Slow Hands (24 page)

Easing up, she gathered a towel and change of clothes and slipped from her tent. A cool shower would probably help.

She crept around the side of her tent and started toward the bathhouse. She stopped when she heard voices.

Scarlet.

"Come on. Alec. You know you want it." Muffled sounds.

Keira peeked around the curve and spotted Alec and Scarlet in an embrace.

"Kiss me," Scarlet invited. "Kiss me."

Keira turned away. Yeah, it was obvious Scarlet was coming on to Alec, but it still made her mad. Worse, it reminded her it was all a game.

Going to the bathhouse was no longer an option. There was also no way she was going back to her stuffy little tent.

Her skin pricked with heat.

Retracing her steps, Keira took off for the lake. A swim was exactly what she needed.

Alec grasped Scarlet's hands and loosened her grip on his neck.

"Scarlet. I told you, I'm not interested."

"You will be. Trust me." She hooked her fingers in his belt loops and tugged. "Give that strawberry wine a few more minutes."

Alec saw the gleam in her eye. A few more minutes for what?

He remembered thinking the wine had a faintly familiar smell that he couldn't place earlier. Now he realized the smell was similar to an herbal concoction sold as an aphrodisiac.

"Did you put something in my drink?"

She shrugged. "Why? Are you starting to feel hot? Horny?"

Alec remembered Keira had drunk his wine.

"How much did you use?" he pressed.

"Enough."

"Sorry, Scarlet, but I didn't drink it." He stepped away, no longer able to hide his disgust. "And you better think twice before ever slipping someone a drug, herbal or otherwise."

Ignoring her indignant pleas, Alec turned and hurried back toward the campsite. Keira wouldn't be happy, but she had a right to know.

Her tent was dark. He ducked down, whispered her name, and got no answer.

Unzipping the flap, he poked his head in. Her sleeping bag was flat.
She wasn't there.

Where the hell was she?

He started back toward his own tent, then stopped. A flash of light in the woods caught his eye. Someone was headed down to the lake. Keira?

He slipped along the path, following.

The beach was deserted. Keira stripped down to her bra and underpants to swim. In the dark they'd pass for a two-piece swimsuit.

She rubbed at her arms, wondering again if she was running a fever. Or had come into contact with poison ivy. Her skin itched. She waded in. then dived into the water, the cool wetness a welcome balm.

She let her eyes adjust to the moonlight, then began swimming toward the floating dock. The itching abated somewhat as she swam, but when she stopped and trod water it started again.

She felt winded by the time she reached the raft. Climbing on top of it. she lay down, alarmed.

Something was definitely wrong. She could hear her
pulse drumming in her ears. Another wave of warmth washed over her.

"Keira."

She started when she heard her name.

She sat up as Alec climbed up the ladder and onto the raft. He was wearing briefs. The wet, clinging fabric stuck to his skin.

She shivered, straining to see the outline of his flesh. "What are you doing here?"

Alec approached cautiously. He'd already noticed her shivering.

"We need to talk."

Keira closed her eyes. Did Alec know she saw him with Scarlet? Did he feel he owed her an explanation?

She suppressed yet another shiver, felt heat rising within her. "I need to get back in the water."

Alec's hands closed over her arms. She looked up at him, nearly drowning as an overwhelming wave of desire washed over her. What was wrong with her? How could she want him like this, knowing he wouldn't stay?

"Scarlet drugged my wine, Keira," Alec said. "With an herbal stimulant. You drank it."

It took a moment for the news to register. "A stimulant? Like speed?"

"Like an aphrodisiac."

Keira almost started laughing. Except the itching . . . Alec's hands on her arms felt good.

She shook her head, fighting it, as something else dawned on her. "Don't tell me you came to offer to—"

Alec cut her off. "I came to make sure you were okay. Those herbs affect everyone differently."

She tried to focus, felt dizzy. "I hate Scarlet."

Alec grasped her wrist, found her pulse mildly accelerated. "You can square up with Scarlet later. Right now I need you to tell me how you feel."

"Hot. Itchy. I thought the water would help."

"It will. Though you shouldn't be out here alone," he chided mildly. He didn't have heart to lay into her. "Exercise will help it clear from your system. Feel like a swim?"

At her nod, he continued. "We'll stay close to shore. Tell me if you feel any cramping or discomfort."

Keira climbed down the ladder first. The water felt delightfully cool. She held on to the rail as Alec followed her in.

"Okay?" he asked.

She shook her head. The trembling she'd felt earlier had started again. Low and steady. And it chanted his name. She wanted Alec. Fiercely.

