French Kiss (Silver Cove Series Book 2) (12 page)

She moved a large table that had been stacked high with boxes away from the back wall. When she moved aside a large wardrobe, she smiled. There was a door. Dusting off her hands, she opened it and reached inside for a switch.

She walked into a small room, and there in the back was the dumbwaiter she’d been searching for. It didn’t look like it was in working order, but at least it was here. Glancing around, she realized the room had once been used for food staging. At one point, the attic had served as a ballroom.

Her excitement level spiked. Then she heard a light creaking sound and her heart stilled. Her head spun around to the doorway and she watched it slowly swing closed by itself.

She laughed at herself for jumping at shadows. The door was clearly in need of oil and had just shut by itself.

Walking over, she reached for the handle and frowned when it didn’t budge. Then true panic set in and everything in the logical side of her brain shut down.

***

Adam climbed the three flights of stairs and felt every sore muscle in his body. Most people thought that being a chef was an easy job, but he was on his feet all day, usually standing over a hot stove, unloading and loading heavy crates of food. And that didn’t include the cleanup detail.

But with every sore muscle came the reminder that he was doing what he loved. In a place that he loved.

He’d done some digging into the new note. It appeared that the green notepaper was not stocked in the employees’ store. Which could just mean that someone had bought it from the mainland. The writing was blocked and in Sharpie. Nothing really stood out other than it pissed him off.

He knew from experience that Sarah’s office door was always locked. He had a key so he could deliver invoices once a day, and if Sarah wasn’t there, he could leave them in her inbox. There were three others besides him on the island that had a key: Lilly, Rodney, and Heather. He couldn’t see Rodney or Heather as being the person who’d written the notes or trashed her room.

As he reached the top of the stairs, his phone rang. Seeing his father’s number on the screen, he groaned. Just one more thing he had to deal with today.

“Bonjour, Papa.” He held in a sigh when his father started in on him immediately. Why didn’t he move to Bordeaux, closer to them? His father could pull some strings and get him a job in financing with a local winery.

His family may be old and high in politics, but there was no way he wanted to get pushed into a career just because he was his father’s son. He spent the next few minutes politely declining and explaining himself while his father’s voice grew angrier.

His father’s calls had become more frequent. His mother still called once a month and sounded more and more unhappy with each conversation. He’d visited them last Christmas, before taking the job at East Haven. But, still, he wondered if another trip was in order.

Maybe his mother was having health issues? His father had hinted at visits to the doctor, but he’d assumed instantly that it had been his father. Maybe his Nana knew more?

Deciding to swing by and talk to her before heading back to the island tomorrow evening to set their trap, he pushed his family to the back of his mind and walked into his room, only to find it empty.

He turned back to the hallway and stormed down to her door. When there was no answer, he headed back out into the rain to the main building to see if she was still up in the office.

When he found that room empty as well, he walked through the dining room, asking every employee if they had seen her.

Some had seen her a few hours ago, making her normal evening rounds. After that, everyone thought she had disappeared upstairs into Sarah’s office.

Pulling out his cell phone, he tried her number for the hundredth time as he made his way up the stairs. When he reached the top, he heard her ring tone and rushed to the office, only to find it empty and her phone sitting under some papers on the desk.

He sat down as sheer panic washed over him. For as long as he’d known Lilly, he’d never been seen her without the phone in her hand or a pocket.

Where would she have gone? What was she working on? Did the person responsible for the break-in and for leaving the note have something to do with this? Fear caused his hands to shake as he reached for the house phone and dialed the main desk.

“Stacey, Lilly is missing, have you seen her?”

“Lilly? You mean Lilith?”

“Yes,” he growled, feeling the worry grow. “Her phone is in the office, but she’s not here or in the employees’ building.

“She talked about stopping off at the store.”

“The employees’?”

“Yes, she needed a few things.”

He remembered their conversation about the rubbers and felt relief wash over him. “I’ll check down there.”

“Okay, I’ll keep my eye out for her.”

“Thanks.” He hung up and rushed from the room, taking her phone with him.

He rushed through the rain, getting soaked this time and not caring. He pulled open the large shed door, and Nate, Rodney’s grandson was in there, a cigarette hanging from his mouth and several candy bars in his hands.

“Hey.” He looked around as if guilty.

“Have you seen Lilith?” He took a step closer.

Nate dropped the candy bars down on the shelf and shrugged. “I was going to pay for ’em, I swear.”

“I don’t give a damn about the candy bars,” he growled. “Have you seen Lilith?”

“No man. I’ve been busy today.” He puffed out smoke towards him. “Besides, I think the lady can…”

Adam ignored the kid and walked over to find the clipboard that held the honor system’s docket. Basic grocery items lined the shelves on either wall. The cost of each item taken would later be deducted from each person’s paycheck.

