“Why?”
“Because you are on my property and I don’t allow trespassers.”
“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I’m staying with a friend. Since there wasn’t a fence, I thought it would be okay to explore the woods.”
“It’s not,” he growled. “I don’t allow people to go into the woods. My house isn’t far from here. I’ll walk with you to my place, and you can take the road to where you’re staying.”
“I can just follow the path back,” I said, refusing to make eye contact. No way did I want to go to his house.
He grabbed my upper arm. “No. Like I said, I don’t allow people in my woods. You can call someone from my house to come get you if you don’t want to walk on the road. The trail isn’t an option.”
“Where I’m staying is close. I won’t be on it long.”
He tightened his hold. “That isn’t an option.”
I moved my hand on top of his. “You don’t have to hold onto me.” I tried to free my arm.
“This way I’m sure you’ll get off my property.”
He was too strong. I knew I couldn’t break away from his grip so I stopped trying. He led me farther down the path. The shorter man followed. We all had cobwebs in our hair. It didn’t seem to bother them. I could feel my hands getting moist and trembling as I wondered if he had any plans for me when we reached his house.
The path forked. I was taken down the left one. The three of us remained silent as we continued moving along. The trees in front of us thinned out. I saw a large, two-story, red brick, colonial house with a porch that wrapped around it. The house appeared to be at least 10,000 square feet. The black-haired woman and two men came out the front door. The woman walked toward us, while the men remained on the porch looking in our direction.
“Don’t tell me you ran into another trespasser?” she asked.
“Yes, I did.” He turned to me. “Do you want to walk on the road to where you’re staying, or would you like to call someone?”
I certainly didn’t want to go into his house. “I’ll take the road back. I’m sorry about the trespassing.”
He glared at me and released my arm. “Don’t let it happen again.”
“It won’t,” I assured him, although that wasn’t my intention. Next time, I would bring something to brush away the cobwebs to better see the clearing and the surrounding trees. I pulled cobwebs out of my hair as I strolled down the driveway. I passed some people. A few I recognized from the clearing. They all looked to be in their mid-to-late twenties. Maybe the cult, or whatever it was, only allowed members around that age.
I sensed I was being watched, even if I couldn’t hear anyone behind me. I reached the road and turned around. No one was in plain sight, still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that eyes were following me with every step I took. My t-shirt clung to me, drenched in perspiration. I looked for a mailbox and hoped it would have a number on it. There wasn’t one. I breathed deeply, trying to calm myself. I didn’t relax until I reached Rex’s driveway. Just then Brett pulled in, stopped the car next to me, and got out.
“Where have you been?” he asked. “You look a mess.”
“Exploring the woods. I ran into a lot of cobwebs and fell down. When I was getting the webs off me, a guy told me I was trespassing. He wouldn’t even let me follow the trail back to the house.”
He hugged me. “I should’ve warned you. The neighbor is very protective about his property. He doesn’t allow trespassers.”
“He stayed at the Towne Hotel. I saw him there. Why did he stay there when he owns a mansion so close to town?”
“No idea,” Brett replied. “Rex told me his neighbor is a little strange.”
A little strange was definitely an understatement.
Lindsey opened the car door and yelled, “We need to get the ice cream in the freezer before it melts.”
Brett glanced up the long driveway. “Do you want a ride?”
“No, I’ll walk.”
After taking a shower to get the cobwebs out of my hair, I went to the kitchen and asked Brett, “Did you take the battery out of my car?”
“Why would I do that?” his voice was intense. “Were you going someplace?”
“I wanted to drive around the neighborhood so I could figure out where we are. I guess I’ll have to check it out on foot.”
“There aren’t sidewalks around here. It’s too dangerous to walk along the side of the road.”
“I can watch for cars. That’s not a problem. I just don’t like not knowing where I am.”
He took my hand and led me away from the kitchen. “If it’s that important to you, the address here is 12940 Break View Drive. I would appreciate it if you didn’t give out the address. Rex wouldn’t like anyone from the police department showing up here. That could happen if you tell it to the Lieutenant.”
