Biding His Thyme: 4

by Shelley Munro

  “Nothing much. They’ve allowed me free rein to wander the grounds. It was too late to explore much last night. I hope to see more this afternoon. I’ve talked to Sorrel Thyme.”

  A smirk formed on Janaya’s lips.

  “What?” Jake demanded.

  “The cream she invented does everything she says and more.”

  He felt an instant of surprise then nodded as a sense of pride took hold of him. “I’m pleased for her. She works hard, and they give her slave status.”

  “Alice wants to do a few more tests before she gives her the good news.”

  “Can I tell her the initial tests are favorable?” Jake didn’t know why it was so important to him for Sorrel to gain the freedom she wanted.

  “I don’t see why not. Anything else I should tell Luke?”

  “Things have changed a lot since Brother Rick took over from his father.”

  “Hmm.” Janaya appeared thoughtful. “Any whispers about Rick hastening Samuel’s death?”

  “No, but I’d love him to find him guilty,” Jake said. “He makes the hair at the back of my neck stand on end. He’s a bully, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’s using cult funds to enjoy himself. He left the cult and drove to Auckland with some of his fellow brothers. Said he intended to recruit new blood.”

  “Do you know where he went?”

  “No, but I have his motor vehicle number plate.” Jake rattled off the number, and Janaya scribbled it on a piece of paper, sliding it inside her bra for safe keeping. “There’s something else,” he said and told her about the coming gathering.

  “Hell,” Janaya said. “That’s only a few days away. What are you going to do?”

  “I’m gonna investigate the fuck out of this case and try to find something to implicate the cult.”

  “And if you find nothing?”

  Jake let out a muttered curse, honesty propelling him to admit the truth. “The chances of finding anything so quickly are nil. Brother Rick would hardly give me run of the place if evidence is out in the open.” No, anything to implicate them would be hidden, which meant weeks rather than days undercover. “Any ideas?”

  “What about Sorrel?”

  “Have you seen her?” Jake felt shitty the moment the words left his mouth. “She’s not my type,” he added.

  “But at least you seem to like her. It sounds as if you’re trapped. If you stay you’ll have to take part.”

  “Maybe I can fake it.”

  Janaya let out a snort. “How?”

  “Fucked if I know.”

  Jake thought about the gathering all the way home.

  “Is something wrong?” Sorrel asked.

  “I’m worried about the gathering. I don’t want to have sex with women I don’t know.”

  She sniffed. “Isn’t sex what most men want?”

  “I enjoy sex as much as the next guy,” he snapped, the disdain in her sniff rattling his cage. “But that doesn’t mean I think this is right.”

  “It’s not right. Do you think I’m thrilled with the idea of knowing if I find a man I can stand, he’ll have sex with others? I don’t want to share. I’m sick of sharing. One man, one woman is what I want, and I don’t intend to settle for anything less.”

  The fire in her voice echoed in her cheeks, and she actually looked pretty. Jake studied her closely. She didn’t have as many spots on her face today.

  Jake considered the problem and offered the only suggestion he’d come up with—even though it wasn’t ideal. “What if you and I hooked up together? Would that work?”

  Sorrel came to an abrupt halt. She turned to him, her eyes big and blue and startled. “You’re offering to have sex with me?”

  “I figured we could fake it somehow. Maybe take it private.”

  She shook her head. “The last time Brother Rick told everyone to stay inside the communal room.”

  “Maybe we could wait until everyone gets involved, distracted.”

  “I don’t know. I figured I’d shut myself in my workroom.”

  “We could always start something beforehand.” Jake thought out loud. “Before Brother Rick gets back. Yeah, give him something solid, something he doesn’t expect and throw him off balance.”

  “I am not having sex with you. Or anyone else,” she said hurriedly. “If I get pregnant I can’t leave.”

  “You could still leave.”

  “How? Who’s going to help me?”

  “You still have your invention.”

