Deadly Encounter

Deadly Encounter By

Samantha Gentry Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.net

Triskelion Publishing 15327 W. Becker Lane Surprise, AZ 85379 First e Published by Triskelion Publishing First e publishing October 2006 ISBN 1-933874-96-1

Copyright 2006 Samantha Gentry All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval and storage system without permission of the publisher except, where permitted by law.

Ebook and cover design Triskelion Publishing.

Publisher’s Note. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to a person or persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is purely coincidental.

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Deadly Encounter

Chapter One Erin Summerville paused on the way from her room to the lounge of the quaint old seaside inn to study the large poster in the lobby. A spine tingling weekend of murder and mayhem. Nothing is what it seems to be. She continued on to the serve yourself reception the inn provided for its guests. She poured herself a glass of white wine, then found a quiet table in the corner. She sipped her wine and studied the other people. Which ones were participants in the weekend mystery, either game players trying to solve the murder or actors playing the roles? And which ones were guests having nothing to do with the game? “Are you here for the murder mystery weekend?” The smooth masculine voice cut into her thoughts. She looked up into sky blue eyes set in ruggedly handsome features framed by thick sandy brown hair. He flashed a killer smile that had her pussy tingling and her insides quivering with excitement. A tightness pulled across her chest and puckered her nipples into taut peaks. An immediate image flashed through her mind, one involving this sexy man buried deep inside her while she writhed in orgasmic ecstasy – a definite testimonial to the lack of sex in her life the last few months. It took a moment, but she finally found her voice. “Yes, I am. How about you?” He looked around, then settled his gaze on her again. “Are you here alone?” She smiled while suppressing an amused chuckle. “Not to repeat myself, but yes, I am. How about you?” “Guilty on both counts. May I join you?” She indicated the empty chair at her table. “Please do.” “I’ll grab a glass of wine and be right back.” She watched as he walked across the room toward the bar. She had never met a man who so totally grabbed her undivided attention the moment she saw him, whose voice sent a tingle of excitement through her body. He looked to be about her age—twenty-seven, maybe a year or so older. Broad shoulders, long legs that put him a little over six feet tall and a confident stride that said he knew exactly who he was and what he wanted out of life. She glanced around the room. The atmosphere certainly fit a murder mystery weekend. The inn had been constructed over one hundred years ago on a bluff overlooking the ocean. It was considered the most popular honeymoon destination in the state for twentyfive years, until the tragic murder occurred and the subsequent mysterious happenings. The look and feel sent a slight shiver through her body. Not that the inn wasn’t elegantly appointed, but something about the place sent an unspoken feeling that screamed beware. It was probably the reason the people producing the weekend adventure had chosen this particular location. So, what in the world had prompted her to do an interactive murder mystery weekend game by herself surrounded by a group of strangers? Foolish question. She had hoped to meet someone interesting, someone she could have a weekend fling with in a place where no one knew her. Someone incredibly sexy. Someone who would sweep her off her feet and satisfy her every need and desire. Someone exactly like the sexy stranger who had just invited himself to join her. And her needs had certainly been neglected for the last four months. She had been

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dateless ever since her break up with the most recent Mr. Right who had turned out to be yet another Mr. Wrong. He hadn’t been that great a lover, but he was better than the old standby of do-it-yourself. And to compound her misery her best friend, Cindy, had been trying to fix her up. Cindy kept insisting her cousin would be the perfect match up in spite of the fact that she kept telling Cindy she wasn’t interested in going out on a blind date. She had finally come to the conclusion that Mr. Right simply didn’t exist. At least not for her. And where was her dear friend, Cindy, who had badgered her into participating in the murder mystery game? Who had described it as a fun filled weekend for the two of them? A chance to really cut loose and have a great time? Pick up a couple of guys and spend the weekend partying? At the last minute Cindy claimed to have some sort of twenty-four hour flu. She had insisted that Erin go ahead and she would join her the following day when she was able to stay out of the bathroom long enough to participate in the activities. A quick flash of anger reinforced her opinion that Cindy didn’t have the flu at all. It had come about too suddenly to be believable. When she had talked to her that morning, Cindy was fine. A few hours later when it was time to drive up the coast to the inn Cindy was suddenly too sick to go. She probably met some hot looking guy and is home fucking her brains out. Then reality tempered her anger. Erin had to admit that if the same situation had come her way she would have jumped on it, too. She glanced toward the bar. The same way she’d like to jump the bones of the sexy stranger pouring himself a glass of wine. Her job as a county employee dictated that she be more discreet in her sexual activities. She couldn’t allow herself to have a reputation as a party girl or swinger. Which was another reason why a weekend adventure out of town had sounded like a good idea at the time. It had presented an opportunity for her to engage in a spontaneous fling with no purpose other than hot sex. To meet someone who could satisfy that persistent itch between her legs without compromising her job and reputation. She watched as the stranger started back for her table, wine glass in hand. Before he made it across the room, two people approached him. He spoke briefly to the man and woman in an amiable manner. He obviously knew them. A few minutes later he returned and sat down across from her. She gestured toward the couple he had been talking to. “Friends of yours?” “They’ve been at other murder mystery weekends I’ve attended.” “Do you do this a lot? This is my first time.” “Yes, it’s a fun diversion.” He took a sip of his wine as he blatantly looked her over. “My name is Trent Owens.” He extended his hand toward her. “I’m Erin Summerville. It’s nice to meet you.” The moment she accepted his hand shake a hard jolt of physical desire ricocheted through her body and settled in her already tingling pussy. There was no doubt that he was definitely the one. This sexy hunk she had just met over a glass of wine was the one she would soon be in bed with for a night of unbridled sex. At least that was her thought at the moment. “So, you’re a virgin.”

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The choking spasm closed off her throat. A sharp pain jabbed at her chest. His words sent her swallow of wine down the wrong way. She gasped for breath. A moment of panic shot her pulse rate into high speed. Trent jumped up from his chair and rushed to her side. His genuine concern showed in his voice and on his face. “Erin…are you all right?” “Yes…” She gulped in a lungful of air, finally bringing her choking cough under control. Had she heard him correctly? “Excuse me? What was it you said a moment ago?” The gleam in his eyes said he had been teasing her. She found it a very enticing come on. She allowed a grin to play across her lips as she feigned an innocent surprise. “Oh, you were talking about my first time at one of these murder mystery games. I wasn’t sure which condition of virginity we were discussing.” “I’d be happy to discuss either one.” He gave her a quick wink, raised his glass and clinked it against the edge of hers in the form of a toast. She returned his teasing grin. “I’ll try to remember that far back.” The tingling in her pussy had become a throbbing need – a need Trent Owens would have every opportunity to satisfy if she had anything to say about it. But what if he didn’t follow through on what appeared to be his blatant attempt at a pickup? Just how brazen and aggressive could she be? Picking up a stranger in a bar for the purposes of hot sex was not her area of expertise or her style. She took another sip of her wine, using it to help swallow her anxiety and uncertainty. Maybe she was over analyzing the situation – something Cindy often accused her of doing. Go with the flow. Stop trying to break everything down into its smallest elements. You need a lot more spontaneity in your life. She had heard the words from Cindy so many times and she knew Cindy was right. But it was easier said than done. She took another sip of her wine in an attempt to calm the nervous tension vying with the sexual tension pulsing inside her. If there was ever a time when she had an opportunity to simply go with the flow, now was that time. “Since you’ve been to several of these murder mystery games, I’d certainly appreciate a little insight into how the weekend’s events are going to unfold. I haven’t a clue what to expect. According to the information I received with my confirmation, everything starts at breakfast in the morning. Is that right?” He ran his finger across the back of her hand, sending a little ripple of excitement across her skin. He fixed her with an enticing smile. “You have the most beautiful eyes.” He leaned forward across the table so that his face was very close to hers. His after shave mingled with his clean, masculine scent. It was sexy…very sexy. His whispered words tickled across her ear. “Would you have dinner with me tonight? The dining room here is excellent or…” he allowed his voice to trail off as he caressed her cheek with his fingertips. “I have a suite with a balcony overlooking the ocean. We could order from room service and I could tell you everything I know about weekend murder mystery games.” Her breath caught in her lungs, leaving her momentarily tongue-tied. Trent Owens had a sexual magnetism that latched on to her senses and wouldn’t let go. “Uh…dinner sounds marvelous.” He took her hand in his and laced their fingers together, every movement deliciously slow and deliberate. She could feel the moisture seeping from her feminine folds and

