by Sylvie Kaye
"My intuition tells me no.” Cindy sounded needy.
"Things didn't go well on this end either.” Mercy gave the misery-loves-company Doriaism a shot for her friend's sake. Even though she didn't want to think or talk about Spence again tonight, she was willing to listen and console Cindy about Jay.
"Does ice cream cure sexual frustration?” Cindy asked.
"Ice cream cures everything.” She hoped foolish hearts were included.
"Are you coming home soon?"
"As soon as I can get a cab."
"I have a half-gallon of gourmet ice cream in the freezer. When you get here, we'll kill it."
* * * *
After a lot of ice cream and little sleep, Mercy dialed her mother once Cindy left for work.
"Don't worry about Parker, he's a big boy and can take care of himself as well as everyone else. Always has,” her mother assured her when Mercy related most of the details from the night before. She left out the intimate, steamy ones about her and Spence. “My main worry has been that he wouldn't return to float your loan before you had to leave."
"Then I shouldn't call the police and report him missing?” Mercy wanted to make sure she understood her mother perfectly. She didn't want her uncle's welfare hanging on a misunderstanding.
"He isn't missing. Parker told Cindy he was visiting a sick friend. I think we should take your uncle at his word and not some stranger with a gripe."
"His name is Spence.” He wasn't a stranger, not to Mercy. She knew every inch of his magnificent body by taste and touch.
"Maybe you should check at the club if the manager or bartenders have heard from Parker yet."
"I will,” Mercy promised, although she was sure Lenny, the bartender, would've notified her if her uncle had called.
After their good-byes, she felt better about her mother and her uncle.
Until later when Cindy came home from the office.
"Suppose your ex, the killer, did send your uncle packing and he never shows his face in Texas again. It'll be that awful man's fault.” Cindy paced, her platform shoes making stomping noises even through the heavy padded carpet of the living room.
"He isn't that awful, and he didn't kill anyone.” Mercy felt the need to defend Spence to Cindy, and her uncle to Spence. Her loyalties were so confused. “Besides, Mom assured me—"
"Not only has the man messed with your Uncle Parker's life, but your mother's and yours as well. If your uncle's worried about phone taps, he may never call anyone again."
Mercy sank down onto the sofa while Cindy circled her. “He hasn't called Mom since any of this happened,” she conceded.
"There goes the loan for your future. No uncle, no call, no money.” Cindy stopped on her wedged soles and threw her hands up in hopelessness.
"I didn't think about any of that.” Mercy had been too busy soothing her aching heart with frozen chocolate and brooding over her uncle's safety to delve any deeper. Hugging the sofa cushion to her chest like a stuffed security toy, she said, “I'll just have to stay in Lily Pond for a few years longer than I cared to."
"Dating duds,” Cindy added.
"More than likely it will turn out to be a celibate few years.” Mercy's womb clenched in protest. “But I'll save my money.” Along with the memories of the sensational orgasms she'd enjoyed with Spence.
"And continue to live with your mother, so there goes her sewing room.” And Cindy as she took off at a parade ground pace.
"Can't you try to think of something good to add?” All Mercy's positive energy after talking to her mother was quickly dissipating.
"I can't think of a thing."
"I can always sell my vacations back for the extra money."
"What?” Cindy shrieked. “If you stop taking vacations, I'll never get to see you."
"Maybe you could visit me."
"In Lily Pond?” Cindy heaved a loud sigh of exasperation to show what she thought of that idea. “You know what I think?"
"What?” She was almost afraid to ask.
"We need more ice cream. Lucky for us, I stopped at the market on the way home."
* * * *
By the time they arrived at the Starry Night Club, Cindy's harping during the taxi ride had undone the pleasant brain freeze Mercy had going from the ice cream.
Added to that, through the smoke and the band's fake fog and the dim lighting, Mercy managed to make out Spence's tall, shadowy figure, leaning against the wall of the outdoor patio near the dance floor.
But he wasn't hers to care about. Would never be again.
