Ghostly Liaison (33 page)

“No. She died of cancer when Nick was a kid. I have no idea who the woman in the picture is.” Rob had never kept up with Carl’s sex life. Too much like thinking about his parents having sex, which he’d rather not do.

“Too bad. Maybe she knows something that will help us.”

Short of asking Carl straight out, Rob wasn’t sure if anyone could help them. Their only hope—find someone who’d spotted Carl nosing around the neighborhood.

* * * *

Charlie waved bye-bye to Barnaby, but he slept and didn’t see her. Knowing he would be okay filled her with happiness.

She floated through the back wall and met a brilliant blue sky. Not a cloud in sight. Taking advantage of seeing and not feeling the wonderful day, she took flight and floated back to her house. Below, Carl climbed over the fence into the yard. The vet took up most of the property behind Charlie’s house, so she had no backdoor neighbors, making it easy for him to travel without crossing into anyone’s yard.

She lowered to the creep and air-punched him, wishing one of her swings connected. What the hell was he doing now? Looking to poison Barnaby again? Because he’d done it—she knew it in her being. Ooh, if she could get her hands on that bastard, she’d squeeze his neck until he joined her.

Carl picked up a black duffel-type bag and headed for the pool. He opened the bag and pulled out a rubber snake with a cord out the back. If Rob saw this sucker, he’d probably avoid it for good.

Rob hated snakes and had ever since she’d put one in his sleeping bag. Who knew she had such power over her brother? Or how fun it would be? Of course, no one ever found out. Her father would have skinned her alive. It was the best secret she’d ever kept.

The black-hearted bastard placed the snake into the tall grass. He laid the cord, camouflaging it all the way to the outlet behind the pool, where he plugged it in. Once he finished, only the snake’s head and upper portion could be seen.

The stupid thing didn’t move or light up or anything, so why the plug? Carl picked up the bag, zipped it, and carried it to where he’d landed. Then he hoisted the bag over the fence. With more agility than Charlie would have credited the guy, he grabbed hold of the fence and climbed back over. She followed him to the next street, where he’d parked his truck. After he drove off, she popped back over to the house.

She needed to warn Bridget, but there was no sign of her or Robbie. Where were those two anyway? They’d seemed awfully cozy back at the vet’s. Did her little talk do some good? Maybe she had come on hard, but Bridget needed a good swift kick in the butt.

It saddened her to think she might never see her big brother get married or have children. Actually, if she were still around to witness all that, she might become one of those grumpy, mean ghosts, and then Bridget wouldn’t have anything to do with her. But she couldn’t leave while Carl ran around free. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair.

* * * *

The air warmed up, but not as hot as it had been on Memorial Day. Rob had tossed a lounge chair in the back of the truck and Bridget placed it in a shaded area, away from any danger. The workers fascinated her, one in particular, and the book remained in her backpack untouched.

Now that Rob knew she didn’t mind driving, he asked if she’d pick up lunch. A few of the men overheard and asked the same. She hadn’t driven since she’d gotten her license back and it felt good being behind the wheel. As soon as she earned the money, she would buy a car. Something big, though. No more compacts.

Around four o’clock, the men stopped working and cleaned up. Rob pulled his T-shirt off and wiped his face, but her gaze stayed glued to his torso. His skin glistened. Watching him all afternoon had given her an appetite and if she wasn’t careful, she might start the main course right here.

And to think she’d been pushing him away. She
should
get her head examined.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

“You’re all sweaty.”

“Yeah.” He placed his hands on the armrests of her chair and bent down for a kiss. His lips tasted salty. “Is that good or bad?”

Good if they were alone, bad they weren’t. “Can I tell you in private?”

He smiled. “Sure. How ’bout the shower? We could go back to my place.”

Ooh, a shower with him would be heaven, but the outdoors sounded better. “How about a swim instead?”

He straightened and wiped his chest and back with the shirt. “Sounds good, but I haven’t cleaned the pool.”

“I have.” Amazing what sexual frustration could do to a person. Cleaning the pool had expended a lot of that energy.

He nodded. “Okay. We’ll still have to go back to my place for my trunks.”

She stood and ran a finger down his arm. “The yard’s fenced in. Who’s going to see?”