She moved against him, into his arms, shivering as her skin brushed his. "Make love to me." She closed her mouth over his and pressed her tongue deep.

She wrapped a leg around his hip, rubbed against him. Shock waves of sensation shot through her, quite unlike anything she'd felt before. A physical echo of desire.

Alec kissed her back, tenderly, then brushed the wet strands of hair from her face. "I know you think that's what you want, but it's not. With the dose you got, you won't be able to climax, yet you'll keep trying. You'll literally rub yourself raw."

She struggled to press close again, eager to prove him wrong. It didn't take much. The lightest touch sent searing convulsions across her lower abdomen. Erotic and
deeply unsatisfying at the same time. He pulled away yet again.

"Please, Alec." She'd beg if she had to.

Her pleas fell on deaf ears. "You gotta trust me on this one, Keira."

She groaned, lowered her head as tremors of desire wracked her.

"I'll kill Scarlet," she gritted between her teeth, miserable. The temptation to touch herself, to grant herself relief, was strong.

Alec caught her hand. "Don't. Let's swim, see if that helps."

They swam for over an hour, taking frequent breaks. By the time they stopped, Keira was exhausted, but the itching had passed, the tingling lessened.

"How is it?" he asked, as they rested. They were in about five feet of water. Alec held her up.

"Better. Tolerable." The burning had passed, but she still felt... on the edge.

Alec checked her pulse, found it to be rapid, but smooth. Exactly what he'd expect after a long swim.

She was over the worst of it. The herb, while intense, wasn't long lasting. He knew there was one lingering effect he could now safely do something about.

"This will help."

Under the water, Alec's hand slipped between her legs, shoving aside the wet fabric of her panties.

Keira drew a sharp breath. The need for release was so sharp, so poignant, it astounded her. It also mortified her that Alec knew. That she couldn't help it. Her body didn't feel like her own. Shame mixed with relief.

Her teeth clenched as she struggled. For control. For his touch.

"Let me," he whispered. "It's okay now. To do this."

He cupped her, fitted her neatly against his palm.

Unable to stop, Keira rubbed. A thousand tiny needles burst against her skin, the sensation exquisite. She repeated the movement, felt fire flash across her abdomen.

"I'm scared," she whispered. This was too intense.

"You're fine. I've got you," he murmured, moving his hand. "You'll have one hell of an orgasm, but you'll feel better afterward."

Keira closed her eyes against the delicious friction. With a slight cry, she surrendered, spreading her legs slightly to allow full access.

Using two fingers, Alec penetrated her. "That's it. Don't fight it, babe."

She moaned in gratitude, tried to move closer.

"Shhhh. Let me control the pressure." With a slow touch that drove her mad, Alec patiently brought her to the brink.

She arched against his fist, undulating her hips. Faster. Harder. And just when she thought she couldn't take any more, Alec lifted her from the water, shoved aside her wet bra, and took her nipple in his mouth. He sucked hard, tugging, teasing. Then gently bit her.

She lost it, flew apart, crying out with the intensity of her release.

Leaving the water, Alec quickly helped her dress, then carried her back to the campsite. At the edge of the path, he set her down.

"You okay?"

Keira looked up at him. "Actually, I'm embarrassed."

She'd lost control. Not the mutual loss of two people. Just her.

He knew exactly what was bothering her. Understood. He cursed Scarlet. Drawing Keira close, he kissed her. "Stay with me?" he whispered. "No sex. I promise."

Keira shook her head, unable to make that same promise. While the uncontrollable effect of the drug had passed, the desire for Alec hadn't. She didn't want to beg again . ..

Better she stay alone and retain some measure of pride. "Good night, Alec. We'll talk in the morning."

Beau Watson hung back, knew better than to risk following any closer. He stared at the jar in his hand, at the bugs he'd been collecting.

He was out of time, thanks to the little show those two had put on. Granted, he hadn't really seen that much. Some titty. He'd heard her squeal when she came though. Griggs would shit when Beau told him what he saw.

And what he'd overheard ...

Was it still rape if the woman had ingested an aphrodisiac? And what would Griggs pay for that little idea?

Chapter Thirteen

.Alec
left the camp early. He'd been up most of the night, brooding over Keira's refusal to spend the night in his tent. He wanted to believe he was noble enough to accept a "no" without question.

So why all the self-recrimination? Why had he caught himself heading for her tent twenty times? It wasn't because he was horny. Well, yes, he was horny. Had been horny since first laying eyes on Keira again.

But last night he'd simply wanted to hold her, know she was close. Watch over her.

