Kali was glad to be back in Reno. She had enjoyed the week in Vegas, but it was good to be home all the same. She had tried calling Judy to tell her the news of her and Kane's engagement, but hadn't gotten an answer at either her home or her shop. Kali had also been trying to call Taker because CJ had taken to calling Kane "daddy" and she was concerned about that. He wasn't answering his phone either. "Oh well!" Kali thought as she hung up the phone. She had better things to think about. She was expecting Kane in a few hours and couldn't wait to see him.
As she walked into the kitchen to start dinner, Kali was surprised when someone knocked on the door. Turning to answer it, Kali wondered who it could be. Maybe Kane had managed to get an earlier flight. Opening the door, Kali was completely stunned to see her mother standing on the other side. She had not seen the woman in atleast eight years and had intended to never see her again.
"What in God's name do you think you are doing here?" Kali asked her, her voice cold, and her eyes filled with contempt toward the woman standing before her.
"May I come in? It's time you know the truth why your father and I took you away from Jeff ten years ago and why I'm here to make sure the wedding you and him are planning now doesn't happen." She said quietly as Kali stepped aside and gestured for her to come in. "I'd like to meet my grandson too." She finally finished as she took a tissue from her purse and carefully dried her eyes.
"How do you know about CJ? And how do you know about my upcoming marriage. And by the way, he goes by the name of Kane now." Even though she usually didn't smoke in her apartment since CJ was born, this time would be an exception. Kali lit a cigarette and began to pace back and forth as she waited for her mother to answer her questions.
"Every now and then your father sends out a detective so we can find out where you are, what you've been doing…. Whether you believe it or not, we do care about you and want to make sure you are okey."
"What do you want?" Kali asked. "Tell me what you need to tell me and then get the hell out of here! When I said that I never wanted to see you again, I meant it. You have a lot of nerve showing up here!"
"Like I said, I'm here to make sure your wedding doesn't happen. That man cheated on you ten years ago, and he'll probably do it again. Your father really didn't have anything to do with all this. He just wanted to protect you." She answered, her voice soft, and full of regret.
"I don't understand…..How the hell would you know if Kane did cheat on me…which he didn't! He loved me then and he loves me now! He would never be unfaithful…not then…not now!" Kali was quickly losing her temper. She couldn't believe her mother's nerve. Once again trying to keep her away from the man she loved with her hideous lies.
"During the year and a half that you and Jeff…um, Kane were together, he and I…..Well, he and I slept together six or seven times before your father found out….." She started to say, but was cut off before she could finish.
"You Bitch! How dare you come into my home with your lies!" By now Kali was completely enraged, her whole body trembled with anger. "You may have been able to manipulate me back then with your lies, but I will not let it happen again! Now get the hell out of here!" Kali screamed the words at her mother as she threw the door open and ordered her out once again.
"I deeply regret that it ever happened, but your father has forgiven me and I want to ask your forgiveness as well." She said sincerely, meeting her daughter's eyes.
"No way in hell will I ever forgive you!" Kali yelled at her and then slammed the door in her face.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Chapter Thirty-Four~~~Judy
Kali was devastated! The nerve of the Bitch! How dare she come here with her lies! To come here to her home spewing the filth she had the audacity to give voice to.
Kali was so angry, her whole body trembled with the force of her fury. Pacing back and forth, she smoked one cigarette after another. CJ toddled down the hall, having slid down off the bed. Angry voices had woke him up. Now standing at the entrance of the hallway, the child watched his mother, with fearful eyes. He had never seen her like this and was afraid.
CJ stared up at her. Tears filled his huge blue eyes as he stuck his thumb in his mouth. "Momma?" He said softly, his eyes starring at her.
Startled, turning angry eyes on her son, Kali went over and picked up the frightened child. Tears filled her eyes as she hugged the little boy to her.
"It's OK, baby! It's OK! Momma's here! Momma loves you!" Kali crooned soothingly to him, trying to calm his fears. His little arms went around her neck in a choke hold.
She fed and bathed him, and within a short time the little boy was yawning again. Carrying him to the bedroom, she put him back to bed. He fell asleep instantly. Kali sat beside him, watching him sleep. A gentle smile curved her lips as she watched him. His features were beginning to look more like Takers. His hair had a copper sheen to it now. She loved that little boy with all her heart and soul.
With a heart-felt sigh, she got up and went back into the kitchen. The roast she'd put in the oven just minutes before her mother showed up, was nearly ready. In short order, dinner was ready to eat! Now, all was ready for Kane's arrival.
A hint of uncertainty, as well as anger, began to grow deep within her heart. She loved Kane, but they would need to discuss this. Not that she believed that bitch, but she wanted to hear him say it was a lie. Kali sat down to wait for him.
**************
Taker and Judy rode back to the hotel in silence. She refused to meet his hypnotic green eyes, for fear of disgracing herself. The sexual tension between them was almost a physical thing! She could almost feel his eyes and hands touching her! Every time she glanced his way, she found his eyes on her, as he sat back in the seat, one arm casually resting on the back of the seat. His long legs stretched out in front of him, were crossed at the ankles.
