Passion's Price (3 page)

She pushed against his chest. “Oh, no. I’m sorry, Mike. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but I was still… I mean I’d been thinking… Oh, I don’t know what I mean.”

He set her on her feet, adjusted her blouse and caressed her cheek.

“I can’t believe I went crazy like that, Mike. I’ve never in my whole life felt like that. I’m—”

“When were you thinking of me? Just before you met me on the steps,” he whispered.

She could lie or she could get mad at him. She did neither. “A few minutes before you met me on the stairs. How did you know?”

“Because your face blushed with color, and you wouldn’t look me in the eye. What do you mean you never felt that way before?”

“I haven’t.”

“I see. Is there a man in your life now?”

She buried her face in the curve of his neck. “No one.”

“There’s a strong physical attraction between us, Darlene, and I think we ought to see where it takes us. What about it?”

“I don’t know. I live in Maryland, and you’re here. Besides, I’m not sure I want a guy who can make me do what I just did.”

He stepped back and stared at her. “I hope you’re kidding. You want to be with a man who can’t fire your passion? That makes no sense to me.”

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go downstairs before Boyd decides we’re up to something. Besides, won’t he sneak out?”

“No. He’s afraid to do that. You never answered my question.”

“But we don’t know each other, Mike.”

“Right. And I’m asking that you give us a chance to get to know each other. I want to know what makes you happy, what ticks you off, angers you, saddens you, your hobbies, your joys, secrets, likes and dislikes. Are you a Republican or a Democrat?”

“Don’t insult me by even suggesting that I could be a Republican.”

“At least I know that much.” He put an arm around her. “Our food should be here any minute. Come on.”

He paid for the food, and she neither objected nor questioned him about it. The three of them ate before
sitting down to watch a movie. At about nine o’clock, Boyd announced that he was going to bed.

“You take the guest room, Darlene, and Mike—” said Boyd.

“I’m sleeping down here on the sofa.”

“Sure,” Boyd said. “The sofa opens into a double bed. See you tomorrow morning. Good night, Darlene. I’m sorry you have to be here, but in a way, I’m glad you came. You brighten the place.”

Darlene watched as he climbed the stairs—almost jauntily, she thought.

“He seems happy,” Darlene said to Mike when they were alone.

“I think he is. He likes you a lot. You’re gracious and…well, gentle with him.”

“So are you.”

“I’m just being myself. A woman expresses gentleness quite differently than a man. Besides, he doesn’t want me fussing over him, but your little pats on his arms and his shoulders make him feel cherished.”

She walked over to Mike and gave his shoulder a soft caress. “Did that make you feel cherished?”

His eyes darkened, and his nostrils flared. “Unless you want to spend the night on this sofa with me, get up those stairs.”

She cocked her head to the side and exhaled deeply. “Nobody orders me around, Mike. I’ll go up the stairs when I get ready.”

“If you’re trying to see what I’m made of, you’re
moving in the right direction. I want to make love to you, and if you don’t get up those stairs now, I will.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

“I know the music that makes you dance, and I’m skilled at playing it.” He walked toward her, but she stepped backward until her back touched the arm of the sofa. The next minute she was lying on her back, and he was standing over her. “What will it be, Darlene? This isn’t a time for teasing.”

She raised her right hand to him. “Please help me up. I want to kiss you good-night, but I’m scared to.”

He helped her up and wrapped her in his arms, but before she could return the caress, he pressed a quick kiss to her lips and released her. “Sleep well, baby. By the way, I forgot to give you this travel-size toiletry pack. I bought it at the supermarket.”

Her arms went around him. “You’re so sweet. It’s just what I needed. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, his voice rough and shaky. “Now, go on upstairs.”

She parted her lips over his and took his tongue into her mouth. “Night.” She ran up the stairs. He didn’t know it, but, as mad as he made her sometimes, she didn’t see herself ever forgetting about him.

Mike opened the sofa bed and smiled. He had expected to have a miserable night’s sleep on a sofa with his feet hanging off it, but the large mattress guaranteed comfort. He took a shower and headed back downstairs as quickly as possible, carefully avoiding the room in
which Darlene slept. For whatever reason the woman was temptation personified. But not even the thoughts of her soft and willing body tight in his arms was going to make him violate his official oath—to serve and protect. Bad enough that he’d kissed her while on duty, but he was not going further than that.