I stroked his arm. “Thank you. I won’t give anyone the address.” I paused. “What about Lindsey?”
“She doesn’t need to know.”
“I’m still puzzled about my missing battery. Why would anyone do such a thing, especially so far from the city?”
“I’m baffled too. I didn’t realize this was a crime area.”
“Lunch is ready,” Lindsey shouted. “Come get it while it’s hot.”
As soon as we were through eating, Brett left for his office. I finished my laundry and read The Jewel Box while Lindsey worked on her resume. I was itching to go back and skulk around the woods, but with Lindsey hanging about, any possibility of sneaking off was slim.
It was dusk when Brett walked through the door. “Does that smell good. Prime rib?” he asked Lindsey.
“Yep, with my special sauce.”
We sat down at the table. Brett opened a bottle of wine.
After dinner, we got in the Jacuzzi and finished the wine. Since it was Saturday night, Lindsey went to the kitchen and brought out another bottle.
“I can’t believe the neighbor wouldn’t let you walk back on the path.” She filled up the wine glasses. “What did he think you were going to do? Stomp on some of the weeds, kill a bush, climb a tree?”
We laughed.
“If he doesn’t want trespassers, he needs to fence in his property,” Brett said.
Lindsey and I agreed.
“Rex did say he was peculiar.”
“Do you work with any single guys?” Lindsey asked Brett.
“Yes. Three. What kind of a guy do you like—short, tall, potbellied, skinny?”
“Someone that looks like you,” she answered in a flirty tone.
Brett grinned. “Let me think.” He rubbed his chin. “Maybe Rex. He’s in Texas and won’t be back for awhile.”
Her eyes focused on Brett’s face while she took another sip of wine. “There’s got to be someone closer.”
“The potbellied guy doesn’t live far from here.”
“No, he’s got to have a firm body like you.” She trailed a finger up his muscular arm. “Think harder.”
I left for the bathroom as they joked and flirted with each other. If I had to worry about Brett and other women, then the sooner I knew the better. At the same time, I already knew he wasn’t trustworthy. Whatever game he was playing, I’d pretend nothing was wrong until I could leave without raising any suspicion. Also, my body’s sexual arousals didn’t allow me to ignore him.
We polished off the second bottle and decided to watch a DVD. We went inside, changed out of our wet swimsuits and Lindsey put on a James Bond movie, Casino Royale.
Moments later, I found myself struggling to stay awake, possibly because I didn’t sleep well the night before. I snuggled up to Brett on the sofa and put my head on his shoulder.
He nudged me when I was sleeping soundly. “Do you want to go to bed?”
“Sorry, I just can’t seem to stay awake. Maybe I drank too much wine.” I pushed down on the armrest and rose to my feet.
“I’ll be up as soon as the show ends,” Brett said.
Lindse
y was curled up in a chair. “Goodnight.”
“See you in the morning,” I muttered, shuffling toward the stairs. When I reached the bedroom, I flipped off my shoes and collapsed on the bed.
“She won’t need a robe,” I heard a man say.
I didn’t want to open my eyes as hands yanked on my arms. “I need to sleep,” I mumbled.
My feet went over the edge of the bed. I was pulled to a standing position. I fell into a pair of arms and opened my eyes; I couldn’t focus. Hands gripped my shoulders. I blinked several times and discovered my face was only an inch from the dark-eyed man. I slowly raised my hand up to his cheek and uttered, “Are you the neighbor?”
He placed his hand over my eyes. “Sleep,” he whispered.
After I closed my eyes, he lifted me and held me in his arms. I tried to open my eyes again. My eyelids were too heavy. I listened to his beating heart while I was jarred up and down. The wind blew on my face. I opened my mouth to taste it. A hand brushed against my hair. I heard talking. The voices folded into each other.
“Will she be ready soon?” a woman asked.
“Shhh,” a man said.