Judy chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes constantly straying to his long legged form. Her heart raced and she could feel it beating in her temples. Her breathing was ragged and uneven, becoming more uneven by the minute. This was the longest drive she had ever taken. "GAWD! When would they get there!" She thought, casting another furtive glance in his direction.
Reaching out a finger, he caressed the curve of her cheek. Her sharply indrawn breath told him what he wanted to know. He smiled a sexy, lazy smile! His eyes shone with desire! His thought were on what he intended to do to her and with her! Her desire was clearly obvious in the heightened color, her uneven breathing and nearly black eyes. And, If he had his way, she would be staying with him! As the limo pulled up in front of the hotel, Taker's smile got bigger anticipating the hours ahead.
******************
Kane parked the rental car in the spot next to Kali's.
Picking up the bouquet of flowers he bought for her, the big man made his way to the door of her apartment. His soft whistle alerted her of his presence even before he knocked.
Kali opened the door for her betrothed. The look on her face told him something was terribly wrong, as he stepped across the threshold. The cheerful greeting died on his lips before it was uttered. Closing the door behind him, his eyes followed her, as she turned away, walking further into the room. Her hands were clenched together, attesting to her inner turmoil.
"Kali, what is it? Is CJ alright?" He asked, suddenly concerned about the child's welfare.
"Kane please sit down! There's something I have to know!" Her soft voice quivered with emotion, as she turned to face him. Her eyes were haunted with the painful emotions the words brought to mind.
Kane sat down on the couch, disturbed without knowing why. Instinct told him everything was about to blow up in his face. "Kali what is it? What's wrong?"
"I had a visitor tonight. This person told me something that I find hard to believe." She sat down next to him, but wouldn't meet his eyes. Twisting her fingers together nervously, she turned to face him. She had to see his eyes when she asked the question. "Back in high school, while we were making plans to get married after graduation, were you sleeping with my mother?" The words were so softly spoken, he wasn't sure he heard right. Yet from the look in her eyes, he knew he had.
Laying the flowers on the coffee table, Kane met her eyes levelly. "Is that what she told you?" He asked, watching her closely.
"Yes, it is! Did you have sex with my mother?" Her voice strained, hurt and anger making it sound almost cold, even to her own ears.
Sighing heavily, Kane ran his hands through his hair before looking at her. Where to begin? Kali wasn't going to like or Believe what he was going to tell her.
"Kal..., yes I did have sex with her but it's not like you think!" Kane felt guilty even after all these years. Kali moaned and looked away! So it was true.
"Kali, it happened before I met you! By the time I found out she was your mother, I was crazy about you! I should have told you, but I was ashamed. I didn't want to lose you!" He said, feeling desperate.
"Tell me now! I want to know every thing!" She said quietly, not
meeting his eyes.
Getting up and moving around, Kane let the memories of that hot summer come flooding back. "It was the summer before we met. School had just ended, and we were all looking forward to hanging out at the lake, maybe taking a job, but all in all just having fun. I was going to be a junior that next fall, and was all full of myself, thinking I was grown. I got a job in the produce section at the supermarket. She came in wearing tight shorts and those cut-off t-shirts. She drove us all nuts the way she would bend over, or reach for stuff on the top shelves."
"You're talking about my mother! God, I think I'm gonna puke!" Kali moaned, rocking back and forth holding her head. She knew he was telling the truth. She used to be embarassed by the way her mother dressed in the summer, more like a hormonal teen-ager than a middle-aged married woman.
"Then, one day, she was waiting when I got off work! It must have been 110 that day! I was suppose to meet some of the guys, to go swimming out at Meyers Lake! She asked if I needed a lift, and I said yeah, sure! My ride hadn't shown up. She drove me out to the water shed, at the other end of the lake from where I was suppose to meet my friends. Anyway, she started kissing on me and rubbing on me. Hell, I didn't know what to do! Next thing I know she took her clothes off, and jumped in the lake. She invited me to join her, called me chicken shit when I hesitated. It pissed me off when she called me chicken shit, and without realizing I was going to do it, I took off my clothes and jumped in with her. That part of the lake was deserted except for us. It was getting late, just before dark! She swam up to me and grabbed me. Next thing I knew, we were laying on the bank having sex! Kali, I swear, I didn't know she was your mother! Most guys have an experience like this, not that I'm making excuses for it. Babe, I swear, I didn't mean for it to happen. Then, when I found out she was your mother, I was too ashamed to tell you!" Kane was thoroughly ashamed of this coming back to haunt them.
Kali sat there, silent. Seems like they had both been used! Kane had been used by her mother. Then, when things started getting serious between the two of them, that's when her parents started getting abusive with her. Then came all the other shit she just as soon not think about.
Tiredly, Kali got to her feet and walked over putting her arms around Kane. They were both victims of sorts, of her parents manipulations.
"Kane, I'm sorry! For all this shit!" Kali's cheek, rested against the heavily muscled chest of Kane, as his arms pulled her close.
