A Familiar Star (Romance Mystery) (5 page)

Her breathing quickened as
she thrust her tongue forward and then slid it back out again, repeating the action until Max could hardly focus on what he was doing.

She felt out of control and couldn’t think.
What in the hell was happening?

He
slid his mouth down her silky, wet neck then lifted her, so he could reach her breasts, flicking his tongue over her hard nipples.  They were moving so fast although everything felt like slow motion. It was so right.  He was now groaning with pleasure and feeling every inch of her body with his skilled hands.  The more he caressed her, the more she opened herself to him. She wanted more.

Max didn't know how long he could control himself, but knew she was enjoying their extremely
, intimate play.  Kylie wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her hands entwined in his hair.  She whispered in his ear, "Oh yes," when another voice interrupted their passion, unexpectedly.

Max let go of her
. She dunked down into the water up to her neck.  She whirled around as fast as lightning and saw a boat with two people aboard.  Embarrassment gripped every bone in her body.

"Are you folks all right?"
An older gentleman asked.

Max answered
, but his voice cracked.  He looked at Kylie in amusement, but her eyes burned into his.  She was happy the older couple couldn't see her flaming cheeks in the dark of night. 

"We heard a scream and thought we should investigate," the woman explained quickly.

Kylie didn't know what to say.  "We were just...."

"Playing around, sorry.
" Max jumped in and Kylie sunk deeper into the water, wishing she could go right under.

The woman appeared
to be several years younger than the man with more spark and vigor. A German Shepard stood guard at the bow and appeared to be extremely annoyed at being dragged out at such an ungodly hour.

"It's quite
dangerous to be out at night," said the woman.  "We have Princess but," she stopped mid sentence and studied Max in the moonlight.  "Well I suppose you're well protected my dear.”

Kylie laughed to herself.  This woman had extremely good eyesight for her age.

"We're the Hamilton’s, third house on the right."  She pointed down the Lake. "We saw you move in this morning, we hope you like it here despite the present circumstances?”

"It's beautiful," they both said in unison, then watched as the man whispered something to his wife.

"Oh yes," she said pompously.  "We're having a party on the fifteenth, we have one every summer and everyone around the lake attends.  We'll expect you to be there around 8 p.m.  It’s quite formal so do dress appropriately. We’ll have top security there of course."

The man then leaned
over and whispered to her again.  "And what are your names?"  She said in a matter of fact kind of way.

Max blurted out, "Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd," before Kylie could say anything.  She turned to him in wonderment.  Now what was he doing?  She thought.

The Hamilton’s bid them goodbye, and started the motor that they obviously didn't use to sneak up on Kylie and Max.

Kylie turned to Max when they were out of earshot.
“What was that all about?”

"I don't know, I think they’re the night patrol."

"No, I mean Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd. What was that about?" She said, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Oh," Max smiled, "you didn't want them to think
that we're living in sin did you?"  His laughter echoed across the water.

Kylie waited for the annoyance to come, but it didn't.  What she did feel was pure guilt.  She turn
ed to see if the Hamilton’s were far enough away, then she ran up onto the dock and wrapped a towel around herself.

The night air was still warm and moist.  A few clouds rolled past the moon that had climbed high in the sky.  Max sauntered up to the dock but Kylie couldn't look at him.

"What's wrong?"

Kylie could sense Max standing behind her but he didn't touch her.

"We shouldn't have done what we did."  She said meekly.

"I’m sorry, it just happened. It’s all right Kylie.”

“No it’s not.” Kylie could hardly think.  She was clearly exhausted from the day and felt that what they had done was a big mistake.

"I think we’re finished here Max."  She picked up her clothes from the dock and quickly walked up to the house without looking back.

Kylie tossed and turned in her big bed for the remainder of the night.  Waking in bewilderment one minute and in lust the next.  She was a good girl she thought to herself, what got into her?  She had almost made love to a perfect stranger.  A man she’d only known for a few hours. She scolded herself over and over then upon seeing daylight break, she blamed it on the wine and left it at that.  It would have to be dealt with later, with Max that is.  Kylie sighed, closed her eyes and pictured his face; sultry green eyes, long lashes, full lips and a devilish smile.  She somehow couldn't wait to see him again. Then she drifted off into another galaxy.

The remainder of the night was spent dreaming of slippery hands
, feeling her body in a pool of dark, cool water under a blanket of stars.  It was one of the most erotic dreams Kylie had ever had.

It was a glorious morning, the birds were singing, the sun was shining bright, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  Kylie opened her eyes and stretched long and hard.  The mountain air coming through the open window was divine, she thought to herself.  Even though it was a fitful night, it had still knocked her out long enough for her to feel normal again.

She wondered if Max was in the house
, so she went out onto the terrace and looked in the front.  His car was gone.  Kylie felt relieved; she just couldn't face him right now.  She slipped on a little pink bikini and skipped downstairs.

