Fire - Betrayal (40 page)

I went to the kitchen, still keeping my eyes on them and decided to make lunch.  I wanted Nic to stay a little longer.  I wanted to get to know this other man that Cate had fallen in love with. It was far better to make friends with the enemy, and keep Cate, than to fight the enemy and lose Cate, I decided.

Jealousy raged inside of me as I watched Nic touch Cate over and over, and as I saw that Cate never pulled away from him.

But, Cate had married
me
. She had chosen
me
over Nic.  I
must
remember that.

Before taking the platter of food to the outdoor setting under the french gazebo, I closed my eyes, composing myself and finding my inner strength.  Then I walked outside with the food peace offering.

‘Nic, please stay and have lunch with us.  I want to get to know the other man that Cate fell in love with,’ I stated, not mincing my words.

Totally surprised, Nic looked at me,
shocked by my words, and then he looked at Cate. He was silent for a short time, but after some encouragement from Cate, he agreed, and sat at the table. He did not look relaxed or happy. 

Awkwardly at first, we
just sat and ate.  I decided to break the silence.

‘Nic, you’ve got the physique of a sportsman, are you?’ I asked politely.

Nic looked at his food, obviously considering his answer, and then he looked me in the eyes.

‘Yes.  Cycling is my passion, but I also compete in triathlon events, as an elite athlete Ben,’ answered Nic, nodding
once when he had finished answering my question.

‘I have always admired elite athletes for their excellence in having their bodies finely tuned to be of optimum condition.  It takes a lot of determination, self-discipline and self-sacrifice to compete as an elite athlete, why do you do it Nic?’ I asked, highly interested in his answer. 

Again, Nic looked at his food, considering his answer to my question.  I was pleased to see that he thought carefully before he talked.  It was a sign of intelligence.

‘Because, I like competition, I like competing, I like winning, I like to be the best.  I also like the friendships that are formed, the mateship, the bonds that we make with each other.  And, I like to humble myself and lose graciously if I do lose, congratulating the winner with sincerity,’ Nic replied, speaking passionately about his chosen athletic field.

I raised my eyebrows and then smiled.  Nic had answered very well indeed, much better than I thought he would.
Damn, he was a good man!

I looked over at Cate
.  She sat very quietly, her eyes on Nic, a sadness on her face.  

‘And Ben, what is it that you do, that keeps you away from Cate?’ asked Nic, gaining more confidence with my presence.

‘I am an Earth Engineer and heavily involved in Earth conservation and restoration Nic,’ I answered, not wanting to give him any more details than that.

‘Fascinating, it sounds like having the weight of the world on your shoulders,’ commented Nic, looking into my eyes. 

‘Sometimes it feels like that Nic,’ I replied honestly, reminiscing about all that I had been through, and had unwillingly put Cate through.

I looked towards Nic, studying the way that he held himself and the aura that he emitted.  Unexpectedly, I found myself starting to like him, he had integrity.

‘Nic, thank-you for agreeing to stay a little longer with us, I appreciate it,’ I said. And then I stood to start clearing the table.  Nic then proceeded to help me.

‘Nic, you are a guest here, please sit down, ‘ I said.

‘Well technically, Ben, my hand print is scanned into the security, so you are the guest here,’ retorted Nic, and continued to help me.

‘And super-technically boys, I own this house, so you are both guests here.  Both of you sit down and I’ll clean up,’ asserted Cate, insisting that we sit.

Nic and I both glanced at each other and decided that it would be wise to follow Cate’s orders. Awkwardly we sat together while Cate cleared the table.  I watched Nic watch her every move. It was so obvious that loved her deeply.  I wished that he didn’t.

As Cate disappeared into the kitchen, I asked Nic the question that I had been most curious about.

‘Nic, how did you meet Cate?’ I asked, filled with curiosity.

