His Unbearable Desire 2 (3 page)

She hated to think like that though because Colton seemed sincere in his revelations, and she only wished that she knew more about his childhood. She wondered about the pain he mentioned, and whether Glenn had anything to do with that. If so it could lead to a dark revelation and she didn’t want to get mixed up in any family drama.

The rest of the day went quickly, and she was grateful that there were no surprises in store for her. As she drove home she called Angelica and put her on speaker phone. The drive was leisurely and there wasn’t much traffic on the road so it was a pleasant drive and Ana could just relax.

“Please don’t tell me you’re in hysterics again?” Angelica asked, somewhat teasingly.

“No, not this time. It was actually a really good time. I feel like I know him more, like he’s actually a person. He told me all about how he’s never felt like he’s wanted to belong anywhere. He says that I’m different, that I make him want to open up, and when he saw me with Glenn he was insanely jealous.”

“Well, that’s always a good thing. Do you believe him?”

Ana paused. “I’m not sure. I think so. I looked into his eyes and he seemed sincere. Plus, I don’t get why he’d tell me all that after all this time if he wasn’t interested. But after what Glenn said I don’t want to trust him too easily. He invited me to his log cabin but I refused.”

“He has a log cabin?”

“Yeah, it’s in the woods outside of town. He really doesn’t like people.”

“Don’t be going to some mysterious guy’s cabin in the middle of the woods. That’s a recipe for a horror movie!”

“Oh, Colton is harmless,” she said casually, although she then remembered the morning in the store, and how she thought he may have attacked someone. She didn’t ever think he’d be violent towards her though, it was just the circumstances that brought it out of him. His emotions sat very close to the surface so they were always ready to burst out at any moment.

“But no, I’m not going to his cabin. I have invited him to the fair though so we can spend some more time together. I’m hoping he’s going to tell me the rest of his secrets. He’s still hiding something and I don’t know what it is. He was very evasive, and when I confronted him about him and Glenn all he could say was that everyone has secrets.”

“You don’t think they’re members of some kind of cult, do you?”

“I have no idea at this point. I can’t even think what sort of secret it would be? I don’t even think I have any secrets. Do you?” There was a slight pause on the phone that anyone apart from Ana wouldn’t have picked up, but they had been best friends for so long that Ana knew her friend too well to not pick up on the imperceptible signs.

“No, of course I don’t, especially not from you,” Angelica eventually answered, but Ana was unconvinced, although she expected that it was simply something that happened on her travels. Although they had spoken about her adventures a great deal since she had returned there was still much that Ana didn’t know, mostly about Angelica’s love life, although she had told her about the main guy who she had loved but had to leave.

“It doesn’t bother you that I speak about my love life all the time, does it?” Ana asked upon thinking about Angelica’s heartbreak.

“No, it’s fine. I’m a big girl, I can take it,” she said, laughing to hide the pain that rested inside her heart.

“How are you doing?” Ana asked, placing emphasis on the last word.

“I’m fine. I miss him a lot. I just saw on Facebook that he’s started seeing someone else.”

“Oh, Angie, I’m really sorry.”

“He also just posted messages on a lot of our mutual friend’s walls so I had to see this long row of his profile picture with this new girl.”

“That sucks. I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Probably not, but it still hurts. I thought that we could wait for each other and when I went back over we could start things up again.”

“Did you ever talk about that?”

“Yeah, I mean, when I first left him I tried to get him to come with us but he said he couldn’t and that he didn’t want a long distance relationship when there was no firm date that we’d see each other again, because he didn’t want us resenting each other.

At that point I hadn’t decided that I was going to go back over there, my plan was still to come back home and stay here, and I didn’t really want a long distance thing either because it just seemed like too much. But then I told him that I was going to come back and he said he would love to see me again but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. I just hate it because the only reason we aren’t together is because of circumstance, it’s not like we stopped liking each other or anything.”

“I’m sorry. Look, why don’t you come to the fair with me and Colton tonight? It might help you to take your mind off things.”

“Oh yeah,” Angelica scoffed, “Like I want to be the third wheel of this thing? I think I’ll pass, although I might still go, just to check the fair out. I can hear the music at the moment. All the kids were given the afternoon off from school so they could actually enjoy it in the daytime. I think some of the small ones get frightened at night.”

“Well, the invitation is there if you need it. And you know, when you finally go back over there you can just win him back. If your connection is as strong as you think it is then nothing can stand in your way.”

“Hm, yeah, although at this rate it’s going to take me longer to get back there than I first thought.”

“Well, let’s get to Newtown then. If you just leave your parents will have to get used to it. You can’t let them control your life because if you stay there they’ll never let you go. I think we should just go ahead and do it, rip it off like a band aid, and then you can get your plan in motion.