He checked the front and back doors, turned off the lights and slipped between the sheets, irritated that for modesty’s sake, and in the event of an emergency, he had to sleep in pajama bottoms. He loved the feel of his naked flesh against cool, clean sheets. He closed his eyes and told himself to sleep—a routine that usually guaranteed he’d doze off quickly. But instead of sleeping, he spent the next two hours tossing and turning, half-awake. Exhausted, he sat up and turned on a light. He knew the symptoms had to do with Darlene and his sexual frustration. What had caused him to think such a thing? After drinking a glass of warm milk, he got back in bed and was soon asleep.

He awakened, groggy and tired. “Wake up, Mike. I brought you a cup of coffee,” Boyd said. “It’s not as good as yours, but it will wake you up.”

“Thanks, Boyd. What time is it?”

“Seven-thirty, and I just heard Darlene upstairs, so you’d better get dressed.”

He sipped the coffee. “You’re improving. This is good.” He got up, dressed, made the bed, closed the sofa bed and drank the remainder of the coffee. What had Boyd Farmer been like before his life was turned
upside down by the witness protection program? The question had begun to bother him. Boyd was no different than any other person minding their own business only to have their life turned upside down after witnessing a murder. After washing up, Mike walked into the kitchen, where Boyd stood peeling a pineapple.

“Mind if I ask you a question or two, Boyd?”

“Nope. I may not answer, though,” he replied, continuing to cut the fruit.

“Who are your close relatives—for example, people you would want to be contacted if you got sick?”

Boyd stopped peeling the pineapple and looked directly at Mike. “I have two nieces, a nephew and a cousin, and I don’t want any of those vultures near me.”

Mike’s mouth dropped. “
What?
But—”

“Surprised you, didn’t I?”

“Absolutely. You mean if you died, you wouldn’t want your relatives to know?”

“Right. They wouldn’t care. Do you know how to make pancakes?”

“Yeah. I take ’em out of the box and pop ’em in a toaster.”

He hadn’t heard Boyd laugh before, and the sound of it surprised him. “I was hoping for some homemade.”

“I wondered where you two were. Good morning,” Darlene said.

“Good morning,” Mike responded. “Did you sleep well?”

“You bet I did. That bed is pure luxury. How’d you sleep down here?”

I fought the sheets half the night trying to deal with my passion for you,
he said to himself. “Fine,” he said, and made himself grin.

“Have you ever made pancakes, Darlene?” Boyd asked. “I’d love to have some.”

Darlene rolled up the sleeves of her blouse. “Give me flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, salt, butter and fifteen minutes.”

Mike stared at her. “I wouldn’t have thought you could boil water.”

“I’ve been known to burn it,” she shot back. “Boyd, do you have any maple syrup?”

“Oh, yes. I’ll fry some bacon.”

Darlene looked at Mike, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Think you can set the table, Detective Raines?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Half an hour later, the three of them sat down to a breakfast of fresh pineapple, pancakes and bacon. “These pancakes are delicious,” Mike said.

“Oh, yes. They’re real good,” Boyd said. “I hate not going out, but having company for breakfast and dinner is better than going out by myself.”

Mike glanced at Boyd in time to see Darlene stroke his arm in a gesture of comfort. He could use some of that himself.

A loud crash interrupted this thoughts. He pushed away from the table. “Get under the table, both of
you,” he said. He grabbed his revolver and ran to the hallway that led to the rear of the house. The sound came from the direction of the back of the house. The shattered windowpane told him that he’d guessed right. He unlocked the door and stepped outside just as a man attempted to scale the high fence and escape.

“Drop or I’ll shoot!
I said drop!
” The man fell to the ground. “And don’t move an inch.”

“My leg hurts.”

“Too bad. Get up, face that wall and don’t turn around unless you want a bullet.” He dialed the detective’s squad room. “This is Raines. I caught a guy scaling the wall after he tried to break in the back door at Boyd’s place.” He dialed Boyd’s number.

