Desire Unleashed (7 page)

“And a very good lawyer she is too.” Kathy volunteered, steering the focus back to Liz. “In fact she’s flying into L.A. tomorrow on instructions from the senior partner of the New York office, who specifically requested Liz assist on a very high profile insurance case.”

While Liz’s career was fascinating, his interest lay with Kathy, so as soon as the opportunity presented itself, he turned the conversation back to her.

“What do you do, Kathy?” he inquired with genuine interest.

“Nothing nearly as exciting as you two, I’m afraid. I teach a class of six-year olds at the local Catholic school.”

“Not Saint Benedict’s? My Goddaughter Meredith Frost goes there.”

“She’s in my class, one of my favorites in fact.”

Kathy gave him a wraparound smile. He frowned, more than a bit disconcerted. He might want to get into her pants, but he didn’t want her invading his private space, and the connections were getting too damn close for comfort. First, she lives on his doorstep, now it turns out she’s Meredith’s teacher. If that wasn’t bad enough, Sarah Frost would probably somehow ferret out that he was screwing Meredith’s teacher, and make no mistake, screw her he would. Sarah would then let it slip to Frosty, who’d blab to the guys, and knowing them as he did, they’d never let up. Damn, if he didn’t want her so bad, he’d split right now.

“What a small world, are you related to one of her parents?” Kathy asked. The phrase—and getting smaller by the minute—crossed his mind. “Not technically, her dad Patrick’s a SEAL. We met at training years ago, so yeah, I guess you could say we’re close.”

Liz topped up the wine glasses and passed Ice another beer. “That’s a nasty bruise on your forehead Shane, compliments of the job?”

“Ah no, to be truthful, Cindy here was the cause. When she woke me, I mistook her yelps as someone in trouble. I leaped out of bed and while pulling on my jeans tripped in the dark and smacked my head on the nightstand. Pretty clumsy, hey?”

“No, not at all,” Liz said.

“Shane, I’m so sorry,” Kathy gushed. “I didn’t have the heart to abandon her, and I promise she’ll be gone tomorrow. I’ve arranged for a friend to take her until we can find her a home.”

“It sounds like you’ve got it sorted out, but Liz told me I scared you last night, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled like that,” he said, making his own apology.

“That’s okay Shane. You shouldn’t have been disturbed at that hour of the morning.”

“Don’t sweat it—you did what you had to do. I probably would have done the same.”

As the evening wore on and the wine diminished the girls became chattier. Liz again lassoed him, this time it was to take them to the beach tomorrow—Kathy couldn’t swim and needed a few pointers. He was happy to be roped in, eager to get an eyeful of Kathy in a skimpy swimsuit.

It was nudging eleven o’clock when he called it a night, not wanting to overstay his welcome.

“Thanks for a great night ladies. Dinner was almost as good as the company.” The compliment came easily as he got to his feet, but before he reached the door the telephone shrilled.

“Who could that be at this hour?” Liz exclaimed looking to Kathy for enlightenment.

Kathy ignored her and rushed to the phone. “Hello,” she said lifting the handset. The single word came out sounding a trifle flustered.

As he watched, Kathy schooled her face into a blank mask and without another word severed the connection.

“Wrong number,” she explained visibly shaken.

“Wrong number my ass, what did they say?” Liz challenged.

“He didn’t say anything really.”

Kathy downplayed the call, but it was clear that the jerk on the other end had said something to unnerve her. If he had to take a guess he’d say a dumped ex-lover giving her a mouthful, her body language indicated as much. “How long has this been going on?” he asked.

“Only this week, it’s nothing to be concerned over.” She brushed it off as unimportant, and maybe it was. He respected her right not to go into a lengthy discussion so dropped it for now.

“Good night Shane, and thanks again for being a sport about Cindy.”

“Forget it Kathy, it’s all good, and I’ll see you both in the morning.”

“With bells on.” Liz laughed.

As the door closed behind him, Ice was still reeling from the fact that Doe Eyes was his neighbor. She’d been practically living in his pocket for two months without him having a clue. He didn’t even have to ask her out, Liz unknowingly did that for him orchestrating a trip to the beach, and the bit about Kathy not being able to swim was clever. She’d always wanted to go body boarding, maybe he could teach the teacher Liz had suggested, to which both girls had giggled. Yeah right, he’d teach her to swim and a whole lot more.