“Lady, I like the way you think.” Desire filled his eyes and in one quick movement, he pulled her in for another kiss. She’d just wrapped her arms around his neck when he broke it off. “Umm, what about Charlie?”

“Trust me. She’s not going to be a problem. Would you want to watch your sister?”

“I think you ruined a perfectly good boner.”

She laughed at the look of disgust on face. Soon, he joined her.

Life with Rob was more fun than she’d dreamed possible. She wished the weekend would never end.

* * * *

Rob pulled into the driveway and brought the truck to a jerky stop. Man, her idea of love in the pool got him a kind of hard that wasn’t going away until he had his way with her.

“Afraid we’ve got a visitor,” Bridget said, staring out her window.

He followed her gaze and sure enough, old Mr. Murdock was ambling his way across the yard. Of all the dirty rotten timing. “Can you get rid of him?”

“Now, Rob. He’s an old man and he’s lonely. It won’t hurt to say hello. Besides, I want to show him Carl’s picture. Maybe he saw him lurking around on Friday.”

She had a point, but why now? They could do it after their fun in the pool.

Bridget climbed out of the truck. “Hey, Henry. How’s it going?”

“Hi, Bridget. It’s such a wonderful day, thought I’d go for a walk. I was coming to ask if you wanted to join me, but I can see you’re busy. Hi, Rob.”

Rob smiled and waved, but kept his mouth shut. The sooner this was over, the better.

“Sorry. Maybe next time,” she said. “Since you’re here, I have something to show you.”

As she opened her backpack, Rob stared at her lush curves. He craved running his hands over her breasts, then taking one in his mouth. Damn. That thought had his dick rubbing his jeans to the point of pain. He moved behind her. No sense in having the old man snicker at his bulge.

She pulled the photo out. “Have you seen this man around the neighborhood yesterday or Thursday?”

Murdock examined the picture. “That’s your father’s friend, isn’t it? Carl Anders?”

Rob nodded. Maybe standing close to her was a bad idea. Her scent enticed him further. He placed his hands on her shoulders, causing her to tense for a moment. Another mistake. His fingers itched to touch her soft skin. Once they were done with Murdock, her shirt would be history. As well as the rest of her clothes.

“He used to come by all the time when your parents lived here. Him and his wife. This isn’t his wife, though. I remember a time….”

Murdock rambled on. Getting the guy to shut up wouldn’t be easy without being rude, and Bridget was never rude to the man. If Rob didn’t do something soon, they could be standing here until sunset. Better to give her a clue to move things along. Using his thumbs, he lightly massaged the back of her neck while he rubbed his groin against her back. Major mistake on his part, but damn it felt good. He bit his lower lip.

Bridget turned her head a bit, her lips curled at the edges, giving him hope. She cut off Murdock. “So, have you seen him recently?”

“No. The last time I saw him was the day Charlie died. He acted real strange, too. Probably about Nick. I know she had it bad for that young man. Shame how he died.”

Rob stopped his massage. Damn. Bridget was right. “Are you sure you saw him here the day she died?”

“Yeah. That was the day she didn’t stop by. I told you about that.”

He might have told, but Rob was sure he hadn’t listened. That’s what he got for being jealous of the old guy.

“How was Carl acting strange?” Bridget asked.

“Well, for one, he didn’t drive, he walked. And he carried a black bag. Like a gym bag. Then he kept looking around kind of nervous-like. Almost like he thought someone followed him. Didn’t do a very good job, if you ask me, cause I don’t think he ever saw me. Charlie seemed happy enough to see him. Why do you want to know if he was around that day?”

Rob didn’t want to get into the whole Barnaby issue, it hurt just thinking about how close he came to losing that dog.

“Someone played a practical joke on us, and we think he’s behind it. But he won’t say,” she said.

He could have kissed her right then for not mentioning the incident.

“Mrs. Johnson might have seen something. She’s always peeping through her windows. One of these days I’m going to ask her out for a walk. She stays inside much too much. It’s not healthy.”

“Why don’t you go ask her out now?” Bridget said as she stuffed the photo in her bag.

Henry straightened out his shirt. “You think I should?”

“Sure. How can she resist such an eligible bachelor as yourself?” She patted him on the shoulder. “And while you’re walking, you can find out if she saw anyone lurking around my house recently.”

