The Best-Kept Secret Read online

  As Charlotte gathered the signed documents and placed them in a folder, the phone rang.

  “This is Charlotte speaking.”

  “Hey, beautiful,” Curtis said.

  “How are you?”

  “Not so good.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because things aren’t right between us.”

  “I know. And I’m sorry that we had that disagreement last night.”

  “I’m sorry, too. Yes, I wanted to make love to you, but it was wrong of me to get upset just because you said you were tired. I know it’s not easy leaving a full-time job and then going to meetings at the church.”

  Charlotte didn’t say anything. Mainly because of all the guilt she was feeling.

  “But this is a new day, it’s the end of the workweek, and I’ve got plans for you and me.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. I’ve already asked your aunt Emma to keep Matthew overnight, so that I can take you out to dinner this evening. I started thinking this morning how it’s been a very long time since you and I spent any quality time together.”

  “Sounds good to me,” she said but wondered what she was going to tell Aaron. He’d phoned her first thing this morning, right after she’d arrived at her office, and they’d made plans to meet this evening. But with the way things were going between her and Curtis, she knew she couldn’t say no to her husband. She would just have to make Aaron understand her situation.

  “What time do you think you’ll be home?” Curtis asked.

  “I’m leaving here a little early today, so probably no later than five.”

  “Then I’ll make the reservations for seven-thirty, if that’s okay.”

  “Works for me.”

  “I’ll pick up Matthew from school and take him over to your aunt’s before then.”

  “Good.”

  “Okay, baby, well, I’m gonna let you go, but I’ll see you later.”

  “See ya.”

  “And, baby?”

  “Yes?”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Curtis.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I do.”

  “Talk to ya.”

  Charlotte hung up the phone and sighed. It was at times like this that she felt even worse about what she was doing to Curtis, but she couldn’t help herself. She paused for a few minutes longer, deep in thought, and then dialed Aaron’s phone number. She told him they’d have to meet for lunch instead of dinner.

  “Girl, you make me crazy,” Aaron said, lying on his back, panting.

  “That’s what I’m supposed to do,” Charlotte teased him, caressing his chest and stomach. They were relaxing at the country home of one of Aaron’s childhood friends.

  Aaron took more deep breaths. “Maybe, but I don’t know how long I can keep hearing about you and Curtis spending all this special time together. First, you call me saying that we can’t meet tonight because Curtis wants to take you to dinner, and then he calls me and mentions that he’s got plans to take you to some hotel after you finish eating.”

  “Well, he never said anything to me about going to a hotel.”

  “I know he didn’t, because he said he wanted to surprise you. And I won’t even go into how excited he was about it. He was sounding like some little kid at Christmas.”

  “I know you don’t like hearing about Curtis and me being intimate, but what am I supposed to do?”

  Aaron looked over at her. “Leave his ass. That’s what.”

  Charlotte didn’t respond, because Aaron seemed more angry than usual.

  He sat up on the side of the bed. “Pack your things and come live with me. It’s as simple as that.”

  “Baby, how many times do we have to go through this? Because you know I can’t do that.”

  Charlotte slid across the bed and sat next to him.

  “Well, regardless of what you feel you can and cannot do, I’m tired of playing second to the Reverend Curtis Black. When we first started seeing each other, your relationship with Curtis didn’t bother me, but now I can’t stand it. Just the thought of him kissing you and making love to you makes me cringe. And the bottom line is that I’m tired of sharing you with him. So you need to make a choice.”

  Only a few days ago, Aaron had said he would never give her up under any circumstances, but now he was trying to give her an ultimatum? It sounded as though he’d changed his mind about their arrangement and was now making it clear that she could be with him or Curtis, but not both. This turn of events wasn’t working for her. Not at all.

  “Aaron, baby, look. You knew from the very beginning that I was married and what my situation was, so why are you doing this?”

  “Because I’m in love with you. I wasn’t counting on falling in love with you, but now that it’s happened, there’s nothing I can do about it. Curtis doesn’t deserve you anyway, not with his long history of women and the way he treated them. That Negro is nothing but a big joke, and you know it.”

  “What? Well, Aaron, I guess I’m a little shocked at what you’re saying because I always assumed that you felt just as guilty about betraying Curtis as I did. Especially since he considers you to be one of his best friends. Actually, you’re the closest friend he has in this city.”

  “Well, I can’t help that. And now that we’re on the subject, I also agree with everything Bailey said about him at that meeting. As a matter of fact, I’m the one who convinced Bailey to stand up to Curtis. Because the truth is, no pastor should be earning a flat percentage of what is collected, and as far as I’m concerned, Curtis is no different than any of those money-hoarding ministers on television.”

  “I don’t get this.”

  “You don’t get what? The fact that I sometimes despise Curtis? The fact that I hate the way people treat him like he’s some god but pretty much ignore men like me? Men like me who earn a decent living but don’t have any real power or money to throw around. And sometimes I get just as pissed off at you because you’re always talking about the amount of money Curtis could be earning just because he’s a well-known minister. That’s all you seem to care about, and I’m sick of hearing about it.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

  “And I’m sorry you feel compelled to stay with him. But let me say this, I won’t wait around on you forever, Charlotte. I won’t.”

