She grabbed one of the lace negligees she’d bought in New York. It had two pieces, a tiny burgundy lace bra with a lace skirt and skimpy pair of panties. It would take a bit of courage to wear it, but the champagne was certainly providing that.
This outfit, she decided, would make Parker think twice about leaving her alone again.
Garrett Wade came to mind, followed quickly by the horrible faces of Jerry and Paco. If all went well, Liddie wouldn’t see any of them again.
She wondered, though, where Garrett could be now. At a much cheaper hotel, no doubt. When they got into the chopper she had checked to see if he was flying it. As if he could. She wondered if airplane pilots could operate helicopters as well.
Liddie took another sip and dangled the nightie by one strap. It was daring of her to buy it. She knew Parker would approach it with enthusiasm initially, though it was doubtful he had the patience or control to appreciate it for long. Garrett, on the other hand, looked like a man who excelled in restraint and patience.
Again?
Why was she thinking about him? There was no doubt Garrett was handsome, in a rough‑and‑tumble kind of way. If it weren’t for that mean streak, he might be worth something to some woman. Then again, she countered, he did protect her, unlike Parker. The realization of that stung. Parker was going to have to step it up and show more concern.
Liddie held the nightie against her body. The little cups would make her breasts look huge. She grabbed the matching bottom with new determination. The champagne was feeding her desire to share a few special hours with Parker before leaving again.
The bathroom was as large as a bedroom. That made her laugh. The richer you were, the bigger your bathrooms.
Pulling off her clothes, Liddie entered the shower area. More mosaic tiles encircled her with brilliant colors and exotic patterns. Had she been brave enough earlier, she would have joined Parker in the shower. There was certainly enough room. Then again, a quickie like that held no interest for her. In fact, if Parker returned too late, she’d rather get a bite to eat and have a nap before leaving again. Better to postpone, than to rush.
The aromatic shower gel, supplied by the hotel, provided a thick foam that easily covered most of her body. Liddie played around with the faucet knobs and adjusted the water until it squirted from several different holes, up and down her body. She closed her eyes and let the water wash all cares away.
Liddie began to yawn while using the hair dryer supplied in the bathroom. She downed more of the champagne wearing nothing but the lingerie. The airy lace of the fabric was helping her feel sexy and she liked it. With a paranoid eye toward the locked bathroom door, she flipped over and back to give her hair the volume she desired.
Why did Garrett try so hard to scare her? Right from the beginning, he wanted her gone. Recalling his heroics on the plane and their conversation afterward, she wondered if he still felt the same way.
Liddie sighed and studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror. For a cheese head from Wisconsin, she looked pretty damn good. The company provided a gym membership and she used it as much as she could. While the panties didn’t cover her butt totally – like they would a more regular exerciser – they still flattered her derriere better than a g‑string.
Her confidence waned. Parker had dated many beautiful women in the past. Liddie had shopped for their Christmas, birthday and thank‑you‑for‑last‑night gifts. Now, she could only hope that her loyal personality, sunny disposition and under‑wired bosom could compete.
Liddie settled into one of the plush velour chairs in the corner of the bedroom. She yawned, but poured another glass of champagne anyway. The more she drank, the more relaxed she became. Her handbag sat on the floor nearby and she stretched to reach for it. Who knew what time it was in the U.S.? Parker had mentioned something about a seven- or eight-hour difference, which would make it early evening in New Jersey. If that was so, Melody wouldn’t be going to bed for another three hours and it was a good time to call. Her latte pal would love to know what was going on, and Liddie couldn’t wait to tell her.
Another yawn convinced her to make the phone call from bed. She started pulling pillows away from the headboard and piling them onto the chair, but it was taking too long. She pushed the rest of them to the floor, and then turned her attention to the ornate bedspread. It was heavy and took a little muscle to fold back, but once that was done Liddie was able to climb atop the embroidered silk sheets and collapse into comfort.