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dampening her panties. Just the sound of his voice sent a ripple of desire through her body. “And where would you like to eat? Conversation will be more comfortable in my suite.” The mesmerizing pull of his gaze held her in its embrace. She couldn’t look away. Nor could she resist his offer. In fact, she didn’t want to resist his offer. Her words came out as a soft whisper. “Yes, conversation will definitely be more comfortable in your suite.” As soon as he had entered the lounge he spotted her. But even without the previous knowledge of who she was, the moment he saw her he would have done his best to meet her. He kissed the back of her hand. The fragrance of her perfume wafted across his senses. It was more than just her stunning good looks that had grabbed his attention – her short dark hair, bright hazel eyes, delicately sculpted features and what he could tell was a divine body beneath her clothes. Her throaty voice had settled deep inside him the moment he heard it. It shoved at his cock producing an instant arousal that he instinctively knew only she could truly satisfy in more ways than merely physical – an arousal that continued to push at him with every word she spoke. And then he discovered to his delight that she was intelligent, had a sense of humor and was as articulate as she was sexy and beautiful. He wanted her, no question about it. And the sooner the better. He had never had a woman get under his skin as quickly as she had. He knew it would sound ridiculous for him to suggest going back to his room right away. The last thing he wanted was for her to think that he considered her nothing more than a quick pick-up and an equally fast fuck. He wanted it to last for the entire weekend. And maybe even longer? He glanced at his watch. “Since it’s only four-thirty, let’s stay here until they close off the get acquainted reception at six o’clock. Then we can have dinner.” Without waiting for a response, he picked up her empty glass along with his and carried them over to the bar for a refill. He couldn’t tear his thoughts away from what the evening promised. He could almost feel his cock buried in her pussy, his shaft sliding in and out of her moist heat. Just the thought made his cock jump and twitch in need and his breathing increase measurably. Erin watched his every move. She had made the decision to have dinner in his room knowing full well that dinner was not the primary activity on the menu. Trent Owens was a very sexy and desirable man and she wanted to know him better. Much better. She wanted to intimately know every inch of his body – his feel, his taste, the heat of his passion. A throbbing need pulsed between her legs. She could almost feel the sensation of his cock buried deep inside her, reaching the depths of her love tunnel, giving her the incendiary orgasm she wanted and needed. He returned with two glasses of wine. They chatted amiably. To all outward appearances it was nothing more than two friends engaged in casual conversation while enjoying a glass of wine. But beneath the surface an energy sizzled between them, filling the air with a sexual tension that begged to be satisfied. Even though Erin found him to be a good listener and sparkling conversationalist, it seemed that time had slowed to a crawl. The unspoken promise of what the night would bring continued to course through her body. Dinner? She didn’t care whether they ate or not.

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The more she listened to the smooth resonance of his voice, saw the sexy grin that played across his lips and continued to be held in the mesmerizing pull of his gaze, the more she wanted the feel of his body touching hers, of his bare skin against her bare skin. Trent looked toward the bar where an employee of the inn was gathering up the wine bottles. He took a quick glance at his watch. “It appears that they’re closing the serve yourself reception.” He rose from his chair and held out his hand. “Shall we move on to dinner?” She accepted his hand as she stood up. The warmth of his touch sent a tingle of anticipation rippling through her body. As sure as she was standing there, she knew he would be the most incredible lover she had ever known. “Yes…that sounds like an excellent idea.” Her heartbeat increased and her pulse raced as they walked toward the elevator. He continued to clasp her hand in his, almost as if he couldn’t let go for fear that she would disappear. She tried her best to control her breathing. They got off on the third floor and he escorted her down the hallway. A strange combination of exhilaration and anxiety welled inside her. It wasn’t the proverbial lamb being led to the slaughter. It was more like her quivering desire being led to its satisfaction – but with a complete stranger. He unlocked the door and stepped aside so she could enter, then he followed. “Here we are.” It was a large sitting room with wood burning fireplace and French doors leading out to a balcony. The connecting door led to the bedroom and bathroom. She stepped out onto the balcony. The breeze ruffled through her hair. The clean ocean air filled her lungs. The sun hung low in the sky, just above the horizon. Only the line of storm clouds in the distance marred the perfect setting. Trent came up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. “Would you like to order dinner now or would you rather wait for a while?” “Let’s wait a little while. We can enjoy the sunset first, then…” Her voice trailed off, leaving her thoughts unspoken but her meaning loud and clear. “That sounds like an excellent idea.” He went back inside and returned a minute later with two glasses of wine. He handed one of them to her, then raised his in the form of a toast. “Here’s to new friends and a weekend to remember.” She extended her best smile as she clinked the rim of her glass against his. “Yes, a weekend to remember.” They each took a sip of wine, setting the toast into reality. They stood on the balcony watching the beautiful sunset. The rich colors streaked across the sky, filling the air with various hues of red, orange and gold. If he wanted to be hot, naked and tangled on the bed as much as she did, then she had to applaud his marvelous restraint in enjoying the sunset as they sipped their wine. He wasn’t rushing her. It was surprisingly comfortable. The sun finally dipped below the horizon. The air became cool and the sky darkened into night. They went back inside. He clasped her hand in his. He stood so close that his body was almost touching hers, but not quite. “Would you like to look at the room service menu now?” Before she could answer, he brought his mouth down on hers. It was the type of kiss that promised ecstasy beyond anything she had ever experienced. It conveyed a heated passion that curled her toes, made her pussy gush and her heart pound. He pulled her body

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tight against his. The sensation of his rapidly hardening cock pressing against her said it would definitely be a night to remember. Cindy didn’t think she was spontaneous enough? She couldn’t imagine anything more spontaneous than what she had just silently agreed to. Hot sex with a stranger, a man she had known for only a couple of hours, a man she had just met over a glass of wine – a man she had not even been properly introduced to. A man with a magnetic sex appeal that was driving her crazy with a need to have him naked and available for whatever pleasure she desired. She reached her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with an equal amount of passion. He breathed the very essence of sexual intensity into her body which told her exactly how magical the night would be. And she wanted to experience every nuance of it again and again – until she was almost too sore to walk. Fuck dinner – let’s go straight to the yummy dessert! His kiss deepened, a torrid sensation that made her feel as if her lips were actually on fire. She had never experienced anyone like Trent Owens. She tugged his shirt out from the waist of his slacks. She wanted him out of his clothes. She wanted out of her clothes. She wanted both of them naked on his bed. She didn’t want to waste time on the preliminaries of trying to figure out which one would undress the other first. His words were a husky whisper, attesting to his state of arousal. “Do you want to play the undressing game or would—” “I’m sure I can get out of my clothes faster than you can get me out of them.” Her words said it all. They each peeled off items of clothing and dropped them on the floor. Their actions were almost frantic in nature, as if they couldn’t get naked quickly enough. Trent paused a moment. He took her hand and held it out to the side as he raked his gaze over her nude body. Perfect breasts capped with deliciously puckered nipples. Long, shapely legs bringing her to a height of about five feet seven inches. And the one single item that caught him totally by surprise. His breath froze in his lungs. His cock turned rock solid while standing at rigid attention. Her pubic hair had been shaved in the shape of a heart with the bottom point arrowing down to her clit. He reached out a finger and lightly traced the outline of the heart. A groan of need surrounded his words. “That is such a fucking turn on. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Her entire body trembled beneath his touch. A soft moan of delight escaped her throat when he slipped his finger between her pussy lips. A ripple of excitement coursed through her body. She reached for his solid erection. She needed to touch him, to feel his hardness. She wrapped her fingers around his ample girth. The feel of his cock in her hand fed her arousal. Her breasts rose and fell with every ragged breath she sucked into her lungs. He stimulated her clit as he thrust his finger in and out of her quivering pussy. Just the feel of his hand had her juices flowing and her pussy muscles grabbing at his finger. Her legs trembled. She stroked the length of his shaft. Months of abstinence heightened her desires. Just being naked with Trent Owens had her hot, wet and more than ready. His mouth came down on hers again with an intensity that nearly sent her into orgasmic tremors. Without breaking the kiss or withdrawing his hand from between her legs, he backed her toward the bed. A moment later she lay sprawled across the bed with him next to her.

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He continued to stimulate her sex. She arched her hips upward, forcing her pussy more fully against his hand. Her engorged clit throbbed beneath his touch. The heat spread to her inner thighs. She verged on the brink of release. And then his tongue invaded her mouth sending her over the edge. The orgasmic waves swept through her body. Her blood raced hot and fast through her veins. All he had done was kiss her and put his hand to her pussy and it had sent her into orgasmic delight. She continued to stroke her hand along the length of his stiff cock, the action keeping her level of excitement as intense as his obviously was. His tongue probed the recesses of her mouth, the texture meshing with hers as she responded in kind. With his other hand he caressed the fullness of her breast, her puckered nipple nestled in his palm. There was no doubt in her mind that this was going to be a night she would remember forever. She had never known a man who so instantly set her body on fire and could make her come with nothing more than a touch. Maybe the Mr. Right with whom she could make a commitment and forge a lifetime relationship didn’t exist, but Trent Owens was definitely Mr. Right for the weekend. And perhaps even longer? He broke off the kiss, but it was only a momentary loss. He trailed the tip of his tongue along her throat, then down to the valley between her breasts. He covered her nipple with his mouth, then suckled. He continued to caress her other breast with his hand. She arched her back to increase the intensity of the contact. Then he kissed his way down her body until he reached her mound. His hands continued to caress her breasts as his warm breath tickled across the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. Her hard little clit tingled with anticipation. Her pussy continued to quiver from the lingering effects of her orgasm. He drew in a deep breath, the aroma of her sex filling his lungs. It acted as an aphrodisiac as addictive as any drug. He traced the outline of her heart shaped muff with the tip of his tongue. His words came out in a raspy whisper. “That is so fucking sexy. I almost came just looking at it.” He traced it again, then closed his mouth over her tautly erect clit. He heard her gasp followed by a throaty moan. A hard rush of excitement surged through his body. Her hips jerked upward, shoving her pussy hard against his mouth. The torrid waves of rapture crashed through her body as she writhed in orgasmic ecstasy. Two orgasms, each incredible, and his cock hadn’t even gotten within speaking distance of her pussy yet. If this was a sample of what the rest of the evening had to offer, then she would die a very happy and fully satisfied woman. His cock throbbed with his need. He had never known a body as responsive as hers. Everything about her was exquisite. He knew he couldn’t hold out any longer. He wanted his cock buried inside that marvelous pussy and he wanted it right now. He reached for the drawer in the night stand, grabbed a condom packet and ripped it open. He expertly rolled it on his erection. They had all night to engage in sex play, but right now he wanted the same release she had already achieved twice. He nudged her legs farther apart with his knee, then settled himself between them. He teased her nipples with his tongue until they stood out in taut peaks. He suckled on one, then the other, as he probed her pussy opening with his cock head. He slowly inched his length into her tunnel, every inch giving new meaning to the words incredible journey. Her muscles

