A Murderous Game

by Paris Patricia

They hadn't gone with a warrant, and even though she was the spouse, she hadn't formally been identified as a suspect. Although he'd known about Carpenter's affairs, and the couple's tumultuous separation had created a media scandal, he hadn't been aware their divorce had recently been finalized.

  Faraday was an interesting development, one he may not have discovered for several days if the guy hadn't rushed to Carpenter's side. Gene wouldn't have had the enlightening opportunity to observe the two of them as he had this evening if he'd sequestered her for questioning.

  "So what did you think about Gooding?" Baker asked from beside him.

  "She didn't like us upsetting her friend. It seems Mrs. Carpenter has a lot of protectors. If we go after her, it'll be interesting to see which of her defenders proves to be the fiercest, Faraday or Gooding."

  "She's a wiseass," Baker said. "But if you could get past that, I'll bet she'd be worth the trouble. Did you notice those legs?"

  Gene thought a man would have to be dead not to notice Rachael Gooding's legs—or any other aspect of her incredible body. Yeah, she had attitude, attitude and sass. Worth the trouble? He smiled to himself. He imagined she'd be worth that and a whole lot more.

  "I wouldn't tempt fate to find out if I were you," he advised Baker, part in truth and in part because the mere thought of a woman like her being wasted on someone like Baker really would be a crime. "In case it slipped your notice, we didn't endear ourselves to Miss Gooding. In fact, if she thought she could get away with it, she just might have force-fed us both one of those nice little cocktails she had in mind."

  A few minutes later, Gene pulled up to the curb in front of a convenience store and put the car in park.

  "I'm going to get a cup of coffee. You want one?"

  "Yeah." Baker reached for his wallet.

