Tell Me No Lies: The Black Orchid, Book 1 (16 page)

I stepped briskly to the door. I could feel her eyes on my back. I turned to look. Beaming with happiness, Rain waved me out the door.

* * * * *

“You didn’t have to cook dinner, Rain.” I pushed back the remnants of jerk chicken breast, sautéed arugula and fried green tomatoes. “But it sure was good.”

She stood, picking up both of our wineglasses and motioned me to follow her to the living room.

“Well, after the wonderful steak dinner at the Angus Barn, I thought I had to return the favor.”

I grabbed the bottle of Gewürztraminer and trailed her onto the couch. “About our last date.”

She shook her head quickly. “Oh, it’s fine. We don’t have to talk about it.”

“Hey.” I grabbed her hands and pulled her close. “It’s okay. I won’t do it again. I won’t do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.”

I went to my knees on the floor and removed her shoes.

She giggled. “What are you doing?”

“Making a point.” I picked up her perfectly shaped foot and brought it to my mouth and paused. “If all you want me to do is kiss your feet, I will.”

I peppered soft kisses over her right foot, finally sliding a toe into my mouth, gently sucking on it.

She wiggled her foot. “That tickles.” She laughed. “So you’ve got a foot fetish too?”

I placed her foot down and smiled at her. “I’ve got a Rain-fetish. I’m into you, whatever that means. I’ll do or not do anything sexually to please you. You don’t have to worry.”

She stood, reached for my hands and pulled me to my full standing height.

“How about just kissing me for starters?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist, cupping her butt in both palms, while she wrapped her arms around my shoulders. She looked up at me with a teasing smile on her lips and I nuzzled her neck and ears before gently kissing her on her lips.

Rain let out a small sigh and her lips parted for me. She tasted sweet, like cotton candy, and my tongue explored her depths, occasionally tangling with her tongue.

I would let her lead from now on. I wouldn’t, I couldn’t scare her. She would have to ask me to kiss her, to nibble on her breasts, to pull her panties down.

I’d just wait patiently and eventually she’d beg me to make love to her and I would deliver. The Crow, that dark soul-sucking hole of a place would satisfy my needs for the time being. I’d do whatever it took to make sure Rain felt safe with me.

She reached for my hand and placed it on her breast. Smiling, I caressed her flesh through the material of her dress, while the other hand pushed her short hem higher.

I squeezed one butt cheek through the silk material of her panties and she moaned in my ear.

I could still remember what her pussy tasted like and I craved more, the taste, the scent, the texture, but only on her terms.

Her fingers went to my hair and I could feel her nails scraping my scalp, sending jolts of sensation through my entire body.

I wanted to touch her between her thighs. I knew she had to be wet, knew she had to be ready for me. It would be so easy for me to rip her panties off. But she would have to ask.

I felt my cock moving in my pants, primed for action. I broke free of our kiss and pulled her skirt down.

“I should probably leave.” While I could still stop myself.

Curly tendrils framed her flushed face and she was out of breath. “Oh? Oh. Yes, of course.”

She walked me to the door and I gave her a chaste kiss on her cheek. But before I twisted the doorknob, I turned back to her.

“How are things with Charlotte?”

“She still doesn’t like you.”

That much was clear. She seemed to have no qualms about showing it. A dark thought flickered through my mind.
Shoulda killed her when I had the chance.

I took a deep breath.
Should have
.
Supposed to have
per The Group’s protocols. But I didn’t because I’m not a robot programmed to kill. I was trained to follow orders but also to use my best judgment and trust my instincts.

I let her live. I did the right thing.

My cheeks went up into a grin I didn’t feel.
“She still encouraging you not to see me?”

She shook her head ruefully. “She just won’t forgive you for, you know, disappearing on me.”

Something in her voice made me look up. “Have you?”

A smile appeared on her lips. “You never explained to me where you were in all that time.”

“I explained it in the seven letters you said you never got.”

“Ah. You mean the ones you never sent except for the one I got, I mean.”

This game again. I didn’t believe that she’d never received them. She didn’t believe me when I said I’d sent them.

“Alright, Rain. Thank you for a lovely evening.”

