Depths of Depravation (3 page)

‘Did he say that?’

‘In so many words, yes.’

‘You’re lying.’

‘Desiree, please…’

‘If he only wants to be friends, then why did he kiss me?’

‘He kissed you?’

‘Yesterday, and today.’

‘What else has he done?’

‘He kissed me properly, on my lips. He said that he wants to be more than friends, so why are you lying?’

‘Desiree…’

‘I’m going to my room.’

Pacing the floor as Desiree bounded up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door shut, Belinda held her hand to her head. Tony had lied, she reflected. She instinctively knew that this was only the beginning of a nightmare. Her worst fears were emerging from the darkness and coming to life. Desiree thought that she was in love and…Belinda left the house and rang Tony’s doorbell. She had to put a stop to this before it went any further.

‘Oh, hi,’ Tony said, smiling as he opened the door. ‘Changed your mind about a glass of wine?’

‘I need to talk to you,’ Belinda snapped, walking past him into the hall.

‘Talk away,’ he invited her, following her into the lounge. ‘What’s the problem?’

‘You kissed Desiree.’

‘I don’t believe this,’ he said, shaking his head and laughing. ‘Yes, I did kiss her. It was a friendly kiss, Belinda.’

‘A friendly kiss? On her lips?’

‘Look, you’re going to have to allow Desiree to grow up. Chasing after her like this…’

‘I don’t want you to see her again, Tony. Do you understand?’

‘I can’t stop her from coming round. If she wants to see me, then I’ll invite her in. You’re going way over the top with all this.’

‘Am I?’

‘Yes, you are. You come storming round here…’

‘Has anything happened? Have you done anything with her?’

‘What if I have? What if I’ve taken her to my bed and made love with her?’

‘If you dare to…’

‘She’s a very beautiful girl, Belinda,’ he taunted her. ‘She has a lovely body and –’

‘Stop it. I don’t want you talking about my daughter like that.’

‘All right, all right, calm down. Nothing’s happened between us, and it’s not going to. I told you yesterday that she’s far too young for me. If I was looking for a relationship, then I’d go for someone of your age. We’re about the same age, aren’t we?’

‘I’m older than you,’ Belinda said with a sigh. ‘I’m sorry, Tony. I know that I’m overreacting.’

‘Yes, you are. OK, so I kissed Desiree. As far as I was concerned, it was a friendly kiss.’

‘That’s not what she thinks. She’s fallen for you. She’s fallen for you in a big way.’

‘Sit down and have a glass of wine.’

‘Thanks, I think I will.’

Sitting on the sofa as Tony went to the kitchen, Belinda wondered what Desiree was doing. The girl had never been like this. Moody, argumentative, slamming her bedroom door…To accuse her mother of lying, making out that her father had phoned as a ploy to get her home…Taking a glass of wine from Tony, Belinda wondered why he’d said that he’d invite Desiree in if she called to see him. He wasn’t helping the situation, she ruminated. Then again, why should he send Desiree home if she called to see him? Feeling confused, she sipped her wine. She knew that she’d gone over the top.

‘I don’t want to fall out with you or Desiree,’ Tony said, sitting next to Belinda. ‘If she comes to see me and I tell her to go away, she’ll think I’m being rude.’

‘I know.’ Belinda sighed. ‘And I can’t stop her from seeing you. She said that you want to be more than just friends.’

‘She’s got the wrong end of the stick. Either that, or it’s wishful thinking on her part. And the kiss was nothing more than a friendly gesture.’

‘It’s rather stupid to say that you only want to be friends and then kiss her.’

‘Where I come from, the way I’ve been brought up, friendly kissing is perfectly normal. Look, why don’t you come round now and then?’ he suggested. ‘If Desiree knows that you’re here, she’ll keep away.’

‘That’s an idea. But I can’t come round every evening.’

‘You won’t have to. Just call in now and then for a chat and a drink.’

‘All right, I’ll do that.’

‘It’s nice having Desiree come round, but I’d much prefer to see you. As I said, if I was looking for a relationship, then I’d go for someone of your age. I like you very much, Belinda. You’re a very attractive woman.’

‘I’m also a married woman, Tony.’

‘No, I didn’t mean…Actually, that’s an idea.’

‘What is?’

‘You and me. If you want me to keep Desiree away from me, then…’

‘Tony, for God’s sake.’

‘I was only joking.’