  “The moment Brother Rick learns I’m pregnant, he’ll shift me to another part of the compound. All the pregnant women are kept together and have different duties. They have an honored place within Children of Nature. All the things I have in the workshop would be given to my successor.”

  “If that’s the case, he won’t be able to complain if you’re involved with someone. Could you kiss me? Let me touch you without flinching? Could you keep up the pretense of a relationship in front of the others?”

  “Did you see James or Alice? Did they mention the progress on the tests?” She started pushing her handcart again, her steps hastening to the compound.

  “Don’t change the subject.” Then he took pity on her. “Janaya said they’re still testing, but she loved your cream, and initial tests are promising.”

  “Do you think they’ll try to cheat me?”

  “Who, Alice? No.” At least he didn’t think so. All the people he’d met so far—the normal ones who didn’t live on the compound—seemed decent. “Think about my suggestion or, better yet, offer up a workable alternative.”

  She scowled but didn’t reply. They arrived back ten minutes later, the two men on the gates opening them to let them through.

  “Brother Rick is back early,” Jake said, spotting the vehicle first.

  “It’s better when he’s not here,” Sorrel said in a tight voice. She pushed the handcart into the shelter and stalked into her workshop.

  Jake followed, closing the door behind them. “Do you have any family here at the compound?”

  “My mother died a few months before Brother Samuel. She had some sort of a stroke.”

  “Hell, sorry. I didn’t know. You have other brothers and sisters?”

  “No. I was the only child my mother managed to carry to full term.” She flicked her braid over her shoulder. “I thought I’d make some candles. The women in the shop said the batch I made a few months ago sold in a few days.”

  Jake turned her to face him. “Your mother was close to Brother Samuel.”

  “Yes.” She tugged away from his grip. “They spent their free time together and shared a bed.”

  Something in her voice gave away an unspoken fear. “Do you think Brother Rick had something to do with your mother’s death or his father’s passing?”

  “No. I don’t know,” she said, twisting her hands together. “I try not to think about it too much.”

  “Tell me how they both died. I need all the ammunition I can find to help you.”

  “I told you my mother died of a stroke.” Her voice hitched, but she carried on gamely. “She’d had a minor stroke the previous year that left her with a slight paralysis on one side of her body. The Sloan doctor said this one was a massive stroke.”

  “And Brother Samuel?”

  Sorrel frowned. “His death was sudden. One week he was fit and healthy and the next he was bedridden with convulsions and vomiting.”

  “What was the official cause of death?”

  “Poisonous mushrooms. The poison destroyed his liver. Two young children died at the same time. Sister Andrea was adamant she didn’t use poisonous mushrooms in her pie, but popular rumor says that was the cause.”

  “Did they discover where the mushrooms came from?” Jake’s mind twisted the pieces of information and came up with suspicions. “Is it possible Brother Rick murdered his father? And why does Brother Rick loathe you so much?”

  “I don’t know. Brother Samuel called Brother Rick for a meeting about a mo
nth before he died. After their meeting there was tension between them, but murder? I don’t know.”

  Jake considered her words, saw her confusion. She didn’t know, but maybe his questions would prod her memory, and she’d remember something to help his investigation.

  Outside heavy footsteps sounded, the scuff of gravel and he acted on instinct. He hauled Sorrel into his arms and laid one on her.

  He’d barely registered the surprised O of her lips, the uneven firmness of her curves when the door flew open, striking the wall. Sorrel jumped but Jake didn’t release her. He maintained his hold on her and lifted his head to face the interloper.

  “Did you want something?”

  Brother Rick gaped at them for a moment before recovering. He chuckled in a suggestive manner. “That, I did not expect.”

  Jake narrowed his eyes. “Did you want something?”

  “I heard from Sister Marigold at the store. They need more stock. You’ll have to do another delivery tomorrow morning.”

  “Fine,” Jake said.

  Sorrel pinched his forearm beneath his robe. Hard. “Of course, Brother Rick.”

  Jake wanted to punch the smirk right off the man’s face. He resisted because he felt the nip of Sorrel’s calloused fingers again, and she was right, damn it. He’d flatten the guy’s nose another time.

