Twisted (10 page)

Danny started to laugh. “Asking a question like that could get you into a lot of trouble. It's a good thing you're with me, and not some other guy.”

“That's just it. I
am
with you, and I know I can trust you. That's why I'm asking you to show me.”

“You're sure that's what you want?”

Danny was grinning his sexy grin, and Amy's breath caught in her throat. But she really wanted to know, so she nodded. “Yes. I'm positive.”

“You really know what you're asking?”

“Of course.” Amy nodded, and moved over to cuddle up against him. That felt so wonderful she reached out to wrap her arms around his neck. Then she smiled up at him, and sighed. “Go ahead, Danny. I'm ready.”

Danny groaned, deep in his throat. And then he bent down to kiss her lightly. “Open your lips, Amy.”

“But . . . why?” Amy stared up at him.

“Just do it. You want me to kiss you like I kissed Renee, don't you?”

Amy nodded, and parted her lips. And then she gasped as Danny gathered her close in his arms and took possession of her mouth. His warm tongue slid over her lips, and darted between them, tasting the heat of her mouth.

“Oooh!” Amy gasped, and her mind floated free. Danny's tongue was darting into her mouth, licking and tasting, making delicious shivers run through her whole trembling body. She couldn't think, or analyze what she was feeling. She could only feel, and gasp with wonderful pleasure.

“Enough?” Danny pulled back to touch her nose with the tip of his finger.

“Nooo.” Amy didn't wait for him to ask again. She just pulled his face down to hers and started the kiss again. It was different this time, and it lasted even longer. And when Amy pulled away, she was breathless.

“Oooh, Danny! That was wonderful! I felt hot and cold at the same time, and my toes started to tingle!”

Danny threw back his head and laughed. “That's definitely a first. I've never had that effect on a girl before.”

“That's because I'm not just any girl. Let's do it again and see what happens.”

Danny raised his eyebrows. “You're really asking for trouble, Amy, and it's getting late. Don't you think you'd better . . .”

“No.” Amy reached out for him again, before he could raise any more objections. “Once more, Danny . . . please? Then I'll go in, I promise.”

Danny laughed, but Amy noticed that this time he reached for her. His lips came down on hers, and she sighed as the kiss deepened. Again, she didn't think. She just reacted to the thrilling sensations flowing through her. Every inch of her body felt graceful, and she seemed to be floating on a sea of pure pleasure, riding the waves and cresting their peaks for an eternity.

Her tongue swept out to merge with his, thrusting and licking and tasting. And her fingers wound through his hair and stroked the sides of his head. She felt suddenly beautiful and brilliant and very, very desirable. And then it was over, and he was holding her in his arms and smiling at her.

“How was it, Amy?” Danny brushed back her hair with his hand in an incredibly tender gesture.

“Ooh . . . it was wonderful! And the music . . . it was incredible !”

“Music?”

“Yes. I'm not exactly sure, but it was like classical, and folk, and jazz, and blues, and the best of rock, all rolled up into one. It was the most fabulous music I've ever heard!”

“Amy?” Danny's voice was shaking slightly. “Will you promise me something?”

“Oh, yes! What is it?”

“Remember when I promised not to take advantage of you?”

“Yes, Danny.” Amy breathed the words. She'd never felt so happy and content in her life. “I remember.”

“I'd like a promise from you, too.”

“Yes, Danny.” Amy smiled up at him. “What is it?”

“I want you to promise not to take advantage of me!”

J
essica was smiling as she turned off the alarm clock and got out of bed on Monday morning. Normally, she hated to go to school on Mondays, but this Monday was different. After two whole days of being chaperoned by Neal and her parents, Jessica was looking forward to a day at school, a day when she didn't have to worry about what was lurking around the next corner. Despite what she'd told Amy, Jessica was worried about what had happened to Tanya and Gail. She didn't think that Tanya and Gail had actually been murdered; but they had been the victims of very bad luck, and she didn't want to take any chances.

For one brief moment, on Sunday night, Jessica had almost caved in under the pressure. She'd actually picked up the phone to call Amy to tell her that she agreed, and the contest should be canceled.

Since Neal had gone home, and there had been nothing to do, Jessica had spent her time writing letters. She'd written one to her grandmother that was long overdue, one to her favorite aunt in Idaho, and a third to a boy she'd met when the Hamilton High cheerleaders had gone to a convention at the University.

Since Neal didn't know about the college boy she'd met, Jessica had walked down the inside stairs to leave the letters in the mailbox that was attached to the brick wall outside, next to the plate glass window that displayed the newest items her father had ordered for the hardware store. The mailbox was only a step from the door, so she'd felt safe going outside alone. But when Jessica had pulled open the latch to drop her letters inside, there had been an envelope in the box.

Jessica had pulled out the envelope without really looking at it, and carried it back inside. She'd assumed that the postman had come back after the regular Saturday delivery with a letter he'd found in the bottom of his bag. But when she'd glanced at the letter in the light, she'd wished she'd left it in the box.

