Double Crossed

by Lacey Silks

  CHAPTER 6

  Derek

  When I woke up after a sleepless night, I couldn’t wait to see Annabelle. Once again, she’d been haunting my dreams, and I had woken up to the hardest morning wood I’d ever had. But when I went downstairs to the kitchen, I found a note,

  Derek,

  Woke up at seven. I’m going for a ride. Should be back within an hour.

  Annabelle

  I checked the clock. Annabelle had only left ten minutes ago. How in the world had I not heard her get up?

  After breakfast, I planned on taking Annabelle to Peacock Lake to catch some fish for lunch and maybe help her relax before our afternoon trip to the hospital, but I guess I was now on my own.

  Minutes later, I crossed the path behind my house with a fishing pole in my one hand and a supply box in the other. A five-minute hike through the forest separating my property from the lake, and I was staring at the tranquil water. I set up my gear in the same spot I always did, right behind a boulder that partially hung over the shore. I found the fish liked to hide in the growing shrubs and between the sunken branches of overgrown trees.

  I cast my rod and waited patiently. It wasn’t long before the first pike caught on the bait I’d fished out at the shore where there was enough shade for me to stand in. I’d lowered it into the bucket of water and set my rod again when something caught my eye. To my left, Annabelle sat on the ledge of a cliff with her knees pulled up to her chest, staring out into the distance. She blended with the nature around her as if she ruled this forest. With her hair braided to the side she could have passed for a Fae watching over her land. She finished speaking to someone on her cell phone before lowering it to the ground.

  I felt my mouth open as she slowly stood up and unbuttoned her jeans. She slid them off her hips, and my crotch tightened in response.

  “Holy fuck,” I said under my breath.

  This was wrong, so wrong, yet I couldn’t stop staring. Next was her tank top. She pulled it over her head and I felt the air still around me. Shit!

  Her pale skin almost matched the nude bra and panties and I felt like a pervert. I was sure she’d be more tanned from living on the coast. My cock strained underneath my zipper, and I moved it to the side. The tug at the end of the rod drew my attention to the water, and the red bop disappeared underneath the surface. My gaze flew from the lake back to Annabelle as she unhooked her bra. The pink tips of her nipples stood out against her translucent skin. Her breasts were perfect, just the way I’d imagined. My hands itched as I thought about them fitting in my palms. A soft breeze caressed the loose strands of her hair, and I wondered whether her skin was covered with goose bumps as the wind blew.

  My fishing rod bent more as my cock tented my pants. I slowly reeled it in, cursing the cod caught at the end of the hook. Just as I lowered it to the bucket, a loud splash echoed. Annabelle had dived into the lake. Her panties were left behind on the rock. Imagining her in that water, completely naked, was almost unbearable, and if I could trade places with the fish, I would. I quickly grabbed the bucket and the rest of my equipment and made my way back through the forest. Thank God there was no one else around here to see her. Skinny-dipping in the middle of the day? This was definitely not something I expected her to do. It appeared that our little Annabelle wasn’t as innocent as I thought.

  What if someone else had seen her? Except I knew that access to Peacock Lake was limited to her and my parents’ properties and a few others, all of whom lived on the other side of the lake and without binoculars would be too far away to see this side clearly. Still, I’d seen kids sneak through the forest numerous times. Heck, we’d done it with Eric when we were young, jumping off that same rock Annabelle had.

  As I thought about her body being cooled off by water, a branch hit my forehead just above my brow. I swiped my hand over it, smearing the bloody cut.

  Shit! I honestly didn’t need another wound there.

  At home, I washed off and cleaned the fish, cutting it into fillet portions, preparing the early lunch I was hoping Annabelle would join me for. There was nothing better than grilled, fresh fish. As I washed the knife I sliced through my thumb.

  “Fuck!” What the hell was wrong with me?

  Blood gushed from the deep wound, and I wrapped it in the only thing I had nearby: my T-shirt. At the same time, Annabelle stepped through the door.

  “What happened?” She rushed over as soon as she saw me holding my hand over the sink.

  “It’s not a big deal.”

  “Let me see.”

