately with Danny, other times together. James went back to the city each Monday and called every night. JoAnna should have known it was all too simple and clean. They’d even begun to socialize with a few couples JoAnna was friendly with, including Alan. He was openly dating Janie, who worked at the bank.

  She and James had a few hushed conversations about their future but not with specifics. He was apparently trying to wind up things at the office. James had openly told her he wasn’t going to look for a new apartment until they were more settled. He’d hinted a Manhattan apartment might not be necessary at all, but she wouldn’t allow herself to picture them living on the mountain as a family just yet. Too much still stood unresolved.

  Walking back from the post office, JoAnna decided to wait at
the stop for Daniel’s bus. The air was crisp and cool, but the sun offset the chill. As the bus pulled up she smiled to other parents and said hello to other children. Only as the last children were getting off did her stomach plummet.

  Glancing at the driver, she didn’t have to vocalize her question. She was told Danny had been picked up at school. His teacher had a signed note to release him. Joey felt like the earth was falling from underfoot. She shook her head and mumbled something about a mix up. Maybe James had gotten off early after all and driven up to surprise them? She tried his cell number and got voice mail. By the time she got back to the shop, Carol took her aside, seeing something was inherently wrong.

  “Danny wasn’t on the bus. The driver said he was picked up with a release note.”

  “Maybe James?” Carol started.

  “I can’t reach him.”

  “Try the office,” Carol said, walking away and quickly returning with a bottle of water and several aspirin in her hand. By then JoAnna had no color left in her cheeks.

  “I don’t care, interrupt him Doris. This is an emergency!” JoAnna glanced up to her friend, tears filling her eyes as she glanced from the phone to Carol. “James is at the office…”

  Carol eased away and huddled with Pearl. Quickly they closed the store, scooting old Mrs. Jenson out with her coffee and scone to go today, on the house. Both doors were locked and closed signs posted.

  James gruffly came on the line. “Joey, now’s not a good time,” he said, distracted by the noise around him.

  “I don’t care! Daniel did not get off the school bus today. The driver said an older man had a signed note to release him. James, I want my son back, now!”

  “Don’t panic, but I didn’t do this. I don’t know who…”

  “Oh, I do. I’ve got Carol calling the school to get a description of the person and the vehicle, and Pearl has asked Captain Lindor to come over.”

  “Call Alan, have him wait with you until I get there. Tell Robert to give me ten minutes and I’ll be in the car. He can get my cell then. I’ll get there as fast as I can,” he said, barking out orders to the people around him.