Affairs & Atonements (9 page)

“She has been luckier than me though. At least she didn’t get pregnant at eighteen,” she let out sharply. “But she is a part of the Lily Grove family…” She trailed off into her thoughts.

Ashton could tell that there was something bothering her. But being Christy, she would never disclose her problems to him. Perhaps, he could trap her into revealing them to him. It would be slightly underhanded of him but he needed to know them. He couldn’t allow her to burden her problems on her shoulders alone. Not while he was around.

“Between the two of you, she’s got more sense than you right now.” He provoked.

She flared. “You’re crossing the line, Ashton.”

“Am I? At least, she recognizes that the lodge is in trouble. She’s not hiding behind the fantasy that everything will turn out to be ‘just fine’. She knows I can help and she’s done right by raising the issue with me.”

“You’re a guest. We’re not supposed to raise
any
issue with you! It is none of your damned business!”

He neared her threateningly. “Have you seen another guest breaking his back to mend your cupboard doors, the lights and replace that old, dodgy balcony rails?”

“Well, you shouldn’t have. You just up and went and did it yourself.” She minced back, not moving an inch.

“You think you’re all clever, shouldering everything on your own. It isn’t clever. It’s stupid. Especially when you know I can cut on your expenses if you got me to do most of that!”

“I don’t take advantage of people!”

“Well, you should!”

“I’m
not
like you! I refuse to be like you!” She screamed, her tears dampening her cheeks.

He melted and his arms involuntary moved to embrace her. But her hand moved so quickly he didn’t see it coming. She slapped him hard on his cheek, the sound reverberating in his ear. He clenched his jaw, his fingers pulled together into a tight fist.

“I don’t think I earned that,” he growled.

“You’re mistaken. Like you always are.”

He grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her head roughly up to him. And before she knew it, his mouth came down on her lips. His tongue swept its way into her mouth as his teeth nipped at her lips, cajoling it to open wider for him. His other hand pressed her body tightly into his, crushing her breasts against his chest.

She pushed against him, trying to tear away from his mouth. But he held her firmly, inching further into her mouth.

He finally let her go and she whipped her arm in the air to cuff him again. But he had been ready for her this time, catching her wrist and pinning it behind her back. His eyes narrowed as he pulled her close to him again. She winced from the pain in her twisted arm.

“I think we’re even now,” he rasped against her face. “But if you decide to slap me again, then you had better be ready for what I will do to you.”

He pulled her buttocks into him so she could feel the hardened length of his cock massage against her belly. Her eyes widened and she closed her mouth in time to prevent that little moan of pleasure from escaping her lips.

He leaned down to brush his cheeks against her. His day old stubbles bristled against her face and she relished the feel of it against her skin.

“If you’re intent on abusing my body,” he whispered hoarsely into her ear. “Then it would be my greatest pleasure to return the favor and abuse yours.”

He let go of her again and she had better sense this time than try and provoke him. She glared at him instead.

“You sure have a problem with fidelity, don’t you?” she said. Her tears stung her eyes, her chest walls constricted.

“Christy…,” he started.

“Don’t.” She shook her head. “I’ve had enough of you. I don’t know what I’d seen in you all those years back. But I’m glad I left you when I did. You did me the biggest favor when you threw me out of your life. So thank you.”

She walked quickly out of the room before she could lose control on the tears she was straining to hold back.

Ashton let out a frustrating grunt. Why did he keep forgetting about Naomi every time he was around her? A perfidious lewd bastard was definitely not how he had envisioned she’d see him as. But each time he came inches to her, he somehow managed to successfully make himself out to be one.

Ashton stepped down from the staircase and headed towards the door. He needed a beer. Two or more would be great.

Instead of improving his relationship with Christy, he had only worsened it. He had let his desires get in the way of common sense and now it seemed all hopes of reconciliation were lost. He swore to keep to himself for the rest of his time at the lodge, spending most of it with JR rather than riling his wife. His wife… that felt so good.

“Where do you think
you’re
going?” Margaret called out to him.

“Out into town.” He smiled. “I need a drink.”

“Well, you can get one right here. Or do you prefer to drink alone?”

“I’d love to keep you company, but I don’t think someone else will hold the same opinion of me.”

“Ahh, right.” Margaret nodded. “I understand that can be slightly inconvenient. But in light of all the work you did today, putting up the balcony rails and planning my garden patch, I cannot allow you to simply walk away.  I don’t like to remain indebted, Mr. Pryor. So do me the pleasure and join me for dinner, why don’t you?”

He placed his hands in his pockets, frowning at her. He didn’t want to upset the older woman. But neither did he want to rattle Christy anymore either.

The woman threaded an arm around his.

“I’m sure we can do something to win Christy over,” she said. “How about I dub you my special guest? I’ll get JR to knight you the same as well. She won’t be able to turn you away then. She most probably would ignore you, but you will be safe under our protection, I can assure you. And of course, there is the fact that you’ll be having your precious drink with two people who heartily appreciate you. What do you think?”