  Instead, he released Sorrel and hobbled over to the other side of the workshop. With a pained grimace, he dropped onto a stool and made a point of rubbing his leg. “Walked too much today. Did you conclude your business earlier than you expected?”

  “Yes,” Brother Rick gritted out, a flash of temper replacing his slimy smile.

  “I’m sorry it was unsuccessful.” Jake noticed Sorrel’s flinch even though he was across the other side of the workshop. He also read the warning in her blue eyes. Unfortunately, she was right. He shouldn’t draw too much attention to himself or make Brother Rick curious enough to poke at his background. Luke said his cover would stand scrutiny, something his stepmother had done. Hacking and such, but he still didn’t want to risk it.

  “The vehicle broke down. It’s going to cost a bit to fix. We were lucky to make it back to the compound.” Brother Rick’s gaze went to Sorrel. “I’m pleased with the increase in your production, but the women at the shop still need more. Some days they sell out of stock.”

  Sorrel lowered her gaze, but not before Jake caught the flash of fury in her blue eyes. “Of course, Brother Rick. With Brother Jake’s help I was able to deliver double the amount of stock today. We took down two handcarts this morning.”

  “Excellent. I’ll leave you to your work.” His lips curled into a sneer. “Work,” he emphasized and he stepped from the workshop, not bothering to close the door behind him. Obviously politeness was women’s work.

  Jake glared after him. Sorrel was working as hard as she could, and he doubted she could physically produce more, given the number of hours she worked and the size of the workshop. “That man is a prick. The more I get to know him, the more I want to flatten his nose.”

  “You shouldn’t rile him. He’s dangerous.”

  Yes, she was right, and he knew better. Everything about this assignment was rubbing him the wrong way. He stood and walked to the door, forgetting about his limp for a few steps. With a soft curse, he shoved his head into the game again, paused at the door to note the locations of the various people in sight. From his observations to date everyone took care to remain apart from Sorrel and her workshop. He closed the door with a gentle snick and turned to her.

  “Are you going to tell me why you have so much padding under your robe?”

  She gaped at him before erupting in a flurry of movement. “You heard Brother Rick. I need to start work on the candles.”

  Jake paused, stared at her stiff shoulders as she grabbed supplies from her cupboards. She was right, but this conversation was merely shelved. Now that he studied her closely, he was starting to notice other things about her as well such as the spots and rash that was in a different place from yesterday. Sorrel Thyme had secrets, and he intended to ferret them out.

  * * * * *

  Damn, damn, damn. The man had taken her by surprise, springing at her in his catlike manner. He was playing a part, she reminded herself. Her hand trembled a fraction as she placed the beeswax into the tin to melt. “I need these molds set out and the wicks trimmed to the correct length.” She indicated the silver molds for the tea light candles. Her hand steadied and she continued to work, showing him what to do while she started mixing the ingredients to make more bath bombs.

  “Maybe Brother Rick should look at raising the prices in the shop.”

  “The women set the prices. I’ll talk to them. It sounds as if we’ll be making another trip to town in the morning. You can relax on the bench near the river and rest your leg while I supervise the unloading of the carts.”

  “Thanks,” Jake said. “Will we have enough stock by then?”

  “I think so, although I’ll have to work late.” Her stomach let out a lusty rumble of complaint since she hadn’t taken time for breakfast.

  In the distance the lunch bell rang, summoning everyone for the midday meal.

  “Are you going to stop for lunch?”

  “No, Brother Rick doesn’t allow me to have more than one meal a day, not when he’s around the compound.”

  “Why?”

  “I refused to attend the last gathering, citing my age, and he decided to punish me for it.”

  “I’ll bring you something back,” Jake said.

  “No, the last thing I need is Brother Rick focusing on me more than he does already.” She’d have to leave the compound soon. Brother Rick was making things more and more difficult for her. No, she’d keep her head down and keep the promise she’d made to her mother. She was doing this for both of them.

