PassionsPoison

by Lexi Post

  “Relax, Bea, it’s not the end of the world.”

  Bea turned back from her pace through the living room and stared open-mouthed at her mother. “You don’t get it, do you? You’ve made a mess of my life by telling Phillip. The man is insane. Are babies so important to you that you’ll take psycho grandchildren just to have them?”

  Her mom bowed her head as she sat next to Tony on the couch. The man, chief operations officer of a national catalogue company, was smart enough to stay out of it.

  Her mother, however, was another matter. She was as clueless as Phillip. No wonder they connected.

  Her mother fidgeted. “I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”

  She gripped her hands tight, aggravated beyond her limit. Her throat constricted as she spoke through gritted teeth. “No. I’m not.”

  Bea forced herself to unclamp her jaw. “This is the last time you will mess around with my life. You better get used to life without me because I’m not coming over and I’m not calling you. Quite frankly, I need a break from you. If I could move, I’d leave the country.”

  As she headed for the door, her mom stood, tears tracking down her cheeks. “Bea, you can’t. I’m your mother.”

  Bea stopped and stared into her mother’s fearful gaze. Anger coupled with hopeless frustration boiled within her, causing her to sweat. Her mother needed to learn a lesson and this might be the only way to teach her. She strode to the door. “Goodbye, Mom.”

  “Bea!”

  She kept walking, ignoring her mother’s tearful crying until she stepped into her car. She looked up before backing out and saw Tony take her mother inside. That must be nice. Thanks to her mom, Bea doubted she’d ever know what it was like to have someone care for her.

  Though she had taken control, she didn’t feel any better. In fact, her stomach was knotted up like a tangled fishing net and a slow burn had started in its depths. She had to keep Zach out of her life and she’d kicked her mom out too. Maybe she needed to wind down.

  Passing her apartment, she stopped farther up the street at Busy Body’s. It seemed appropriate.

  She sat at the bar and ordered a Toasted Almond. As the first sip warmed her, her body loosened. Finally, some temporary relief, but her stomach growled. When had she last eaten? Waving down the bartender, she ordered mozzarella sticks. She took another sip and let the calming effects of the liquor soothe her frazzled nerves. Maybe she could kill a few brain cells tonight and forget about her mom.

  “Hi, beautiful.”

  Zach? Hope speared her heart as she looked up at the man who’d spoken to her. But it wasn’t Zach. This guy had to be a tourist with his polo shirt and khaki pants. One of those suburban white-collar men who thought they had the world by the tail. He screamed arrogance.

  The guy leaned on the bar. “I know this may be bold, but you have the most gorgeous eyes.”

  Although he complimented her eyes, he stared at her breasts. Great, just what she needed right now, an intoxicated tourist hitting on her. “Thanks. Now go away.”

  He leaned toward her, crowding her space with his Polo aftershave. “Just ’cause you’re beautiful doesn’t mean you can be a bitch.”

  She turned away and ignored him.

  He wouldn’t take the hint. “Hey, I’m talking to you, Miss Priss.”

  She shook her head. Should she give in to the temptation to spill her drink on the guy’s pants? It would be such a waste of money, but maybe worth it.

  Another male voice chimed in. “Excuse me, sir, but the lady’s not interested.”

  “And who the blazes are you?” The drunk sounded ready for a fight.

  “I’m a friend of the lady and suggest you move along.”

  Bea turned around in time to see Chris flash his badge. The drunk raised his hands. “I’m not breaking the law here, Officer. I was only trying to have a friendly conversation.”

  Chris motioned with his head. “I’d suggest you head back to your hotel before I cite you for disorderly conduct.”

  The guy mumbled beneath his breath, but she couldn’t hear him. After he skulked away, Chris sat next to her.

  More pleased to see him than usual, she tilted her head at him. “I thought you were off-duty.”

  He shrugged. “I am. But he’s too drunk to realize it.”

  “Well, thanks. I really didn’t need that to end my day.” She lifted her glass to him and took another sip of her creamy almond drink, thankful she hadn’t had to waste it.

