“That’s what we like to see. Let’s make some money for the local women’s shelter!”
Paige gritted her teeth. “Three hundred.”
“Four hundred,” the same high voice shouted.
“It sucks being short.” She poked Teague. “Can you see who’s bidding against me?”
“She has long red hair. Hey, I think that’s the woman Quentin brought to Leah and Ryan’s wedding.”
“Blaze? Are you kidding me?” Paige raised her hand. “Five hundred!” she yelled.
The crowd cheered.
“Do I hear six?” LaPine’s smile broadened. “Apparently Quentin is a hot commodity, ladies. So far, our highest winning bid was five-fifty.”
“Six hundred!”
“Geez, I guess Blaze doesn’t mind spending a fortune to spend an evening with her ex.” Nina gave Paige a sympathetic look. “You know you don’t have to go broke winning him, right? It’s just one date that won’t mean anything.”
“I know, but—”
“A thousand dollars.”
The crowd went still before bursting into applause. On the stage, Quentin’s eyes widened.
“Who was that?” Paige shouted to be heard over the commotion.
Ryan stretched to see. “The young brunette who bid on Stillwater earlier.”
“Clea Merrick?” Paige’s shoulders sagged. “I give up. She’s a trust funder. I certainly can’t afford to outbid her if she wants Quentin that bad.”
“Does anyone want to top that generous bid?” When the senator looked her way, Paige shook her head. He turned toward where Blaze was standing and raised a brow. “No? Okay, sold to the beautiful lady in the gold dress. You’ve won yourself a date with Quentin Radcliff. How about a round of applause, folks?”
Everyone clapped and cheered as Quentin gave a thumbs-up and left the stage.
Nina nudged her arm. “It’s not all bad. At least the women’s shelter will benefit.”
“In a big way.” Paige shrugged. “Whatever. It’s just a date, and I certainly trust Quentin, even if Clea is young and extremely hot.”
Ryan patted her back. “So are you. Anyway, you’re the one Quentin cares about.”
“True.” She forced a smile she wasn’t feeling. “When it comes to the big picture, one date with that woman won’t change anything. Nothing at all.”
Chapter Fourteen
Quentin held his cell clamped to his ear with his shoulder while he buttoned his shirt. “I can come over after my date with Clea, if you want.”
Paige was quiet for a moment. “I’m actually pretty tired. The store was slammed today with last-minute shoppers looking for that perfect gift, so I’ll probably be asleep by then.”
He closed his eyes and let out a frustrated breath. “I wanted to wait until after Christmas for this date, but Clea insisted on going before. She suggested Christmas Eve, and I flat-out refused.”
“It’s not your fault I didn’t pony up the cash to win you. Have fun tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Hey, I love you.”
“I love you, too. Bye, Quentin.”
He dropped his phone on the bed and rubbed the back of his neck. Paige had been quiet the previous evening after they left the ball. He knew she didn’t blame him for the auction fiasco, despite winding up in a bidding war with his ex-girlfriend and Clea. But she certainly hadn’t been thrilled when the younger woman had run over to plant a kiss on his surprised lips before dragging him away to schedule their date. Even though Paige had asked him up to her apartment to spend the night after the ball, he’d gotten the feeling her heart wasn’t really in it.
“Damn.”
When the doorbell rang, he frowned. He was scheduled to pick up Clea in a half-hour, and he certainly wasn’t expecting anyone. He left the bedroom and ran down the stairs to throw open the door. His eyes widened.
“Blaze, what are you doing here?”
She swept past him without waiting to be asked inside. Reluctantly, he shut the door behind her.
“I’d hoped we would have plenty of time to talk about our future on the date I planned to win.” Her brows drew together. “Obviously I can’t catch a break, so I decided to drop by instead.”
“I have to leave in a few minutes, and I see no reason why we need to have a conversation since I’m pretty sure I made my feelings clear during the last one.”