Adam scanned the names and items as he heard Nate leave. He noted the last time Lilly took anything from the store was three days ago.

Slamming the clipboard down, he ran back to the main building and started once more rushing around to each employee. This time he enlisted a few of his staff who had finished up their night shift to help him look for her, but none of them found a trace of her.

An hour later, he called the police as he sat in the office.

“What do you mean you can’t help us?” He almost screamed it into the phone. “She’s missing!”

“We can’t file a report until…”

“You said that already. What about sending someone out here to help look for her?” He thought about boats, helicopters, search dogs.

“I’m sorry, sir. Have you tried to look for her yourself?”

“Of course we have.” He looked around the room at the other concerned faces.

After another moment of listening to the woman’s explanation that they had to wait to file a report, he hung up the phone.

Standing up quickly, he walked over to the window and stared out into the darkness. Then for some reason he remembered the note in his back pocket. He’d been so concerned with finding Lilly, he hadn’t thought about it

“What about Tristen Robinson?” someone said, breaking into his thoughts and causing him to turn around and frown at the group.

“What about him?” he asked, feeling his heart skip.

“Well, it’s just...” Carmen, the head housekeeper, glanced down at her hands. “I saw them talking today, in the dining room.”

“And?” It came out as a growl.

“Well, I overheard him the other day talking to his friends. He seemed very interested in Lilith,” she said, glancing towards the door. “He’s in room two-oh-eight. It wouldn’t hurt to check.”

He stood up. “Keep looking. Check every room again,” he said and then left the room without another word. When he knocked on the door, he was even more determined than before.

A man in his early fifties answered, dress in silk pajamas and looking very annoyed at the interruption.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but one of our staff members has gone missing and…” He glanced over the man’s shoulder and saw the younger man standing behind his father. “When was the last time you saw Lilith?” he demanded, ignoring the other man.

“I haven’t seen her since earlier today.”

“I talked with the young woman just before dinner.” A woman stepped into view. Her long white nightgown flowed around her as she tied a robe around her waist. “Has something happened to her?”

“We aren’t sure. We’re trying to figure it out. Do you have any ideas where she headed after you talked to her?”

“I saw her in the dining room as we arrived for dinner. After that, I’m afraid I don’t know,” the woman said, walking over and laying a hand on her husband.

“Kaleen said she had a word with her,” Tristen added. “Maybe she told her her plans?”

“Which room?”

“Her family is next door,” the woman supplied. “Why don’t I go with you. It might smooth things over a little.”

This time, when he knocked, he kept it gentle. Lilith would want him to remember these were paying guests.

When the door opened, he allowed Tristen’s mother to speak, then waited in the hallway as Kaleen was woken. They waited almost ten minutes. Finally, a short brunette opened the door, a crimson robe wrapped loosely around her waist.

The woman looked like she had taken the time to comb her hair and apply makeup before coming to the door.

“Kaleen, dear. I know it’s late but we were wondering if you spoke with…” Tristen’s mother turned to him.

“Lilith Brown. She’s the general manager.”

“Yes, I know who she is.” The woman crossed her arms over her ample chest. “I spoke with her about her appalling behavior towards my Tristen. I mean, the woman practically threw herself at him.”

Adam held in a growl. “When I walked in on them the other day, the only one throwing themselves at the other was your Tristen. So much so that I had to restrain him,” he added.

He heard the women gasp, which shook his mind clear. He had to focus. “When and where did you have this talk with her?”

Kaleen glared at him. “The hallway outside the dining room. Just before dinner.” She lifted her chin. “If you’re done, I’d like to get my beauty rest.” She started to shut the door, but he put a hand up, holding it open.

“You didn’t speak with her after that?”

“No, as I’ve said… that was the only time I’ve seen her today.” She glared down at his hand until he removed it.

“Thank you,” he said to Tristen’s mother.

“I’m sorry about my son. I apologized to Miss Brown earlier about his behavior.”

He nodded quickly, then started walking back down the long hallway. His head was aching as he climbed the stairs once more, unsure of his next move. As he passed the attic, he remembered her plans to have the place fixed up before Sarah’s return.

Opening the heavy door, he walked in and noticed the lights were all on. Calling out, he waited and listened. Nothing. He called again; the room was massive.

He noticed several things had been moved. Large boxes, furniture, and even the table he had set up for lunch had been pulled aside. He rushed around the room, searching for… something. He didn’t know what.

Then he heard a muffled cry and froze. He waited until the sound came again. Then he raced towards the back wall. He had to push aside a heavy wardrobe, but he found a door. Pushing it open, he looked into the room and saw a small white bundle huddled in the corner.