  Annabelle unwound my hand and turned on the faucet. The blood dripped off my finger in a steady trickle.

  “Hold it there.” She stuck my finger under the flowing water. “It’s not too deep. Wait here.” And she rushed upstairs. I heard her run, fumble with something, and then come back down. If someone had told me there was a herd of cattle running around my house, I would have believed it.

  She returned with a brown bottle and a box of what I had assumed were bandages.

  “You’re going to kill yourself on those stairs, Annabelle.”

  “Oh, I’m used to steps. There’s a lot of those in San Francisco.”

  “I have bandages in the island drawer.”

  “Not those kind. They won’t stick to the wound.” She removed my hand from under the water and opened the cap on the bottle. “It’s hydrogen peroxide. It may sting a bit.”

  While blowing a gentle breath, she poured the liquid over my cut. Her pursed lips as her breath left her mouth kept me hypnotized, and even if it hurt, I couldn’t feel the sting at all. She then held the cut together and fastened a bandage around my finger. Turning off the faucet, she slowly looked up into my eyes, asking, “Better?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, what’s that?” She pointed to my new cut on the forehead.

  “I walked into a branch. I went fishing at the lake. It happened on my way back.” Was I stuttering?

  “Peacock Lake?”

  “Yah, best fish there,” I said, without giving away my secret spot. The last thing I wanted was for Annabelle to think I was watching her strip and swim in the lake.

  “Let me help you with these.” She pointed to the fish.

  “I thought we’d have lunch before Eric got here. Your hair is wet.”

  “Oh, I... I went for a swim.”

  “In the lake?” I heard my voice lower.

  She nodded.

  “You should be careful. You never know who’ll be watching.”

  Her cheeks turned pink, and I shifted our conversation to the fish. “The spices are in that cabinet.”

  As I guided Annabelle around the kitchen, she seemed to be in her element. When she tried to reach the plates, standing up on her toes, I realized I may have put them one shelf too high and made a mental note to make the switch. Standing behind her, I stretched my arm over her, purposefully pinning her between me and the counter, and the smile I got when she looked up and back was worth every scheming second.

  Her eyes brightened as she grilled the fish and tossed a salad. We ate at the patio in the back, talking about childhood memories and the days when they weren’t filled with adult worries. It was so easy having her at my house. My only problem would be figuring out how to keep her here permanently.

  CHAPTER 7

  Annabelle

  I had to clear my head, and the only place I knew how to do so was where I felt free when I was a kid. I left a note on the kitchen counter and made my way back toward my parents’ farm. The night I’d just had behind me was as sleepless as ever, except this time it wasn’t because of a nightmare but because there was a gorgeous man I felt hopelessly attracted to sleeping on the other side of the wall. My body had never reacted to anyone the way it had to him. I didn’t want that now. I couldn’t get attached to Ogden again. Once I figured out what to do with my farm and settled my parents, I had no choice but to return to San Francisco.

  Five minutes later
, I rolled the car to a stop before the path to Peacock Lake. The body of water connected this property with Derek’s parents’ and his house. Since it was just beyond the forest at the rear of our old house, we’d come here often with our parents, then on our own with our friends when we were in high school. Peacock Lake was the only place where I could forget about what had happened to me and Eric. It was one of those places undisturbed by humanity. I felt safe here. The lake’s tranquil surroundings soothed me. Here, it felt as if the rest of the world had disappeared.

  With my knees pulled up to my chest, I sat at the top of the rock, waiting patiently for a ripple in the flat surface, but none showed. A pair of ducks swam out in the distance. To my left, the rope we used to swing off hung on a tree branch. I still remembered laughing when Eric pushed me off. The first time, I hung on to the rope and didn’t let go, swinging out to above the water and back over the rock, afraid to do one of Eric’s cannonballs. Now I realized there was nothing to fear. Jumping off a cliff into a lake was nothing close to the kind of fear I now knew, a fear that had its ropes attached to my neck. And the worst part was that I couldn’t unwind them. I didn’t know how to make it go away, and as much as I wanted to be set free, I had no choice but to let it control me. No one in my family and none of my friends knew about the trouble I’d gotten myself into. They didn’t know about Rick, and until I figured out how to be set free, I’d need to keep it that way.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket. I checked the caller ID before picking up my brother’s call. “Hi, Eric.”