Rob stared at Bridget. Man, she was good. He could hug her and kiss her and eat her up right here.

“You’re right. I think I will. Thanks, sweetie. I’ll let you know what I find out.” His steps slightly bounced as he crossed the street toward Mrs. Johnson’s.

Rob wrapped his arms around Bridget, his jealousy gone, as well as his erection. For now. So Murdock had the hots for Mrs. Johnson. Who would have thought? “I can’t believe he saw Carl here that day. He could be the witness we need.”

She leaned back into him. “His testimony would certainly help, but we still got nothing. Maybe I should tell Mr. Parker the truth.”

“We don’t know if it will help, so don’t think about it.” He kissed the top of her head. Her flowery scent did its number on him once again. The time for talking had ended. There was a pool in his future. “Right now, there’s only one thing on my mind, and that’s you and me in the backyard.”

If someone asked Rob what he thought the word torture meant, he’d explain it as being with the woman you love in a room full of people, twenty-four-seven. Eventually, you’d give in to your needs, pray she wouldn’t mind, and hope no one watched.

As he opened the front door and ushered Bridget inside, relief at being alone with her washed over him. Until cold air surrounded him. Oh no. His sister could just wait. “Charlie, unless you want to see your brother naked, I suggest you stay inside.”

Bridget laughed as she placed her pack on the counter. “Well, that’s one way of ensuring she’ll stay away.”

He’d take whatever worked. And if Charlie saw? Well, as long as he didn’t see her seeing, he was strangely okay. He had Bridget and a pool and no suits. Couldn’t ask for a more perfect combination.

Bridget opened her backpack. “One or two?”

From behind, he wrapped his arms around her waist. Little Miss Air Conditioner wouldn’t let up. Goose bumps formed on his arms. A curse nearly left his lips.

“Is she still bothering you?”

“Can’t you feel her?”

“No. Why don’t I see what she wants?”

“Oh, no. You got your way with Henry, I’m getting my way in this. She can wait.” He nuzzled her neck and rubbed his erection against her backside. Touching her wasn’t enough. He needed to be in her. “Bring a strand.”

She coughed as if she choked. “Feeling lucky, are you?”

He nearly laughed and wouldn’t that have blown his cover. He’d only said it to shock his sister. Of course, if Bridget believed he possessed such great stamina, who was he to burst that bubble? He kissed her temple. “I will not be unprepared again.”

She patted his arms and extricated herself. Instead of heading for the sliding glass door—and heaven—she walked over to the coffee table and picked up the remote. After turning on the TV, she surfed through the few stations and stopped at the Reds game. “Oh look. Aren’t we lucky?”

Lucky? No, lucky would be watching Bridget strip. “Did I miss something?”

“It’s for Charlie. Should keep her occupied for a while.”

Even better. “Well, then, let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and practically dragged her out to the backyard, stopping at the deck.

Her laughter lifted his heart. Seemed she hadn’t forgotten how to be happy and he would do his best to keep her that way. Taking her face into his hands, he claimed her mouth. Her lips were warm and soft and opened, inviting his tongue, and she leaned into him, rubbing up against his erection. As much as he loved kissing her, another part of his body demanded attention. Slowly, he broke the kiss. “Let’s get you out of these clothes.”

“I love the way you kiss,” she gasped. “You take my breath away every time.”

“I’d rather hear you scream.”

He regretted those words after her eyes widened. She looked around the yard. “Umm, Rob? Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. I didn’t think about people hearing me.”

Besides a few birds chirping, the neighborhood lacked the sounds of summer. No lawnmowers, no loud music, no kids playing in the sprinklers, just plain quiet. Damn. Okay, so maybe he wouldn’t be able to hear her scream, but he could feel it. “No one will hear you. Trust me.” He eyed the pool, and the chilly-looking water. Oh great. Was his fantasy all awash? “That’s if I can even get you to scream. How cold—”

“It’s heated,” she said.

“Since when?”

“Since I cleaned it. Charlie showed me how. I’ve been swimming every night after work.” She ran a finger along his dick—now softening—and grinned. “He has nothing to fear.”

The seductive quality of her voice stiffened him right up and her touch made his nuts constrict. He inhaled through his teeth. “Who said I was afraid?” Which might have sounded more convincing if his voice hadn’t gone up an octave.