THE GREAT PRETENDER (18 page)

Their conversation earlier that day had been a rude awakening. She now knew that it would be foolish to continue sleeping with Frank after tonight. She wasn’t willing to throw her marriage away for a man who was only using her for sex—especially when that man was Franklin Bevins.

This will be it,
she told herself, parking the Jeep. Tonight would be the last chapter in their clandestine book. Ambivalence consumed her, though. Was she disappointed…or relieved?

Tracy climbed the stairs slowly, not wanting to rush. As an aside, she wanted tonight to be memorable, since it
would
be the last time. She reached the door, about to ring the bell, when it was suddenly jerked open. She gasped.

Frank took in
her short, sexy dress and beautifully wholesome face. He grew even harder.

Saying nothing, he stepped aside, allowing her to enter, and then he locked the door. He backed her into the sofa. She fell backward, and he went down with her.

Grazing her thighs, Frank inched the dress up to her waist and slid off her silky panties, tossing them to the floor.

Parting her thighs, he lowered his head.

Tracy froze. He was going down! In the four years of their affair, Franklin had
never
gone down on her before.
Oh, yes,
she thought.

Slowly, Frank’s tongue began moving back and forth over her clitoris.

She moaned.

But after several minutes passed, Tracy was disappointed to realize that he wasn’t that good at it. His performance was anti-climactic. He had managed to lubricate her, however, so he raised himself, rolled on a condom, and pressed into her. He groaned with pleasure as Tracy’s firm body enveloped him.

Bracing himself on the sofa’s edge, Frank rode Tracy for as long as he could before she manipulated the familiar—and mind-blowing—surge of release. He hollered, as he always did when she made him climax. He fell on top of her, out of breath.

Tracy lay there, even more confused than before. She had had no release, and he’d even gone down on her for the first time! She found herself wishing she had Reginald to go home to, and felt ashamed.
You truly are a slut,
she thought.

Frank rose up, pulling himself out of her. They chuckled at the pop of suction as he did so. He went to the half-bath across the room—he had a habit of washing himself immediately after sex—and then rejoined her in the living room.

“What was your hurry?” asked Tracy from her place on the sofa. She had retrieved her underwear and was smoothing down her dress.

“I was hard.”

“Um,” she replied. She felt like a fool for being there, and she was irritated for not having had her own release. “Well, now that you’ve had your grand finale, I have to go.” She moved to stand.

“Not so fast, Tracy. You think I’m gonna let you leave without…you know…coming?” He grinned, approaching her. “I’m not that out of touch, you know. I know you didn’t make it.”

“Oh,” said Tracy sarcastically. “You noticed?”

Picking her up, he carried her to his bedroom. He removed her dress, and kissed his way down to her femininity. He proceeded to lick and suck, but only succeeded in teasing her. Just when she neared climax, he would lessen the pressure of his mouth and she would lose the high. After nearly ten minutes passed, she thought,
It’s no use.

She faked the orgasm.

Satisfied that he had blown her mind, Frank put on another condom and plunged into her a second time. He groaned once again in utter satisfaction, this time stroking slow and easy. Trying to fight the orgasm, he gritted his teeth—but it was no use. There was never any use. Tracy always won.

Afterward, Frank got
a beer and sat on the edge of the bed. “So this is it, huh?”

“Yeah, this is it,” said Tracy. She felt awful. She had never had to fake an orgasm with Frank before tonight. It was a bad omen.

There was a lengthy silence.

“What would you do,” said Frank, breaking the quiet, “if Reginald had another woman?”

“What?”

“What would you do if Reggie had another woman?” He watched closely, appearing eager to see her reaction.

Tracy was speechless. How could she discuss that with Frank of all people? At a complete loss for words, she joked, “Why are you asking? Do you know something I don’t?”

“No, I was just wondering…Would it upset you?”

“Well…” She groped for words. “Sure it would. He’s been my husband for almost twenty years. I’m sure I’d be a tad upset.”

“You wouldn’t think he was entitled to it? Under the circumstances?”

Why was he asking her this all of a sudden? Tracy was very uncomfortable. “You know, Frank, I don’t really think we should be having this conversation. Can we just drop it, talk about something else?”

“Okay, it’s dropped…but no more talking.” Setting aside his beer can, he moved over her. “One more for the road.”

They had sex again, and it was no different for Tracy than the two times prior. In fact, it was worse, since he had brought up Reginald.

What have I done?
she thought, seeing the affair in a new light.

She left the apartment, feeling far worse than she did when she’d arrived.

The following day,
Tracy tried to get her daughters to listen to reason. Gathered around the kitchen table, Olivia and Valerie nearly got into another heated argument over their father. Valerie remained protective and sympathetic about Reginald, while Olivia was equally blasé and critical.

Stressing that she did not want Reggie coming home to find such an atmosphere, Tracy finally gave up. Olivia was not going to soften. Cleary, there was an enormous wall of resentment build up against her father. It disturbed Tracy a great deal. She pondered over it most of the day and into the night, unable to find peace of mind.

That night, Tracy wept as she drifted off to sleep.
What’s happened to us?