She and Cindy elbowed their way to the crowded bar. “Jay's not here,” Cindy said, scanning the room. “He didn't talk to me at work today either. He's definitely avoiding me."
"Not necessarily. There doesn't seem to be anyone here from your office yet.” As Mercy surveyed the place, her eyes met Spence's sullen ones. She would've glanced away, but he didn't, and she'd be damned to be the first one to shake her tail and run.
His expression remained grim, but his eyes were smoky and alluring. They pulled her in the same way they had the first time, nearly two weeks ago. But now the pull felt different, more intense. It tugged at her pounding heart as well as her pussy.
"Don't look at him. He's trouble."
"I was watching for Jay.” She turned her head and scanned the dance floor. “There he is with Rita."
"No.” Cindy snapped her head around so fast her barstool swiveled with the momentum. After a few seconds she whirled in reverse. “What do you suppose that's all about?"
"Maybe he's passing the time while waiting for you,” Mercy offered her friend hope.
"If he had the hots for me, he wouldn't be dancing with her. We thought Killer had the hots for you, and look how that wound up. He was spying on Parker."
"Speaking of which...” Mercy caught sight of Lenny from the corner of her eye and signaled to him.
While he popped the caps on icy longnecks for two men further down the bar, Cindy drooled. “That man is the best eye candy in all of San Antonio. Too bad he's only a bartender. They all play around."
"Meaning bartenders aren't as reliable as Jay?” Mercy raised her eyebrows. Her words were harsh, but Cindy needed to be more open-minded.
She'd never approved of Spence, and aside from Mercy's conflict of interest with him over her uncle, he was the most steadfast man she'd ever dated. Or slept with.
He might not always be tactful or sociable, but he was loyal to a fault. He was loyal to Mark and his parents and himself, despite jail. Too bad his loyalty included getting back at her uncle.
Cindy didn't reply but grinned instead as Lenny moseyed over, leaned on the bar, and hit her with a hundred-watt smile. “Haven't seen you ladies in a while. What can I get you?"
"Have you missed me, er, us?” Cindy tapped her foot to a beat far faster than the one the band was playing.
"You're my favorite patrons.” Lenny leaned in closer. He smelled like an upscale department store cosmetic counter.
"I'll have sex on the beach,” Cindy said, staring longingly into Lenny's eyes.
Mercy cleared her throat. “I was wondering if anyone has heard from my uncle lately."
Lenny shook his handsome face, shaved to a perfect shadow. “Not since he stopped in that last time."
"Thanks.” Mercy would phone her mother in the morning and pass along the disappointing news. “Just give me a glass of water with lime."
As he sauntered away, Cindy drooled, “What a butt."
"You seem awfully interested for a woman who claims he isn't her type,” Mercy teased.
"Hold that thought.” Cindy held up her finger. “The band finished their number. I'm signaling Jay and Rita over. We're going to fish around for what's going on or not going on between my coworkers.” Before Mercy could inquire about what method of fishing they were to use, Cindy spun on her stool, and yelled, “Over here."
By the time Jay and Rita threaded their way over to the bar, the band struck up an
other tune. Cindy shouted, loudly, over the music, “I thought you had a meeting."
Mercy shook her head. Nothing subtle about her friend. Lenny served their drinks, and Mercy tipped him while listening to Jay's response.
He twisted his finger in a circle. “Care to dance?"
And away strolled Cindy, hand-in-hand with Jay, leaving Mercy with Rita and the opportunity to dig into Jay's on-again, off-again interest in Cindy.
"They seem to get along well.” Mercy smiled toward the couple, who were already swaying to the slow, romantic song before they'd reached the dance floor.
"Jay gets along with everyone,” Rita clipped.
Mercy sipped her water and tried again, using Cindy's terminology this time. “He seems to have the hots for my friend."
Rita's laugh sounded faked. “Yes, he does seem to kick the charm up a notch for her, but—"
Just then, a tall figure shadowed over Mercy. She smelled his particular scent of outdoors and man before she heard his rumbling voice.
"Dance?” he rasped, low and commanding.