The envelope was red, and it was addressed to her, but it hadn't come through the regular mail. There had been no stamp or cancellation, and someone had just dropped it in the hardware store mailbox. Jessica had stared down at the envelope for a long moment, and then she'd carried it upstairs to her room, to open it in privacy. She'd known exactly who it was from. All Cat's Valentines came in red envelopes.

There had been a poem inside, just as she'd known there would be. It hadn't been exactly the same as the ones that Tanya and Gail had received, but it had carried a similar message.

Roses are red, their leaves are green. You'll pass my test if you want to be queen.

Jessica had shuddered, and stared down at the poem for a long moment. And then she'd hurried to the phone on her dresser. But before she'd dialed Amy's number, she'd reconsidered. She'd meant what she'd told Amy, and she still didn't think that Cat was dangerous. He was just a sick freak, and there was no way she'd let him spoil the fun she'd have being crowned as Valentine's Day Queen.

“Creep! Here's what I think of you!” Jessica had torn the card into as many pieces as she could and dropped them in her wastebasket. And she'd spent the whole night tossing and turning, wondering whether she'd done the right thing.

After a shower, and several minutes in front of her makeup table, Jessica had felt much better. She'd managed to hide the dark circles under her eyes, and a little blush had worked wonders to make her look fresh and rested. Now, no one would be able to tell she'd been worried all night, and Amy wouldn't dare to suggest that they cancel the contest.

Jessica dressed in her favorite outfit, a navy blue turtlenecked sweater with a matching pleated skirt, just like the ones they'd worn in the fifties. Jessica loved the fifties styles, and she had several pleated skirts, a couple of old-fashioned sweater sets, and a real poodle skirt. She knew the fifties styles looked good on her. Girls hadn't been so thin then, and if she'd gone to Hamilton High in the fifties, she would have been just the right size. Now she was considered too heavy, because girls these days were all skin and bones.

A glance in the mirror, and Jessica was satisfied. Her hair was perfect, as it always was. She was very lucky that she'd inherited her mother's naturally curly red hair. All she had to do was keep it cut short so it wouldn't get bushy, and run a brush through it in the morning.

Her mother was standing at the stove, frying something that smelled wonderful, and she turned to smile. “Good morning, honey. Are you hungry?”

“I am now.” Jessica grinned as she realized that her mother was making French toast. Her mother's French toast was fried in butter, and it was delicious, drenched in homemade apricot syrup. “I can only have one piece, though. I want to be able to fit into my new dress.”

But French toast was seductive, and Jessica ended up eating two pieces, despite her resolve. When she was finished, she left her plate on the table. Her mother would clean up. She always did. And then she started to gather up her books.

“Jessica?”

“Yes, Mom.” Jessica hid a frown. She knew exactly what her mother was going to ask, and she didn't really want to do it.

“Would you mind the store while your father eats breakfast?”

“Uh . . . sure, Mom,” Jessica agreed, reluctantly.

Jessica's mother seemed to sense her reluctance, because she sighed deeply. “You do have time, don't you, honey? Neal doesn't usually come early.”

“Neal's never early.” Jessica gave a bitter little laugh. “He picks me up so late, we always have to run to get to our first class on time.”

Jessica was frowning as she went down the inside stairs and pushed open the door to the hardware store. She hated to watch the store in the morning. There were never any customers, and time dragged by. The only thing that made it tolerable at all was that she could see everything that was happening on the street outside.

“Good morning, Dad.” Jessica decided to be polite. She was going to hit her dad up for money later this week, and she didn't want to get on his bad side. She even forced a smile as she hurried down the gardening aisle, which was normally filled with wheelbarrows, rakes, and gardening tools. In the winter, the items from the gardening aisle were stored in the back, and it had been restocked with shovels, bags of salt that were used to remove ice from sidewalks, and snow blowers. “Mom sent me down to watch the store while you have breakfast.”

“Thanks, honey. Just buzz me if Neal comes before I get back.”

“No problem.” Jessica shrugged. “It's like I told Mom. Neal's never early.”

“Troubles in paradise?” Jessica's father looked concerned.

“Oh, no . . . nothing like that.” Jessica reassured him. Her mother and father really liked Neal. “We're never actually late for school. We just have to hurry, that's all.”

Jessica's father nodded. “That's a small fault, honey. You could do a lot worse than Neal Carpenter. Your mother and I think he's a fine boy.”

“Neal's just fine. I like him a lot.” Jessica did her best to sound enthusiastic. There was no way she wanted to get into a discussion about how bored she was with Neal. Then her father would try to convince her that Neal was the greatest thing since disposable flashlights, and she really couldn't cope with that this morning. “You'd better hurry, Dad. Your French toast will get cold.”