‘Here, at this house, as it was being built.  She turned up one day, and the boss asked me to show her around as she wanted check on the progress on the house.  I didn’t want to fall in love with her.  But her energy was so addictive, and she is beautiful.  I tried hard to stay away from her, but in the end, I couldn’t resist her.  Man, I am sorry Ben, I know that she is your wife now, but, I still love her deeply, and I don’t know how to stop loving her.  But, also know that I hold marriage as sanctity, and I will never violate your marriage vows.  I just wish that….I could be you Ben,’ Nic said bearing his soul, pain in his eyes.

I felt great compassion for him, and placed my hand on his shoulder.  Nic closed his eyes. I could feel his heart starting to ache through my touch. 

Then he stood up, ‘I must leave now Ben.  Thank-you for asking me to stay for lunch, it was …. insightful.’

Nic quickly glanced at me again. Strangely, I found it very difficult to dislike him.  I watched as he walked into the kitchen where Cate was.  I watched as he wrapped his arms around her,
my
Cate, and I watched as Nic kissed her longer than he should.  But I remained seated under the french gazebo.  I knew that I had to give this time to them.  It would be better in the long run. 

I wanted Nic to go home now.  I wanted to be alone with Cate.  I didn’t want to share her anymore.

I stood and walked around the gardens at Cate’s house while Nic left.  I needed to take my mind off him.  Negative thoughts again invaded my mind.

But, she
had
chosen to marry me.  I had to keep reminding myself of that. 

Then, as I studied the delicate rose petals, I felt Cate’s presence.  Yet, I remained looking at the rose.  I closed my eyes, concentrating on feeling her
presence close to me, waiting in anticipation for when she would touch me, and I would feel our electrical connection.  I breathed in deeply as she lightly touched me on my shoulder, and walked around to face me.  My whole body felt alive. She looked into my eyes, and gently traced my jaw line with her fingers.

‘Thank-you Ben,’ she whispered.

‘For what?’ I asked, astounded by her beauty, breathing in her sweet scent.

‘For letting me have some time with Nic, and for not ripping him apart when he kissed me.  I know it must have been hard for you to stand back and do nothing,’ she said, caressing the back of my neck.

‘What choice did I have Cate?  I could see in his eyes how much he loves you, and I know that he needed to see you again, so that he can start to pull away from you.  He can’t have you Cate.  You are mine, and I will never give you up, unless….you don’t want me anymore, and then I will step aside.  I want you to be happy for always, I love you…. I love you, more than you can know,’ I said emotionally, looking deeply into her eyes.

‘Ben,’ she whispered, and
moved her lips to mine, moaning in pleasure. She placed her hands underneath my shirt and ran them upwards to remove it from my body.  At the same time, I unbuttoned her dress.  We continued kissing each other hungrily until we were naked, in the backyard, surrounded by dark green hedges and pink roses.

Gently, I lowered Cate to the soft green grass, gazing deeply into her eyes, feeling the warmness of her soft skin against mine. She whispered my name again, pulling me closer. 

At that moment, the door bell rang, accompanied by the excited knocking on the wooden door. I hesitated and then rolled off Cate onto the lush green grass and placed my hands over my face, frustrated.

Cate sat up trying to catch her breath, before she started to cloth
e herself again.

‘I love you Cate,’ I said, still with my eyes closed.

‘I love you more Benjamin Adams,’ she said, ‘and you’d better get some clothes on before I let the visitors with the bad timing into the house!’

By the time that Cate had reached the front door, I had clothed myself and made my way to the kitchen and put the kettle on.  I was sure that it would be either of our families dropping in on us to say hello.  I was certain that it wasn’t Nic, because he would have let himself in with his handprint in the door scanner.

As soon as the door opened, I could hear the excited voices of both families.  I walked the short distance to the entry to the kitchen near the grand sitting room, and leaned on the doorway and watched across the rooms as the families kissed and hugged Cate and excitedly chatted on.  I smiled to myself, they were such nice people.

