The Secrets of Paradise Bay (5 page)

Emily stepped into the kitchen. “There's a collect call for you. Says his name is Raymond.”

Clyde grinned. He had given his cell mate Trey's number.
I'll pay for the call
. “Think I'll take that in my room.”

Upstairs Clyde flopped on the king-sized bed that seemed to fit him perfectly and flipped on the cordless handset. “So you miss me already, huh?”

“Not really,” muttered Raymond. “All right, maybe just a little, but don't tell anyone. Thought I'd call and see how life's treatin' you on the outside?”

“So far, so good. I'm just chilling out in my brother's mansion, trying to figure out what's next.”

“Thought you had a plan?”

“I do,” Clyde said unevenly. “But getting it going might take some doing.”

“I'm sure you can handle it. Fact is, I'm countin' on it. Partners, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Good.” Raymond let out a big sneeze. “So is your brother's wife as hot in person as in the picture?”

“Hotter,” Clyde admitted. “She could probably burn you with just a touch.”

Raymond laughed lasciviously. “Now ain't it just too bad she's spoken for? Maybe she's got a twin sister she can hook you up with?”

“I don't think so.” Clyde couldn't imagine there being more than one Ivana out there. “I'm sure I'll be able to find someone all by myself.”

“Yeah, like for about twenty bucks on a street corner.”

Clyde chuckled. “Hey, I'm not that desperate.”

“Whatever you say.” Raymond paused. “Well, I'll let you go back to enjoying the good life.”

“Your day is right around the corner.”

“Don't think I don't know that it. It's what keeps me going.”

Clyde could relate, seeing that that was the same position he was in very recently. Now he was in the lap of luxury with a fine car and a path to chart his own future.

After getting off the phone, Clyde got up and peeked out the window. Down below, he saw Ivana lying by an Olympic-sized pool, looking hot, wet, and sexy in a bikini.
The lady is all that and more
, he thought, feeling his libido raise a couple of notches. He wondered if Trey was taking good care of his woman in bed. Or had his cheating ways robbed him of that gorgeous body that seemed made for blazing sexual passion and pleasure?

Clyde chewed on that thought, knowing where to draw the line when it came to his brother's wife. But that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy the view, albeit from a safe distance.

Ivana sipped on the martini before diving back into the pool. She'd been aware that Clyde had been watching her—first from his room, and then the deck. There had been no conversation between them, but sometimes words need not be spoken to express yourself. Clyde liked what he saw and Ivana found that it felt good to attract a man other than her husband. Or in spite of him.

She had certainly had her fair share of suitors before Trey swept her off her feet. Seemed that most men fell easily for a tall, beautiful African American model as she strutted her stuff before an international audience. While she had not entered into the marriage as a virgin, Ivana had remained faithful to Trey, though she could just as easily have strayed as he had.

Why do men think they're entitled, but not their women?
Even if it causes the woman to lose whatever respect she had for him in the process?

Ivana swam all the way to the end of the pool and back, enjoying the cool feel of the water on her body and the workout that was invigorating. She wondered if Clyde was as good a swimmer as Trey. She could only imagine those powerful biceps and calves at work, moving seamlessly through the water, looking like a perfectly sculpted African warrior.

When Ivana came up for air she almost expected Clyde to be waiting there with her towel, offering to dry from head to toe. Or take a dip himself. Instead, as she climbed out of the pool, Ivana saw no sign of their houseguest. She hid her disappointment while realizing it was probably for the best.

She would do well to keep that in mind.

Trey decided to invite his brother and wife out to dinner at a nice restaurant. It seemed like a good idea to get out of the house and loosen up a bit. He was surprised Ivana didn't put up a fuss or accuse him of showboating. Instead, she seemed totally on board, as did Clyde, having doubled his wardrobe in an hour. Allowing Clyde to stay with them for a while just might work out after all, Trey thought, keeping his fingers crossed.

The Ribs Castle was crowded this evening, but Trey had no problem reserving a table, since the owner was a personal friend and customer.

“I'm glad Trey brought you by, Clyde,” Kalunga Malkaka said in his thick Zairean accent.

“Me too,” Clyde said, and tugged uncomfortably on his sport coat. “So I hear you've got the best ribs in town?”

Kalunga cast a wide smile. “You won't get any argument from me there.” He winked at Ivana. “Be sure to let me know if you need anything.” He left menus.

“So what do you think, Clyde?” asked Trey a couple of minutes later. “The pineapple baby backs sounds pretty good to me.”

Clyde nodded. “Yeah, me too.” He turned to Ivana. “See something you like?”

Ivana looked up from the menu. “Maybe the flame-grilled sirloin.”

“Then we're all set,” Trey said, seeing the waitress coming their way.

When the woman took the orders, Clyde made a late switch and ordered the flame-grilled sirloin. “That sounds even better,” he suggested.

Trey was mildly surprised that his brother had followed Ivana's lead instead of his. Perhaps this was Clyde's way of trying to get on Ivana's good side. Given that his wife could be pretty damned stubborn when she wanted to be, Trey fully supported anything that could keep her and Clyde on the same page instead of mortal enemies.