H
er mind had traveled through time and space, back to the time when she was young and didn’t believe that she would ever survive each night.

Back when she was afraid of the dark, of every unexplained noise in the night. Scared of things she couldn’t control, things she didn’t fully understand, but knew were wrong.

The air in the small room she’d been locked in until her mother’s return had grown stale and smelled of mold, sweat, and something else she didn’t dare think of.

Each time she’d been locked away, she’d wondered if maybe this time they would forget about her and she would die down in the darkness. Her mind screamed that she should fight each time the door opened, but she knew better. The marks and bruises she’d gained from fighting had never stopped anything. Instead, she allowed her mind to slip into another world. One where she did what she wanted, grew tall and strong, and learned how to protect herself. And no one ever touched her, unless she wanted them to.

Her body shook with the tears that slipped down her face, soaking her nightgown. Still, tears were better than the blood that sometimes covered her tiny body.

She tucked her body tight when she heard the door open, saw the light from the hallway. Her mind started to retreat into its safe place, when she heard the softest words calling out her name. But this time, it wasn’t Cara they were calling for, this time it was Lilly. The sweetest name she’d ever been called.

Her eyes slid open as warm, soft hands wrapped around her, holding her tight. More tears slid down her face as Adam’s soft words comforted her.

“Lilly, my Lilly,” he said over and over again as he held her tight.

“Adam?” Her mind snapped back to the present, her past leaving its bitter sting in the back of her mind. Her arms wrapped around him, holding him tighter than she’d ever held anything or anyone in her life.

She felt herself being lifted, carried out of the attic, down the bright hallway. She shut her eyes to the lights and enjoyed the feeling of being safe, far away from her past.

When he laid her down on a soft bed, she sighed and reached for him, but instead she found empty air.

“Shh, I have to make a few calls. Then I’ll take you to my room.”

Her eyes flew open and she realized she was laying on the sofa in Sarah’s office. She shivered again and watched Adam pull out his cell phone.

“I’ve found her.” His eyes met hers. “The attic. I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to get her back to my room and take care of her.” He paused. “Yes, okay. Thanks. Tell everyone else…” He smiled slightly. “Yes, thanks,” he said again before hanging up.

“I’m sorry if I made you worry.” Her eyes burned again. “The door must have shut behind me.” She tried to remember what had actually happened, but all she could remember was the sheer panic of meeting a locked door and looking around to realize how small the room was. After that, everything else was a blur.

“It’s okay.” He moved back to her, then ran his hand down her face. “Why don’t I take you back to my room. You can take a hot bath and tell me what happened.”

It sounded so wonderful, she started to get up, but her legs were still shaking. He must have noticed, because he reached down and picked her back up.

“I like this.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“What?” he asked, smiling down at her. “Me carrying you? Or the attention?”

She frowned slightly. “You carrying me.”

He nodded. “Then I’ll make a point to do it often.” He pulled the office door shut behind him, then shifted her weight and headed towards the back staircase.

“You can hold the umbrella,” he said, standing just inside the back door. When he leaned down, she reached out and took the umbrella and opened it.

The rain and wind were stronger now than before. “When is this supposed to end?” he asked, avoiding a large puddle of water.

“Wednesday. Then we can get back to our summer.”

He smiled down at her. “I’ll take you out on my boat.”

“Really?” She already felt herself settling.

“Maybe Nana will come along. I know she’s going to love you.” He shifted and opened the door to the employees’ building.

As he walked them up the stairs and down their hall, several people greeted them.

“You okay?” Heather brushed a strand of her hair aside.

“I’m fine, really.” She felt foolish and suddenly wished she was walking instead of being carried by Adam.

“You’re covered in dust and cobwebs.” Heather brushed at her hair again.

“She’s going to clean up in my room,” Adam said loudly. A little too loud for her liking, but then she remembered their plan to catch whoever had broken into her room. Her skin chilled as she remembered the creak of a floorboard before the door shut behind her.

“Adam.” Her voice sounded far away. “I’d like…”

He looked down at her and moved quickly into his room. He laid her down gently on the bed, then covered her with a blanket. “I’ll start a bath.”

“Hot,” she whispered. “Boiling.” She shivered and hugged the blanket tighter.

Adam nodded, then disappeared into his bathroom. She stared up at the ceiling and ran over everything from dinner on. What she’d done up in the attic to just before moving the wardrobe aside.

Then Adam walked back into the room. “Would you like some help?” He glanced down at her.

“No, I think I can manage.” She took the blanket with her, shutting the bathroom door behind her. She quickly stripped off her dirty sundress and thought about throwing it in the wastebin. Instead, she folded it and hung it over his towel rack.