The fabric was cool against the skin of her legs, and the bed was so wonderfully soft. She closed her eyes and almost forgot about calling Melody. Determined not to do so, she took another swig of the champagne and quickly pulled her purse from the floor. She rummaged inside it. No cell phone. Liddie dumped the contents of the bag onto the bed.
She pushed around the wallet, keys, compact and loose change. No phone. Liddie rubbed her eyes and shoved everything back into the bag before dropping it on the floor again. Could she have left her cell phone on the plane?
No. She hadn’t used it on the plane.
Liddie rolled off the bed and landed on her knees. The carpet gave a slight burn. The champagne was going to her head and making her loopy. The buzz, the nightie, and the sheets, all combined to make her feel drowsy, sensual and appealing.
She pulled herself up. There had to be a phone somewhere. Parker wouldn’t care if she called a friend on his dime, but where was it? After searching the bedroom, Liddie made her way around the suite.
It was becoming more difficult to walk. Twice, she almost fell sideways, which caused a good giggle. While it was possible the phone was hidden in a fancy box or something, Liddie couldn’t see where. Keeping her balance became so difficult, she finally had to give up the search and go back to the bed. The call to Melody would have to wait.
There was a shot of champagne left in her glass, so she decided to gulp it down before stretching out on her back across the sheets. The bed was huge, maybe even larger than king‑sized.
Liddie would never have thought herself a mirror‑above‑the‑bed kind of girl. Yet, here she was, entranced by her own overhead reflection. She ran a hand down the lace of her nightie. Like a pin‑up girl from a vintage poster. That’s what she felt like. A pin‑up girl.
The champagne was making waves in her head. Liddie tried to keep a clear thought, but couldn’t. The mirror began to fade as her eyes closed. She tried to fight it, but within a moment or two, Liddie was asleep.
****
Garrett let himself in with a little trick he’d learned from a crook in Nigeria. He knew quite a few handy, if not legal, tactics thanks to some less than respectable characters he’d known while working around the world.
When Liddie didn’t respond to his knock, he thought maybe she had taken his advice and hit the road. After searching the suite, he found otherwise.
At first, he was awestruck by the sight of her – sprawled on the bed in a skimpy lace getup. Awe, however, gave way to a crushing gust of disappointment.
Liddie hadn’t heeded his warnings and run away. On the contrary, she simply crawled back into Parker’s bed with obvious enthusiasm.
He stood silently for a moment, struggling with a mix of emotions. When had he ever been jealous of Parker Maxon? Never. Garrett didn’t care how many planes Maxon had, how many cars, how much money or how many women. He couldn’t give a damn less.
Until now.
Lydia Nichols wasn’t Parker’s regular feminine fare. She had some self‑respect. Integrity. At least, Garrett was beginning to think she had. Now, as he tried to ignore the ache that embraced his passions, prior suspicions prevailed.
Was she, or wasn’t she, as innocent as he’d hoped?
Garrett stepped forward and knocked hard on the bedside table, waiting for Liddie to awake in anger and bracing himself for a good slap in the face. It’s actually what he wanted. He needed her to leave, and the only way to get her out now was to scare her.
And he would.
He’d scare the bloody hell out of her.
He leaned over and shook the bed. Nothing.
The two pieces of lace that hung from the bra, parted in the middle to reveal her belly button – at least six inches above the top edge of her low‑cut panties. The outfit provided little cover for any part of her body, let alone the hills and valleys that screamed for his interest. Garrett wiped his brow and swallowed hard.
“Liddie!” He reached out to shake her arm.
She moved her hand in response, but didn’t open her eyes or answer. Garrett stepped back and watched her breathe, the thin lace lifting and falling with no evidence of aggravation or excitement. Liddie’s bare legs, long and smooth, remained relaxed, stretched out across the silk.
Something’s not right.
Garrett spotted the bottle of champagne that was sitting on the end table and took a quick sniff. He didn’t smell anything dangerous, but he had no doubt that Parker had slipped her something. After all, everything had to be easy for Parker. Why would Liddie be any different?