  “Hi, Annabelle. I’m back at the ranch. Why didn’t you come? I thought you’d be staying with me.”

  “I needed to be closer to the farm.”

  “And you’re at Derek’s?” I could hear exactly what my brother was asking. While they were best friends, Derek was a very attractive single man, and I was sure that hadn’t slipped my brother’s mind.

  “Yes, I didn’t want to be in the way at the Fields’ house. Derek’s been very kind to offer his home. It’s only a five-minute walk to the farm, and I’m sure I’ll need to be there daily.”

  “Shit, the pigs!”

  “Yeah, Derek’s been taking care of them. They delivered them the morning the house burnt down.”

  “We have to do something about them. There’s no way we can keep them.”

  “Yeah, we’ll need to figure that out.”

  “Okay, we’ll chat when I come over in a few hours, all right? I spoke with Mom this morning. She can’t wait to see you. And I have a lot more to tell you as well.”

  “I can’t wait to see you. I missed you guys.”

  “I’ll be there soon, Annabelle.”

  “See you.” I hung up. It seemed that my brother had a lot on his mind as well, and I couldn’t wait to catch up with him. Despite our tragedy, the uplifting happiness in his voice was undeniable. Was he so happy because of his new girlfriend, Emma?

  The sun heated the top of my head. It was only morning and looked like a perfect day for a swim.

  I stood up, unconvincingly whispering, “I am not afraid.”

  I removed my jeans and shirt. Standing on top of the cliff in my undergarments felt liberating and still not as exposed as I would have felt at my job in San Francisco, one I was not looking forward to getting back to, but I had no choice. Plus, the asshole I’d tied myself to stole and squandered every penny I earned. If I hadn’t made a deposit at the school right away, that money would have been gone too. How would I ever get rid of him? Could I ever be free again?

  I unclipped my bra at the front and let it drop to the rock, then removed my panties and dove head-first into the lake, cutting through the cool water. An overwhelming sensation of freedom passed over me. I hadn’t felt this way in a long time. Kicking my feet, I floated on my back, looking up into the flawless sky. Why couldn’t life be simpler?

  Part of me wished I could go back in time, not completely, but at least to a point when I was back home, safe and cared for. But my life had changed now, and it wasn’t for the better. I hid what was really going on from my family and friends because I didn’t want them worried. It was my fault that I trusted a stranger and allowed him to take over my life.

  But now that I was back in town, having Derek preoccupy my mind with his gorgeous body and his courteous smile was definitely a bonus. It’d been a long time since I allowed a man to look at me in a way that sent delectable shivers all over my body. I’d forgotten it was even possible to have such lustful feelings for another man. After all, these thoughts I’d been having about Derek would only lead to disappointment. I couldn’t kiss him or make out with him. He’d want more. Was he expecting sex? I shivered. That was the last thing I’d wanted. But knowing the kind of family Derek came from, unlike other men, I knew that he wouldn’t touch me without my permission.

  Yet I couldn’t help but feel that the way he looked at me was special. In fact, I don’t think anyone had ever given me that kind of loving attention. I didn’t think such looks even existed. Maybe it was because I didn’t let them. I’d never allowed myself to react with pleasure to a touch, and I never believed my girlfriends when they’d told me that sex was something that would blow your mind. The only kind of blow my experience led to was one to my face if I didn’t comply. And for that reason, my body had never wanted to be touched by a man—not since Rick showed up in my life. Just the thought of him made my stomach ache. I had four weeks before I’d have to go back to San Francisco, and I so didn’t want to. There had to be a way for me to stay here.

  One step at a time, Annabelle. Get through the next few weeks and go from there.

  A soft breeze rippled the water around me, and I swam to the shore with a new resolve. If I could stick to my plan, then maybe I could enjoy life the way I used to and pay off my debts and leave San Francisco behind for good. Was that even possible?

  After a half hour, I swam to the shore and headed back to Derek’s house. Having had only a yogurt for breakfast, my stomach was grumbling. I’d need to get some groceries when we went to town this afternoon. It was the least I could do.