"I'm sorry Babe! I wouldn't hurt you this way for anything. I'm ashamed of my part in all this! Can you forgive me?" He asked. He carressed her back as he pulled her even closer, burying his face in her neck.
Suddenly, Kali burst into tears. Was there no end to the depths her parents would sink to, in order to ruin her life? Sniffing back her tears, she looked up at her beloved.
"Let's get married now I don't want to wait!" She had a sense of impending doom. Kane could only stare at her. The wild, fearful look she gave him, disturbed him. Finally, Kane slowly nodded his head, agreeing to what ever she wanted to do.
********************
Taker and Judy walked rather briskly, through the hotel lobby! There
were a few people about, coming or going. Stopping in front of the
elevator, Taker pushed the button, suddenly very anxious to get
upstairs.
She lifted her eye to meet those of the big man standing next to her.
The look in them took her breath away. A slight smile curved his
sensuous lips, as his heated gaze literally DEVOURED her. He noticed a
faint blush stain her cheeks making her eyes appear even bluer. Just
then, the elevator arrived.
Taker escorted her inside the car, then punched the button to his
floor. As the doors closed, Taker turned to her, taking her in his
arms. His lips claimed hers in a kiss so passionate, that her knees
turned to water. She grabbed ahold of his arms to keep her balance.
Taker groaned from deep within his chest, picking her up and holding
her up in the corner.
As his lips moved against her, they left a trail of fire as they moved
along her jaw, to THAT spot just behind her ear. She moaned softly,
tilting her head slightly to allow him easier access to that tender
flesh.
Her arms went around his narrow waist pulling him closer. One slender
leg wrapped around a long thickly muscled one, moving up and down in an
extremely suggestive way. Taker moaned, renewing his assault on her
soft lips. His hand ran down her back, cupping her well rounded
backside, pulling her tighter against him.
Judy's hands slid up under his jacket and began pulling at his t-shirt,
tugging it free from his tight jeans. When she finally had the shirt
free, she pulled it up, exposing his massive chest. Her hands slid
around to his back, kneading those muscles, even as her lips fastened
on to his very sensitive nipple. Alternating between nipping it with
her teeth and licking it with her hot, wet tongue, Judy was driving the
big man crazy with desire. The noises he was making attested to that!
Finally, the elevator stopped at his floor. Thank goodness his room was
three doors down from the elevator. Slinging her over his shoulder,
carrying her bag in his free hand, Taker covered the short distance
rather quickly with his long strides! As he kicked the door shut behind
them, he walked over to the bed and threw her down on it.
Judy squealed in excitement, then broke into a fit of giggles! Without
moving his eyes away from hers, Taker slowly removed his clothes.
Judy's eyes devoured each part of his exposed body, then she, too,
began to remove her clothing.
When she stripped down to her underwear, she lay back down on the bed,
on her stomach. Her eyes never leaving his face, she crooked one
slender finger, beckoning him closer.
Not needing to be asked twice, he joined her on the huge, king sized
bed. His assault began in earnest. Much later, as they lay wrapped in
each others arms, a thought occurred to Taker. Looking down into her
face he asked her about it.
"Jake! He's awfully protective of you! Tell me about him!" He studied
her face, gently tucking a stray curl behind her ear. He felt her
stiffen slightly.
"Jake is my cousin! What else is there to know?" She said side-stepping
his question.
"Yes, but he's awfully protective to be a cousin." Taker remembered
their fight.
"Alright! OK, you asked for it!" Judy said, throwing the sheet back,
and getting out of bed. She seemed unconcerned about her nakedness.
Picking up her cigarettes, she lit one then turned back to face the big
man propped up in bed, the sheet barely covering his hips. He was busy
admiring her naked beauty and missed the look in her eyes.
"I was married for about two years. My husband had this little problem.
He couldn't get it up with me, and blamed me for it. He used to beat me
because of it. I would try everything, he would make me do things...One
time I had to be hospitalized from the beating. My grandmother came and
took me back home with her, when I was ready to be discharged. Before I
could file for divorce, he turned up dead. This was less than a month
after I came home from the hospital. Blake would get into fights, he
was known for his bad temper! So his death came as no surprise. What
DID surprise me, was the fact Jake killed him. We never talked about
it, but I know he did it. It pissed him off when Blake put me in the
hospital. Then the night before Blake was found dead, Jake disappeared.
We had always been close, even as children. But, we're closer now, then
ever before. He would die for me, he's already killed for me. And I'd
do the same for him! He's one of the VERY few I would!" She finished
softly. Her story had been detached, unemotional, almost as though she
were talking about someone else. Her eyes were cold, devoid of any
feeling, except total seriousness. She meant it when she said she would
die or kill for him.
Taker was shocked! He didn't know what to say! Amazement was clearly
read in his face. The look in her eyes as she told the story! Never had
he seen such cold detachment! That is until now. As she talked about
her cousin, her eyes had shown fierce loyalty. Taker felt a cold chill
run down his spine! He didn't know WHAT to think! Taker looked away,
this was more than he bargained for!