ZenithRising

by Marilyn Campbell

  He wanted to tell her how he felt but their history warned him to wait for her to speak first. She seemed happy being with him and appeared to be well-satisfied with his lovemaking but she hadn’t uttered a single word suggesting she wanted a long-term relationship with him.

  She was explaining the finer details of her dream, analyzing it as quickly as she related it. She probably had no idea how hard it was for most people to do that.

  “I agree with all your conclusions,” he told her when she’d finished. “The maid is either the one we need to save or she’s the key to the one who is. And the only way to figure it out is to walk in her shoes.”

  “So we’re going to spy on her?”

  He loved the way her eyes widened when her interest was piqued. “Have you got a better idea of how to spend the day?”

  Following Shannon turned out to be a simple matter because the bungalows were apparently her assigned area and they could simply sit outside or stroll back and forth and watch the girl go in and out of each building. Even at the end of her shift they were able to follow her into the working areas of the hotel because of the pass Mr. Eckhart had provided Noah.

  Nothing of interest happened all afternoon until the end of her shift. Another maid slipped her a piece of paper and whatever was written on it completely changed Shannon’s demeanor from sad to glowing. She was in such a great hurry to leave the hotel, she accidentally walked right into Maggie in the staff hallway.

  “Oh goodness,” the maid gushed with a quick head bob. “Apologies.”

  “It was our fault,” Maggie said quickly and looked up at Noah. “Darling, this is the very helpful maid I told you about. Shannon, this is Mr. Nash.”

  “’Tis a pleasure ta be sure. I was told of yer generosity, sir. Thank ye kindly. And congratulations to ye.” She made a partial curtsy and hustled past them.

  Noah noted the girl’s flushed cheeks but she seemed to be more excited than embarrassed. “Something important was in that note.”

  “Agreed,” Maggie said. “Let’s see where she’s rushing off to.”

  As they followed Shannon at a discreet distance through a maze of hallways, Noah asked, “What was she congratulating me for? Did she hear about my big movie deal?”

  Maggie chuckled. “No. She thinks you’re going to be a daddy.”

  He stopped in his tracks and gaped at her.

  She tugged on his hand to keep him moving. “No, I told you I can’t get pregnant, but it was all I could think of to get her talking.”

  Maggie abruptly blocked him from taking another step and put her finger to her lips. Only then did he realize Shannon had turned a corner and her footsteps could no longer be heard. The sound he now heard made him think of…two people kissing.

  “I’m so sorry,” a man’s voice gushed in between kisses and soft moans. “I was a fool. A complete idiot. Please say you forgive me. I’ll die if you don’t.”

  “’Tis no matter now,” Shannon replied in a tone filled with unconditional love.

  “Oh!” the man exclaimed after another few seconds of making-up sounds. “What was that?”

  She giggled. “’Twas just yer babe sayin’ hello.”

  He sighed aloud then there was more kissing before he spoke again. “I can’t wait to see him.”

  “It might not be a boy ye know.”

  He snorted. “If it’s not, we’ll just have to try again.”

  The next sounds Noah heard assured him they were sufficiently distracted and he took the opportunity to peek around the corner and get a look at the guy. He couldn’t see all of his face yet there was something familiar about him.

  “My motorcar is right outside,” the man said after a moment. “I can take you home but I must come right back. There’s something I need to take care of before it’s too late. Tomorrow we can start making our plans. By next week, I’m going to make everything up to you, including making sure our baby is born with the last name of Martin.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Oh…my…god,” Maggie blurted out as soon as she was certain the couple had left through the exit door near their rendezvous. “I thought my head was spinning with possibilities before! Any chance he was not the Martin announcing his engagement tonight?”

  Noah grimaced. “I guess it could be a coincidence or another family member but I think the article mentioned Broderick was an only child and this guy bore a resemblance to the photo in the newspaper. What has me more confused is he sounded truly sorry about screwing things up with the girl. I’d bet he’s really in love and wanting to make an honest woman of her. Either that or he’s a world-class actor. What feeling did you get?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think he was acting. From what I heard, that guy was ready to do whatever he had to for Shannon and their baby. He hurt her by running away but I don’t think he’d ever hurt her physically.”

  “Well, there’s still a chance her death has nothing to do with their relationship but if I heard correctly, he may be planning on spilling the beans to the family when he gets back here. No matter how much or how little he actually tells them, if he says he’s backing out, somebody could be pissed off enough to do something drastic.”

  “Too bad we can’t just transport ourselves to wherever that conversation is going to be held. Maybe tonight’s party will be canceled,” Maggie said, frowning. If that happened how would they ever complete their assignment?

  He squeezed her hand. “Have faith. We have an ambitious politician, a very wealthy family and a guest list of prominent people. They may have to switch gears but there will be a party.”

  “Then we’d better get going,” she said, giving him a push back the way they’d come. “We have less than two hours to get into our party clothes and get there on time. We definitely won’t want to miss any important preannouncement announcements.”

