Finding Elizabeth (23 page)

Pierre tugged at his bow-tie and cleared his throat before asking, “Are you at liberty to say who is employing you?”

“I’m not employed. I’m doing this for my stepfather Andrew Riley. Ellie was his fiancée. They lost contact nearly thirty-three years ago.”

“Oh, how sad.” Pierre dabbed his mouth. “Please go on, I love a good romance mystery. How did they lose touch? Did they have a falling out?”

“Nothing like that. Andrew went to Cambodia, and after months of no contact the Australian Embassy declared him missing. Andrew was missing for a while, even to himself; the jungle can do that to a man. Months later, the embassy received a report about two foreigners found dead in a remote village. As Andrew had Ellie Johnson down as next of kin, she received the formal notice.”

Katherine looked at her uncle, who had turned pale. “Are you all right?”

“Couldn’t be better, my sweet,” he said, blowing her a kiss.

She blew one back, but Jack caught it, and her uncle laughed.

An interesting debate, edging towards argument, was taking place between Leandra and Dave.

Katherine nudged Jack. “What do you suppose is going on with those two?”

“They want to kill each other, just as soon as they’ve had sex.”

“Really?” Katherine sipped her wine, and peered at them over her glass.
No
, she whispered to herself. Leaning forward, arms on the table, she tried to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“You’re a Neanderthal, comparing me to a car,” Leandra complained.

“And not just any car, honey, a Ferrari.” Dave gave her a toothy, I’m-gonna-bite-you grin. “You break all speed records and scare the crap out of people, me included.”

“Oh, what a disappointment.” Leandra’s eyes squinted, sparkling dangerously. “You’re intimidated by fast women.”

“No, you’ve got that wrong. Fast women turn me on—the faster the better.” And just to stir things up, Dave locked eyes with Leandra and gave her a smouldering, penetrating look.

Quickly, Katherine turned away. She couldn’t work out whether Leandra was in deep trouble or loving every moment—maybe both.

Jack nudged her thigh with his. “See what I mean?”

Katherine softly laughed and started a little flirting of her own. “My salmon melts in my mouth, here, take a bite.” She raised her fork and fed Jack a piece of her salmon. They fed each other morsels right through to dessert.

As waiters poured coffee, Pierre sipped the last of his cognac, stood and said goodnight. Worried, Katherine rose to check on her uncle, who looked pale.

“Thanks for a lovely night, and for including Jack and Dave.”

“You’re on the verge of a new life,” he whispered in her ear as he hugged her tight. He smiled, kissed her cheeks and left.

Half an hour later, fatigue had begun to settle over Katherine. “I’m done in. Jack, would you mind taking me home?”

“My pleasure.” He turned to Leandra and Dave. “We’re leaving. You guys need a lift?”

“Yeah, thanks, Jack,” Dave said.

“I’ve got a room upstairs, I’ll walk you out,” Leandra said.

Jack took Katherine’s hand and excitement tickled in her chest. It made her giggle, then laugh; Jack was taking her home.

Leandra stopped and turned. “Are you tipsy?”

“Who me? Nope.”

“I think you’re on something,” Leandra winked. She gave her a goodnight kiss and said quietly, “Take a chance with Jack. Have hot sex, and lots of it.” She stepped back, grabbed Dave’s hand and hauled him into the lift. She pounced, planting her mouth on Dave’s surprised face and wrestling him to the wall just as the doors closed.

Katherine’s jaw dropped as they disappeared from view.

“Dave has finally met his match,” Jack said, grinning.

Katherine snuggled into the leather seat as Jack drove carefully along the Trans-Canada Highway back to Spruce Valley. They were silent for a while as the car purred effortlessly through the quiet white world outside.

The glow from the dashboard and passing cars enabled Katherine to study Jack’s profile. She loved the way his brow furrowed in concentration while driving, the way his hands worked the steering wheel. The realisation hit her, she wanted him. A tingle flowered in her chest and, with a sizzling rush, took over her entire body. She gasped. She wanted to crawl inside his shirt, feel his skin, wanted to be part of him.

Jack placed his warm hand on her knee. “Are you okay? My driving making you nervous? I’ve kept an eye out for moose.”

“I did notice. Your driving skills are fine. Even one handed.”

“Want me to take my hand away?”