I think that’s what’s going wrong at the moment, you’re getting stuck in a rut. It happened to me when I first got back to Trinity Falls from college. It’s so lazy and slow-paced that it’s easy to fall into the trap of staying there. But you have to fight. If you want to leave and go travel the world then that’s what you have to do.”

“I know, I know, I know. You don’t know what my parents are like though. They make me feel so guilty about it, like I’m abandoning them or something.”

“Of course they’re going to do that! They’re your parents. That’s what parents do.”

“How did yours react when you told them you were going to Newtown?”

“Oh, you know what mine are like. I told them and they barely reacted. They seemed quite nonchalant about it. Sometimes I don’t really think they understand that what I do is getting to be successful. I think they just think I tinker about on the Internet. I’m sure they’d miss me but I’ve made it clear that Newtown is where I want to be and Trinity Falls is a place best left in the past. But then you don’t have the awkwardness of a recent ex in town either. I still believe they think that I’m heartbroken over things with Evan.”

“Have you told them about Colton and Glenn?”

“God no. You think anyone would believe that I could have two hot billionaires after me? They’d lock me in the asylum!”

“Have you seen Evan recently?”

“No, he’s probably too busy playing happy families.”

“You’re sounding a little bitter there.”

“I’m not really. I just…I don’t know…it’s like a game when you break up with someone, isn’t it? It’s like who can meet someone new the fastest. I thought that when I first met Glenn and Colton I could bring them back and rub it in his face but he seems to be happy. I just wish it wasn’t with  Holly. I still hate her for what she put me through at school.”

“Yeah, well, at least you won’t have to deal with them for much longer.”

“This is true.  So are you sure you don’t want to come to the fair tonight? It honestly won’t be a big deal if you do.”

“No, it’s cool, honestly, I really don’t want to get in the way of your plans, and I don’t want to stand there looking like a lemon while you’re being all affectionate with each other.” Ana laughed at this.

“Yeah, Colton really isn’t the type for public displays of affection. I’m surprised he even managed to agree to come since he hates crowds.”

“Maybe it’s a sign of how far he’s willing to go to spend time with you, to prove himself to you.”

“Maybe,” Ana said, smiling, for it was a sweet thought.

“Anyway, I might bump into you tonight. I think I might try and get my parents to go and then break it to them that I’m leaving soon. For definite.”

“Sounds like a good plan. Well, if I don’t see you at the fair I’ll probably see you back at home at some point.”

“Sure thing, see you later.”

They hung up and Ana gripped the wheel. She was pleased that Angelica was finally going to be blunt with her parents because she wanted to get her own life moving, and it was going to be far easier to work if she was living in Newtown. The commute wasn’t too bad but it did get annoying in the mornings for things became clustered as she entered the city limits. But there were no problems approaching Trinity Falls, although there was a little spike in traffic as people came from Newtown to visit the fair.

Usually the town was low against the horizon in sharp contrast to Newtown, but the fair added some new views to the horizon. A large Ferris wheel stood above the rest of the city and it gave the town an even quainter feeling, for fairs were becoming a thing of the past and they were more of an oddity, a curiosity, than a main form of entertainment like they had once been. Most people from Newtown were coming in the hopes to be reminded of their nostalgia, but for the people in Trinity Falls it was a grand experience, something new and exciting that freshened up their lives and gave them a chance to escape the natural hum drum existence.

As Ana drove she thought about what Angelica had said and it still troubled her that Glenn had been silent for so long. She thought the least he could have done was give her an apology, and even though she was seeing Colton that night she rashly decided to give Glenn a call.

It wasn’t something that she deliberated over a great deal. She just hated the idea that he was going to carry on with his life with no recrimination. She hated that Angelica’s ex could go on and find happiness with someone so quickly after telling her his feelings, and she didn’t think it was fair that Glenn should get away with it either. She found herself dialing his cell, and she gulped when she heard it ring.

She didn’t know what she was going to say to him but she knew she was going to keep calm. She just wanted him to know that what he had done wasn’t right and that he wasn’t just going to get to carry on with his life. She was all ready and waiting for him to answer but the phone kept ringing and ringing until it went to voicemail. She sighed in exasperation and thought about dialing again, but it was clear that he didn’t want to speak to her at all, so she left it. Instead she went home, showered, and got ready for the evening fun.

Chapter 3

Choosing an outfit for the fair was a difficult task. She wanted to look nice and wear something sexy but fairs were often dusty, and some of the rides required climbing into things so she didn’t want to wear anything too short in case she exposed herself to everyone around her. But she wanted to drive Colton wild with desire so she chose a dress that ran down to her knees, and it flowed out into a wide arc so there was plenty of material to cover herself up if she needed it.

