“Did she call her a companion?”
“Yes, that’s what she would be, plus Lilly said she could help you a lot in your business.” Thia went into the bathroom to gather her toiletries. “Did you know they educate these women amazingly well? Most of them know five or six languages. And they have enough math and business classes to work for me.”
“Sylvester mentioned the education.”
“And plus,” Thia said, excitement infusing her tone, “they’re saved from death in China. Derek, this is a mission to Lilly and Sylvester. They see it as a salvation project—” she stood with hands on hips, waiting for him to turn and face her “—I think I agree.”
He raised his brows in surprise. “Well, we have a lot to talk about, don’t we? Not the least of which is how you would feel having a third party in our little affair.”
Yes, that had set her back. When Lilly first started talking she’d been amazed Lilly and Sylvester obviously considered her and Derek a couple in a long-lasting relationship instead of a lonely, untutored woman and her instructor in the ways of love. Once she accepted Lilly’s view, she wondered, too, how she would feel having another woman around. Especially a woman well-trained in sensual matters.
“Well, there were three of us last night,” she ventured.
He shook his head. “Not the same thing. This woman would be living with me, not just around for a night of pleasure.”
Thia licked her lips, insecurity in her own sexuality bubbling up to the surface. “I know, and—”
His fingers stilled her lips. “We can talk about it later. I admit, having someone I could trust who is well-versed in foreign cultures and languages would be a big help at times, but I don’t feel the need for another woman. I’m perfectly happy with our arrangement. I’m especially happy with the woman I have right now.”
She couldn’t help the flush of pride she felt, and relief. She kissed his fingers and he winked at her.
She turned back to packing. “Did Sylvester tell you in the fifty or so years women have been saved and brought to the US, only fourteen have decided to leave the people they went with?”
“No. He did say they keep up with all of them and he’s very protective.”
“I got that impression from Lilly, too. They’ve been sheltered, so even with their education, they need a lot of care at the beginning. And when someone pays for a woman, a huge chunk of the money gets set aside for her for her retirement or if she wants to go out on her own. It’s all amazing, actually.”
“I know. Oglethorpe talked to me about acquiring one of them.”
“What?”
He grinned. “It’s expensive, I’ll grant you that. Fourteen-K a year, so they must really be something.”
“I think they must be. Lilly says they’re generally only returned when their buyers marry or their needs change. Hmm.” She stared out the window. “In a lot of ways, it’s a better situation than many women have in marriage. They’re really appreciated for their skills and talents, they have a set, large amount of money available if they need it, and there’s always a way out if they’re mistreated or unhappy.
“There is one thing, though. How do they bring the women into the States if they’re from China?”
“Sylvester didn’t go into details, and I have the feeling it’s best we don’t know too much about it. They travel as American’s though, so he must procure passports from somewhere.”
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of an approaching helicopter. He joined Thia at the window to look at the flat concrete above the cascading pools.
“I wonder what’s going on,” Thia said.
The rotors slowed and a man stepped down the few steps as though he couldn’t wait to exit the machine and get away. As soon as he was free of the rotor backwash, he crossed himself. Thia gasped.
“What’s wrong?” Derek’s hand on her shoulder stopped the trembling she felt just under the surface.
“That man crossed himself. My husband used to do that.”
Derek stared at the man who now straightened his suit jacket and headed for the house. “Must be nervous flying. Have you ever flown in a helicopter?” He stepped closer to the window, camera in hand, and took several pictures as the man walked toward the house.
“No.”
“Well, it can be nerve-wracking.”
She took a breath. “He walks like my husband, too. And that little gesture when he—”
He shook her lightly. “Thia, your husband—what was his name?”
“Henry.” She couldn’t help it. The hair stood up on her nape.
“Henry. He’s dead, sweetheart. Dead and gone.”
The man disappeared into a section of the house she hadn’t been in, and she began to feel better. Derek was right, of course. All this wild sex and talk about buying a slave was warping her mind.
Henry was gone.
“If that had been him, I would have asked you for a gun. I would have killed that sonovabitch after all he put me through.”
“He needed killing, huh?” She looked up to see his grin. “Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you.”
“You don’t know what it was like.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Look, I have the chopper’s tail number. I’ll find out soon enough where it originated and who was on board. Will that make you feel better?”
“Yes, thanks.” She went to the bed but fumbled with the zipper on her overnight bag. Derek took over.
“Would you like to leave now?”
Relief was evident in her eyes. “I would. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. I’ll take care of it.”
And he did.
She was so muddled she didn’t hear what he told Lilly and Sylvester. Before she knew it, they were on the As You Wish, heading out of the inlet and into the Pacific, which was too beautiful in the afternoon sunlight for any thoughts except happy ones.
* * * *
“So this is your most recent picture of Henry?” Derek could tell he’d interrupted Thia’s thoughts. She’d barely spoken all the way back to the city, when they stopped by her condo, then through the evening while he’d worked. Now, while they waited for Jim, Derek’s DEA friend, she wasn’t any better.