I was lowered onto a chair and his hands moved to my shoulders. I struggled to raise my eyelids. I managed to open only one eye. I felt dizzy as I looked at the shadowy, dark figures milling around in front of me. A gap appeared between two of them. I caught a glimpse of the altar and saw a sagging arm. A glass touched my lips.
“Drink,” a man demanded.
I followed his order and took a big gulp. I gagged and coughed, spewing liquid everywhere.
The dark-eyed man wiped my face. “Drink slowly,” he said, pressing the glass against my mouth.
I sipped; it tasted sweet. The glass was raised from my lips. A woman with blonde, curly hair bent down and pushed something into my mouth.
“No,” the dark-eyed man said, reaching into my mouth and yanking it out. “You need to cut it smaller.”
I couldn’t keep my eye opened any longer; my eyelid closed. A soft hand stroked my cheek, gently opened my mouth and eased a small piece of something in. Its texture felt like meat as I chewed and swallowed. The flavor was good and juicy. More pieces went into my mouth. I ate each one slowly, savoring every bite.
“That’s enough,” a man said.
Warm breath covered my face as I heard a sigh. Then I felt lips against mine. Someone lifted me from the chair. I fell back to sleep.
The early morning light filled the room when I stirred to see Brett climbing into bed.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said, slipping his arm under my neck. “Just got up to make a few phone calls.” He pulled me closer. “I don’t think you moved once last night.”
I glanced under the covers. “I went to bed with my clothes on. Did you take them off?”
“Yes, after the movie. I didn’t think you would sleep well wearing jeans. You must have been tired.” He raised my head and kissed me.
Feeling his body next to mine sent a surge of excitement through me. I knew he was up to something, but I still wanted him. I wrapped both my arms around his neck. Our breath and flesh intertwined.
He brushed his lips against my cheek. “I’m glad you slept well last night.”
“Breakfast is ready,” Lindsey yelled.
“Doesn’t she know it’s Sunday?” I asked. “Sleep-in day.”
“That’s my fault. She was in the kitchen when I went to the den. She asked if I was ready for breakfast and I said yes. She said it would be about an hour before she had everything cooked. She was making biscuits, hash browns, bacon, and who knows what else.”
“We’d better get up. We don’t want to upset the chef. She’s a great cook.”
I had just taken my first bite when I wanted him again and stroked his thigh. He gazed at me and smiled. I laid down my fork; my appetite was gone. Tremors ran through my muscles as my desire for him escalated. My hands vibrated against the armrests. My feet twitched and I bit my lower lip. It was becoming unbearable.
“You okay?” Lindsey asked.
“Yes,” I replied, gasping for air as I stood up. “I need to talk to Brett for a minute.”
He gave me a puzzled look.
I took his hand, led him into the den, and kissed his neck as I unbuckled his belt.
“Can you wait until after breakfast?” he asked, holding my trembling hands.
My lips quavered. “No.” I pressed up against him, and nibbled on his ear lobe.
His eyes lit up as I tugged him down to the floor. Our bodies entangled with brute force as we quickly made love.
“Lindsey is going to wonder what’s taking us so long.” He sat up. “We better get back to breakfast.”
“Don’t leave me,” I pleaded. I’d never been this sexually aroused before; it became a need, not just a desire. I knew this sensation was abnormal. I had no idea how to suppress it. My fingers moved down his body.
“Okay,” he said, grasping my hands. “Go upstairs, I’ll be there soon. I need to say something to Lindsey before she comes looking for us.”
“How long will you be?”
He kissed my cheek. “Ten minutes.”
“Promise?”
He nodded.
I didn’t want to wait that long, but he was right. Brett got dressed while I put on my t-shirt and panties. Then I carried the rest of my clothes upstairs.
I lay in bed, starring at the clock while my heartbeat raced and my fists tapped my thighs in burning anticipation. My teeth began to chatter. My eyes fixed on the door. What is taking him so long? He promised. Finally, he entered. He undressed and climbed in bed. Neither one of us spoke. We made love until exhaustion stopped us. He held me close as I drifted into a blissful slumber.
