A Walk In The Wilderness (21 page)

     David laughed and shook his head.  So she was a bit nervous and proper, was she?  It pleased him, for some perverse reason.

     They went to a little cafe and enjoyed the sunshine and quietness immensely.  Paris was incredibly beautiful, and Caitlin was having the time of her life. 

   “So, what next?”  David asked when they were back on the street again.  “Want to check out some of the boutiques?”

     “Sure.”  she agreed.  “Asking a woman if she’d like to shop is like asking if she wants to breathe.”

    He chuckled.  “I figured as much.  I do want to take home something for Mum.”

     They found some wonderful shops.  Caitlin’s eyes widened as she touched some of the dresses she came across.

     “Oh, Monsieur.”  a sales lady exclaimed, taking David’s arm.  A discussion ensued which Caitlin did not understand, but David spoke French very well.  The sales lady turned to Caitlin with a critical eye.

       “Oui.”  she said with finality, and scurried away.

       “What’s she up to?” Caitlin asked suspiciously. 

       “She’s going to show you their best.  She thinks you’re quite something, with that flaming red hair.”  he advised teasingly.

      “Is that so?” she snorted.  “I do hope she doesn't think that means I’m going to buy a bunch of things.” She whispered, looking around nervously for the sales lady.
     “Nah.”  he denied.  “Just let her do her thing.  Don’t worry about it.  Enjoy Paris.  This is the way they do things.  But she does think you’re very beautiful.”

       Caitlin blushed, and David smiled. 

      The woman returned with an armload of clothes, and dragged Caitlin off to a dressing room.  By the time she was finished, Caitlin agreed that the woman knew exactly what she was doing.  She knew exactly what would make Caitlin look ravishing.  In Cait’s book, that was quite a feat.

      There was an ivory dress first, of satin with a lace overlay that made her skin look like soft peaches and cream.  It enhanced every curve she had, and made her look elegant enough to be a princess.  The woman shoved her out and made her show David.

      “Oh, my.  I think she thinks things she shouldn’t be thinking about us.”  Caitlin objected.  “She’s insisting that I show you.”

     “Don’t sweat it.”  he said evenly.  His eyes showed Cait nothing as he looked at the dress.  But as she walked away, he winked at the sales lady.

   There were twelve dresses altogether, that got the wink.  David was speechless at some of them.  Caitlin had always been beautiful, but Paris  – well, Paris was bringing out the best in her.  It was a bit alarming, actually.

      While Caitlin was changing, the lady showed David a creamy, white teddy that put pink spots in his cheeks.  He nodded and turned away.

        When Caitlin came out, he took her arm, and they left. 

      “My.  That was quite an experience.”  Caitlin sighed.  “Don’t you think it upsets them when people don’t buy?”

     “No.  It’s how they do business.  Most women will think non-stop about all that they tried on, and they’ll go back and buy something before it’s all over.  Nobody does clothes like Paris.”  he advised lightly.

     “I know.  Those dresses were incredible.  Perhaps I’ll even splurge and buy one before I go home.”  she mused.  “If I can manage to choose.”

      He just smiled.

      Caitlin’s phone rang when she was back in her room.  “Hello?” she answered it hesitantly.  Who could be calling her?

      “Caitlin?  It’s Grace.  How are you, darling?”

      Caitlin laughed with relief.  “Splendid!  How lovely to hear your voice!”

      “I take it then that you are enjoying your visit?”

      “Very much.”

      “And are you finding Paris to be a romantic city?”  Grace asked hopefully.

      “In many ways, yes.  In others, no.”  she hedged with a giggle.

      “Is David behaving himself?”

      “Absolutely.”

    Grace made a noise that conveyed her disgust.  “Blast.”  she hissed.  “I brought him up to be a gentleman, but this is ridiculous.”

      Caitlin laughed.  “Grace.”  she chastised.

      David poked his head through the door, an incredulous look on his face. 

     “That’s my mother?”  he asked in astonishment.  When Cait nodded, he rolled his eyes and went back into his room.

      “Make him come to the phone, will you, darling?”

    “David.  Grace wants you.”  she called.  She handed him the phone with a sweet, knowing smile and walked away, knowing that he was watching her.