She leaned to the side to view the photo he held. “Yes, that’s from our anniversary a few months before he died. I still don’t understand why you wanted—” Her eyes widened. “But you said he’s dead, and you’re right. You can’t possibly think we saw Henry today. That man had a Fu Manchu. Henry never would have allowed facial hair like that.”
“Do you believe the man you saw get off the helicopter bore a striking resemblance to your husband?”
She gave a shaky laugh. “It’s impossible. I know it’s impossible, but I can’t get rid of the feeling I had when I first saw him. If I hadn’t known Henry was dead, I would have sworn that was him.”
“Well, then it’s worth investigating. I had the camera for my cover—I took all kinds of shots of the rooms set for renovation, so I also took plenty of the helicopter and the men with it. We’ll begin with the helicopter. That should lead to names and more. My investigators can start right away. And my friend can use this picture and the ones I took today to run their magical computer face recognition programs on it.”
“So, you think it could be him.”
“I think it’s best to rule out everything we can, even things that are ‘impossible.’” He dipped his head. “And it’ll make you feel better. At any rate, after a long time investigating, seeing the helicopter land today is the best lead we have on the drug smuggling. I haven’t any evidence that makes me think Sylvester and Lilly have a material part in it. I think the most they could be involved is in letting the Natant Revel be used to carry the drugs.” He heaved a sigh. “And I really can’t find any evidence of that, either.”
“I hope they aren’t involved. I really like them, and what would happen to Lei if they weren’t around to take care of her?”
“Des
pite my best efforts and reservations, I like them, too. I may have to report what we know about the trafficking, Thia. Regardless of whether we like them.”
“The girls didn’t act like slaves when we saw them. Lei says they’re happy with the way they're treated.”
“I have to report the activity, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some ideas of how to help them.”
She smiled for the first time since watching the helicopter land, then twisted her napkin. “Derek, if somehow that man is my husband, you think he’s involved in the drugs, don’t you?”
“I’d say it’s a good chance whoever that guy is, he’s involved in something he shouldn’t be.”
She shook her head, staring at the table. “If it’s Henry, I swear to God, I’ll make him fish food before this is over.”
“I say again, I hope I never piss you off. I haven’t seen this side of you.” He checked his watch and took a drink of his scotch. “My friend should be here shortly. Take my word we’ll get to the bottom of everything that happened today. Trust me, okay?”
That earned him another smile. “I do.”
* * * *
Thia hadn’t been able to concentrate since seeing the helicopter land at the mansion. All she could think about was the possibility Henry had faked his death. His body hadn’t been discovered, but that wasn’t unusual for a plane crash in the ocean. But now she needed answers. He’d had a particular way of moving, of using his hands and holding his head. The man she’d seen that afternoon could have been his twin, in actions if not looks.
Henry had been fastidious in his appearance. He’d kept his blond hair short and his face clean-shaven. The man that afternoon had been dark-haired and mustachioed. Henry had dressed in expensive designer suits. This man had been suited, but not in the same style.
She came back to the present, when Derek said goodbye to his DEA friend and paid the check. He hailed a cab. Now they pulled up in front of her condo.
“I haven’t been good company tonight, but would you like to come up?”
Derek paid the cabbie. “Maybe I can find a way to cheer you up,” he said, smiling.
They climbed the steps into the building and then entered the elevator. He took her key and opened her door when they reached it.
He took her in his arms right away. “Seems like a nice apartment, but I’ve seen this room before, remember?”
“Uh-huh, when you came to con me into going to the masquerade.”
“Con you? Yeah, I guess I did. Regret it?”
“No. Not at all.” She looked around the living room. “Since you’ve seen this room, why don’t you come into another room?”
“I’d be honored.” He followed her into the bedroom.
“You hung the paintings in here.”
“I like to look at them and imagine the story they appear to tell.”
“Oh, what story is that?”
Thia pointed to the first in line. “She’s in a gilded cage, used to keep and protect her during the day. Here in the second, she’s dancing and entertaining the men before dinner. In this—” she moved to the third “—she’s kneeling beside the sultan, her hands tied behind her. The sultan is feeding her while other slaves dance and do tricks. In the last the men are ready to retire for the night and she is being given away for the night. She’s nothing more than a trinket, there only for the men’s enjoyment. Since she is caged during the day I don’t believe she has any other duties except to please the men.”
Derek leaned against the door frame. He crossed his arms and watched her. “Is that how men should treat their women?”
“Well, if the man takes good care of his woman she would be in his debt and should do what she can to please him.”
“Do I take good care of you?” He prowled into the room, like a cat stalking his prey.
At last. Beneath the concern about the man in the helicopter, Thia knew she’d been waiting for this, the chance to be with Derek again, all day. “I would have to say you do.”
“Let’s test your theory.”
“Ah, what do you mean?” Thia said in a soft voice.
“Well, you said if a man treats a girl nicely she should try to please him, and it would please me to take you back to my studio wearing nothing but a rain coat and with your hands tied behind you.”
