No! I can’t do this. He’ll just use me and toss me aside. He can’t be trusted.
He stepped toward the bed, his desire for me proud and eager. I clenched my thighs together in anticipation. Who was this man preparing to seduce me? Was he a vampire like I’d fancied earlier, or was he a simple, caring man who seemed familiar for some unknown, unexplainable reason?
Solomon lay on his side next to me and propped himself up on one arm. His eyes glowed in the dim light, each orb a translucent raindrop.
“Tell me no and I’ll stop,” he said.
“I did tell you no.” I blushed as he noticed the way my heavy breathing made my chest more prominent, the steely color of his eyes darkening further. “I thought I was clear on the no issue.”
With his index finger, he traced the outline of each breast, creating little tingles upon my skin. “If you were clear on the issue, would you be here next to me now?”
We locked gazes again, and for an instant, another picture flittered through my mind. I saw Solomon with long snowy hair flowing over his shoulders, a thick pink scar running from his right temple, across his brow, over his nose, and down his left cheek. Upon his head, a thin, gold chaplet with a blue stone inlaid in the center rested just above his scarred nose. He smiled, removed the crown, and reached for me. When I blinked, the real Solomon leaned over me, his mouth descending to claim mine.
I shouldn’t do this. If I do, there’s no turning back.
Resolve returned to my body. Somehow I sensed making love to Solomon would set something unnamable and disastrous into action. I still wanted the man, desired his touch, his kisses and his body joined with mine, but I couldn’t sleep with him.
DON’T BE AFRAID, RUBY. FOLLOW YOUR HEART.
The words in my head startled me. I stiffened. What if we were being watched? How did the voice know what I was doing?
“No, we can’t do this.”
He raised his head and stared down at me quizzically. “Why not? Give me,” he brushed his lips across mine, “one good reason.”
“I did.” I struggled into a sitting position and scrambled off the mattress, looking for my discarded nightshirt. “I’m saying no and meaning it.”
He said nothing, just watched me with his ghostly eyes, the disappointment in them obvious.
“I’m sorry.” Shrugging into the garment, I hurried to the door leading to my room
“It’s okay, Ruby. Really.”
I didn’t look back. If I did, I feared I’d lose my resolve. Making love to Solomon would lead to jeopardy.
Besides the obvious chemistry between us, I really liked Solomon, and that was the most dangerous thing of all.
****
Later that morning, a waitress poured more coffee into our cups. Although I’d slept soundly until the noise at our door had awakened me, I’d tossed and turned the rest of the night. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that sleeping with Solomon would change something or set something extremely important into motion.
One plus of the morning was that I hadn’t heard the infernal voice in my head for a few hours.
I breathed in the rich aroma of black coffee, wishing I could wake up. The blue-and-tan decor of the IHOP we patronized did little to improve my mood. Sunshine streamed through the window, searing my eyes, and the kid in the booth behind us jumped and jarred in the seat so much I felt as though I was riding in a hay wagon.
A sunrise beach photo hung on the wall behind Solomon. I slurped from my cup, eyeing the picture, and said to Maureen, “I can’t believe you slept through all the noise.”
At my words, Solomon lifted an eyebrow.
Memories of his touch, the way his kisses had made me feel bombarded my mind. Intense heat rushed to my cheeks.
More coffee. Desperate for a diversion, I looked around for the waitress. I need more coffee!
I waved to our waitress. “Wayne Blacktree made enough noise he woke Shunka, too, but the dogfight that followed probably woke all of Waterboro except for you.”
Solomon grinned at me over the rim of his coffee cup. Mischief and a silent invitation danced in his eyes, but I wasn’t taking the bait. Despite the heat pooling in my lower belly, I frowned at him and turned my attention to Maureen.
“I was tired last night.” Maureen used her knife to scoop margarine out of a tiny plastic cup. She spread it over her pancakes, exercising great care to make sure every inch of both cakes had a thin layer of the artery-clogging condiment.