“Too bad because I do. Can we sit down?”
He let out a sigh. “Sure, but we’ll have to make this quick. Clea is expecting me, and since she spent a thousand bucks on this date, I should probably be on time.”
Blaze curled up on the couch. “You’re going out with her so soon?”
“Her choice.”
“I bet Paige isn’t any happier about how the auction turned out than I am.”
Quentin refrained from responding. “What did you come here to talk about?”
“When I heard you were in the bachelor auction, I figured it meant you were over Paige and had come to your senses. The woman is a yawn-fest.”
“Look, if you’re going to badmouth Paige—”
“God forbid. No, I’m here to tell you I finally get it. I watched you two together at the party last night. When you look at her, it’s clear you honestly care how she feels.”
“When we were together, I cared.”
“Maybe, but it wasn’t even close to the affection and concern you show Paige. So, while I had high hopes you’d realize you were totally missing out with me, this time I’m leaving under no illusions.”
“You’ll be a whole lot happier with someone else. Honestly.”
“I’m sure you’re right. You’re a hell of a lot of fun, Quentin, and you were great in bed, but I want to be loved. So, I’m out of your life as of now.” She rose to her feet.
He followed her to the door but refrained from touching her. “I hope you find a guy who will make you happy. You deserve it.”
“Thanks. A word of warning . . . Don’t do anything stupid with that rich girl. I recognize the type. She’s used to getting what she wants, and I have a feeling that’s you.”
“I have no intention of screwing up my relationship with Paige.”
Her eyes were sober but without a trace of tears. “Have a merry Christmas.”
“You, too, Blaze. Take care.”
He shut the door behind her and leaned against it, feeling like a chapter of his life was finally closed. He’d get through this date with Clea tonight and then focus on making things right with Paige. Blaze had made him feel like a jerk. Probably because he was one.
Squaring his shoulders, he pushed away from the door and grabbed his leather jacket from the closet. After making sure he had his wallet and keys, he locked up the house and strolled out to his car. A chill in the air sent a shiver through him, but the sky was filled with stars without a hint of fog. Minutes later, he was cruising down the highway toward Clea’s aunt and uncle’s home. The house was fifteen miles north of town, set on a small rise with a huge expanse of lawn and a view of the ocean. He stopped at the end of the driveway in front of the wood and stone structure. Before he could turn off the engine, the front door opened and Clea emerged. Leaning over, he pushed the passenger door ajar as she reached it.
His date settled on the seat and gave him a thorough inspection in the illumination from the floodlights. “You look great. Worth every penny of the grand I spent.”
“I’d tell you you’re gorgeous, but that would be an understatement.”
She wore a white dress that rode up her thighs as she leaned back in the seat, and she hadn’t bothered to bring a coat, despite her bare arms and the cold temperature. Long, wavy brown hair slid over her shoulders, and her breasts pressed against the rounded neckline that revealed plenty of cleavage. It was clear she wasn’t wearing a bra. Reaching over, he turned up the heat.
“I’m looking forward to this. Where are you taking me?”
“I thought we’d keep driving north and have di
nner at a really spectacular restaurant on Yaquina Bay in Newport.”
“One of yours?” Her voice held a sexy purr.
“No, but it’s still good.”
During the nearly hour-long drive, they talked about Clea’s travels abroad. The woman was entertaining and funny. If he wasn’t committed to Paige, he probably would have been interested in a whole lot more than one date. But while Clea was certainly beautiful and witty and extremely hot, his attraction to her was superficial. She didn’t tug at his emotions the way Paige did.
“We’re here. Finally. I’m looking forward to your hands being occupied with something other than driving.”
When he met her gaze as he helped her out of the car in the restaurant’s parking lot, her eyes held the promise of all sorts of fun, but none of the commitment and love Paige had to offer. He ignored her provocative comment.
