by A D Holland
He swerved off the road and onto the shoulder, stopping the car and killing the engine. Grabbing Elizabeth by the shoulders he jerked her forward. He was so close that she could feel his hot breath on her face. With nostrils flaring and fiery blue eyes only inches away from her, Elizabeth felt her anger melt and fear settle in its place. She winced as his fingers dug into the bare flesh of her arms.
“You go too far, Miss Windsor,” his lips barely moved as he whispered these words. “If you know what’s best, you will sheath those claws and settle back into that seat.” Releasing her as abruptly as he had grabbed her, he leaned back. “You know nothing of me or my life, so you better watch your tongue before I bite it out of your mouth.”
Elizabeth reached down and unbuckled her seat belt. Before he could react, she was out of the car. For the second time in two days, Elizabeth found herself running down a deserted road. She heard him chasing her. She heard the rip as he grabbed her by the back of the blouse to try and stop her. As he yanked harder, she stopped. He wrapped a steel arm around her, crushing her back against his rock hard chest. Lifting her off the ground, he turned her away from the road. The sound of a loud horn blowing caused her to freeze her frantic struggle. He placed his body between her and the car and she cringed, steeling her for the impact that would come. The car swerved, just missing the two bodies standing on the shoulder of the road.
Silence followed. She released her breath. So close to him, she could feel his heart beating a hectic rhythm against her back. He tucked her closer to his body, pressing his cheek against hers.
“Are you all right?” The question seemed to be ripped from him.
Unable to speak, she bobbed her head up and down. Slowly, he disentangled his arms, turning her around to face him. He grabbed her by chin and tilted her head back to look into her eyes.
“Don’t you ever do anything like that again, is that clear?” Warmth enveloped her. His concern wrapped around her like a cocoon. With wide eyes she gazed at him. He released her, turning back toward the car.
“I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if my witness were to get run over by a car,” as he spoke the words, the cocoon was ripped away from her. Of course, he was only thinking of her as a commodity. A ways to a means; without her he could not fulfill his vendetta.
Chapter 5
Elizabeth came awake with a jerk. For the first few seconds she could not recall where she was. Turning her head to look at the man to her left, it all came back like a huge wave beating the shoreline. She remembered him stalking off and leaving her on the side of the road to stare after him. She remembered hastily running to the car and climbing in as he started the engine and resumed their trip. Elizabeth fought the exhaustion as long as she could, sitting stiff in her seat, hands clenched together in a huge ball in her lap, never once looking at Detective Kane. She didn’t remember when she had succumbed to sleep, but she had.
“Where are we?” the question came out in a croak.
She looked out the window and noticed they were driving down a private road lined with palm trees. Up ahead was a grand white building with wooden shutters thrown open and a red terracotta roof. The sun was just rising and reflected off the ocean behind the building. Elizabeth looked at Detective Kane closely for the first time.
His mouth was pulled down in a frown, his eyes were lined with fatigue, and his hair was rumpled as if he had just recently run his hand through it in frustration. His jaw was shadowed with stubble, giving him the effect of a dark, dangerous rogue from another time. He steered the car into the driveway in front of the building and turned the engine off. As he released his seatbelt, he turned to face her.
“We have arrived,” he raised one eyebrow slightly. “Before we go in we need to get our story straight. We are posing as a married couple on their honeymoon.” With this said, he shifted a little closer to her, watching for reaction to the information he had just dropped in her lap.
“You have to be wrong,” she said breathlessly, there was no way she was going to go in there and pose as a woman who was married to this man. “How are we supposed to pull this off Detective Kane when we can’t even stand the sight of each other?”
She edged closer to the door, reaching up and patting her hair where the bun had come undone. Feeling very self-conscious, she tried to retrieve the pins that had fallen, but he stilled her hands in a strong grip, drawing her attention back to him.
“It is the most logical situation, if you think about it,” his mouth lifted in a mocking grin. “If we are on our honeymoon, we will not be expected to leave the room. We will not draw attention to ourselves by not participating in dinner or dancing. This is a resort you know.”
“I know what a resort is, I am not stupid. I just can’t believe that this is the best the government could come up with,” looking away from his discerning gaze she took a steadying breath. “I don’t think I can do this.”
He released her hands and sat back in his seat. “Come on Miss Windsor, surely you can feign lust for me for as long as it takes to get to our room. After that, you don’t even have to speak to me, I promise.”
Elizabeth felt the blush which had started at her neck, climb into her cheeks. Feigning lust was not what worried her most, it was the being locked away with this man for an unknown amount of time and not going insane from the emotional roller coaster she road whenever he just looked at her. She wiped her palms on her skirt and went in search of her hairpins once again, trying to repair the damage to her hair.
“Leave it,” he took the pins from her hand and removed the remaining ones from her head.
Her hair slid down across her shoulders in curly waves of disarray. Feeling very uncomfortable, Elizabeth watched as he combed through the curls with his fingers and placed a strand behind her ear. She burned where he touched her. But was it with rage as she would like to believe or something else? She did not know.