R
eginald spent Sunday at home with Renee and Denise. They watched movies, munched popcorn, and ate ice cream. Denise was deliriously happy.

Despite his efforts, he sensed that Renee knew something was amiss. Sure, he was with them, spending as much time as he had promised, but he had changed. Though she tried, Reggie noticed that she couldn’t quite conceal her doubts.

He knew he was not leaving things with Renee as secure as they could be, but he simply couldn’t help himself. His spirit had already left, and gotten a head start to Miami…And he couldn’t keep the need to catch up with it out of his eyes.

Later that night
when they were in bed, Reginald decided it was time to leave. There was no need to stay past tomorrow. He would fly in early, and surprise Tracy and the girls.

Paperwork could be faxed, phone calls could be made, e-mails could be sent; his physical presence in Orlando was no longer essential. He said as much to Renee now.

“So, what time is your flight?” asked Renee, her voice low.

“Not until late. I have meetings throughout the day and Roger’s going to be present, so I’m not really sure how long they’ll be.” He turned away from her, rolling to his side and covering himself with the sheet.

Renee stared at his form under the covers. He was obviously very worried about his daughter. He seemed so distant.
It’s like he’s already gone,
she thought sadly.

She moved up against his back. “When can we expect you back…for a visit at least?”

Reggie turned and faced her again. “Listen, sweetheart, don’t worry. I’ll be in touch. Things are so uncertain right now that I can’t, in good faith, give you a date when I’ll make it back. But I will keep in touch—I promise. I’ll keep you posted about what’s going on, and I
will also
try my best to fly back up here and see you as much as possible.” He pulled her against him.

“I’m gonna miss you so much,” she whispered, hugging him close.

“I know, honey, I’m sorry…I’m gonna miss you, too, and Denise,” He paused briefly before saying, “Hey, I meant to ask you about Helen. How did she react to the news?”

“She was quite upset and, of course, she thinks you’re lying about everything.” She paused, waiting for his reply.

“I was expecting that. I thought a lot about discussing this with your family—especially your parents—but with all that’s going on right now…” He sighed. “I just can’t see defending myself to anyone else. You do understand that, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course I understand, don’t worry about it. I’ll handle them.”

“I can only imagine how John’s gonna react,” said Reggie. John Jameson was Renee’s older brother. He had always agreed with their parents’ and Helen’s opinion of the relationship.

“Did you hear me? I said don’t worry about it, Reggie. Everything will be fine on this end. You just go and look after your daughter. Then hurry back home.” She snuggled closer to him and kissed his cheek in the darkness.

He knew what that meant. Reginald moved over her, and obliged.

Monday evening, Roger
Roman saw Reginald off on the Hart-Roman private jet. Roger was a broodingly attractive man of medium height and was often told he resembled a shorter version of Tyrone Powers.

Despite his marital status, he managed to maintain a very clandestine string of mistresses. Reginald attributed this to Roger’s willingness to support him over the years—he identified with Reggie.

Roger Roman was more than just a boss; he was a valuable friend, much like Franklin, and Reggie could not have survived the last six years without him. Roger had covered for him on many a risky occasion. He had even gotten him memberships to two different exclusive golf clubs so none of his and Renee’s acquaintances would ever rub shoulders with any of his and Tracy’s.

Later, as he
settled into the leather seat of the jet, sipping Scotch, Reginald said a prayer. Closing his eyes, he asked God for forgiveness. He confessed that he had not told Renee the truth for fear of losing Tracy—which could never happen.

He prayed for Denise, asking God to protect her, to forgive his absence in her life. Somehow he’d make his mark on her from a distance, but for the time being, he had to break away.

He was heading home again…and this time, it was for good.

T
racy and Olivia were taking advantage of the fact that the rain had let up considerably since Saturday. Monday evening found them in swimsuits, taking a leisurely swim in the pool. Tracy was trying once again—and failing once again—to get Olivia to lighten up on her father.

“All I’m asking is that you give your father a chance, Liv. Just let him try to make up for lost time.” Tracy backstroked to the far end of the gigantic swimming pool.

Olivia pulled herself up to the edge, dangling her legs in the cool water. “Mom, you just don’t get it. Dad’s just trying to save face. And for what? He must have something to hide.” She paused. “I don’t know…I just don’t think we mean as much to him as he wants us to believe.”

Tracy pondered that. It wasn’t true. Granted, Reggie had his moods, but she had never doubted his love for them. She told Olivia so now.

“By the way, I’ve been thinking a lot about getting my own place. I feel like it’s time for me to go out on my own. You know, buy a condo or something. What do you think?”

“I think it sounds like you’re running away.”

They both jumped, turning at the unexpected sound of Reginald’s voice. He stepped from under the cupola, which extended several feet from the house.

“Honey! You’re home!” Tracy was the first to recover, and she shot a glance at Olivia, terrified that Reginald had heard too much of the conversation.

“Yeah, I thought I’d surprise you guys. Now, Olivia, what’s this talk about moving?”

Tracy groaned inwardly. This was exactly what she’d hoped to avoid.