“Good night.” She closed the door with a soft click and I returned to my truck.

* * * * *

Welp. Last night had been a bust. Internet dating sucked. At least for me it did, I kept meeting loser after liar after loser after liar. Last night had been no different.

The scent of coffee greeted my nose when I hit the top of the stairs and led me straight to the Moka pot.

Rain was up and tapping away on her laptop.

Must be nice to be able to do whatever you wanted and have it work out. Some of us had to work real jobs. I glanced at my watch wearily. My shift at the hospital started at eight.

“Working on the company’s website.”

“Awesome.”

She stood. “But I could use a break. Coffee?” She moved around the kitchen pouring our drinks.

I accepted a cup from her, wondering if this was a peace offering of sorts. I didn’t want to start anything with Rain this morning but I was in a cranky mood. It sucked being around a happy couple, especially when you hated the guy your friend was dating and then couldn’t find a decent guy to save your life.

“So, has he earned your trust back?”

She rolled her eyes. “Isn’t it a bit early for this?”

I shook my head. It was never too early to try and repair my relationship with my best friend. “Has he explained where he was for the last two years?”

“Where is this coming from? He’s been good as gold since he’s been back.”

“But what do you really know about him? I mean, where’s he from? Where does he work? Who are his colleagues? Does he have siblings?”

Oh well, there went our civility. I really couldn’t help myself. He’s a monster and she needs to know. Only I wasn’t going to be the one to tell her. I’d already made a mess of things, best if I just keep my mouth shut at this point.

She gazed at me over the rim of her cup. “You know, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were jealous.”

“Jealous of what?”

“I don’t know. Jealous because he’s so good-looking? Or maybe you’re envious of the fact that I have a happy, healthy relationship and you don’t.”

I inhaled sharply, unable to believe the words coming out of my best friend’s mouth.

She looked troubled by what she said but it didn’t stop her from continuing. “It’s not my fault Jax turned out to be such a commitment-phobe. I did warn you about him. I told you he seemed like he was too much of a ladies’ man to ever settle down.”

Nausea churned in my throat. “I’m not jealous, Rain. I’m glad you’ve met someone. How could you ever think that I wouldn’t want you to be happy?”

Rain shrugged and stared at the wall behind me.

“I just get a bad vibe from Kael, and I’m worried about you.”

“It took you four years to figure out that Jax would never settle down with you. I’m supposed to trust your judgment over mine?”

I didn’t respond. Rain sighed. “I haven’t forgotten a thing if that’s what you’re concerned about. But in order for me and Kael to work I have to make peace with our past and focus on the present and future.”

I took a deep breath. “I just don’t think he’s what he appears to be.”

“What does that even mean? You wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”

I bit my lip. I couldn’t say much more without putting us both in danger. How would Kael react if he knew Rain knew the truth about him? I took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry. It’s this thing with Jax. You can’t imagine how hard it is to not call him. To not drive to his house and wait for him in his bed.”

“How’s the online dating going?”

I shrugged.
Meh.

“Maybe if I don’t talk about men, I won’t think about them.” I stood and refilled my mug. “You still feel you made the right decision quitting your job?”

“I do.”

* * * * *

One twelve-hour shift later, I arrived home, bone tired and still wearing my scrubs and Crocs. Pulling into our driveway, I saw Kael’s large truck parked in my spot.

If I hadn’t been so tired, I would’ve turned around and gone anywhere, the coffee shop, Target, even the gym to avoid him. But after being on my feet all day, dealing with cranky patients and fake smiling so hard my cheeks hurt, I couldn’t do it. All I wanted was to take a shower and fall into bed.

Taking a deep breath, I unlocked the front door and was greeted by a vision of Kael sitting on my couch. I stopped at the door like a vampire who has seen a bulb of garlic, a cross and Buffy the Vampire Slayer all at one time.

“Rain!” Eyes frozen on Kael, I called out. “Rain, you here?”

Silence. I frowned when Kael stood and began to walk toward me.

His lips parted to reveal perfect rows of white teeth. “Ain’t nobody here but us chickens.”

