DECEPTION - A Family Affair (13 page)

Gently he moved her to the side so he can push his legs over the bed to rise and went to the bathroom to clean up.  When he returned he began to put on his briefs and he looked over at her and he could see the panic in her eyes.  “Look Marisol, I don’t like games.  I don’t know what you and Nate have going on but one thing I am clearly sure of is that there is no intimacy between the two of you.  Do you want to explain this game of yours so I can understand?”

Quickly jumping into defense mode she reacted without thinking, she sat up grabbing her quilt quickly to cover her nakedness.  “How do you know we are not intimate?  How dare you?  I have never played games and I don’t owe you any explanation of any kind.”

He was beyond furious and raised his voice a bit.  “Really?  Number one, you wouldn’t have made love to me if you were intimate with Nate.  It’s not who you are and number two; I feel your every vibe when I’m around you so I know Marisol, I clearly can see.  The vibe you have for him is brotherly/friendly - I just don’t get the façade you portray to others.”

She looked defeated as she put her head down clasping her fingers so tight she can see the whiteness through her knuckles.  He joined her on the bed kneeling on the side he lifted her chin up with his finger.  Lowering his voice, “Help me understand, I don’t want to compete with something that doesn’t exist.”

Looking directly at him with tear filled eyes, she swallowed trying to get rid of the lump in her throat.  “It’s not like that, it’s not a game.  We just use each other for public image.  I guess for me it’s more of a shield to protect myself.”

Rubbing her cheek with the back of his hand he asked.  “Protect you from what exactly?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.  He has his reasons and I have mine let’s leave it at that.”  Not wanting to upset her any further he backed off.  He already confirmed what he really needed to know.  Within time he’ll uncover the rest.

“Okay I’ll leave it at that but only for now.”  He stated as he gathered her in his arms once again.  It wasn’t until 2:00 in the morning when Marco left her warm bed.  Reluctant to leave but he knew he had to protect her reputation.  He didn’t want the town talking once his car is spotted in her driveway so early in the morning if he was to stay.  Driving back to his mother’s his mind was in full force all his thoughts rambling through his head.  He knew in his heart he was still in love with her.  If only he can break down the walls she built around herself.  Besides her defensiveness he can feel there is more she is holding back from him if only she could trust him.  Despite all her walls, tonight had been amazing; making love to her was beyond belief.  It surpassed all his dreams he had with her over the years.  He couldn’t believe how passionate and beautiful she is, just thinking about it has him hard all over again. He also knew if he wanted her in his future he had to forgive her father so he can have inner peace in order to fully give himself to her but he wasn’t sure if he was capable of forgiveness.  He spent the last twelve years of carrying anger and plotting revenge.  He recently came to terms with his father but would he be able to do the same with her father?  That he couldn’t answer quite yet and until he can he couldn’t declare his love to her.  He had to be fair to her and he also had to think about Eleanor and Charley. 

****♥****

Stretching her body within her sheets she couldn’t help but smile and think of the incredible night she had with Marco.  Disappointment washed through her when he left earlier but he was right the rumors would flow quickly within the town and she needed to get her thoughts together.  They made love about three times and had four orgasms a breaking record for her that’s for sure.  If he only knew he was the only man she has ever slept with.  No, he mustn’t know she didn’t want him to feel he had leverage over her.  Amazing as it was she knew he wasn’t going to be here for long, his home was Texas.  He had a business to run there and his partner already had concerns about expanding here from what she gathered from his phone conversations.  She had to keep that in mind so she doesn’t trap her heart to a painful torture again.  Plus, if she wanted to follow through with her revenge she couldn’t lose herself to him.  So why did she feel vulnerable at the moment?  Her heart was saying one thing and that little voice in her head had a whole different perspective.

A few hours later she found herself parking her Jeep in the church’s parking lot she still wore a smile on her face and it felt so good to feel what is the word she if looking for?  Happy?  Content? Yes, she felt happily content even if it’s for the moment she wanted to treasure it and abandon all other thoughts at least for today. Yes she wanted today for herself to cherish, she deserved it.  Before getting out of her Jeep her phone buzzed it was Nate.  “Hello Nate.”

“Hey babes, how have you been?  I haven’t heard from you.”

“I’m sorry, I knew you were off this weekend spending time with Lucas, plus I went out with Marco Friday and Saturday.”

“What?  That is great Marisol.  Give me the scoop?”

“Well he showed me the ranch which by the way I can’t believe you held out on me.  But I must admit it was a wonderful surprise.  The place is amazing.  I worked with some of the horses on Saturday.  It was the best time I had in such a long time.  I can’t believe how much I missed riding.  By the way how are things going with Lucas?”