"Why?” Mercy looked up and met his all-consuming eyes.
"I'll dance with you, cowboy,” Rita offered, grasping his bicep and snapping her shoulders back to show off her bust.
"No thanks.” Spence flicked her polished nails from his arm.
"Dance,” he repeated, standing firm at Mercy's side.
Lenny came over, wiped down the bar in front of Mercy, where it didn't need polishing, and gave her a questioning eye. Did she need the bouncer?
She shook her head no, not wanting to make Spence's life any more difficult than it already was. She'd be gone in a few days, and he'd be left with Lenny and the bouncers to deal with until Parker contacted his family and learned of the situation. Then she was sure her uncle would set right the terrible misconception Spence lived with.
Standing up, Mercy brushed against Spence's familiar hard body. Her pulse thrummed and her heartbeat quickened. She hid her yearnings behind a forced smile. Grabbing his hand, she moved with him toward the dance floor. She'd let him have his say so they could both move on.
As soon as he took her in his bold embrace, she melted into the intimate feel of him. Cradling her crotch up against his groin, she savored the hot rush of adrenaline only Spence could elicit from her body.
Along with the heated emotions only he could provoke. With a sigh, she asked again, “Why? I thought we said it all last night."
"I'm not asking you for anything.” His breath was warm and close to her ear, sending waves of desire crashing through her.
"We can't just pick up where we left off as if nothing earth-shaking has come between us.” Like her falling in love with him. She studied his handsome face. “You said some awful things about me and my family."
"I wish it could've been different between us.” He held her tighter, closer. Her face nestled near his throat, and she struggled not to indulge in his nearness.
"If that's an apology,” she mumbled, “it's a pretty weak one.” She wished he'd take back his ridiculous assumptions about her and her uncle so she could forgive him and they could work out a solution.
Instead, he said, “Your uncle wronged both me and Mark and has to come clean about it. I want you to tell him that."
She stopped moving her feet and stood still within the circle of his arms. They were so near she felt him breathe, yet they were worlds apart. “I told you, I don't know where my uncle is. I can't tell him anything."
"That was yesterday. I figured you'd contacted him by now."
With a jerk of her hand, she slapped him.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twenty-seven
Spence didn't flinch but held Mercy tight so she wouldn't storm off the dance floor. Her slap stung, but he'd been hit a lot harder.
"I don't know where my uncle is. Do I have to shout it out?” Her voice rose, but the drumming beat of the music drowned her out to everyone but him.
"No.” He searched the depth of her hot blue eyes for honesty. “Would you tell me if you knew?"
"What do you want from me?” Her wispy breath sounded resigned. As her body sighed, he felt her lush breasts tease his chest.
He knew what he wanted from her. He wanted her to go to hell and back for him. He needed it. He couldn't rely on anyone since his parents’ and Mark's deaths. The girlfriend who'd professed to love him didn't last through the trial. He felt alone and floundering.
"The truth,” he murmured, burying his face into the crook of her neck, seeking closer physical contact with her before she kicked him to the curb.
When she hesitated, he knew he wasn't going to like her answer. Why couldn't she love him, and love him enough to help him.
He held her close and let her softness and warmth flood through him before he let go of her slim waist and slight shoulders. He stepped away from the mesmerizing fragrance of her body.
"No, I wouldn't tell you where my uncle was even if I knew,” she said as she slipped from his arms. “I'm afraid you'd hurt him. But I'll give him your warning if I ever get the chance."
Spence's heartbeat dulled. He should've expected as much. What he didn't foresee was that it would hurt this bad.
"And I'm sure you will.” He clenched his jaw. Cold disappointment flooded through him. Flattening his hand against her spine, he nudged her toward the exit. “Go home. To Pennsylvania."
With a sassy pivot of her hips, she turned and walked away in the other direction. The sexy sway of her behind made him hard, even now when he knew her lust had been faked.
Her husky moans in the sack when she was ready to come. Her tart remarks that made him laugh. The tenderness of her feathery touch on his body. It was all a sham.