  He waved for the bartender and ordered a bottled water. “I thought you were working?”

  She sighed. “My day was going so badly I took the afternoon off, but it only got worse.”

  He picked up his water and took a gulp before he fixed his sympathetic gaze on her. “Anything I can do to help?”

  She stopped in mid-bite of her cheese stick. “Actually, there is.”

  Opening her purse, she found two of the letters, but had no clue which was which. The second one about killing Zach was still at home where she’d stashed it. If Zach was who it referred to? She couldn’t be sure about anything right now except that giving that particular letter to Chris would be a huge mistake. She pulled out one of the envelopes. “I’ve been receiving these strange letters at the Lakeside Inn. I don’t know which one this is. One of them came today, in between my fight with Phillip and my fight with my mother.”

  Chris threw her a look of understanding before he took the envelope and studied it. “Did anyone see who dropped this off?”

  She took another sip of her drink. “No, but I have everyone watching.”

  “Do you mind?” he asked, gesturing to the letter inside.

  “No, please do.”

  Bea ate one whole cheese stick before Chris finished with his study of the paper. “Well, what do you think?”

  He looked her in the eye. “I think this could be serious. ‘I know your secret’ sounds as if this could escalate into blackmail. Would you mind if I took this and talked with a detective friend of mine?”

  She bit the inside of her lip. If the secret did refer to her toxic nature, did she want the local police investigating? Probably not, but then again, she’d had it with reacting to the mess her life was in at the moment. She needed to take action. “That’s fine, but I don’t want to make a big deal of this. That was the first one I received, and there has been no demand for money or anything.”

  He gave her a stern look. “Bea, you need to take this seriously. Have you told the man you’re seeing about these?”

  She avoided his gaze. “No, not yet.”

  “Have you told your mother?”

  She shook her head. “If I told my mom the world would know, which means my dad Gerry would find out and then I wouldn’t be able to move without some huge motorcycle dude shadowing me.”

  She’d meant it as a joke, but Chris didn’t smile. “Tell your boss and your dads at least. I don’t like this.”

  She smiled inside at his avoidance of Zach, but that was fine. She didn’t have Zach anymore anyway.

  Chris slipped the envelope in the back pocket of his jeans then gestured to the appetizers on her plate. “So, are you going to finish those or just play with them?”

  She looked at the remaining cheese sticks. She’d managed to eat one, but there were seven cold pieces still on the plate. She pushed them toward him. “No, they’re all yours. I think I’ll go home now. Maybe if I stay there, nothing more will happen today.”

  She finished her drink in a couple swallows and stood to leave.

  “Bea.” Chris caught her by the wrist.

  Again? Why did men feel they had a right to hold her back? Her grateful feelings toward Chris vanished in an instant as she pulled her hand away rudely. “Yes?”

  “Be careful. Lock your doors and if anything goes wrong, call me. My personal cell is on the back of the card I gave you.”

  She flushed at her defensive reaction and gave him a deprecating smile. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  Bu
t as she walked away, she sensed Chris’ gaze on her, even as she opened her car door. Glancing at the bar window, she found him still watching her. She shivered, despite the warm air. Climbing into her car, she closed the door and berated herself for being paranoid. Chris was harmless. He was a cop for goodness sake. She needed to get a grip.

  Back at her apartment she threw her purse on the table and unhooked her phone from the outside pocket. The message light flashed at her and reminded her to listen to Zach’s or Dr. Josh’s message. Did she really want to know?

  With a need far stronger than any decision process, she hit her voice mail and listened.

  “Hi, beautiful. It’s me, Zach. I know we were supposed to have dinner tomorrow night, but Josh says I’m not well enough to go out. What does he know? You’d think he was my mother or something. I’ll call you. Bye.”

  She slumped into the chair at the kitchen table and started to cry. Would her day never end?

  * * * * *

  Zach paced across the living room, cell phone in hand. “Come on, Bea. Answer, damn it.”

