"Once again the top story tonight is a murder in our community.” Footage of Michael's burned out car followed. “Brad Jenkins is confirmed as the man who was in the trunk of this car when his estranged girlfriend drove it up Old Eastwynd Road and pushed it over the edge of a cliff where it burst into flames. The medical examiner is uncertain if Brad was still alive at the time the car plunged over a four-hundred-foot embankment. The police ask if you see Nicole Harris or know of her whereabouts—"
The rest of the words were lost as Nicole stared at her own face on the screen. Her knees turned boneless. She slid to the floor and felt the cool carpet against her forehead. Michael had been telling the truth. The cops were searching for her, believing she was guilty of murder.
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Chapter Seventeen
* * * *
Bryan collapsed in an armchair in his bedroom and stared at the floor. Where had Cathy gone? Why did Colin want her so badly that he was willing to kill? Nothing made sense. Cathy was a passionate, sexual woman, but what was her connection with Iceman? Or was Colin making this all up for one of his sick reasons?
He didn't hear the soft footfall.
"Thank goodness. He's gone?"
Bryan vaulted out of his chair. Cathy stood in the doorway, bundled in her fur-lined jacket. “It's freezing out there with all that wind coming from hell."
He leapt forward and caught her in his arms. “How did you know he was coming? Where did you go?"
"Simple. I put a transmitter on the back bumper of his SUV. And where do you think is the best place to hide?"
"Evidently not in a closet."
"Right under his nose,” she declared.
"I'm not going to ask where that might be but I'm glad he didn't find you. Are you a spy or something?” He recalled the unpleasant tales he had heard about the Russian KGB.
"I might be.” She batted her eyes flirtatiously.
"What kind?"
"Can't a woman keep her secrets?"
"Not if the woman's life is in danger.” Relief poured through him. She hadn't left without saying goodbye, if she was planning to leave.
"Is he on that ‘I owe him thing’ again? He never means it. He's just a big ‘ole teddy bear."
"Never heard Colin called one of those before. The description doesn't suit him in the least.” Was she making light out of a serious situation?
"Don't worry, Jamikins. I can handle him."
"Jamikins?"
She stroked the flesh left bare at the base of his throat. “Yeah, Jamikins. You remind me of old-fashioned, homemade jam."
"Forget about what I remind you of. Can you really handle him? How do you go about doing that?” He doubted she could handle any man more than his own size, five foot eight and a lean one hundred and eighty pounds.
"Staying out of his way when he gets bullish.” Provocatively, her hand wandered down his chest towards his crotch.
"How do you know when he gets that way?” Bryan was getting aroused at the mere thought of what Cathy's fingers could do to his sensitive spots.
"A woman has her secrets.” Her eyes twinkled playfully.
"He says you owe him.” Getting info out of her was like getting water out of a rock. Almost impossible.
"He's afraid because of what I found out about him. I'm freezing,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her soft curves against the length of his body.
"You're an enigma, do you know that?"
"Hmm,” was all she said, snuggling closer against him.
"Tell me why Colin is so determined to get you."
She drew back, pouting. “I really shouldn't. It puts your life in jeopardy."
"A secret shared is a burden lifted,” Bryan said, copying the words his mother used to tell him when the bullies in primary school tried to beat him up. “I can handle it."
"You act tough but can you handle yourself in hand to hand combat or when someone's holding a gun to your face?"
Thankfully, he had never faced the situation. Maybe Cathy was over-dramatising her life. “I'm sure I could if I was put to the test."
The small smile that touched her lips didn't reach her eyes. “I hope you never have a chance to find out. Okay, I'll tell you but it goes no further than this room. Right?"
Finally, he could squeeze water from a rock. “Right."
"I'm a newspaper reporter. A damned good one. The day I recognised Colin, I was on special assignment. That was in Italy. He was too intent on scouting out his next target. I knew because his eyes were darting every which way but he didn't see me. Maybe he didn't recognise me. I had been in Venice reporting on a high level official. Instantly, I knew why Colin was in the same place I was, although it was mere coincidence that we were in the same city together. He had been hired to kill that official, who I'll leave unnamed not to involve you further than you already are by my telling you.
"That official was someone who intended good towards his fellow citizens, a man who had spent his life making the world a better place. I sent out the alert. If Colin had succeeded in bumping off this official, it would have put the United States, Italy, England and Yugoslavia at war with each other. No telling how ugly or widespread the war would have become. That's why Colin is after me. And that's all I'm going to tell you.” Her hand rested against his chest comfortingly.
"That sounded like history reworking itself with World War One, beginning with the death of the Crown Prince in Sarajevo. What happened to Colin?"
"This incident would have been the same kind of spark to dry tinder. As for Colin, he fucked off. He's a laughingstock in the mercenary world now. My, how the mighty have fallen."
"What do you mean?” Bryan slipped his hand over hers. At least she had stopped shaking.
"He used to be the top dog. Anyone wanted someone bumped off, they called Colin in and he did it, no questions asked."
"For a hefty price, right?"
Cathy nodded. “Of course."
He nodded. “I can see why he wants to get back at you."
