Their waitress brought over coffee for both of them without asking.
Andy spoke before Aimee could open her mouth.
“We’ll have two thirty-fives, with slices of avocado on the side. You can put the potatoes on my plate. One order of biscuits, please, no gravy.”
She was shocked.
“Tell me, honestly. Don’t you think I would remember all that, Aimee?”
His blue eyes were intense, almost dangerous. The question still hung in the air as she studied his face and then had to turn away.
He handed her the half-and-half, which she used and returned to him.
“I’d like to know how you’re doing, something other than fine,” he said.
Was he mocking her? Making fun of something she did?
“I’ve been staying busy. I’ve kept up the running and been busy with—” she didn’t want to mention the house or that she was close to locating her brother—“I’ve gotten caught up in my reading.”
He picked up the flaky biscuit, halved it with his knife, buttered both halves lavishly, and handed her the bottom side.
She pressed it carefully between her thumb and fingers and then took a big bite out of it, closing her eyes at the orgasmic taste and texture of the thing. When she opened her eyes, Andy had stopped eating and was staring back at her.
“How about you?”
“I took Cory to the airport yesterday early. Stopped by the grocery store. Oh, and I did some laundry and called my LPO back home.
“You think this will be a good thing for Cory to do?”
“He had good instincts on that one. It was his execution that was lacking.”
A warm ripple of pain washed over her, and then was gone. “I try not to think about it,” she whispered.
Their omelets arrived, and Aimee found her appetite had kicked into overdrive.
Andy held up the other biscuit and she shook her head no.
“He wanted to make sure you knew he’d gone there, made it.”
Aimee picked away at the fresh crab piled on the top of her eggs. He was still watching her.
“Look, Andy, just what is this?”
“This is breakfast. Did I do something wrong?”
“You’re looking at me too much.”
He dropped his fork and sat back in his chair, finally releasing a short smile.
“What?” she asked.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“I’m not sure. You’re being weird.”
“I’m going to ask you anyway.” He waited until she looked up at him.
“Go ahead.”
“Are you intending to get back together with Cory?”
“Oh, that’s an easy one. Absolutely not. I wish him all the luck, but with the talk about other women? I just go dead inside when I hear that. I don’t wish him any ill will, but he’s a stranger to me now.”
“Then would you consider being my friend, perhaps a little more?”
Instantly she blushed. She nearly spit out her eggs.
“You tell me,” she struggled to say. “Why should I consider this? Besides, you guys have this code that you don’t—”
“I can’t stop thinking about you, Aimee.”
She scrambled to her feet, attempting to break for the door. He was there in an instant, held her by her forearms, and then gently folded her into his chest. She took two seconds of enjoyment, and then stiffened and pulled away.
“This is insane. You are insane. This is not happening.”
“Are you done?” he asked, pointing to the table.
“Yes.”
He threw down some money, put his arm around her shoulder, and led her outside.
“Look, Andy. I’m sorry. You ruined your breakfast. I feel bad about that.”
He put his hands on her shoulders and steered her through the palm-studded path.
“I made a mistake, that’s all. I should be the one who’s sorry.”
Aimee ached she was so uncomfortable. Why?
Neither one of them began running. They walked at a leisurely pace close to the water’s edge, until they came to Cory’s house. He was about to wave, or extend a hand for her to shake, when she suddenly realized something.
“Andy, I have some clothes there. Would you mind if I got them today?”
“Sure. No problem. Do you have a lot of things?”
“I honestly don’t remember.”
“I’ve got some boxes. We can see, and if it’s too much to carry, I can drop them by your house later on, if you like.”
“Could you drive me home this morning?”
“Sure, that works too.”
The ghost of Cory loomed large once she was inside. She tiptoed, as if she was going to wake him, into the bedroom, and collected some underwear from a drawer, along with some jeans and a sweatshirt. She found a couple pairs of socks, her toothbrush, some face wash, and a brush in the bathroom.
In the living room, she found two books. Everything she had fit into one box with room to spare.
Andy had made coffee, and he presented her with a mug, filled with cream. He clinked his mug against hers.
“Friends?”
“Friends,” she repeated and gulped her coffee.
Aimee walked to the window to admire the view, as she always had in this little place. Andy sat on the back of the couch behind her.
She was on the edge of so much right now. Maybe she was going to find Logan. Maybe she’d find out about the pink house. Was she ready to let someone else in as well? Was she ready to share? And what if it didn’t work out?
She’d done it before, and she was still standing. Her life was going to go on almost without missing a beat. Nothing was ever without risk. There were always unforeseen consequences. Cory hadn’t been the man she thought he was. She knew that even before she learned about all his secrets.
But Andy, she’d liked him from the first day she met him. And right now, he was offering an invitation she knew she’d regret not taking.
Aimee took one last drink of her warm creamy coffee, set the mug down on the bookshelf next to the window, and walked over to him. She was so close that she felt the heat of his body. Their eyes locked as she removed the cup from his fingers, placing it next to hers on the bookshelf.