  Jake shot her one of his looks—the one that sliced through her and crept into her mind, learning things she didn’t want him to see. He couldn’t have stared at her for longer than a few seconds, but he made her vulnerabilities surface. He scared her with his intense eyes and his dark good looks.

  “All right,” he said. “I’ll be back in half an hour. Line up some jobs for me. Could you organize one of the younger girls to help for a few days? It might lessen Brother Rick’s questions if there is someone else here with us—at least for a few hours.”

  “Good idea. Ask for Sister Andrea when you collect your meal. Tell her I require one of the older teenagers to help for three hours each afternoon this week. She’ll send someone suitable if she agrees. I’ll make some space so we’ll all fit in here without tripping over one another.”

  Jake moved toward her, and she pressed up against one of the counters to enable him to pass. Instead of limping past, he halted right in front of her. His dark eyes gleamed as he glanced down at her. His arms slid around her shoulders, and he tugged. She lurched, off-balance and landed against his hard chest, letting out a soft oomph.

  She would have spoken, but his mouth trapped her words, leaving her instinctive protest unspoken. His lips moved against hers, the warm stroke of his tongue surprising her into opening her mouth. Immediately, he took possession, deepening the kiss, tangling tongues and leading the sensations inside her into unfamiliar territory.

  Warmth seared her body, and everything seemed louder, brighter, moving in a strange, slow motion. Her thoughts rioted in abandon, the rich masculine scent of him tinged with faint citrus filled each breath. She found herself clinging, her fingers digging into bulging biceps.

  And still he kissed her, explored her mouth and nibbled at her lips until she trembled and she was aware of every part of her body. The linen strip rubbing against her breasts, the fit of her plain cotton panties and the abrasive rub of her cotton robe against her arms and legs.

  When he lifted his head, she stared at him, heart hammering against her ribs. His eyes seemed darker than before, but there was no mistaking the masculine satisfaction shining in them.

/>   He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip, the faint drag making her want to groan out loud.

  “I’ll see you in half an hour.”

  Somehow she managed to formulate words before he wrenched open the door. “Why?” One word, she amended.

  “This is the best way to keep you safe. I can’t let you leave yet, because we need your help, but I promise, Sorrel, Brother Rick is not going to grab you, no matter what sick thoughts fill his warped brain. We need to practice so everyone believes we’re together. I don’t want any slip-ups in this plan.”

  Then he was gone, leaving her with trembling legs and heat still coursing through her energized body. He intended to kiss her again, touch her. She pressed her fingers to her lips. They felt swollen and sensitive. A dart of heat tore through her body pooling between her thighs. One kiss from Jake and everything she’d known about sex was cast adrift and consigned to nothingness.

  Shaking herself from her stupor, she dragged a table from the storage room where she kept her handcarts and set it outside in front of the workshop. Jake wouldn’t mind being outdoors, since it would allow him to watch the comings and goings while he was working.

  And it would give her some breathing space while she gathered her scattered wits.

  Jake Ramsay was a disturbing man, a dangerous man. In the silent battle of him against Children of Nature she had little doubt who would emerge the winner. The man was too clever for his own good, too observant.

  Yes, Jake Ramsay was a dangerous man.

  Despite her disordered thoughts, Sorrel managed to mix two batches of bath bombs, the scents of cinnamon and cloves, vanilla and a hint of sandalwood flooding the workshop. She was pressing them into molds when someone tapped on the door. It opened seconds later and a young girl peered inside.

  “Sister Andrea said I should come and help you.” Her long hair was confined in the same braid most of the women wore, but wisps had escaped lending a charming and casual untidiness to her appearance. Her light blue eyes and rosy cheeks combined with an up-tilted nose gave her the look of a pixie. Sorrel couldn’t help her return grin.

  “Perfect timing, Sister Bernadette,” she said. “I need this mixture pressed into the molds.” She demonstrated and watched the girl until she was satisfied she would do a good job. “Perfect.”