He sat on the edge of the bed, a faint smile on his lips. “For a second I knew what you looked like as a little girl.”
Noreen let the sheets fall and winked. “But I’m not a little girl anymore.”
Michael’s expression grew serious. “Do you know how old I am?”
She leaned forward. “Ask me if I care,” she whispered against his lips before she kissed him. She drew back and rested her hands on her lap. “Now what comes next?”
Michael placed a hand against her neck, looking pensive. “Your fever has gone down.”
Noreen frowned. “My fever?”
“Yes, you were running a fever when I found you on the beach.”
She raised her brows. “You found me on the beach?”
He nodded. “Yes. You were unconscious and I brought you back here.”
Noreen grinned, enjoying the game of make-believe. “So you rescued me.”
“Yes, you were hesitant at first, but then I finally convinced you to let me help you.”
“I’m sure it didn’t take you long to convince me.”
His jaw twitched. “Longer than I’d wanted.”
“Next time I won’t argue.”
“Promise?”
“Of course,” Noreen said, surprised he was so intense
when they were just pretending. She suddenly grabbed the front of her shirt. “Oh, no.”
Michael started. “What?”
“I feel faint. I need some food.”
He laughed and stood. “I’ll get it for you.” He arranged a bed tray then rested it on her lap.
Noreen stared down at several spicy crabcakes, asparagus and rice pilaf. “This looks wonderful. You didn’t have to do all this. Mmm, it’s delicious.”
“I didn’t cook it.”
“I didn’t think you did.” She patted the space beside her. “There’s enough room for both of us.”
Michael sat on the bed and rested his arm behind her. “Eat up.”
Noreen glanced at him, concerned. “Aren’t you going to eat anything?”
He shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”
“But I can’t eat all this wonderful food while you just sit there.” She scooped up some of the crabmeat then held it out to him. “Just take one bite.”
He shook his head again, this time with a smile. “No, that’s not how it works. I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
“We can take care of each other. Come on.”
Michael stared at her for a long moment with the same sense of wonder he’d had when they’d first met, then he took a bite.
“Did you like it?”
“Yes, it’s good.” He gently stroked her cheek. “Now eat the rest for me. I’ll eat something later.” He turned away and flipped on the TV before she could argue. She
sensed something was wrong, but couldn’t decide what. He didn’t seem in the mood to talk so Noreen ate in silence, stealing glances at his stoic profile. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him; that no one had thought to take care of her. She’d never had someone to rely on or to go to with her fears. But although she had so much to say, no words came to her and the silence continued to linger. When she was finished eating, Noreen leaned against him, wondering if he’d even realized she was there. Her uneasiness slipped away when his arm fell to her shoulders and he drew her closer to him.
To her relief, he agreed to share dessert with her and they enjoyed the tarts and cookies before Michael set their empty plates outside the door. He joined her back in bed, but although she was up to an amorous encounter, he just held her close. Noreen didn’t ask any questions and soon drifted off into sleep.
In the evening, they decided to visit one of the nightspots. The cruise had fantastic entertainment, with a mix of large, pulsating spaces as well as smaller intimate venues, which kept the ship busy every night. Michael decided he wanted to take in one of the variety shows in the large amphitheater and the late-night comedy show. Noreen enjoyed herself, but sensed Michael was edgy. When she asked him, he told her he was fine.
“Do you have any plans for the holidays?” Michael asked her as they walked hand in hand along the deck. They enjoyed the starry moonlit sky above as a soft, salty breeze passed them, warm and fragrant.
“Not really.”
“You won’t be with Clyde?”
Clyde.
She’d forgotten about him. She wished Michael would do the same. “I don’t know. We haven’t made plans.”
“A friend of mine invited me over. He’s in North Carolina.”
“I see.”
Michael stopped walking and looked at her. “You don’t want me to come and visit, do you?”
“No, it’s not that,” Noreen said before she could stop herself. It was partly that, but also something more. The problem was once their time together was over, she’d be Noreen again. She squeezed his hand. “It’s my sister.”
“You don’t think she’ll like me?”
She’ll love you.