  "Forget it; you get the next one." He left the car running and went into the store. It was going to be a long night.

  ~~~

  "Bastards." Rachael hissed when the door clicked shut behind the detectives. She walked over to Abby and wrapped her arms around her. "Don't you let them upset you, honey."

  Gage smiled. The flippant little tease was a serious mother hen. As his gaze traveled over Abby's face, his smile faded. She looked exhausted.

  She hadn't been in love with her ex-husband. If he hadn't been positive before, he was sure of it now. As much as the knowledge thrilled him, it didn't mean Carpenter's murder hadn't upset her. He'd also seen the haunted look in her eyes when she realized the police considered her a suspect.

  He'd do what he could to protect her. Even so, the next several weeks were going to take their toll. The press would have a field day over the death of a senator's son. It had already begun.

  Gage sighed. If only he could take her away somewhere until everything blew over. Unfortunately, neither one of them would be going anywhere.

  "It's late," he said, glancing at Rachael. They'd agreed earlier that Abby shouldn't be alone tonight. He'd informed Rachael three would be a crowd, at which point she told him she never had liked crowds.

  "Yeah, I've got an early day tomorrow. I'm covering the White House this weekend so I'll be shooting up to DC in the morning." Rachael kissed Abby on the cheek. "I'll call tomorrow night to see how things are going, but you can reach me on the cell if you need me."

  "Thanks, I'll be fine." Abby hugged herself.

  Despite the assurances she gave Rachael, Gage thought Abby looked a lot more vulnerable than she'd ever admit.

  He gave Rachael his cell phone number. "If you can't reach Abby here, you can call me." He put an arm around Abby's shoulder. She glanced up, a small frown furrowing her brow.

  When they were finally alone, Gage pulled Abby against his chest, satisfying the need he'd had all night to hold her. He stroked her back, trying to offer comfort. Her hands went around his waist. "I'm sorry you've got to go through this," he said softly.

  "Thank you. I know it's selfish, but would you hold me just like this a little longer?" She tightened her grip as if he might refuse.

  "As long as you want, green eyes." He kissed the top of her head. "For as long as you want."

  She sighed deeply and leaned into him. Gage's throat went dry. His chest felt tight.

  This…forever!

  God, he thought, releasing a shaky breath, I'm in love with her. The realization rocked him. He'd been planning a mutually enjoyable relationship. Take it a day at a time and see where it led. He knew that would never satisfy him now.

  He'd been holding her silently for several minutes, absorbing this newfound knowledge, when he felt Abby tremble. He tucked his chin against his chest so he could see her face, but she turned it away from him.

  "What is it?" He cupped her jaw and lifted her head. She wouldn't look at him, and he suspected the tears swimming in her eyes were the reason. She was too damn proud. He ran a finger over her cheek. "Tell me," he said, brushing his lips across her temple.

  "I can't, it's too horrible."

  "Tell me," he coaxed again, trailing his lips over her ear. "Tell me." Trust me. He silently willed her.

  "I killed Dick…I can't believe I killed him."

  The words slammed against Gage's heart, paralyzing him. No! She hadn't said what he thought she had. He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it. He took her by the shoulders and held her away, laboring to catch his breath.

  "Oh Gage, he made me so angry. I know it was stupid, and I feel so guilty. He's dead. Dick's dead. And now that he's gone I'm sorry I did it. I never wanted him dead. I just wanted him out of my life. But I can't take it back now."

  Denial screamed through him. "No!" It burst from him. He shook her. "You don't know what you're saying. I don't believe it. You're just upset."

  She stared at him, her mouth open, looking so innocent after just telling him she'd killed her ex. "Gage."

  "No, I don't want to hear this," he said forcefully.

  She stepped back, regret in her eyes. "I'm sorry." She turned away. "I didn't realize you'd get so upset. I shouldn't have told you. I just, I just can't stand the guilt."

  "Goddamn it, Abby." He grabbed her and turned her back to face him. "I just realized I'm in love with you. Now you're telling me you killed a man, and you don't think I'd be upset?" He swore again, his breath coming out harsh and fast.

  He jerked her into his arms again. "All right look, don't tell anyone else. I need to think. Just…damn it…just give me some time to think." He had to find a way to protect her. If she killed Carpenter, the bastard had probably pushed her to it. Maybe it had been self-defense.

  He tightened his hold. He'd take her to another country, someplace safe where they'd never find her. He'd have one of the company planes fueled tonight and they'd... What the hell was he thinking? That would be stupid. He'd hire the best defense team money could buy. If they could get O.J. off then—"

  "Gage." Abby was trying to pull away, but he wasn't ready to let her go, not when he might only have weeks, or days, to hold her.

  "Gage," she said again, and something in her voice gave him pause. He looked down. Her eyes were huge, searching his.

  "Oh, no!" She shook her head. "You thought I meant—" She reached up and caressed his cheek. "Oh Gage, I didn't really kill Dick. I only meant. . .You see, it was a game, but after tonight it didn't seem so…oh God, what a mess."

  What was she saying? Did she kill him or didn't she? Hell, she wasn't making sense. He gripped her by the shoulders. "Just answer me yes or no. Did you kill your ex-husband?"

  "No."

  The air rushed out of his lungs as relief washed over him. They weren't going to have to become fugitives. "I don't know why you said you killed him when you didn't, but you scared the shit out of me just now."

  "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you'd think I was Dick's murderer."

  "Well, when you said I killed Dick, what the hell was I supposed to think?"

  She frowned. "You're right. I just feel so horrible about everything I didn't stop to rea
lize you might take me literally." She gave him a woeful glance and his heart constricted.

  "You're probably going to think I'm terrible, but I used to imagine ways to murder him. Whenever he'd upset me, I'd kill him. In my mind," she said, ducking her head. "Rachael and I made a game out of it. It was immature, I know."

