A touch of love

by Conn, Phoebe

  "Tuna is definitely in that category." Aubrey moved out of his way so that he could get a small bowl, and soon he was prowling the refrigerator for things to add. "Bell pepper is good along with celery, and I always add a few pecans."

  "Pecans?" Jesse winced. He liked just plain tuna and mayonnaise but apparently Aubrey couldn't open a can of tuna without turning it into a gourmet treat. "You're one hell of a woman, Ms. Glenn."

  Aubrey slid the pan of lemon bars into the preheated oven. "Where did that come from?"

  "It just popped out." He nudged her with his hip and began to chop celery on the counter. "My mother wasn't

  the best cook in the world, so I began fending for myself real early. To this day I can't stand the sight of meatloaf."

  "That wasn't one of her best recipes?" Aubrey carried the mixing bowl to the sink and filled it with water.

  "Hers more closely resembled an adobe brick than anything edible. It's a wonder we didn't bust our teeth trying to chew it."

  Aubrey couldn't help but be amused. "What did your father say about your mother's cooking?"

  "Well, he wasn't what anyone would describe as particular, and I don't believe he ever noticed. He was fond of snacking on beef jerky, which will tell you a lot about his tastes."

  Aubrey tried to imagine what his parents must look like, but even observing him for inspiration, they refused to come clear. "Are your parents still living?"

  Jesse diced a couple of slices of bell pepper before replying. "No. They're both gone. They died within a couple of months of each other a few years back. Hand me a spoon for this, will you?"

  Aubrey quickly supplied a mixing spoon, then not wanting to hover, she sat down at the breakfast table and sorted through the paper. Larry had never expressed any interest in cooking, and it was a pleasant change to have Jesse help prepare a meal. She stole frequent glances at him as he finished making their sandwiches. He muttered about the mayonnaise when he discovered she had the fat-free variety, but once he sat down with her and took a bite of his sandwich, he ceased to complain.

  "This is delicious," Aubrey said. "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. I have to admit the pecans add an unexpected crunch," Jesse replied. He would have liked a big handful of potato chips, but hadn't found any in the cupboard and supposed they lacked sufficient nutritional value to justify Aubrey's buying them. "I probably ought

  to go by my aunt's place this afternoon. I don't have much to report, but—"

  "Don't tell her about the pool," Aubrey urged.

  "I won't even be tempted, but I sure wish I did have something tangible to report."

  Aubrey paused in mid-bite. She had always known Jesse would be returning home soon, but the prospect of his leaving in another day or two was surprisingly painful. They had made no real progress, however, and she knew he could not remain with her indefinitely. That she would even consider the possibility amazed her.

  "I really enjoy your company," she suddenly blurted out, "but even if we had met under different circumstances, I doubt anything would have come it. So please don't delay your return home because of me."

  This comment, coupled with her earlier one about their not having a future together, made Jesse wonder if Aubrey weren't saying what she thought he wanted to hear. "I don't know about that," he argued. "They say opposities attract, and we're about as opposite as two people can be."

  Aubrey took exception to his sly grin. "I'll grant you that people can sometimes be attracted to a complete opposite, and those relationships are generally passionate, but they're also brief. It's people with similar interests and tastes who remain together."

  "Doesn't that strike you as the perfect formula for boredom? I'd rather be by myself than with a woman who was exacdy like me. Hell, she'd just get in my way." Jesse got up and carried his plate over to the dishwasher. "I like women with spirit, who'll teach me something new, rather than women who are so eager to please, they lose themselves in every man they meet. That's Shelley's problem. She's all wrapped up in that worthless rat. What's his name?"

  "Ricky Vance."

  4 'Yeah. Wouldn't it be nice if you could buy courage in a can and spray it up and down Shelley's spine?"

  "Or Ricky's. He's the one who needs a boost of character in my view." Aubrey wasn't certain how they had digressed to Shirley's miserable lovelife, but having made so many mistakes herself with Larry, she did not want to pursue it. Fortunately the timer on the stove began to chime, and she had to get up to remove the lemon bars from the oven.