“Right now you’ll be hard to explain.” She moved her shoulders in an impatient manner as if to rid herself of the worry. “But let’s not think about the future right now. I bought you something.”
“When?”
“That’s my secret.” She rummaged in her handbag and pulled out a small teddy bear. “He’s no Saint Christopher,” she said, keeping her voice light in case he thought the gift was childish, “but he can keep you company.”
Michael took the teddy bear and studied it for a long moment. He drew in his lips then looked at her. “Why does this feel like we’re saying goodbye?”
Because she knew that they were. Tomorrow they would dock in St. Lagans and she would make the delivery. And she would have to come up with a good excuse not to be with him. She also knew that St. Lagans
meant that their time together was coming to an end. After docking at the last island on the cruise, they would return to Miami and their separate lives.
“I don’t know,” she lied. “Do you like it?”
“Yes, I do,” he said, but his hard gaze belied his soft words.
Noreen brushed her lips against his, unable to answer the questions in his eyes. “I’m glad,” she said then took his hand and forced him to continue walking. She glanced up at the sky, wondering how she would be able to say goodbye.
Michael’s sleep was restless. There had been nights after Jen’s betrayal when he’d been unable to close his eyes without seeing her face. Tonight was one of those nights. He remembered the smile she’d given him before his world became a hazy blur. It was only later he realized she’d drugged him. “Gotcha,” was the last thing she’d said. She’d been one of his major assignments. A housewife trapped in an unhappy marriage, who wanted to sell some items to raise enough money to leave her husband.
He’d later learned it was all a scam. He had met Jenelle Alvarez when she had introduced herself as a friend of Darren’s deceased wife. Because of that connection, Michael hadn’t put up any of his usual defenses. She was a beautiful, passionate woman whom Michael found extremely attractive, but he did not act on his attraction. Sleeping with married women, no matter how miserable their current relationship, was a taboo for him—although at times she made it difficult to resist
because she offered herself in ways that would have made it very easy for him to break that taboo. However, he was eager to establish himself so he decided to focus on business.
The antiques she had wanted to sell consisted of several rare manuscripts and paintings. She provided him with all the provenance information, confirming the authenticity of the items, and he found several private buyers and a museum. He sold the items for a total of 1.3 million. Three months after the sales, Michael woke up from a night he couldn’t remember with police at his door. One large piece, a rare sculpture by a renowned artist, had been reported stolen. Soon buyers began contacting him, complaining that the items were forgeries. By that time, Jen, along with her husband, had disappeared. Michael was to discover that her sad tale was just that. Her husband was a professional forger and con artist who ran a successful enterprise using blackmail, money laundering and more to make a living. He had created the documentation and worked with several skilled artists to create the items. Michael was able to trace the couple to an island, but without enough funds (to bribe officials) and because of the island’s laws against extradition, Michael found himself having to settle with each of the buyers, using his own money and borrowing from Darren, who hired a top-notch attorney to defend Michael against some angry VIPs who had unwittingly purchased the forgeries.
Jen had been his biggest failure and his greatest teacher. She’d taught him how women worked and how to manipulate them. She’d helped to harden his
heart to never trust—her face loomed in his dream beautiful, haughty and cold. Then it melted away and he saw Arlene with her arms stretched out to him and they made passionate love.
Soon Michael’s body felt as if it could conquer the world. His body felt hard and aroused. He hadn’t had a dream like this since he was sixteen. He vaguely knew he had to wake up or he was going to come right there in the bed and he didn’t want to do that. He struggled to open his eyes, but he couldn’t move, the wet tunnel of pleasure embracing his most sacred part keeping him paralyzed and he climaxed, releasing his seed, his entire body trembling from the power of it.
Then he felt the covers lift and Arlene peeked her head out. “You taste better than a lollipop.”
“That was you?”
“I wanted you to relax.”
Michael moaned then wrapped his arms around her. Her body was soft and warm. He held her close for more reasons than he could name. “I certainly will now,” he mumbled then drifted into a contented sleep, still holding her.
