The Emerald Key (14 page)

“Oh.” Cass pulled the Jeep around to the back, which had even less light than out front. At least there’d been streetlights out there. Here, only dim lights glowed above the doors, and more than a few of them showed empty sockets.

Nic followed Cass up the metal stairs to the second floor balcony. “This way.” He pointed to the left. “Our room is on the end.”

He unlocked the door and pushed it open. The reek of old cigarettes and cheap perfume assaulted them. Cass flipped the switch on and a feeble glow lit the room. A single queen-size bed covered in a dark blue paisley spread took up most of the space. To one side of the bed sat a small table holding a clock. On the other sat a rickety desk with a lamp and phone. Opposite the bed stood a low dresser, a TV bolted to the top.

Cass shivered. Even with Nic’s shirt and her jacket, the cold nipped at her, but it wasn’t just the frigid air that made her shake. Being here with Nic filled her with molten heat, but her nerves tried their best to squelch the flames. To hide her feelings, she pulled the top of the blankets down on the bed. At least the sheets appeared clean. She refused to let her mind think otherwise. She smoothed a hand over one pillow, unsure whether to be upset he’d only gotten one room—or glad.

While Nic closed the drapes on the window next to the door, Cass punched the buttons on the heater. The ancient metal creaked and groaned, but at least it kicked out some decent hot air. She sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped the spread over her legs and feet.

“So what now?” she asked.

“Now, we get cleaned up and get some rest.” He stood at the window.

Although he stood as far from the bed as he could get in the room, two good steps would bring him to her. Two short steps. Two steps and she could touch him. Hold him. She fought the feelings. Fought how much she wanted him. How much she wanted to be with him.
Concentrate
. She had to think of something else. She pulled out her cell phone. “What about Aunt Minerva? I should call her. Let her know we’re okay.”

Nic snatched the phone from her before she could hit the speed dial and powered it down.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Don’t call Minerva, or anyone else.”

“She’ll be worried. And she may need help. She’s alone out there somewhere.”

Nic shook his head. “I think Minerva is doing fine. Actually, I’d feel sorry for the thugs if they weren’t after us too.”

“But that scream—”

“Think hard, Cass. Did the scream sound like your aunt in pain? Or like her causing pain to someone else?”

Cass chewed her lip as she thought. “I guess she sounded angry.”

“And would she have been able to call us if she’d been in trouble?”

“But the call got cut off.”

“If she had to fight, she couldn’t take time to be nice. A lot of things could have caused the interruption. I’ve only known Minerva a couple of days, but I believe she’s doing better than we are at the moment. Who are the others she mentioned?”

“I’m not certain. She might mean Dori and our other friends. We always get together at the solstice—kind of a holiday party.”

“I have another question for you. Your…affinity with glass and things of the earth—I believe you experienced some pretty high emotions while driving.”

“You want to know why the windows didn’t shatter.”

“Yes.”

“Car windows are layered with plastic. I can’t affect it.”

“But what about the streetlights and other things?”

Cass laughed. “You must think I’m some kind of superwoman or something. All the things I’ve broken before have been in close proximity—like in the same room. But check the papers tomorrow to see if the cops have reports of a rash of vandalism involving broken windows and lights. If they follow our route…”

“The blame could be placed on you.” He laughed and strode to the bathroom and flipped on the light. “It appears clean. At least I didn’t get attacked by roaches.”

Cass couldn’t help the shudder that shook her and drew her feet up farther. She didn’t think of herself as squeamish or a snob, but this place stretched her sensibilities to the limit.

Nic emerged from the bathroom. “I believe it’s warm enough for a shower. You want to go first? Or me?”

“I will.” She dug into the pocket of her jeans and held out a handful of coins. “Think you could get us a soda and some crackers or something from the vending machine by the steps?”

“Your wish is my command, my lady.” Nic took the money. “I’ll take the room key. Do
not
open the door to anyone.”

“Nic, you’ll be gone all of five minutes and won't be out of sight of the door the whole time.”

“Yeah, just remember what I said.” He went out the door, and Cass heard him testing the lock.