Jessica was thoughtful as she watched her father head for the stairs. He'd looked a little tired this morning, and she knew she hadn't been pulling her share of the load in the store. She'd been too busy with cheerleading and parties and hanging out with the gang at the Hungry Burger. But this was her Senior year and she was entitled to have some fun, before those days were gone forever. Life wasn't all work, even though her mother and father seemed to think it was.

There was a frown on Jessica's face as she stared out through the plate glass window. She knew her mother and father wanted her to take over the store someday, and she'd wanted it, too, until the Valentine's Day Queen contest had changed her whole outlook. Things were different now, and Jessica had a big decision to make.

Jessica had always assumed she'd stay in Clearwater, and marry Neal. He was nice, and she liked him a lot. But Neal had bored her to tears this weekend, and there were other guys out there she'd never get a chance to meet if she buried herself behind the hoes, and the rakes, and the bags of fertilizer forever. Once she got to be Valentine's Day Queen, everyone would look at her in a new light. It would prove that she was prettier, and smarter, and more popular than the other girls. She might have a chance for bigger things, things she'd never even considered before, like moving somewhere else and starting an exciting career that had nothing to do with hardware.

A guilty sigh escaped Jessica's lips. Her parents would be terribly disappointed if she left home. They'd been counting on her to carry on the family tradition. She was the fourth generation of Fords, and they wanted Ford Hardware to go on forever. But this was her life, and she had the right to live it the way she chose.

What would her parents do if she left? Jessica's frown deepened as she considered the problem. She really didn't want to leave them in the lurch, but they could always hire one of the locals to help them out in the store. It would still be Ford Hardware, even if they hired someone else to run it. But who would they hire?

Jessica began to smile as she thought of a perfect solution. Neal was fascinated by the hardware business. He was always asking her questions about what they stocked, and why. And her parents seemed to like Neal a lot. Perhaps they could hire him to help out when she moved away and left him behind.

She caught a movement out of the corner of her eye, and Jessica glanced up at the plate glass window. Kevin Thomas and Bob Pelski had stopped by the window on their way past, to wave at her. Jessica waved back, even though she didn't like Kevin or Bob that much. Kevin and Bob were losers. They'd end up staying in Clearwater forever, just like most of her classmates at Hamilton High.

A shiny red truck pulled up to the curb across the street, and Jessica watched as Wade Parker got out and swaggered up the sidewalk in his cowboy boots. Wade had been the hottest prospect at Hamilton High four years ago, when Jessica had been a Freshman. He'd been captain of the football team, the highest scorer on the basketball team, and the most popular boy in the Senior class. Wade's father owned a huge turkey farm on the outskirts of town, and Wade had always had plenty of money to spend. At the beginning of Wade's Senior year, his father had bought him a brand-new red Chevy pickup with mag wheels, a full stereo system, and white leather upholstery. It had been the envy of every other guy in school, and the girls had gone crazy, trying to get him to take them for a ride.

Jessica hadn't been immune to Wade's charms. She remembered staring at him in the halls with awe, wishing that he would notice her. But, of course, he hadn't. There had been no reason for Wade Parker to notice a pudgy Freshman girl with curly red hair and a yearning look in her eyes.

Wade Parker had been voted most likely to succeed in the high school yearbook, and everyone had expected him to do something great. But Wade hadn't been chosen for an athletic scholarship, and none of the professional teams had drafted him. Regular college was out, since Wade had failed to keep up his grades, and he'd ended up settling down in a house by one of his father's turkey farms, and marrying Laurie Swensen, Hamilton High's head cheerleader.

Jessica watched as Wade pulled open the door to Millie's cafe and walked in. He'd been going to Millie's for breakfast every morning since Laurie had left him. The rumor around town was that she'd found him at the Starlight Motel on highway eight, with one of her best friends. It was probably true. Wade wasn't the type to settle down for long.

There was a new dent in Wade's truck, a watermelon-sized depression right in the back, on the tailgate. He had a reputation for drinking and driving, and he'd probably had another accident while he'd been driving home after a night at one of his favorite bars. It was a wonder that Wade hadn't lost his license; but so far his accidents had been solo spinouts, and he hadn't been required to report them to the police.

“What happened to you, Wade?” Jessica asked the question aloud, but she already knew the answer. If Wade had left, he might have had a chance. But he'd stayed in Clearwater, the place where people died at the age of twenty and didn't get buried until fifty years later.

Someone honked outside the window, and Jessica looked up. Neal was here. He'd pulled up, right in front of the store, but he wasn't going to bother to come in for her. He never did.

Jessica pressed the buzzer. She'd done her duty, minding the store, and now her mother or her father could take over. Actually, she'd done her duty for years and years, ever since her father had taught her to make change. Over the years, she'd spent long days sitting behind the counter, waiting on customers and being bored out of her skin.

“It's definitely time for a change,” Jessica muttered to herself as she shrugged into her coat and picked up her books. There was no way she'd settle down in Clearwater like a dutiful daughter, and wind up like Wade Parker. She'd start making plans today, and right after she graduated, she'd leave Clearwater and all of its boring residents in her dust!