In the Witching Hour
Page 31
He parked his Jag and hurried inside. According to the servant’s schedule, they should all be gone by now, which gave him free reign of the house … and the first place he wanted to snoop was in his father’s study.
He switched on the light and glanced around the room. The musky scent of his father’s pipe still lingered in the air. A rush of memories assaulted him. Memories of the better times—before his father had become a public figure.
Since John Robinson’s rise to glory, the man acted as if he ruled the world. Adrian was sick of the way his father treated others.
It took him a total of ten minutes to rummage through the desk drawers, but there wasn’t anything interesting to find. The file cabinet was next, and once again, Adrian came up empty.
He huffed and folded his arms over his chest, his gaze roaming the room. Although he didn’t really know what he was looking for, this would be the place his father would hide something he wanted to keep a secret. Deep in his heart, he knew he’d find out information about Colette here.
He spotted the portrait of his mother hanging on the wall. Rolling his eyes, he chuckled. Like that reminded his father to stay faithful to his wife. Why did he even have it in here? He creased his forehead. Yes, why?
Slowly, he crept toward it, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes. He stopped in front of the picture. The smiling blue eyes of his mother twinkled—something he hadn’t seen for quite a while. He touched the large wooden frame and it moved—but not the way a picture did when hanging on the wall.
He touched it again, adding more pressure. It slid to the left. He arched an eyebrow and repeated the motion, and the picture slid over, revealing a safe built into the wall.
Confusion made his head ache. He glanced down at the safe his father always used, squished between the two file cabinets. Why were there two safes?
He touched the dial and stilled. Where could he find the combination? He tried his dad’s birthday. Nothing. He tried the day his father made senator. Nothing.
Frowning, he stepped back and scratched his chin. There was no way he’d figure it out, but the constant nagging in the back of his head told him there was something in that safe worth seeing.
He studied his mother’s portrait again. What about trying her birthday? He shrugged and reached out to touch the dial, but a noise in the hallway stopped him.
The floorboards just outside the office squeaked. He swung toward the door, his heart hammering so fast it threatened to pop the buttons on his shirt. His parents weren’t due back for another week, so who could be here?
The doorknob turned, and he held his breath….
CHAPTER TEN
There was no place for Adrian to hide. He straightened his back and faced the intruder.
The light from the office shown through the opening of the door and highlighted the figure of a woman. When recognition struck, he released a gush of air.
Lori, the housekeeper.
In her hand she held a butcher knife. When her gaze rested on him, she froze with wide eyes. Then she, too, sighed, her shoulders slumped.
“Oh, it’s you.” She smiled and placed a hand over her chest. “I hope I didn’t startle you, but I wasn’t expecting anyone. When I heard a noise in John’s study, it scared the shit out of me.”
He took slower breaths, calming his erratic breathing. “I should be the one apologizing. I didn’t think any of the servants would still be here.”
“Usually, I’m not, but I didn’t know who else would look in on the manor while your parents were away.” She dropped her hand and it rested on the slight well of her tummy.
He arched a brow. She’s pregnant? Wonder if his dad had anything to do with it. Lori had been employed with his parents for only a few years, and Adrian noticed the way his father’s gaze followed the young woman around the room. He gritted his teeth. How old was she now? Nineteen? Twenty? His stomach lurched. His father was picking them younger every year. Lori’s mother, the head housekeeper, would have a coronary if she knew her daughter was messing around with the boss.
She turned her head and glanced at the wall holding his mother’s portrait. She swung her gaze back to his, narrowing her eyes. “Are you looking for something?”
He silently cursed himself for not sliding the picture back over the wall safe. “Yes, but I’ll just wait until my father gets home and ask him.”
Lori pushed past him and entered the room. She stopped in front of the safe. “Do you know what he keeps in there?”
Curiosity urged him over by her side. “No. Do you?”
“Yes.” She looked at him. “I caught him putting it away a few years ago, but I haven’t seen him with it since.”
“What is it?”
Her jaw hardened. “A necklace.”
“A necklace?” He widened his eyes. “What kind of necklace? One of my mother’s?”
She shook her head, her forehead creased and crow’s feet appeared at the corner of her dark, brown eyes. “No, it’s not one of your mother’s.”
“Then why would he keep it in a safe?”
She held up her hands and faced him. Her angry expression slowly disappeared. “I don’t know. I thought you might be able to give some me answers.”
“Nope. Sorry I can’t help you.” He folded his arms, one hand cupped his chin. “What kind of necklace is it?”
“I didn’t see it very well because he’d hurried and stuffed it in the safe before I could get any closer, but it looked very old—like an antique. It was in the shape of a dragon.”
He creased his forehead. “I didn’t know my father was a collector.”
“He’s not … at least that I know.”
Adrian reached over, slid the picture and covered the safe. “I suppose I’ll just have to ask my father when he returns.”
She snickered and shook her head. “I don’t think he’ll tell you. When I asked, he practically bit my head off.”
He turned and led the way out of the study. “Do you need me to take you home or something?”
