Risky Secrets Read online

  ****

  Keith opened his eyes slowly. He squinted to block out the sun’s strong rays that flooded the room. He sat up in bed and glanced at Tom sleeping next to him. It all came back to him---Lucky’s and his impaired judgement. He turned and stepped out of bed. That’s when it happened. He was face to face with a woman standing in his bedroom doorway looking scared. “Fuck! What the hell?” he yelled, startled. Who the fuck was she, and what was she doing in his freaking house?

  “Before you say anything else, let me explain why I’m here.” The woman backed away from him slowly.

  Keith looked down and realized he was completely naked. He pulled a sheet from the bed next to him and wrapped it around his waist. “Could you fucking explain to me what you’re doing in my house? Who are you? You have thirty seconds to reply before I call the police. I’ll have you charged and arrested for breaking and entering.” She’d better start talking.

  “What’s happening?” Tom shifted in the bed. “A friend of yours?” He yawned and stretched his arms high over his head.

  “I’m Jayne Royale.”

  “Jayne Royale?” Keith repeated. The name rang a bell with him, but he couldn’t quite place it. “Ms. Royale, why are you in my house?”

  “I came up here to my house at Somerset Lake. I forgot the keys, and I knew you had one,” she explained. “I’m so sorry to have barged in on you like this. I really am.”

  She was a client. She was right. It was rude of her to come in here like this. It wouldn’t have been so bad if he’d been alone. “Wait for me in the living room,” he directed. “I need to put some clothes on.” He shut the bedroom door and pulled on a pair of jeans along with a t-shirt. He didn’t have time to think about how embarrassed he was by this confrontation.

  “Is that her?” Tom asked.

  “Who?”

  “The bestselling author,” Tom explained. “I’ve read a couple of her books. She writes some hot stuff.”

  Keith knew this already. His stash of Ms. Royale’s books was still neatly hidden under his bed. “Give me a few minutes to sort this out.” He let out a small sigh as he left the bedroom.

  ****

  Jayne felt absolutely terrible. She waited for her property manager to appear with her nerves on edge.

  “Here are the keys.” Keith handed them to her. “I trust that what you saw here today will stay between us?” He raised one brow as he looked her up and down. “I value my privacy. I don’t like others knowing my personal business. Pine Bluff is a small town. You know how that can be.”

  She nodded. “Yes, you have no worries about me saying one word.” He was terribly handsome. The men that were totally out of reach always were. “Your sexuality is safe with me. Equal rights for everyone, right?”

  He shuffled awkwardly from side to side with his hands buried deep in the pockets of his jeans. “And things are not always what they seem, but this isn’t the time to discuss that. I’ll come around sometime this afternoon to check in with you. If you see anything that needs tending to at the house, make note of it. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my friend. Otherwise, he’ll think I’m some rude bastard.”

  Once outside, Jayne took a deep breath and heaved a huge sigh of relief. That wasn’t the right way to make a good first impression. She’d screwed up majorly. She nearly smacked herself in the head for being so damned stupid. It was too late to do anything about it. She’d have to suck it up and move on.

  ****

  “It isn’t funny,” Keith said.

  “It so is! I bet she got an eyeful when she opened that bedroom door.” Tom laughed and patted the spot on the bed next to him. “Come back to bed and forget about it. You’re taking this much too seriously.”

  “I take my reputation very serious. I live here all year around. You’re new and most likely just passing through.” He sat on the edge of the bed. Tom didn’t understand his predicament.

  “First, you don’t know my plans for the future. I might stay, and I don’t think you have to worry about her. She’s not going to say anything about us.”

  Tom’s reassuring words did little to comfort him, but it was a nice gesture. He hoped that Tom would stay around. “Let’s hope you’re right about that.”

  “Have faith. What would she gain by blabbing?”

  “Nothing at all.”

  “Exactly. Now come back to bed.”

  As good as Tom’s offer sounded, he couldn’t. “I can’t. I have to shower. I have things to do.” Keith pulled off his clothes. “You can join me if you like.”

  Tom grinned. “Now that’s an invitation I’d never refuse. Lead on, sexy!”

  Chapter Four

  Everything around Jayne was pretty much as she’d left it since the last time she’d been there. The upkeep on the place was well worth the money she paid from what she saw.

  Jayne walked room to room before settling in one of the two bedrooms to pack her things away. The air was a tad stale, but she solved that by opening a nearby window to let in a cool breeze.

  Back in the living room, she placed her laptop on the desk and turned it on. A brief check of her email revealed nothing other than a few messages in her spam folder. Much to her delight there were a couple of emails from fans too. This made up for the crappy spam. She loved hearing from readers, and she valued their often constructive feedback. After dinner, she’d get to work on the book. But for now, she had to head back into Pine Bluff. If her property manager was going to come around at some point today, she needed to be back at the house before his arrival. He’d looked so flustered with that whole mess at his house. Jayne wondered what it was like for him having to hide his true self like that. Keeping secrets was hard for anyone. She pitied him.