By the time the food arrived, the three had broken into a bottle of cabernet franc. Trey thought that the evening had gone well. Ivana hadn't overdone it with the wine, and the conversation had not stepped on anyone's toes. He wanted only to do right by his wife and brother, without sacrificing his own principles in the process.

“You come here often?” Clyde got Trey's attention.

“We used to.” Trey gazed at Ivana, realizing that their eating out had gone to hell in recent memory. His fault. Perhaps this could jump start that part of their lives.

“It's a great place to eat,” said Clyde. “But after where I've been, I guess any place would be a treat.”

Trey glanced at Ivana. “I'm sure you're right.”

Ivana peered at Clyde. “So what was it like being in prison?”

“This isn't the time, Ivana—” Trey said, as if any time would be.

“No, it's cool,” Clyde cut in. “Let her ask. It's pretty much what you'd expect. The cells are cramped, the food lousy, the staff indifferent. Inmates keep to themselves for the most part, when not fighting over something usually stupid.”

“Do people really smuggle in drugs and stuff?” she asked over her wineglass.

“There's always a way to get something, if the price is right,” he answered truthfully, slicing into the tender sirloin.

Ivana paused and leaned forward. “Is homosexuality
really
a big problem in prison?”

“Ivana!” Trey glared. “Don't go there.” He thought it might be going too far to delve into that sordid part of the prison culture. Especially if it was something that Clyde didn't feel comfortable talking about. Trey understood that one had to survive behind bars any way necessary.

“I don't mind responding.” Clyde smiled crookedly. “Yeah, it's a big problem. But not for me. I don't play that game and made it clear right from the start. No one messed with me after that.”

“I'm glad to hear.” Ivana sipped her drink thoughtfully.

“Maybe I could ask you a couple of questions?” Clyde put forth.

“Go ahead,” she said evenly. “It's only fair.”

Clyde tasted the wine, eyeing Trey for tacit approval.

Trey nodded, figuring Clyde was probably just as curious about his wife as she was about him . He hoped the questions wouldn't make Ivana too uncomfortable. Or him, for that matter.

“Where are you from?” Clyde asked her. “I think Trey said you met in New York.”

“I grew up in San Antonio.”

“You still got family there?”

Ivana wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “My mother and stepfather.”

“A friend of mine is from San Antonio,” Clyde pointed out. “I told him I'll have to check it out sometime.”

“Be my guest. Just be prepared for the awful, dry summer heat. Not to mention those pesky insects.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

“I like it there,” Trey said, though Ivana clearly could take it or leave it. “In fact, I'm thinking about possibility expanding my business interests to the southwest.”

“Oh, yeah?” Clyde looked at him.

“Though times are tough, people still need to get where they're going, and the vehicle is still the most affordable, safest transportation around.”

“I say go for it,” Clyde voiced. “If anyone can get folks there into the car-buying mood, I'm sure it's you.”

“Won't be for a couple of years though,” Trey downplayed it. He could almost see relief in Ivana's face. As it were, he would never make such a business move that involved committing his time and resources without consulting her first. While he had found much of his success before they got married, Trey believed that marriage was a true partnership, even outside the household. All he wanted was for Ivana to be happy, whatever it took.

By the time things began to wind down, Trey had made a snap decision that he felt made perfect sense. Over the rim of his wineglass, he said in earnest, “Clyde, until you figure out what you want to do with your life, I'd like you to work for me.”

Clyde cocked a brow. “Doing what—selling cars? Or maybe you see me filling bags with popcorn at one of your theaters?”

Trey chuckled without humor. “Neither, exactly.”

“Then exactly what?”

“I'd like you to start off as my right-hand man—assistant, or whatever you want to call it. You'll report directly to me in—”

“Thanks but no thanks,” Clyde said flatly. “Not interested in being your errand boy.”

“Neither am I,” Trey assured him, not entirely surprised at the reaction, knowing his brother and the pride thing. “I'll teach you the ropes of the car business and you can go as far as you want.”

“That's not really my thing.”

“So maybe it can be,” Trey insisted, glancing at Ivana. “At least think about it, Clyde. You're the only brother I have, and I could use someone close to work with me. We'd be helping each other. And if after a while you decide to go in a different direction, that's fine.”
It would be a big disappointment if I brought you in only to quit on me, but I'd get over it. Have to at least try to reach out
.

Clyde ran a hand across his mouth. His features softened. “What the hell? Okay, I'll give it a try and we'll see how things work out.”

“Great!” Trey smiled, knowing this was best for everyone, including Ivana, who would not have to worry about Clyde being around the house as much, if that still concerned her. “Why don't we toast to working together just like Mama always envisioned?”

“All right,” Clyde agreed.

Trey lifted up the wineglass. He clicked it against Clyde's glass and Ivana's. Though he fully expected to get an earful from her later, Trey welcomed the moment when they all seemed to come together and maybe were setting the stage for future unity and prosperity.