“Still,” I picked up my fork, “there was enough racket it should have woken you.”
“I told you I saw Wayne at the truck stop.” She glanced over at me and reached for another margarine container.
I sipped from my cup. “What other reason could the guy—?”
One of Solomon’s feet bumped mine. I jumped, spilling my coffee.
Maureen shot me a perplexed look.
Mentally cussing the man across from me, I focused on my plate. “What other reason could the guy have for following us?”
“Maybe he wants the money you’re carrying.” She put down the knife and reached for the butter-pecan syrup. “If you hadn’t awakened, he might have broken into our room and found the money. We wouldn’t have known it was gone until we paid for breakfast this morning.”
I sneaked a look at Solomon. With a pleased grin tweaking his lips, he focused on the dining room as if interested in our fellow patrons.
“The dog wouldn’t have let him beyond the door,” I said. “Shunka would have woken us with his barking or worse.”
“He’s after something, Ruby,” Maureen said. “What else could it be besides money?”
An ill feeling settled in my stomach. Quickly, I opened my purse and felt for the money. Relieved it was still there, I set my bag in my lap.
“Well, you’re right about Shunka,” Solomon pointed out. “He probably would have taken a hunk out of the guy.”
“I feel bad that Wayne’s dog was killed,” Maureen said around a mouthful of pancake.
“Yes, but that dog was a danger to everyone around it.” I looked at her, wondering if her brain had gone on vacation. “That animal nearly ate us for lunch the other day!”
“But he was Wayne’s companion.” She picked up her coffee cup.
She was right. The mutt’s death and Wayne’s anguish bothered me more than I cared to admit. I met Solomon’s knowing gaze and looked away.
Was our money the sole reason Wayne had tried to break into our motel room? Somehow, I felt he wanted more than just the five grand we carried. Sure, five thousand dollars was a lot of money to the average Joe, but something about the night’s excitement hinted there was more to the scenario than just the obvious.
“His dog aside,” Solomon said, reaching for the creamer, “what would this Wayne Blacktree possibly want besides your money?”
I admired the grace and strength of his long-fingered hands as he poured cream from the stainless-steel pitcher and stirred the java from black into buff. The silver-and-turquoise ring he wore looked regal against his skin. I imagined his hands on my bare body, touching, caressing...
When I didn’t respond immediately, the conversation died at our table. I looked up and caught his gaze. My face flamed again. Obviously guessing my thoughts, Solomon grinned wider.
Thankfully, Maureen came to my rescue. “Maybe he wants the directions in your purse, Ruby.”
“Directions?” Solomon echoed.
“Uh, yeah.” I shifted uncomfortably. “The directions to the place we’re going to in Key West.”
“Why would he want those?” he asked.
“Because,” Maureen glanced at me, “he might think if he gets the directions to our destination, he can muscle in on our job and get the remaining money.”
“Speaking of getting paid,” I said. “Don’t you find it odd that Loretta wasn’t concerned about the balance of the money?”
Maureen blinked at me. “I don’t understand.”
“Five now and ninety-
five on our arrival?”
She blinked again.
Trying to convey the meaning with my eyes, I gave up and added, “Why not five now, five or whatever on arrival, and then the balance of the money when we returned to her café in West Virginia?”
Realization lit up her eyes. “Oh! That is odd!”
Solomon shook his head and finished spreading jam on a slice of toast.
“Do you think Wayne will try it again?” she asked.
The waitress appeared with the coffee pot. I waited as she refilled our cups, and Solomon asked her for another order of toast. The woman tried not to stare at him as she updated our order ticket.
When the server left, I replied, “Do you two think he might?”
Both Maureen and Solomon shrugged.
“I don’t know all the details about your trip,” he said, “but from what I saw last night, the guy seems pretty determined.”
Would Wayne want to get even for the death of his crazy dog? I suddenly heard the Wicked Witch of the West’s movie line in my head, but with a twist: I’ll get your money and your murderous dog too!