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closed in around his shaft, encasing his tool in a tight sheath. She wrapped her legs around his hips. The intensity swept through his body, nearly taking his breath away. As soon as his shaft was fully embedded he paused to savor the intensity washing through his body. He set a smooth rhythm, each of his down strokes met by an equally enthusiastic upward thrust of her hips. They moved together in such perfect harmony that it was almost as if each instinctively knew every nuance of the other’s needs and wants. His mouth captured hers again with an incendiary kiss filled with the passion coursing through his veins. The pace quickened. His long strokes turned shorter and harder. The sounds of heavy breathing filled the air along with the scent of hot sex. Erin’s entire body was on fire. He filled her in a way that no man ever had before. Not only was his cock impressive, he knew exactly how to use it. Her pussy throbbed with repeated contractions. Her heart pounded. One orgasm had not been enough. The second orgasm had not been enough. She would never have enough of him. Her head jerked back into the softness of the pillow. A cry of intense rapture escaped her throat. The convulsions claimed her body, the waves of ecstasy starting deep inside her and quickly spreading. The way her contracting pussy muscles grabbed his cock took away his last vestige of control. The release shuddered through his body in hard spasms of rapture. He held her tightly in his embrace, his cock still embedded deep inside her. Even if that was all there would be, he could consider it a major highlight of his life. But they still had the rest of Friday night plus Saturday and Sunday. And beyond that? Was there a possibility? He stroked her hair as he brought his breathing under control. Thoughts of anything following the weekend had not really jelled in his mind when he left home that morning to drive to the inn. One step at a time was the way he had decided to handle things. But now those thoughts were very real. But what did they mean? He tightened his embrace. She felt good in his arms. He liked knowing she was there next to him. There was no way he could deny the thoughts and feelings swirling around inside him, but understanding what they meant was an entirely different question. Not that he was exactly confused, but where were those thoughts headed? And how practical were they?

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Deadly Encounter

Chapter Two Trent picked up the telephone receiver, but paused before dialing room service. He turned toward Erin. “Do you want some dessert to go with dinner?” “No.” The memory of their coupling still tingled through her body. She couldn’t stop the shy smile that pulled at the corners of her mouth. “I think we already had dessert.” He replaced the receiver. His gaze fell on her. She was dressed in one of his t-shirts, her long legs making it seem shorter than it was. She looked so enticing, so carefree and deliciously earthy. A soft smile of total contentment turned the corners of his lips. “And a spectacular dessert it was, too.” He leaned over to her and brushed a tender kiss across her lips. His words were soft, his voice very sincere. “So far it’s been a fantastic evening and it’s not over yet.” His thoughts pushed at him. Did he want it to be over at all? He wasn’t sure. She definitely had him very confused. What started out as a seemingly unexpected meeting where she didn’t know it had actually been a fix-up had suddenly turned into so much more. He didn’t know whether to thank his cousin, Cindy, for making it happen or be irritated with her for even listening to his ridiculous plan involving the murder mystery weekend and a staged meeting. At some point he was going to have to confess his identity to her. Then what? Would she be angry at the deception and walk out on him? Or would she, hopefully, admire his tenacity? A little sigh of resignation told him that thought was merely wishful thinking. He had fallen instantly in lust with Erin Summerville the first time he saw her. She had been with Cindy and he had seen them coming out of the theater as he was driving by. He had immediately started badgering Cindy to fix him up with her. But what had just happened had already exceeded his wildest expectations. And this woman he had lusted after for the last couple of months had turned out to be so much more than merely a hot fuck. Trent returned his attention to ordering dinner from room service. While waiting for it to arrive, they sat on the couch and talked. It was a comfortable time that evoked a feeling of intimate closeness separate from the hot sex of earlier that evening. When dinner arrived, they enjoyed a delicious meal. Time seemed to disappear as the minutes turned into hours. Erin wasn’t sure what to think. The sex had been terrific, just what she wanted. In fact, just what she needed. But the warm moments of togetherness – sharing a beautiful sunset, talking, enjoying a meal, getting to know each other as people rather than just sex partners – had been equally satisfying in their own way. She was surprised by how much they had in common and how many interests they shared. Their compatibility extended far beyond the confines of the bedroom. They sat in front of the fireplace. The flames danced sensually across the logs, throwing flickering shadows against the walls. He pulled her into his embrace. Trent’s words tickled across her ear. “Stay the night with me.” As much as she would love to do just that, she knew it wasn’t prudent. Not only would she need to get dressed to return to her room in order to get the things she needed if she was to stay, she also had Cindy to consider. Even her cell phone was in her room. She needed to

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be accessible if Cindy called or be in her room in the somewhat unlikely circumstance of her friend actually showing up at the inn that night rather than the next morning. “I can’t. I have a roommate for this weekend. She was delayed, but should be here tonight. She’s the one who talked me into being here and participating in the game.” “You can phone a message to the front desk. They’ll give it to her when she checks in.” He flashed a sexy grin. “Tell her you’ll see her at breakfast.” “I can’t do that. It wouldn’t be fair.” Genuine disappointment coursed through her body. As much as she wanted to spend the night with Trent, to wake up in the morning wrapped in his embrace, she knew she had a prior obligation to Cindy. She had always been a person of her word and now was no different. She allowed a fleeting thought to the fact that Cindy was the one who had reneged on their plans and left her to fend for herself for the night. But two wrongs did not make a right. Everything had happened too quickly. She needed to step back and take a clear-headed look at the situation. Even though she had told herself that a no strings attached weekend fling was what she wanted, now she wasn’t so sure. Did she really want to return home with nothing more than a satisfied smile on her face and an equally satisfied pussy? Could she get on with her life without giving Trent Owens another thought? She didn’t even know where he lived, not even which state let alone which city. She hadn’t asked and she wasn’t sure why. Possibly an attempt to keep it as only a weekend fling? Was there a chance that they would accidentally run into each other some time in the future? Did she really want to leave it to chance? A moment later all thoughts stopped when his mouth captured hers with a hot kiss that said the evening had definitely not come to an end yet. He pulled her body against his. His tongue probed the recesses of her mouth, twining with hers in a tantalizing ritual of heated need. Every incendiary desire from earlier that evening exploded in sizzling passion. He could not keep his hands off of her – the creamy texture of her skin as he caressed her shoulders, the silky strands of hair that tangled around his fingers, her tautly puckered nipples pressed against his bare chest. Her ragged breathing matched his. The few pieces of clothing they were wearing dropped to the floor. His stiff erection strained with his need to have it embedded in the depths of her pussy, a treat he wanted to experience again and again. They fell into the softness of the bed, their legs and arms in a frenzied tangle. His mouth devoured hers, demanding everything and at the same time making a promise of untold ecstasy. He covered her mound with his hand, then inserted his finger into the moisture between her pussy lips. Her heat radiated to him. He had never known a more exciting woman. No way could any man ever consider her a casual fuck, nothing more than a passing evening of fun and sex games. Her insides clenched in tight convulsions. All he had to do was touch her and she melted into whatever he wanted. No man had ever made her so hot so quickly, driven her to the brink of orgasm with nothing more than a touch. With the last Mr. Right she occasionally resorted to fantasizing about a dream lover in order to actually achieve orgasm. Trent Owens, on the other hand, had turned out to be the stuff dreams were made of. He fulfilled every fantasy she had ever entertained about the perfect lover. He broke the kiss and a moment later his mouth was on her breast. He suckled at her nipple, the tip of his tongue teasing the pebbled texture. She arched her back to force her

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breast tighter against his mouth. His response was immediate. He worked his hand harder and faster against her pussy until her clit felt as if it would explode any second. She reached for his cock, wrapping her fingers around his shaft and stroking his length. The sensation made her fingers tingle with excitement. She wanted him inside her, to feel his hard cock pushing to the depths of her tunnel. Trent grabbed the condom packet and a moment later was poised above her, his cock head probing the opening where his hand had just been. She thrust her hips upward, drawing his length into her eager pussy. Once again he filled her with his girth. As much as she wanted everything to be slow and deliciously tantalizing, she couldn’t get enough of him. The orgasmic waves crashed through her body, but she still wanted more. She wanted that unending orgasm that pushed her farther than she had ever been. Any remnant of control that she still possessed vanished in an incendiary second. She had never even fantasized the intensity of the orgasm ripping through her body at that moment. His rock hard shaft pistoned in and out of her. Her hips jerked upward to meet each of his solid downward strokes. Trent fought to hold back on his release. She was so hot, so wet, so tight and so incredible. He had never had his cock buried in anyone who excited him as much as she did. He teetered on the brink of release. He knew a couple more squeezes from her pussy muscles would send him over the edge. And that was exactly what they did. His climax shuddered through his body in hard spasms. He held her tightly in his arms as he fought to bring his breathing under control. He didn’t want her to leave his bed, especially knowing that Cindy wasn’t planning to drive to the inn until the next morning. But he also knew he couldn’t tell Erin that, not without telling her how he would know such a thing. Again the disturbing thought invaded his reality. He wanted to be honest with her. What started as a deception of necessity – getting around the fact that Erin had continually refused to allow Cindy to fix her up with a blind date – had turned into so much more. Trent had wanted to meet Erin and was willing to do whatever it took to accomplish that. When he had come up with the murder mystery weekend idea Cindy had told him it was absurd, that Erin would never go for it. When she had come back to him and said Erin had finally agreed to the mystery game weekend, he had been ecstatic. He would finally meet the woman who had managed to invade even his dreams. But he hadn’t imagined just how much of an impact she would have on his life. As he held her, he knew it would not end with each of them returning to their normal routine following a hot weekend. There was no way he would allow her to simply slip away leaving the weekend to be nothing more than a tantalizing memory that evoked a satisfied smile. He continued to hold her as the orgasmic spasms subsided. He finally slipped out of bed. “I’ll be right back.” He hurried to the bathroom. As soon as Trent was out of sight, Erin slid out of bed and pulled on her clothes. As much as she wanted to stay wrapped in his arms for the remainder of the night, she knew it wasn’t practical. Cindy would be arriving and she needed to get back to her room. She whirled around at the sound of the bathroom door opening. The look of disappointment on Trent’s face when he saw that she had gotten dressed said it all. Her voice conveyed the regret churning inside her. “I…I can’t spend the night. I need to return to my

