Стюарт Вудс - Indecent Exposure

“A few,” she said, looking pensive.

“Anyone or anything I should know about?”

“Maybe,” she said.

Peter took her glass, went to the bar, and made them another drink, then came back and sat down. She was distractedly looking out the window over the park.

He handed her the drink and thought it best not to press things.

“There was something,” she said. “I didn’t think I would ever tell anyone about it, but if I can’t tell you, then what sort of marriage would we have?”

“I don’t mean to pry,” Peter said, “and neither did Stone. I think he’s right for us to think about these things, and if there’s anything, then deal with it now instead of during a campaign.”

“He has a point.”

Peter set down his drink, took her face in his hands, and kissed her. “I’m sorry I brought it up. Let’s just forget about it.”

“No,” she said, “Stone is right — now is better than later.” She took a swig of her drink and took a deep breath. “I had something of a fling on the Vineyard, the summer after my freshman year at Mount Holyoke. With an older man who was renting the house next to ours for the summer.”

“Well, I’ve had a few flings in my time — you’re entitled.”

“But he was married.”

“Oh.”

“A friend of Dad’s.”

“Oh.”

“And I got pregnant.”

“Oooooh. How did you handle that?”

“He researched it and gave me the name of a clinic on the mainland. I took the ferry over one day and had an abortion. It went well. I paid cash — he had given me the money — and I was home in time for a nap before dinner.”

“That was it?”

“That was it. I never saw him again. I mean, I saw him around, but I was never alone with him again. It only happened twice.”

“Who else knew about it at the time?”

“Nobody.”

“You didn’t tell a girlfriend, or anybody else?”

“No, I was too ashamed.”

“Nothing to be ashamed about. You made a mistake, that’s all.”

They were both quiet for a minute.

“Sweetheart,” he said, “is there any reason to worry about us having children?”

“Oh, no,” she said. “I mean, I don’t have any reason to think that. The doctor at the clinic said that it all went very well, and there was no reason to worry about any health consequences.”

“Did you use your own name at the clinic?”

“Of course not! I was young but I wasn’t stupid.” She sighed. “Well, I suppose it was stupid to get involved with him in the first place.”

“You were young, as you say. Do you think you have any lingering psychological issues?”

“No, I tried to put it behind me, and by the time I got back to school, I think I pretty much had. Honestly, I think that he was more upset than I. I mean, he had a wife and a child and a career ahead. I suppose he wondered if I could keep a secret, but he didn’t really have to worry about that — I didn’t want anyone to know, and no one ever did, until now.”

“I’m glad that you could tell me. It makes me love you all the more.”

She kissed him. “You’re sweet, and I love you, too.”

They put down their drinks, and in a moment they were undressed and making love on the sofa.

They lay in each other’s arms and slept for a few minutes, then she stirred. “Peter,” she said.

He turned over and raised himself on an elbow.

“Yes?”

“There is one other person who knows.”

“Who?”

“ He knows.”

“Well, there is that.”

“I don’t think he would want it known now, in the circumstances.”

“What circumstances?”

“The campaign.”

“Are you concerned about blackmail? Would he do that?”

“Of course not, after all, he has a stake in this, too.”

“Do I need to know who he is?”

“I think you do.”

“Then tell me.”

“It was Benton Blake.”

Benton Blake stabbed a chunk of sweet-and-sour chicken and chewed thoughtfully. “I made a decision today,” he said.

Gloria set down her chopsticks, sensing a significant moment. “Tell me,” she said, preparing for the worst.

“I’m definitely not running again. In fact, I may resign before my term is up next year.”

“Congratulations,” she said, relieved that he didn’t seem to be dumping her.

“We’re finally getting somewhere on the divorce settlement,” he said. “I think we’ll wrap it up soon, and I’ll be a free man.”

“Congratulations again,” she said. “Why would you want to resign before your term is up?”

“I’m going to have to give Vanessa pretty much half of everything, and I’m going to want to make some money before I have to start campaigning.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Well, I’m an attorney, you know. I was very successful before I became governor, and I can be even more so again. Any law firm would be pleased to have a former governor as a partner — his contacts in state government could be invaluable.”

“I can understand that.”

“Also, I don’t want to wait another year before I can be seen in public with you. I feel guilty that all we can have is Chinese food and great sex.”

“Correction,” she said, “fabulous sex.”

“No argument there, but I want to be able to take you out to dinner and to the theater and to dinner parties. That would be worth what I’d have to give up for an early settlement.”

“I’m flattered that you think so.” She really was; she was beginning to think this thing between them might have a future.

“I’m going to put out a feeler to a firm tomorrow. I have friends there, and I know they’ll keep my confidence.”

“Benton, do you think Vanessa has been seeing anybody?”

“Oh, I’m sure of it,” he replied. “She always manages to be in New York when I’m in Albany, or in the Hamptons when I’m in New York. We rarely see each other anymore.”

“Do you know who he is?”

“No. I’ve racked my brain, and I don’t think it can be anybody I know.”

“If you could find out, you might be able to sue on grounds of adultery and achieve a better settlement.”

“You’d make a pretty good lawyer, you know?”

“Thank you.”

“No, that would be a protracted thing, with a public trial. It would be a mess, and it would put you in jeopardy.”

“In jeopardy for what?” she asked.

“Well, if I should put a private detective on her and she found out, she could put one on me, and you might be exposed.”

“I suppose that could happen,” she said. She was grateful to him for wanting to protect her.

She took their dishes into the kitchen and put the leftovers into the fridge. He came and stood behind her, holding her close, and she could tell he was more than ready.

He turned her around, picked her up, and set her on the kitchen counter, then pulled off her thong. She raised herself enough for him to push her dress above her waist, and he was at exactly the right height to enter her, no lubricant required.

They showered together afterward, then got into bed and did it again and lay, panting, in each other’s arms.

“This is what I want,” he said. “Is this what you want?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation. They were only a few weeks into this relationship, but she knew this was what she wanted.

“I’ll need a couple of weeks to get the settlement signed, then I’ll resign, and everyone will think it’s because I’m depressed over the divorce. A few weeks after that, you and I can be seen in public, and we’ll be married before I announce for the Senate.”

“Married?” she asked, sitting up.