  "These really need to cool slightly, but I think I'll just go ahead and cut them while they're still warm and you can take some over to Edith."

  'They sure smell delicious. It's a shame all pretty girls can't cook."

  "You made the sandwiches from scratch. I baked these from a mix, but what if I were to say what a terrible shame it is that all handsome men can't cook?"

  As Aubrey picked up a knife, Jesse moved around to the other side of the cooking island. "Handsome men usually have other talents," he claimed in an engaging drawl.

  "So do pretty girls, but why are we talking about men and girls, instead of men and women?"

  "I think you better hurry and slap those cookies on a plate before I get myself any deeper into trouble here."

  "You see? If we're not focused on finding your missing cousins, we don't get along well at all."

  Aubrey ran the knife blade over the lemon bars, gendy scoring the golden top before she began to slice. Jesse waited until she was finished to comment. "It's never wise to argue with a woman, "he stressed the word, "with a knife in her hand, but we sure didn't lack for compatibility last night."

  Aubrey could feel the heat of a blush rise in her cheeks, but forced herself to be equally flippant. "No, we didn't, but I've already warned you not to make more of it than it was."

  1 'Ah, yes, just one of those life-affirming lays after coming close to ending up dead like that singed opposum?"

  Aubrey placed half a dozen lemon bars on a plate, and covered them with plastic wrap. That hadn't been her thought at the time, but she let him believe that it had. "You guessed it." She shoved the plate toward him and he took it. "Please tell your aunt hello for me."

  Jesse looked down at her, his expression mirroring his confusion. He had never wanted anything permanent with a woman, so why was he arguing with Aubrey when she dismissed the possibility? That was just plain stupid, unless she was a whole lot more clever than the women he usually met and was using reverse psychology on him. Because that theory was flattering as well as probable, he flashed a ready grin.

  "I won't stay long, sweetheart. Keep the doors locked and don't let anyone in." He grabbed a lemon bar and moaned with contentment on his way out.

  "I'll be fine," Aubrey called after him, but he hadn't been gone ten minutes before she picked up the telephone, dialed information, and got Harlan Caine's number. She made a note of it, then ate a couple of the delectable lemon bars while she gave what she wished to do thorough consideration. Jesse had not offered a revised plan when their visit to his cousin's house had failed to yield more than heartrending cries no one else could hear. Therefore, it was now up to her to proceed.

  With that justification well in mind, she dialed the number and greeted Harlan warmly. "Mr. Caine? My name is Aubrey Glenn. I know you've undoubtedly been questioned innumerable times about the disappearance of the Ferrell family, but I wonder if you have time tomorrow to speak with me about them? It's a mere formality, really. The family asked my help in locating the Ferrells, but I've no training as a detective, and as soon as I can assure

  them I've done what little I could without result, they'll be content/'

  She wrote down the time and address Harlan supplied, and thanked him profusely before saying good-bye. Her hand shook as she replaced the receiver, but the appointment was made, and she knew Jesse would go with her. The only problem would be in admitting that she had called Harlan without discussing it with him first, but she fel
t certain he would eventually come around to her way of thinking. Eventually.

  She still didn't have a clear plan, but any effort was better than calmly waiting for a second attempt on her life. She slid the lemon bars into the refrigerator, then went upstairs to put on her bikini. It was a lovely afternoon, and she didn't want to waste another minute of it.

  Harlan Caine stared at the telephone for a long moment before turning the full fury of his anger on John Gilroy. "The bitch called me!" he shrieked. "I told you to get rid of her, and here she is calling me as sweet as a cherub. You bet I have time to see her.

  "That pool stunt was pathetic. If you can't do any better than that, I'll find someone who can, and you can file for unemployment. There's got to be plenty of work at other firms for bungling fools; there's so damn many of you."

  John moved to the front of his chair and gestured helplessly. "Calm down, Mr. Caine. Give her a tour of the construction site. There are a million ways for her to break her neck there."