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own room. When my roommate shows up, I really need to be there. I have an obligation. I promised…” Her voice trailed off. She didn’t know what else to say, not without revealing the tangle of emotions coursing through her. Trent reached out for her hand and laced their fingers together. He didn’t know how to respond to her concerns. He knew for a fact that Cindy wouldn’t be arriving until shortly after breakfast, but he couldn’t tell Erin that. Not without revealing his deception. And that deception was beginning to weigh very heavily on his conscience. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the inside of her wrist. “Have breakfast with me.” “I’ll see. It will depend on my roommate.” Her hesitancy continued to shove at his feelings of guilt. “Will you at least give me a minute while I grab some clothes so I can walk you to your room?” “There’s no need. I’m one floor down and only a couple of doors from the elevator.” She offered him a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine.” If only she felt as comfortable about her decision to return to her own room as she was trying to make it appear. Waking up in the morning next to Trent Owens would certainly complete a perfect night and be a terrific start to a new day. He pulled her to him. His voice was soft, his words heartfelt. “Are you sure you won’t change your mind and stay the night?” “I can’t.” A moment of panic grabbed her. It almost felt as if she had closed a door when she uttered the words. He couldn’t stop the audible sigh of resignation. “I’ll call you in the morning. If your roommate hasn’t shown up will you join me for breakfast?” “Yes, I’d like that.” Erin returned to her room. She wasn’t sure exactly what she was feeling. She stared at the empty bed. More than anything she wanted to turn around and go back to Trent’s room. The flashing light on the phone told her she had a message. She grabbed her cell phone from the drawer and checked it for messages. Two from Cindy. She retrieved the message from the inn’s voice mail. Cindy wanted her to call, regardless of what time it was. She shook her head. A quick jolt of irritation caused her jaw to clench in a tight line. That could only mean one thing. Cindy wasn’t going to show up at all. Her annoyance quickly disappeared. If that was the case, then her time would be free to spend it with Trent. Perhaps Cindy had done her the biggest favor of her life by insisting that they participate in the mystery weekend, then not showing up. She quickly dialed her friend’s phone number. “What’s up, Cindy? How are you feeling?” “Only so-so. You must have found something to do that you’re just now getting back to your room. How is the man situation? Any interesting types there? Did you meet someone?” “Well…” Her voice trailed off as the memory of the heated sex she had shared with the very desirable Trent Owens invaded her reality. “I did meet this one man at the get acquainted reception.” “And?” Erin heard the heightened interest in Cindy’s voice. It struck her as something more than what should have been there under the circumstances. “And what? We had a glass of wine together, then we went to dinner.”

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“So tell me about him.” “He’s very handsome and charming, but I don’t really know that much about him other than he has participated in several of these murder mystery weekends. He said he found them a fun diversion.” “He sounds terrific. Tell me all about him. Do you plan to get together after this weekend?” A new hint of irritation began to shove at her. “We can save this conversation for when you get here.” “Uh…that’s why I’m calling. I’m just not feeling very well. I was going to try to make it there in the morning, but since you’ve met someone I don’t need to worry about you being alone and bored. So, if it’s okay with you, I think I’ll just stay home and see if I can’t get rid of this bug before Monday.” A flood of mixed emotions surged through Erin’s body. On one hand, she was unhappy with Cindy for flaking out on her. But on the other hand, it certainly left her free to spend her time with Trent starting with breakfast. “Are you sure you won’t be able to make it tomorrow? From the look of things, you’ll be missing a fun-filled weekend. This inn is fantastic and it has an ocean view you’d have to see to believe.” “If there’s any chance that you have someone to spend the weekend with, then I’d rather stay home. Does the man you met fit into that category?” “Well, he did invite me to have breakfast with him.” “Good, then it’s settled. Who knows…maybe he’ll turn out to be the Mr. Right that you keep searching for.” They chatted for a couple more minutes before hanging up. There was something just a little off about Cindy’s attitude. Cindy certainly didn’t sound like someone who had the flu and it seemed as if her friend had put too much emphasis on whether she had met anyone interesting since she arrived. Something was strange, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Erin undressed, took a quick shower, then settled into bed. She replayed her conversation with Cindy through her mind. It was obvious that Cindy wanted a way out of the weekend, but what she didn’t know was why. If Cindy had simply found something better to do such as spending the weekend with someone she had just met, then her phone call would have been completely different. She definitely wouldn’t have been asking so many questions or have prolonged the conversation. Yes, something was amiss. But for now she set the thought aside. She picked up the booklet from the nightstand. It contained an article about the history of the inn and the strange murder and disappearance that had left an eerie legacy. She read the article with interest. It was the young woman’s diary that provided all the information leading up to the weekend. The happenings of that weekend were speculation presented many years later by a reporter who had carefully researched the incident. In the mid 1920s, an impressionable young woman of nineteen named Martha Brownley had been seeing an older man of thirty-four. Robert Green had convinced her that he and his wife had been separated for several years but his wife was Catholic and refused to give him a divorce. He told her that because he was legally married they needed to keep their

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relationship a secret from everyone otherwise he would lose his job. Robert and Martha’s relationship had finally moved to a level of intimacy that the young woman had been uncomfortable with but had reluctantly allowed because he had been quite adamant that if she didn’t submit to his advances, then they would no longer be able to see each other. Erin read the excerpts from the young woman’s diary that had been included in the article. At first I had no notion of what he intended or what he expected of me. I am ashamed and embarrassed by his physical attentions and demands, but I love him so much and am unable to refuse him his base animal desires. The first time I was so very frightened. My heart beat so loudly he surely must have been able to hear it. He put his hand inside my dress and covered my bosom, then squeezed several times. I thought that would satisfy his lust, but apparently it only stimulated his appetite for more. He put his hand up my skirt and touched me ‘down there.’ He inserted his finger inside me until it came in contact with the barrier of my maindenhead. He wiggled his finger back and forth, stretching my little opening until it felt sore. My embarrassment was such that I had to turn my head aside so that he could not see my face. But even that intrusion did not satisfy him. He instructed me to stand in front of him without moving while he unfastened my garments and removed them one at a time until he was able to gaze upon my nude body. I tried to cover my most private parts with my hands, but he would not allow it. I felt as if I would surely faint away at any moment. He attempted to compliment me by saying how much he cherished the sight of my bare skin, but his words did little to relieve my humiliation. I watched, I must admit somewhat fascinated but also fearful, as he lowered his trousers. I cannot properly describe the shock that assaulted me at the sight of his male member standing out so rigid. It looked so huge, especially compared to the size of his finger. Knowing how large his finger felt, I could not imagine how his male member would ever fit inside me, yet I knew that was his intention. He forced the entirety of his hard manhood inside my body. I cried out as I felt my maindenhead being ripped away, but he seemed not to notice my pain. He continued to work his male member in and out of me with ever increasing speed, all the while uttering vile words and obscenities until he collapsed on top of my body. I am very much afraid, but I know I must continue to allow this or he will leave me. Erin continued to read the article, engrossed in the build up to the weekend when Martha’s body was found washed up on the beach with some of the boat wreckage. Robert had completely disappeared and was presumed to also have drowned when the small boat met with disaster. It had been a theory that quickly changed when the police found and read the young woman’s diary. She had written about her anguish and shame when she discovered she was pregnant. And her utter shock and deep feelings of betrayal when Robert rejected her and their unborn child. The official line of inquiry turned to suicide until Robert Green was finally located. He was not a married man with a Catholic wife as he had told Martha. In fact, he had never been married. At first he denied any knowledge of Martha Brownley, claiming that the young woman was clearly delusional, that he had never met her. But when the police found an employee of the inn who gave a statement that he had seen the man and woman together at the inn on more than one occasion including the weekend of her death, then the investigation turned toward the possibility of murder. They now believed Robert to be an obvious cad who

