Passion's Price

by Gwynne Forster

  “I’ll bet it does.” She turned to him. “Do you love living here?”

  He did not love the city of Memphis. But something was behind that question, so he’d better answer as honestly as he could. “My work is here. It is here that I have roots, a reputation and the respected status that I worked hard to earn.”

  She patted his knee, leaned back against the leather seat and closed her eyes. He didn’t know what that meant, but he hoped that his answer didn’t unsettle her. If he was in luck, she’d be comfortable with it.

  “I’m reluctant to tell a woman that she has forty-five minutes in which to get dressed, but can you…uh, manage to do that and be here in the foyer by a quarter past twelve?”

  Her chin went up, and he prepared himself for some biting words. “That was a male-chauvinist remark. Of course I can. But if I had to put on an evening dress, it would be a different matter.”

  When he hugged her, she snuggled close, like a kitten in a blanket. She was soft and sweet like a kitten, too. “Do you like pets?” he asked her. “You ought to have a little kitten.”

  “I like them, but when they grow up, they’re so ornery. Puppies are more dependable.” She looked at her watch. “You have no mercy. Now I have only forty-three minutes.”

  He stared after her as she sped down the hall. Was he inching closer to giving up his cherished bachelorhood? Could she handle his frequent and sometimes long absences in connection with his work? He didn’t know whether he was ready to risk that with her. But, Lord, she was so sweet and loving, and when he was deep inside of her, he barely knew who he was. He headed for his room and a shower, grateful that each bedroom had its own bath.

  Shortly before they reached Boyd’s house, his cell phone rang. “This is Crawford. Can you come down and give me about an hour.”

  Mike’s laughter had the sound of a feral growl. “Man, you screwed up my date yesterday, but definitely not today. I’ll see you Monday morning and not a minute before. If you’ve got any suspects, let ’em rest in the county jail for a while.”

  “But Mike, this one is clever, and he may have robbed a string of banks in the—”

  “You want to ruin my life? No way, man. My dad always said that if you don’t take care of your own business, nobody is going to do it for you. Would you ditch your wife in order to ask some guy why he took something out of a bank that he didn’t put in there? No, you would not. See you.” He hung up.

  “I’m glad you told him no,” Darlene said. “I don’t think I could come up with a scenario that equaled last evening.”

  “You probably couldn’t, but I wouldn’t mind if you worked out something and kept it in reserve. Not knowing what a woman will do next keeps a man’s engine revved and ready to run.” He parked in front of the house, walked around the car and opened the door for Darlene.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I want you to know that I feel like a dummy sitting there, as if I’m too weak to open a door. I do it just to please you.” She got out and looked up at him. “I need you in more meaningful ways, Mike, like this lost feeling I have when I’m not with you. I need your hand on me somewhere, so I’ll know you’re here, really here. If something’s funny, I enjoy it more if we laugh about it together. And if I’m miserable, I want your arms around me.” Suddenly, she grinned. “Sorry. I can’t imagine what brought all that on.”

  She reached for the doorbell, but he stopped her. “For once, you gave it to me straight, exactly as you felt it, and it was motivated by your need for me to understand you, to know you deep down, and not by a plunge into an orgasmic vortex.”

  She looked past his shoulder. “We all have our moments of reckoning, Mike. Let’s just say that was one of mine.” She pushed the doorbell, and, seconds later, Boyd opened the door, his face alit with a broad grin.

  “It’s time you—”

  “Darlene! Mike didn’t tell me you were coming with him.” He opened his arms, and she went into them as if she belonged there. He glared at Mike. “And here I was worrying, whether the two of you were getting together and working things out.”

  “Don’t be hard on him, Boyd. Mike is straighter than the crow flies.”

  “I know that, and I’m glad to see that you come to his defense.”

  “Come on, you two,” Mike said. “We’re going to the Peabody Grill, unless one of you objects.”

  “I never object to eating good food,” Boyd said. “It’s the best Memphis has to offer. How about you, Darlene?”