     After he’d hung up, the phone rang again.  Being right there,  David answered it. “Hello?  Hello,” he said a second and third time.  He finally sighed and put the receiver down.  “Well.  That's interesting.”  he sighed.  “They hung up.”

     Caitlin showed her dimples and put a comforting hand on his arm.  “So what?  I’ve got a knight in shining armor, and Paris awaits.”  she hinted.  She gave him a naughty look.

     David laughed and shook his head.  “What’s Mother done to you?  Every time you talk to her, a reckless, sexy temptress emerges.”

     Caitlin blinked her eyelashes and smiled.  “I don’t know what you mean.”  she argued.  “But right now, I’m starving.  Let’s find something to eat, David.”   

    That evening, they ate a very light dinner before going to the theatre.  Caitlin wore her burgundy dress, and David whistled in appreciation when she appeared.  She was looking downright ravishing, and it unsettled him. 

     Caitlin in Paris with high heels and dark lipstick brought out the male predator in a man.  He hid it well, he thought; but he didn’t feel at all comfortable.  It had been a mistake to bring her here -- a really big mistake. 

     The black leather had been just the beginning.  The clothes this girl had in her closet all highlighted her long, slender back;  her long, shapely legs;  her firm, young breasts;  her flat, sweet tummy. 

     Her tiny waist and tight, round bum never failed to catch male eyes.  David wondered how he was going to keep her safe.  He laughed derisively at his own folly, and shook his head.

   Her words about “Paris waiting” had been quite prophetic.  Against this backdrop, he wondered how he’d ever get through it.  Every soft breeze that blew against Caitlin’s skirts and hair, caught his eye.  And held it.

    He took her to the theatre with deep misgivings.  Yet, he felt better about having her there with him than he did about leaving her alone at the motel.  She was smashing in the clinging burgundy dress, and he wondered if Skyler’s weakness for Caitlin would prove to be too strong.  If so, it was going to be a touchy business.

    Skyler, however, paid no more attention to Caitlin than he had the night before.  He gave her one burning, ugly look on his way by, but David and the security guards kept him at a safe distance. 

      David performed better that night, more consistently.  He was obviously more at ease.

     When they got back to the motel, they were both tired but happy.  It had been a good day, and Skyler had done nothing to mar it.  Caitlin put on her white lace nightgown and got ready for bed.  It was not see-through, but it was lovely. 

     She opened her closet door, and gasped.  She put a hand to her throat and stood there, reeling.

     “Cait?  Caitie, honey, what is it?”  David asked worriedly.  He ran to the door, wearing only a pair of sport shorts, and looked in.  She was standing there staring into the closet, looking like death.

      He grinned, and walked in.  “What’s the matter?”  he asked lightly.

     “David, there has been a mistake.”  she said in a tight whisper.  “A very big mistake!”

      “Has there, now?  What seems to be the problem?” he prodded.

      “These dresses … the ones that I tried on at the boutique today.  They are all here!” she gasped.  “I don’t understand.”  She looked up at him and saw the smile on his face.  All the color remaining drained from her face. 

      “David.  You didn’t.”  she accused.

      He shrugged.  “What if I did?  I wanted to surprise you.”  he defended.

    She snorted.  “Well, you did that.  But, David, this cost a fortune!”  she objected.

      He shook his head.  “No.  Not really.  Enjoy them, Cait.”  he suggested lightly. 

      She turned to face him, and it was his turn to blanch. 

      “What’s wrong?”  she asked worriedly. 

     “What happened to your flannel nightgown?” he asked woodenly.

     She looked at him strangely, and then blushed brilliantly.  “It’s … well;   summertime.”  she explained lamely. 

    David was looking at the shape of her hip and thigh silhouetted against the softness of the fabric of the gown.  He was seeing the cleavage and the sweet curve of her breasts in the lace.  He looked away and went back to his room.  “Sleep well.” he said hurriedly over his shoulder.  That was the last that she saw of him.

     She bit her lip, and smiled.  She hadn’t meant to, but it seemed that everything she did, everything that she wore was pushing David’s buttons.  And how wise his mother was, telling her how to get his attention in Paris.  She had been so right.  It seemed to be working.  Caitlin wondered where it all would lead.  It certainly made one wonder.