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didn’t want to deal with the inconvenience of a pregnant girlfriend. Then Robert Green disappeared again, this time for good. Had he been guilty of murder? Had he now become the victim of foul play, possibly at the hands of the young woman’s angry brother? Erin set the booklet on the night stand. She felt the emotional turmoil Martha must have endured, especially at a time when an unmarried pregnant woman would be ostracized by the entire community. And then to have the father of her baby callously toss her aside as used goods. She must have been paralyzed with fear and frantic about what the future held. The article had concluded by saying that guests at the inn occasionally hear the sounds of a distraught woman weeping. The sounds were only reported by couples enjoying a getaway, as if the sight of a man and woman sharing moments of intimate happiness reinforced her despair. The couples were lovers with a bright and glorious future in front of them, while Martha had been left to fend for herself and her unborn baby. Erin turned out the light and closed her eyes, but she couldn’t put the thoughts aside. She certainly wasn’t in the same position that Martha had been in, pregnant and abandoned by the man she loved and she thought loved her. But she did know about the hurt of finding someone she thought was Mr. Right only to have yet another attempt at a relationship snatched from her. She had never admitted it to anyone, but more than anything in the world she wanted to find the real Mr. Right and settle down. She wanted to go to sleep every night with the same man next to her and wake each morning wrapped in that man’s arms. She finally drifted off to sleep. Her last conscious reality was the memory of being in Trent Owen’s arms, basking in the glow of total contentment following the intensity of their love making. *** Trent lay in bed attempting to watch the nightly news, but his concentration refused to focus. His thoughts kept returning to the delectable Erin Summerville. Her taste lingered on his senses. The feel of her skin remained sharp in his mind. The sensation of his cock buried deep inside her pussy was something he would never forget. The more he thought about it, the more he knew he had to confess his deception to Erin. He didn’t like the feelings of guilt. But he wanted to be able to do it in his own way rather than having it come to light because of Cindy’s presence. He turned the situation over in his mind for another couple of minutes, then reached for the phone. “Cindy? It’s Trent. What would you say to staying home this weekend? Are you already so locked in to being here tomorrow that you can’t change it?” “Funny you should suggest that. I talked to Erin a little while ago. She said she met someone at the reception and had a glass of wine with him, then they went to dinner. I trust that was you?” “Yes, I spotted her as soon as I walked into the lounge.” “I tried to pump her for information about this mysterious man she met, but she didn’t really say anything. However, I could tell from her tone of voice that she was getting suspicious about my continued questions so I told her I still wasn’t feeling well and would prefer to stay home if that was okay with her.” His voice teased as he poked fun at one of his cousin’s faults – her tendency to talk about something without really answering a question. “So I can assume that your round

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about answer to my question is that you won’t be here?” “Uh…yes, I guess that’s what I was saying.” Trent was pleased with Cindy’s decision to stay home. That would give him the entire weekend to concentrate on Erin without interference. They talked for a couple more minutes, then hung up. One problem handled, but one very large obstacle yet to deal with – how to tell Erin that their meeting was anything but accidental. And how to do it in a way that wouldn’t alienate her from him and also wouldn’t cause a rift between Erin and Cindy. It was a genuine problem and he didn’t have a clue how to handle it. Would it even make sense to pretend that it really was some sort of coincidental meeting? That the cousin Cindy had been trying to set her up with just happened to be at the same place at a time when Cindy suddenly came down with a mysterious flu? He shook his head. That was a stupid thought. Erin was an intelligent woman. There was no way she would accept such a ludicrous concept. He knew in his heart that the only way was to tell her the truth, straight forward and simple. What he didn’t know was when to do it. The sooner the better? Or waiting until they had forged a more solid foundation for a relationship? Relationship? The word hit him like a ton of bricks. It smacked of commitment and permanency. But was that really a bad thing?

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Chapter Three Trent and Erin were seated at a table next to a window with an ocean view. They chose to help themselves at the breakfast buffet rather than ordering from the menu. Trent poured them each a cup of coffee from the carafe the waiter had placed on the table. “I hope your friend is feeling better, but I’m very pleased that she had to cancel out for the weekend. That means we can spend a lot more time together.” He paused as if trying to figure out how to word his question. “If you don’t mind me asking, will it put you in an awkward financial position with regard to the cost of your room?” “I’m sure she’ll be better by Monday.” In fact, I’m sure she’s better right now. “And the cost of the room isn’t a problem. She said she’d reimburse me for her half.” Erin sipped her coffee as she gazed out at the view. “It certainly is lovely here. I didn’t know this inn existed until Cindy gave me the brochure about the murder mystery game. What a marvelous get away location for a weekend. It’s only a little over a three hour drive from my house. Have you ever been here before?” She took in his handsome features. All the excitement from the previous night continued to course through her veins. She had never met anyone like him. Never had a more exciting or satisfying lover. “No, this is my first time here. But you’re right. It’s certainly a magical place. It’s definitely worth a return trip.” The twinkle in his eyes said as much as his words. “Perhaps sometime soon?” A tremor of delight told her how much she wanted that to be true, to know that he wanted to be with her beyond the confines of the weekend mystery game. She tried to maintain her outer composure. She casually broached the subject, at least she hoped it appeared as casual as she wanted it to. “I don’t really know much of anything about you other than your name.” A teasing grin played across his lips. “And my appendix scar?” She felt the heat of embarrassment flush across her cheeks. “Yes, your appendix scar.” A nervous jitter assaulted his senses. Was it his feelings of guilt feeding his apprehension or was she suspicious of him? He forced a confident smile. “What would you like to know about me?” Was it her imagination or was there a hint of something in his voice? “Oh, the usual things…where you’re from, what you do for a living.” “I guess it might be nice to trade information. I’ll go first, then it’s your turn.” “Fair enough. Although it does seem that we’re doing this a little bit backwards. Isn’t this what we should have talked about yesterday evening before progressing to—” He covered her hand with his. The feel of his touch left her words stuck in her throat and momentarily erased any and all thoughts from her mind other than the quick surge of physical desire that darted through her body. She finally managed to find her voice. “Uh…before bypassing phase one and going directly to phase two?” “I certainly don’t have any regrets. How about you, Erin?” His gaze delved into the depths of her eyes. “Any regrets?” She felt a need to offer some words of explanation, to let him know that she didn’t let herself be picked up by just anyone every time she went out for the evening. “I’m not a

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promiscuous woman. I don’t routinely engage in one night stands and certainly not with complete strangers. Last night was out of the ordinary. But regrets? No – I don’t have any regrets.” His voice turned serious, his expression held an honesty. “I never once considered you as nothing more than a quick fuck, an evening’s entertainment. Or in this case, a weekend’s entertainment to be forgotten as soon as Sunday afternoon arrives. And anyone who does think of you that way is a damned fool and not worth your time.” His words touched her heart. No one had ever said anything to her that made her feel more special than what he had just said. Her words came out as a mere whisper. “Thank you.” “And now, as for me…I live in Ventura, about an hour north of Los Angeles. I’m a computer programmer by day and also have a side business designing websites and computer games. I like to spend my weekends doing fun things that get me away from the office and my work. Things that involve me in reality with real people rather than virtual reality and cyberspace. In addition to these interactive murder mystery games, I like to sail, scuba dive, horseback ride and hike. And on those weekends when the weather has me at home, I like to sit in front of the fireplace with a good book.” “That’s an impressive variety of activities. I love the ocean and sailing, but I’ve never been scuba diving. We’re practically neighbors. I live about ten minutes north of Ventura in Sea Cliff. I work for the county, in the planning department.” He extended a teasing grin. “Now that we know all about each other, we can officially embrace phase two.” The grin stayed in place, but the conflict churned inside him. He had just been presented with the perfect opportunity to tell her the truth and he had almost done it. But at the last moment the appropriate words had refused to come out. What he told her was the truth, but not all of it. She returned his grin. “Yes…now that we know all about each other.” As they were finishing their breakfast, their attention was drawn to an increasingly loud argument between the man and woman she had seen Trent talking to at the reception. A waiter rushed over to try and calm them down. The man shoved the waiter away, then roughly grabbed the woman by the arm and pulled her toward the door. Erin glanced at Trent. His attention was focused on the activity, but it did not show any concern for the safety or well-being of the people involved. He seemed to be taking in all the details of everything going on around the bickering couple in addition to their argument. Then it dawned on her. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Ah…as Sherlock Holmes would have said, the game’s afoot.” He shot a quick grin in her direction. “So it is.” Erin tried to get her thoughts in order. Perhaps the arguing couple were merely a planned distraction. Security had been summoned and a uniformed guard was attempting to restrain the couple. But was he really a security guard or was he playing a role? She quickly scanned the room to see what else was going on while straining to hear what the arguing couple was saying. Then her gaze fell on another waiter. While everyone was focused on the couple creating the disturbance, he removed a small book from the pocket of a jacket draped across the back of the chair of a man seated at a table with five other people. The waiter slipped it into his pocket, then quickly left the room by a side door. A minute later she saw a

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different waiter carrying a tray of food from the kitchen to the table. If this was the waiter assigned to that table, then who was the man who had taken the book? Why had he taken it? And where did he go? She continued to watch the people at that table rather than the couple causing the disturbance. The waiter set the breakfast plates in front of the guests, then held up a pepper mill. He ground pepper for two of the six people seated at the table. Two others used cream in their coffee and one used sugar. The three couples seemed to be engaged in casual conversation. Then suddenly the man whose book was taken began to gasp for air. He clutched at his chest and collapsed on the floor. The security officer rushed to him. Yes, the murder mystery game had definitely begun and the first murder had been committed right in front of everyone while the arguing couple created a distraction. Would it be the only murder or were more role players scheduled to die? She took a pencil and small notebook from her purse and jotted down everything she had observed. Trent gestured toward her notebook. “I see you came prepared. The sign of a conscientious game player.” “Yes, but I didn’t expect things to begin in such a dramatic manner. Does it go on like this for the entire weekend?” She cocked her head and tendered a questioning look. “You were talking to the couple who were having the fight. You even admitted to knowing them from previous murder mystery weekends. Would it be presumptuous of me to wonder if you had a role to play in this weekend’s drama?” “A very good and astute question, but in this instance the answer is no. I have taken part in others by playing various roles, but not in this one. All the parts were already cast by the time I got around to contacting the producer. So I signed up as a guest instead.” “But doesn’t that give you an advantage over the rest of us? You know who to keep an eye on, which people are the likely ones to be playing roles.” “Yes, it would. However, I’m not competing for the prize for being the first to solve the mystery. That would be unfair. I’m just here to enjoy the weekend.” He ran his fingertip across the back of her hand, then locked eye contact with her. “And I’m very glad I made that decision.” A shiver of delight rippled across her skin. “So am I.” It seemed like forever before she finally managed to break the mesmerizing hold he had on her. She tried to return her attention to the dead man and the doctor who had conveniently been seated at the next table and had pronounced the man dead of what he said appeared to be a heart attack. But none of it was as interesting or exciting as the man seated across the table from her. Even though it looked as if the weekend murder mystery game would be a lot of fun, she would ditch it in a heart beat in order to spend the entire weekend alone with Trent Owens. Cindy might not realize it, but she did me a huge favor by deciding to stay home. Trent grasped her hand. “Shall we go over to where the action is taking place or…” He allowed his voice to trail off as he brushed his fingertips against her cheek. “Or would you like to take a walk around the grounds, do a little exploring?” “The exploring sounds like fun.” They left the dining room hand in hand. Neither glanced back at the activities of the murder mystery game. They each went to change clothes and then met in the lobby fifteen minutes later. They walked through the gardens and meticulously landscaped grounds. They