“Hello.”

“Boyd, this is Mike. I’m holding a guy out back here. If two policemen come to the door, let them in and show them the way to the back of the house.”

“Okay, but you be careful.”

“I’ve got it covered, Boyd.”

Within ten minutes, Cody Johnson and another officer arrived. “Good work, Mike,” Cody said. “We’ll take him off your hands.”

“But I have to file my report, so—”

“You’ve been up all night, man. It can wait until tomorrow. Breaking and entering will get him a nice rest, so one extra day won’t matter,” Cody said. “By the way, please give my regards to Miss Hellraiser.”

Although he winced at the dig about Darlene, Mike forced a grin. “I’ll do that. Thanks, buddy.”

Darlene held Boyd’s hand. “Don’t worry,” she said. “Whatever it is, I know Mike can take care of it.”

“You’re right,” Boyd said. “Ever since I met him, I wished I’d had a son like him.” He cleared his throat. “Darlene, I think I ought to tell you something. You’ve been so nice to me that I feel badly for not having been straight with you. I haven’t been straight with Mike, either.”

“What is it?” she asked cautiously.

“I’m under house arrest until I testify in a big case. That’s why I appreciate Detective Raines,” he said. “But after I testify I’m on my own or it’s the witness protection program.”

“What will you do?”

“I don’t know. I think that’s what’s behind these attempted break-ins. Pretty soon, Mike’s going to release you, but I want you to stay in touch and come visit me. I never married, so I don’t have any children. You’ll always be welcome here.” He was quiet for a moment. “You and Mike, work things out. He’s a good man, and you won’t find one like him every day. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, I hear you, and I’m sure that you’re going to be all right. Thank you for everything, Boyd.”

“Something serious seems to be developing between you two. Don’t ignore it.”

They both walked to the front of the house. Darlene followed Boyd to the front door. “Detective Johnson,
what’s happened? Is Mike…Detective Raines all right?”

“You bet. We came to arrest the intruder.”

She let out a long sigh. “Thank God.” Cody regarded her suspiciously, wondering if anything was going on between his partner and her. Even so, it could have been that she was relieved nothing serious had happened to Mike.

“Come with me,” Boyd said. At that, Cody’s eyebrows shot up, and he looked around as if assuring himself that he was in the right place. Boyd was not behaving like a man who was under house arrest.

Darlene followed them down the hall to the door that led to the rock garden, stepped outside and satisfied herself that Mike was indeed safe. Later, after Cody and his partner left with the assailant, Mike sat down with Darlene and Boyd.

“The officers at the station will be arraigning the suspect, Darlene, and if they can detain him, you’ll be free to leave. Until then, I’m still on duty here. However, if you or Boyd would like to get some fresh air in the garden back here, I’ll be glad to go with you. I think he’s the guy I’ve seen driving past here, but I want to wait for the police report.”

“Let’s order some lunch,” Boyd said. “By the time it gets here, I’ll be hungry.” Once it was delivered, the three of them sat on benches in the rock garden enjoying the fountains and the birds that came to use the birdbath. After a while, Boyd decided to go into the house to get some bird feed.

“I guess this the end for us, Darlene. I was hoping that somehow you’d stay a little longer. I want a chance to
know
you and to show you who I am. Though since I’ve met you, I’m no longer certain that I know myself.”

She stroked the back of his hand. “I guess the biggest surprise has been my reaction to you, Mike.”

He took both of her hands. “Don’t you want to get to know me?”

“Yes, but you scare me, because I don’t know what you’ll do.”

“If you’re talking about the Mike who kissed you last night, trust me, the better you get to know him, the happier you’ll be…that is, if I’m the guy who teaches you.”

“But what about the distance between Maryland and Memphis?”

“If the planes don’t fly, I can always drive. If you tell me I can see you, believe me, I’ll be there.”

“Why, Mike? We hardly know each other.”

“Darlene, this is something you should know about a man and a woman—it only takes a moment. For me, that moment was when I opened that door as you were about to leave.” He stared hard at her.