Thia considered the idea. “Naked, and my hands tied behind me? What if I trip or something?”
“Okay, I won’t tie your hands, but I do think it would be fun watching you in public knowing only a rain coat is between you and everybody’s view.”
“You really want me to do this?”
“Isn’t that what you just said, a woman should please a man who takes care of her? In the paintings the slave girl has surrendered herself to the wishes of the man who cares for her. Will you surrender to me?”
She nibbled her lower lip. “Yes.”
“Does the idea excite you?”
Thia grinned. “I guess it does.” Though it shouldn’t. If anything went wrong, there’d be hell to pay, and possibly trouble with the law. Who knew? But a thrill ran through her and tension built in her belly.
“What will you do when we get to your studio?”
His smile shook her to the core. “Anything I want, slowly and thoroughly.”
Thia looked at the paintings for a long moment, and then began undressing.
While she removed her clothes, Derek went into the bathroom. When he came out, he was stuffing the belt from her bathrobe into his pocket.
Then he went back into the living room and she heard him open her hall closet. He returned grinning like a schoolboy. He held up his hand and from his finger dangled her worst nightmare, a raincoat she’d completely forgotten about. Clear plastic, only a pattern of tiny purple and yellow flowers provided any cover. As bad as its virtual transparency was its length. It hit at the top of her thigh when she wore it over clothes.
She looked up in horror. “You can’t expect me to—”
“I sure do.” He held it out and waited for her to take it.
With a feeling of deep foreboding, she took the coat and slipped into it. Her reflection in the mirror told the story. Though the flowers were enough to distract the eye, anyone who took more than a second look would clearly see her nipples and pussy hair.
“Perfect.” Derek turned her around, admiring his handiwork.
“Easy for you to say.” She reached for her keys, but he took them from her.
“You won’t need these until you get back tomorrow. No wallet or anything else. I’ll be caring for you, remember?”
Butterflies with track shoes stomped around in her stomach. “When are you going to bring me home?”
“When I’m finished with you.”
The words struck home at last. She could say no and stay here. She should say no. But she knew she wouldn’t.
Derek opened her front door and waited. With little hesitation, she slid by him and into the hallway hearing the door close and lock behind her.
There was no turning back.
Chapter 14
With each step, the plastic of the raincoat scraped Thia’s skin. Her nipples puckered and ached with need but Derek didn’t seem to notice.
He didn’t touch her as they left her condo and walked up the street. Didn’t hold her hand or place his hand on her lower back when they crossed Van Ness. He indicated they should turn south, and he strolled along as casually as if they were out for a Sunday walk.
“Where are we going?”
“My studio, but it’s such a nice night I thought you’d enjoy getting some air before you’re imprisoned.”
Getting some air, my foot. Van Ness always had traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, and a good many passersby noticed Thia. Cat calls rained down on her, causing Derek to grin and Thia to blanch. But she kept on going, raising her head instead of cringing.
“This may be a barrel of monkeys for you, but my feet are killing me.” She stopped and jammed her hands on her hips.
“Can’t we catch a cab from here?”
“I’m sorry. I should have thought about walking in those heels.” He glanced behind them and smiled, holding up his arm.
Thia did cringe now, hearing the sound of bus brakes. In horror, she watched the big vehicle stop beside them. The doors whooshed open and Derek stepped on to pay the fare.
Just as Thia started up the steps, someone crowded behind her. As she raised her leg, a hand slid under her coat and squeezed her butt. She gasped and Derek turned to look at her. His gaze touched the person whose hand still gripped her cheek. His approving look told Thia to let it happen. A feeling of trepidation consumed her as Derek faced forward and dropped the required change into the holder.
With her next step up, the hand glided down and forward, between the lips of her labia, right over her pussy and straight to her clit, as though her heat guided his finger missile. This time, her gasp sounded something more like a moan and she stood unmoving for a moment.
She lifted her right leg as the mysterious finger-fucker slipped and slid his finger through her juices and into her pussy. She closed her eyes. The person crowded her more, pressing nearer. His finger slid out and then back in, no more than a couple of pokes, but her tension and the circumstances had her ready to come.
“Are you getting on or not?”
The driver’s voice shook her into awareness. The person moved back marginally, removed his hand and left her free to continue, past the disgusted look of the driver and the lusty look of the man sitting in the first seat, who undoubtedly saw—or imagined—the whole thing. He’d had an unobstructed view since Derek had moved down the aisle to wait for her.
Thia had only tottered half way up to Derek when the driver pulled out into traffic. She stumbled. Derek moved to catch her, but was a moment later than a man sitting next to her. Twisting out of his seat, his arm went around her waist and his body braced her from behind. His erection pressed into her butt as she stood and took Derek’s hand. The man released her.
“Thank you,” she murmured. The bus changed gears and she half walked, half stumbled the rest of the way to the back of the bus with Derek.
She Shouldnt, But She Will Page 21