     She thumbed through the new dresses in awe, and then she came to something short and white.  She pulled it out of the closet and blushed brilliantly.  It was a white teddy of the finest lace.  It was too sexy for words, and it left Caitlin speechless.  She felt laughter bubble up inside her and put a hand to her mouth.  She put the teddy back in the closet, and went to bed.

     Caitlin’s phone rang.  She answered it and after a pause, a man’s voice began to speak. 

     “Get out of Paris now.”  he said angrily.  “I’ll pay you if you’ll leave. If you won’t leave, I’ll hurt you bad.”

        David was at the door, a question in his eyes.  Caitlin held the phone to him, terror in her eyes, and he took it.  After listening, he looked at the receiver, and then looked at Caitlin. 

       “No one there.” he sighed.

     “Well, there was someone there a moment ago.  He told me to get out of Paris.  He said he‘d pay me to go but he’d hurt me if I wouldn’t.”

      David’s face grew very grim.  “It could be Skyler, but he’s always taken the stance that he prefers you near.”  he said thoughtfully.  “Shook up?”

Caitlin shrugged.  “Not really, David.  It wasn't Skyler's voice.  I guess I’m getting a bit more used to this game.  My, will he never give it up?”

      He sighed and hung up the phone.  “It makes me tired.  Would you like  me to stay a bit?”      “No.  No, David, it’s late.  Go to sleep.  I’m absolutely fine.”  she assured him.

      He smiled and ran a finger down her nose.  “Good.  Sleep well, and just yell if you don’t feel right.”  he urged.

      Caitlin watched him go, wearing nothing but a pair of cotton sport shorts, and bit her lip.  He was so broad, and muscular and beautiful.  

     Neither of them slept all that well.  David heard Caitlin rustling and tossing, and she heard him.  They were acutely aware of one another’s presence in the adjoining room.  And so it was a long, still, restless night.

CHAPTER SIX

     Caitlin got up and showered at nine the next morning.  David followed suit, and came to stand in the doorway when he knew that it was safe.  “’Morning.”  he said tiredly.

     “Good morning.”  she replied with a fleeting smile.  She blushed brilliantly, and David smiled.  How could one not? 

     “Hungry?” he asked lightly.

     “Yes.”  she agreed immediately.

     “Are you going to survive without sleep?” he asked.

     Caitlin gave him a startled look.  “How did you know I wasn’t sleeping well?” she asked uneasily.

      He laughed.  “That’s a piece of cake, love.”  he assured her. 

     She sighed and lowered her lashes.  “I suppose that I was very excited about all the lovely things you bought me.”  she supplied weakly.  “David, I didn’t properly thank you.”

     He shook his head.  “Yes, you did.”  he assured her.  “You can thank me by wearing them and letting me enjoy the sight.”

    Pink spots appeared in her cheeks.  “Well, David; I thought that perhaps you’d change your mind.  It’s not seemly for you to spend that kind of money on me, you know.”  she chastised. 

     “Says who?”  he challenged.

     “Well …”  she hedged.

    “You listen to me, Miss Caitlin Kilpatrick.” he said sternly.  “If I want to show you Paris and send you home with a closet full of lovely things to wear, it’s no one’s business but mine, and yours.  Are you pleased with them?” he asked pointedly.

      “Of course.”  she admitted, blushing furiously.

      “Then enjoy them.”  he ordered lightly.

      She smiled up at him.  “You’re very good to me.”  she said, near to tears. 

    David looked down at her with that dark, intense look, and then he smiled.     “There you go again with your accusations.”  he sighed.  He laughed down at her fondly, and put an arm around her shoulders.  “Let’s find some food before I get grouchy.”

      Caitlin’s phone rang again.  David nodded, and she answered it. 

      “Hello?”

       “Get out, or I’ll kill you.” the male voice said.  It appeared to be disguised. 

      “Oh, you make me tired.”  Caitlin said with a sigh.  When she’d have hung up, David took hold of her arm.  He pressed the pound key and two numbers on the phone, and the line immediately went dead.