Inside, the hostess seated them at a table with a view of the bay. Quentin ordered a bottle of chardonnay and wild salmon, while Clea chose fresh halibut. With the low lighting, soft music, and intimate banquet seating, the ambiance was made for romance. As they sipped the wine, they kept the conversation light, discussing their favorite movies.
“Rom-coms are my weakness. I love When Harry Met Sally. What about you?” She scooted closer to him on the bench seat until their legs touched, and gave him a lazy smile.
He wanted to inch away but was already pressed up against the wall. Her perfume teased his senses, something rich and exotic. “Uh, maybe you and Paige should hang out together. She likes chick flicks, too. Me, I like action movies. Die Hard springs to mind.”
Her throaty laugh filled his ear as she laid a hand on his thigh. “I can think of all sorts of comments to make about that title, but I don’t want to make you blush.”
Words failed him, and he feared his neck was turning red. When the server approached with their food, he let out a relieved sigh. Thankfully, Clea moved over a few inches and finally gave him room to breathe.
The meal and the wine were both excellent. He stopped after two glasses, but Clea finished the bottle. Her eyes held a lazy softness that hinted at trouble.
“I saw a sign for live music at one of the bars we drove by. We could go hang out and listen to the band,” he offered as he slipped a credit card into the folder the server left on the table. What he really wanted to do was take Clea home, but she’d paid a thousand dollars for this date. Ending it so soon seemed like bad form.
“I’d rather go straight back to your place, maybe have a drink and get comfortable.”
She rubbed her palm up and down his thigh beneath the tablecloth. He clamped down hard on her fingers as they moved even higher.
“We aren’t doing this, Clea.”
“What? Just a little harmless flirting . . . for now.”
He snatched up the bill folder when the server returned. After adding a tip and scribbling his signature, he handed it back to the man. “Thank you. The meal was delicious.”
“I’ll be sure to tell the chef. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“Oh, I intend to,” Clea chimed in.
Quentin didn’t say another word until they’d left the restaurant. He opened the car door for her, shut it once she was settled, then ran around to his side and climbed in. Finally, he turned to face her. “It’s not that you aren’t extremely tempting, but our date isn’t going to end with me taking you back to my place.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time I invited a man up to my room at my aunt and uncle’s house. Not even the first time this trip. They go to bed early and don’t ask questions.”
“Not happening, Clea.”
“God, I thought you’d be fun. Why do you have to be so uptight?”
“When we met at Old Things, I told you I was involved with someone. Paige and I are in a committed relationship.”
Clea’s eyes narrowed. “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her, and I’m not going to kiss and tell.”
“I would know, and I don’t cheat.”
“It’s not cheating if you’re just having a no-strings attached good time.”
“I guess we see relationships differently.” He started the car engine.
“Obviously, I misread you.” After that, she was silent as he drove out of the lot to head back through town. When they reached the tavern where the live music placard was displayed, her head snapped around. “You can drop me off here.”
“What?” He slowed to a stop when the light changed from yellow to red and turned to face her. “I’ll park and walk in with you. We don’t have to leave town right now if you want to hang out and listen to the band, maybe dance a little.”
“No offense, Quentin, but I’m kind of over this date. I saw someone I know going into the bar, so you don’t have to worry about how I’ll get home.”
When the light turned green, he made a U-turn and parked on the street. “I’m not going to ditch you in a strange town with no transportation because you thought you saw someone you know.”
“You don’t have a whole lot of choice since I insist.” She patted his leg. “I plan to have fun tonight, with or without you. Don’t sweat it.”
Irritation fought with a sense of responsibility. Not that he could force her to return to Siren Cove with him, but still... “Humor me, okay. Go inside and see if this man will give you a ride home. If everything’s cool, I’ll take off.”
“Fine.” She opened the door, got out, and then bent down to look in at him. “We could have had quite a night. My guess is you’ll regret your decision.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Whatever. Bye, Quentin.”
After Clea ran across the street, he drove around the block and parked in front of the tavern. A minute later, she came outside, and he lowered the passenger window. “Well?”