  “The Peabody Grill is wonderful. I’ll be happy anyplace, as long as I’m with two of my favorite people.”

  “I’ll get you for that,” Mike said under his breath. “Expect to beg for mercy before you sleep.”

  As he’d hoped, she heard him. “Believe me, I can’t wait. Make my punishment as hard as you like.”

  Mike sucked in his breath and fought back the devil libido. “You love to live dangerously, and one of these days, I’m going to accommodate you.”

  “We can have coffee and desert here later, if you have time,” Boyd said. “I made a delicious peach pie with some peaches I froze in July, and I have some really good ice cream.”

  “Works for me,” Darlene said. “I’ve already decided that I want pulled pork for lunch. And it’s better here in Memphis than in any other place.” She turned and looked back at Boyd. “Have you had any more break-ins?”

  “Not a one. I think Mike solved that problem. The fellow who tried to break in was hired by someone, but I’m not sure who.”

  “Yeah,” Mike said. “The guy was a family man who’d been out of work for over two years. He had no criminal record. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, and when Boyd declined to press more serious charges, the man got three years’ probation. I’m glad it’s over.”

  “What about the man you’re testifying against? Isn’t he also a criminal?”

  “Sure thing,” Mike said. “He’s going to spend a few years thinking about it while he makes license plates, or some such thing, as a guest of the state.”

  The maître d’ rushed to them when they entered the room. “Right on time, as usual, Mr. Raines,” the maître d’ said. Then he recognized Boyd and all but genuflected. “Mr. Farmer! What a pleasure to see you. We heard that you haven’t been well.”

  “Never been better, Marvin. When you’re old and in good health, that doesn’t sit well with some of your relatives. I hope your folks are more charitable.” Boyd’s eyes twinkled with mischief, leaving the maître d’ speechless.

  Mike looked from the maître d’ to Boyd and decided that he was seeing his friend as he really was, and that the continual deference, even meekness, that he had observed in Boyd while he and his house were under police protection was indeed an act, and a skillful one at that.

  “I don’t know why you want to pay these awful prices,” Boyd said to Mike as he regarded the three asparagus spears on his plate. “If you took Darlene and me to Burger King, we’d be happy, wouldn’t we, Darlene?”

  “Absolutely, as long as they didn’t put any raw onions on the burger. But Mike wanted us to have a pleasant reunion, and, gentleman that he is, he’s done it in style.”

  Boyd seemed for a minute to have sunk into the distant past. He shook his head very slowly. “Mike, if the woman I wanted had had the faith in me that Darlene has in you, and if she had defended me instead of tearing me down, there’s no telling what I would have become.”

  Darlene and Mike stopped eating and stared at Boyd. “Not to worry,” he said. “I’ve been over that for thirty-seven years. Well over it. Pricey or not, Mike, this steak is talking business. It’s scrumptious.”

  “It can’t possibly be better than my pulled-pork sandwich. It’s wonderful.”

  They declined dessert, which they planned to enjoy at Boyd’s home, and were soon headed there. Mike glanced quickly at his watch to be sure that he had time for everything that he’d planned for Darlene. As soon as they entered Boyd’s house, he went with his friend to the kitchen.
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  “I’ll make the coffee, Boyd. Nothing will convince me that since I was last here, four days ago, you’ve learned how to make coffee. It’s as simple as measuring four cups of water and heaping this measuring gadget with coffee five times.” He boiled the water and made the coffee. “Where’s the dessert?”

  “The pie’s heating in the microwave oven. You scoop up some ice cream, and we—”

  Mike let the laughter roll out of him. “Man, you’re a genius at getting what you want. I forgot that you don’t like to dip up ice cream, that it makes your hands cold. You’re a piece of work. If I could, I’d adopt you.”

  “Who knows?” Boyd said, his eyes twinkling with mischief again. “You take care of Darlene. That’s all I’m asking of you right now. Why are you making this such a short visit, Darlene?”