Not good.

She had definitely gotten under his skin. The problem was knowing what to do about it. His head was at odds with his libido.

And his heart?

He forced his thoughts elsewhere, not wanting to consider his emotions. That would only lead to trouble.

Parking his car, he hurried toward the halfway house. According to their schedules, both Griggs and Beau were confined to the premises all day.

The house was quiet, which irritated Alec.

Ostman had led him to believe Griggs would retrieve the money quickly and leave. But Alec was starting to have doubts. What if Griggs didn't make his move, say, for months?

He immediately rejected the notion. Logically, if Griggs had access to two million, he should be chomping at the bit to get away from the restrictions of parole, from people breathing down his neck.

But what if Griggs really didn't know where the money was?

What if the money's location had indeed died with his brothers? Was Griggs now forced to do the same as others? Search for a hidden fortune?

Or suppose someone had found the money but never reported it? Was living large courtesy of the Griggses?

Either scenario meant Ian Griggs would be around Freedom a very long time. Which presented a whole new range of problems.

Alec had no intention of staying long-term in Freedom. He'd been told the assignment wouldn't last more than a couple weeks.

Why had Ostman seemed so confident Griggs would make a move quickly? Did he know something he wasn't telling? Alec needed to discuss this more in depth with Ostman, see what exactly made the FBI so certain Griggs knew where the money was.

With the holiday weekend over, Alec spent Monday following Beau, who went out to Culverleaf Park.
Again.
Alec watched as Beau parked, then disappeared down a trail.

Alec's gut told him Beau was running errands for Griggs. While Lance Parks and two other reporters sat near the gas station watching Griggs, Beau ran around the countryside, raising no eyebrows.

After Beau returned to the halfway house, Alec went back to Culverleaf and followed the same trail. It was a frustrating dead end that led nowhere. Had Beau gone off the trail at some point? What was he after?

If he was doing something for Griggs, like retrieving the cash, he certainly wasn't coming out carrying satchels of money.

Alec tried calling Ostman but couldn't reach him. He called Keira late in the afternoon, catching her at the office.

"What time do you plan to knock off?"

Keira closed her eyes against the yearning that arose. The deceptively casual question triggered a warning, reminded her not to get too close to a man who wasn't staying. Why couldn't she remember that simple rule?

"I'm leaving in five minutes, but I'm not going home. Tonight's Sally's bachelorette party," she reminded him.

Sally and Stan were getting married the following weekend. Keira and Franny were both bridesmaids. There were wedding-related events scheduled the entire week.

"Call me when you get home," he said.

"I'll pretend you prefaced that with
please."

"Pretty please.
Babe."
He hung up.

Keira met Franny for supper—Chinese takeout—then they hurried to meet Mabel at McDuff's bar.

McDuff's was a rowdy place on weekends but fairly tame during the week. The bar had a side room, for private parties.

While Keira arranged tables of appetizers, Franny conversed with the bartender. Since the women-only party would undoubtedly attract the interest of the regular bar patrons, the owner posted a bouncer at the door.

Keira, Franny, and Mabel drew straws to select a designated driver. Keira drew the shortest one.

Franny did a little dance. "You'll be sipping root beer while Mabel and I do shots of tequila."

Actually, Keira was just as glad not to drink. She wanted her wits about her later, when she went home.

She'd been vacillating all day, one minute promising herself she wouldn't sleep with Alec, the next minute fantasizing about him until she was on the brink of orgasm. Something had to give. She was tired of the regrets, the second guesses.

Already her heart felt tender. More than once she caught herself thinking
what if.

What if Alec stuck around?

What if they got back together?

What if she was pregnant?

The last one she dismissed, virtually sure they had missed her fertile window. Since she hadn't been sexually active recently, she didn't keep real close tabs on her periods. But it was typically near the middle-of-the-month payroll.

And except for that first time, Alec had used a condom.

Still, she'd breathe easier when she started. The last thing she needed was an unplanned pregnancy.

She forced her thoughts back to the party as guests streamed in. The room erupted into cheers as Sally arrived, and for the next several hours, the women partied loudly, much to the envy of the men outside in the bar.

At ten, a cop arrived, threatened to arrest Sally for drunken, disorderly conduct. The music died abruptly.

"But I'm at McDuff's," Sally protested. "Everyone here is drunk and disorderly."

A nervous titter ran through the room as the cop snapped a pair of handcuffs on Sally. "For arguing," he said. "Now here's your punishment."

The music struck up again. Loud. Sally's mouth opened as the cop began gyrating his hips in sync to the beat.