The straps were thin and rested on her shoulders, while the front plunged down and drew the eyes down to her impressive cleavage. She wore a silver necklace as well, to further draw his attention. And as much as she wanted to wear heels she knew that it was a foolish thing to do at a fair, so she wore flats. She twisted in the mirror and looked at herself approvingly, knowing that Colton didn’t stand a chance. She sprayed a little bit of perfume over her skin and let the sweet, fruity scent wash over her before she headed out.

The night was calm and warm, so she took a cardigan in case it grew cold later, but for the moment she draped it over her arm. She fell into step with a number of other people who were also going to the fair. Children excitedly babbled to their parents as they skipped along, and Ana couldn’t help but smile. The sun was still watching over the world so the kids knew that it was still their time, but soon enough night would take over and they would have to go to bed while the adults continued to indulge themselves.

The closer Ana got to the fair the more she saw that some families were leaving. Kids were holding sticks of candy floss and licking lollipops as big as their heads, and their faces were painted in all manner of different patterns and colors. The fair was like a visit from something out of history. In the modern world with television, movies, and the internet things seemed so fast-pace and disconnected.

The fair was a way to reconnect with the world, and she was glad that it had come to town. Faint music played and the rush of a rollercoaster met her ears. Then the screams of people on a ride rang out through the town. Loud whistling and honking also filled the air, and for the first time that she remembered the town felt alive, and she wished that the fair could stay there indefinitely.

On the main street a man with stilts towered above everything and blew out bubbles, which floated and drifted through the air. They came down and kids ran around his long, wooden legs as they tried to catch them. A small dog scampered around with them, yapping away, and this brought great delight to the children. A woman jester juggled balls and kept an eye on the kids, while a ragamuffin handed out leaflets advertising the events of the fair. Ana took one and glanced down, it was made up of wild fonts.

‘
SEE the AMAZING Maestro saw his glamorous assistant in half! Be ASTOUNDED by Madame Webb, who can tell you your future! CRY with laughter at the Red Hood gang and their CRAZY hijinks!’

Ana couldn’t help but smile and she folded the paper away and tucked it into her bag. When she reached the field it was bustling with people and the whole place was buzzing with a joyous, festive atmosphere. She glanced at her watch, and noticed that she was still a little early. She and Colton had arranged to meet at the Ferris wheel so she slowly strolled through and took in the sights and smells of the fair. The sizzling smell of hot dogs and burgers made her stomach growl, and she breathed in the scent deeply.

She walked by the dodgems as people smashed into each other, and when she passed the haunted house she saw people laughing nervously. There were so many fun and games that it was difficult to take everything in and she felt overwhelmed with the infectious fairground spirit. Wearing a wide smile, she made her way to the Ferris wheel and stood underneath the towering ride, waiting for Colton.

She watched a number of couples pass by, wrapped up in the cloak of love, and hoped that the evening would end with her and Colton walking along in a similar manner. She felt excited, and when he finally appeared, striding through the crowd with his usual swagger, her heart skipped a beat. He kissed her on the cheek and they hugged, and there was a spark of electricity that surged within her. He looked around and nodded in approval.

“When I came here I didn’t think there was going to be much to do, but I’m impressed.”

“Sometimes things that seem so ordinary can hide something magical,” she said, and linked her arm in with his. “Shall we?” she suggested, and they stepped forward in tandem.

“You look lovely tonight,” he said as they strolled past the stalls. She blushed a little.

“You look very handsome yourself,” she replied, “Tell me, do you actually work for this look or is it really a rough and ready thing?”

Colton chuckled. “Sometimes I do have to spend a little longer getting my hair the way I want it than I would like to,” he admitted.

“I knew it!” Ana laughed, pumping her first in the air in triumph.

“But I have to swear you to secrecy. I do have an image to maintain.” Ana smiled, for he was correct.

He was a famous personality and while she was excited to have him here she had almost forgotten that his presence would have caused a stir in the small community. As they walked along whispers followed them and Colton narrowed his eyes as he heard his name being murmured.

“Seems like you’re famous,” Ana asked, and Colton scowled.

“I always thought it would be fun to be famous, it’s like having friends everywhere you go.”

“Except they don’t actually know me, they just think they know me. Besides, most of the articles have been written about Glenn. He just gets me involved so he can make himself feel like he’s doing me a favor.”

“Well, not much happens around here and we never get celebrities visiting us so you should just give them a wave or something.”

He scoffed at her suggestion but as he looked around he saw everyone looking at him and he gave them a sheepish wave. Girls giggled, and Ana felt proud because she knew they must have been feeling jealous of her. She leaned in more closely to Colton as if to say that he was her territory and everyone had better not get any ideas.

No-one came up to bother them despite his status, but Ana felt that it was due to the fact that he wasn’t a celebrity in the sense of being an actor or a sports star. Most people would only have known his image and recognized him, but it wasn’t like he had a fan base. But still, Ana clutched him tightly, and the more they walked through the more used to the whispering they got.