She disappeared into the bathroom and stopped in shock as she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Blood and dirt streaked her face, neck, and arms, and her hair looked like someone had stuck it inside a tornado. So much for being a femme fatale. She looked worse than a homeless person who’d spent years on the streets. She sniffed her shirt and grimaced. Smelled worse too.

She stripped out of her clothes, dismayed at the myriad holes and bloodstains. Shower first, worry about the clothes later. She hung the towels and washcloths on the fake chrome racks and unwrapped the tiny cake of soap, blessing Nic for the shampoo and conditioner he’d thought of. She let the water run hot, wishing she could scrub away the last day as easily as she washed away the dirt.

*

Nic closed the door and leaned against it. How in heaven’s name would he spend the entire night in the room with her? A room with one bed? He supposed he could sleep on the floor, but she’d still be there. Close. Too close. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, willing his libido away, and headed for the vending machine.

He plugged the coins into the machines and got a ginger ale and a pack of peanut butter crackers, then paused. A twenty-four-hour adult store sat next to their motel. No cars other than theirs appeared in the lot, nobody lurking around. Nic checked his wallet and headed down the steps.

He almost turned back when he opened the door. But the woman sitting behind the counter looked up from her book, surprise on her face. He felt certain he had a similar expression. She wasn’t what he expected. He’d thought this late, in this area, he’d probably get some Goth kid or maybe some fat slob in bad need of dental work and with a penchant for stogies, anything other than this nicely dressed woman who looked like she should be baking cookies for an elementary school party.

“Hi! How may I help you?”

“I, uh, need some clothes.”

“For yourself? Or a friend?” She stepped out from behind the counter. She barely topped five feet and could definitely stand to lose some weight, but she had a pretty face and beautiful smile. Nic found himself smiling back at her.

“Um, a friend.”

“Okay. Female?”

“Of course!”

She chuckled. “These days, I can’t assume anything. What are you looking for? Lingerie?”

Nic felt his face heating up. “Um, no. We sort of lost our luggage. She needs something to wear out in public.”

“Oh, now that may be a bit of a problem. You see, we aren’t exactly a department store here. We carry clothes that promote a certain mood.”

“I don’t have a whole lot of choice. Nor money.”

The saleslady patted his arm. “Relax, honey. We’ll find your lady something. Do you know what size she wears?”

“Um, no. But she’s about a head taller than you…”

“And probably a hundred pounds thinner.” She laughed and led him to a rack toward the back of the store. “This is the sale rack—usually stuff that doesn’t sell well. Some of the things may be more conservative.”

Nic and the woman dug through the rack. Some of the outfits made him wonder what people did with them. Then he decided he didn’t want to know. He found straps and holes where there shouldn’t be holes and pieces that defied explanation. Nowhere did he see anything that Cass could wear in public. Heck, he’d be embarrassed to see some of the clothes in private.

“What about this?” The saleswoman held up a pair of dark leggings with bright pink hands across the butt. Not great, but the best things he’d seen yet. He held them up to himself, judging the size.

“This should work.”

“There’s a matching top. I know it’s not what you wanted…”

“They’ll be fine.” Nic just wanted to be done and out of there.

“If you’ve no luggage, your lady will need some underwear.”

Nic pulled out his wallet, judging the cash he had left. He could use his debit card, but that would leave a trail—something he’d rather not do, especially here. Plus his personal accounts left something to be desired. “I’m not sure how much I can get.”

“That’s all right, sir. This outfit just went on special. It’s a dollar for everything.”

“Ma’am, I can’t let you do that.”

She placed a pair of silk panties and a “one size fits all” tube top with the clothes as well as a box of condoms. “Do what? You’re the first decent customer I’ve had all night. As for that outfit? I’d donate it, but no charity will take stuff from here. I have the feeling you could use a little luck right now. When you’re back on your feet, maybe you can help someone else down on theirs.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I have to say, you’re not what I expected to find here.”

She shrugged and grinned. “Everyone has to make a living. Sometimes, we don’t have a lot of choice where and when. Besides, this gives me time to catch up on my reading—and even do some writing of my own.”