“No, unless our lives are in danger.” She caressed Jack’s cheek with the back of her fingers and drew in a deep breath, committing to memory his essence, the fresh smell of him. She slipped her hand beneath his coat and found his shirt buttons, undoing them, enjoying great satisfaction in the sharp intake of his breath as she caressed his skin. Her fingers tingled as she dared to reach further, brushing her hand lightly over his nipples.

“That’s far enough,” Jack breathed. “We’ll end up in a snowdrift.” He glanced at her in the light from the dashboard, and his expression related all manner of sensual promises. “Since I can’t take my hands off the wheel, you have to wait.”

“Spoilsport,” she said, and flashed him a wicked smile.

He laughed shakily. “We’ll be home soon, unless you’d like to stop somewhere now? I’m game.”

A thought flashed through her mind of snowploughs, torches shining through car windows and police officers asking if the frozen couple needed help.

“If it was a summer’s night, I would take you up on that suggestion,” Katherine murmured seductively. “Where’re we going?”

“Your place,” Jack said, and took a deep breath.

Jack parked across Katherine’s blocked driveway, far enough off the street not to be a problem for snowploughs. He strode around the car to open the passenger door, and held out his hand. The moment she was on her feet, he pulled her against him. Without taking his eyes off her, he slowly dipped his head, leaned in for the kiss, but stopped at her mouth. “Now that we’re here, I need to know if this is what you want?” His lips brushed hers, teasing her to the point of breathlessness.

“More than anything.” And he kissed her—hot and hard, melting her bones. Her knees buckled and she leaned into him. He scooped her up and waded through the piles of snow to the cabin.

The moment Katherine opened the door Bubbles was there, sniffing and warbling like a happy hound.

“Stay right there and don’t move,” Katherine told Jack.

“Wait … bathroom?”

“Down the hall, second on the left.”

“Bubbles, here girl, I’ve got a nice chew bone for you.” She went in to the kitchen, gave Bubbles her treat, telling her to stay on her bed, washed her hands, took a deep breath and went back to the living room.

Jack was waiting for her, hands in his pockets. God he looked sexy in his purple suit.

With every slow step closer to him, Katherine’s arousal grew. He’d taken off his overcoat and loosened his bow-tie. Wanting this moment to last made her legs turn to jelly. She slipped her coat off, threw it over the settee and kept walking. Her eyes never left his. He took two steps and suddenly he was right in front of her. His gaze slowly shifted, taking in her hair, face, neck and breasts. Her fingers tingled with wanting to touch him. Her breath quickened. His hands cupped her face. They smelt like soap. “You found the bathroom?”

Jack smiled.

That did it. The sensuous heat, the rush, that smile was too much. They were at each other, frantic hands searched for the fastest way to strip each other bare, while his kisses and nibbles made her gasp.

Jack eased back, murmuring low. “I want you naked.”

“Yes, please.” Katherine yanked his purple jacket down over his shoulders. Mouth planted on hers, he tossed his jacket aside. With a sharp whisper of silk, she slipped off his bow-tie and tossed it. It dangled from a branch on the Christmas tree. “Kate … Kate …” he whispered. His hands slid around her waist and pulled her in to him. He caressed her back, fingers searching. “Where’s the zip?”

They stumbled down the hall. She grabbed Jack’s shirt and yanked it off him. He peered over her shoulder while stripping off his shirtsleeves, looking for the elusive zip.

“Forget the zip.” Katherine hauled the hem of her gown up as far as her arms would reach. She heard him purr like a big cat. “Don’t kiss my belly button!” she danced and wriggled.

“Really, are you sure? What if I lick it?”

She could feel his warm breath on her stomach and she squealed. “Yes—I mean no, don’t kiss me or lick me anywhere—I’m stuck! Pull my dress up—pull my dress up!”

He yanked it over her head and tossed her dress aside.

Hair every which way, Katherine quickly brushed it off her face, then jerked his pants down over his hips. Jack kicked them aside. She took pleasure in his hard, tanned body free of constraints.

“I want you now.” Her voice shook. “I want you fast.”

“I can be fast, just watch me,” he said, his voice husky, taking her mouth and slowly running his tongue along the silky underside of her lips. Katherine’s legs went limp, and a delicious heaviness pooled below her navel. A trail of underwear led to the bedroom. “You drive me nuts,” he grated low.

“Not my fault,” Katherine murmured. Seductively licking her lips, she pushed him down on her bed. A cloud of feather-down quilt puffed up around them.