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talked quietly, stopping occasionally for Trent to pick a flower and hand it to her. Every passing minute brought them closer and closer together, a feeling each found very comfortable. Erin inhaled the fragrance of the blossom Trent handed her. A smile turned the corners of her mouth. “Mmmm…that smells great.” She tickled the flower against his cheek, then closed her eyes and tilted her head back. The mid-morning sun warmed her skin. And the sensation of his hand clasped tightly around hers warmed her soul. They walked along the path that followed the edge of the bluff until they came to a secluded little alcove with a wooden bench set back in the trees. They sat down. Erin watched the ocean waves crashing against the rocks. “It’s a beautiful view, almost as pretty as the one from your balcony.” He placed his fingers beneath her chin and gently turned her head toward him. He cupped her face in his hands. “Yes, it’s a beautiful view, but not as breathtaking as the one I’m looking at right now.” Then his mouth was on hers. All the passion of the previous night burst into reality again. She returned his kiss with heated enthusiasm. He pulled her body close to his as she slipped her arms around his neck. At that moment she could not have cared less about the murder mystery game. Everything she wanted was right there with her, holding her, kissing her. And to find that they actually lived close to each other had been a great bonus. It would be easy to continue seeing each other when they returned home. At least that was what she wanted. Would Trent want the same thing? Or did he consider this a weekend adventure of more than just the murder mystery game, but not part of his real life? His kiss deepened, his tongue darting between her lips into the recesses of her mouth. A soft moan of desire escaped her throat. She had wanted a weekend of excitement and sensuality, but she had never imagined meeting anyone like Trent Owens. Then she felt his hand on her bare skin when he reached inside the back of her shirt. A tingle of delight rippled through her body. She ran her fingertips across the denim covering his thigh. He broke the kiss for a moment, just long enough to whisper in her ear. “Do you think housekeeping has already been to the rooms?” Her response was equally breathless. “I doubt it. It’s only ten-thirty. Don’t they usually clean the rooms of those checking out first so that they’ll be ready for new guests to check in?” “Let’s go see.” He paused for a moment as if a thought had just occurred to him. “I don’t mean to be presumptuous. If there’s something special that you’d like to do, or maybe pick up on the activities of the murder mystery game—” “I can’t think of a thing.” The look in his eyes told her just how special his obvious intention would be. He took her hand and stood up. They returned to the inn, but it wasn’t a hurried rush. They strolled along a different path, again enjoying the ocean view and the gardens. Erin had never felt more comfortable or at ease with a man than she did with Trent. It was as if fate had brought them together, even going so far as to make it happen in a romantic ocean front setting. They walked along in silence for half an hour, but it was neither awkward nor uncomfortable. They didn’t need to be engaged in conversation, to prevent any awkward moments of silence, in order to enjoy being together.

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It was Erin who finally resumed conversation with something that had been running through her mind. “Have you read the booklet in your room that tells about the history of the inn? Particularly the article about Martha Brownley and Robert Green?” “Yes, I read it this morning. I’m usually an early riser, but I didn’t want to wake you by calling too early. I read it while I was waiting until a decent hour to call you about breakfast.” “It really touched me. I felt so sorry for her. Pregnant, betrayed and abandoned by the man she thought loved her. She must have been so frightened. And then rather than take responsibility for his actions, he kills her because she’s no longer convenient.” A slight frown wrinkled across Trent’s forehead. “I don’t know what happened to Robert Green, but he deserved every bad thing that came his way after that.” “And to think that her spirit is still here, watching and waiting for that one true love to come her way. Someone who will love her—” She blinked several times in an attempt to stop the tears that filled her eyes. All the emotion she had felt when she first read the article welled inside her. She choked back the emotion, then shoved it aside. She looked up as they approached the door of the inn. “Well, here we are.” “Did you bring a swim suit with you? The inn has a hot tub and a pool for those who find the ocean water too cold.” “Yes, I did stick it in at the last minute.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. “It’s a shame my suite doesn’t have a private hot tub.” Even though they had spent the previous evening engaged in hot sex and if housekeeping had already done their rooms they would soon be wrapped in passion again, the implications of what he said still sent a heated flush of embarrassment across her cheeks and forehead. They had known each other less than twenty-four hours, yet she had never felt closer to a man as she did with him. They entered the lobby and paused to browse in the gift shop. As they walked back into the lobby Erin spotted the man from breakfast who had pretended to be a waiter and stolen the book from the jacket. She watched for a moment and immediately realized that he was still involved in his part of the mystery game. The lunch provided as part of the weekend game activities was being held in the banquet room. The game players had gathered in the lobby waiting for the doors to open. She watched as the waiter played out his role. He passed the book to the man who had been dressed as a security guard. The security guard looked around as he stuck it in his pocket, then his gaze landed on the man who had claimed to be a doctor and had checked the first victim at breakfast. The security guard leaned over and said something to the waiter, then disappeared through the group of people waiting for lunch. Erin’s gaze slowly swept across the game players to see which of them had noticed the exchange that happened right in front of their eyes and which ones were busy chatting and not paying attention. To her surprise, most of them seemed oblivious to the game activity that had taken place. “Amazing, isn’t it?” Trent’s words startled her. “What?” “They come here to play an interactive murder mystery game and fail to pay attention to what’s going on around them. Out of almost thirty people I don’t think there was more than three or four of them aware of what had just happened…except for you, of course.” “Funny…I was just thinking the same thing. This might be the first time for some of

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them as it is for me, but surely they can’t assume that everything they need to know to solve the mystery will take place while they’re seated at a table having a meal.” “Since it’s almost lunch time and the meal is included in the registration fee, shall we join the others before checking on the progress of housekeeping? Or, if you’d rather, we can change to swim suits and take a walk on the beach after lunch.” She managed a teasing smile that was equally shy. “You mean walking on the beach and postponing other activities? Kind of like putting the excitement on hold for a little while?” He responded with a purposely lewd grin, then whispered in her ear. “If it were up to me, I’d have the Do Not Disturb sign on the outside on my door right now and we’d be doing all kinds of naughty things to each other. I have to admit that I haven’t been able to get the image of that shaved heart on your pussy mound out of my mind. I even dreamed about it. In fact, I’m about half hard right now just thinking about it.” “Mmmm…if we left right now, what would we be missing?” “I’ll tell you how the rest of the weekend goes as far as the events of the game are concerned. At lunch there will be an interrogation of potential witnesses. There will be an official identification of the dead man and the cause of death along with some information about him. This evening before dinner, during dinner and at the cocktail party after dinner there will be more role playing, including the definitive clue that will allow someone to solve the crime. Everyone has to have their solution turned in no later than the end of breakfast tomorrow morning. The solution has to be accompanied by the reason for determining that solution – the guilty person’s motive for committing the crime, the means of committing the crime and the opportunity to commit the crime. At lunch tomorrow the winner is announced and the prize awarded.” “So lunch today is very important to the game.” “Yes. If you want to sincerely compete for the prize, then you need to be at the luncheon and pay very close attention to everything going on around you. You also need to be present at this evening’s activities, too.” He took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. His voice became serious, matching the expression on his face. “You paid your money and came here to participate in the mystery game. I don’t want to stand in your way, especially since it’s your first time. As for me, I want to spend as much time with you as possible. Whatever it is that you want is what we’ll do.” A nervous twinge jabbed at her sparking a moment of anxiety. Should she express the thought that had lingered in her mind? She attempted to swallow down the anxiety. “You live in Ventura and I live just ten minutes north of there. This weekend doesn’t need to be the end of things, does it? We could continue to see each other?” She held her breath waiting for his response. He locked eye contact with her. “The only thing that will prevent me from seeing you when this weekend is over would be for you to tell me to fuck off and leave you alone. And I’m not sure even that would work.” She expelled her breath in a sudden gush. Not only did his words touch her, but she saw the honesty in his eyes. Could this man be the ultimate and final Mr. Right that she had been searching for? Other relationships had started slow with lots of time to get acquainted and learn about each other. This had started with a bang and exploded into a night of passion

