Killer Instinct

by Barbara Winkes

  “That’s a relief. I’d like to get to know you a little bit before…You know.”

  Once again, Joanna thought of Christina.

  “Smart of you. For all you know, I could be into all kinds of kink, and then we’d have to make sure we are on the same page.” What she really wanted to say was, smart of you, because there are some sick people out there, like serial killers. That was the reality.

  She still wanted to make the best out of this unexpected, so far pleasant situation. She had to live sometime.

  “So, are you? Into kink?”

  “Not really. I hope that doesn’t disappoint you.”

  “It doesn’t. I have plenty of other ideas.”

  “I look forward to hearing about them.”

  They were both lost in the fantasy for a moment before Vanessa joined them, breaking the spell.

  “Hey, J, I just wanted to say I’m leaving. Theo is going to pick me up. Good night…”

  “Rue,” Rue supplied helpfully, shaking hands with Vanessa.

  “Cool. See you around.” She winked at Joanna and left.

  “She’s not normally like that,” Joanna said.

  * * * *

  Theo arrived minutes later, and Joanna saw Vanessa get into his car.

  “Where were we…sexy ideas?”

  Rue laughed. “Thank you. This is the most normal conversation I’ve had in a while.”

  “The online stuff must be really bad, then.”

  “Worse than you can imagine.”

  Actually, Joanna could imagine, because Decker had found some of his victims online. What would it take to stop thinking about him? Or the man who had taken Christina Danvers?

  She had to admit though that Rue put her at ease in a way she hadn’t expected. The problem with rushed, casual encounters was that there was only a small window, someone was always in a hurry. For the first time in a long time, words mattered.

  “That doesn’t make me want to try, honestly. So tell me more about you. Why do you work for that boss who stymies your career? I’m sure you could do a lot better.”

  “Maybe. Probably. It’s just hard to make that kind of change when you have a sure pay check coming in each month.”

  It wasn’t exactly the same, but Joanna could relate. After a few months at the warehouse, she wasn’t much motivated to move up in the world. The lulling effect of dubious security.

  Rue shrugged. “The Christmas bonus wasn’t so bad. For now, I can live with the rest. I know, that’s bad. Principles and all. I try to make up for it by giving to Planned Parenthood.”

  “That’s more than most people do. And following your principles can get you into trouble sometimes. What would you say if we went somewhere else? Would you like to go dancing?” It was hard to tell who was more surprised by the suggestion. “If I don’t seem the type, you’re kind of right. I haven’t done that in forever, but since we’re not…I think it would be a nice way to top off the night, don’t you think?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Joanna picked up Rue’s coat and held it up for her to slip into it, a gesture that was appreciated, she could tell from Rue’s small contented smile. Joanna would have liked to get her out of her clothes rather than into them, but she sensed that this time, patience was a virtue that would pay off. Standing this close, she got a whiff of Rue’s perfume, a light flowery scent. She wanted to lift those soft wavy strands and press her lips against her neck. Maybe on the second date. Maybe later. She wanted to go to a place that didn’t come with twenty-somethings jumping up and down, or worse, teens who got in with a false ID. She was looking for more of a classy place, somewhere she could look, perhaps touch, fireworks to come later. At this point, it was pretty clear that there would be fireworks—and her instincts hadn’t been so wrong. She should have never hooked up with Grace. There was something strange about her, even if it wasn’t “murder accomplice” strange.

  Being with Rue made the difference all the more obvious.

  “You have a place in mind?” Rue asked.

  “Yes. Trust me?”

  “I think we’ve already established that I do.”

  “Good. It’s not too far from here.”

  Outside, the sidewalk had transformed into something close to an ice rink. Joanna hadn’t lied, the club she had in mind wasn’t far, but with the snow and ice, they spent more time sliding than walking. Rue giggled when Joanna stopped her from slipping on her high-heeled boots once more.

  “Not far from here is a very relative term.”

  “It wasn’t like that earlier,” Joanna defended herself. “Would you like me to call a cab? It’s just one more block, though.”

  “I’m fine,” Rue said, her breath warm against Joanna’s cheek.

  Even out here in the cold, the warmth spread to other places quickly. Depending on when that second date would happen, she saw a lot of cold showers in her future.

  “Good. I’ve got you.”

  “Lucky me.”

  That was debatable, but for one night, Joanna wouldn’t question her own luck too much. They reached the club and stepped inside, and just like Joanna remembered, the décor and music was classic and understated, a lot quieter than The Copper Door. If she had known she’d come here tonight, she would have dressed up a little more. She hoped Rue would fulfill the casual chic dress code for both of them.

  On the dance floor, she pulled Rue close to her, meeting no resistance. While The Copper Door was more in her price range, she enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and even more, the woman who fit so comfortably into her arms. It was a bit confusing, to say the least, the mix of warmth and comfort with the heat and promise of sex that would hopefully live up to her imagination this time.

  Maybe that was part of the problem, that lately there had been no room for imagination, just a simple social contract that left her empty every time.

