Lust on the Rocks

by Dianne Venetta

  “No.” He breathed in, then out, and the knife plunged deeper. “A pool.”

  Vic placed forearms to his thighs and leaned into them. He threaded his fingers together and pressed his thumbs hard against one another giving himself a focal point for the pain. “She got into trouble underwater, and panicked. From there, everything happened so fast, by the time anyone could react, it was too late.” The memory ground in his failure, like sand rubbing into a fresh wound. “She was only under for a few minutes...but her surprise, her struggle...” Grief coursed through him and he squeezed his hands together, an effort to keep from losing it. “There was no hope of recovery. The paramedics arrived and pronounced her dead at the scene.”

  His heart split as he gazed into Sam’s trusting eyes. He hated what he was doing. But he had no choice. He couldn’t tell Sam the truth about his sister. If he did, she wouldn’t let him anywhere near the Perry case. “You can see how when Selena went under, it sort of sent me back through time.”

  “A time you’d rather forget.”

  “Exactly,” he said, relieved the explanation would suffice.

  “Did you know the girl?”

  “Yes.” The knife angled and plunged.

  “Were you close?”

  Jagged and rough, it slashed and tore. “No.”

  Anna and I never had the chance.

  Sam didn’t say a word but the urge to touch him was strong. She wanted to stroke his back, to console him, to let him know she understood the trauma he must have endured when Selena went under. How awful an experience to suffer through once, let alone twice!

  But she didn’t reach out. Couldn’t. A move so intimate would cross a boundary they had yet to erase, a line they had yet to cross. Besides, Vic sat rock rigid. His hands were locked in a white-knuckle grip and she feared the slightest touch could shatter him.

  Securing hands in her lap, before any involuntary gesture could be made, she softened her voice and said, “You know, no matter how painful, no matter how horrible, a failed attempt in the past doesn’t negate what you did for Selena. You saved her life.”

  No response.

  “You saved a life, Vic. That counts for something.”

  He grunted, as though her sympathy grated on him.

  “At great personal risk, you went in and rescued her from near certain death. That’s a whole lot of something if you ask me.”

  His eyes became an inferno of emotion. “It was a stupid thing to do. If I lived here year round and knew the risks, I probably would have thought twice and wouldn’t have done a damn thing.”

  Sam hesitated. “I don’t think so.”

  “You don’t know me.”

  Leaning forward, she mellowed her tone to a near whisper. “I think I do. I know a little.”

  He bristled, but she forged ahead. Diego had confided in her. Told her where he wasn’t worried about his sister, Vic was. The minute Selena broke the first round of waves, Vic had been the one to express unease. “You have an intuitive sense of duty, Vic. It lives inside you despite your attempts to downplay its significance.”

  He stilled.

  “I bet, knowing the risks wouldn’t have changed a thing.” Sam spoke from instinct and if the fluidity of Vic’s reaction was any gauge, she was right on target. “I may not know the details of your past, but I guarantee you I could guess your response to any given situation.”

  Because it mirrored that of her own.

  “I told you before,” he said, springing the tiniest leak in his façade of bravado. “I had nothing to do with getting her to safety.”

  Sam didn’t object to his version of events. It wouldn’t make a difference. Vic was determined to paint the picture his way and he’d be damned if he’d walk away the hero.

  Why? What was the deal? Did he have issues? Insecurities?

  Sam quieted the restless line of questions funneling through her mind. “Regardless of how she came through, she did. Because of you.” She reached out and covered his hands with one of her own.

  Vic’s eyes darted to their hands.

  “You deserve her gratitude. You’ve given her a new lease on life. A brush with death says something to a person. While we never truly understand the reasons, it can often be a call to change priorities. See the light, so to speak. It can be a gift, in more ways than one.”

  “Really?” Vic swung his face up to meet her, his gaze hard and penetrating. “What happens when they don’t make it?”

  Sam pulled back. Anger she could understand, but this was palpable, seething.

  This hit close to home.