  “I have to be in court Monday morning, so I should be at home tomorrow afternoon or evening at the latest to study my case and get some rest. A family is suing the builder of their house for fraud, because of shoddy work and for subcontracting, which their contract forbade.”

  A frown altered the contours of Mike’s face. “I thought Sam gave you a case dealing with labor relations.”

  “He did, but I usually have two or three cases to work on. I should wrap this one up in a few days. The defendants want to settle out of court, and that would be a good thing, because the jury is not going to give my clients what they’re asking for. No way.”

  “When will you come back to Memphis, Darlene? I want to talk seriously with the two of you,” Boyd asked.

  “It’s hard to say, Boyd,” Darlene said, her mind barely able to think beyond the weekend.

  Consecutive weekends in Memphis? Did she want that or didn’t she? And what was Boyd’s motive? No one had to tell her that she should encourage Mike. She was crazy about him, and she was not a fool.

  “I don’t know, Boyd,” she said, looking at Mike. “Depends on if and when I get an invitation.”

  “Can you come back next weekend?” Mike asked her. “I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t bother to go back, except that you have to work.”

  “You should visit me next weekend.”

  “Didn’t I visit you on two consecutive weekends? But I’m also willing to visit you next weekend, if that would please you.”

  She looked at Boyd. “This guy plays dangerously.”

  “I know,” Boyd said. “He’s very good, but I beat him at chess.” He softened his voice. “Darlene, don’t you want to come here next weekend?”

  “I do, but it doesn’t matter whether he’s there or I’m here. I want us to be together.”

  Mike stood. “We have to leave now. I’d be happy if you’d come here next weekend, Darlene. Will you?”

  “Yes,” she said, getting to her feet. “I sense some unfinished business here.” She hugged Boyd. “It was wonderful to be with you. I hope to see you next weekend. Oh. I almost forgot.” She took the small package from her handbag and handed Boyd the harmonica she’d bought for him.

  His eyes widened. “For me? This is for me? Oh, thank you. I haven’t had a present in years.”

  She kissed his cheek. “You’re welcome. Bye.”

  Mike figured that Boyd had just spiked his plans. He didn’t much mind, though, because it meant that he’d have Darlene with him the following weekend. But it meant a change of plans for the evening. He hoped she’d be agreeable to having a more casual evening than he’d originally planned. He seated her in his car, hooked her seat belt and grinned down at her.

  “There’ve been a number of times when I wished you’d be less feisty, but I like the fire in you. Don’t get docile on me, Darlene.”

  She looked at him wide-eyed, as if he had handed her a stunning surprise. “Me? Docile? One of us is dreaming.”

  He leaned over and brushed her cheek with his lips. “What do you think Boyd wants to talk with us about?”

  “I’m afraid to guess. If he wants to talk to me about you, I’m ready to tell him what I think of people who meddle.”

  He certainly had not expected that. “I’d have a hard time telling Boyd to mind his business, no matter what he said to me. It would be tantamount to telling my father to bug off.”

  “I know. I have such affection for him, and that seems weird considering how little I know of him.”

  “Is your dress for this evening long or short?” Her answer would tell him which of his plans he had to cancel.

  “It’s a short one. It’s dressy, but if I wear its jacket, it will be good-looking and dance-worthy, but not good enough for a gala.”

  “Great. I thought we’d have a really nice dinner and then take in some jazz and dance.”

  “That suits me, Mike, and I know I’ll enjoy it. Don’t knock yourself out entertaining me. Sitting on a park bench with your arm around me can keep me happy for a good while.”

  “I appreciate that, Darlene, but I’m taking it with a grain of salt. You’re never going to tell me that I don’t take you anywhere.”

  Her laughter exploded out of her. “Whose parents have you been listening to?”

  “Nobody’s. But I work with a bunch of policemen, and that’s one of their biggest gripes. When they get home after a rough day, they want to sit on the couch, drink a beer and watch Law and Order. And their wives complain that they never take them anywhere.”

  “Is that what you do? Chill out on the couch with a can of beer?”