And then my m
other caught sight of me.  ‘Beeeen!’  she yelled, and came running at me, hugging me warmly.

‘Ah mom, thanks – I mean for everything.  For making me get up to go to see Cate at the Masquerade Ball.  Nic was going to ask her to marry him you know.  I could have lost her forever.  So….thank-you, you’re the best,’ I said sincerely, ‘and oh, thanks for the clothes for today!’

‘Ben, I’m so glad that it had a happy ending for you.  You and Cate belong together.’

Before I knew it, our families had taken over the kitchen, busy making this and that, and animatedly talking about this and that.  We all sat down and shared a grand afternoon tea
. But I was unable to be near Cate.  I exchanged glances often with her, some teasing, some longing, some seductive.  I was eager for all of the visitors to leave.  I desperately wanted to be alone with my wife.

And, finally the visitors left.

‘Cate, I’m taking you away for a holiday – no visitors – just us.  Let’s leave now,’ I suggested with hope in my voice.

‘We could leave now if you want, but, I wish to spend tonight with you here in our house, in our bed, if you don’t mind that is…’ she said running her hands lightly over my chest and shoulders.

I kissed her gently.  ‘Your wish is my command,’ I replied.

Then she took my hand and led me up the stairs to her bedroom, now to become our bedroom.  I was more than pleased.

Frustration

Heavy rain was beating against the large glass windows
of the bedroom as I awoke next to my beautiful wife.  But she was already awake, dreamily gazing at me.  She smiled as my eyes met hers. 

‘Ben,’ she whispered, lightly touching the side of my face, drawing me into her.

‘I still can’t believe that you are here with me.  It all seems so surreal.  Sometimes I feel as if I am in the most amazing, beautiful dream.  I never want it to end Ben.’

I closed my eyes and smiled, ‘I am living the dream Cate….it will never end.’

I moved my lips to hers and kissed her gently, before moving my lips to her bare shoulder, my desire for her strong. It was then that my eyes glanced over at the time, and I discovered how late we had slept. 

I sat up abruptly. ‘Cate, we’ve got to move.  We need to be at the airport in ninety minutes.  I’ll race over to my parent’s house and grab some things while you pack yours,’ I instructed as I started to put some clothes on.

‘NO Ben,’ Cate yelled with worry in her eyes.

I stopped and looked at her, shocked by her panic.

‘Cate?’ I asked, concerned at the sound of her voice, and her expression.

‘No Ben, don’t leave me.  I keep thinking that you’ll go, and not come back, and my bubble will burst and I will drown in my sorrow,’ she explained, her voice pained.

I walked over to her. She was sitting on the edge of the bed.  I took her hand in mine, and kissed it.

‘I will stay with you.  I’m not leaving you Cate – ever.  I’m far too selfish for that,’ I said with compassion.   I found Cate’s suit case and helped her to pack. 

In no time at all, we had packed the bare essentials, planning to buy some new clothing at the Island.

Then she stopped and looked at me.

‘Well, I’m ready to go,’ she said, standing in her blue denim jeans, and sleeveless white cotton fitted shirt. I sat staring at her. My heart beating fast.

‘What?’ Cate asked confused,
looking at me with a frown on her beautiful face. ‘Have I missed something?’

I stood up and walked over to her.

‘As a matter of fact you have Kate…..this…..’ I said drawing closer to her.

I put
a fingers under her chin, and gently moved my face closer to hers, lightly touching my lips on hers, kissing her slowly.

‘I love you Cate,’ I whispered, and took a small step back from her, noticing a tear fall from the corner of her eye.  I tenderly wiped it away with my fingertip, and looked deeply into her eyes, ‘I love you Cate.’

She gently touched my face, and then ran her finger along my jaw line, looking into my eyes in silence.  Then she grabbed her stuff and led me out of the bedroom, down the stairs to her car, where we drove the short distance to my parent’s house.