  The ride back into Pine Bluff helped clear her mind, and in less than twenty minutes, she was dead center in the middle of town parked in front of one of two supermarkets located there. The building was small and certainly a throwback to a much simpler time. This was small-town America at its best. Green’s Market carried a mix of just about everything. It’s was perfect for Jayne’s one stop and shop plan.

  Inside a myriad of smells overtook her senses. Jayne pushed a small shopping cart down each aisle as she selected what she needed, but it was the bakery that caused her to stop and browse the glass display case filled with many cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.

  “Well now, look who’s back in town,” Miriam Jenkins said greeting her. A smile formed across her red painted lips as she straightened her crisp white apron over her more than ample bosom.

  “I arrived today,” Jayne replied. She’d met Miriam just after she’d bought the house up here. She liked the older woman even if she did tend to pry at times. “I’m in desperate need of something decadent with chocolate. You know how much I love everything you have here.” It was the truth. Jayne had an extreme weakness for sweets of all varieties.

  “Everything is fresh, but I recommend these.” Miriam pointed to a row of fancy decorated cupcakes. “They’re my own creation. Triple chocolate cupcakes with a gooey center. I call them Mud Fudge. They’re simply sinful.”

  Who could resist chocolate? “I’ll take six.”

  “I’ll box them up for you. Dare I ask about you next book? You know I’m one of your biggest fans,” Miriam gushed.

  For a brief moment an image of Annie Wilkes filled Jayne’s mind. She’d read Stephen King’s novel Misery years ago. It was a great suspense-filled read. “I’m not at liberty to reveal anything information about it,” she replied, keeping the conversation light. “You know how it is. Everything has to stay confidential.”

  “I adored your last one, and you can be sure that I’ll have your next as soon as it’s out and available up here.”

  “Thank you so much. It means a lot to hear you say that.”

  Miriam smiled again and handed Jayne the cupcake filled box. “No problem. Your books entertain me. They’re exciting. It’s great seeing you again.”

  ****

  “You can cook,” Tom said. Keith handed him a plate piled high with scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon.

  “You sound surprised.” Keith sat across from him at the small kitchen table while pouring cream into his steaming coffee.

  “Not really, I guess, but it goes to show how little I know about you.”

  “We only met last night, and we didn’t do a whole lot of talking.”

  Tom grinned as he thought about how they’d connected sexually. It had been fantastic. “Then tell me more about you. I’m listening.”

  “There isn’t much to tell. I was born and raised here in Pine Bluff. My parents are both dead, and I don’t have any siblings.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Tom hoped he hadn’t opened any old wounds. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

  “Cancer got both Mom and Dad. They’re better off. It wasn’t easy to watch them suffer like they did, but life goes on and time waits for no one. It gets easier as the years pass.”

  “Any past relationships?”

  “None recently.”

  “But in the past you have?” Prying wasn’t in his nature, but he desperately wanted to know more about Keith.

  “Yes, but nothing has ever worked out. It’s not easy when you have needs that can’t be totally met by one sex.”

  “You’re bisexual?” They had that much in common.

  “I hate labelling myself, but that’s the easiest way to put it. Contrary to what some people think, bisexuality is real. I’m attracted to both men and women.” Keith sipped his coffee and glanced at Tom. “What about you? Do you bat for both teams?”

  “You’re the first person to ever ask me that. I do. I was engaged to a woman, but I had to break it off for reasons other than my inclinations towards men. I realized that I wasn’t in love with her. I mean, I had feelings for her, but not like a man should have for a woman he’s going to make his wife.”

  “And family?”

  “My father was a police officer. He’s retired and living in Florida. My parents are divorced and my mother is living somewhere in the Midwest. I haven’t had contact with her in years.”

  “That sucks not having her in your life.” Keith flashed him a sympathetic look.

  “I guess. I can’t say that I think about it or her much. The past is the past. I can’t change anything about it.” His mother was a short-tempered woman who had little time for him. His father worked long hours, and she often had gentlemen friends at the house when he was a kid. He didn’t miss her. He wasn’t sad. It was a relief not having to deal with her or her crap. His life was better without her and so was his father’s.

  “I need a lift back to Lucky’s to get my truck. You drove us here, right?

  “I did, and it’s no problem. I’d heading that way myself.” Tom half grinned. He liked Keith, and he sincerely hoped they’d see each other again soon.

  ****

  “I’ll see you around,” Keith said. He stood next to his truck in the parking lot outside of Lucky’s, shielding his eyes from the bright sun.

  “I’ll be here—behind the bar, that is. Last night was fun. Let’s do it again real soon.”

  Keith wasn’t sure if he wanted to take things further with Tom. It was a matter of being practical, and he wasn’t sure that having a gay relationship would fit into his life. He liked Tom. There wasn’t any doubt in his mind that Tom was a decent guy. Watching him made his heart beat a little faster than normal and bed head looked so damned cute on Tom. Keith reflected on how it had felt kissing him. He stiffened just a little inside his jeans as he opened the door to his truck. “I have to get going.” He jumped inside and slammed the door. Why did it have to be so damned difficult?