“The guy is stoked to see me, and he’ll make sure I get home safely.”
“All right.” The thought of leaving any woman alone bothered him, but she disappeared inside the building before he could argue. After a moment, he closed the window and pulled out onto the street. “Shit.” He reached the highway and had driven halfway across the Yaquina Bay Bridge before he decided he simply couldn’t do it.
Damn, Clea and her stinking money! If she hadn’t bid such a ridiculous amount on him, he would be hanging out with Paige right now instead of worrying about a woman with the morals of an alley cat. He pounded his fist on the steering wheel and winced. When he reached the end of the bridge, he turned around and headed back the way he’s come.
It was going to be a long evening.
* * *
Blood soaked the sand and had spattered huge pieces of driftwood with spray. Cleaning up the mess wasn’t going to be easy. He shivered in the early morning chill as he snapped off the flashlight after surveying the work ahead of him. At least the chances of anyone wandering down to this stretch of beach at such an ungodly hour were remote.
He’d known the episode was imminent. All the indications had been there, but he hadn’t been able to stop the madness. Now, all he could do was damage control. At least this time he’d killed her outside instead of somewhere incriminating. Still, the risk of DNA evidence was always possible. Best to eliminate all traces of blood, along with the body, before someone opened a missing persons case. By the time he finished cleaning up, no one would ever suspect this place had been the scene of a crime.
Based on the wild partying the girl sprawled face down on the sand was known for, the police weren’t likely to start searching for her the second her aunt and uncle reported she hadn’t returned home. Hell, they might not even call the cops for several days.
Hunching his shoulders against the wind, he went to work, scrubbing down the driftwood and boulders at the base of the cliff with buckets of seawater and bleach. The sky was beginning to lighten by the time he finished. Hurrying now, he carried buckets of contaminated sand out into the surf. Waves smacked against his boots as he flung the contents into the water as the tid
e receded. Nothing left to do now but remove the body.
With the wind flapping the tarp, he spread the square of plastic out beside the dead woman and rolled her body into the center. Long, brown hair tangled across her face, which was as white as her dress had once been. Now, the clinging material was caked with damp sand and stained a dark red.
This time, he’d used a knife to slice across her throat. He wasn’t particular about his weapons. Any sharp object that would get the job done, or a blunt one for that matter, was acceptable. Whatever was handy. The satisfaction came in watching the life force fade away, not in the method he used.
A psychiatrist would probably have a field day analyzing him.
He rolled up the bundle and secured it with a rope, then hauled away more of the sand that had been stained beneath her body. It was pushing seven before he finally finished. Gathering up the cleaning materials, shovel, and buckets, he shoved them in his pack with the flashlight and took a long look around. Nothing but pristine beach for as far as he could see. Except for the bulky package. After shrugging on the pack, he heaved the tarp-wrapped body over his shoulder and thanked God she was light. He’d ditch the last of the evidence somewhere a rushing creek wouldn’t expose bare bones in the future. He was too smart to make the same mistake twice.
In an hour, the job would be finished . . . until the next time.
Chapter Fifteen
Wearing a bright red Christmas dress, Keely ran through the entry, chasing Leo, Barney, and Coco. Leo skidded on the hardwood floor as he took the corner into the kitchen with Leah’s big mutt in hot pursuit. Not to be outdone by the larger dogs, the little Papillion barked like a lunatic.
“Keels, please!” Teague shouted over the commotion as he carried a stack of dirty plates from the dining room table to the kitchen sink. “Find something quieter to do.”
The girl stopped beside Nina and scrunched up her nose. “No fair. You’re all talking about boring, grown-up stuff, and I don’t have anyone to play with.”
“True.” Paige scooped leftover scalloped potatoes into a container. “It really isn’t fair. I don’t mind the noise, and she’s having fun with the dogs. Christmas should be about kids enjoying the excitement of the season.”
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