He continued to wait for her. She approached again, this time touching his face with her fingertips and running a forefinger across his lips. She looked into his eyes one last time, inhaled, and pressed her lips then her whole body against his.
Two powerful arms wrapped around her back, then slid lower to her buttocks, which he pressed into his groin. He gasped and pulled her up so her legs could wrap around his hips. With quick steps, he carried her into the guest bedroom.
Their undressing was slow with attention to every kiss, every bare spot that demanded to be touched, kissed, or tasted. She removed her snug running pants and stood before him naked.
He kneeled before her, parting her thighs and kissed her from her knees to the soft tissues of her sex. He sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her to him, and then slowly, he moved backward onto the soft mattress, and with one arm wrapped tightly around her waist, brought her with him.
The sheets held his scent. He was careful to tuck her beneath him. She wrapped one leg up around his hip as he climbed her body, kissing he navel, and then working up to her neck, and lastly, her lips. She held his cock while they kissed, and then with long stroking motions, positioned him to take her. The length of him filled her, every inch. Her pulse quickened as he pulled out, and then lunged forward, deeper still, his lips sucking on her earlobe with the diamond stud in it.
His hips were fluid and gentle as he rocked her world, pleasuring her, changing angles, turning her over and taking her from behind. She followed his hands, her fingers entwined between his, to feel what he was feeling, touch and pinch where he touched and pinched. His hot tongue lit her on fire. She bit his earlobe and pulled at his hair when at last her climax was full upon her. He answered
her pleasure with his own, holding her as tightly as she clutched him, stopping so she could feel the power of his pulse inside her. They remained entangled, limbs and sheets, until the spasms subsided.
She was right. There was no predicting where all this would lead.
All she knew was that she wanted more.
Chapter 17
Andy could not believe that their connection was so complete, like they’d been lovers for years. He didn’t want to stop. He could have stayed in bed all day. He knew she had things she’d planned on doing today, but they couldn’t help but explore, fondle, kiss, and taste each other, savoring each delight and morsel, resting, and then starting all over again.
He lay in the noonday light and marveled at the shadows that played along the peach colors of her smooth spine, the gentle curve of it, the dimples above her butt cheeks, and the deep, dark places he could find when he slid his fingers down her belly. He’d never worshiped a woman so thoroughly. Every time he came inside her, he wanted to give her more.
She rolled over on her back, her forearm shielding the light from her eyes. He suckled on her right breast, bringing her nipple to a stiff peak, twisting it between his thumb and fingers until she arched up.
He pulled her limp body over his and felt her heart beating and the pleasure of her pubic bone grinding into his thigh, begging for him to plunder her again. She whimpered as he ran his fingers over her breasts, complaining that they ached. Her body wanted him even though her sex was swollen and bright pink. It drove him crazy that she was hairless in all those places he wanted full access to.
Flipping her over, he pulled her hips up and inserted a pillow beneath her tummy. His finger traced down her spine, over the cleft in her buttocks, down to where her swollen, glistening sex called to him. Her taste was exquisite. His tongue thrust deep, causing her to moan into her pillow, arch her back, and present her rear to him so perfectly.
Her taste had driven him crazy, making him rock hard. It wasn’t fair she couldn’t see what a beautiful sight it was to enter her from behind, spreading her fleshy cheeks as his hands kneaded them, his fingers bit into them as he rammed himself deep inside her.
Again, she moaned, and it made him harder and bigger still.
At last, he rode her, the pace quickening urgently, their thighs slapping against each other with every stroke. She pressed against him Her internal muscles milked his cock, clamped down on him tight. He felt her spasm. Her breaths gasped as she squeezed the sheets and screamed when her long, rolling orgasm washed over her, fully taking control.
He cooled the little warm beads of sweat on her spine by blowing on her. He brought her a cool washrag for her violated sex.
He whispered in her ear, “I wanted to let you sleep, Aimee, but I’m so sorry. I just couldn’t.”
She giggled. He pulled her hair from her face and smiled.
“Go ahead and get a little rest, but,” he said as he kissed her soft behind, “no promises, okay?”
She moaned something, her eyelashes slowly moving up and down, and then she was asleep.
They awoke again in the early afternoon. Cory’s shower was almost too small for the both of them, but they managed to soap each other off. He shampooed her hair, and she did his. As they were rinsed off, sluicing the soapy goodness down their bodies, he took her again, pressing her soft body against the cool shower tiles.
And, after another soaping off, they finally stepped out. The water had gone completely cold.
She changed into clothes she’d left behind. He opened some soup and made a green salad.
“So I have news about my brother.”
“Really?” Andy was surprised.
“It was him who I saw at the restaurant, remember, JJ’s? Remember, that night, I thought I saw him. I went back there yesterday and talked to the manager, and the bookkeeper. He came from a halfway house, and I’ve got the name and address.”
“Do you want to go over there today?”
“That was the plan, originally.” She blushed.
“I’m glad we did this.”
“Me too,” she said and kissed him.
She pulled the picture of her brother from her wallet and then showed him the address of the facility.