His bathroom was almost identical to hers, but slightly smaller. She was happily surprised when she found a towel, exactly where she had hers. She even found some bubbles and poured them into the water, then slowly climbed in. The heat seeped through her cold skin, deeper into her bones. She had just relaxed into the water when she heard her cell phone ring.

She moved to get out, but Adam called into her.

“I’ll get it. It’s Sarah,” he said, and she could hear him talking to her friend. “Yes, the attic. No, she’s okay, just shaken.” There was a pause. “In the closet up there.” He chuckled. “Yes, there’s a closet. Behind a wardrobe.” Another pause. “I don’t know. I’ll keep you posted.” A longer pause. “I’ll have her call you in the morning.” She heard him hang up and walk towards the door.

“Mind if I come in?” he called out.

Instantly, she felt shy, but then remembered what he had done to her last night. “Sure,” she said weakly.

“Sure you mind?” He smiled as he opened the door, his eyes instantly finding any exposed skin that wasn’t covered by bubbles. She felt her face heat and desire shoot instantly through her.

***

All of Adam’s anger, fear, and worry for Lilly disappeared the second he stepped into the bathroom and saw her relaxing in his bathtub. Her long hair was soaked, flowing over her shoulders, and her face was cleared of the dust and makeup that had run down her face before.

Her eyes looked heavy and when his eyes roamed lower, his body reacted to the sight of her soft skin hiding under the white bubbles and water.

“Are you alright?” he asked, afraid to move closer to her. She’d just been locked in the attic for several hours. He knew she needed some time to recover.

She nodded, then held out a hand. “There’s enough room in here for two.” She waved him towards her.

Instead, he walked over and sat on the edge. “How about I wash your back?” He smiled, believing that he would be able to keep himself in check if he kept his clothes on.

“I’d prefer you in here.” She sat up and his eyes couldn’t move away from the sight of the water and bubbles sliding down her perfect breasts.

“Lilly.” His voice sounded odd, so he cleared his throat. “I… you need to…”

“Take your clothes off and get you in here with me,” she finished, tugging on his shirt until he helped her pull it over his head. Then she threw it into the corner of the bathroom and started to tug on his pants.

His eyes were glued to her skin and he was sure he wasn’t going to make it much longer without feeling her skin next to his. Standing up, he toed off his shoes, then yanked down his pants and pulled off his socks.

“Impressive.” She smiled up at him. “I didn’t really get a good look at you before.” Her eyes moved up and down his body, causing him to grow even harder.

“Look all you want.” His eyes moved slowly over her, then she leaned back and wiggled her finger towards him.

“Come, wash my back.” She smiled.

He took a step towards her, then cursed under his breath. Quickly moving over, he pulled a condom from his pocket and set it on the edge of the tub. “See,” he smiled. “I come prepared.”

“So you do.” Her eyes were glued on his hardness and he watched as her tongue darted out and licked her lips.

He moved quickly, tucking his hands under her arms and pulling her up until he could slide into the water behind her. She rested back against his chest, his hardness pressed against her softness as his hands roamed over every inch of her. His mouth trailed down her neck until he felt her shiver.

Slowly his fingers traveled over her soft skin, below the warm water, and disappeared into her silky folds, causing her hips to move with his rhythm.

“You’re so soft,” he said between kisses. “So perfect, here.” He touched his fingertips to the spot he wanted. “And here.” He moved his fingers to a new spot and heard her moan. “There?” he asked, watching her eyes flutter closed as she nodded. “How about here?” He moved again and heard her gasp and jerk under the water.

“Yes,” she groaned. “More,” she begged.

He dipped his finger deeper and this time it was his turn to close his eyes and moan. “You’re so tight, so ready for me.” He knew he wanted to show her slowness, like before, but the thought of losing her was still so fresh on his mind.

Reaching back, he slid on the condom and lifted her hips until she fit him like a glove. “Move with me,” he said against her shoulder.

Then she did. Her hips rotated, jerked with desire, and he wrapped his arms around her, his hands cupping her softness as she enjoyed herself.

Water splashed over the edge of the tub, and the rhythm and sound of it was exciting in itself. Her nails dug into his thighs as she held herself over him, moving slowly to her own internal beat.

“Adam?” She rolled her head back. He pushed her wet hair aside, then laid his lips softly underneath her ear and nibbled lightly.

Then she was pulling away, turning until her legs went around his hips and she was once more wrapped around him. Her soft breasts pushed tight against his chest, her mouth fused with his as her hips continued to move.

She was driving him mad. He was under her complete control, pinned to the bottom of the tub, held still by the soft curves of her body.

There was no other place he’d rather be than right there, with her. He felt his body tense as he felt hers soften around him. Moments before she cried out his name, he felt himself lose his heart. He lost the battle of trying to hide his feelings for her and whispered next to her ear the three words he’d never said before in his life.