  Harlan left the chair behind his desk and began to pace alongside it. "Don't you think that's a bit obvious? The police can't pin a damn thing on me, but if corpses start piling up there, they're bound to get suspicious!"

  John cowered back in his chair. "Give me a few days to come up with something good/'

  Harlan came to a halt and fixed him with a threatening stare. "You have until eleven o'clock tomorrow morning, and not a minute more. Now get out of here. I'm sick of looking at you."

  John bolted out the back door, then slowed so that it wouldn't slam shut behind him. Harlan couldn't stand to have his door slammed, and he didn't dare upset him any further than he already had. He wiped the sweat forming on his brow on his sleeve and squared his shoulders. Harlan was just loud, that was all. The man couldn't possibly want to replace him when he knew so much.

  Buoyed by that thought, John strode out into the sunlight, certain he would have a damn good plan ready long before tomorrow.

  "What's wrong?" she asked. "Is Edith upset by our lack of progress?"

  Jesse hadn't expected her to play innocent, but it was a convincing act. "No. She's grateful that we've tried to do what we can, so she's definitely not the problem. You are," he stressed. "Hasn't it occurred to you that I could just as easily have been Harlan Caine just now? What if he had caught you napping and rather than a kiss, plunged a knife clear through your belly?"

  Jesse had just given Aubrey the perfect opening to reveal that she had made an appointment with the developer, but knowing he was unlikely to be pleased, she dared not do so when he was already upset with her. "Guinevere would have barked had a stranger come to the gate, and he wouldn't have caught me napping."

  "She didn't notice my presence the first time I came here until you spoke to me."

  Aubrey leaned down to scratch her hairy pet's ears. "That was unlike her."

  Exasperated that he was getting nowhere, Jesse got to his feet. "I suppose I should be grateful I didn't find you in the pool."

  Aubrey glanced toward the sparkling water and found it wonderfully inviting. "Well, now that you're here to call the paramedics, should I need them, I think I will go for a swim."

  Aubrey rolled off the opposite side of the chaise before Jesse could catch her, entered the pool with a flat, racing dive, and started swimming toward the deep end with quick, graceful strokes. She had more problems than she cared to count, but forgot them all in the simple joy of exertion. When she returned to the shallow end, she looked up to find Jesse removing his shirt. She turned and continued swimming. It wasn't until he overtook her that she swiftly discovered he hadn't bothered to don trunks.

  "What are you doing?" she gasped.

  "What does it look like?" Treading water, Jesse came close and with a couple of rapid tugs, untied the top of her bikini and tossed it up on the deck. "This is a private pool. Why do we need bathing suits?"

  He had seen her nude, so feigning modesty seemed absurd, and yet Aubrey feared things were already dangerously out of hand. "Let's hope the pool man was here this morning, or the pool won't be nearly as private as you've assumed."

  Jesse tossed his head to flick the water from his hair. "I'll risk it." He dipped beneath the surface and pulled Aubrey down with him. His hands circled her waist, and when she struggled to get free, he yanked away the bottom half of her bikini. When they came up for air, she swung at him with a playful swat, but he just waved the bright pink bikini bottom like a flag.

  Aubrey would have relieved him of his trunks had he been wearing them, but unable to turn the tables on his trick, she dunked him with a savage lunge. She then swam out of his reach and headed for the shallow end. He overtook her again, grabbed her foot, and pulled her back down under the water, but his grasp was light, and she easily escaped him.

  Aubrey circled, intent upon revenge, and when Jesse continued to elude her, she dived deep, and coming up under him, grabbed his knees to pull him down with her. They rose to the surface in a lazy spiral, but the gleam in Jesse's eyes warned Aubrey she was in trouble. She hit the water with the heel of her hand to splash him in the face. "You started this!"

  "I'll finish it, too!" Jesse surged forward and caught Aubrey in a bear hug. He kicked to propel them to the side of the pool where he could still stand easily, while she couldn't touch bottom with her toes. He pressed up against

  her, molding his body to hers, and nibbled her earlobe. She tasted faintly of chlorine, but that scarcely diminished his pleasure.