  Joanna still believed every word she’d told Kira. That didn’t mean she couldn’t delve into this world every once in a while, get to know a person beyond what they liked in bed. Not that she wasn’t eager to find out everything Rue liked in bed, and then make sure it happened. Rue leaned into her with a happy sigh, the closeness igniting her further. She hoped Rue felt the same, that she was at least a little impatient for the moment to arrive.

  “Where have you been the past few months?” Rue murmured. “I can’t believe I’ve been wasting so much time with weird folks on the Internet when I could have had this.”

  “I can be weird, but…thanks. I’ll take it as a compliment.”

  “As you should.”

  The song was coming to an end. Rue showed no signs of wanting to stop, so they danced for several more.

  “I don’t want to go home yet, but I need a break. I feel like champagne. I’ll buy.”

  Joanna’s doubts must have shown on her face, because Rue was quick to add, “You paid for my wine, remember? No matter how far this is going, I prefer things to be equal. Just because I let you hold the door open for me once, it doesn’t mean you have to pay for everything. Are you okay with that?”

  “Sure. Just be warned the prices aren’t exactly the same.”

  Rue laughed as she took Joanna’s hand and led her off the dance floor.

  “You know, when my date first suggested The Copper Door, I was kind of scared. I’m so happy I went. Come on.”

  How could Joanna say no to her?

  She still cringed at the price of the champagne—not sparkling wine—but Rue handed her credit card to the waiter without blinking. If she wasn’t completely delusional, Joanna would have a chance to repay her sometime, if not tonight. She was a decent cook when she put some effort into it. She was more than decent at other things. She couldn’t wait to show Rue who had been scared to set foot in The Copper Door but done so anyway, and thought the fact that Joanna had made a move was champagne-worthy.

  Most of all, it felt good to be close to her, so in the private booth, after taking a sip of her drink—the good stuff—Jo
anna leaned close to kiss her. They’d go separate ways later tonight, but there were no restrictions on kissing, she learned when Rue’s lips opened to her eagerly. She pulled her closer. Minutes passed before they leaned back. There was a soft blush to Rue’s cheeks, her eyes sparkling.

  Joanna didn’t mean to change her mind, just give her a preview of what was waiting for her.

  “You know what they say about instant gratification, and that it’s more mature not to give in to it.” Rue laughed, a bit breathless.

  “Yeah. Apparently, anticipation makes it all better.”

  “You know what?” Rue reached out to trace a finger over Joanna’s lips, the gesture making her shiver. “I think I’ve had enough anticipation. Would it bother you if I changed my mind?”

  “No. Not at all.”

  “We still can’t go to my place though. I’m in the middle of a bathroom renovation, and it’s a construction site out there.”

  Joanna thought of her apartment and the fact that she hadn’t welcomed anyone there in some time. She didn’t mind a tad messy, but she didn’t know that the same went for Rue. She wanted something better, less distracting for Rue.

  “There’s a hotel just one block down the street. I’ll pay.”

  If Rue was disappointed Joanna didn’t invite her into her home, she didn’t let it show.

  “That’s a good idea. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

  The relief Joanna felt came from many different reasons. Regardless of whether they’d have the second date or not, this sort of beginning set the parameters for their relationship, and she was just fine with that. Kira was still wrong.

  Even better, she and Rue were on the same page—no need to repeat the disaster she’d had with Grace. This time would be different.

  Chapter Six

  Within seconds of closing the door of the hotel room, shoes were off and coats on the floor, no need to pretend any longer. Stepping behind Rue, Joanna brushed her hair aside to kiss her neck, her hands wandering to explore her body. Rue gasped, leaning back against her, giving her all the access she wanted.

  Joanna ran her hands over Rue’s legs, up to the hem of her dress and underneath. She slipped her fingers beneath the waistband of her pantyhose, and then inside her panties, feeling her warm and aroused.

  “And you wanted to wait until next week?”

  “Silly. I know.”

  “Did you imagine you were going to a hotel room with that date?”

  “Not a chance. I don’t think they’d be as good…oh. Wait,” Rue said, the word a direct contradiction to her lustful tone, but even so, Joanna obliged.

  Rue turned around. “I want to see you,” she said. “I also want to get horizontal for this. I can have a little patience—when I know it’s worth it.”

  “Okay.”

  Under her gaze, Joanna undressed, something she found strangely erotic. Usually it was her taking control, being the last one to take off her clothes. Rue had hinted earlier that she liked to lead on occasion, and Joanna wasn’t opposed to the idea, on the contrary. Rue pulled her dress over her head and took off her stockings.

  “You’re sure you didn’t plan on getting naked with someone tonight?”

  The lingerie in different shades of blue suggested otherwise to Joanna, not that it should have mattered at the moment.

  “I swear. I thought I’d be more confident for some reason. I’m not sure that worked, but now I’m glad for the foresight. Come.”

  “That’s pretty much unavoidable sometime soon,” Joanna said dryly. Rue laughed, reaching out her hand.

  She let herself be drawn onto the bed, into her embrace, finally skin to skin, the heat building. Then she was on her back, Rue on top of her, kissing her deeply. Joanna leaned back into the pillow, happy to let go and let herself be ravished by a curious mouth. Anticipation was great when you knew where it was leading.