  “Does that mean they’re less deserving? They don’t get a second chance? Or did the powers that be slip up? Oops,” he mocked, “you didn’t need to change anything. You were young and innocent, but we took your life anyway. Is that the way it works?”

  The angry, blistering challenge hung between them.

  Though stunned, Sam refused to be intimidated. Anger didn’t scare her. It meant Vic was passionate, fully engaged in the subject at hand. “Sometimes Vic, the lesson isn’t about the individual in question.” She paused. “It’s about those around them.”

  At the metal click of her front door, Sam’s heart stopped.

  Chapter Five

  Both Vic and Sam whirled around.

  The front door opened. Vic leapt up and Sam gasped. “You scared me,” she exclaimed, hand flying to her chest.

  Vic stopped dead in his tracks.

  “Whoa,” Jessica paused at the door. Backpack slung over her shoulder, dressed in T-shirt and low-waisted jeans, the girl looked like any other college student on their way to class. But she wasn’t. She was here.

  Unexpected.

  “You guys into something?” Her gaze stumbled about the room. “Should I leave?”

  “Not on my account,” Vic clipped back. “I’ve got to get going anyway.” Visibly working to regain his calm, he turned to Sam. “You want me to take those files?”

  “Yes.” Sam slid them toward him, making awkward introductions. “Vic, this is my sister, Jess.”

  He froze. “Your sister?”

  “Hi.” Jess gave a small wave. She brushed long brown hair behind an ear, revealing wide leather cuffs at her wrist.

  “You live here?”

  “No. Tallahassee. I go to FSU.” She glanced at Sam and mumbled, “I’m just visiting.”

  Sam rose and clarified, “She usually stays with me when she’s in Miami on break,” she said, more to Jess than Vic, implying she did not recall this being break time.

  He nodded, but couldn’t take his eyes off Jess, as though captivated by some kind of ethereal creature. Sam thought, sure the kid was young and pretty with her long straight hair, more brown than her own. They shared the same prominent nose and same lips...though Jess’ expression differed.

  It held more of their mother. More delicate, sensitive. More sweet.

  Sam felt a sting of jealousy at the attention her sister drew from Vic. “Here’s the file.” She grabbed the thin manila folder from the table and handed it to him. “If you have any ideas for final arguments, give me a call. We begin closing first thing tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay.” He took the file from her, but his attention held onto Jess. Until he seemed to realize he was staring.

  Vic abruptly switched focus to Sam. “Sorry about earlier.”

  She dismissed his apology with a quick hand. “Nothing to be sorry for. If I overstepped—”

  “You didn’t,” he cut her off. “I appreciate what you were trying to do.” He smiled, supple and quiet, a gesture meant only for her. “It helps to know someone cares.”

  Her heart lurched.

  “Yesterday was a tough day, but I’ll get over it.”

  She nodded, unable to add anything intelligent, fully steeped in the warm connection he had opened between them.

  “Nice to meet you, Jess,” he tossed on his way out. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

  Both women watched as he left in
silence, closing the door behind him.

  Jess’ eyes lit up. “Who was that?”

  “Victor Marin,” she said, and couldn’t stem the smile spreading across her face. “He’s an associate from the office.”

  “He’s hot.”

  “He’s nice looking, yes.”

  “But he looks young. What’s he, about twenty-five?”

  “Twenty-eight and it’s none of your business.”

  Jess assumed an air of reproach and commented, “You know they call that robbing the cradle.”

  “Not at my age, it’s not.” Sam turned on her heel and headed for the kitchen.

  Jessica ambled further inside. “Does he know how old you are?”

  Pleasure streamed through her, a mixture of affection and lust. “Oh God, I hope so.” Experience was like the call of the wild to a younger man and with Vic it was a prospect she was looking forward to. Today she had a glimpse of the man within and it was a sight she wanted more of—much more.