Mercy returned to the bar that was crowded with her friends and Parker's employees. The bartenders and bouncers hired to watch the owner's back. Her back. The corrupt Jay cozying up to Cindy. The club's flunkies catering to Mercy. Why hadn't he put them all together sooner? Suddenly, it made sense.
They were all Parker's allies.
Spence strode out onto the patio and sucked in a whiff of the damp, breezy river air as he took up his post against the wall, watching, waiting. Time dragged on, endless. He only moved from the spot when he spied Mercy and her noisy, laughing friend leave the building.
He flexed his muscles, stiff from lack of movement. The shout of last call reached him. For the most part the place had emptied out, except for a table of four and Jay and his companion, the brassy lady who'd tried to horn in on Spence's dance with Mercy. He approached them. What the hell. Worming his way into the enemy camp was worth the price of a few shots.
"Buy you a drink?” Spence straddled the barstool next to Jay. “Owe you one for giving me a thumbs-up that night with Mercy."
"Thanks aren't necessary.” Jay closed one eye, giving him a macho wink.
"Guess not, seeing as you took off with Cindy.” Spence chuckled, acted impressed, trying to sucker the guy in with some good-ole-boy camaraderie.
"Jay's involvement with that kook is strictly business,” the woman butted in, her jealousy obvious in her bold tone, her enhanced breasts heaving.
"Didn't catch your name,” Spence said, wondering if he could play her green-eyed envy to his advantage.
"Rita.” She smiled wide, showing her gums. “I'm Jay's very close friend.” She shifted on her stool, leaning her over-blown breasts against Jay's arm to stress her point.
He appeared indifferent to her.
"Bad rap you took,” Jay said, and she went back to sipping her fancy martini. When Spence didn't reply right away, he added, “People talk."
"Yeah, they do. I hear you've got something going.” Spence lowered his voice to a conspiratorial tone, pretending he wanted in on a piece of the action.
"I guarantee you it isn't Cindy,” Rita said, snidely, intruding on the conversation she was still obviously following.
Jay elbowed her. “He didn't mean that kind of action.” She sno
oted her nose in the air and pulled out her day planner in a blatant gesture of ignoring the men. Turning back to Spence, Jay said, “I do all right. Ten K here and there adds up. I pull down an extra hundred grand a year."
Spence whistled. “I didn't know selling corporate secrets was so lucrative.” If Jay replied, Spence figured he had a good chance at winning the guy over.
Jay laughed, then downed the last of his whiskey-gold drink. “Who knew?"
"Guess it depends on how many ways you have to split the take.” If Jay bit again, Spence was going after the names of his partners next.
With any luck, Parker would be one of them. When Parker caught word of Spence's interest, he'd figure Spence could be bought off, and that might bring the weasel out of hiding.
"I work alone.” Jay leaned in to hiss. “Although the bitch wants a piece of my action. That's why she's always hanging around."
Bingo. Cindy was corrupt, and who knew what Parker was into beside perjury. Which made the odds against Mercy being honest nil.
Triumph didn't wash over Spence at the discovery. Instead, a gloom settled over him, making his chest feel as heavy as a sack of feed grain.
"I thought you worked for Parker.” When Jay jerked his head, puzzled his brows, Spence shrugged. “Everyone else here seems to."
"Not me.” Jay puffed up his narrow chest, showing off his designer shirt along with his independence. “I never met the man. From what I hear, I'm not about to any time soon."
Spence grabbed at the sliver of information and hoped for more. “Why's that?"
"Heard his sick friend is on his last leg but lingering.” Jay pushed his empty glass to the edge of the bar and tossed some bills next to it. “That was last call. See you around."
"You bet,” Spence said.
If Jay didn't know Parker, personally, he sure as hell knew of him. And he didn't seem to mind sharing whatever he heard. Every bit of information helped. Seemed Google was right in his assumption that Parker's friend was dying.
* * * *
Spence didn't bother haunting the club the next night. He'd taken a final crack at Mercy, and she'd let him down. Besides, from what Jay had said it wasn't likely Parker was going to show up any time soon.