  Keith didn’t look back as he sped out of the parking lot. He didn’t have time to think about him and Tom. Work was his priority, and it had to be. Focus was needed. He turned on the radio and tuned into his favorite country music station. As the tunes flowed from the truck’s speakers one after the other, he started to relax. Thank god for routine.

  Chapter Five

  Jayne heard a vehicle pull up to her driveway and guessed it was her property manager, Keith. She certainly wasn’t expecting anyone else. He’d just stepped out of his truck when she stepped outside to greet him. It was a gorgeous evening, and a seductive calm had fallen across the lake. “I didn’t think you’d be here so quickly.” It was a compliment. Being prompt was a great quality for any man to possess in her eyes.

  “I figured it was best to get out here to see to whatever needs to be done if anything at all.”

  “One of the gutters is down on the back of the house. I spotted that when I did my perimeter check.” She’d conducted a walk around after she’d come back from town. “It’s nothing pressing, and it doesn’t have to be fixed right away.”

  “I’ll see to it. What about inside?” Keith asked.

  Jayne tried to catch his eye, but he was avoiding looking directly at her. “Things are fine inside. Would you like a coffee? Like I said, the gutter can wait. It isn’t going anywhere.”

  “I like to get things done ASAP.” Keith turned his head towards the lake. “You have a great spot here. It’s one of the best views of the lake.”

  “Please don’t feel awkward around me.” Jayne’s words came out quickly. “I don’t judge, and I won’t say anything to anyone.”

  “Is that what you think? You think I’m worried about you broadcasting what you saw at my house this morning? I’m a big boy. I can handle anything that’s tossed at me.” He turned back to face her, and this times his eyes were on hers.

  “All that aside, I would like to start over again.”

  “Coffee sounds good.”

  She nodded. “Great, then come on inside.”

  “By the way, I bought a couple of your books,” Keith said, following her. “I’ve yet to read them, but I skimmed a couple of pages in the middle of one. Do you always write that dirty?”

  ****

  “Sit,” Jayne offered, directing Keith towards the chairs at the kitchen table. “My books are not exactly dirty. They’re erotic.” There was a slight edginess to her voice. She poured two cups of coffee and brought them back to the table along with cream and sugar. “Spoons,” she said. She went back and retrieved two from a drawer. “I’d forget my head sometimes if it wasn’t directly attached.”

  She was quite attractive. Keith hadn’t noticed before. Not that he really had the chance to take note of anything when that whole horrible incident had taken place. Her dark brown hair was piled on top of her head in a haphazard way that looked incredibly sexy. She was pale and a few freckles speckled her cheeks, and when she smiled, her green eyes lit up. “It’s easy to do when you have a lot of things on the go. You must be one busy woman.”

  “At times,” she agreed. “I’d implore you to sit and actually read my books from cover to cover. I’m sure you’d come away with a different opinion of them. Some consider them dirty. They’re explicit. That’s a huge no-no for some readers.”

  “I bet. Do you write from personal experience? I’ve heard that a lot of writers do.”

  “No, it’s all fantasy driven. I write what I think is fun. And I always keep the current market in mind. Sales are important to me. Sales mean that I’m being read. Every single reader matters. Readers can make or break an author’s career. My personal life isn’t nearly as interesting as the stories that I write. My life pales miserably in comparison.”

  “I would have thought that a big romance writer like you would be out there living life with the best of them.”

  “I enjoy socializing, but for the most part I have a small circle of friends that I keep. I know I can trust them to never do me wrong.”

  “What about that one special friend?”

  Keith watched as Jayne rolled her eyes. “There isn’t anyone who would fit that description at this time. My best friend did try to set me up on a blind date before I came up here.”

  “You didn’t take her up on that offer?” he asked. “He may have been the one for you. That’s assuming that you do like men.”

  “I’m not attracted to women in that way. Blind dates hardly ever work out. Now it’s time for to ask you the same thing. What’s the lowdown on you and that guy?”

  “His name is Tom, and we only met last night. I hardly know a thing about him, but he seems like he’s a nice guy so far.”

  “But?” Jayne cocked her head to the side. “I feel a but coming on.”

  “But I’m not sure if I can handle being in a relationship with any man.” Keith hated saying and admitting to that. It sounded so backwoods of him. “It’s hard to explain. I’m not sure that it would mesh well with my life here in Pine Bluff. Does that sound crazy and stupid to you? I bet you think I’m a coward.”

  “You’re worried about what others will think and how they might subsequently treat you. I think you have valid reasons to feel like that.”

  Keith felt glad to finally talk seriously about his life situation with someone. What surprised him the most was how open he was being around Jayne. She didn’t judge him, and he appreciated that. “I have to be. It sounds like a cliché, but I have to maintain a certain image.”

  “I know all too well. People who don’t know me expect to meet a sexy and seductive woman because of what I write. I’m nothing more than a small town girl who had dreams of becoming a writer. I’ve given up trying to please others.”

  “You’re attractive. I’d hardly think you’d disappoint anyone. Talent and beauty are a great combination.”

  Keith was amused as he watched Jayne flush crimson. She sipped her coffee and smiled warmly. “If only the right man would come along and think what you just said.”

  “I’m sure he will. Love will find you when you least expect it. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to go?”

  -->