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within hours of meeting. Her body still tingled with the intensity of the incendiary sex. The kiss they shared on the bench overlooking the ocean told her she was only an intimate touch away from being fully aroused and on the brink of orgasm again. Could she be falling in love with Trent Owens? Was there such a thing as love at first sight? Her words were a mere whisper. Her desires surged hot and fast through her veins. She tried to force a calm to her voice. “Then we don’t really need to pack months of time into this one weekend, do we?” His response held the same underlying current of desire. “No, we don’t need to do that. We can enjoy the mystery game with the rest of the players.” Her words were a barely discernable whisper. “Then that’s what we should probably do.” A huskiness surrounded his words. “Yes, we should probably do that.” Without either of them saying another word, they simultaneously turned away from the banquet room and walked toward the elevator. They went directly to his suite. The room had been cleaned. He placed the Do Not Disturb sign on the outside of the door, then set the security lock. Not a wasted moment or unnecessary effort took place. Clothes dropped to the floor. Two naked bodies tangled on the king size bed. The sounds of excited breathing filled the air. He became momentarily fixated on the heart shape of her muff. He traced the outline with his finger, ending with the bottom point at her clit. The heat of her sex radiated to his hand. A low growl of primal need escaped his throat. “That is so fucking sexy.” He shifted his gaze to her face, to the glow of excitement emanating from her eyes. His breathing quickened and his pulse raced a little faster. “Shaving this heart shape – was this some sort of quirk? A one time thing you thought would be fun? Something you did on a dare or for a bet?” “I first did it four months ago, right after a breakup with the man I had been dating for a while. I felt unwanted, unattractive and lonely. I did it in an effort to boost my sagging spirits and make myself feel desirable, interesting and sexy. It was either this or get a tattoo or have something pierced. And I didn’t want a tattoo and having my ears pierced is enough.” “And has it had the appropriate impact?” “As I said before, I’m not normally a promiscuous woman. You’re the only one who has seen it.” He flicked his tongue across her clit, followed by the sound of her quick gasp. He probed between her pussy lips with his tongue, then traced the outline of the heart with the tip of his tongue. “Let me assure you that this is definitely enticing.” A sensual huskiness clung to his words. “And let me also assure you that you are the most desirable woman I’ve ever met even without the decoration.” He closed his mouth over her engorged clit and began to suck. She had been only a tingle away from an orgasm. An instant jolt of pure ecstasy charged through her body followed by delicious waves of release. She bucked her hips upward, forcing her pussy more fully against his mouth – against a very talented mouth that was doing marvelous things to her. She cupped her hands over her breasts, feeling the pebbled texture of her nipples against her palms. A moment later his hands replaced hers. She immediately responded to the added stimulation of his touch. Her entire body quivered with excitement as the orgasmic waves

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continued to assault her senses. He drew back from between her legs. His chest heaved with his ragged breathing. He quickly plunged two fingers into her wet pussy. Her pussy muscles immediately closed around his fingers, grabbing at them with each contraction. He moved his body until she was able to reach his hard cock. As her fingers closed around his shaft, his mouth closed over her puckered nipple. He continued to work his fingers inside her pussy as he suckled at her breast. She stroked her hand along the length of his erection. The feel of his well defined veins and the skin tautly stretched around his hard cock intensified her desires. She wanted more of him. Would she ever have enough of the exquisite pleasures he provided her? Would there be a time when just being near him didn’t leave her with damp panties and a hungry need throbbing between her legs? Was Trent Owens the definitive and final Mr. Right? Someone she could build a lifetime with? She knew she couldn’t build the hope for a lifetime relationship based on nothing more than hot sex. She also knew there was more between them than merely hot sex. It would have to be more fully explored and developed, but she believed that all the elements were present for that lasting commitment. The only real question was whether Trent felt and believed it, too. He thrust his hips against her hand, demanding more of her attentions. She increased her efforts, stroking him faster with a tighter hold. His fingers continued to work her pussy, his efforts keeping her at a highly aroused state just a breath away from another orgasm. She wanted to please him. She twisted around. He was no longer able to suckle her breast, but she was able to lave the flat of her tongue around the head of his cock. She felt his body stiffen in response to her ministrations. She trailed her tongue along the length of his shaft, then took him into her mouth. She fluttered her tongue around his cock head again, then began a sucking motion that matched the rhythm of his fingers in her pussy. It all moved together in delicious harmony, each motion in sync with the other. Her lips formed a tight seal around his shaft, her head bobbed up and down on this throbbing cock. His prolonged groan of pure lust met her ears telling her how much he enjoyed her attentions. He continued to work his two fingers inside her wet pussy tunnel. Then the added sensation of his lips nibbling at her highly stimulated clit sent her over the edge again. The orgasmic convulsions raced through her body. She sucked harder on his cock, taking more of his length into her mouth. Total and absolute euphoria erupted inside her. Erin’s every thought and physical sensation centered on Trent Owens. No one had ever made her feel so totally immersed in the full range of orgasmic delight. The intensity was almost too much for her to handle. Trent’s chest heaved as his mouth continued to devour her incredible pussy. The feel of her bare skin, the texture of her clit and pussy lips, the taste that set his need on fire, the incredible sensation of her mouth sliding up and down on his cock – he knew he couldn’t hold out much longer. He pulled his cock from her mouth, then grabbed the condom packet from the night stand, ripped it open and quickly rolled it on. She spread her legs wide to welcome his rigid shaft into the moist heat of her body. He plunged deep inside her. Her pussy grabbed his cock, rhythmically tugging and squeezing. He was so close to the edge. He pumped in and out of her. Each of his down strokes were met by her upward thrust. Each of

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his down strokes buried his cock solidly inside her tunnel. Each of his down strokes slapped his balls against her upturned bottom. The sounds of wet sex and heavy breathing filled the air. The heat of frenzied fucking sizzled between them. Faster. Harder. “Trent…Trent…oh my God—” Erin exploded in the most intense orgasm of her life. Perspiration dampened her skin. Her pussy burned with the fires of passion. She hung on to Trent. The glorious ride wasn’t over yet. “Oh, fuck! Here it comes.” A low growl, one last deep plunge, then the hard spasms shuddered through his body. He held her tightly, not wanting to ever let go. He had never known a pussy as hot or a woman as exciting as Erin Summerville. She was everything he had ever wanted. She was the only one he wanted. She was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Was there such a thing as love at first sight? Because if there was, then he knew he fell in love the day he spotted her walking out of the theater with Cindy, the day he started bugging his cousin to fix him up with her. They remained wrapped in each other’s arms for several minutes before either of them was able to move. He stroked her hair and gently caressed her skin while placing tender kisses on her face. They had engaged in hot sex with more intensity than he had ever experienced. He knew that a lifetime would not be enough. And it was more than just terrific sex. It was Erin Summerville – the complete woman. Everything about her suited everything he had ever wanted. They remained quietly enfolded in each other’s arms, savoring the intimately satisfying moments following their heated coupling. Even though he had been physically satiated, his mind refused to rest. Worrisome thoughts continued to assault him. Time was drawing to a close. The weekend would soon be over. He knew he had to tell her the truth before they left the inn. He couldn’t take the chance on her accidentally discovering he was Cindy’s cousin and the entire weekend had been a setup, a way for him to meet Erin without it appearing to be a blind date arranged by Cindy. Somehow he had to find the right words to say, words that wouldn’t anger her or worse yet make her feel used and humiliated as if she had been played for a fool. He had to tell her the truth without alienating her. But how? He needed to be very careful. The thought of losing her was totally unacceptable. And then there was one other consideration, something neither he nor Cindy had considered at the time. He also needed to be careful so that his confession didn’t cause a rift between Cindy and Erin, even a minor or temporary one. He knew he would have a difficult time living with the knowledge that he had caused two such good friends to end their friendship. He ran his hand down her back, cupped her bottom and pulled her body tighter against his. He kissed her forehead, her cheek, then he found her mouth. The kiss conveyed more emotion than it did heated sexual desire, an emotion he couldn’t hide.

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Chapter Four Erin and Trent sat on his balcony watching another beautiful sunset slowly sink into the Pacific Ocean. She had never felt so at one with another person. He leaned forward, cupped her face in his hands and placed an emotion laden kiss on her lips. It touched the very core of her soul filling her with the warmth of caring, devotion and concern – of love. She returned the kiss with an equal amount of sentiment. With her feelings of love. Was it enough? Was it even possible for someone to fall in love so quickly? Was it merely a case of lust driven infatuation? Did they have the basis for a lasting relationship? Of a lifetime commitment? Tomorrow was the end of the murder mystery weekend game. Check out time for the inn guests was eleven o’clock in the morning. After announcing the winner at the closing luncheon, there was nothing left except the three hour drive home. Would that be the end of everything? In spite of his words that they would see each other after the weekend was over, did he really mean it or was he simply telling her what she wanted to hear? He broke the tenderness of the kiss, but his lips remained only a whisper away from hers. “Shall we order dinner from room service again or would you like to eat in the dining room downstairs? Or a third option…there’s a romantic little Italian restaurant a few miles up the coast. I could call to see if we can get a reservation for this evening.” “I like Italian food.” “I’ll call right now.” She watched as he went back inside the suite, grabbed the phone book and looked up the number. He returned a couple of minutes later. “They can seat us in two hours. Will that give you enough time to get ready?” “I need to take a shower and I want to wash my hair, but I’ll hurry.” He grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “You can take a shower here. We could shower together. You could scrub my back. I could scrub your front. We could—” She placed her fingertips against his mouth to still his words. An amused smile turned the corners of her lips. “If we did that, we would never get to dinner. And if you recall, we didn’t have any lunch. So, I’d better go downstairs to my room right now if I expect to see any dinner.” He looked lovingly into her eyes. “You are absolutely right. If we continue to stand here like this much longer my cock will be hard as a rock and looking for a snug home.” “Well, we can’t have that.” She took a couple of steps backward as she flashed him a teasing grin. “At least not until we get back from dinner.” He brushed a gentle kiss across her lips. “My cock will be looking forward it to.” “So will my pussy.” A strange sound caught her attention. She tilted her head as she strained to listen. “Did you hear that? I’m not sure what it is.” She saw the odd expression on his face that said he had also heard it. “Yes. It sounded like someone crying. Actually, more like a muffled sobbing.” They looked around on each side of the balcony and down at the grounds below but