‘Don’t you say anything like that to Desiree. If she tells her father that I’ve been…’

‘Having an affair with me?’

‘Yes, no…Look, I’d better get back and make sure that she’s all right.’

Belinda finished her wine and followed Tony to the front door. She wished that she could turn the clock back as he smiled at her. If she’d not called and introduced herself, if she’d kept Desiree away…Locking his eyes to hers, Tony promised her that Desiree would be safe. He wouldn’t lay a finger on the girl, she was far too young for him, he’d rather be with someone of Belinda’sage…As he moved forwards and kissed Belinda’s full lips, she couldn’t believe what was happening. Finally pushing him away, she gazed wide-eyed at him as he again smiled at her.

‘I couldn’t resist,’ he whispered. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘That wasn’t a friendly kiss,’ Belinda said, locking her dark eyes to his. ‘Tony, please…I’m married.’

‘That doesn’t make you unattractive.’

‘And I thought you were after my daughter.’

‘No, Belinda. It’s you I’m after.’

‘There’s no future for us, Tony. I can’t believe this. I’m happily married.’

‘Yes, I know. Why don’t you come back later? Check up on Desiree and then come round for a while.’

‘No, I don’t think so.’

‘She’ll be studying, you’ll be sitting alone, I’ll be sitting alone…Come and have a couple of drinks with me.’

‘No, Tony. I…I don’t want to.’

‘It’s a sure way to stop Desiree coming round.’

‘No.’

‘She did say that she might come back later this evening. If you’re here, then she won’t bother.’

‘Well, I…I might. I’ll see what she’s up to and then…I might come back.’

Leaving Tony’s house, Belinda couldn’t believe that he’d kissed her. Thinking how wrong she’d been about him wanting Desiree, she felt a lot easier. Desiree had obviously fallen for Tony but, ironically, he’d fallen for her mother. Flattered, and feeling rather guilty, Belinda prepared a ham salad but Desiree said that she wasn’t hungry and wouldn’t come out of her room. Eating alone at the kitchen table, Belinda knew that Desiree would get over Tony at some stage. As long as this didn’t affect her studies, everything would turn out fine.

Sitting at her dressing table, Belinda applied a little make-up and ran a hairbrush through her long black hair. Butterflies fluttering in her stomach, she felt like she did when she was in her teens. Sexy, horny, excited
…Tony had flattered her, but she was old enough not to play silly games. The idea of going to see him was to keep Desiree away, she reminded herself. Once Desiree realised that her mother was also friendly with Tony and called round to see him now and then, she’d forget all thoughts of love.

‘I’m going out for a while,’ Belinda called, tapping on Desiree’s bedroom door.

‘Where to?’

‘Tony’s place. He invited me round.’

‘Why are you going to see him?’ Desiree asked, opening her door.

‘You’re stuck in your room and I’m feeling bored. He asked me round to…to talk about curtains. He’s not sure what type of curtains to get.’

‘Oh, right.’

‘I won’t be long.’

Sighing as Desiree closed the door, Belinda made her way down the stairs and decided not to worry about the girl. She’d get over it, she was sure, as she left the house. Knowing that Tony wasn’t interested in Desiree was a great relief. The fact that he was interested in her wasn’t a relief, but it made Belinda feel good. A teenager again? She wasn’t unattractive, she thought happily. Her figure was good, her hair was nice…And a younger man fancied her. Smiling as Tony opened the door and invited her in, she didn’t want to appear too keen so she told him that she couldn’t stay for long.

‘That’s all right,’ he said, leading her into the lounge. ‘I’m just pleased that you came. Er…I’ve got wine or vodka.’

‘Oh, vodka would be nice. Do you have any orange juice?’

‘Vodka and orange coming up. I’ll have to stock up on drinks. And food, for that matter. So, how’s Desiree?’

‘She’s all right,’ Belinda replied as he passed her drink. ‘She’s sulking, but she’ll be all right.’

‘Now you can see why I don’t want silly teenage girls. I don’t mean that Desiree is silly.’

‘I know what you mean.’

‘Giggling one minute, sulking the next, and then tears and tantrums…That’s not for me.’

‘We haven’t got off to a very good start, have we?’ Belinda said. ‘As neighbours, we should have –’

‘We’re fine,’ he broke in, sitting next to her on the sofa. ‘There’s no problem.’

‘My daughter’s fallen for you, I went off at the deep end, you kissed me…’

‘It’s all sorted out now. Desiree knows that I want nothing more than friendship. I can’t say that when it comes to you, though.’