  As they headed back to the bungalow, Maggie’s brain worked frantically to sort out all the pieces they had so far. Now more than ever, Shannon seemed to be the target but there were simply too many possible threats. Noah seemed to be deep in thought as well but her intuition told her his mind was on a different track.

  They were inside before Noah revealed his thoughts. “Come sit with me for a minute,” he said, drawing her over to the couch in the sitting room.

  She was thinking of how little time they had with only one bathroom but he looked very serious. She quashed her practical side and sat down with him.

  “We need to talk,” he said though his gaze was still wandering as though he hadn’t quite worked out how to start.

  She tried to make a joke. “Aren’t those the scariest four words ever said in a relationship?”

  “We are in a relationship, right?” When she didn’t immediately respond he elaborated. “I mean, I know it’s only been a few days for you but it’s been half a lifetime for me. Understand, I’m not trying to push you into saying or doing anything you’re not ready for but under the circumstances I really need to get something out of my head. I empathized with that guy. He didn’t seem like the kind of man who would be careless and even though he freaked out at first he came back and wanted to do the right thing—”

  “What in heaven’s name are you talking about?”

  “I said I wouldn’t mind if you got pregnant. But it wasn’t about doing the right thing. It’s because I’d be happy about anything that kept you in my life, in a real relationship. The feelings I have for you go so far beyond the physical, but if that’s all you want from me…”

  His hand closed over her breast and kneaded the flesh.

  She tilted her head to press her mouth to his and her nipple tightened in his fingers. A minute ago her thoughts were fully focused on their quest yet in an instant her body was once again in such need of his, all else was pushed aside. Her tongue fenced leisurely with his until his hand eased down over her hip and under her dress. As his fingers slipped into her drawers she parted her thighs so he would have no problem discovering how very we
t she was already. For him. Just for him.

  He found her clit and coaxed it out of hiding in two strokes. It would have been easy to climax but she wanted to show him how much she liked having him inside her. She stood, pulled down her drawers and made quick work of getting his trousers and shorts down his thighs. He was fully erect and, like her, ready to fuck without further play or delay.

  For a moment he appeared to be amused by her rush but then she asked for a favor she was sure would tickle his fancy in another way entirely. “There is something I’d like you to do for me one day soon.”

  “Anything,” he said seriously.

  She climbed onto the couch with one knee on each side of his hips and poised her cunt on the head of his cock. “The next time you massage my feet—and I do want you to do that again—I would really, really like you to paint my toenails.”

  His eyes grew wide and in one swift move, her pussy swallowed his entire shaft. The only word for the expression on his face was rapture. “I love fucking you, Noah Nash. Just like this. Nothing between us. And now I want to make you come inside me. Without you doing a thing to make it happen.”

  She closed her mouth over his and ravaged that part of him as her vagina tightened around his erection. With her thighs clenched against his sides, her hips raised and lowered in rapid, hard pumps. She gave him no chance to do anything but submit.

  As much as she enjoyed his lovemaking, being in complete control of both of their pleasure was thrilling in a totally different way. She could see and feel how close he was to climaxing and wanted to make sure she came along on this ride with him.

  She leaned back, pressed his hands to her breasts then rapidly rubbed her clit as she continued to pound her hips against his. Her insides tightened as the pleasurable sensations rose higher and higher until it was no longer possible to hold back the release. As soon as her orgasm began his cock pulsed and flexed and spilled his seed into her.

  The look of utter happiness on his face was enough to make her want to do it all over again but relieving her own sexual tension allowed their mission to come forward in her mind again. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “Race you to the bathroom.”

  He smiled and tried to hold on to her but she got away before his hands regained their connection to his brain.

  * * * * *

  As soon as they reached the hotel lobby they knew the affair had not been canceled. Elegantly attired and bejeweled women and tuxedoed men were conversing in small groups. Outside, a line of shiny black motorcars were depositing more, similarly decked-out guests. Maggie was glad they had opted for the finest ensembles their wardrobe had to offer. Noah looked absolutely dashing in his long tails and white silk cummerbund and tie. Maggie had chosen a full-length, sleeveless, satin turquoise sheath with an overlay of extremely sheer silvery gauze. She felt like a fairy—albeit a very wealthy one. She was pretty sure the gemstones in the white-gold choker necklace and matching teardrop earrings were real diamonds.

  A number of people glanced their way, obviously making guesses as to who they were. Not having any idea who they should or shouldn’t be seen talking to, they made their way toward the ballroom where a line of guests had formed. The final confirmation was on a large sign set on an easel that read Gaviston–Martin Engagement Party. In much smaller print busybodies were notified this was an invitation-only affair.

  “Curiouser and curiouser,” Noah whispered. “Makes me wonder if sweet Broderick chickened out after all.”

  She frowned. “That doesn’t feel right. Something else must be going on.”

  When they’d reached the front of the line, Noah handed their invitation to the man at the door and they were directed toward a table behind him.