Just as she was making breakfast
, she heard a car pull into the driveway.  Her stomach flip-flopped and her heart sped.  She looked out the kitchen window and saw Frank’s wagon and released her breath.  Lucy got out and came rushing in with a blast as usual.

"Hi!  Y
ou’re not going to believe who I have with me. Frank is bringing him in.  I mentioned him to you a while ago.  I think he's super and he's still single...."

Kylie just let Lucy ramble on.  There was no use stopping her.  She looked out the window and saw Frank walking around the front lawn with a tall, very serious
, fair-haired man.  They were looking over the house and seemed to have come to some sort of conclusion.

"Lucy, I’ve got
to tell you something." Kylie finally cut in.

But Lucy just wouldn’t stop. 
"Now, I know what you’re going to tell me, but I didn't bring him over here to set you up or anything.  He's investigating the murders with Frank and I just asked them to drop off and check the place out.  You know, see how secure the house is, but what a great way to get to meet him, right!"

Lucy was clearly too excited
for her own good.  Kylie leaned in close to her and whispered in her ear. "I made out with Max last night."

Lucy shut right up
, and her eyes bugged out of her head.  Kylie bent over with laughter. The best part of having a sister was being able to shock her like no one else could.

"What did you
say?"  Lucy squealed.

Frank
and the fair haired man came through the door at that exact moment.  "
What
did Kylie say?"  Frank said thoughtfully.

"Nothing.
" Lucy said curtly, then added with a fake smile and a puff of air, "Paul, I'd like you to meet my sister Kylie."

Paul looked Kylie s
traight in the eyes and nodded.  His gaze stayed fixed there, despite Kylie's tiny bikini. “Nice to meet you.”

Frank asked her how she got along with
Max last night.  When she glanced at Lucy she almost laughed.  "Oh great."  She said trying not to sound suspicious, but Frank looked at her long and hard.  He remembered her as being furious when he left yesterday.

"Wel
l we better go, everything is alright here.  As long as you remember to lock up, you shouldn’t have any problems."  He announced.

"Are you going s
o soon?" Lucy pleaded.

Turning to take another look at Paul, Kylie caught his eyes lingering over her body.
So he was human, after all.

He shifted slowly and pretended nothing happened
, but his face was red with embarrassment.

Kylie took a dainty sip of her coffee, and then cleared her throat.  "Are you sure you won't stay for breakfast?"
She smiled at Paul.

"No thank you, we have a lot of work to do today.  But before we go
, I'd like to ask you, what kind of security system do you have?"

Kylie was
taking all of him in now.  His eyes were soft and caring, his face a hard contrast.  His jaw looked like it was chiseled out of rock which made him extremely masculine.  She enjoyed looking at him she thought, and just as the thought crossed her mind, he smiled at her. Was she smiling unconsciously, she wondered.

"I'm sorry what did you
say?"  Kylie felt awkward now.

Paul was just as sexy as Max
, she was sure, and there was something else.  He didn't make her nervous.  She didn't know what to make of herself.  Last night she almost made love to a stranger, and this morning she's entertaining the thought of being with someone else.

He leane
d against the counter and watched her intently.  Kylie closed her eyes for a moment; shocked by the strange desire she had for him, she pretended to ponder his question.  When she finally looked back at him, their eyes met and the look that past between them confirmed their fascination for each other.

Astonished, Lucy watched the two communicate without saying a word.  "Frank will explain the whole security thing for you Paul."  She blurted out, and then screamed for her husband who was in the next room checking the French doors.

Frank came in and saw the puzzled look on his wife's face.  "What is it?"

"Paul has some
questions for you in the car."  She gently reminded him that they should be leaving.

"Y
eah, we should get going Paul." Frank concurred.

Paul looked in Frank’s direction and nodded in agreement
.  Then he turned back to Kylie.  "I hope I'll see you again Kylie."

"I hope so too," she said smiling girlishly.

"Oh, and take all the time you need to answer my question." Paul teased, giving her a handsome grin.

They both smiled and Kylie kissed the butter off the tips of her fingers.  "Are you sure you won't stay for breakfast."

"No, can't."  He said as he brushed his fingers through his hair and straightened his back. "Maybe some other time."

"Some other time the
n," Kylie lingered on the words.

The two men left and Kylie was once again alone with Lucy.

"I take it you like him?"  Lucy asked sarcastically.

"Who?"  Kylie said carelessly.

"Exactly," Lucy examined her, not knowing what to think.

The girls spent the day by the lake laughing and swimming.  By late afternoon they were exhausted and lay back on the dock listening to the sounds of summer.
The birds sang happily in the trees, the small waves lapped gently against the shore, and Kylie hummed her favorite song.

Lucy looked over at her sister enjoying her newfound freedom and wondered if she should be a little concerned.  After all
, they knew nothing about Max, nothing except for the fact that he was one hell of a looker.

"Don't worry
Lucy”, Kylie said instinctively. “It didn't mean anything.  He's a rogue. You know, one of those men that go around seducing women.  If you think I'll lose my heart to him it won't happen.  I've got a good head on my shoulders."