  Charlotte watched him leave the room and walk into the bathroom. Shortly after, she heard the shower running. She was so baffled by all of this and wondered why Aaron was acting so strangely. He’d asked her to leave Curtis a number of times before, but now he was acting as though his life depended on it. He was acting as though he hated everything about Curtis. Maybe he was merely having a bad day and would feel differently the next time she spoke to him. Maybe all they needed was some time apart, so that Aaron could rethink their relationship.

  She hoped things between them would return to normal very soon, because she didn’t want to lose him. She didn’t want to lose the good thing they had going with each other. She didn’t want to lose the pleasure he gave so naturally.

  Chapter 7

  CURTIS DROVE INTO THE HOTEL PARKING LOT, AND CHARLOTTE TRIED to act surprised about it. During dinner, she’d asked him what they were going to do afterward, but he’d told her that she would know soon enough. She could still see the grin on his face when he’d said it.

  “Okay, Curtis, so what is this all about?” she asked, smiling.

  “It’s about you and me spending the night together without any interruption. It’s about us spending quality time with each other the way we used to.”

  “And what are we supposed to wear when we get up tomorrow morning?”

  Curtis parked and opened the car door. “If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about that,” he said, winking at her.

  “Whatever you say.”

  He closed his door and walked around to open Charlotte’s. Inside the building, Curtis strolled closer to the reception desk, but Ch
arlotte wanted to run back outside. She could tell that the desk clerk recognized her immediately. Charlotte and Aaron had frequented this quaint little inn, situated on the outskirts of town, more times than she could remember, and now Charlotte wondered why they’d become so careless. Once upon a time, they would have driven no less than twenty miles outside the city limits, but they hadn’t done that in a long while. It was almost as if they’d become much too lax for their own good.

  “I just wanted to thank you again for all your help this afternoon,” Curtis told the clerk while laying an envelope on the desk. “I really do appreciate it.”

  “I was happy to do it,” the woman responded, smiling.

  “Well, baby, are you ready?” Curtis took Charlotte’s hand.

  “Ready when you are.” They headed toward the elevator, and Charlotte didn’t have the nerve to look at the clerk, face-to-face, a second time. She was so ashamed of herself.

  When they arrived at their room, Curtis swiped the plastic card and pushed the door open. Charlotte walked in first and couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The room was filled with dozens of red roses, a bottle of nonalcoholic champagne, and two small boxes, which he picked up and gave to her. There were even two overnight bags sitting on the floor and jazz playing on a CD player. Curtis had planned their evening to the last detail.

  “Oh, Curtis,” she said, after opening her gifts. He’d gotten her the diamond necklace and matching bracelet she’d been admiring for over six months. She hugged him tightly.

  “I’ll bet you weren’t expecting anything like this, were you?” he said.

  “No. Not at all.”

  “I’m just sorry I haven’t done it before now. Because, sweetheart,” he said, slightly pushing her away from him and holding both of her hands, “you are everything to me. You and Matthew both. The whole reason I changed my life around was so that I could do right by you and our son. I wanted to change for God, too, no doubt, but you were the other reason I knew I had to give up my old ways. The women, the money schemes, the way I manipulated so many people. You are my life, girl,” he said matter-of-factly. “You hear me?”

  Tears streamed down Charlotte’s face. Not because she was happy, but because of all the guilt she was feeling inside. She did love Curtis, but it was at this very moment that she realized she wasn’t head over heels the way she used to be. Partly because she’d been splitting her time between him and Aaron. She hugged him tightly and cried even harder.

  “Baby, what’s the matter?” Curtis asked.

  “I just can’t believe you’ve done all of this for me.”

  Curtis laughed and stroked her hair. “I don’t know why not. Because you deserve this and a whole lot more. I know you’re not happy with my income, but I promise you, baby, this is only temporary. I guarantee it.”

  Charlotte wanted to believe him, and she wanted them to be as happy as they were in the beginning, but she was so confused. Here she’d just made love with Aaron only a few hours ago, and now she was embracing her own husband—and preparing to do the same thing with him. The thought of it all turned her stomach. Just thinking about the person she’d become made her sick. Her parents would be mortified if they knew what she was doing. Her father didn’t like Curtis, but he would never approve of her messing around on him. Her mother would think the world had come to an end.

  Curtis kissed Charlotte and then removed his blazer. “Why don’t you undress for me, the way you used to,” he said, sitting down on the bed and kicking off his shoes.

  Charlotte smiled at him and turned around so he could unzip her dress. Curtis removed the rest of his clothing and lay on his back with his hands behind his head, staring at her.

  “You know, it’s a shame that not every man has been blessed with a beautiful wife.”

  “Are you saying that I’m beautiful?” she said, removing her bra and tossing it at him.