  “Ah, the moment of truth,” Noah murmured in her ear. “Now we see just how good you were at promoting me.” Because the tent cards were arranged alphabetically, it was easy enough to find one for Mr. and Mrs. Nash. Inside was a number two which made Maggie give him a pleased smile.

  Once the question of seating was settled, she was able to appreciate the fabulous, old-world-style décor of the ballroom. If she didn’t know better, she might have thought they had just time-traveled again. Renaissance-aged murals covered the walls and everything seemed to be gilded. Ornately sculptured, marble columns were spaced along the outside walls and divided the room into three areas. To one side was a dance floor and platform with an orchestra that was playing quietly enough to allow conversation. The reception area they were in had a long bar set up—obviously no one expected this party to be raided. A squadron of tuxedoed young men was offering hors d’oeuvres from gold platters. Golden stanchions topped with lion heads and brown velvet ropes prevented guests from entering the dining area but Maggie could see the gold lamétablecloths and white orchid centerpieces.

  Hundreds of little mirrors cut in the shape of stars hung down from the glass-domed ceiling, imitating the real starry night sky above. Maggie caught sight of the waning moon and felt a strong shiver. It was a clear reminder that their time was slipping away.

  “We have to figure this out tonight,” she told Noah. “We’re not going to have another chance.”

  “That sounds ominous. A feeling?”

  “Yeah. A really strong one.”

  As more guests entered it was impossible not to be pulled into conversations but they soon discovered most of these people were more interested in boasting about who they were and how they knew the hosts than learning anything about the Nashes. His being a bestselling author was enough for them to be accepted in their midst and no one cared if his wife had anything to say.

  Although they were fairly certain Robert Davenport was not the one they had come to save, they kept their eyes open for his appearance just in case. If Mr. and Mrs. Davenport had been invited as guests, they had chosen not to attend. They also stayed alert for any sign of gangsters—as if they would recognize one on sight—or any conversations that appeared to be unusually secretive. Absolutely nothing seemed out of the ordinary for the occasion.

  The engaged couple did not make an appearance but both sets of parents arrived in time to greet guests as they entered the dining room.

  The receiving line moved too quickly for Maggie and Noah to do more than introduce themselves. The Gavistons appeared to be in their fifties and had an air of royalty about them. They smiled politely but did not seem impressed by anyone they were meeting. The Martins, however, were hand-shakers. They looked younger than the other couple and seemed genuinely happy about their son’s choice of bride.

  On the way to their table, Noah said, “Not too hard to tell which man is the politician and which one has old money. Makes me wonder what Gaviston will get out of this match.”

  “Maybe he’s just giving his daughter what she wants. Females were starting to demand a few rights about now.”

  “Or maybe he thinks he’s buying himself a future president.”

  As they had hoped, they were assigned to a large round table right in front of the head table. They quickly took seats that gave them a chance to observe all six of the key players without being conspicuous.

  Amelia and Broderick were not brought in until everyone was seated and their entrance was accompanied by a romantic violin and piano duet.

  Amelia was a thin young woman with light-brown hair, pale skin and unusually large eyes. She looked like a strong wind would blow her away but when she looked at her fiancé, those big eyes were filled with adoration. She definitely did not look like a woman who had just been dumped.

  Broderick was definitely the young man Noah had seen kissing Shannon a short while ago. He was very good-looking, with dark hair parted in the middle, a thin moustache and a sexy smile that probably had a number of females besides Shannon O’Toole spreading their legs for him. But as Maggie watched him she decided the smile he gave Amelia did not reach his eyes. Instead of giving his fiancée a loving kiss on her lips he gave her a brotherly peck on her temple then cast a quick yet meaningful look at
the woman on the other side of him—his mother.

  “Did you see that?” she murmured to Noah.

  “I see a couple who look more like they’re entering a business partnership than a happily ever after. And I’d bet my next royalty check that girl does not know what he’s been up to.”

  “I agree but I was talking about the way he looked at his mother when his attention should have been on his fiancée. I’ll bet your next royalty check he told Mama and she convinced him to go through with things as planned.”

  “You mean this party or the wedding?”

  “Does it matter? At least one other person now knows there’s somewhere else he’d rather be.”

  Speeches were given in between meal courses and French champagne flowed freely the whole time. Dessert and coffee was being served before anyone at their table attempted to engage them in conversation. A plump, white-haired man on the opposite side had to repeat Noah’s name twice before he could be heard.

  “I heard we had a famous author at our table,” he said loudly enough to get everyone else to stop their conversations. “I’ve been thinking of doing a little writing myself now that I’ve retired. Got any suggestions?”

  Maggie turned her attention to Noah and gave him an encouraging smile.

  “Write what you know,” Noah replied. “And if you don’t know anything about what you want to write, research it. That’s what I’m doing now. I’m working on a murder mystery with some high-society people and politicians. I thought this party would be the perfect place to pick up some gossip. Got any for me?”