Page 37 of The Wife Deception
Ivy shook her head as we went down the wooden stairs of the country club. "He can be insecure about the oddest things. Knowing him, he probably trained like crazy because he was afraid to fail."
Thalia giggled. "He took leave from work and hired an Olympic sailor to train him. You would think he was racing for the world cup or something with the way he was overworking himself. I started feeling guilty for convincing him at all."
Ivy scoffed. "Typical Carey. He takes things too seriously sometimes."
We made it out of the clubhouse and went to the dock where the guys were watching Carey slowly make his boat towards them, as he waved at people clapping at his victory. We arrived just as he got into the bay. As soon as he saw his wife, Carey smiled and waved her over to enter. As soon as Thalia got on, he took her into his arms and gave her a big kiss, his wetsuit messing Thalia's outfit, not that she cared. When they separated, he took hold of her hand and whispered something in her ear. He looked so in love with her I felt an envy I've never felt before. I've never looked at a couple in love and wished I had the same as I did then. Joy and love filled his eyes, and Thalia seemed to understand and appreciate his love.
Would anyone love me like that? Would Nolan? I frowned and put away the odd stray thought. Why wish to be loved by someone who was unsympathetic to me? The man in question, Nolan, no longer had the ten-year-old Lake on his shoulders and was instead standing a couple offeet away from Damien, Lake, and now Ivy. I went to stand beside him, and so though he felt me before he saw me, he turned towards me, a smile on his face.
"I didn't know your brother was that good at sailing?" I said to him.
"Me neither," he frowned. "We all knew it was his hobby. We had no idea how serious he was about it."
"Thalia said he hired an Olympian to help him train."
Nolan chuckled, "That's Carey for you."
"Where's Levi?" I asked and immediately his mood darkened.
"What do you want with him?"
"I was only wondering. Your jealousy would be cute if it was because you cared for me and not because of some fear of being cucked by your brother."
"I'm not jealous!" He spoke so loudly that a couple next to us glanced in our direction. Nolan took a step closer to me and lowered his voice. "I am not jealous. I just don't want you to bring another scandal to my family by fraternizing with my brother."
I folded my arms and raised my chin, surprised by his feelings. My friendship with Levi bothered him and it was kinda funny to watch. "That's what a jealous man would say."
"You think too highly of yourself."
"Why shouldn't I? I've affected you enough that you're afraid your brother will steal me from you."
His hands encircled my waist, and he drew me to him with a hard pull that took my breath away. His eyes had hardened with a desire that no doubt reflected my own. My heart felt like it was beating in my throat.He's going to kiss me; I thought and before I could think of anything else, his mouth crushed down on mine and he gave me a hard kiss. It was insistent, aggressive and punishing. When we finally came up for air, I realized why he had kissed me. Levi was standing beside us. Which would have been funny if he didn't have someone else next to him. Darcy.
21
Aire
Levi brought Darcy to his side and said, "Look who I found!"
"Am I late? Is the race starting or ending?" Darcy said her eyes on me even though she was talking to Levi.
"Over I am afraid," Levi said.
"Fuck! Thalia's going to be mad at me. How did he do? Last or second from last?"
"Beat everyone, I'm afraid," Nolan replied. Instead of letting go of me, he held me beside him, his arm possessively wrapped around my waist.
Darcy's eyebrows shot up. "No way. Impressive!" her gaze went to Carey and Thalia,who were now getting off the boat. "I owe Hugh five dollars."
"You bet against my husband?" Thalia said as she went to hug Darcy.
"I wanted to see his ego bruised a little," Darcy said when they pulled apart. "He can't be good at everything. Better luck next time."
"Hi, Darcy," Carey said.
"I heard you flew past everyone."
Carey shrugged. "Beginner's luck."