He tapped on her leg. “Liddie?”
In one swift movement, she took a deep breath and turned on one side. The sight of her ass barely covered with the peek‑a‑boo fabric provoked an inconvenient throb. Garrett took a deep breath and thought about walking away. Why not leave her to Parker? Let her live with the consequences of his attentions?
Because, he reasoned, there was still some doubt as to how deeply she was involved. Until he knew for sure, there wasn’t any way he’d leave her to that heartless moron.
Garrett lay down on the bed beside her. A faint whiff of floral played with his nose. Placing a hand on her waist, he curved his body to spoon hers, letting his groin come up to rest comfortably against the back of her barely covered butt.
“Liddie?” He placed a hand on her hip and continued to tap firmly until she responded.
“Mmmm?”
She was semi‑conscious.
“Why don’t you leave, Liddie?” He lifted the fabric of her panty and almost slipped two fingers beneath, before scolding himself to stop.
He shook her harder. “Liddie,” he said sternly, “Why didn’t you leave?”
“I don’t want to,” she replied softly, with a bit of aggravation.
Garrett felt her leg stretch and lift back to rest against the lower half of his body. Her hand came up to grab his, moving it from her hip to her breast, where she pressed him to fondle. The touch of it sent a shock through Garrett. He buried his face into her neck.
No wonder why Parker drugged her. It was so damn easy.
If Garrett were anything like Maxon, he’d rip off the nightie, throw it across the room and take her. But he wasn’t like Parker. Never would be.
He had to remind himself that if Liddie was anything like Maxon, he didn’t want her anyway. Garrett put his mouth to her ear and whispered. “Do you know where Parker’s taking you?” He rubbed her hip and bounced against her to keep her awake.
She took a deep breath. “He won’t tell me.”
A spark of relief ignited in Garrett, but he had to be sure. “Where are you going with Parker, Liddie? ”
Her eyebrows came together in thought, but her eyes remained closed. “I dunno. ”
Garrett watched as she reached back for him again. He obliged by shifting on the bed to get as close as possible. She settled down, as his heartbeat quickened. Liddie didn’t know the real Parker Maxon. Garrett was sure of it. Now, he had to figure out a way to keep her safe.
“Where’s your passport, Liddie?”
She didn’t answer. He brought his hand to her waist and squeezed.
“Liddie. Where’s your passport?” he asked firmly.
“Parker has it.”
Damn!
That lowlife piece of garbage took her passport. That fact alone confirmed she didn’t know. It also explains the need to slip her a pill. Parker had to be sure his assistant wouldn’t flee – or find out the truth about this trip.
Garrett couldn’t stand the coward who had such a fondness for pills. Uppers, downers, legal or otherwise, Parker was a pharmaceutical connoisseur. Garrett couldn’t be sure exactly what he’d given Liddie – he didn’t have enough knowledge of the subject – but with the excessive fatigue and overt sexuality, she was obviously on a mix. A proprietary blend, no doubt.
Liddie lifted her hand, searching for Garrett’s. He let her fingers play with his, until she suddenly rolled over to face him. With eyes still closed, Liddie let out a breathless moan.
“I’m so tired.” Her brows came together and her head turned from side to side in apparent frustration.
It was the chemical mix, Garrett realized, that kept her semi‑conscious.
“I know, Liddie.” Garrett reached up and touched her hair. He wanted desperately to pick her up and run out of there, but it was impossible to do without being seen. If they were caught, any chance of a successful mission would be lost. Parker would get away.
Liddie tried to push her face toward his. “Kiss me,” she whispered, arching up with desire.
Garrett hesitated until she grabbed his shirt and pulled. All restraint faded. Pushing her gently back against the bed he rolled himself on top of her. Liddie’s legs spread, allowing his body to relax on hers. Garrett kissed her softly, welcoming the invitation to taste her.
Liddie clumsily pulled at the buttons on his chest. Off. She wanted the shirt off, and Garrett was too weak to resist. On the contrary, he was more than ready to satisfy her desire. He reeled up and pulled the shirt over his shoulders, then tossed it to the floor. He came down upon her again, reaching around and pulling her body up against his.