Liz was leaving tomorrow evening so he planned to continue things of a more intimate nature with Kathy then. She was even more captivating up close. He’d had the hard-on from hell the moment she walked through the kitchen door, and that husky Southern drawl of hers was dead sexy. And she’d recognized him.

She pretended she hadn’t at first and that was fine by him, if she didn’t want her friend to know, he’d play the game. But the way she’d gazed up at him from beneath her lashes, blushing every time he spoke, acting for all the world as if she was an untried virgin was actually very alluring, and that little girl act she had down pat was kind of cute too. If he didn’t know better, he’d have fallen for it. But the sight of her grinding her hips with junior’s last night was engraved in his mind in Technicolor. The wink was a nice touch though and served to let her know that he remembered her too. Yes, it was only a matter of time until they did the wild thing, and when their flesh finally united, it would be explosive, like fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

*

“That went rather well,” Liz spoke pushing the lock into place before turning to face Kathy. “What do you think of Shane?”

“He seems nice enough, but can we talk about him in the morning, I’m tired. Why don’t you go ahead and use the bathroom while I do a quick tidy up,” Kathy hedged.

“Okay, if you’re sure, I’ll see you in the morning.” Liz padded down the hall to her room.

Kathy was unnerved by the latest call but pushed it to the back of her mind; she had more thrilling things to think on. Like Adonis. She’d thought he hadn’t recognized her, but then came that wicked wink and her fears were confirmed. What must he think of her?

As for the trip to the beach tomorrow, she had mixed feelings. A part of her was desperate to go, but to tell the truth, she was a little anxious, never having had a strong sexual attraction to anyone like she did for Shane. Slow to develop, she’d grown from a shy child into a gauche teenager and it wasn’t till college the boys noticed her, by then all her time was taken up with work and study. Liz said she was an enigma. But now at twenty-four and still a virgin, it was nothing ventured, nothing gained. With that thought in mind, she switched off the lights and headed for the bathroom. She hadn’t wanted to talk to Liz about tonight, not about the phone call and definitely not about Shane. If she were really lucky, there’d be no time to talk tomorrow either. Going to the beach, and then rushing Liz to the airport would be a full day. By the time they hooked up again, the evening would be a distant memory.

Chapter 3

Kathy awakened to the morning sun streaming through her open window, it promised to be another heat wave. Perfect beach weather. She rummaged through her drawers in search of the pretty yellow swimsuit that she’d bought on sale two summers ago—glad at last to have an opportunity to wear it. The color suited her complexion and the high cut style would accentuate her legs, and she wanted to look her best for Shane. Heck, she really wanted Shane.

She could already imagine what it might be like making love, his strong hands caressing her, possessing her. It was a heady thought. Pulling on cargo shorts and a yellow T-shirt over her swimsuit, Kathy left the room eager to get the day under way.

Liz was already in the kitchen pouring cereal into a bowl when she walked in.

“Don’t you look like a little ray of sunshine,” Liz greeted. “The color suits you.”

“Thanks—and hadn’t you better get a move on it’s almost ten.” Kathy observed glancing at the clock. “And Anne should be here shortly.”

The sharp trill of the telephone interrupted their conversation. “I hope that’s not her going to be late.” Kathy groaned.

“Anxious, are we?”

“No, of course not,” she denied. Her excitement dampened at the possibility of one of Liz’s let’s-reveal-all third degrees so lifting the handset added, “I just don’t like to keep people waiting.”

A heartbeat later the phone landed on its cradle with a crash. Liz stopped spooning cereal into her mouth. “How long has this been going on?” she demanded. “And tell the truth this time?”

Kathy gave an audible sigh. “They started over a week ago. At first I dismissed them as kids playing pranks, but then I got a midnight call Thursday, and then that one late last night which makes me think it can’t be kids at those odd hours but some weirdo.”

“Hmm, you could be right,” Liz agreed, her voice thick with concern. “If they continue you should inform the police and perhaps get your calls monitored or change your number.”

“I don’t think it’s that serious.”

A knock on the door cut off any further discussion about the nuisance calls.

“I won’t come in,” Anne explained from the doorway. “I’m in a rush. Dad needs the car back ASAP.”