"It's not your heart or your head
that I think you're going to lose." Lucy laughed.

"Well then what is it, my appetite for men, my mind, what?
  I’ve already lost my virginity so it can’t be that.”

"It’s just that you’ve been waiting for the right guy for so long
, I don’t want to see you rush in to anything. I mean, you’ve had a few relationships, but they didn’t last very long, frankly, I think that you don’t give things time to work out. Maybe this time you should sit back and get to know him before you go judging him."

“Oh my God!
Do you think I’m that fickle?”

"Not fickle, just scared."
Lucy shrugged her shoulders.

"Scared of what?"

“Losing yourself. You think if you get too involved in someone else’s life you won’t be able to do what you love anymore. But like I told you, life’s easier when there are two of you.  It’s nice to have someone to turn to when things get rough.” She looked at Kylie’s stubborn face. “Someone to share things with, you know!”

“I have you.”

“Yes of course you do.  I’ll always be here for you and so will Mom and Dad but a love of your own would be nice. Don’t you think?”

“Oh right, like my first boyfriend.  The loser that took off with Emily Shaw and her big ta ta
’s.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re still mad at that.  I told you not to date him but you didn’t want to listen.”

Kylie just pursed her lips and changed the subject like she always did. “Speaking of not wanting to listen, didn’t you sleep with goofy Eddy Rhyhole back in college?"

"Rhyman!" Lucy corrected.

"Whatever.  I told you not to have anything to do with him but you didn’t want to listen."  She threw it back at her.

"Not listening
had nothing to do with it.  I was really, really drunk," Lucy buried her face in the towel and both girls dissolved into laughter.

“I was a little tipsy myself last night.”
Kylie thought about it for a minute, and the heat of it started seeping back into her.  Resting her head on the back of the chaise, she watched the boats move on the lake.  Windsurfers dipped and soared across the sparkling blue water while a few motorboats raced in the distance.

“And
you think that’s the only reason you were with him?  You’re sure that you’re not the least bit attracted to him?”

“It’s not that,
” she let out a breath.  “Max is simply not my type.” She reflected. “Actually, I think that Paul has more of the qualities that I’m looking for.”

Lucy stared at her sister’s profile.
“I thought maybe you’d like him, but don’t like him for all the wrong reasons Kylie.”

Kylie shrugged it off
and stretched back in the afternoon sun. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Paul seems like a nice guy.  And wasn’t it you who brought him over here, so I could meet him today?”

“Yes
, I did.”

“Anyway having a cop around might be a good thing right now.”

“Well I’ve got one and I don’t always feel that safe.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Frank works many evenings. Sometimes I just wish he had a normal job.”

“What
, like an astronomer?” Kylie raised her brows.

“All right you got me.”
Lucy picked up a towel and wrapped it around her shoulders.

“Anyway, forget about men for a minute and tell me about these murders.  Were all the people who got murdered
, from around the lake?”

Lucy winced
, but knew she’d have to talk about it eventually. “The first murder happened about twenty years ago. It was a woman who lived here year round. The second one was about a year ago, a man in his early thirties, from the same family.”

Kylie
’s eyes popped opened. “Well, wouldn’t that be enough of a connection to find out who did it?” She wondered. “That has to narrow it down somewhat.”

“Well that’s what they thought
, but the third murder is completely unconnected.”

“Is it al
so someone from around the lake?”

“Yes, but they were hardly ever here
though. It was their summer house and they rented it out half the time.”

“Weird.”
Kylie muttered.

“Yes
, it is weird because there’s no apparent motive. It wasn’t theft related so it’s got to be something else.”

“A vendetta.”
Kylie speculated. “Was there
any
relationship between the first two murders and the third one?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well what if the first murder wasn’t even related to the second one. What happened to the first women anyway?”

“She was found murdered in her basement.
Her throat was slit opened.”  Lucy whispered.

“Oh.”
Kylie felt those hairs standing up on the back of her neck again. “What about the second murder, the man?”

Lucy looked over at her sister and hesitated.
“Throat cut.”

Kylie inhaled deeply.
“All right, since we started this, tell me about the third.”

“Well the third person was a man in his late forties.
They think he was pushed off a balcony but they’re not sure.”  Lucy said this as if she were delivering some good news.

“Well then
it could have been an accident.” Kylie demanded.

“Well maybe.”
Lucy said slowly.

Kylie knew her sister better tha
n that. She knew that she was holding something back but didn’t feel like prying it out of her. Maybe if she stopped thinking about it, it would all go away. The whole thing seems like a family affair anyway, and there was probably no danger to her if she didn’t get involved with the wrong people. Besides, she had no intentions of associating with the neighbors.  Maybe she was a little reclusive after all.

“I’ll bet you the third one was just an accident
.  This whole thing is probably all over with. I’m sure it’s all going to be forgotten soon enough.” Kylie said positively.