“No. I’ve got Mother’s car.”
Adrian walked her to the door and showed her out. She turned and gave him a wave before heading down the sidewalk to the driveway. He shook his head. Poor girl. She could have had a decent life if she hadn’t gotten pregnant at an early age.
He’d always thought she was pretty. Her big brown eyes, short curly blond hair, and curvy figure were enough to drive any young man wild. Why did she have to throw it away on a man older than her own father?
Of course he couldn’t be certain the unborn child was his father’s. He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. But it probably was.
How many other bastard children had his father produced?
He turned off the lights and left the house. There was enough for him to think about without worrying about Lori’s unborn child. From what she’d said about the necklace, it seemed she was more of a snoop than he. He chuckled. He might be able to fish more information out of Lori.
No. He didn’t need to think any lower of his father than he already did.
Adrian stared at his computer screen, but didn’t see a word. Everyone in the office had long since left. He couldn’t, although he wanted like crazy to drive to Colette’s house and make love to her, he just couldn’t. What if she had been his father’s mistress?
His chest clenched, making it hard for him to breathe. He loosened his tie, unbuttoned his shirt a few buttons and sat back in his chair. He glanced out the window. The racing lights up and down the freeway soon became a blur.
He’d been avoiding Colette, and yet he should confront her. Ask her if his father was one of her past lovers. Would it make a difference if she was? Hell yes! He could barely stomach speaking to his father now. If he found out the old man had ever touched Colette’s body….
He pounded his fist onto his desk and swore. He dropped his head into his hands, his fingers dug into his forehead, hoping to remove his tension headache. Something had to be done a
nd soon. He couldn’t go on this way. It was affecting his job.
A knock came upon the door and he jumped. Hadn’t everybody left? “Yes?”
The doorknob turned and the door opened. The dark hallway of the office silhouetted Colette’s body. Her long hair hung over her shoulders—just the way he liked. She wore a brown knee-length coat that tied in the middle and her high-heeled legs were covered with black silk nylons. Damn, will she always look sexy?
She swung one of the straps to her belt. “Surprised to see me?”
“Yeah, considering the building’s locked.” He arched a brow. “How did you get in?”
She slinked inside and pushed the door closed with her heel. “I ran into the janitor just as he was leaving.” She stopped at his desk and flattened her palms on the top, leaning toward him. “I sweet talked him into letting me in.”
I bet you did. The corner of his mouth lifted. “Joe’s always been a sucker for a pretty face.”
She tilted her head. “Are you ready for a break?” She glanced at the papers scattered across his desk. “It looks like you’ve been extremely busy.”
“I have.”
“So, would you like me to distract you for a little while?”
He sat back in his chair and linked his fingers over his stomach. “What do you have in mind?”
As she straightened, she untied the belt holding her coat together. She opened it and let it drop to the floor. His mouth about dropped with it. She wore nothing but a black-lace teddy and thigh-highs with a garter belt—there stood the sexiest woman in the world.
His mouth dried and it was like swallowing cotton to bring the moisture back. Dare he have sex with her right here in his office? His erection rose to the challenge.
He stood and reached over to the window to draw the shades. Didn’t want every person passing by to see what was going on.
In that sexy walk of hers, she came around his desk and stopped mere inches in front of him. She wore his favorite lilac scent—the scent that drove him mad with wanting.
She took hold of one end of his tie, pulled it from his neck and tossed it on his chair. Her hands splayed over his chest and moved to the opening at his throat, the tips of her manicured fingernails lightly traced circles on his skin.
In the back of his mind, a little niggle reminded him that she might have been his father’s first. He couldn’t have that.
She released a few more buttons then bent her head to his chest, pressing her lips to his skin. When her hot tongue touched him, he shivered. What had she done to him? He was putty in her hands.
He grasped her wrists and pushed her away. Her eyes were wide, curious. “No.”
She narrowed her gaze, and a hint of pain flashed in her green eyes.
His irregular breathing made it almost impossible to speak. But he must. “Colette, I must know….”
“What?”
“Were you … ever … my father’s mistress?”
The color seeped from her face. Her lip trembled, but she shook her head. “I was never your father’s lover.”
Relief washed through him and he closed his eyes. His heart burst with happiness, and he wanted to laugh out loud. She stepped back and the warmth from his body left with her. He snapped his eyes open and gripped her shoulders. A frown marred her face, her eyes drooped with sadness. His heart clenched again. I’m such an ass.
He yanked her to him, crushing his mouth over hers as he wrapped his arms around her. She remained stiff for only a moment before her body relaxed. A moan tore from his throat and a strange emotion blossomed in his chest.
He trailed his mouth over to her ear, then down her neck. “I’m sorry, but I had to know,” he muttered. She tilted her head to give better access and clung to his arms.
When his lips grazed over a taut nipple, he reached up and pulled the material away, fastening his mouth to her. She cried out and held his head in place. He circled his tongue over her peak, lapping a few times before sucking it fully in his mouth. God, she tasted sweet.