The Sunshine Palms appeared to be part of an old Florida office building at one time. It was tucked away in a forest of jungle foliage with a canopy of tall palm trees. The entrance of the center had an elegant lake, populated by a dozen pink flamingos.
It looked expensive.
“How did he manage to get in here?”
“I have no idea. Everything about my brother is a mystery to me.”
At the reception area, a man in white uniform greeted them. Andy wasn’t sure if he was security, or a health employee.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for my brother. He disappeared from our home about seven years ago. I was recently told he was at this address.”
“You have to be on the approved medical file list for next of kin. You have a name so I can check?”
“Logan Greer.” Aimee added, “I have this family photograph, which shows him ten years ago.” She passed the picture over the counter to him, along with her driver’s license.
The receptionist typed in the computer then returned both the drivers’ license and the photograph. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we don’t have anyone at this facility by that name. Could he go by any other name?”
“How about the counselors? Could we speak to one of them? I know he’d identify as someone else. We’ve tried to find him for so long, and as of last week, he took a job through his treatment here. Somebody must have seen him.”
“In order to protect our patients, we don’t let people inside unless it’s recommended by a doctor.”
Andy decided to step in. “Look, sir, she’s just trying to find her brother. We’d like access to your staff and counselors, because he was sent from here to his job at JJ’s, where he was last Wednesday. Can’t we circulate the picture around and see someone?”
The attendant darted glances between the two of them.
“Why don’t you have a seat in the lobby? I’ll make a call and see what I can do. Just wait a few minutes over there,” he said as he pointed to two red leather loveseats facing one another.
Aimee tried to listen to what was being said on the phone but without luck. He spoke to another party and then, ended the call with, “All right. I’ll tell them. Thank you.”
He approached. “If you’ll follow me, I’m going to show you to the small conference room. Dr. Denby is going to see you.”
“Thank you,” whispered Aimee, suddenly heartened.
The conference room was anything but small. The conference table was made from the interior slice of a very large tree, the gnarly edges polished with clear coating. The tabletop itself varied in color from a golden amber in the center to darker and darker rings of brown radiating out, ending at the rough edges.
Aimee set her purse down, leaving the head of the table for someone else.
Andy sat next to her.
“Can I bring you some water?” the attendant asked.
“Please, two,” answered Andy.
Dr. Denby was next to enter, carrying the two waters. Andy stood, shaking the doctor’s hand. Aimee stayed seated and did the same.
“Thanks for this,” she said, holding up the bottle.
He had pure white hair, worn long enough that it curled a bit at his collar. The top of his head was smooth and perfectly brushed, with every hair in place. His hands were marked with age spots and wrinkled, but his face was remarkably youthful.
“So what can I do for you two today? You have a missing relative you’re trying to find?”
“Yes, my brother,” Aimee said as she showed him the family picture. “That’s him,” she said as she pointed to Logan.
He squinted, angling the photo and then looking at the back side. He pushed it back to Aimee with his forefinger.
“What’
s this boy’s name?” He got out his pen and produced a small spiral notebook from his white lab coat pocket.
“Logan Greer. This picture was taken about ten years ago. When we both were in high school.”
He wrote Logan’s name on the tablet, then the number ten, and underlined it.
“And how did you happen to come here?”
“I saw him last week at JJ’s restaurant, you know, at Indian Rocks Beach?”
“You talked to him?”
“Not exactly. I saw him out in the parking lot. He was arguing with someone, and when I called out his name, he disappeared. I went back yesterday to ask about him and was told your center helps people with problems get jobs. She wouldn’t give me any details, of course, but gave me this address. That’s why we’re here. I was told he’d been fired. I was wondering if he’d been placed somewhere else.”
The doctor continued making notes and then added a period and set down his pen.
“I take it you are aware of his problem with drugs and alcohol?”
“Oh yes. My parents had him in rehab several times. It nearly bankrupted them.”
“I hear that story a lot in these rooms. It’s a very sad fact of life here.”
“So can we see him?”
“Unfortunately, he’s not here now. Even if he was, I’d have to get his permission. But in answer to your original question, I believe I helped with this boy’s rehabilitation during his stay here. But he didn’t tell us about having a sibling, or parents. And he didn’t go by the name Logan Greer.”
“What name did he use?” Andy asked.
The doctor looked toward the ceiling, trying to recall. “Ben Hawkins, I believe it was. Yes. Ben.” He stared back down at the photo. “I’m afraid he didn’t look like that, but I can see it is Ben.”
“What do you mean?” Aimee asked.
“You have to understand, when we get homeless on an outreach fellowship, they often have advanced cases of mental disease, along with whatever other issues caused by their addictions. But years of abusing themselves makes them age, and of course, it wears on the body.”
“So did he get transferred somewhere else?” Aimee asked.
“No, he was placed with that job, as I understand it, and a bed at a halfway house within walking distance to the restaurant, since they don’t usually have a car. Apparently, he was caught stealing alcohol and was terminated. And then, he just walked away. Disappeared.”
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