****
Later, we traveled along I-95 again. The Malamute panted in the backseat next to Solomon who studied a road atlas. With her bare feet up on the dashboard, Maureen sat shotgun, staring out the window, her blonde hair stirring gently around her face from the force of the A/C. About every other tractor-trailer blew its air horn as the driver’s stared down from their cabs at her inflatable boobs with Grand Canyon cleavage.
Passing a long line of traffic, I merged Solomon’s Excursion back into the slow lane. At first, I couldn’t figure out what I smelled, but as it grew stronger, my eyes began to water, then my stomach protested.
“Eew!” Maureen slapped her hand over her nose. She glanced at me. “What is that smell?”
“It’s not me!” I fought the gag reflex threatening to make me spew breakfast all over the windshield.
Maureen turned in her seat, shooting an accusing look at Solomon.
“Don’t lay the blame at my door,” Solomon protested, laughing. “I told you not to feed Shunka that last slice of pizza last night.”
“Maureen!” I coughed, my eyes tearing.
“Well,” she said shrilly and clapped her other hand over her nose too. “He kept staring at me with those soulful blue peepers of his.”
The odor grew worse. I hit the button for the power windows and pulled out into the fast lane, passing a Cadillac Escalade that I really didn’t need to go around, but hoped the increase of air flow into the SUV would flush the noxious fumes out the open windows.
My gaze’s met Solomon’s amused one in the mirror. “Hang that dog’s ass out the window!” I yelled over the air rushing through the vehicle.
He laughed harder. “Try sitting back here with me! You better pull over at that rest area.” He pointed at the big blue interstate sign as we whizzed by it. “I think Shunka needs a restroom break.”
We only stayed long enough to use the facilities and allow the Malamute to relieve himself in the pet area. We scrambled back into the Excursion and hit the road again. The next couple of hours took us past exits for South Newport, Pine Harbor, Darien, St. Simon’s Island, and several miles of the putrid odor regurgitated by the paper mills.
Gross!” Maureen said and pulled the collar of her shirt over her nose. “I don’t know which is worse, the dog’s fart or that awful processed-paper odor.”
“The dog’s fart,” I said firmly.
Solomon’s deep laughter rumbled in the SUV.
“Why don’t we stop in Brunswick?” she suggested.
I merged with the passing lane. “What for?”
“We have plenty of time to reach Key West, so I thought we could get a couple rooms in Brunswick then make a day of it at the Jekyll Island Water Park. It’s too darn hot to travel today.” She took her feet off the dashboard and slipped them into the sandals she’d opted for that morning. “What do you think, Solomon?” Maureen asked.
“What do we do with Shunka while we’re gone?” he returned.
“As long as we find a motel that allows pets, he can stay in a room with central air,” she answered.
“Oh, all right,” I said. I didn’t want to admit I really didn’t want to travel in the humidity either. The heat index had to be well past one hundred. Besides, after the chaotic night before and almost having sex with Solomon, I could use a day of relaxation too. “A day of just doing nothing sounds nice.”
Chapter Fourteen
In Brunswick, we tried three small motels before finding one owned by an Indian couple who allowed us to bring the Malamute into our rooms for an extra twenty-five bucks. Suites were not available, but we did get our rooms side by side. They were small, clean, and smelled fresh instead of like mildew or stale cigarette smoke, which seemed common for out-of-the-way motels.
My swimsuit lurked at the bottom of my oversized suitcase. Pulling it out, I threw it over my arm and grabbed a couple guest towels. When I turned around, Maureen had discarded all her clothes and stood naked in the middle of the room, the door standing wide open. She teetered on one foot as she slipped on a bikini that reminded me of two tiny Band-Aids.
I gaped at her. “What are you doing?”
“Huh?” She straightened and drew the bottoms up over her hips.
“The door is open!”
She turned, blinking innocent green eyes, her bare breasts swaying like two large gelatin molds.
I strode to the door and slammed it shut. “You’re a real piece of work, Maureen.”