  Sam rounded the kitchen counter. Upon seeing Jess’ expression of disbelief turned to disgust, she became amused. “One day you’ll learn. A woman hits her stride when she enters her thirties. It’s when she knows what she’s doing and how to do it and at thirty-seven, that makes me pumped, primed, and ready for action!”

  Jess rolled her eyes to the back of her head. “Oh puleeze, spare me the gory details.”

  Sam grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with ice-cold water from the refrigerator door. With a wiggle of her brow she relaxed into the moment. “You used to like it when I divulged details.”

  “Yeah, until I learned they had novels for that sort of thing. Now it’s just gross.”

  Sam laughed, and shook her head. “Kids. One day you’ll learn.” She dropped her hip against the counter. “So what’s up? What are you doing here?”

  Jess sauntered further inside. “It’s good to see you too, sis.”

  “Yes, well,” Sam rewarded the girl with a thin smile before taking a sip from her water. “I don’t remember receiving a call forewarning your visit.”

  Jess turned uncertain. “What? Did I come at a bad time, or something?”

  “A call would have been nice.”

  “Didn’t know it was necessary.”

  It wasn’t. Sam blew a sigh of exasperation. Still immersed in her conversation with Vic, she concentrated on changing gears. He was gone and Jess was here. She walked over and gave her sister a hug. Slightly stiff, but returned, Sam released. “So what about school? I thought you were taking summer classes.”

  “Decided against it.” Jess eased the bulky canvas pack from her shoulder and settled it onto the back of the sofa. “Thought I’d come home for a visit instead.”

  “A visit?”

  “You want me to go?” Jessica asked, her attitude a grade more rebellious than the situation warranted.

  “Of course not, but what’s up? You and Dad on the outs again?” Every so often the two rammed horns, sending the kid here to pitch her tent. “Is that what this is about?”

  “He’s a prick.”

  “Don’t speak about him that way. He’s your father.”

  Jessica rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “What do you care? Dad thinks you’re flighty.”

  “What’s with the nasty attitude, Jess?”

  “Nothing,” she snapped. “I’m tired.” As though to prove the point, she walked around her sister and plunked herself down on the sofa. Hoisting one platform clad foot over the opposite knee, she began to unbuckle the ankle strap. “I’m sorry, okay. I didn’t know you would be so bothered.”

  Sam came around and set her glass of water on the coffee table, then eased onto the leather cushion next to Jessica. “I’m not bothered,” she said, trying to dispel the tension. Something was off. Jess was one of the most laid-back people she knew. And spontaneous, hence the visit, though she usually called first. “I’m sorry, too. You just caught me off guard.”

  That’s when she noticed it. Close up, the glassy red of Jess’ eyes became more visible and below them, the skin was almost translucent, colored by fatigue. Instinctively a hand went to her back. “Are you okay?”

  Jessica paused but for a fraction of a second. “Sure,” she replied, her waver near indiscernible. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You don’t look so good.”

  She tried to laugh. “Thanks a lot!”

  “I mean it,” Sam said, unwilling to be put off. “What’s up? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Jessica slipped the shoe off and massaged her foot. “You’re going into mother hen mode, is all.”

  “Not quite.”

  “Anyway,” she waved it away. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan to be here long. Week or so, max.”

  “Stay as long as you like,” Sam said, trying to decipher the mixed emotions rumbling through her gut. “You know you’re welcome.”

  “I appreciate it. It’s been a...” Jess glanced away. “...a rough couple of weeks.”

  She knew it. “Problems with Luke?”

  “No, nothing like that. I just needed a break.”

  “Empty schedule’s a killer, huh?”

  “Whatever.” She zipped the subject closed. “I was hoping you’d have some time while I’m here...to hang out.”

  Sam realized in swift recognition it was Jess’ ambiguity that bothered her most. It wasn’t like the kid to skip around questions, or wants. Much like herself, she was point-blank in most things she did.

  “Well?” she pressed.

  “Sure. I’ve got time.”

  Jess brightened. “Maybe we could do the beach one day.”

