The tenderness in his voice was nice, Kylie thought.
She put her head down and Paul lifted her chin. She nodded and looked up at him. "I'm sorry. It's just that I promised Lucy I wouldn't move too fast. This is supposed to be an innocent evening out together."
Paul looked surprised. "Well it is Kylie. I'm not going to jump you. God, I wouldn't do that."
"I know you wouldn't but I also told her that I wouldn't even kiss you tonight.” She admitted, embarrassed.
Paul laughed. "Is that what's bothering you?” He waited and when he got no response he continued. “Do you want to kiss me?" He said smoothly.
Kylie sighed. She looked at his gentle face and thought that maybe after a kiss she would know how she felt. “I guess it would be ok.” She said timidly.
"I see," Paul whispered. The glint in his eyes made her laugh.
"Well then, maybe I can remedy that too."
"How?" She smiled.
"Well, you'll have to stand over here."
"All right." Kylie let him back her to the rail.
"Then relax."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to kiss you."
"But!"
"No buts, remember you told Lucy you wouldn't kiss me, I didn't promise her anything." Paul's grin was playful.
Kylie giggled then agreed. But the way he was looking at her now, gave her butterflies in her stomach.
"What's next?" She said enticingly.
"Well, I think you'll need to move in closer and wrap your arms around me."
She slowly leaned forward, and wound her arms around his neck. He didn’t tower over her the way Max did, she noted. He must have been a couple of inches shorter.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"What? Kiss you?"
"Ah ha," Kylie nodded, prolonging the anticipation.
He nodded his head also then pulled her so close she could feel his very obvious, aroused manhood touching her abdomen. This is not good, she thought as waves of passion began to take over.
Paul lightly touched her face. His fingers lingered there, brushing across her lips. She felt the heat from his hard body then closed her eyes and parted her lips. His mouth momentarily touched hers and then retreated. She moaned a tiny sigh.
Paul laughed and Kylie eyes opened wide.
"Are you making fun of me? She said, feeling quite tipsy.
"I would never do that," Paul answered in a throaty voice and a grin.
Kylie was now amusing him, making kissy faces and moaning sounds. Paul chuckled then pulled her tightly to him, planting his lips on top of hers. It was so sudden; she caught her breath in surprise. When he eased his tongue inside and lightly brushed it by hers, she instinctively teased his tongue back, and ran her fingers through his thick dusty blond hair.
The kiss was getting increasingly sensual and his manhood was keeping up with the pace. He pulled back abruptly then whispered against her lips, "I really like you."
"I like you too." Kylie confessed, leaning back against the wooden rail, looking at him long and hard.
"I also think I'm drunk." She said with an innocent giggle.
"What did I tell you?" Paul teased. “Well, there’s only one thing to do. Let's go dance it off."
All was quiet when Paul turned off the engine of the Jeep. The sound of crickets playing a midsummer night's tune and the slight rustling of the leaves through the trees were the only sounds to be heard. They sat there in silence looking at the strange shapes and patterns the moon cast around them.
"There's something magical about the night, isn't there?"
Paul agreed then got out of the Jeep and opened Kylie's door.
"I'll come in with you to make sure everything’s okay. I see that Max's car is not here."
Kylie looked surprised then realized if it wasn't Lucy that mentioned him, Frank probably did.
"No, he’s out for the night, do you know the whole story?"
"Yes," Paul said, then took the key from Kylie and opened the door. He walked into the house slowly, rather prowler like, then turned on the living room light.
"I'll check the doors." He said.
Just as Paul finished the sentence, they heard the floor board’s creek upstairs. They both froze. Kylie's hair stood on edge, and she didn't know what to do. Paul grabbed her arm to steady her then backed her up towards the door. He opened the front door and pushed her out. Then he moved towards the Jeep, bringing Kylie with him.
"Maybe it's just a mouse!" She whispered.
"A pretty big mouse."
Paul unlocked his glove compartment and pulled out his revolver.
Kylie felt sick with nerves.
"Stay here."
"Like hell I am!"
The fact was, Paul didn’t know what to do with her. “All right stay behind me then."
"Well I'm not going in front of you," she whimpered.
"Are you sure Max is not home?"
"Pretty sure, he said he was working, and his car’s not here."
Paul silently opened the front door again, this time staying close to the wall. When he turned the corner, he saw a figure shrouded in black at the top of the stairs. The figure turned swiftly and ran, opening the terrace door and slamming it shut.
"Is there any way off the terrace?"
Kylie could hardly speak the words. "You'd have to jump."
"Stay here."
Paul moved quicker than Kylie thought possible. In a flash he was at the top of the stairs and she could hear him edging his way to the terrace door. The door opened and then Paul was running back downstairs. Kylie thought he was being chased and froze. He ran past her and stormed outside.
Kylie stood in silence, listening to the exaggerated pounding of her heart. What in the hell just happened!
Paul snuck around the side of the house. It was a bright night, but to whose advantage, he thought. Everything looked like someone hiding. He walked with his revolver in front of him, checking the ground around the terrace. This guy was pretty desperate to jump off. It wasn't the highest fall, but if you weren't lucky you could really hurt yourself.