Nothing was enough. When he kissed her, Garrett wanted more. When he tasted her, he wanted more. Every time he asked for it, she responded willingly. He started to pull at the straps of the nightie and then stopped. He looked at Liddie, her head tilted to one side, her eyes still closed.
What the hell am I doing?
Garrett raised his body in regret and looked at the woman squirming in a half‑dream state below him. Better a dream than a nightmare, but nonetheless, this was a dream she had no power to resist.
He rolled to the side and stared up at the mirror above the bed. The pronounced pucker in his pants was beyond an easy retreat, and it throbbed even more as he appreciated the sight of her lying next to him.
Had she been reaching out for Parker? Did the rich bastard actually get that deep into her heart? He took a hand and laced his fingers through hers.
“Do you know who I am, Liddie?” He watched her in the mirror. “Who are you kissing, Liddie?”
She smiled.
Garrett almost stopped there, but decided he had to know. “Who makes you smile, Liddie?”
She breathed deep, and with eyes still closed, he heard her whisper.
“Garrett. Garrett Wade.”
He closed his eyes with sweet relief. When he opened them again, Garrett saw long lashes lift to reveal a pair of hazy brown eyes.
“Garrett,” she repeated to his mirrored reflection. “I’m so tired.”
He felt her fingers relax.
“It’s okay, Liddie. Go to sleep.”
Chapter Seven
Someone was knocking at the door.
Liddie opened her eyes and saw her own face staring back from the ceiling.
Where am I?
For a moment there was no memory, just the vision of her body tucked tightly under the smooth sheet and soft blanket of the giant bed.
She pulled to loosen the bed linens, sat up and looked around. It was all coming back. Liddie listened to hear if anyone was in the bathroom. No. He was gone. The curtains were closed, but light shone through cracks. It was morning.
Someone was banging on the hotel door downstairs.
Slightly panicked, Liddie got up. She was dressed in that sexy negligee and the sight of it made her cringe. In the light of day, it seemed more silly than sexy.
Who had been here?
; Liddie pushed away the flash of memory that threatened to upset her. Whoever was at the door, they were still knocking, and the sound of it poked like a cattle prod into her brain.
She ran into the bathroom and grabbed one of the plush white hotel robes that hung on a hook by the door. She quickly slipped into it. Holding onto the banister, she took the stairs slowly. Her head hurt and both legs were weak and wobbly.
“Who is it?”
“The concierge, Miss.”
Liddie looked out through the peephole and saw a uniformed staff employee. She cracked the door open.
He passed a paper through the opening. “A note from Mr. Maxon.”
“Thank you.” She took the note and closed the door, then opened it quickly.
“Excuse me.”
The concierge turned around immediately.
“Can you please have someone bring up a tray of toast and tea? I don’t seem to have a phone.”
He appeared surprised by that. “Of course. I’m so sorry.”
Liddie was relieved to have finally been able to place an order for some food. Her stomach felt like a hollow hole. All she’d had to eat since leaving New York was that granola bar on the plane, some champagne, and a few chocolate‑covered strawberries from the candy basket on the counter.
She went into the living room and sat on the sofa. The curtains were open and the room was flooded with light. She looked at the note. It was on computer‑generated paper with the hotel logo.
Be ready by nine. Parker.
She flipped the note over, but there was nothing else.
Liddie walked over to one of the windows and took in the view. The sun was already high over the city, and the beach was active with early risers. It might be later than she thought. She ran upstairs to the bedroom to look at the clock beside the bed.
Eight‑fifteen. She cursed. He wasn’t giving her much time at all.
An image from the night before threatened to distract her, but Liddie pushed it away once more. There was no time to think about it. No time to deal with it. Not now. She grabbed some clean clothes and ran into the bathroom, ripping off the nightie.
Wild Suspicions (Romantic Suspense) Page 8