  Joanna held on to the pillow under her head in a white-knuckled grip, red-hot pleasure igniting her body. For all her talk about ideas she’d had for this moment, she was ready to submit and let Rue have all the control, if only for the moment.

  The rush of heat was incredible. What an amazing difference, she reflected, between doing this with someone you had some sort of connection with. Not the kind Kira was thinking about, no way, but there was something to be said about chemistry.

  “Relax,” Rue whispered. “It’s Saturday night. We have time.”

  Joanna wondered if there was enough time to do everything she wanted to do to her. There was only one way to find out.

  * * * *

  Joanna hadn’t slept so deeply in many days. When her cell phone rang, she felt disoriented as to place and time for a moment. She cast a fond look over at Rue who was blinking sleepily, the sheet not covering all of her. They had fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion, the way it should be when all the elements were in place.

  For the first time in a long time, Joanna didn’t feel hung over either. She couldn’t wait to have a hearty breakfast. Maybe Rue would like to join her. It was Sunday after all.

  “It’s early,” Rue said, matter-of-factly, and it wasn’t until then that the time registered with Joanna: 4.25 a.m.

  “Hello? Who is this?”

  “Thank God! Joanna, I need you to come here now.”

  “Who—?” It dawned on her before she could finish the sentence. “Christina?”

  There was a flash of…something in Rue’s expression, gone too quickly to determine. Irritation? Jealousy?

  “Where are you?”

  “Still in the hospital. The police were here.” Christina was crying. “Another woman was murdered.”

  “What?”

  “You said you were my friend. I’m scared. I did something for you, so could you come?”

  “Of course. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  This time, she couldn’t have missed Rue’s reaction. She pulled up the sheet and turned away.

  “Look, this is so not what you think it is. I went to see her a few days ago. You might have seen her story on the news. She got away from her kidnapper.”

  “I thought you said you were not a cop anymore.”

  “I’m not. The truck driver who saved her, he’s a colleague of mine. I swear it’s the truth.” For some reason, she was desperate to make Rue believe her. “I met her recently, and she’s having a really bad time as you can imagine. I told her she could call me.”

  “At four in the morning?” Rue still sounded somewhat dubious, but at least she was facing Joanna.

  “Something came up. Please, sleep a little longer and meet me for breakfast downstairs at ten? I’ll explain everything, I swear.”

  Rue regarded her thoughtfully. “This is not your backup, get out of jail free card? No ex or BFF trying to spare you the even more awkward conversation?”

  “I promise you, that’s not the case.” Joanna couldn’t help wincing at the metaphor, but as to Rue’s worries, she had a clean conscience. “See you later?”

  She leaned over to kiss her, and to her relief, Rue didn’t pull away.

  Another woman. Joanna would never admit it out loud, but she was almost as scared as Christina.

  It wasn’t over.

  * * * *

  The receptionist had a radio playing Christmas music on low. In the early morning hours, the hospital seemed almost peaceful, except everyone’s peace had been rudely interrupted.

  “Thank you for coming. I didn’t know who to call.”

  “That’s all right.”

  Joanna could sympathize even without a lengthy explanation from the distraught woman. Not everyone could understand hell, and unless they didn’t have to, most people preferred not to take a closer look. Neither Christina nor Joanna could turn away. They had seen it up close.

  “The police, what did they tell you?”

  “They asked me again about the woman, but I swear, I told them everything now. The woman I saw was blonde, blue eyes. Apparently they have a witness who sa
w them leaving, and the description doesn’t match. She could have colored her hair, right? They’re not thinking that there’s more than one couple out there that…”

  “Kills? No, I don’t assume they’re thinking that. Look, I know you told the police everything already, but if you could help me out one more time…”

  “What’s in it for you? Why are you interested in this?” Christina shuddered. “If I were you, I’d be happy to be far away from all the madness.”

  “They’re still out there,” Joanna pointed out. “That’s reason enough for me.” That was why she had left a warm bed this morning after a promising night. She hoped Rue believed her and would wait for breakfast. She wanted to see her again, if only to repeat an experience that had, for a few hours, broken the circle of the ever-present question where she had gone wrong. Not catching Decker soon enough. Not catching the slasher eleven years ago. All her successes seemed to pale in comparison, because she had done something to disqualify herself. Vanessa, Kira, Theo, even Christina, all her relationships were defined by the mistakes she’d made.

  Not Rue.

  The night with Rue had been far from a mistake. Joanna suppressed the impulse to smile—it didn’t seem appropriate in a room with a woman who had barely escaped a serial killer and wasn’t completely out of danger. Theo seemed to think the same thing, because he still had an officer assigned to guard her.

  They always came back.

  “You know, I never put anyone at risk intentionally.” With the fear, there came anger. “I know there are already people alleging I deserved this, because what business did I have hooking up with a guy and his girlfriend? But these things happen all the time, everyone’s on the same page, and no one’s hurting each other. Then it’s nobody’s business. They…they tricked me, made me think I was safe with them. Until I woke up in that place.”

  “You were drugged. That’s messing with your memory.”

  “No one knows how they got away so quickly.”