  He laughed aloud. “Not yet. I haven’t sunk to that, and I hope I never will. I’m not a passive person. I’d rather make things happen than have them happen willy-nilly to me.”

  She cast a sidelong glance at him. “If you’re tired, we can stay in this evening.”

  He parked the car in front of the building in which he lived and played that last sentence over and over in his mind. “If you’re joking, I accept it, but if you’re not, something’s out of kilter. Which is it?”

  She leaned back in the seat and looked straight at him. “You’d best learn to trust me, Mike. On the one hand, I was joking, but on the other, I’m prepared to go with your program. You know this place better than I do.”

  “You’re always teasing,” he said, “and there are times when I like to be sure.”

  She reached for his hand and snuggled closer to him. “What time are we leaving home?” He told her. “Hmm. A quarter of seven? That gives me plenty of time for a nice long bubble bath.”

  “Unless you want company in that tub, keep those thoughts to yourself. I have no interest in sainthood, so don’t tempt me.”

  Her arm eased around his waist. “If I don’t take it before I go, I don’t think you’ll give me a chance to enjoy one after we come back.”

  He held her, kissed her chin and got out of the car. He opened her door, unhooked her seat belt and looked down at her. “The only temptation Adam had was an apple, and look at what he started. Suppose he’d had to deal with you!”

  Her right eye closed in a sexy wink. “I’ll bet he wasn’t a quarter of the man that you are.” Having said that, she headed to the building’s entrance, leaving him to follow her or not. What a princess! And what if he’d never met her? He inhaled a long, deep breath. Life was good, and he was blessed.

  Darlene didn’t want Mike to think that unless he spent money on her, she wouldn’t he happy. She loved nice restaurants, fancy hotels and business-class accommodation on airplanes, but she didn’t need any of it. Yet if she told him, he’d probably feel unappreciated. She lounged in the tub filled with warm lavender bubbles, stuck her toes out of the suds and admired her pedicure. She liked herself, but she would have been happier if she wore a size nine rather than a ten and a half. But most tall women had long feet, and she liked her height.

  After half an hour, when the water began to cool, she got out, dried off, pampered her body with scented lotion, put on a yellow bra and bikini panties, and her kimono. She got the trial notes that she brought with her, sat up in bed and underlined the points that she wanted to emphasi
ze. After studying her brief carefully, she put the notes aside, took out her phone and called Maggie. Mike wouldn’t mind if she used his phone, but she considered that inappropriate. If she were engaged to him, she’d do it, but friendship didn’t cover everything.

  “Hi, Maggie. How are things?”

  “It’s time you called. I thought your plane was still circling the Memphis airport. You having a good time?”

  “Absolutely. Mike is the most considerate person. We’ve been biking, sightseeing, visiting a friend, and now I’m resting.”

  “Mind if I ask where you’re resting?”

  “I’m in my room. Where else would I be?”

  “Don’t ask me. Sometimes you use sense and sometimes you don’t. I hope you’re working on that relationship.”

  “Of course I am, Maggie. Why do you think I came here?”

  “You didn’t tell me, so I don’t know. You coming home tomorrow?”

  “Yes. My flight leaves around noon.”

  “Well, give him a hug for me.” She said she would and hung up. Hopefully Maggie wouldn’t get the wrong impression about her returning to Memphis the next weekend. She shrugged. I can’t let what people think govern my behavior, she thought.

  Her cell phone rang. “Hello?”

  “Does the most beautiful girl in the world know that it’s already six-thirty? It’s so quiet, not even the sound of the radio, that I feared you were asleep.”

  “I’ve been wide-awake since you kissed me this morning. I’ll see you at the foyer in fifteen minutes.”

  “Fourteen.”

  “All right. Fourteen it is. Now hang up so I can finish dressing. Kisses.”

  “Kisses to you, and from head to foot.”

  She hung up, but she tingled all over. That was exactly how he’d kiss her, and she hoped he wouldn’t forget that when he brought her home.