Live Love Rewind: The Three Lives of Leah Preston (7 page)

Leah didn’t think so. It was more likely that the analysts were too smart to risk their own health in such a foolhardy fashion. They’d probably tested the licorice on animals before examining those creatures for side effects.

No human guinea pigs allowed
, she thought.
At least, not until I applied for the position.

Aparicio  said, “You know what? It was delicious. Soft and sweet, the best I’ve ever tasted. But we’d given them the cheap, commercial product, made from wheat flour and corn syrup, and God knows what else.”

“How old was it?”

“When I tried it? It had remained in storage for over a year, unwrapped and exposed to the open air. It should have been as hard as stone.”

“So something happened to it. Something the scientists can’t detect.”

“Something we may never know. It does bring a thought to mind, though, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Leah said. “If the interdimensional trip altered the licorice, could it somehow have changed me, too?”

Chapter Ten

The remainder of the week passed slowly, with each day a variation of the first. Several of the same tests were repeated, more blood was collected, and a new assortment of skilled professionals arrived to ask fresh variations of many of the original questions.

Leah wondered if another group of researchers was still examining licorice sticks under a microscope or plucking test hairs from the poor transported tabby cat. She guessed they probably were.

How would they react if she told them that the only change she’d seen in herself was that she felt deeply and unbelievably horny? Would they send still another group to fuss over this revelation? Would that group provide her with sex toys and vibrators?

If she spoke up, would they give her Colonel Dahlgren?

Every morning, the colonel stood at the second story viewing station, looking down into the glass-plated laboratory. Frequently, she found him staring at her. Whenever he failed to shield his lower body from view, she’d see his hard-on.

On occasion, she was certain he wanted her to see his arousal. His display was fine with Leah. She enjoyed seeing his desire.

She wanted him, too.

Ronald has his own private quarters somewhere in Area 72,
she thought.
I wish he’d take me back to his place and do me.

I’m so damned ready to get screwed.

Her desire for the military officer had grown despite her current regimen. Prior to going through the portal, she’d found him only mildly attractive. Now, for whatever reason, she was able to ignore the younger, more virile, technicians working with her often-naked body while dripping with lust for the older colonel – and for Jon, her own personal FBI man.

To Leah’s disappointment, the agent had left the facility. At night, the memory of him served as a fantasy lover but her own building need for satisfaction required a more physical response. Since he was no longer available –
and probably wouldn’t care to join me if he was
– she wanted to scratch her itch with someone who clearly wanted her.

“Fuck me,” she mouthed to the watching man. 
I’ve never been easy but I can’t seem to help myself, anymore.

Give me a chance and, I promise, I’ll be shameless for you.

On the fourth day, she told Clarissa, “I have to speak with Colonel Dahlgren.”

“He’s busy.”

Leah pointed toward the outside platform. Seeing the officer standing at the glass, Clarissa gave an exasperated sigh. “I’ll ask if he’ll see you.”

# # #

Colonel Dahlgren turned to face them when they entered his office. He held his hat in his hands, keeping the headpiece just below his stomach and shielding his groin.

Leah knew why he maintained his awkward pose. The craving in his eyes was evident.

“I’ve told her to be brief,” Clarissa said. She reached for the doorknob, ready to leave.

“Stay with us,” the Colonel said, a faint wobble in his voice. Surprised, the executive looked back at him. Without a word, she returned to his side.

“Can we speak privately?” Leah asked.

“No!” The vehemence of his response startled her. Clarissa’s expression changed from blandly bored to openly curious.

“Just for a few minutes,” Leah said. “All I need is ten minutes.”

Dressed in a pair of oversized medical scrubs, she was hardly the image of a femme fatale.
It doesn’t matter what I wear,
she thought,
I know how much you want me. I want you, too. If you don’t do me now, you’ll do me soon.

Please, let it be soon.

“It’s time for you to go home,” Dahlgren told her.

“Home?” Leah said.

Clarissa was stunned, too. “Ronald?”

“Bring Jon Wexler in, have him drive her back to Clayton.”

“She can’t leave,” Clarissa said. “The studies aren’t complete. They won’t be complete for months.”

“You’ll do as I’ve said, Ms. Dayne,” he told her, “or I will relieve you of your duties.”

Chapter Eleven

To Leah’s disappointment, Clarissa accompanied her into the city.

“The team doesn’t need me there,” she said, sharing the Hummer’s front seat with Jon. “The technicians have their chores to do, and the data they produce will keep the researchers busy. Without our test subject at hand, the work is all mundane.”

“What if they need your input?” Leah asked.

“There’s encrypted messaging, if necessary. If they need to speak to me personally, they know I’ll return in a few days.” Consternation played over her features. “If the Colonel wants to give my lab rat a short respite, he can give me one, too. To hell with him.”

Jon nodded. In silence, they traveled up the black pathway to the world above them. The day dawned as the tunnel opened and they returned to the surface.

As before, there was nothing but scrubland around them as far as the eye could see. Neither the cacti nor the sand had grown more interesting since Leah had last seen them.

“I don’t believe this car doesn’t have a radio,” she said.

Her comment passed without response.

“Maybe we could play a road game,” she tried. “The sign game? Alphabet jumble?”