D
arlene had hoped that Mike would not receive the call from the police station for at least another day. But shortly after lunch—about three hours after Mike had apprehended the suspect—Mike got the news that the man would be arraigned and that he no longer needed to detain Darlene.

“You’re free to leave here whenever you like, Darlene,” Mike told her. She sat still, looking at him, unaware of the disheartened expression on her face. “You don’t seem happy about the prospect of leaving,” Mike said. “If you’d like, I’ll drive you to the Peabody Hotel.” There was an officer outside who would continue to watch Boyd.

“I’ve been in another world for two days,” she said,
“and I realize now that it’s been pleasant and I…I feel as if I’m leaving friends.”

Mike narrowed his eyes, spread his knees and clasped them with the palms of his hands. “Friends, eh?”

Neither of them was prepared for Boyd’s laughter. “That’s what I was thinking,” he said.

Darlene got up and walked toward Boyd, who stood as she approached. “I don’t have anything to pack,” she said to no one in particular. She smiled and hugged the older man. “I’m glad I met you. I wouldn’t have missed knowing you for anything.” She kissed his cheek. “Before I leave Memphis, I’ll be in touch.” Then she picked up her handbag and turned to Mike. “I’m ready.”

Once they were settled, he started the car, turned on the air-conditioning and pulled away from the curb. “I don’t feel like driving you to the hotel and leaving you there,” he said.

She hadn’t thought that Mike would feel anxious about her leaving, or that he would feel as uneasy as she felt.
I’ve learned more about myself in the past two days than in the past ten years,
she thought to herself. “I told you that I’ll stay in touch, Mike. If it’s at all humanly possible, I keep my word,” she said. She could almost feel him relax.

“When are you returning to Maryland, and what will you do for the remainder of your stay?”

“After I look over my notes, I’m going to get the information that I came here to get, and I hope that won’t take more than an additional day.”

“Be careful. If I can help, let me know.”

He stopped the car in front of the hotel and put his official police ID against the windshield. He wrote something on the back of his card and handed it to her. “Don’t lose that. For obvious reasons, my phone number is unlisted.” He got out of the car and went around to open her door. “I know it’s old-fashioned, but I like to open doors for women when they’re special to me,” he said.

“How many women are special to you?”

He tweaked her nose. “You are. I’ll walk you to your room.”

She appreciated his courtesy, but she also wanted to work. And she didn’t think that she would accomplish much if he were in her room with her.

At the desk, she asked for another room key and got a knowing look from the desk clerk, who handed her the card key along with a handful of messages. Once they reached her door, she tried to avoid looking at him.

“Why can’t you look at me?” he asked, as he closed the door behind them.

She looked up at him and breathed deeply. She didn’t see the fiery passion that had burned in his eyes the night before, but rather a tenderness, a sweetness that she had never before seen in any man’s eyes. She automatically moved toward him and welcomed the loving warmth of his arms around her and the feel of his hands on her body.

“Darlene, I’d like to have dinner with you tonight,” he whispered, hugging her.

“You’ve practically guaranteed that I’ll say yes. I’m no match for you.”

He moved back an inch and stared into her face until her blood began to warm her veins in a mad race to her loins. As if he read her reaction to him, he brushed her lips with his, and she opened to him. Then he plundered her lips and possessed her until her body slumped against him.

“If I don’t get out of here… I’ll never be able to leave.” He kissed her quickly and left without waiting for her response. Shaken, she quickly drank two glasses of cool water to calm herself.

She read the messages left at the front desk from her brother and sister and her law partners, and sent a text message to each of them. Then she studied her notes. Satisfied that the trip wasn’t a total loss, she contacted some of the others on her list and arranged to meet them. She had most of the information she needed to confirm her client’s alibi with just a few phone calls.

Darlene was excited as she contemplated dinner with Mike. She decided to wear an off-the-shoulder chiffon dress that fit her body like a glove. She added pearl earrings, lipstick that was the same rose color of her dress, and a dab of perfume to complete her ensemble. Her hair hung in soft curls below her shoulders.

Darlene jumped when the phone rang a few minutes before seven. It was the front desk. She had a visitor. Darlene could barely contain her excitement. “I’ll be right down,” she said.