  “Maybe.” While she loved the ocean, sitting around in hot sand wasn’t her first choice, but Jess lived for the beach. She could do nothing but watch the waves for hours. While she enjoyed wave watching, doing it all day long, surrounded by a mass of strangers was not her cup of chi. “We’ll see.”

  “You don’t want to?”

  “No, I do,” she reassured, and pulled Jess into a tight embrace. “I always want us to spend time together.” Sam squeezed harder, marginally placated by the familiar scent of lavender clinging to her sister. It was sweet, clean...

  Innocent.

  “Thanks.”

  Another squeeze, she let go. Then it hit her and she looked around. “Where’s your stuff?” Jessica had carried in her backpack, but no duffel.

  “In the car.”

  “Okay.” She rose. “Let’s go get it.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Jessica blurted, her gaze instantly wary. “I’ll get it later. There’s nothing I need right now. I just want to relax.”

  Sam hesitated, warning flares rocketing through her stomach. “All right...”

  But it wasn’t. Something was wrong.

  Very wrong.

  # # #

  It wasn’t until Luke showed up in person the next day that Sam had her first inkling as to the severity. “Luke.” She stepped aside, sweeping an arm ahead of him. “Come in.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Jess isn’t here.”

  “No?”

  “No,” she said, paying close attention to him as he passed. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He appeared to be his normal, easygoing self. His thick sandy-blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, his attire the usual T-shirt and jeans. He even donned the same hesitant smile.

  “When do you think she’ll be back?”

  “No telling, really. She went to the beach with her brother, but I expect her anytime.” She circled around him. “I’d give her about an hour or so. You’re welcome to stay and wait for her.”

  He looked around and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his baggy jeans. “Thanks.”

  “Hungry?”

  “Nah.”

  “So,” she ventured, intrigued by his surprise arrival. If everything was fine with Luke, why didn’t Jess know to expect him? “How’s everything at school?”

  “It’s cool.”

>   Sam strolled over to the dining table where her purse sat. “Classes going well?”

  “Great.”

  “When do you graduate? December, right?”

  “Looks like it.”

  What the hell did that mean? Was he thinking of skipping out, too? Sam smiled and said, “Good. Glad to hear it.”

  He nodded, but said nothing.

  Not in the talkative mood. Hmph. Not exactly strange when considering the source. She glanced at her wristwatch, then slid the leather strap of her bag onto her shoulder. “Well, if you get hungry, help yourself. There’s leftover chicken and rice in the fridge.”

  “Okay. Thanks again.”

  “I guess I’ll be going.” She had a meeting downtown, one that couldn’t wait.

  Sam opened the door to leave and Jess nearly tumbled inside. “Hey—”

  Taken aback by the sight of her boyfriend, she stammered. “Luke...”

  “Jess.”

  Jessica glared at her sister and Sam swore she was about to accuse her of something, but didn’t. Instead, she returned to him. “What are you doing here?”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I came for a visit,” she blurted, her gaze bouncing askew off Sam.

  Sam straightened, curiosity solidifying into resolve. “It looks like you two have some things to discuss.” She tightened her grip on the doorknob. “I’ll be back in a few hours.” And when I return, she tacked on in silent reproach, I want answers.

  Jess closed the door behind Sam, her heart thudding hard against her ribs. She couldn’t believe this was happening. “What are you freaking doing here!”

  Luke turned puppy-dog sad. “You didn’t even tell me, babe.”

  Jessica’s heart fell, while her limbs shredded. Shit. Shit! Her gaze darted about as she grasped for something to say. She wasn’t ready for this scene. She wasn’t ready to see him.

  Luke stood rock still, waiting for her to come clean.

  Jessica felt trapped. How did he get here so fast?

  No—this couldn’t be real. This couldn’t be hap-pening.

  “What’s up, babe?” His hands sought his pockets. “What’s going on?”

  But it was happening. She ventured further inside. No place to run, no place to hide, she stood in the center of Sam’s living room.