“With it flowing like that, you look like a woman waiting to be ravished.”
Before his lids lowered over his eyes, Elizabeth caught a glimpse of the sparkling heat lighting them. Her breath froze in her lungs as she tried to interpret the look. She bit down on her lip, unable to grasp the reasoning of why one minute he could speak with such hate and contempt and then the next touch her with such tenderness. Her mind was in turmoil as he climbed out of the car and went to the trunk to lift out their cases. A bellboy who loaded their things onto a trolley and pushed them inside the hotel met him. She looked up to see Detective Kane opening her door and offering her his hand.
“Detective Kane, I do not think this is a good idea,” she spoke with her haughtiest voice.
“Of course it’s a good idea, and you had better call me Devin. You don’t want to blow our cover before we have even checked into our room, do you?” He took her arm and helped her out of the car. When she went to move away from him, he stopped her by grabbing her waist and pulling her into his body.
“We better do something about that blouse or people will think I am a barbarian, unable to wait to get my new wife into the comfort of a bed,” his voice rumbled deep in his chest, his hand touched the tear in the fabric.
Setting her aside, he reached into the car and grabbed his jacket for her to put on. Shaking her head at him, certain that it would never fit her, she stepped even further away. He swiftly grabbed her wrist and turned her around so she could slide her arm into the sleeve. She was surprised to see that the jacket not only fit but also swallowed her shoulders and hung past her hands.
“Not the most elegant thing, but at least it will cover the damage,” he turned her around and pulled her hair out from the collar. Placing a hand on her back he propelled her toward the door. She looked up at his face, suddenly grateful for his quick thinking.
“Thank you Detective,” she said softly. He stopped walking.
“Now Elizabeth, you must remember to call me Devin, or this won’t work.” He reached into his jean pocket and pulled out an object.
“I al
most forgot,” he reached for her left hand, “you had better wear this.” The plain gold ban he slipped on her finger fit perfectly. In amazement she looked up to see him slipping on a matching band and giving it a little twist.
“Well Mrs. Kane, are you ready for act one?” He smiled down into her face. She knew he was doing this for her, making her feel more at ease in this masquerade. She tilted her chin up to smile at him.
Only if you promise not to try and carry me across the threshold Mr. Kane, I don’t want you to be carried away in an ambulance.” His lips thinned slightly. He said nothing as he took her arm and led her into the hotel.
They were met by the concierge who provided them with the key to the “splendid honeymoon suite” they would be sharing. Elizabeth only stuttered once when the elderly gentleman directed a question her way, asking “the beautiful Mrs. Kane if she preferred strawberries with her champagne.”
“Why, yes, thank you,” Elizabeth smiled, conscious of the blue eyes boring into her, awaiting her response. “Strawberries are my favorite.”
She was unaware of the blush, which brought an enchanting glow to her cheeks and soft blue eyes. The concierge almost fell over himself with compliments after witnessing the beautiful allure of this enchanting, robust woman. It had been a long time since he had seen a woman with such a succulent figure; he looked toward Mr. Kane and winked smiling at him knowingly. He was certain that she would provide a handful and more for this big, handsome man who was her husband. He turned to the bell boy and instructed him to show the Kanes to their suite and wished them a happy honeymoon now, since he was positive he would see very little of them after this.
Taking Elizabeth’s hand, the concierge lifted it to his lips. “Ah, Mrs. Kane, may you have a beautiful stay in our hotel,” he lingered over her hand.
Elizabeth felt Devin laid a possessive palm on her back. She looked up at him. Was that jealousy in his eyes? She had to hand it to him, he was a great actor.
“I’m sure we will both enjoy it,” Devin’s voice held an edge that was reflected in his action as he pulled her hand away from the man and tucked it into his arm. He guided her through the lobby and into the waiting elevator.
At the room, the bellboy opened the door and carried the luggage in, disappearing into the large room. In one swift motion Devin had reached down and lifted her in his arms. Elizabeth was surprised by his actions and wiggled in his arms.
“Devin, what do you think you are doing?” she admonished him.
“Why I’m carrying my beautiful new bride over the threshold,” he looked into her face.
There was no hint of strain there. She was amazed at how he had lifted her as if she were light as a feather. She wrapped her arms around his neck, afraid he might drop her. Instead, he set her down lightly on the floor. Still in shock, she did not remove her arms from their place, which brought his face directly into contact with hers. He looked deep into her gaze and then dipped his head to touch his lips to hers. It was nothing but a quick peck, given to keep up the appearance of a happily married couple.
“That was for remembering my name,” Devin whispered to her, a wry smile playing at those lips. “Now close your mouth before I am tempted to do more than just peck.”
Elizabeth was stunned, not just from his sudden actions, but from the effect that little “peck” had on her. The fire started at her lips and traveled throughout her body with intense tingling sensations.
She clamped her mouth shut, a blush steeling into her cheeks again. This is crazy, if she didn’t stop it she would probably over heat from a perpetual blush constantly filling her face and body. How would she explain that to the bell boy who was watching attentively?
