Now & Forever 3 - Blind love by Jean C. Joachim Read Free Book Online Page A

of chrome, out to the patio where a small table was
set elegantly with two places. Peter could see the shimmering turquoise of a
swimming pool beyond the patio.
    “I hope you brought your bathing suit.”
    “I didn’t.”
    “Doesn’t matter. You don’t need a suit. Nothing I haven’t
seen before.”
    “I’m not in the habit of skinny dipping with married women.”
    “Just kidding. Iced tea?” A becoming blush tinted her cheeks
belying her words. She turned away from him after handing him a glass.
    He welcomed the tall frosty glass and drank deeply to wet his
dry throat. Bianca coming on to him confused and embarrassed him. Did she
expect them to take up where they left off?
    “So what have you been doing with yourself, Peter?”
    “I’m on tenure track at Vaal University in South Africa. I’m
in the U.S. to teach at Kensington State for a year.”
    “I’m glad you’ve made a success of teaching. No wedding ring,
are you married?”
    He shook his head.
    “What a shame. Some deserving young woman is missing out.”
    “Bianca, can we talk about what happened?” Peter leaned
forward and the glass down on a small side table.
    “It was so long ago, Peter…sure, why not,” she said, crossing
her long legs and smiling at him.
    “Why did you leave?”
    “I moved on. We had a very satisfying affair. What did you
think?”
    “I thought we were in love.”
    “Love? No. Lust, yes.”
    “It was love for me,” he said, lowering his gaze to the
elegant ceramic tile on the patio floor.
    “Did I break your heart? Oh my God. Is that why you’re here?”
    An uncomfortable silence fell over them.
    “I had no idea. I’m so sorry. I never would’ve considered
marrying a college professor. My husband, Henry, owns and runs a financial
services firm. He makes millions. I’ve always wanted this lifestyle.” She sat
back in her chair.
    “You never said so.”
    “I wasn’t totally honest with you. You were so sweet to me
and such a passionate lover. It was fun.”
    “Fun? That’s all it was to you?”
    “I wouldn’t have married you even if I didn’t have the
European fashion show.”
    “So the show was an excuse?”
    “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I’ve always wanted
more…security.” She shrugged.
    “What you have here?” He glanced at the big house and the
pool.
    She nodded.
    “Do you have love too?”
    Bianca shifted in her seat. “There are all kinds of love,
Peter, not only the idealistic type of puppy love you have in your early
twenties. I love Henry and the way he takes care of me. We have a child, a
two-year-old boy. Henry provides very handsomely for him. I grew up poor. I
vowed I’d never force a child of mine to endure the same hardships.”
    Bianca always gave off the air of being wealthy. She was
stylish, beautiful, poised and confident .
So it was all an act to attract a wealthy husband .
    “Are you happy?”
    “I have everything I want,” Bianca said, moving her gaze away
from him. “What about you, Peter? What are you looking for?”
    “Love. Real love,” he said, staring straight into her eyes.
    “I hope you find it. You’re so sweet…” She brushed his hair
out of his eyes.
    “I’m no longer the ‘sweet’ boy who fell in love with you.” He
grabbed her hand.
    “What are you?” She dropped her hand.
    “A man tired of pursuing…I think I should go.” He stood up
and tugged on his shirt collar.
    “Stay! We haven’t even begun to catch up.”
    “I’m not interested in swapping stories about vacations,
great restaurants, friends we’ve made and dropped along the way. I came to find
something out and I got it. It’s time to go,” he said, moving toward the door.
    “What did you come here to find out?” Bianca stood up.
    “I came to find out the real reason you wouldn’t marry me.”
    “Now you know. And?”
    “I can see you weren’t the woman I thought you were. Perhaps
it was better you dumped me before we made each other miserable. You did me