Page 9 of Wife Unwanted
"Is this how you seduce all the women you bring out here?"
"If you must know, you're the first woman who's ever been on this boat. Even my sister hasn't gotten on it."
"Liar."
"It's true. I could call her to confirm, but we no longer talk."
She moved closer to where I was setting the food and sat down opposite me as I poured the wine into a solo cup. I handed it to her. She took the wine but did not drink. "You and Ivy are no longer on speaking terms? Why?"
I stretched out my legs on the deck, picked up the other solo cup, and poured some wine. "Ah. No personal information, remember?"
She stretched her legs out as well and took a sip of the wine. "Touché."
"I usually sail alone," I said, feeling like I needed to give her something. "It's a great way to be alone with your thoughts. There's something about the endlessness of the ocean that feels comforting. "
She looked around her. "I get it. Sometimes I feel like wanting to get away from everything and just, well, sail away." Her face fell, and I wanted to know the cause. The question was on the tip of my tongue, but before I could even dare to raise the question, she plastered a beautiful smile and just like that, it was as though there was never any sadness.
We went back to safer topics after that. Then when we finished eating, Thalia got out of her shorts and crop top left only a red bikini, while I got down to my swimming trunks. "Help me with this," she said as she handed me a bottle of sunscreen. I applied the lotion liberally, but soon got carried away when I got to her chest. I played with her tits until we drove each other crazy. Soon, the bikini too was gone, and so were my trunks, as we made love under the sun.
The sky was red and orange by the time we got back to the house. I had planned a candlelight dinner on the terrace for just the two of us. But as soon as Thalia went upstairs to shower, Farlow came to me asking if I wanted to still stick with the plan or not. "Why? Is there a reason you can't arrange it?" I asked. Farlow cleared his throat. "Your father is here, sir. He asked you and Thalia to join him."
I frowned. "He specifically said her name."
"The chauffeur's daughter," my father said as he came into the foyer, chuckling. "You've always had a penchant for the girls on the other side of the track."
"Dad." Why did he have to come here and ruin everything? His elitism was downright nauseating and had already caused a lot of pain in this family.
"She's different, though. She's a nice girl. I would love to meet her. Let's have dinner together." He flashed an artificially white smile. His attempt to look younger through veneers, fake tan and hair dye made him look older than he realized. No doubt a pathetic attempt to look closer in age to whichever young mistress he was hooking up with.
"I don't think I would enjoy double dating with your mistress. I'll pass."
He raised his chin up, and I felt a chill run down my spine. That look used to intimidate me, but not anymore, I reminded myself. I straightened my back and stared right back at him. The corner of his mouth turned up slightly. "Fear not, son. I came alone." He gently slapped my shoulder.
"Would you mind if Thalia and I spend time alone? We haven't reached the meet your parents part of the relationship."
"Come on," he said a little too casually, "When have you ever introduced me to one of your girlfriends? And besides, it's John's daughter. I don't think it would be that awkward if we share a meal."
I couldn't think of a rebuttal. I wasn't sure if this would scare her away or not. Thalia had been so determined to keep our relationship firmly in the non serious category. But it's not as if she didn't know my father or my family. "Fine."
Dad clapped his hands. "Great. Dinner in the blue room."
Chapter 6
Carey
THALIA AND THErest of the household were asleep when I came back home. Except for one person, my father. The only light illuminating downstairs came from his study and when I passed by it, he called out in a low dry voice, "Come in here, son." I was of the mind to tell him to fuck off, but he was my father after all, and ignoring him would cause more headaches than confronting him now.
I entered the study. He was at his desk working. His hands worked fast as he scribbled on paper. I felt sorry for his assistants, who would have to type all of that up on Monday. Without looking at me, he said, "Take a seat," gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.
"If you want to schedule a meeting with your son, you're going to have to do it tomorrow. I'm tired. I've spent hours at the station trying to keep a spoiled teenager out of jail. I want some sleep."
He dropped his pen and looked up at me. Five years ago, that look would have intimidated me into doing what he said. Now I recognized it for what it is, an empty threat. I crossed my arms. He leaned back in his chair. "All right, I'll be quick. But sit down. I don't like looking up at my son."
I drew out the chair and perched myself on the edge. Satisfied that I did what he wanted, he continued, "What are your plans with Thalia?"
"We've only been seeing each other for a month. The least I could do is get to know her first."
"She's not one of us."