‘Tony, don’t start that again. All
I
want is friendship, OK?’

‘If you say so.’

‘I do say so. The only reason I’m here is to keep Desiree away.’

‘Really?’

‘Well, and because…because I’d like to get to know you. As a friend, I mean.’

‘Does your husband often work away?’

‘Yes, he does. Desiree misses him terribly.’

‘Do you?’

‘Do I miss him? Yes, of course I do. I feel lonely and bored at times but…’

‘That’s where I come in. When he’s away, you can spend some time with me.’

‘That’s nice of you but…Let’s get one thing straight. We’re only friends, OK?’

‘OK. I’ll make sure that the fact that I fancy you to bits won’t come into it.’

‘Tony, don’t.’

‘Don’t what?’

‘Keep on like that.’

‘Are you weakening?’

‘No. Look, I’ll go home if you’re going to keep on.’

‘If you go home, then Desiree will probably come round to see me.’

‘Yes, I think she will. Tony, you will make it clear that you just want to be her friend?’

‘I’ve already done that, but I’ll tell her again.’

‘Why not say that you have a girlfriend?’

‘Because I’ve already said that I haven’t. The last thing I want is to start lying to Desiree. I’m a hopeless liar. When I was a kid, my mother used to say that my face went red whenever I lied. And she was right. You’re worrying too much again. Just relax and enjoy your drink.’

‘Yes, yes I will.’

Sipping her vodka and orange as Tony put some music on, Belinda pondered on her husband. They got on all right, but Brian worked away so much that it wasn’t easy to have a proper relationship. She was alone in her bed more often than not and, when he was home, he was busy with the garden or decorating the house. He seemed to spend more time with Desiree than he did with her. They rarely went out these days, she mused. There was always so much to do before he went abroad again.

‘Another one?’ Tony asked as she knocked back her drink.

‘Well, I…’

‘Go on,’ he coaxed her with a chuckle. ‘It’ll help you to relax.’

‘I am relaxed,’ she said as he refilled her glass.

‘You’re tense, Belinda. You’re all wound up, and you know it.’

‘Yes, you’re right. It’s all this business with Desiree. I knew that she’d take an interest in boys at some stage. But to fall for a man old enough to be her father…’

‘Hang on,’ he said with a chortle. ‘You make me out to be ancient. I’m only twenty-seven.’

‘Sorry. You see, she’s doing so well with her college work. If she’s distracted now, if she neglects her work at this crucial point in her education –’

‘I know what you’re saying,’ he interrupted her. ‘If she falls in love, then you can say goodbye to her education.’

‘Yes, that’s right. God, this vodka is going to my head.’

‘In that case, have some more.’

‘Tony, I don’t want to go home drunk.’

‘And I don’t want you to go home at all.’

Again pushing him away Again sitting by her side, Tony placed his hand on her naked knee and kissed her cheek. Belinda felt her stomach somersault as he locked his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. She tried to push him away, but finally succumbed and placed her hand behind his head and returned his kiss. Their mouths pressed together, their tongues entwined. Belinda let out a rush of breath as Tony slipped his hand up her skirt and sank his fingertips into the warm swell of her panties. It had been so long since anyone had paid her so much attention, she reflected. But she was married, this was her next-door neighbour, another man…

‘Tony, don’t,’ she whispered as her outer labia swelled and her vaginal muscles tightened. Ignoring her protest, he kneaded the swell of her vulval flesh through her tight panties. Her body quivering, her heart racing, she knew that this was so very wrong but…Her husband was away, no one would know what she’d done, she was safe enough. Again reminding herself that she was a married woman, she pushed his hand away and closed her thighs.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…I don’t know what came over me.’

‘Why fight it?’ he asked her. ‘Why fight your feminine desires?’

‘Because I don’t have feminine desires. Not like that, anyway.’

‘You might fool yourself, but you don’t fool me. You want me as much as I want you, Belinda.’

‘Tony, no.’ She gasped as he eased her naked thighs apart and again pressed his fingers into the warm mound of her panties. ‘Tony, I don’t want this.’

‘Of course you do.’

‘Stop it, Tony,’ she said firmly, again pushing him away.

‘Perhaps I should have invited Desiree round?’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘I was joking, Belinda.’

‘Were you?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘I’d better get home.’ She sighed and rose to her feet. ‘It was a mistake to come here.’