  Aubrey had to hang on to Jesse's shoulders to keep her head above water. They were so close she could not mistake his state of arousal. "Jesse, please. This isn't a good idea."

  "It's the best one I've had all day," he breathed against her lips. He kissed her before she could offer any further protest, and slid his hand down her thigh to encourage her to wrap her legs around his waist.

  Aubrey grabbed a handful of Jesse's hair, but slippery wet, it slid right through her fingers. "Not here!" she scolded.

  "Perfect place," Jesse argued before kissing her again, and again.

  Surrounded by the seductive warmth of the water and Jesse's fiery heat, Aubrey was tempted to give in to the madness of his desire, but she could not forget, as appar-endy he had, that the consequences could be dire. "Jesse," she hissed. "Stop it!"

  Jesse leaned back slightly to search her expression for more than her words revealed. "Why?"

  "Damn it. You know why. Let's go inside where we can protect more than our reputations."

  Jesse moaned way back in his throat. Aubrey's whole body was caressing his with what he had mistaken for abandon, but when he raised his hand to cup her breast and brushed the tightly puckered nipple with his thumb, her steady gaze didn't soften. He knew she was right, but being right had never been much fun.

  "Okay," he gave in reluctandy. "I'll let you go if we can go straight to your room and continue this there."

  "It's a deal, but try not to drip too much water on the rug."

  Jesse stepped back and pulled her along with him toward

  the shallow end. When she stood, he watched the smooth undulation of her hips as she climbed the steps to the deck and thought no artist's version of the birth of Venus had ever been more enchanting. She stopped to grab the towel on the chaise, dried off quickly, and then, apparently comfortable nude, tossed the towel to him. He wrapped it around his hips and followed her in the side door.

  "Do you want something to drink?'' she asked as they entered the kitchen.

  Jesse took hold of her upper arm and guided her toward the stairs. "Better keep right on walking, or I can no longer be responsible for my actions." He almost asked if she paraded around nude when she had been married to Larry, but caught himself before he ruined her enticing mood with wretched memories.

  As they entered her bedroom, Aubrey tried to recall the last time she had made love in the afternoon, if ever. Jesse began to sling the pillows heaped on her bed every which way, and she reached out to grab one as it came flying by. "Careful,"
she chided, but he ripped back the beribboned comforter with the same urgency and then turned toward her with a desperate glint in his eye.

  She threw the pillow at him, and their game began anew with skillful dodges and sudden dashes around and then up and over the bed. They were both laughing, and their spirits so high that when Jesse finally caught up with Aubrey and pulled her down on the bed, she made no further attempt to elude him. Instead, she yanked away his towel and slid down over him, spreading a trail of kisses that brought him to the brink of rapture before allowing him a moment to grab one of the condoms he had left on the nightstand.

  Their lovemaking had been slow and sweet last night, but that afternoon they came together in a heated rush that spun them with a tornado's fury, and then left them

  fully sated in each other's arms. Aubrey clung to that shared bliss as she fell asleep to the comforting rhythm of Jesse's breathing, but when he awakened her later, the loving warmth of their erotic interlude was quickly chilled by thoughts of Harlan Caine. She sat up slowly and pushed her tangled curls from her eyes.

  The sunset's last rays lent the bedroom a rosy glow but her mood was no longer mellow. Jesse was already dressed, and feeling at a distinct disadvantage, Aubrey pulled the sheet up over her bare breasts. Thinking she would be better off to get her confession over with quickly rather than draw it out, she made a hasty announcement. 'T made an appointment with Harlan Caine for eleven tomorrow morning."

  A look of horrified disbelief crossed Jesse's face. "You did what?"

  "You heard me. We were out of ideas, so I called him after you left for your aunt's. I doubt we can inspire him to admit to his crimes, but something good might come from meeting with him face to face."

  "Is your husband still the beneficiary on your life insurance?"

  Jesse was taking Aubrey's news better than she had expected, or so she hoped. She knew he had been making a pointed joke, but she provided a serious answer. "No. I removed his name when I filed for divorce and changed it and my will to leave everything to my parents."