“What do you mean?”
She kept staring at me, her expression clueless. I realized she was truly oblivious to what she’d done. I also wondered how the woman had managed to survive as long as she had when her mentality seemed so childlike.
“You just don’t change your clothes with the door standing open.” I sounded like a scolding mother. “What if Solomon had walked in? What if someone had strolled by and saw you? Someone could’ve come in and thrown you down on the bed.”
“I don’t think the human body is anything to be ashamed of,” Maureen answered, unconcerned.
The Malamute issued a big sigh and stretched out on his side between the two beds.
I shot the dog a sympathetic look. Yeah, buddy, I know how you feel.
“Maureen, you have to be more careful.”
“You worry too much.” She pulled the ties of her bikini top behind her neck and tied them.
“Judas Priest and cherry Popsicles!” I hissed under my breath, flopping down on the bed.
She giggled at that and searched for something in her backpack. “I’ll have to buy some sunscreen.”
“There’s some in my bag,” I answered, staring at a water stain on the ceiling.
“I’m going to put my hair up and take off my makeup,” Maureen said as she strode to the bathroom. “We should get one of those cheap foam coolers and buy some luncheon meat. The food at the water park is probably expensive.”
Yawning, I answered around the hand I’d placed over my mouth, “We could get fries or something to hold us then have supper together somewhere.”
“That sounds nice.”
Rolling onto my side, I studied a television, a dark enameled dresser, shiny blue-and-white-striped wallpaper and an enormous and chintzy lithograph of The Glynn Marshes. My dad had brought me and Mom to Brunswick during our last vacation, and I remembered the marshes just north of the Sydney Lanier Memorial Bridge. The melancholy, desolate scenery, the white marsh birds, and miles of tall grass and brackish water had impressed me as a young girl. It was one of the most beautiful and melancholic places I’d ever been.
I sighed and rolled over.
“RUBY NUTTER, COME TO US.”
How long would I continue to hear that voice? Would reaching Key West silence it, or would I have to buy a ticket of some sort and go farther?
“No, Ruby. Come to us instead! Why flee? You know you want to be with m
e.”
Loud, bold and very strong, the new voice frightened the hell out of me. I struggled to rise but couldn’t. Cold seeped into my body, darkness enveloped me, and my feet and legs were wet as if I stood in water. The sound of crashing waves surrounded me, and the aroma of brine and fish assaulted my nose.
“You belong to us, Ruby. You’re a part of us. We need you. I need you.”
Footsteps sloshed toward me, and terror clenched my heart. Where were Solomon and Maureen? Were they okay?
Something hot brushed my shoulder, and desire slashed my body, the heat of it piercing my core. My loins throbbed, and lust pooled in my lower belly.
“Go away,” I whispered, remembering the biker at the truck stop and how his proximity had caused me to want him so badly.
“You don’t really want me to do that. You want me, need me.”
Something cupped my breast, and fire raged through me. I wanted to lie down, spread my legs, and let whoever he was join with my body, cock hard and relentless as he pumped into me. I wanted sex and I wanted a lot of it.
“Give yourself to me. Let me have you, love you and thrust into you until you scream in ecstasy.”
The touch grew more insistent, and what felt like the pad of a thumb caressed my nipple. I sucked air through my teeth, the need for sex so strong I could barely maintain my sanity.
“Look at me, Ruby. Come to me. Let me have you, love you. The white one can’t make you feel like I can.”
How did this stranger know about Solomon? The dark gave way to a pre-dawn light. I picked out a shape before me, and a set of yellow eyes with serpentine pupils gazed back at me.
“I will have you,” the being said. His eyes flashed a brilliant flame-yellow.
“Go away! Leave me alone!”
“Ruby?” Solomon said next to my ear. “Wake up.”
Stirring, I finally roused, my gaze meeting his. Lust still pounded through my body, but my thrashing heart pushed adrenaline through my system, cleansing me of the delirium.
The Sorcerer King and the Fire Queen Page 13