  Her voice mail message came on. “Bea, you can’t avoid me forever. What’s going on? Call me.”

  He hung up and threw the phone on the couch. What the hell? He didn’t peg her for a game player. Something was wrong. She’d tell him if she’d decided to call it quits, right?

  He turned as Josh meandered into the living room, a plate full of potato salad, cold spaghetti and Greek olives in his hand. “She still hasn’t returned your calls?”

  Zach gave his friend his best give-me-a-break face and stuck his hands in his pockets. “What makes you think that?”

  “Hey, don’t attack me because you got sick on your date. It’s not my fault she’s not attracted to guys who groan in the morning.” Josh threw his long body onto one of the couches.

  Zach grabbed his phone and clipped it on his belt. “That’s it. I’m going down there.”

  Pulling his attention from the television remote, Josh set it down hard. “Hey, I just arrived. What’s the rush? I only have a couple days off. So it’s been a week since you last saw her. What happened to your rule of three?”

  “I’d decided to go four with her. She’s not the needy type. But she needs to explain why she’s avoiding me. I want answers and I want them now. Sorry, buddy.”

  Zach pulled on his leather jacket and grabbing the keys to his Harley, threw them at his friend. “Here, to make it up to you. Why don’t you take the bike to Smokin’ Joe’s? They have a band on Friday nights. Lots of girls go dancing there. I’m sure I’ll be back in a couple hours. If she’s not at work or her place, then I’ll be longer because I’m not leaving until I find out what’s going on.”

  Josh shook his head. “Man, you’re all twisted up, but I’ll be happy to take the hog for a spin. Maybe I can find a copilot.”

  Zach hesitated at the top of the stairs. “Be good to her. If you get drunk, ask for a ride, okay?”

  Josh winked. “Maybe.”

  “Smart-ass.” He picked a pillow off the nearest couch and threw it at Josh.

  “Hey.”

  Not wanting to know if he’d hit the plate of food or not, Zach ran down the stairs and jumped into his truck. He sent hunks of mud flying into the air as he sped out of the driveway before he bumped onto the main road.

  The closer he drove to Meriden, the more confused he became. Bea had been more than satisfied the night they were together. Maybe she wanted more than sex. But she had initiated all of it. Well, maybe not all of it, but she had certainly been willing. If she didn’t think anything was wrong with taking their relationship at the speed of light and then slamming on the breaks, he would have to give her a lesson in dumping people. She couldn’t just stop taking his calls. She had to tell him it was over. Hell. He didn’t want it to be over—yet.

  He pulled into the Lakeside Inn and drove to the back parking lot for employees. Good. Her Camry was there. The lady had some questions to answer and he better like what he heard.

  Zach strode up to the front desk where a pretty blonde with short-cropped hair greeted him.

  “Can I help you?” The invitation in her large round eyes was so clear, it gave him an idea.

  “Yes, I’d like a room for the night.”

  “Did you want a double, king size, or a suite?”

  Reading her name badge, he smiled. “Kayla, I think I’d like a suite. Does it have a king-size bed?”

  She batted her lashes. “Even better, it has a California king.”

  “Perfect.” He handed her his credit card.

  She reached for the card, but held his hand as she asked, “Is that just for one night?”

  He smirked. “Yeah.”

  She pouted as she pulled the card from him and slipped it into the machine behind the counter. “Too bad. But if you decide to stay longer, I see that the suite is available the rest of the week, Mr. Woodman.”

  He shook his head. “Nope. If I don’t get everything done tonight, I won’t be staying any longer.”

  She gave him a puzzled look before she handed him his card and a room key. “That’s room 223, go down this hall and take a left. At the end is your room. It has a gorgeous view of the lake.”

  He didn’t plan to enjoy the view. “Thanks.”

  “Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Woodman?”

  The invitation in her eyes remained, but Zach wasn’t interested. Sure, if he was free he might have been, but he was taken at the moment. He may keep his relationships short, but he never cheated. “No. I’m good. Thanks.”