"I don't want to bring you into this. There are complications but you don't need to know about them. I've told you far too much as it is."
"Complications?” He knew Cathy was different but hadn't been able to put his finger on why. She was cosmopolitan, urbane, yet deceptively at ease in her surroundings.
"Let's talk about something else. My motto is make love, not war. Talking about ‘ole Colin is a waste of time."
Despite the gravity of the subject, Bryan found himself fully aroused. She began to run the coveralls zipper down his chest towards his groin. Her lips were full and pouting, and her eyelids heavy with anticipation.
"I should make sure the doors are locked first,” he said. Man, but he wanted her the same way a thirsty man wanted a drop of cold water. She was magical fire to his body and soul.
"That won't help any.” She kissed the crown of his ear and blew warm air into his eardrum, tickling the sensitive organ.
"Let me make sure.” If nothing else, it would set his mind at ease. If Cathy was going to stay with him over the holidays, he had to think about installing an alarm system. Bryan couldn't believe what a difference she had made in his life in one day. He wanted to get to know her better, to spend all the time he could with her, and maybe take the relationship to the next level.
"He can get through anything. He's like a bad smell."
"So how will we know he's here?"
"Don't know, but right now, you have a little problem I need to take care of.” She flattened her palm against his stiff, throbbing dick.
"Yow, mama.” That's all she had to do to rev his engine.
He began tugging and pulling her clothes off. He just had to see those big tits and curl his mouth over them. She lifted her sweater and pushed his head down onto her breasts, which he suckled and watched them harden into marbleised nubs. He heard the zipper slide downwards and she placed her hand in his briefs to toy with his glans. “You're wet,
” she whispered, pumping his shaft.
He groaned. “Don't. I'll never last long enough to get inside you."
Her tinkling laugh aroused him but she eased up on his erection. Her hand was hot.
He pulled the sweater over her head, ruffling her hair out of its plait so the wisps curled lazily against her cheeks. She wasn't wearing a bra. She seized his wrist and dragged him down the stairs and into the kitchen. “Sit down,” she said, pushing him into a chair, “and let me turn you on."
"I can't just sit here,” Bryan objected.
She laughed. “Then play with yourself."
He had never played with his cock before, at least, not in front of a woman. She took a bottle from a lower cupboard and placed the gold liquid on the counter. “Just watch. Don't say a word and keep on playing with that big cock."
"Is breathing allowed?"
"Sporadically."
He found himself holding his breath as she turned her back on him. “Not that I mind, but why don't you wear a bra?” He grinned sheepishly. That question had to take the award for one of the stupidest things he had ever said.
"Shh. Just watch.” Her back was still turned as she slipped her pants off. All she had on was a white thong.
Man, but her ass cheeks were firm and high, leading to shapely thighs and to long, long legs. She gazed at him over her shoulder, her lips full and parted. He caught a glimpse of the tender globe of her breast partially hidden by her arm. It wasn't possible, but his dick was getting harder.
"Are you watching?” Her sexy, hoarse voice would have spun him in maddening circles if he hadn't been seated.
She flipped her loose hair over to the centre of her back as she turned around, taking the bottle into her hand to open it. “Just look."
She canted the bottle, which he recognised as cooking oil, over her shoulder. Unhurriedly, she tipped her hand and oil poured down over her shoulder in a torturously slow path down over the top of her breast, over her extended nipple, down over the flat of her stomach and over the ridge of the elastic of her thong. She poured the oil between her breasts, and once more, he watched with riveted eyes as the liquid made its way between her breasts and into her thong that now appeared wet, and showed her patch of dark hair. He could imagine that if she opened her legs, droplets of oil would have formed on her pussy and clitoris.
She ambled up to him, still holding the bottle of cooking oil. “Why not take them off?” she suggested, indicating her thong.
He urged himself to breathe. Man, her tits were big, and her nipples as tight as unopened rosebuds. He stuck his thumbs between the thong's elastic and her thighs and pulled the scrap of silk down her legs. Daintily, she stepped out and hopped up on the table and seated herself in front of him. “Are you hot and bothered yet?"
"Yow, mama!” He stretched out his hand to touch the underside of her breast, but she slapped his hand away. “I'm not finished yet. Sit down and watch."
He leant back in his chair. “At least open your legs so I can see your pussy."
"That wouldn't be much fun, would it?"
Actually, he thought it would be a great deal of fun, but he wasn't going to argue. He wanted more, and the only way to get more was to be patient and observe.
She tipped the bottle over her left breast before she set the liquid next to her. Bryan knew she enjoyed tormenting him but he also recognised that she was stimulating herself too. She rubbed long fingers over her breast with sensuous, circular motions. He watched her massage and knead her breasts in a way that should have been banned in front of a male audience.
Several excruciating minutes later, both her breasts shone from the oil. She wagged a finger at him playfully. “Don't you dare touch the goods."
He gulped. No touching the goods, he repeated silently.
Cathy lay back on the kitchen table, her legs still pressed together. The bottle appeared in her hand again and she made a production of pouring the oil over her stomach, down over her mound and between her thighs. He could hear her ragged breaths as she circled her palms over her thighs. Her breasts jiggled with the movements.