Mike stood facing the elevator when she stepped out
of it, and his eyes shone like brilliant stars. He handed her a bouquet of tea roses and kissed her cheek. “You are beautiful,” he said.

“You look wonderful, Mike. I’m glad to be with you.”

“Hey, that’s my line.” He walked with her to the desk and handed the bouquet to the clerk. “Please have someone put these in Ms. Cunningham’s room.”

“Yes, sir,” the man said.

“We’re going to Equestria. I like the atmosphere there, and you’re so lovely you deserve a restaurant that is as beautiful as you.”

“Thank you.” She wanted to let him know how much his thoughtfulness had touched her, but no other words came.

He reached over and pressed her body to him. “Why are you nervous? I want to know where that sassy, rambunctious woman is hiding.”

“I can’t help you,” she said, “because I don’t know anyone like that.”

He listed some of the smart-mouthed comments she’d made, adding, “Please don’t do away with her. That woman whets my appetite.” She wasn’t about to reply to that.

He drove along Forest Hill Irene Road and stopped at a gray-and-red one-story building, surrounded by trees and shrubs. She knew before they reached the door that he was taking her to a special place.

“I’m sorry they don’t have live music here,” he said
as they followed the maître d’ to their table. “We can go dancing afterward if you like.”

“It’s a beautiful place,” she said. “I could sit here with you all evening.”

“I hope you’re trying to make me feel like a king, because that’s what you’re doing.”

“Why not? Every woman wants a king.”

“I think I’ll stay on the safe side and not touch that one. What time does your flight leave tomorrow?”

“Three-twenty, which means I won’t get to say good bye to Boyd. I hate that.”

“You want to stop by after dinner and spend half an hour with him? Then we can drop by the Cappricio, which is in the Peabody, catch some jazz and dance. What do you say?”

“I’d love that. Won’t Boyd be about ready to go to bed when we finish here?”

“Hardly. He plays solitaire on his computer until midnight. Then he gets a book and starts reading. He’s a very interesting man.”

“I know,” she said. “He’s such a sweet man. There ought to be a lot of people like him.”

“I gather he’s under police protection.”

“Please make sure nothing happens to him.”

“I’ll do what I can. He’s all alone, but I plan to drop by to see him at least once a week as long as he’s under police protection. When can I come to Maryland to see you? I mean, how much advance notice do you need?”

A frown marred her features. “Mike, my life isn’t complicated.”

“All right. Can I visit you next weekend? I’ll get there Friday and leave on Sunday.” She opened her mouth, but not a sound emerged. Her thoughts went to the only problem that might arise.

Mike’s expression shifted as fast as mercury in a sudden heatwave. “Sorry for being presumptuous,” he said. “But…”

She reached out and stroked his hand to reassure him. “I was trying to figure out what accommodations I could make so—”

He interrupted her. “You’re kidding.”

“No, I wasn’t. If a man is coming to Frederick, Maryland, to see me, I have to put my best foot forward. My brother and sister, Clark and Tyra, will be after me to get organized and be mature, especially with a houseguest.”

“You look plenty damned mature to me. I hope you ignore them.”

“I do, and it drives them crazy.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“Of course I’ll be happy to see you next weekend. We have a big house. Usually, only Maggie our housekeeper and I are there. But if Clark knows a man is coming to visit me, you can bet he’ll be there for the entire weekend. My sister Tyra is married and lives in Baltimore. If Clark gives you the third degree, I’m sure you’ll let him know right away that you’re as good at that as he is.”

“Hmm. I haven’t had much experience tangling with protective brothers.” “I
love
him, but I don’t tell him that. A father wouldn’t be as strict.”

“Not to worry, Darlene. I haven’t met a man who could make me cringe.”

They finished a gourmet meal of steamed lobster with drawn butter, green peas, dauphin potatoes, braised pearl onions, green salad and caramel-rum soufflé. Afterward, as they were sipping espresso, he clasped her hand.

“I want to dance with you. If we don’t leave soon, there won’t be enough time to see Boyd and enjoy some live music.”

“I’m ready,” she said as she drained her coffee.