9
Assignment
I awakened from a fitful sleep, reaching out for Brett. He wasn’t lying next to me. My eyes moved around the room; he was nowhere in sight. I felt calm and relieved I was alone. The intense sexual hunger that encompassed all my thoughts had dissipated. I needed to sort out what was wrong with me. How could I act like a nymphomaniac?
My mind drifted to last night. Even if I couldn’t recall all the details, I knew it wasn’t a dream. The place existed. It might have seemed an optical illusion, but my visceral sense assured me I had been involved in a sacramental ceremony in the woods. I just couldn’t understand why the cult would want me to be there and see their ritual. My thoughts tumbled to Lindsey as I wondered how I could keep her safe. As much as I worried about the consequences, she had to be warned. It wasn’t fair to her that she didn’t know about the danger lurking in the woods. Next time Lindsey and I were alone, I’d tell her and try to sway her not to go to the police since more lives would be lost.
I glanced at the clock and discovered I had slept all day. It was almost seven in the evening. Fulfilling my lustful desires must be taking more out of me than I realized. I needed to find a way to prevent them from controlling my very existence. But how? Confused, I dressed and headed downstairs.
Lindsey and Brett were sitting in the living room chatting when I walked in.
“Are you feeling better?” Lindsey asked as if I had been ill.
“Yes, I feel fine.”
Brett strolled over to me, put his arm around my shoulders, and whispered, “I enjoyed our morning nap.”
“I think I’ve got my hormones under control.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” he teased.
The corners of my mouth curved up as our eyes met. I thought about how much I liked him and wished he wasn’t up to something.
“Are you hungry?” Lindsey asked. “We had lasagna about an hour ago. I can warm some for you.”
“I feel starved. I can warm it up myself.”
“No.” Lindsey jumped up and moved toward the kitchen. “I’ll take care of it. Sit down and relax. This will just take a few minutes.”
Brett and I sat on the sofa. “Sorry,” I said, feeling embarrassed. My behavior, throwing myself at
him like a nymphomaniac, was inexcusable. “I ruined your breakfast. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Ruined? No. Improved.” He softly kissed my lips.
I glanced at the coffee table to see the newspaper opened to the movie section. “Are you thinking about going to a movie?”
“We were talking about it. Do you want to go?”
“Yes. We haven’t been to a show for a while.” I picked up the newspaper. “The one that’s circled, Caesar’s Revenge, starts in a little over an hour. The girls at work talked about it. It’s supposed to be a great movie.”
“Okay. We’ve got a date. We’ll leave as soon as you’re finished eating.”
“What about Lindsey?”
“She wants to go, too. I’ll be the envy of all the guys in the theater.”
I quickly ate and then went upstairs to get ready to go. While I brushed my hair, my cell phone rang. I plucked it out of my purse. “Hello,” I answered.
“Is this Sara Jones?” a man asked.
“Yes.”
“This is Lieutenant Barnes. A staff member from the hospital thought a mug shot we just received looked like one of the fellows who wheeled out the gurney. Could you come in tomorrow morning to look at it?”
“Of course. I’ll be there around eight.”
Brett walked into the bedroom and gazed at me.
“Thank you, Miss Jones. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye.” I clicked off my phone.
“Who was that?” Brett asked with an edge to his voice.
“Lieutenant Barnes. He wants me to come in tomorrow to look at a few more mug shots. I told him I’d be there at eight.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, I’ve gotten used to going there.”
At the theater, Lindsey and I went inside; Brett got in line to buy the tickets.
“Brett sure is crazy about you. He talked about you all afternoon,” Lindsey said.
“What did he say?”
“How much he loves the way your eyes twinkle when you smile, and you’re a gentle spirit, soft and warm. How he likes hiking with you. Going places with you. Stuff like that. I wish I was that special to someone.”
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