“Thanks Anne, I owe you, big time.” Kathy passed the puppy over.

“Think nothing of it, I’m happy to help. See you at school tomorrow.”

Kathy closed the door and returned to the kitchen to find Liz drying the breakfast dishes. “Stop dallying and go get dressed or we’ll be late,” She moaned, trying to hurry her friend along. She was twitchy about their beach date with Shane and didn’t want to keep him waiting.

“Give me two minutes max.” Liz put the clean crockery in the kitchen cupboard and wiped the counter before disappearing into her room.

* * * *

Ice was up early. Needing to expel some of his sexual energy, he’d already put in an hour of calisthenics and been for a two mile run before breakfast. The adrenaline was pumping through his veins. He hadn’t felt this alive in an age and was itching to get underway. He packed his towel and a bottle of water into a bag and prayed the forecasted storm didn’t happen the doorbell rang.
Right on time and raring to go baby, just like I knew you would be.
He grinned.

He swung the door wide. The girls looked as pretty as pictures, but only one was totally fuckable, and she gave him the sexiest little smile.

“Good morning ladies, all set to go are we?” He asked locking his apartment.

“It’s a great day for the beach,” Liz enthused as he led the way to the basement where his truck was garaged.

“The weather reporter predicts a storm, but they’ve been known to be wrong.” Ice pressed the remote unlocking the doors, stowed the beach gear in the back, and swung into the driver’s seat.

“I hope so, I want to work on my tan,” Liz said standing back to allow Kathy in first.

Kathy scrambled in and squeezed up against him thigh to thigh. When their legs touched, he felt the heat straight through his shorts. She was subdued on the drive to the beach. Liz on the other hand talked enough for both of them as he made short work of the distance. If he didn’t know better he’d think Kathy was shy or playing hard to get, but he’d seen her in action Friday night and there was nothing shy about her then. Weird. Maybe she was just waiting to get him alone before putting the moves on him.

Pulling the truck into one of the few remaining parking spaces at the beach, Ice cut the engine. The lot was almost full with vehicles of eager beachgoers intent on enjoying the unseasonably hot weather. Grabbing their gear, they made a beeline for the water.

The heat haze shimmered off the sand as they snaked their way through the throng of people and brightly colored beach umbrellas decorating the shore. Finding a vacant patch, they dropped their gear, spread their towels, and started to undress in anticipation of a swim. The sky above was clear, sunrays reflected and danced off the water beckoning them into its cool depths.

Ice eyed Liz as she stripped down to her skimpy black bikini. With hair the color of a sunset, vibrant red and textured with burnished gold, laughing green eyes, and slim build, she was certainly something to behold. That is until his gaze switched to Kathy.

When she pulled off her shorts, he almost expired on the spot. The way her ass wiggled as she peeled them over her hips was almost his undoing. He could feel the blood shoot straight to his groin at the images it conjured.

Curvaceous hips and full breasts accentuated the narrowness of her waist. Perfect. Every single inch of her. Her translucent peaches and cream complexion was flawless except for the smattering of freckles that dusted either side of her upturned nose and the little mole on the outer corner of her top lip.

He couldn’t take his eyes from her, couldn’t get enough of her. Liz had noticed him staring and sent him a funny little smile, and he wondered if she’d caught on.

*

Kathy discarded her shorts determined not to blush. Shane was blatantly undressing her with his eyes and not stopping at her swimsuit either. His eyes burned, she could feel their heat as she tugged the cotton top over her head and tossed it beside her shorts on the beach towel. It was silly to feel uncomfortable, but the slinky swimsuit fabric molded her body leaving little to the imagination and made her feel oddly self-conscious. It was bizarre. She wanted him to admire her, to be desirable in his eyes, but when she caught him doing just that, she looked away and heated to the roots of her chestnut hair. Thank God, Liz came to her rescue.

“I brought the block out,” she cried holding it up. “Do me a favor Shane and put some on my back while I do Kathy’s.” Without waiting for his consent, Liz passed him the sunscreen.

*

Ice rolled his eyes, she was a bossy little piece, but he took the tube anyway and applied the sunscreen to Liz’s bare skin without comment. When he’d finished, she took it back and squeezed a blob into her palm.