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  She smiled and tossed over her pantyhose and panties. Curtis pushed both pieces of lingerie onto the floor and returned his right hand behind his head.

  Charlotte stared at her husband and regardless of how she felt about him emotionally, she couldn’t help noticing how gorgeous he still looked. His skin was nearly flawless, his hair soft and wavy, and his body was as muscular as any woman would want it to be. Which made Charlotte wonder how she ever got herself mixed up with Aaron. Not to mention the explosive sex she and Curtis always had whenever they made love to each other. But who was she kidding? Her feelings for Curtis had changed because of material possessions and material possessions only. She’d started resenting him without even realizing it. She’d become bored with him as a husband.

  “Come here, you,” he said.

  Charlotte climbed on top of him, and Curtis held her closely, kissing her again. Charlotte could feel him swelling beneath her, and it turned her on. She moved her lower body against his, and he responded similarly. Curtis rested his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her body downward. Charlotte knew what he wanted and had no problem giving it to him. For as long as she’d known Curtis, he’d always been happy with the way she satisfied him, and this was the least she could do, considering the way she was carrying on with Aaron behind his back.

  Curtis moaned gratifyingly, begging her not to stop. So Charlotte picked up speed. She could tell she was driving him wild. She could feel him swelling even further.

  “Okay, baby, that’s enough,” he said.

  But Charlotte disregarded what he was saying.

  “Baby, please,” he begged. “I said that’s enough.”

  Charlotte tuned him out completely and continued her tempo. She loved controlling Curtis sexually.

  “Oh . . . baby . . . yes,” he said, succumbing to her desire to keep going. “I love you so much,” he said.

  Charlotte sustained her pace until the very last minute and then stopped. Curtis quickly sat up, and Charlotte moved to the side of him. Curtis entered her, moving in and out of her, slowly at first and then much more rapidly. Charlotte closed her eyes, wishing that this feeling she had would last forever. She loved the way Curtis made her feel, the way they were together, at this very moment.

  Curtis worked his body back and forth, with moisture building across his forehead, and Charlotte moaned with pleasure.

  “Oh, Curtis. Oh, baby.”

  Curtis worked his body even faster and then moaned, breathlessly.

  He breathed deeply for almost a minute and then pulled away from Charlotte.

  But he frowned as soon as he did. “What is that?”

  “What?” Charlotte played dumb but knew full well what he was talking about. The real reason she’d wanted to give him oral sex was to get him so heated up that by the time they had intercourse, he wouldn’t pay any attention to what he was seeing now. But she hadn’t taken the time to consider that he might see it when they finished.

  Curtis just stared at her.

  “What?” she repeated.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about. That bruise between your legs,” he said, pointing right at it.

  “Oh. That? I got that a couple of days ago when I was riding one of the bicycles at the health club. The seat was sort of loose, and I guess it was rubbing my thigh the wrong way. Actually, it was pretty sore, but it’s a lot better today.”

  Curtis looked away from her and walked into the bathroom.

  Charlotte felt her stomach churning. What was she going to do if Curtis didn’t believe her? How could she have been so stupid? So consumed with Aaron that she’d allowed him to leave such glowing evidence on her body? She must have been out of her mind.

  Curtis walked back into the room and sat on the bed with his back turned to her. She wanted to say something, plead her case, but was afraid to.

  Curtis finally turned and looked at her. “Can I ask you something?”

  “What?”

  “How in the world would you even think you could con a con artist? I mean,
I don’t con people anymore, but I certainly know a con when I hear it. Especially since the lie you’re telling me is no different from the lies I used to tell my ex-wives, and even you for that matter.”

  “But I’m not lying to you, baby. And how else would I get a bruise like this anyway?”

  “How?” Curtis laughed. “By lettin’ some other man suck on you. That’s how.”

  “Baby, you know I would never do that,” she said, stroking the side of his face.

  “Don’t touch me, Charlotte,” he said, moving away again. “Don’t you even think about it.”

  “But Curtis, baby, please, don’t do this. I swear to you. I haven’t been sleeping around. You know I would never do that.”

  “Right now, I don’t know anything. And I feel like hurtin’ somebody.”

  Charlotte opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She didn’t know how she was going to make him see that he was imagining all of this. Make him see that he was blowing this all out of proportion.

  “You know what?” he said. “Let’s get dressed and get out of here.”

  “Curtis, I’m begging you, please don’t do this. Don’t let your own paranoia about your own life jeopardize our marriage.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “That I knew it was only a matter of time before you started accusing me of messing around, because you know how many times you did it to Tanya and Mariah.”

  Curtis cracked up laughing again. “Oh, so, now you think you can use head games with me? Girl, you’d better remember who you’re dealing with.”

  “I do know who I’m dealing with,” she said, standing her ground. “I’m dealing with a man who messed around with three women at the same time all while claiming he was called by God to preach. A man who knocked me up before I was eighteen and a man who was shot by another mistress just two years ago. So, yes, Curtis, I do know who I’m dealing with, but I still stood by you and took your hand in marriage.”