His eyes on the road, Jon didn’t respond.

“The alphabet jumble?” Clarissa asked.

Leah explained the game to her.

The other woman said, “That sounds like such fun. Or it would, if I was five years old and hadn’t graduated from elementary school.”

Curling her legs beneath her, Leah closed her eyes.
I didn’t want to play with you, anyway
, she thought.

I want to play with Jon.

She wondered if there was something wrong with her. Having spent only a few days at Area 72, all she could think of was sex.

Lovely, hot and heavy sex.

Did the Visitors do something to me?
she asked herself
. Did they mess with my hormones, tinker with my body chemistry?

Or is my problem a little simpler than that? Maybe I’m randy because I haven’t had sex with a partner in nearly a year.

Haven’t had a
good
partner in longer than that.

In several hours, she’d be at her apartment. If needed, she supposed she could always hit the bar around the corner and find her very own one night stand.

Except I won’t
, she knew.

Casual sex had never appealed to her. Not that the bar was her only option. 

There’s always Neal
, she thought
. At least my gardener wants me.

The married gardener. The adulterer.

I don’t care how desperate I am, I won’t take a married man to bed. I can’t. I’d feel terrible before, after, and for the rest of my life.

She considered Jon’s profile, so strong and appealing. He’d barely glanced at her since taking the driver’s seat.

He’s not married,
she thought.
But no chance there. Shame.

I just hope the batteries in my vibrator are still good.

Leah dozed then, awakening only when a car horn startled her. Peeking through half-opened eyelids, she realized they’d reached the outskirts of Clayton. A few minutes later, the big vehicle came to a stop.

Leah pretended to still be asleep. If the others thought she was sleeping, she wouldn’t have to say goodbye to Clarissa.

“We’re here,” Jon said.

Her voice lilting seductively, Clarissa asked him, “You want to come by later?”

“It’s not a good idea.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time. If you don’t tell, I won’t tell.”

“Still.”

“You don’t think I’ve been watching you, this entire trip? I’ve never seen a man stay ready for so long.”

Awkwardly, Jon said, “It’s not going to happen. Not between us.”

“Why, then –” Her sentence choked off. “
Her?
”

He didn’t answer. Within seconds, the side door slammed and the SUV started rolling.

“You can quit pretending,” the FBI agent said.

Opening her eyes, Leah asked, “How could you tell?”

“I watched you when we went out to Area 72. Your face softens when you’re relaxed. Your eyelashes resting on your skin….”

He stopped talking as he guided the Hummer into the entrance of the apartment complex. Pulling into Guest Parking, he said, “I’ll bring your things.”

The government-issued suitcases were plain but serviceable. Trying to lift one, Leah quickly gave up. Jon carried a case in each hand but even his arms showed the strain of their weight.

A potted flower was waiting for her on the front step.

I’m glad you’re home.

Neal

Not knowing when she’d return, he must have been bringing a new plant to her doorstep daily. It was touching.

Jon followed her inside. Lowering her belongings to the living room floor, he said, “My place isn’t far from here. If there’s an emergency, you have my number. Call if anything comes up.”

But Jon
, she thought.
You’re already up.

Clarissa had said as much and the proof was in front of her. His khaki slacks were nicely fitted to his body. Despite Jon’s efforts to shield himself, it was obvious that he was aroused.

Leah’s own desire returned, redoubled.

“Those bags weigh nearly as much as I do and they’re ugly as sin,” she told him. “If you leave them there, I’ll trip over them every time I walk in.”

“I’ll move them by the wall.”

“I’d rather they were in my bedroom. Please.”

Dutifully, Jon lifted the containers. Leah stepped aside as he went past her.

I don’t want you to misjudge me, Jon.
Hidden behind him, she lifted her feet from her heels.
I’ve never been bold, never been aggressive, not with someone I hardly know.
She reached for the zipper at the side of her skirt.
But I’ve adopted a new life philosophy.

WWJD?

Jon stopped inside the door of her bedroom. His back to her, he said, “It’s dark in here. The sun is barely going down but it feels like midnight.”

“Blackout shades. It helps me sleep in the morning.”

“Huh.” Starting to feel the weight he carried, he rolled his muscular shoulders. “Where do you want your stuff?”

The skirt slipped down her thighs in a whisper, curling onto her feet. Stepping out of her panties, Leah said, “In the walk-in closet. Just past the bed.”

His arms tightened for this new task. Not saying anything, Jon navigated past an end table and through the open closet door. “Wow. Shoes.”

“You don’t like shoes?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many pairs in one closet.”

Leah’s blouse dropped to the bedroom carpet. A second later, her brassiere followed.

“There’s not an inch of extra space in here,” Jon said. “Not even on the floor. Look, I’ve got to put these cases down.”

“The pair of shoes in front of you are from Robert Gorgi,” Leah warned. “I haven’t worn them yet. They cost two weeks’ salary.”

“For one pair?”

“Don’t you hurt them.”

He turned to speak with her. Naked, Leah smiled.

Well, I’m not totally naked
, she amended.
I did put my heels back on.

Jon’s mouth dropped.

“If you don’t tell, I won’t tell,” she said.

He swallowed.

“Do we have a deal?”

Jon started to lower the bags. She put a hand to his chest, stopping him.