“Are you cold?” Jack asked, reaching up to nibble her earlobe. “You want to get under this?” he patted the quilt.

“Good idea, you’re shivering.” Katherine scrambled towards the pillows. Jack followed and nipped then kissed her retreating bottom. She lifted the quilt and they dived under.

Lifting a mountain of feathers, Jack pulled her in close and murmured, “Come here.”

Desire surged in the pit of her stomach, and in an instant the need to have him pulsed between her thighs. She trembled.

“Now you’re cold. I know the perfect way to get warm.”

“Show me.” Hands splayed, he caressed her body. “Oh yes … that is good, don’t stop.”

His soft mouth and tongue trailed from her earlobe to neck, to the crook of her elbow and made her lose her breath. His beautiful strong hands stroked down her back and squeezed her bottom. Instinctively, she arched towards him. She revelled in the feel of his muscles that curved in long bands down his arms and legs. It was her turn to sigh. Gently, Jack cupped her breasts, his thumbs softly stroking, circling her nipples. She gasped and a thrill flashed from her nipples to her groin. He inclined his head, and licked one rosy bud then the other. He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply while her fingers luxuriated in the softness of his hair.

She pushed him down and straddled him. His breath skipped. She stretched her long legs out behind her and lowered herself, pressing her stomach against his erection. A low sensual moan left his throat. He rolled her over. The quilt bunched up on one side exposing the other to the cold night air. “Pretend you’re on a tropical island,” he said and kissed her while yanking at the quilt to cover them. “It’s hot and …”

“Shut up, I am hot.”

“That’s good.” Little by little, Jack slid inside her. The deeper he went, the more aroused she became. She allowed herself the pleasure of a long moan as her core tightened around his erection. Her fingers and toes tingled. She raised her feet and placed them flat on the mattress. Now able to meet his thrusts, she enjoyed every sensation.

Katherine pressed herself harder against him. Jack picked up on her cues; his rhythm and strokes became faster. It was the beginning of her climax. He pressed in, rolling his hips against her sensitive nub, and she was lost in pure ecstasy of throbbing, tingling pleasure. Katherine cried out with every breath and every beautiful spasm erupting between her thighs and throughout her body. Jack’s pulsing climax made the last moments magical. They both cried out. She clutched her legs around his hips. Jack buried his head in the crook of her neck, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

He took his weight on his elbows, and Katherine relaxed her legs. Gradually, their breathing returned to normal. He gazed at her, the biggest grin spreading on his face.

“Are you okay?” he asked, gently stroking locks of dark hair away from her forehead.

“Never felt better,” Katherine laughed as the afterglow kept on … glowing.

“I love the way you laugh.” Jack dipped his head and gently sucked on her earlobe.

“Before this feeling evaporates, can we do it again?” Katherine asked.

“And what makes you think it will? It will never evaporate. I’m yours …”

She touched his lips with a silencing finger. “Stop talking and give it to me slow.”

“I’ll give it to you any way you want.”

In the early hours of the morning, they lay in each other’s arms under a mountain of feather-down quilt. Her back against his chest, she snuggled into his hips. Her breathing slowed, and her body relaxed.

“Goodnight, sleepy head.” Jack lifted himself up and kissed her.

“Will you be here in the morning?” she managed to ask. “You’re not going to leave?”

“Hell no! I’ll be here. I’ll make you breakfast.”

“Good.”

Jack curled his body around her back and slipped his arm across her waist. Contentment filled Katherine. Smiling she fell asleep with the thought,
He loves the way I laugh
.

After breakfast, Jack left to do more research at the Spruce Valley municipal office. Katherine took Bubbles with her to the first exercise classes for the elderly. She had morning coffee with Peggy and Bubbles. Later they would do the rounds and visit those with less mobility.

As Katherine neared the recreation room, she could hear her class getting ready. She walked in and welcomed the energetic crew of various ages and ability.

“Good morning, everyone, I’m Katherine Bell, and we’re going to have fun. Before we start,
please
never go beyond your limits. We don’t want any injuries.”

The group were shaking their heads, straightening their clothes, and murmuring, “No no, we wouldn’t, would we.” They had dressed for the occasion in sneakers and sweats, which hung off some in drooping folds. A bit like their skin, God love them. Curiously, some ladies wore pearl necklaces or pretty beads. To Katherine, it was a privilege being there, to help them regain strength and balance, and have fun.