Love, Honor, and Betray by Roby, Lawson (ebook reader ink txt) 📕

to deal with anyone else from this point on.”

“That’s wonderful, Michael.”

“It is. I’m pretty excited, to say the least.”

“Good for you. I can only imagine how great it feels to have a career you love, and I really miss that.”

“Then, why don’t you go back to work?”

“I don’t know. I worked as a paralegal at a top law firm, but when we founded Deliverance Outreach, Curtis wanted me to quitso that I could focus on the church operations with him.”

“That’s all fine and well, but that’s his dream. Not yours. Am I right?”

“To a certain extent. When we first moved out here, I fully supported his desire to start his own church, and I had no problemhelping him do it. But I also wanted to keep working as a paralegal.”

“Then, you should do what makes you happy. And if your husband truly loves and respects you, he’ll encourage exactly that.”

“Maybe I’ll think more about it.”

“I hope you do. Because no one should put their dreams on hold. No one should deny themselves of being happy.”

“I wish life was really that easy.”

“It can be.”

“Maybe in a perfect world, but not in real life.”

There was silence, and then Michael said, “So when can I see you again?”

“I don’t know.”

“What about this Sunday? Valentine’s Day.”

Not once had Charlotte ever considered the idea of spending the most romantic holiday of the year with anyone else, not sincemarrying Curtis, and a certain sense of sadness besieged her. Although, if she were honest with herself, she knew Curtis probablydidn’t even care.

“I’ll have to see,” she finally said.

“Why? Do you think it would be hard getting away for a few hours?”

“No. Not really. Especially since Curtis is acting so laid-back.”

“So he wasn’t upset when you got home?”

“No. He seemed more at ease than before I left.”

“Does that bother you?”

“Well, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t, at least a little.”

“Well, just so you know, Sybil didn’t have much to say either. She was very calm, and for the first time, she didn’t complainabout the fact that I didn’t call her once while I was gone. Normally, she rants and raves for hours, so what I’m hoping isthat she’s finally realizing it’s all a lost cause.”

“Being in a bad marriage is tough.”

“Tell me about it. Actually, I’m tired of the whole situation, and I’m this close to asking her for a divorce. I want to endthings with her so badly, and if you ever made up your mind to leave Curtis, I would tell her in a heartbeat.”

Charlotte had threatened Curtis with a separation and possible divorce, but deep down, she wasn’t ready for any of that. “Ican’t think about that right now, and I honestly don’t know what the future holds for Curtis and me.”

“But you know you’re not happy with him.”

“Yes, but divorce is a major and very permanent step. And while I really care about you and enjoy my time with you, I haven’tstopped loving Curtis either. I have to be honest with you about that,” she said, trying to determine if what she mainly lovedabout Michael was the passionate way he made love to her and how attentive he was to her needs.

“I do believe that you still love him, but I’m not so sure you’re in love with him. Not anymore, anyway. And there is a difference.”

“Yes. I know that. But I guess I just need some time to sort things out.”

“No problem. I told you before that I’m willing to wait, and I really meant that.”

“I appreciate that.”

“But in the meantime, let’s just enjoy each other as much as we can. Okay?”

“Okay,” she said.

“And I’m serious about Valentine’s Day. I really want to see you.”

“I want to see you, too, and I’ll let you know in a couple of days.”

“Sounds good. All right, well, I have another meeting, so I’d better get going.”

“It was good talking to you.”

“Same here. And call me later if you get a chance.”

“I will.”

Charlotte laid the phone down, but as soon as she did, her phone rang again. She frowned when she saw the word Private displayed, and wondered who it was.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Well, well, well,” the man said. “I can’t believe I actually caught you on my first try.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, come on now. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten my voice already. Not when we were just together barely a week ago.”

Charlotte widened her eyes. It couldn’t be.

“It’s me. Tom. You know, the guy who rocked your world when we left the jazz club last Tuesday.”

Charlotte’s heart raced. “How did you get my number?”

“Well, remember after we made love? And you fell asleep? Well, I got kind of bored sitting there all alone, and the next thingI knew, I was rummaging through your purse and found your phone. So I figured what the heck. Might as well dial my numberwith it. That way I’d have your number and could store it into my own phone.”

“But why?”

“So we could keep in touch, of course.”

“I guess I don’t understand.”

“You will. All in good time.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Let’s not worry about that now. I do, however, wanna see you again. And that same little sleazy motel we went to last Tuesdayis more than fine.”

“Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, but that’s not going to happen.”

“Sure it will. You’ll see me or else.”

“Or else what?”

“I’ll be calling your husband, your parents, your son, and a whole slew of other folks I got from your contact list. I copieddown one name and number after another, and I know they’ll love hearing about our little sexcapade.”

Charlotte swallowed hard and tried steadying her shaky hand. “Why are you doing this?”

“I told you. Because I wanna see you. I wanna see the freak come out in you again like it did the first time.”

“Look,” she said, trying to scare him. “I don’t know who you think you are, but if you call this number again I’m—”

“Are you threatening me?” he interrupted her. “Because I don’t take very kindly to threats.”

Charlotte was