"You got to open your legs,” Bryan said from between gritted teeth.
"Why?"
"Because I have to see your pussy and rub oil onto your clit."
She murmured something unintelligible but edged her thighs apart before she lifted her feet onto the edge of the table. And man, but did she give him a view of her pussy and her clit. Amazingly, her clitoris stretched towards him.
He tried to lift his hand to touch her but he froze as she poured oil over her slit, then with her index and middle fingers, she spread apart the folds of her labia and ran more amber liquid between them. “Oooh,” she moaned as she rocked her hips.
Bryan watched her orgasm. Juice seeped from her vagina. Man, but she was powerful stuff. He wasn't able to wait any longer. Stripping out of his coveralls and his briefs, he couldn't help thinking she had made him crazy with craving. Placing both hands on her waist, he scooted her slippery body towards him, closer to his engorged penis, which he stroked against her moist and slick opening.
He slid into her lubricated sheath easily and thrust, feeling his balls rock against her ass. She wrapped her legs around his hips, forcing him to bear down deeper. Moaning and writhing, she wiggled against him and pumped her hips in time with his fevered beat. He shut his eyes and threw his head back and growled as his climax overtook his tense nerve endings. His cum burst into her and she screamed his name as her vaginal muscles clenched around his shaft. The world stood still, hushed, paying homage to the afterglow of their delicious, satisfying lovemaking.
Batting his eyes open one by one, he gazed at the spot where they were joined, where his cock disappeared into her vagina.
"Oh,” she groaned. “This always happens. I'd do anything when I need a good fucking. I get carried away and then I have to clean up the mess."
He grinned. “If you roll over and tuck your knees against your chest so I can fuck you from behind, I'll help you clean up the mess."
"Like a medical exam, when the doctor sticks a speculum in your ass? Is that how you want me to bend my knees?"
"Perfect, Catty, perfect."
She turned over on her right side away from him. He smiled as he saw her ass with its peach-like roundness, but it was the treasure within he wanted and when he lifted her knee into the air, he exposed her clit, moist with their come. Placing his palm over her pussy, he stuck a finger in her, making her whimper.
"Move your finger faster,” she pleaded.
He felt her muscles tighten around his finger as he slid one out and replaced it with three. “Like this?"
"Hmm,” was all she said, moving her hips up and down over his hand. When her orgasm gripped her, he slipped his swelling cock into her. She screamed with delight as she thrust faster and her muscles tensed around him.
He stood observing her closed eyes feathered by silky lashes on flushed cheeks. “Do you know I've never quite had any woman like you before?"
She flashed her eyes open and gave him a slow smile. “I hope not. How many women have poured oil over their naked body and pussy while you watched?"
"Hell, not even the stripper went that far."
"You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because she would end up with a whole room of men fucking her brains out."
Bryan laughed. “That's very likely why the stripper didn't pour cooking oil on her breasts and her opening. That, and she would have to clean up the mess."
They both burst into laughter at the same time.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eighteen
* * * *
Michael hit the send button on his cell phone and waited for Colin to answer in his usual gruff tone. The phone rang several times before his brother responded.
"I wanted to tell you where things stand,” Michael said without preamble.
"Go ahead,” Colin responded.
"Nicole's here with
me. She needs a safe place until this thing with Brad is solved."
There was a slight hesitation on the other end. “You're going to save her hide when she sent your ass to prison?"
"Yes."
"You need to stick a knife in her chest for all the pain she caused you. Not treat her like some goddamn princess."
Michael didn't care for the petty words his brother used. He could no more kill Nicole than he could have murdered his father. “I don't care for the way you're talking, Nickie. I'm giving her some options. I'm letting her know she'll be safe until the cops find out who really killed Brad."
"Why not just give her up like you should?” Colin's voice was as hard as steel and as callous.
"If you do one thing to jeopardise Nicole's well-being, Colin, I won't ever forgive you."
"After all I've done for you."
Michael could picture his brother shaking his head. “You know we've been through a lot but why don't you take the plane and travel somewhere you've never been?” Michael kept a plane on standby in case he needed to travel for business purposes but rarely travelled for pleasure. He had wanted to stay close to Nicole.
"I'm already planning on going somewhere I've never been but it's nothing I want to share right now."
Nodding, Michael said, “That's fine. But I want you to understand how important Nicole is to me. If you interfere or compromise her in any way—"
Colin burst into raucous laughter that left the short hairs on the back of Michael's neck standing up.
He ignored the laugh. Colin usually didn't have much finesse. It was as if he had lost the manners he had been raised with. “I can't live without Nicole. Without her, there's not much point in holding on to this life."
"She shouldn't be your driving force, little brother, but if that's the way you want it, then why fight it?"
Michael's eyebrows notched up. His brother and he seemed to be talking at cross-purposes. “Just this morning you were shouting you didn't want her back in my life. What made you change your mind?” He gambled Colin would say Brad's death had changed the way he thought about his future sister-in-law.
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