A cloud passed in front of the moon and the shadows turned black. Paul continued to search, crouching as he moved, stopping occasionally to listen for any sounds the intruder might make. A motorboat started up on the lake. He turned and saw that it was coming directly from the dock. He jumped over the wall of wild roses and raced down to the water. It was too late. The damn boat was fast and the driver was experienced. He stood on the shore checking to see where it was going and tried to make as much of an identification as possible.
Kylie sat in her car with the top up. She felt only mildly secure; after all, it was a convertible. She slipped down as far she could go in the seat, and with every sound she sunk lower still.
With the dark of night closing in around her, she found herself clutching the steering wheel so hard that her hands hurt. Shit, what if Paul needs my help, she thought.
The wind intensified and Kylie closed her eyes tight, her head was still spinning from all the alcohol and she felt sick.
"Kylie!" Paul shouted.
Kylie nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Thank God!" She said
"There you are. Are you okay?" Paul was a little out of breath.
"Yes I'm fine, just shaken up a bit."
"I need to call Frank, let's go inside."
The house seemed secure except for the broken lock on the patio door. Two other detectives arrived in no time at all, and they started searching the grounds and the house, picking up anything out of the ordinary. Kylie tried to stay awake to listen to the gathering of information but was too tired. The last she heard was Paul arguing with Roscoe, his boss, about what, she didn't know.
"We can’t just wake-up everyone around the lake Paul. We've got four guys out there right now taking care of it. I agree with you, it's someone from around here but we still have to be rational and investigate thoroughly before scaring
the shit out of people in the middle of night. Plus there’s a public dock on the other side of the lake, it could have been a boat from over there. We’ll send someone to take a look before we do anything else."
Paul looked frustrated then noticed Kylie falling asleep on the bar stool.
"Hey, before you fall off, I think you'd better get some shut eye." Paul supported Kylie around the waist and walked up the stairs with her. "These guys are almost finished."
"Did they get fingerprints?" Kylie said in sleepy voice.
"Yes detective, they did. I'll tell you what, I'll get rid of them, lock up and come say goodnight. Okay?"
Kylie was too tired to wash her face. She took off her clothes, pulled on a big t-shirt and then sank down into her fluffy comforter. In what seemed like a second, she heard a knock on the door.
Paul peaked inside and Kylie slowly lifted her head from the pillow.
"What time is it?" She said sleepily.
"It's four o'clock. I'm going to sleep downstairs. I just wanted to make sure you were fine."
Kylie's head was still spinning and her thoughts were melting into a dreamlike state.
"Come here," she patted the bed then rolled to the other side to make room.
Paul smiled. "All right but no funny business."
"Ha!" Kylie guffawed then propped up on one elbow. "Did that freak you out as much is it did me?” She managed to say.
"I guess it always does. It's not the first time I've had to chase someone and I guess it won't be the last. Does it bother you?"
"Do you enjoy it?"
"Hell yes, I guess I get a big rush from it." Paul stretched back and smiled, thinking about the thrill of the chase.
"As long as you enjoy it." Kylie looked at him admiringly. "Your pretty damn brave you know."
"Well so are you, I think..."
"Let me get this straight," she interrupted him. "You think hiding in my car was brave? I should have been out there with you fighting, spitting, scratching,"
He laughed and then tenderly brought her hand to his mouth. "And you’re also very crazy you know."
"I suppose that's an unusual complement, but I'll accept it," she smiled.
"I'll complement you better than that," he said, moving forward and tracing a hand across her silky panties and up the back of her T-shirt.
"You're the sexiest woman I've ever met in my life. You killed me on that dance floor tonight."
Kylie giggled and felt the heat building up in her warm body. Paul's hands wandered across her skin until he almost touched her breasts. She pulled back unexpectedly. "We'd better get some sleep," she said quickly.
"I'll go." Paul shifted his weight.
"No, it’s fine. I'm sorry. I just..." She didn't know what to say.
"It's alright Kylie. You need to rest."
She pulled her pillow in close to her and tried to focus on his shadowed face.
“I’m sorry, I’m just so tired.”
“Then sleep.”
Kylie didn't think she was able to sleep anymore. She tried to relax, let the tension run of her system. Her eyes closed but her mind was an amusement park. Visions of people dancing and laughing, faces with strange eyes closing in on her, flashed through her mind. Then she was speeding down a dark road, overly tall trees towered above. Then a man dressed in black came towards her with a knife. Her body jumped and she opened her eyes!
"Are you okay?"
Okay was a thing of the past, she thought. She was sure she would have the creeps for the rest of her life.
"You don't think he'll come back do you?"
"No, I don’t think he’ll come back." Paul hugged her small frame to comfort her.
She closed her eyes shut again and focused on the light rain that was hitting the roof. She listened quietly, thinking about everything that had happened in the past few days. She became increasingly aware of Paul's body next to hers. She didn't really know him, why did she let him get so close. She wished she could tell him to leave, but she wasn't sure that's what she wanted either. She felt bad for stopping his advances, after all, it was her who called him in to her bed, but something just didn't feel right.