He twisted his mouth, unsure of what he should do.

“It’s an overly used cliché, Ashton, but a family that eats together does stay together,” she said. “You’re here to spend as much time with JR. And you’re not going to be able to do that in a bar all by yourself. JR needs that sense of security and togetherness to grow into a well-rounded adult. He can only get that if you and Christy put away your personal differences and make him the priority at dinner. He’s lucky to have you back in your life. And each moment he spends with you will be treasured. He might not tell you that, but you can see it gleam in his eyes every time he looks at you. Giving him the best is not just about money and gifts. It’s about small things such as these family meals. Your lavish presents might be forgotten in the course of his growing up, but the time he spends with you at these meals are those that will remain with him forever. The greatest gift you can give JR, Ashton, is you.”

“You make a compelling argument.” He smiled.

She walked him towards the family quarters. “You’re an advertising executive, right? You deal with customers and clients, just as we do. And the most common customer complaint is surprisingly not about the money. It’s about time. ‘It was not worth my time’, they say. A child is no different. At the end of his growing years, he is also bound to review his parents and think, ‘Was I worth their time?’ How can you then blame the child for quitting on his parents when they didn’t live up to his five stars worth review?” She sighed. “Parenting is hard, Ashton. In fact, it’s too goddamned difficult. Because you’re constantly on the watch, constantly working hard to earn your five stars from the most important client you’ll ever serve in your life- your child.”

*****

He sat at the table, cutting through his slice of juicy, roasted beef. Dinner had been uncomfortably quiet despite JR’s little chatters and tales. And just as Margaret had predicted, Christy had indeed ignored him for most of it.

“So, what are you planning for tomorrow, Ashton?” Margaret asked him as she brought him another can of beer.

“Well, I need those materials for your garden patch. And of course, I need some proper outdoor work wear. I thought perhaps, JR could help me out in that department.” He smiled at the boy seated next to him.

“Yeah, I know a few stores,” JR said thoughtfully. “But why can’t Mom come along with us? She’s better at shopping than any of us.”

Christy pushed her chair back quietly, leaving the table. Why did JR and Margaret have to invite him to dinner? She scrunched her nose. And just when she had made her special roast beef with Yorkshire puddings and horseradish cream too
.

“I hope he chokes on it,”
she thought as she cleaned her plate into the trash.

And to think, they even got him to sit at the head of the table. She let out a small noise of flabbergast from her throat. After kissing her… no seducing her, she corrected, he deserved to be downright out-casted; booted from the lodge. He was a cheating bastard. He had no ounce of loyalty in his bones. He was gone from his fiancée only one week ago and he was already trying to lay his deviously, sexy hooks into her.

“Mom, is that okay?” JR broke into her silent curses.

“About what?” she asked. She knew exactly what, but she was darned if she was going to play along so easily. She was still miffed that JR and Margaret had invited Ashton to dinner, completely disregarding her feelings about it.

She began severely scouring at a pot. No, they didn’t care. It was all about Ashton now. He was the one bringing the lodge back into shape. Her efforts didn’t count at all. Even Jane was favoring Ashton. Did anyone not even care about her?

“About the shopping. Dad needs some work clothes,” JR said.

“No, I’d be too busy tomorrow,” she mumbled.

“Didn’t you say that you needed to buy some new linen?” Margaret said. “I heard there’s a sale going on at the Everyday Deals Warehouse.  Why don’t you check out the linen there at the same time?”

“I’m sure the boys wouldn’t want to go looking for linens with me, Margaret.”

“I don’t mind,” Ashton spoke up.

She turned, just to be certain he had said that with a straight face. After their little tussle earlier in the day, she was sure he would have been slightly more demure, probably bordering penitence. But no. He was sitting comfortably in his chair, playing with his fork, a small grin tugging the ends of his mouth.

She flared. Had the man no shame at all?

“I still don’t think I’d be able to help you tomorrow,” she said curtly.

“Is there another reason other than you will be busy?” He lifted his brow suspiciously.

“Oh come on, Mom,” JR pleaded.

“Come on, Christy,” Margaret insisted. “Don’t be such a grouch. There’s always work. When has that stopped any of us from living our lives? Whatever it is, you can do it the next day.”

“Margaret, please.” Christy sighed. “I’ve just got a ton tomorrow.”

“The lady doth protest too much, me thinks.” JR scrunched his mouth.

“Me thinks too.” Ashton scrunched his mouth too, mimicking him with a grin. “Perhaps, the lady do not liketh me too much.”

Christy rolled her eyes. She had a hard time keeping up with JR’s fascination with Shakespearean quotes; she didn’t need Ashton encouraging him anymore.