“You’re a writer?”

She laughed. “Yeah, I write romance novels.”

“Published?”

“Yes.” She handed him a bookmark. “Here. Maybe someday you’ll have a chance to read one.”

Nic glanced at the title and picture on the card, then around the store. “I guess you get a lot of inspiration from this place.”

“You have no idea.” She rang up the sale and bagged his purchases. “Have a good night, sir.”

“You too, ma’am. Thank you. And I can’t wait to read your books.”

A few minutes later, Nic knocked at the bathroom door. He heard the shower still running. “Cass?”

“Yes?”

“You okay in there?” He pushed the door open a crack. Steam billowed out at him.

“Best I’ve felt all day. I’ll be out in a few.”

“No worries.” He laid the clothes he’d bought on the sink. The T-shirt and pants wouldn’t win any fashion contests, but at least they were clean and free of glass. The heavy shower curtain kept him from seeing anything, but his imagination worked overtime, especially after some of the things he’d seen in the store. He exhaled loudly and left the room.

* * * *

Cass stepped out of the shower, resigned to putting her dirty clothes back on. To her surprise, a clean shirt and leggings lay across the sink along with underwear. She held the shirt up, not sure whether to laugh or be angry. Two neon pink hands in strategic spots showed on the dark blue shirt. A matching set hugged the seat of the dark leggings. Fortunately, the shirt hung down long enough so it would cover those. She also found a tight tube top that would serve both as a bra and as extra cover under the larger T-shirt. Nic’s thoughtfulness touched her, but his choice in clothing had her wondering about his tastes. She donned the clothes and shook her head. At least they fit—sort of. She could work with the slightly large shirt over the skintight pants.

She adjusted what she could, wrapped her hair in a towel, and strode into the room. Nic lounged on the bed watching some infomercial on TV. She saw his eyes go to the outfit.

“Thanks for the clothes.”

“You do know you have the shirt on inside out?”

“Yep. I’m grateful for the clean clothes, but can’t say I exactly like the style.”

“Trust me, you didn’t want any of the others.”

She sat on the edge of the bed and toweled her hair. “Where in the world did you get this?”

Nic’s face flamed red and he didn’t meet her eyes. “Next door.”

“There’s a clothing store in the next room?”

“No. There’s an adult store attached to this hotel.”

Cass broke out in laughter. “You bought this in an adult store?”

“Yep.”

She laughed harder. “Then I doubly thank you. I can imagine the selections. I appreciate your conservative pick.” Without thinking, she tugged the T-shirt off, turned it right side out and put it back on, tying the long ends tight to her waist and adjusting the neckline so the hands ended up in the right place. She grinned as Nic’s eyes bugged out.

“I think I need a shower,” Nic muttered as he crawled off the bed.

Cass laughed and rubbed the towel over her hair then tossed it over the desk chair. Standing next to the heater, she finger-combed through the length, using the blowing air as a dryer. It didn’t work great, but not too bad.

She climbed into the bed and fluffed the pillows at her back, determined to wait for Nic so they could talk.

* * * *

Nic set the shower at a temperature cooler than he normally liked it and leaned his head against the wall. How would he get through this night with his sanity intact? Just a few steps away sat a beautiful, desirable woman and they had some kind of connection—he couldn’t deny one—not one this strong. Plus their room had one small bed.

“Ah, hell.” He turned off the shower and dried off, then wrapped the towel around his hips. If she said yes, he’d thank the gods for giving him this chance. If she said no, he’d deal.

Nic emerged from the shower to find her curled up on one side of the bed, sound asleep.
Guess the gods have spoken.
He shook his head and drew the blankets up over her. After a quick check of the door and window locks, he stretched out next to her. She smelled like lemons and flowers and looked so adorable. His hand reached out to caress her hair. She shifted when he touched her, but didn’t wake. Nic pulled back, sighed, and headed back to the shower. This time, the control didn’t go above the “C” setting.

When he crawled back into the bed, he lay on top of the sheets, as if keeping a layer of thin material between them could hold off his need. Exhaustion finally took over and his eyes closed.