Then he started stripping.

He started with his hat, which landed on Sally's head. Then he peeled off his belt, slowly, held it out to her. "Wanna touch my weapon?" He thrust his pelvis forward.

All twenty women started whooping and clapping in approval. The place was in an uproar by the time he got down to his G-string.

"What I wouldn't give to be your age again." Mabel winked at Keira, then tossed back a shot of tequila and started fanning herself.

While the male stripper had been hired to come in and do one number, he ended up staying. At Franny's insistence, he stood at the front of the room and led them through a couple of his favorite moves.

"You ladies feel free to remove your clothes," he yelled.

Keira joined in the fun, which seemed similar to the line-dance classes she and Franny took. Right foot, left foot, right hip, left hip. Pelvic twist. Forward thrust.

At midnight, the party broke up. "This was great," Sally gushed. "You outdid yourselves."

She hugged Keira and Franny, then wove toward the door doing the twist the stripper had taught them. Sally's sister—her designated driver—laughed.

Franny and Mabel headed to Keira's car.

Mabel sat in the backseat, humming. "I bet if I did a few of those moves, Fred might want to jump me tonight."

Franny and Keira exchanged glances. Fred had occasional bouts of impotence, much to Mabel's chagrin, and she was always looking for new ways to stimulate him.

"Some of those moves could give a man a heart attack." Franny grinned. "I can't wait to try them on Darryl."

Keira went to her apartment after dropping off her friends.

First thing, she noticed that Alec's parking spot was empty. Disappointment settled in her stomach. Had she expected him to be waiting for her?

Yes, she had.

They'd made love, and already her heart was making expectations, setting her up for a fall. This is exactly what she didn't want to happen.

She hurried to her door, inserted the key, chastising herself for getting involved again. She knew better, damn it.

She pushed the door open with more force than intended. The door swung wide, bounced off the wall.

Something fell from above, clipping her head before clattering on the floor.

Keira jumped, her hand automatically fumbling for the switch. When the light came on, she saw the note taped to the wall, just above the switch.

gotcha bitch
, it read.

The skin at her nape felt crawly.

She shuddered, knowing someone had been in her apartment. But, instinctively, she knew they were already gone.

A red plastic bucket lay on the floor, still listing slightly from side to side, where it had rolled a few feet from her. A piece of cardboard lay to one side. The bucket had obviously been rigged to fall when the door opened. But why the cardboard? Another note?

As she reached for her phone, a slight movement on her arm caught her attention. Keira glanced down as a large brown spider scurried over her skin.

She screamed, knocking it away.

She abhorred spiders. As a young child, at a school picnic, she'd gotten locked in an old wooden outhouse during a game of hide and seek. The outhouse was infested with daddy longlegs—nonpoisonous, but creepy. She'd been covered with them by the time someone let her out.

Something brushed her forehead. She flicked her hand, saw another spider fall. With a growing sense of dread, she looked down at her shirt. More spiders, large, small, scurried over the fabric.

The crawly feeling at the base of her neck returned, but this time she knew what it was. She was literally crawling with spiders.

The cardboard on top of the bucket had been a lid.

Bending at the waist, she flipped her hair over her head, beat at it, shaking it. Hundreds of spiders were tangled in the long red strands, legs wriggling furiously as they tried to escape.

She screamed as she felt more movement. Beneath her shirt. ..

It was late when Alec returned.

Scarlet had showed up at his apartment, drunk. He'd driven her home, talked with her; but he knew that in her inebriated state she'd recall little. One thing was clear— Scarlet was jealous of Keira. He had suspected all along that was the main reason Scarlet pursued him.

When he pulled into the apartment building, he spotted the sheriff's car parked out front. His eyes swept the parking lot, confirming that Keira's truck was there. Swearing, he raced inside.

He found Keira huddled in the hall, head down on her knees. She had her arms wrapped around her, tightly, as if she were freezing. The air was heavy with the odor of insect spray.

He pushed forward, dropping down on one knee. He grasped her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, indicating no.

Alec looked inside her apartment. A uniformed deputy was in the foyer, talking on the phone.

"What happened?" he asked.

She shuddered. "Somebody left spiders in my apartment."

Spiders.
Alec swore under his breath. Everyone who knew Keira knew her fear of them.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he helped her to her feet, then moved toward his apartment door, unlocked it, and turned on a light. "Go on in."

Keira hesitated. "Where are you going?"

"To your place. I'll be back in a minute."

Alec went next door, introduced himself to the deputy, and looked around the apartment. He saw the note lying on the counter,
gotcha bitch.