He held her hand as he stood and looked at her with an odd expression. “You said those same words to me as we were about to leave Boyd’s earlier today. Are you sending me a subtle message, or is it merely a coincidence?”

“If I’m sending you a message, I’m not conscious of it. Let’s go.”

They left the restaurant holding hands. Before turning on the ignition, he telephoned Boyd. “Hello, this is Mike. How’s it going? Great. Darlene and I are out on the town. She’s leaving tomorrow and wants to say goodbye. Can you stand our company for ten minutes?”

“I can stand it for a lot longer than that,” Boyd replied.

Once they arrived at his house, Boyd opened the door, stood back and looked at Darlene. A smile floated over his face. “One of the blessings of aging is being able to appreciate beautiful young women, platonic and safe though it may be. Come in, Darlene, and let me look at you.” His gaze traveled over her, and then he looked at Mike. “You’ve got a prize there, Mike. Take care of her.” They drank some coffee and ate the Belgian chocolates that Boyd offered them while they talked.

“I don’t offer these chocolates to anybody else,” he assured them. “They’re my favorites.”

After several minutes, they stood to leave. Both of them embraced the older man. “If I write, will you answer?” Darlene asked him.

“Sure will. I answer the phone, too. Go with the angels,” he told them.

Mike stood outside, holding her hand, until he heard the lock click. “That old man grows on me, but not the way you do. You’re sinking into me like quicksand.” He opened the front passenger door, walked around the car inspecting his tires, got in and was soon speeding toward the Peabody.

He gave his car keys to the hotel valet and led Darlene to the Lobby Bar. As they entered the bar the band played “Easy Living.”

“Dance with me. I’ve wanted to hold you in my arms all day.” After handing a waiter a note, he walked with her to the dance floor and opened his arms.

“I’m surprised that you didn’t find an opportunity sooner,” she said.

“There’ve been several, but I detest behaving like a lovestruck teenager.” The song ended quickly. But before Mike could move his arms from her body, the beginning notes of the Beatles’ “Something” reached her ears, and she melted into him.

“Watch it, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I’m already at my boiling point as it is.”

Darlene hadn’t noticed Mike’s amorousness. She had wanted to kiss him from the time she walked into Boyd’s house that morning, but he had behaved then and since as if they were under his partner, Cody Johnson’s, stern gaze.

“With your self-control, you can handle it. I love dancing with you, and I’m going to enjoy this.”

“Go on and have fun. I’ll see if it’s everything I expected.”

She snuggled closer. “You said I was beautiful. That’s all I need.”

He kissed the top of her head. “You started a fire, so you’d better think about how you’ll put it out.”

“I’m not worried,” she said as his arm tightened around her. ‘You’ll protect me.” She stood back to look into his face, and his heated attraction in it. She eased back into the cradle of his chest.

The haunting song ended, and Mike led her back to their table. “Let’s have a glass of wine or something,” she said. “I don’t want this night to be over.”

He ordered a vodka tonic for himself. “What would you like?”

“Vodka Collins, thank you,” Darlene said.

The drinks came, and he raised his glass to her. “You’re supposed to miss me the minute you get on that plane.”

“I miss you just thinking about it.”

She looked at him and glimpsed the blatant need blazing in his eyes. Stormy eyes. He immediately looked away, and she knew that he was embarrassed at having such naked desire. Without thinking about it, she grasped his hand. Her reward was a clear but silent question. She shifted her gaze away from him and sipped her drink.

Mike signaled for the waiter, paid the bill and reached for Darlene’s hand. “Shall we go?”

Her entire body seemed to quicken, and goose pimples tingled across her bare skin. She stumbled a little as he helped her from her chair, and his arm slid around her shoulder.

“Easy, sweetheart. I won’t let anything happen to you. Not now. Not ever. Trust me.”

“I do,” she whispered. “I don’t know why, but I do.”

He hadn’t questioned his feelings as closely as he probably should have. But he knew he wouldn’t get her out of his system, and with five or six hundred miles between them, he had to hold her as closely to him as he could while he had the chance.

Outside the door of her hotel room, he held out his hand for her key. She handed it to him without hesitation.