“Is it always like this?” she asked.

“Sometimes. It’s why I try and keep to myself. I hate people coming up to me and expecting me to talk to them just because they’ve seen my picture in the paper.”

Being so close to him again, especially in this environment, made Ana want to take him home to bed straight away. Despite everything that had happened the attraction was still there and she found it insanely hard not to rip his clothes off there and then, but she managed to restrain herself.

“I haven’t been to one of these for a long time,” he said.

Ana replied that she hadn’t either, for the last time this one had come to town was when she had been in college. They talked a little while about college.

“I sometimes wish I had gone, but I don’t know what I would have studied. I wasn’t exactly what you’d call an academically-minded person.”

“I wouldn’t have classed myself as that either but I enjoyed it a lot, and really it wasn’t about the studying for me. It was more about finding myself and expanding my horizons. It really changed me and brought me out of my shell. Up until now it’s been the best period of my life and I do miss the freedom every day. It’s why I want to move to Newtown because I miss how busy it was and how many people were around.”

“Sounds like hell to me,” he said.

“Why do you hate people so much? Surely you must have been used to having to see people, and you must have had a big family? Glenn mentioned that a lot of the people he was close to moved away.” As she mentioned Glenn his eyes flickered but he didn’t comment on it.

“My parents died a long time ago, so I was taken in by Glenn’s parents and we grew up together. But I was never part of them. I was always the black sheep and it stayed that way as we got older. Then my aunt and uncle died and we all had to make our own decisions. Glenn was angry at his siblings because they all took their inheritance and ran. I think he expected them to stay and help him run the business because our family has been around for a long time and there’s something to be said for keeping tradition, but they all wanted to go traveling or do other things so when Glenn asked them what their plans were they deserted him. I was the only one who stuck around and I don’t think he’s ever forgiven me for that.”

“But why would he be mad at you and not them?”

“Because I’m here to be mad at. And because my presence always reminds him that when it came down to it I was more devoted to the legacy of our family than his siblings, and he’d rather have me leave. I’ve thought about it many times and I try to keep my distance but I know my parents would have wanted me to have some say in the business matters, and while I don’t take as big a part as I perhaps should I still do take an interest. But it’s just never good enough for him. He always wants me to do more, but even when I do he doesn’t listen to my suggestions.”

“Sounds tough. Sometimes I’m glad I don’t have a big family.”

“You’re better off. But we can’t choose our family, more’s the pity.”

They fell into a silence and considering all the amusement around them they were talking about dark and serious matters. Ana didn’t want things to descend into depressing matters but Colton wasn’t giving her much to work with. As they walked along the silence stretched out until it was starting to feel tense. Ana chewed on her lip but everything she thought about seemed juvenile and unimportant.

“Do you want some candy floss?” he asked, eventually cracking the silence.

She agreed and they both had two big pink, fluffy clouds of candy. They started eating it. At one point Colton reached up to point at the top of a tree, as he was explaining something or the other, but as he did so the candy got stuck in his hair. He didn’t notice at first, but Ana did, and she mischievously waited to tell him until he noticed the strange stares he was getting from people.

“Do I have something in my hair?” he asked, reaching up.

When his fingers touched the candy floss his face twisted in frustration and Ana broke down laughing. She cracked up so much that tears ran down her cheeks as he tried to pull out the candy floss from his hair.  The situation was so ridiculous that he ended up laughing as well, especially when it was clear that he wasn’t making any progress.

“Come here,” she said, and he leaned down. She stood on her tiptoes and ran her fingers through his thick, lustrous hair. She carefully pulled the candy floss out, and as she pulled the hair on his scalp he winced in pain.

“Stop being such a baby,” she teased, and let her fingers stroke his hair even after she had cleaned all of the candy floss out.

He stood back up to his full height and they looked in each other’s sparkling eyes. There was a moment of electric sexual tension between them and around them the weather changed dramatically. The sun quickly set under the horizon and gave way to the night. Lights were put on all around the rides and the whole fair took on a new aura, a bit more in the realm of something magical.

The darkness shrouded them and it made them feel like they were more on their own but the large crowd were still around them. Yet there was an intimacy growing between them, and as they continued their stroll around the fairground they held each other’s hands and enjoyed simply being with each other. There were a few times when they came close to kissing but they refrained. Ana was surprised that he hadn’t been more ardent, but she took it as a sign that he was respecting her wishes, and it endeared him to her.

“Ana?” she heard a voice call out.

She peered into the darkness and saw a couple of figures emerge from the shadows. It was Evan, hand in hand with Holly. Ana clung to Colton, who bristled as he somehow sensed that Evan and Ana had a history together.

“Evan, how are you?” she asked.