Read Online LETHAL OBSESSION by Carey Regenold - Free Book Online Page A

these kids fish, aren’t we?  You've been holding this tree up long
enough.  I'm doing a lot more work than you are, lazy goof off.”
          “Huh?” 
Gene looked around.  “Oh yeah, sorry, didn’t mean to doze off like that."
          "Well,
get up off your lazy butt and help these kids with their poles and
fishing."  She started to stand up.
          "Don't
go yet.  Stay and talk to me for awhile.  Those kids don't need our help."
          Ellen
looked around. There seemed to be plenty of parents with the kids. Maybe she
wasn't needed. It didn't take much persuasion to keep her sitting in the shade.
With her back against the tree trunk,      Ellen looked at Gene.  He came into
her life at a very tragic moment and what they had together has blossomed into
a beautiful friendship. How much did she really know about this man?  He talked
about his childhood, but what about his personal life?  Was he married?  Divorced?
Did he have children?  He certainly seemed to have a lot of spare time. 
Perhaps he was divorced and alone just like herself. 
          Gene
smiled at her.  "I like it when you look at me like that."
          Ellen's
felt her face grow hot.  "Like what?  You're crazy.  I'm not going to sit
here and listen to babble." 
          She
started to move away but once more he reached out to stop her. "Okay, I
quit, if the princess can't take a joke."  He shrugged taking a sip of his
coke.
          "Oh,
you."  She slapped at him.  Looking out over the lake Ellen pondered her
next question to him.  She was curious about him now.  Did he have a wife? 
Would it matter to her if he did?  No of course it wouldn't matter.  They're
friends, nothing more, nothing less but it would still be nice to know. 
          "Are
you married, Gene?"  The words came tumbling out like a bag of spilled
beans.  She turned to look at him when a sudden fit of coughing nearly threatened
to close his throat.  A spray of coke sloshed down his shirt.
          "You
don't mince words, Lady.  No woman could ever put up with me."
          "Well
even if you are it doesn't matter.  I was just curious.  So if you're still
breathing over there, is that a yes, no, or plead the fifth?"
          "Well,
let me see."  Gene scratched his head pretending to be in deep
concentration.  He started counting on his fingers. "I've been through
four, no five wives.  Would you like to be number six?"  He raised his
eyebrows enticingly.
          "Not
on your life, Casanova."  She laughed.  "Gene, you're right, no woman
could put up with you."  Ellen came to her feet and looked down at him. 
"Feel free to hold up that tree for as long as you like.  I'm going
fishing. Bye."                           
          Ellen
walked toward a group of kids with fishing poles.  She didn't look back and
missed the strange look that crossed Gene's features.
     
          The
afternoon went by swiftly.  Ellen stayed busy on the front lines, getting slimy
wiggling tiny fish off hooks, baiting lines, and untangling hooks from shirts,
hair, and britches.  She was having a ball and so glad Gene had talked her into
coming today.
         
          Gene's
calls continued to come on a daily basis but there was a subtle difference in
their friendship now.  They were careful to skirt personal issues keeping to
friendly, benign topics like the weather, and community happenings. Ellen could
sense an emotion in Gene that made her uneasy.  Sometimes she would catch him watching
her.  The look in his eyes was anything but platonic.  Ellen was torn between
wanting his companionship and fleeing from a romantic encounter. 
          Late
at night Ellen's natural desires would bubble to the surface.  She wanted to be
held and touched and kissed.  Ellen and Mark shared a lusty sex life.  Her
throbbing body reminded her of how much she missed this natural aspect of
life.