“You are not spilling the beans; horses smorses – what about Marco?  How far did you go?  Come on Marisol this is Nate you are talking to.  I can hear it in your voice and I know it isn’t about the damn horses.”

“Wow, did you get some this weekend because you sure sound grumpy?”

“Yes, not only did I get some we had a very romantic weekend and hated the fact I had to leave.  My mother is having a family brunch today, if the timing is right I might share my news.  I’m not sure yet but I’ll keep you posted.  The past two days were great and it showed me how things can really be if I just let it.  Well we’ll see how it goes on the home front.”

“I’m so proud of you Nate.  Just keep in mind they will be shocked at first but they’ll get over it.  They love you.  That’s one brunch I would like to be a fly on the wall.”  She laughed and he joined in.

“Well sweetheart, you know you don’t have to be a fly, you are more than welcome to join us.”

“Oh no this is one brunch I will have to pass on but I’ll be home after church if you want to stop by.”

“Chicken shit.  I’ll let you know, I have to start getting ready.  I will call you either way.  Love you babes.”

“Love you too.”  Ending her call, her phone buzzed with a new text.

Mi Preciosa Joya,

Last night was mind blowing.  I can’t stop thinking about you.  I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did.  I can still taste you on my lips.  Are you free for lunch today with an obsessed Texan?
 

She couldn’t help the stir in her belly he created when reading his text message.  She had even more fun responding.

Obsessed Texan,

Last night was okay; I think I still need to try it again to give you a true assessment. Regarding lunch I will have to decline I have other plans but thank you for the invite.

M...
 

Sending it she felt giddy with her bantering it felt like four play.  She finally got out of her car knowing full well she was already late.  Her phone began to buzz again but it will have to wait otherwise she will never make it to the doors of the church.  She felt so light and free as she headed up the pathway of the church.  She found a seat in the back corner of the church and during the service she couldn’t concentrate just thinking about Marco and wondering about Nate and his family.  She couldn’t help but sneak out quietly and headed back home to spend some time with Mace and be ready if Nate needed her.

Checking her phone she had two notices; a missed call from Mr. Johnson and the other was a text message from Marco.

Mi Preciosa Joya,

It would only be fair to give you another try so you can provide an accurate assessment even though I already know the results.  I look forward to it but until then it’s going to be difficult explaining to my mother as to why I keep taking cold showers. 

Disappointed about lunch let me know if I can convince you to visit the ranch tomorrow after work and have dinner with me - my treat this time.

I hope your plans didn’t include someone carrying the testosterone hormones.

Jealous Texan
 

Her face all flushed she responded with shaky fingers.

Jealous Texan,

I would love to visit the ranch tomorrow and dinner sounds wonderful.  I’m surrounded by a lot of testosterone – what can I say I’m a hot commodity.  But I do look forward to my research for an “accurate assessment”…you are quite charitable. ;)

P.S. you must be the cleanest man in town.

M…
 

She heard a car pull in the driveway and Mace ran to the front door with Marisol trailing behind him.  It was Nate and by the look of his face as he stormed up the pathway only told her brunch didn’t go so well.  “Nate?”  He walked up to her with tortured eyes and immediately grabbed her into his arms burying his face into her neck looking for comfort.  Putting her arms around him she asked the million dollar question, “What happened at the brunch, Nate?”

Pulling himself out of her arms he put his hands through his hair.  “Marisol I need a drink first.  Let’s go inside and have some wine.”  The instant Marisol poured the wine and they were relaxed on her old comfy sofa, Nate pulled his tie off and unbuttoned his two top buttons of his shirt then looked directly at her feeling broken and torn.  Giving him space and time to calm down she waited until he was ready to open up to her.  After his third glass of wine he finally spoke.  “Today my family had a big announcement; my brother Jeffrey has decided to run for office since one of the candidates has dropped out due to some scandal with an underage boy, so they asked to run in his place with the major platform being family values – funny huh?  Then the topic of same sex marriage was discussed but of course no debate at our dinner table since we are all on the same page – right…?  So now I’m faced with my life style being a threat to my brother’s political career.”

“Oh my God Nate, there has to be a way around this.  You are not your brother, he can have all the beliefs he wants and try to implement them however he sees fit but you are not him and he shouldn’t be accountable for your way of life just because it’s different from what he stands for.  You are your own person.”

“Marisol, I love you but sometimes sweetie you picture the world in rose colors and fairies.  Unfortunately politics don’t work that way.  He can’t stand for family values and against same sex marriages then parade a gay brother who wants to marry his gay lover.  We live in the south sweetie, they will crucify him and he’ll look just as bad as the last guy fooling around with boys.”

“I’m so sorry Nate. I think I’ll go open up another bottle of wine.”  Joining him with another glass of wine and refilling his glass she looked at him as he stared at the ceiling.  “Nate, what are you thinking?”