That night, Trey rapped softly on Ivana's door. He really wanted her tonight and hoped that maybe she might want him after what he had for her.

When there was no answer, he went in. Ivana was sitting on the bed, wearing a black teddy and looking incredibly sexy.

“What are you up to?” Trey asked tentatively.

“Just looking at her,” she said.

“Who?”

As he got closer, Trey saw that she was holding the picture of their child created on the ultrasound machine. He remembered how joyous they had both been when first seeing images of the girl who was supposed to complete them. She was given the name Catherine, after Ivana's paternal grandmother.

Trey sat beside her. “She would've been beautiful,” he said quietly.

“I know.” Ivana faced him. “Do you think she would have looked more like you or me?”

“Definitely you. I can imagine her with your high cheeks and brown-green eyes.”

Ivana smiled dreamily. “Maybe. Did you want something?”

Trey wondered if the mood had been killed, but decided to go for anyway. “I have a little item I picked up for you from Tiffany's,” he said. He pulled a diamond bracelet out of his pocket. “I thought this would look great on you. It has onyx and rock crystal, set in eighteen-karat white gold.”

Ivana looked overwhelmed. “Must have cost a fortune.”

“It did,” Trey admitted. “I'd spend it again. You're my wife and I would do anything for you.”

She met his eyes. “Do you want to put it on my wrist?”

He grinned. “I would love to.”

Trey watched as Ivana admired the bracelet that was a perfect fit.

“Thanks.”

He felt that the moment was perfect to kiss her. Tilting his head, Trey brushed his lips against Ivana's. When he didn't get a reaction, he assumed she wasn't interested in going further and didn't want to push it. Not with the miscarriage fresh on her mind to throw back at him.

“Well, I guess I'll leave you alone.”

Before Trey could get up, Ivana grabbed his hand. “Stay.

He held her gaze. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Trey kissed her again. This time Ivana opened up to him. He put a hand on her breast, loving its soft fullness. They fell down onto the bed and Trey put his tongue in her mouth, tasting the remnants of a martini. A surge of desire coursed through him, having longed for this moment when they would be together as husband and wife.

In spite of an overwhelming desire to be deep inside Ivana, Trey wanted to pleasure her first. Lowering his head, he spread her legs and put his face between. He used his lips to push aside the silk of her French G-string. He began to lick her clitoris 'til she got wet.

Ivana moaned, putting her hands on his head. It turned Trey on and he continued to kiss her, tasting the deliciousness of her womanhood.

When her quivering body told him Ivana's orgasm had come, Trey moved back up her and pulled out one breast, sucking on its taut nipple like a strawberry while removing his erection. He slid deep inside his wife and they made love.

Leveling his body with hers, Trey grabbed Ivana's buttocks and went deeper as the orgasm drove out of him and inside her vagina. He groaned with passionate release and fell onto Ivana, keeping their bodies close for the waning moments of satisfaction.

When it was over, Trey half expected Ivana to dismiss him from her room. But she said nothing, seemingly content at the moment to be held by him. He wouldn't push for more too soon, happy to take one step at a time in working their way back.

Ivana pretended to be asleep with her back to Trey. She could hear a faint snore coming from him. She had been surprised by the diamond bracelet. He had given her many gifts over the years, but not so many in recent memories that made her take notice. When she let him make love to her, Ivana was not merely showing her gratitude, she was hoping to feel something again inside for the man she married.

Instead, she found herself unable to feel much of anything insofar as strong desire. Until she began to fantasize that it was Clyde who was orally gratifying, then making demanding love to her. It was the first time in a long while Ivana could remember climaxing and relishing the experience. It had been so intense that she felt like screaming—'til it was over and she had to face the reality that her lover was her husband. The same one who had forsaken his marital vows and turned his attentions to another woman. Ivana simply couldn't get past that. At least not to the point where she was ready to invite him to move back into their bedroom.
Am I wrong to feel this way? Should I simply forgive and forget what he did?
Ivana didn't know if that was even possible. There was no putting the genie back in the bottle. Trey had seen to that. What he did couldn't be undone with the stroke of a magic wand. Now they would both have to deal with the consequences, whatever they might be.

Ivana's thoughts turned to Clyde Lancaster, her fantasy lover. The man had come into their lives and turned things upside down in many respects without even knowing it. Or maybe he knew exactly what he was doing to her, even if Trey wasn't the wiser.

Ivana felt embarrassed that Clyde had been the one to awaken the real woman in her, at least in her vivid imagination. It was his touch, not Trey's, that made her feel alive and want to have him wedged as deep inside her as possible, while his fullness gave her orgasm after orgasm.

What would Clyde think if he knew he had that power over me? Would he want to exploit it for his own, no doubt, burning needs
?
Or would he stay away from me out of respect for Trey
?

It was a perilous path Ivana didn't want to go down when looking at things squarely. Clyde was an ex-con who she wanted no part of outside of capitulating to Trey's wishes that they give his brother room and board. But was that possible after tonight? Could she ever see him again without fantasizing about—if not wanting—Clyde as her lover?