  "Come here, you." He kissed her forehead. "You can give me the details later. Right now I need to hold you so I can convince myself you're safe."

  Abby snuggled her arms around him. "You know this goes beyond our business arrangement."

  "Sweetheart, this thing between us went beyond a business arrangement the first time we shook hands." She sighed deeply, her shoulders lifting and falling against his chest.

  "What's that sigh about?" he asked.

  "You're going to be insistent about this, aren't you?"

  Gage smiled. "There you go being smart again." His hands drifted over her back. God he wanted her. Wanted to lay her naked on a soft bed and explore her beautiful body. To give her pleasure unlike anything she'd ever known

  He closed his eyes. What did she need from him right now, though? His support, his friendship, his belief and, he thought, he wanted her to know she had them. He'd control his rampaging desire until she gave him a clear sign she welcomed it. Until then he'd just be there for her.

  Abby stiffened. Now what? Would she object to this small intimacy she'd already allowed him? Sooner or later she'd have to accept they were going to become lovers. He cast his vote for sooner. It had been a rough night, though. She deserved his patience. "You want to talk about it?" he asked, wondering how long he'd be able to accept her objections.

  She licked her lips. "What did you say a few minutes ago?"

  "What? About being upset?"

  "Before that." She bit her lip. "Something about, well, realizing something."

  He thought back. He'd been so upset he hadn't been able to think straight. How was he supposed to remember what he'd said? He'd felt frantic he could lose her, he knew that much. He'd only just realized how much he loved her when she said she'd—

  A slow smile found its way to his lips. Gage ran his hands up her arms. "Oh yeah, that." He gazed down at her upturned face. Lord, he thought she was beautiful.

  Abby just stood there, barely breathing, her eyes searching his as if his answer would change everything between them.

  He leaned forward and caught her bottom lip between his teeth. "Not very romantic of me, was it? I should have whispered it in your ear while we were making love. I should have shouted it to the moon when we took each other flying there. I should have spelled it out with chocolates." He ran his tongue over her lips and she shuddered. "You said you were a sucker for chocolate." He smiled down at her. "And I'm a sucker for you. It seems you found me out. I love you, Abby."

  "Don't be ridiculous," she said, but there was a warming glow her eyes. "You're not in love with me. It's just a passing attraction. You'll get over it."

  He sucked her tongue into his mouth and she moaned.

  "You know we can't do this," she said, apparently still groping for some excuse to resist the inevitable. "It'll ruin everything."

  "And you know how I love testing your theories."

  "Gage." She gazed up at him, and he saw the fear in her eyes. He couldn't allow it.

  "Trust me, Abby." He kissed the corners of her mouth.

  "I do, but—"

  "No. No buts. Trust me. Trust yourself."

  She swallowed. "You don't understand. I'm not like other women. I don't have a whole lot of experience with men. I'm not sensual, or even average." She winced. "Please, can't we just be friends? I really like you. Really, and I don't want us to do anything that's going to end in disappointment."

  Gage molded her body against his. "Give it up, love. No one's going to be disappointed. Haven't you figured it out yet? We were meant to be." He reached down and swung her up in his arms.

  "Gage, really! Put me down. This is insane."

  "Do you want me, Abby?"

  "That's not the issue. I've always wanted..." She looked away, but not soon enough, and her aborted admission fired his blood. "I mean, there are other things to consider."

  "Like what?" He leaned forward and nibbled on her very delicate ear.

  "Things. Like…lots of things. I just can't think of them when you're chewing on me."

  He chuckled. "We belong together, green eyes. Fate obviously meant for us to be together. You were too young the first time she sent you to me, and I didn't realize it. I guess she decided to give me one more chance. I don't intend to be so stupid this time."

  "Oh really, what do you intend?"

  He bit back the grin that would surely consume his face if he allowed it reign. "I intend to spend the rest of the night showing you exactly how I feel about you. And trust me, sweetheart, I'm much better at show than tell."

  "So you think fate pushed me through the door of your uncle's taffy shop?"

  He carried her toward the stairway, possessing her mouth as they went. "Had to be. And you never want to mess with fate, especially not twice, bad business that."

  He could tell she was fighting a smile and his heart soared. But she wasn't fighting him. Indeed, if he wasn't mistaken, that sparkle in her eyes looked very much like kindling desire. He'd learned a long time ago it only took a little kindling to build a roaring flame.

  "Did I ever tell you," he murmured as he mounted the first step, "how crazy you make me?"

  "Umm, not really," she said, already sounding a little breathless.

  He toyed with the top button of her blouse. He knew she had reservations. He'd gleaned enough from prior comments to realize she had some deep insecurity about being with a man. If he accomplished nothing else tonight, he'd break down some of those insecurities. It should be easy. All she had to do was take a good look at what she did to him.

  Gage tightened his hold. "I swear, just thinking about making love to you makes me nervous as a virgin," he teased. He swirled his tongue against hers. When he reached the upstairs landing, he took a breath and grinned down at her. "You will be gentle with me, won't you?"

  She leaned her head back and laughed. The sound filled him with pure joy. A minute later they were in her room, and he set her down at the foot of the bed. Cradling her face, he gazed down into the beautiful eyes that had become branded into his memory. What he saw there took his breath away.

  "How long have you known you loved me?" he asked in a raspy whisper, positive the heartbreaking tenderness in her expression could be nothing less.

  "Oh, not long," she answered with a soft smile, "only about fourteen years."

  He crushed her against him. "Then we've got a lot of time to make up for." And with the care of a man who knew he held something very precious and fragile in his hands, he began to do just that.