I paused for a moment, then took a deep breath and entered the foyer. Kael closed the door behind me.

“The owner of The Coffee Grind called Rain in for a meeting. She’s going to place a weekly order for beignets, so they’re just going over the details.” I glanced at the staircase, wondering if it would be weird if I ran upstairs and locked my door. “She’ll be back in a few minutes.”

I made a move to go upstairs but Kael stepped in front of me. “I’m glad we’ve got a few minutes alone. We need to talk.”

I stepped back. “About what?” My knees wobbled and I grabbed the banister for support.

“You know what. Jamaica.”

I cleared my throat. “What is there to say?”

“I want to know if you ever plan on telling Rain about what you saw.”

My heart stopped for a moment. “Well, that’s the problem. I’m not sure what I saw.”

He sighed. “It’s definitely not what you think.”

“So, you’re not a cold-blooded murderer?”

He snorted. “Not at all. The dead guy was a war criminal hiding out in the Caribbean. I’d been following him from island to island when I finally got him. I was actually
working
when I met you and Rain.”

“Who do you work for?”

“That’s on a need-to-know basis.”

An engine purred in the driveway. Rain. A door opened and slammed. Then the car beeped as she locked her door.

He stepped closer and grabbed my forearm, jerking me closer to him. “Are you going to keep my secret?”

Eyes narrowed, he looked exactly the way I found him in the woods. Violent. Dangerous. I gulped. I snatched my arm away from him. “Get your hands off me,” I hissed.

He backed up, a pleasant expression on his face. The jingle of keys could be heard outside of the door. Kael and I both turned to watch the doorknob turn. The door opened and Rain’s face lit up when she saw us both standing there.

“Hey, guys! Two of my favorite people.” She took a closer look at my face. “Charlotte, what’s wrong?” Frowning, she turned to look at Kael. “Did you say something to upset her?”

Kael smiled. “Of course not, baby.”

That lying son of a…there’s no way I could win this. Literally biting my tongue to keep from speaking, I beat a fast retreat up the stairs.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I tried to calm my racing heart. But it was hard to focus, difficult to regulate my breathing. I knew that I should just tell her.

I tried to imagine
the conversation I’d have with Rain. I’d tell her what I saw and she’d ask me why I didn’t tell her in the beginning. Then she’d ask me why I didn’t call the police or try to help the man.

She’d want to know why Kael killed the man, what did we discuss, was he a psycho or a paid assassin? Then she’d want to call Kael and ask him questions.

He’d know I’d divulged his secret and probably come after us both.

Who was I kidding? I couldn’t tell Rain the truth. But I had to tell someone. Or at least write it down. Maybe I’d do what she did, buy a diary and just let what I know burden the pages. That would kind of be like telling her, well somebody, the truth.

The more I thought about the idea, the more I warmed to it. A burst of adrenaline charged through my body and for the moment I was relieved of my exhaustion.

Yeah, that’s exactly what I’d do, buy a diary and just tell it everything. If I didn’t get this story out of me, I was going to explode. I stepped out of my scrubs and reached for a pair of jeans.

When I returned home from the bookstore, Kael’s truck was still parked outside. I immediately went upstairs. I didn’t want to see or think about Kael Brady. I had my journal. It was the same kind Rain had.

I wasn’t even sure if I’d use it. Yes, it was probably cathartic and therapeutic and all that but on the other hand it felt so seventh grade. I mean,
Dear Diary
? I’m just not the type.

I changed into my pajamas, pulled my hair into a ponytail, cleaned my face and brushed my teeth. I logged onto the dating website I was using and eagerly clicked through my emails. With Jax out of the picture, I needed to find a replacement and fast. Or I would definitely be tempted to return to him.

I sent emails to a few guys that I would probably speak to at a bar but nobody that was perfect. I received a few more emails and before I knew it an hour had passed. Meeting people on the Internet was diversionary at best. But still, I began to wonder if I could really meet a quality person online.

* * * * *

I rubbed my temples and then my eyes. Staring at the copious amounts of minute data on Il Morte was tedious. Especially when it all amounted to the same conclusion. No one alive had ever seen him, which made it very difficult to track him.