  As I walked into the kitchen, I didn’t expect to see Derek with a bloody hand over the sink.

  “What happened?” I dropped my purse on the couch and rushed to examine the wound.

  “It’s not a big deal.”

  “Let me see.” I unwound the T-shirt he’d using to stop the bleeding and turned on the cold water. For the amount of blood on the fabric, the cut wasn’t as big as I expected.

  “Hold it there.” I motioned to his hand under the water. “It’s not too deep. Wait here.”

  Once I got my first aid kit, cleaned and wrapped his cut and I noticed another open wound on his forehead. When Derek told me he got it on his way back from Peacock Lake, I wondered whether he’d seen me swim. If he had, he definitely wasn’t telling me. Should I have been more careful?

  I grilled the filets Derek had prepared and tossed the salad. And while I appreciated the flirting, I couldn’t give him hope. Not when I could still hurt him.

  “So, tell me about this girl my brother’s dating,” I said. “He called earlier and he sounds like he’s on cloud nine.”

  “Emma’s from New York. I don’t know her well, but your brother is head over heels in love with her.”

  “Seriously? He told you he’s in love?”

  “He didn’t have to say it. Emma’s all he ever talks about. She’s a private investigator. Very clever. She was the one who found Huntz.”

  A chill flew down my spine. It’s been some time since I’d heard someone speak the bastard’s name, and I couldn’t have been more grateful that he was dead, hopefully buried way deeper than six feet. My memories of the kidnapping returned like a swarm of locust.

  “Sometimes when I sleep, I can still feel his hand over my face. It gets difficult to breathe.”

  “Huntz used chloroform to put you out?”

  “Yes. Is it bad to be happy that he’s gone?”

  “Of co
urse not. I’m sorry that he’s hurt you and your family. But you don’t have to fear him anymore, Annabelle. You don’t need to fear anything at all.” Derek reached forward and took my hand. “Come on. I’m not going to have you sitting here and dwelling while we wait for Eric.” He pulled me right off my patio seat. His eyes glowed with excitement and intrigue.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, following him through the garden. “I’m not wearing any shoes.”

  And in one swift move, I was draped over Derek’s shoulder. “Who needs shoes, Annabelle? You’re a country girl, remember?”

  “Okay, you can set me down now.”

  “Not yet, babe. There’s something I need to remind you of.”

  “That you like to act macho?”

  “No, how to feel free.”

  I wasn’t sure what he’d meant until Derek lowered me to the ground. I slid down his body, feeling every curve of him against me. He looked at me at me from above and something happened inside my belly. I couldn’t contain the flips and excitement. Warmth bubbled from within, tickling me all over. I couldn’t control it and wanted to deny it. It was as if I’d lost all my muscles and were under a spell. He wasn’t the boy I remembered. He was a man. A well-built man whose flawless body was an absolute work of art. If the girls in my dorm had seen him, they’d be all over him. I couldn’t help but be drawn to him. I needed him to touch me yet wasn’t sure how to let go of my inner inhibitions. As we stood underneath the old willow tree I followed Derek’s gaze up to where ropes hung from above.

  “We had one at my parents’ too. I remember you and Blake swinging all the time.” He nodded to the swing. “Sit.”

  He was right. We’d used the swinging tire that strung from a branch right beside our tree house every day. Blake would push me up until the weightlessness overtook my body, and my stomach floated freely inside me. Derek’s swing on the other hand had a cushioned seat.

  “Seriously?” I asked, cautiously sitting.

  “Yes. Hold on tight.”

  And with that, Derek walked around behind me. He grasped my hips, and before pushing me, leaned in to my side and whispered. “Enjoy, Annabelle. Remember what it’s like to be free.” He kissed me on my cheek and pushed at my back. Within minutes I was soaring. My feet touched the lower branches and leaves. The tickles added an extra layer to the fun as I tried to reach higher and higher. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed so hard. Derek made life appear so simple—without problems or troubles. He came to the front and started pushing at my feet. Sweat stained his fresh shirt and he finally removed it.