She thought about the night before, how easily she had given in to Max. Images of him began to take the place of reality and she could feel herself being pulled back into his arms. Her mind was restless, the rain became a downpour, bringing with it muggy heat. Thunderheads closed in and Kylie tossed and turned with each rumble. The relief she sought was nowhere in sight. Her body was too edgy and tired to get comfortable. Just when she thought she would never sleep again, Paul began to stroke her head. She clung to him in an attempt to numb her thoughts.
"It's all right baby." He repeated in a whisper.
Kylie listened to his chant then let go into the night; falling into the deep water once more. This time, splashing and swimming for her life, entwined in something that was pulling her under.
Chapter 4
Light sparked from the crack in the door. Kylie opened her eyes and looked up at Paul who was coming out of the washroom with a towel wrapped around his mid drift.
"Hope you don't mind, but I really need to get into town and I've got no time to go home."
Kylie felt like a truck had run her over. She rolled to the edge of the bed and dropped her feet down. It was morning all right but what an awful day. The mist off the lake was so thick you couldn't even see the dock.
Plus, she had awakened with the realization that life as she knew it had changed, it was now a complicated, disorganized place. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and remembered that she hadn't taken her makeup off. Feeling a need for support, she glanced up at Paul.
"So how do you feel?" He grinned.
"Lousy," she said weakly.
"How about some coffee? I think Max made some, I can smell it."
"Max!” Oh my God, this can’t be happening. “Are you sure he's here?"
"Yeah, I heard his car about an hour ago. What’s wrong?"
“Nothing.”
Paul was bringing his clothes into the washroom when Kylie jumped off the bed and sped across the room.
"We don't have to go down yet," she said, winding her arms around his bare chest.
"I really do have to go into town Kylie, its crucial we catch this guy." He kissed her lips. "You pamper yourself today, get some sleep and I’ll come back and see you tonight if you want." He hugged her, kissed the top of her head and released his embrace but she clung to him.
There must be some way to keep him here until Max went to sleep. "Could you wait until I take a shower?" She asked.
"Sure, just let me get dressed." Paul disappeared into the washroom.
Kylie paced the room. She opened the bedroom door a crack and listened for Max downstairs.
Paul came out of the washroom and picked up his gun. "On second thought, I really do have to go." He grabbed his wallet and buttoned up his shirt. “Max is home, so at least you’re not alone.”
Panic was setting in; she didn't need anything else going wrong. "I'll get dressed and go down with you." She flipped through her drawer and pulled out of black bra and a pair of shorts. With her back to him, she slipped on the shorts then pulled off her long T-shirt and slipped on her bra. This ought to keep him here for a few more minutes at least. She felt sick to her stomach when she turned around. What in God's name was she doing?
She strolled over and lifted her face to his. Then she kissed his lips long and hard without touching him. He placed his hands on her waist, feeling her silky skin.
"God, you feel good. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to keep me here."
Kylie smiled then crept closer. If she only knew that Max was asleep, she could slip Paul out without Max ever knowing that he was here.
Her head was spinning like a whirlwind. Why couldn't she have thought of something better than this? Something had to happen, she couldn't keep this up, it was getting out of hand. Just as he pulled her in close, Kylie's
door opened.
"I thought I heard you getting up...." Max couldn't finish the sentence; he stood there with his mouth wide-open.
"What in the hell are you doing?" Paul exclaimed, moving in front of Kylie to hide her.
But Max let out a bitter laugh. "I've seen and felt more than that, so don't think you're hiding anything." Spinning around to leave, he glared back at Kylie and spat out, "me the night before, this guy last night. Should I expect some other guy tonight?" His look was murderous as he slammed the door shut.
Paul and Kylie stood there in silence for a moment, the tension mounting with each second.
"I've got to go," Paul said quickly, turning away from her.
"Wait, let me explain," she demanded.
She grabbed his arm. He was moving out the door but whirled around instead. "Save it for later Kylie." His voice was bitter with emotion and his eyes were misty with hurt. He broke past her and raced down the stairs. She heard the front door slam and after a couple of seconds, the jeep drove away.
Kylie stood there in shock. The silence was striking. What just happened; happened way to fast. Her head began to spin yet again, until her body trembled. She was going to be sick. She steadied herself on the bureau and took a deep breath. The reflection in the mirror was certainly hers except worn to a thread. She heard Max coming up the stairs and pulled on a T-shirt.
He knocked on the door before opening it a crack. "Can I come in?"
"What do you want Max?" Kylie said spiritless.
"I'm sorry. It's really none of my business who you sleep with. It just surprised me that’s all. I thought maybe after the other night we had something going."
"Something going Max, you mean you just wanted to sleep with me!" She plopped herself down on the bed. “Well if it makes you happy I didn’t sleep with him either. I’m not sleeping with either of you.”
"Okay, good.” He breathed out a deep sigh of relief. “But even if I do want to sleep with you, so did he… I’m just glad you didn’t." He shrugged his shoulders then sat down next to her. "Every man does.”
“Every man does what?” Her brows knitted in confusion.
A Familiar Star (Romance Mystery) Page 6