Lynda Curtis had realized the night she almost took advantage of her best friend's husband that she had to let go of her feelings for Charles Richards. She didn't want to ruin her friendship with Diana. A little over a week later, they had let her know that she was forgiven. Diana had even made that crazy offer to let her kiss and touch Charles...as long as Diana got to watch!
There's no way I could ever do that...
Lynda still found Charles sexy as hell! And it was hard to try to tell her heart to stop beating for him—he was such a good man. But her love for her best friend made her finally able to let go of her jealousy. She had been working on turning her love for Charles more to feelings of friendship rather than passion. Besides, she was two years older than him...
How could I be so desperate as to chase after a younger man?! If only Charles had an older brother... then I might've had a chance...
She laughed as she made that foolish wish.
Fate...with a little help from Charles...was about to grant her wish...well...almost...
She was feeling like such a fifth wheel when she came to dinners and parties with their friends. She was still single and had met no prospects recently.
Well, you haven't been looking very hard...
She was trying to get herself out of feeling like a fifth wheel when she arrived at Charles and Diana's house. It was a late Saturday morning the second week in September 1956. Diana had asked her to arrive early to help them prepare for an afternoon cookout and pool party. They had told her to come out to the backyard when she arrived—they would be on the patio. She entered through the open garage door. The back door that led onto the patio was also open.
The car is gone... That's strange...maybe they had to run out for something. I guess Diana took the car...
Charles was kneeling in front of the grille, opening a bag of charcoal. He was wearing bathing trunks and an open shirt. She admired his firm ass.
She snuck up behind him and leaned down with her mouth next to his left ear. She said softly in a teasing, sexy voice, "Hello, sexy man! When are you going to realize that you missed your chance to marry me instead?"
Lynda gasped and stood up straight. The voice that answered her back wasn't Charles. But it was every bit as deep and sexy as his!
The man stood up and turned around with a wide grin on his face.
Oh, damn...you are so sexy...
Her breath caught in her lungs. Lynda had the same instant reaction to him as she'd had to Charles. In fact, this man looked like he could be his slightly older and taller brother! He had thick, dark brown, slightly wavy hair, heavy eyebrows and a bushy mustache over his full, sensual lips. She jerked slightly.
Oh, my God! My foolish wish...
Lynda's heart skipped several beats as she stared at the handsome, sexy stranger. The man was ruggedly handsome. He had a few more lines on his face than Charles, which gave him away as being older by at least five to ten years. And he had deep, dimpled lines in both of his cheeks.
What color are you're eyes? Maybe hazel...or are they gray...or blue...? I can't tell...
His eyes had twinkled at her with amusement at first. But they seemed to change color as the look on his face changed from amusement to something else as he looked down her body and back up to her face.
Is that...desire? Oh, God...I want him more than I wanted Charles! How is this possible? Who are you and how did you appear as if out of my fantasies...
Lynda began to breathe heavily. She didn't care who he was—she had to have him! And if the look on his face and the bulge in his shorts were any indication, she was going to get him!
**********
Charles had a new partner.
Thomas Seldon was 38 years old and he'd just transferred from the FBI's Chicago office that week. He'd been through his share of women in Chicago...it was time to move on. He knew he wasn't going to find the right one there. At least...that's what he'd told himself when he'd accepted the transfer to L.A.
Maybe I'll have a better chance in Los Angeles...just maybe...if I could find someone who made me feel they way she did the moment I saw her... Goddamn it, Seldon...it doesn't do you any good to think about her! Just stop it...
Tom liked Charles immediately when they met, both of them joking at how they could be mistaken for brothers. He learned how intelligent and observant Charles was when he almost perfectly described Tom's life and personality to him just a few hours after they met.
Tom would've sworn that he'd gotten a look at his personnel file with The Bureau. But the Assistant Director, Peter Woods, assured him that Charles hadn't. "That's why headquarters recruited Charles. He's the best they've ever seen, even before his Bureau training was complete!"
Charles began, "You're ex-military and I believe you were involved in intelligence gathering. You saw some major action and suffered some horrible tragedies during the war...it still haunts you at times. You recognize that fear is what keeps you alive. But any man who says they aren't afraid when confronted with a dangerous situation is stupid, crazy or a liar!"
OK...that's pretty good. And you're damn right about the fear...
"You were a loner most of your childhood and you haven't had many friends as an adult, but the few you have are very deep, loyal friendships. You've done a lot of traveling while in the military and with the FBI, and because of that, you've never been able to settle down with a woman. But you never lack for female company when you want it!"
Tom chuckled at that.
What can I say...most women just can't resist me! Damn...you are good. But I did try to settle down...once. Ohhh...go away...
Then his eyes widened in surprise.
"Even though you give everyone the impression that you're a confirmed bachelor, it isn't true. You once loved a woman very deeply...but you must've lost her under tragic circumstances. You've never been able to find another woman you could love as much... even though you hoped to. I bet you're looking for a woman who's... beautiful... sexy... strong and athletic... intelligent and sassy... yet sweet, loving and vulnerable. And above all, a woman who enjoys sex... and wants a lot of it!"
Tom was truly impressed.
How the hell did you know about Yakira? I rarely let myself think of her...it's too painful... And how did you know that I always hoped to find a second chance for deep love... If I could only find the right woman...