More than five hours later, Noreen woke up and slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. She looked at the clock and realized she had the perfect opportunity to slip off the boat and make the delivery and be back by lunch.
Noreen crept over to her dresser and promptly stumbled over his shoes. She picked up one shoe, resisting the urge to throw it at him. Why couldn’t he just put them against the wall or in the closet instead of
leaving them in the middle of the room? She glanced at him, relieved to see that he was still asleep. He was wonderful in so many other ways she could forgive him for this one flaw. Noreen picked up his shoes and put them out of the way then quickly changed. She then put the package to be delivered in her handbag.
Before leaving, Noreen went over to her table and grabbed a piece of paper out of her journal and wrote a brief message for Michael then left.
The day was overcast but that didn’t deter anyone from visiting the island and enjoying the many activities scheduled. Once she’d disembarked, Noreen stood off to the side, looked around and saw no one waiting for her. She rested against a short post and checked her watch.
“Come with me,” a familiar voice said.
Noreen looked up and saw Mr. Smith.
She shook her head. “I was told to wait here.”
“It’s only a few feet away. He doesn’t want to be seen.”
Noreen didn’t understand the man’s behavior. It seemed odd for the delivery of an antique ring. “No, he has to come to me.”
Mr. Smith swore. “Listen, lady, do you want this to go through or not?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. If the client wants the package, he has to come to me.”
Mr. Smith sent her a look then said, “Don’t move.” And left. A few seconds later she saw a tall man approaching and she nearly collapsed.
“Clyde!”
He smiled, but it wasn’t warm. “Arlene.” He drew her closer and kissed her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, rubbing her hands together so she wouldn’t wipe her mouth.
“I thought I’d come and surprise you,” he said in a smooth tone. He took her elbow and led her in the direction Mr. Smith had gone. “Now, let’s go.”
Noreen searched her mind, trying to make sense of everything. Something was terribly wrong. “What are you doing here?” she repeated, unable to think of anything else to say.
His pace was quick and determined. The bustle of the dock behind them soon grew distant. “I just told you.”
Noreen licked her lips, fighting a sense of panic. There had to be a reason for this, but she couldn’t understand what it was. As he led her down an isolated alley her uneasiness grew. “But if you were coming all this way, why didn’t you make the delivery yourself?”
He sent her a sharp look as chilling as a snake’s. “It’s not like you to question me.”
Noreen forced a weak smile. He was right. Arlene wouldn’t worry. She’d be happy to see him. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m just so surprised.”
“Of course you are.” He suddenly stopped in a cove of trees where a large gray car was parked. The driver opened the door for them. Noreen hesitated. She might be able to outrun Clyde and Mr. Smith, but the driver, a bearded man in a crisp uniform, looked powerfully built and she felt his intense stare from behind his shaded glasses. No, he wouldn’t let her get away. Noreen reluctantly got inside the car, holding back the questions
that were filling her mind. What was Clyde really doing here? Where were they going? Would she get back to the ship in time?
Clyde said something to the driver then sat down beside her. Once the car began moving he said, “Do you have the package?”
“Yes, it’s in my handbag.”
He patted her on the knee. “Good girl. Once this is all over I’m going to treat you. I have the entire day planned.”
Noreen forced a smile. “How wonderful.” She glanced out the window at the unfamiliar landscape, trying to grab hold of her panic. After what seemed like an hour the car stopped.
The driver hurried over and opened Noreen’s car door. She stepped out and saw an enormous, stately mansion jutting out over the sea. It was a magnificent structure that looked as if it had been carved out of the rock. The house was surrounded by a large iron fence and had a guard post at the front entrance. Whoever lived here, she thought, was very rich and liked his privacy. Noreen followed Clyde inside. The butler greeted the visitors and directed them to a large living room decorated with life-size ebony sculptures and original oil paintings. The owner either liked the finer things in life or wanted to appear to.
Before they could sit and enjoy their surroundings, a beefy man appeared, with beady eyes and a heavy gait, who seemed more suited to a wrestling ring than a mansion. Clyde walked over to him. The two men spoke
in low voices before Clyde turned to her. “Give him the package.”