  ~~~

  Desire stabbed Abby like a newly honed knife, carving away her resistance. It sliced along her nerves and ripped open a well of need so deep it stunned her.

  She clawed Gage's back, tugging him down, toward the bed, urgent to give him pleasure before this magic that had always eluded her could vanish. He gentled the kiss that had been driving her half mad.

  "Easy," he murmured, brushing his lips over hers with aching gentleness. He slid his hands up her ribcage, then to the buttons of her blouse. One by one he undid them, slowly, slipping each one open and dragging his thumb along her skin like a fiery brand as his fingers worked their way down the row.

  He was going too slow. Please, she begged silently, please hurry, before it's gone. Her nerves twitched, ready to snap. She grasped his shirt, yanked it out of the waistband of his jeans. In her haste to get the thing off one of the buttons popped off. It flew up and hit her on the chin before bouncing to the floor and rolling somewhere under the bed.

  Gage caught her by the wrists. She brushed his hands away and attacked his belt buckle. What was wrong with her fingers? They were stiff, awkward. She couldn't even unbuckle a damn belt ri
ght. What did she expect?

  Oh God, what did she think she was doing? She hadn't even been able to please Dick, and he had been completely indiscriminate about women. Did she really think she could please a man like Gage, a man who probably had beautiful women at his beck and call all over the world?

  Capturing her hands again, Gage lifted them to his shoulders. "I'll do it," he said, his voice sounding unusually husky. In a matter of seconds he'd stripped to a pair of silk navy boxers.

  Abby stared at the dark hair on his chest, frozen by her own ineptitude as he removed the rest of her clothing.

  "We're in no rush." He brought her against him, rubbing his hands up and down her arms, over her back. Her body fit his to perfection. Did he think so, too? Did his throat feel dry and his skin hot?

  She closed her eyes and tried to dispel her anxious doubts. Just relax or you'll screw this up. She didn't want to be hurt. She loved Gage in a way she never had Dick. And she wanted him, all of him. That had to count for something.

  Gage might regret the things he'd said after he made love to her, but maybe he wouldn't. Maybe it would be different with him. Hadn't she already experienced more passion tonight than she'd ever felt in her life?

  She swallowed and kissed his shoulder. She wanted to give this a shot. If it didn't work out, she'd get over it. But she'd never know what might have been if she ended things now. Trust me. His words came back to her. I do, she realized, I do trust him.

  Gage burned a path down the side of her neck with moist, hot kisses. Abby shuddered. He slid his hands over her hips, squeezing, molding, learning every curve and valley. She moaned his name, and his fingers dug into the backs of her thighs. And then he was falling, taking her with him, tumbling onto the bed.

  He let out a woof as she landed on top of him. "You okay?" he asked, dragging her up his chest. Yes, okay, she thought, for now.

  He pushed his fingers into her hair and pulled her head down for a blistering kiss. He wanted her. The evidence was pressed against her thigh. She'd done that. He was hard and hot. For her. She felt a little giddy and a lot afraid.

  "Gage, I—" She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and forced herself to look at him. "Just don't expect too much, okay?"