Devin turned to the boy, handing him a tip and directing him to the door. “Thank you for your help, but I think that my wife and I would like to be alone now,” the lecherous smile Devin was wearing was completely shocking and had quite an effect on Elizabeth’s knees which were growing weaker by the minute.
The bellboy looked at Devin with awe, “No problem sir. If you need anything just ring the concierge,” this was said just as the door was closing in his face. Devin turned the lock and headed back into the room.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I think I will hit the shower,” the detective facade had dropped back into place without a blink. He reached into his luggage grabbing what looked like a shaving kit and walked into the bathroom. “Do not answer the phone, open the door or stick your head out of the window. Okay?” His tone was condescending and lit Elizabeth’s anger.
“I am not two, Detective Kane,” Elizabeth said. “I would appreciate it if you would treat me like I have some sense.” She raised her chin in defiance.
He looked at her blandly with raised brows. “As soon as you start showing since, I will take that request into consideration.”
She huffed in exasperation and stomped over to the pile of cases looking for something to throw at him.
Ignoring her outburst he continued, “I won’t be long in here so why don’t you unpack. It has been an exhausting two days for both of us and I think that we could use the rest.” He slammed the door shut before she could launch the small overnight bag at his head.
That abominable man; he was a beast. She hated him. How was she going to live with him in this room for an undetermined amount of time without killing him or at least destroying every object in sight that wasn’t nailed down? On this thought she picked up the pillow resting on the settee at the foot of the bed and hurled it at the closed bathroom door. Ogre!
With most of her energy and anger expended, she sat down on the settee and studied her surroundings for the first time since she had entered the room. It was outrageous, beautiful, but simply outrageous. The walls were done in a pink silk material that shimmered. The plush cream carpet that lined the room from wall to wall had to be at least ankle deep. Each window was draped with velvety pink and cream chiffon that stretched from the ceiling and landed in big fluffy piles on the carpeted ground. There was an antique guilt desk and chair, and the two matching settees covered in the same pink material that made of the velvety drapes. But it was the beautiful vanity with several antique bottles placed on its glass surface, which caught E’s attention. She walked over and picked up one of the bottles removing the stopper. The smell was provocative but overpowering, much stronger than the perfume that E normally chose to wear. She sealed the bottle and placed it back on the vanity.
It was definitely the honeymoon suite and nothing said it better than the extra-large bed that took up ninety percent of the room. The color scheme was carried out in the pink coverlet, the fluffy pillows in pink and cream which adorned the bed and the creamy, sheer material which draped from the ceiling to the floor all around the bed, giving off the effect of a cloud surrounding the lover’s nest of velvet. She knew one thing for sure; there was no way in hell she was going to sleep in that bed with that man.
Shaking her head, she turned away from the offensive bed and started to unpack her bags. Considering whether to tackle Devin’s things, E was startled by the fact that she had thought of him as Devin and not Detective Kane. When had that happened? It was probably because he kept telling her to make sure and not slip in front of the staff. She brushed it off to this fact and stepped back to inspect her job. Satisfied with the arrangement of her things in the dresser and the closet that lined a wall, she pulled off Devin’s jacket and hung it beside her things. Elizabeth could hear the noise from the shower and could make out the slight sound of whistling.
He wouldn’t be in there all day and she had to decide what to do next with her. Slipping out of her shoes, she walked over to the vanity and sat down on the cushioned seat. Picking up her brush, started to remove some of the tangles from her hair when she heard a knock at the door. Her hand stilled. Who could that be? No one knew they were here. The bathroom door swung open, Devin came through wearing nothing, but a towel wrapped around his waist. With his finger to his lips, he motioned for her to be q
uiet and walked to the door.
“Who is it?” The question was barked, but there was no response. Devin looked through the peephole; releasing a sigh he opened the door a crack. “What can I do for you?”
Elizabeth heard the question but did not hear the response. She had not recovered from the shock of seeing Devin clad only in a towel that was slung low on his hips. With his shoulders and chest bear, he was the first almost naked man Elizabeth had ever seen. She soaked in the smooth skin pulled taunt across his shoulder blades, watched the play of muscles down his back, fascinated by the slightly rounded buttocks covered by the terry cloth. Her breathing was shallow and she couldn’t seem to pull her eyes away. Then he was opening the door and turning toward her as he spoke, “yes, my wife was wondering where the champagne and strawberries were.”
With his back to the waiter, Devin made a funny face at Elizabeth causing her to gasp. Was he crazy answering the door like that? What would people think? Elizabeth chastised herself. That you are on your honeymoon silly and if you don’t quit acting like a frightened virgin you will blow your cover.
The waiter watched them with fascination. Then Devin must have noticed him staring at the rip in Elizabeth’s blouse because he sat on the bench behind Elizabeth. Lifting a leg, he straddled the bench and pulled her closer into his body, covering the torn material with one large hand at her waist. He smiled at the young man.
“I don’t want my wife to be disappointed on her honeymoon, you know what I mean son,” Devin winked at the waiter.