  He strode to his room. He would order a bottle of champagne and take the seductive approach. That might be a better idea than a confrontation. She seemed so clueless about dating. It could very well be that she thought taking a week-long break after incredible sex was normal. He grinned. He’d have to show her how much she’d been missing.

  * * * * *

  “Earth to Bea. Hello.” Kayla sat on the corner of the desk and waved her hand in front of Bea’s face.

  She jumped, startled. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo in her chest at the interruption of her thoughts. “I’m here. What’s up?”

  “You don’t look ‘here’. You’ve been moping around this place for a week. Why don’t you call him back?”

  She sat back in her chair and stared at her friend. Slowly she inhaled, held her breath and exhaled. “It’s not that simple.”

  “Okay, okay, I can take a hint.” Kayla pouted for a moment, but then her blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “Listen, maybe you need a distraction. This really hot guy just checked in. I flirted with him and he flirted back, but I don’t think he’s interested. Maybe he prefers brunettes.”

  She raised her brows. “So, I’m to have a rebound relationship with a guest?”

  “Who said rebound? I’m talking about a one-night stand. He’s only here for tonight. Besides, you can’t go on the rebound. You weren’t dumped.”

  Bea shook her head. The thought of a one-night stand made her nauseated. Either that or it was the poisons building in her body. “No thanks, he’s all yours.”

  Kayla stood and ran her fingers through her short, stylish hair. “Well, I can give it another try. He’s not my type for a relationship, but he’s built and I certainly wouldn’t throw him out of bed.”

  Bea grinned, pleased to have something to smile about. “Go get him, girl.”

  The phone at the front desk rang and Kayla sauntered to the door. “I’m off in an hour. But I may be sticking around for a while.” She threw Bea a wink before she disappeared around the corner.

  As soon as Kayla left, Bea closed her eyes. Her body had begun to show the signs of her increased toxins. Her muscles were weakening as proven by the number of items she’d dropped in the past twenty-four hours, the hot and cold flashes had started and the dark circles appeared under her eyes. She had one, maybe two days at best, before she’d have to seek out a sex partner. The thought of sex with someone other than Zach made her ph
ysically ill.

  She opened her eyes and looked blankly at the paperwork on her desk. Either way, she was screwed.

  Kayla bopped her head around the corner. “Hey, Mr. Hunk just ordered a bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a whole can of whip cream. Something tells me he won’t be alone tonight.”

  Bea had to smirk at Kayla’s pouty face. “Hey, you know all the good ones are taken.”

  “Absolutely not, they’re just harder to find.”

  “Right.” She’d found her Mr. Right, but couldn’t have him.

  Kayla disappeared again and Bea returned to her work. Next weekend they had three events at the inns and she still had to order the linens for two of them. She promised herself if she could finish that, she could order a sandwich from the restaurant. It would be better than going home to cook for herself.

  “Ah, Bea?”

  She looked up to see Kayla hugging the doorjamb again. She sighed. “Yes?”

  “That hunky guy I told you about earlier? He’s at the front desk and he’s asking for you by name.”

  Bea shivered. Could it be her “letter stalker”, as Chris had started to call him? At least she wouldn’t be alone. Kayla would be at the desk and could always call security. Tensing for battle, she straightened her back. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”

  Kayla stepped farther into the doorway. “Hey, Bea, you good?”

  She attempted to smile, but failed. “Good enough.”

  “Okay. I’ll keep him busy.”

  Once her friend left, Bea stood, but her knees shook. She hadn’t had any letters in days and while she had hoped they were done, Chris said the guy was biding his time. Maybe this was it. Pushing herself into professional mode, she set her jaw and resolutely stalked to the check-in desk.

  The minute the man turned around, her façade crumbled and her breath left her lungs as if she’d been hit. She grabbed the counter to keep from falling to the floor. “Zach.”

  He strode around the counter, lifted her into his arms and carried her to the couches in the lobby.

  Her body combusted the second he touched her and sweat started to bead on her forehead. Why was he here? She’d missed him like a caught fish misses the water.