“Is it true, Mom?” JR asked. “Do you not like Dad?”

“I… no.” She stammered. Of course she didn’t like him! He had kissed her; touched her in ways he should never have done. But how could she explain that to her very impressionable ten year old son? “Will you stop putting ideas into his head?” she growled at Ashton quietly.

“I wasn’t.” He sulked. “I was merely expressing how I was feeling.”

“I’m sorry, Dad.” JR soothed. “Looks like it’s just the two of us then.”

“Ah, well.” He nodded. “At least we tried.”

Christy huffed. So he was making her to be the bad guy now? Did he ever play fair?

“I’ll go,” she said at last.

Ashton looked at her in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to give in so easily. He suppressed the smile tugging the corners of his lips. Perhaps, there was hope after all.

*****

He was standing, waiting for her by the crew cab ten minutes earlier than she had told him. JR was already by his side, advising him about where they might probably get his clothes.

“How long do you think we will be?” JR asked.

“I don’t know. Depends on what your mother has planned for the day as well.”

JR groaned. “Mom can take ages at shopping. She takes far too long to decide on anything she buys.”

“She’s just being careful.”

The boy skipped on the pavers lining the garden. Ashton watched him with a pride he knew never existed. He was so much like him. His eyes, his hair and the things he took interest in. How could he have not craved for a child before? How much better would it be if JR had a sibling. A girl, perhaps. Who looked just like her mother. Dark long hair, doe-eyed, tall.

He perked his lips in thought. He wasn’t thinking of Naomi. What was happening to him? He swiped a hand over his face. He must be losing his mind. He didn’t want to be caught between two women. The truth was he wasn’t. Christy didn’t seem too impressed with him at all, he thought glumly.

This is a good thing
, he thought. He could just move on with his life after his little adventure in Puyallup. He could make arrangements with Christy to send JR over during his school breaks. And he could make a couple of trips himself to visit JR during the term. If he planned it right, there was no reason why anything should go wrong.

Once he got back to his house though, he would have to move his junk out of the spare room. Naomi might not be too happy with the decision, but this was his son and he had more right to that room than any of them. He would have to invest in some video games. Was there a new Playstation out? He made a mental note to check on the types of games JR liked to play. He would also get a new basketball hoop. JR would love that.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know any of the neighbors in his street. How could he not know any of his neighbors? He frowned. He must find out if there were any kids of JR’s age around. How could he not know any of his neighbors, he thought again. Had he been so invested in his life that he hadn’t bothered to find out who lived next door?

“I’m sure he’s an old professor,”
he thought deeply as he tried to figure out who his neighbor was. He must be. Unless, he had moved out. He had seen a young woman lurking about his grounds once. His wife? Girlfriend? Daughter?

He tilted his head and caught sight of her walking out the front door. His stomach fluttered, his breaths growing deep and fast.
Fuck, she’s beautiful
. He licked his lips from the nervousness inside him.

Her white long skirt fell to her ankles and her colorful shirt accentuated her bosom. His eyes desirously grazed the length of her and her tall heeled boots.
How would she look wearing that and nothing else?
He swallowed. He could hear his heart hammering inside him.

He turned away from her before she noticed the hardness in his pants. It wasn’t exactly appropriate, particularly when their son was accompanying them on their little visit to town. And thankfully he was, because he didn’t trust himself alone with her at all. He would probably have ripped her out of her clothes mid-way to town.

She walked over to him and gave out her hand. “Give me the keys. I’m driving.”

“Like hell you are,” he said, opening the door to the driver’s seat.

“It’s my truck.”

“And I appreciate you lending it to me during my stay here.”

“Oh, come on, Mom.” JR intervened. “Let’s just go. And let Dad drive. It will be like we’re a real family.” He climbed excitedly into the vehicle.

“Like we’re a real family.” Ashton repeated with a grin.

She snarled, marching around the vehicle and towards the front passenger door.

*****

From shopping to a lunch in the park. How perfect could it get? Ashton watched JR clamber through the monkey bars in the distance. With JR on his side, he seemed he could easily win more family outings.

He lounged back on the green luscious lawn, his arms folded back, behind his head. This was his family.

“How long are we going to do this?” Christy mumbled.

“What do you mean?” He feigned ignorance.

“Giving JR hope. Pretending everything is good and well between us.”

“Well, isn’t it?”

“No,” she said fervently.

He preferred not to continue arguing, closing his eyes instead and feeling the warmth of the sun on his face.

“Don’t you feel guilty at all?” she said.

“About what?”

“About kissing me like you did yesterday, in the living room.”

“You slapped me. And because I don’t hit women, I thought it was a befitting payback.”

She grew quiet. “I’m sorry,” she said at last. “Whatever you said or did, I should never have hit you.”

He opened his eyes narrowly. “It’s okay. I didn’t mind it at all.”

“Don’t you think you should apologize as well?”