“Adrian, I … I … Love me. Now.”
He turned and swiped the papers off his desk with one hand, then lifted her on top. He fumbled when opening his pants, but her hands helped. His erection was harder this time, more eager to please—to be pleased. Once he had dropped his pants and his boxer shorts, she opened her legs for him. Using the pads of his thumbs, he stroked her moist heat, unlatching the snap barring him from entering.
Although he wanted to taste her, suckle her breasts, and touch all of her, he was ready to explode. He pulled out the condom package from his pocket and fumbled with it.
“Hurry, Adrian,” she pleaded in a strained voice.
Finally the package opened and he sheathed himself. Leaning over her, he slipped inside. She cried out and wrapped her legs around him. The moment he attached his mouth to her exposed nipple, he lost control.
She held him tight, stroking his back as he fell on top of her, exhausted. Their ragged breathing matched, and together slowed. He kissed her breast before lifting up. A smile stretched across her face as she stared into his eyes.
“Colette—I love….”
Her eyes widened. “Yes?”
“I love … making love to you.”
“I feel exactly the same.” She leaned up and kissed his lips.
Mentally, he kicked his ass for not telling her how he felt. But there were still secrets he needed to know. Secrets about Colette and his father.
Colette planned to tell Adrian she loved him, but so far, she had yet to find him. There were at least one hundred people celebrating Halloween at the Robinson manor, but they all wore masks, and most of the people she didn’t recognize. She’d know Adrian anywhere—the sexual magnetism between them always sparked whenever they looked at each other.
Many people complimented her on her witch’s dress, telling her how authentic it looked. But of course, this dress had been passed down through the ages. Long see-through sleeves hugged her arms, and the tight, silk bodice displayed her ample bosom, especially the deep valley between her breasts. The skirt of the gown was narrow, and a slit from her heel to her thigh revealed her black stockings. She’d left her hair hanging over her shoulders, but messed up a bit, giving it a wild appearance.
Adrian didn’t tell her what he’d be dressed as, said it was a surprise. As each man passed her by, she studied his body, but none fit the very muscular build of the man she loved.
An hour had already flown by, and she hadn’t found him. She didn’t have time for this. She had to find the necklace.
After being there for a while, she’d memorized the layout of the house. John’s study was in the far back corner near the kitchen. Nodding politely to people as she walked, she moved in that direction until she was mere steps in front of the door. Her heart hammered against her ribs, her hands moist, anticipating. Fear of being caught made her hesitate … but she forced the emotion aside and opened the door.
“Good evening, Colette. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Her heart dropped, her knees grew weak. What is John doing here?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A hand gripped Colette’s wrist and pulled her into the room. Fear turned her blood to ice, but she followed, her gaze glued to the piercing eyes of John Robinson. Although it had been years, he looked the same. Still the same haughty expression, still the same demeaning smirk on his lips. A few white streaks highlighted his dark brown hair, but his eyes were just as mean as she’d remembered. He wore the disguise of evil—all black … although it was no disguise.
He laughed and it sent waves of disgust rolling through her stomach.
“I wondered how long it would take you to come sneaking into my study.”
Her lips quivered. “What … what are you … you…?”
He arched an eyebrow. “What am I doing here?”
She nodded.
“When I discovered your claws were in my son, I decided to cut my vacation short and put a stop to your plans.” He
yanked on her arm, bringing her up against his body. “Do you honestly believe I’ll let you continue seducing my son?”
Her head fell back and she stared into his cold eyes. When his grip tightened, she whimpered. “I want my necklace back.”
“I don’t think so, my sweet.”
Anger removed the ice from her blood and ignited it to fire. “But you’ve accomplished everything you need. There’s nothing left for me to do.”
“You’re wrong, my sweet. There’s one last thing I need from you.”
Tears threatened, but she blinked them away. No matter what it took, she’d fight him—and win. “No, John. You’re not going to use me again.”
Finding her strength, she pushed him away and stepped back. His eyes widened, but then a sneer curled his lips.
“I love a good fight.”
“Go to hell.”
“You’ve never acted like a hellcat before. This ought to be entertaining.”
“I’ll have you know after midnight tonight, the necklace will stop working.”
He threw back his head and laughed. Slivers of dread cut through her and she wrapped her arms around her middle. When he met her glare, he reached into the pocket of his black pants and pulled out her necklace. She gritted her chattering teeth.
“But there’s still a little while before midnight.”
He rubbed the jade and diamond necklace, stroking the pad of his thumb across the dragon. Zoetan’s energy shot through her and she closed her eyes. She hadn’t experienced this force since the last time he controlled her six years ago. No! I mustn’t let him win! But the longer he rubbed the dragon, the more heat rushed through her blood.
His eerie laughter brought her eyes open. He pulled the string around his throat holding his black cape and let it fall to the floor. Taking a step forward, he grinned. “Colette, my dear, come here.”
Moisture swam in her eyes, but her legs obeyed. In three steps she was in front of him.
“Colette, I want you to seduce one more person.”