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couldn’t see anyone or anything that would account for the sound. Trent looked out at the ocean. “Sometimes sound carries in an odd manner at the ocean. Maybe it’s someone out on the water – someone on a boat…” His voice trailed off. Neither of them said any more about it. Erin returned to her room, her thoughts centered on the sound. Could they have heard Martha Brownley, sobbing for her lost love? She shook the thoughts away. It had to be some quirk of the wind, or voices from the inn, maybe someone’s television. She selected her clothes for that evening, then stepped into the hot shower spray. Her body tingled with the memory of their afternoon and the anticipation of what the night would bring. Had it really only been a little over twenty-four hours since he had walked up to her table in the lounge at the get acquainted reception? It seemed as if she had known him forever. She ducked her head under the water and grabbed the bottle of shampoo. She hurried to get ready, putting the final touches to her hair when she heard the knock at her door. She opened it to Trent, stepping aside so he could enter her room. “I’m ready.” He gave her an appreciative look and a wink. “You look beautiful. Shall we go?” They left the inn and drove along the coast to the restaurant. As soon as they entered, the soft music and intimate candle light greeted them. They were immediately seated at a corner table with an ocean view. A bottle of chilled champagne appeared a minute later. The waiter poured two glasses, then left so they could make their choices from the menu at their leisure. Erin tilted her head to one side and shot him a curious look. “That was certainly quick. Is their service always so…uh, intuitive?” “As long as I had them on the phone making a reservation, I ordered the champagne. I wanted dinner to be special.” “So far the entire weekend has been special.” He raised his glass toward hers in the form of a toast. “Here’s to many more special weekends.” He clinked the edge of his glass against hers and they each took a drink. Trent covered her hand with his. Music. Candle light. Champagne. Was the setting right for him to confess his deception? Did he dare take a chance on it ruining their dinner and the rest of the evening? Should he wait until they returned to the inn? Wait until tomorrow when it was time to return home and resume day-to-day reality? Time was running out. He had to be totally honest with her before they returned home. But how? And when? Had he dug himself into a hole too deep for him to climb out? Nerves or common sense? He wasn’t sure which one dictated his decision to wait until later that night. He didn’t want to take a chance on spoiling dinner. A rationalization? Probably. He tried to focus his attention on the menu. “What looks good to you?” “Everything looks good and if the aroma wafting through this room is any indication, I’m sure everything tastes great. I’m torn between the lasagna and the ravioli.” She looked up at him. “How about you? Have you made up your mind yet?” Made up his mind yet? It was certainly a multi-layered and loaded question. Made up his mind about Erin being the one and only woman for him? Definitely. Made up his mind about how and when to confess his true identity? Sort of. Made up his mind about what to order for dinner? Not yet. “I’m with you. Both the lasagna and the ravioli look good. Let’s order one of each and

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then share them. How does that sound?” She extended a warm smile. “Perfect.” Trent placed their order with the waiter, then they continued to sip their champagne and talk quietly until the food arrived. Dinner tasted every bit as delicious as it smelled and looked. They enjoyed a leisurely meal, then returned to the inn. They stopped on the second floor so she could gather a few things to take to his suite in preparation of spending the night there. Then they continued on to the third floor. He opened the doors and they stepped out onto the balcony. It was a beautiful night. The full moon reflected off the ocean. The sounds of the breaking waves created a sensual background. Romance filled the air with the tenderness of making love as the only item on the agenda. Not frenzied fucking. Not hot sex. But something far more fulfilling both physically and emotionally. He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his cheek against her head. She placed her hands on top of his and leaned back against his hard chest. The magical moment permeated every corner of their existence, filling each of them with the sure knowledge of how right they were together. They stood for several minutes in silence, reveling in the true closeness. They went back inside. Trent closed the door and pulled the drapes. Pieces of clothing fell to the floor. They sank into the softness of the bed. He held her body close to his as he placed loving kisses on her face until he finally settled on her mouth. The emotion conveyed by his kiss nearly overwhelmed her. She skimmed her hands across his muscled back and caressed his broad shoulders. She ran her foot along the edge of his calf, then wrapped her leg around his. Erin melted into his tender ministrations. His kiss deepened, filling her with more contentment than she had ever known. He suckled at her breast as he slipped a finger between her pussy lips. Her moist heat and sensual moan told him of her aroused condition. He reached for the condom packet. Trent probed her opening, his hardness slowly pushing between her pussy lips. He entered her inch by tantalizing inch until he was fully enclosed in the tight cocoon of her tunnel. The heat of her body radiated to him. He had never felt so at one with another woman. He set a deliciously slow rhythm, filling her with his length, then pulling back and filling her again. Her hips rose and fell in unison with his strokes, their movements in perfect harmony. She savored the sensation of his hard cock moving in and out, stretching her opening, touching the depths of her pussy. His tongue meshed with hers, replicating the sensual movements. Her heart pounded as her level of excitement increased along with the strength and momentum of his strokes. She wrapped her arms and legs around his body as he picked up the pace even more. Long strokes became shorter and quicker. His heavy breathing matched her ragged breaths. The intensity built layer upon layer until she cried out in orgasmic release and he made one final deep plunge followed by hard spasms of rapture. He held her body tightly against his as they each came down from the heights of euphoria. He had to tell her the truth. The guilt was beginning to gnaw away at him and he knew it would only get worse if he didn’t do something about it. He smoothed the stray tendrils of hair away from her damp face. He placed a loving kiss on her lips, then nervously cleared his

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throat. “Erin…” He still wasn’t sure he had the right words. The very real fear gripped him. If he lost her over this he didn’t know what he would do. “Mmmm…” Her voice clearly conveyed her state of peaceful contentment. “We need to talk. I have to tell you something. I…I’m not sure how to begin—” Her entire body stiffened. Her eyes opened wide as a hard jolt of trepidation hit her. A thousand thoughts darted through her mind all at once, but first and foremost of all those thoughts was the one that said Trent Owens was a married man. A sick feeling churned in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he had to say. She had to force out the words. Even to her own ear they sounded frightened and almost childlike in their tone. “Just say it. Are you…are you married?” Her words truly shocked him. “Married? That’s what you thought?” He held her close, feeling the tension coursing through her body. He kissed her forehead. “No, I’m not married. Never have been. I’m not even engaged. Get rid of that thought right now.” She looked up at him, her voice still filled with apprehension. “Then what is it?” “I’m not exactly who you think I am.” A slight frown wrinkled across his forehead. “Well, no…that’s not exactly what I meant. I am who I said I was, but there’s more. There’s something else that you don’t know.” He let out a sigh of exasperation as he shook his head. “I’m making a mess of this. Let me try again.” He sucked in a calming breath, held it for several seconds, then slowly exhaled. “My name is Trent Owens. I live exactly where I told you and my job and hobbies are what I said. But in addition to that…well…I’m Cindy Reynolds’ cousin. The one she kept trying to fix you up with.” Her eyes grew wide as she jerked to attention. She stared at him, trying to make sense of his words. “You’re Cindy’s cousin?” She quickly slid out of bed and grabbed the robe she had brought with her. A million emotions flooded through her body. Tears burned her eyes. “What is this, some kind of a joke you and Cindy cooked up? How could she do this to me? How could you do this to me?” He saw the hurt clearly etched on her face. He had to do something to make it right before things got worse. He had to tell her everything from the beginning. He quickly grabbed hold of her and pulled her into his arms. She struggled, but he held her tightly. “Listen to me, Erin. There is no joke. Cindy was a reluctant participant in this. She only went along with it to shut me up and get me off her back. Please, listen to my explanation.” She stopped struggling, but her features were set in a hard line. There was no mistaking the hurt in her voice. “Fine. Let’s hear what you think will explain this deliberate deception and make it okay.” He continued to hold her. He suddenly realized that his entire future rested on what he was about to say. He knew he only had this one chance at it and he had to get it right. “A couple of months ago as I was driving down the street I spotted Cindy walking out of a theater with another woman. This other woman grabbed me in a way no one had ever grabbed me before and the image refused to let go. I called Cindy that night and asked her who she had been with. She told me it had been her best friend, Erin Summerville. I immediately started badgering Cindy to fix me up with you. She said she’d ask you, but wouldn’t make any promises. As you know, for two months she’s been bringing it up and you’ve been turning it down.”

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He brushed a quick kiss across her lips, as much in an attempt to keep her from saying anything as it was a burning desire for the intimate contact. “I knew all your objections, that you weren’t interested in being fixed up on a blind date and thrown into an uncomfortable situation. I understood and even agreed with everything you told Cindy, but I also knew that this was different. Cindy kept telling me it was no good, that you were not interested. That’s when I came up with the plan for this murder mystery game. You refused to let her set you up on a blind date with me, so I had her talk you into participating in this weekend. Please don’t blame Cindy for the deception. As I said, I’m sure she finally caved in and went along with my plan just to shut me up. After all, there are family holiday gatherings where we’re thrown together so she couldn’t simply ignore me. I knew I had her in an awkward spot and I pressed my advantage. We agreed that when she called you Friday evening if you told her you were having a terrible time, had met this real jerk, that she would drive up here and spend the rest of the weekend with you. But obviously that isn’t what you told her since she’s not here.” Erin wasn’t sure what to think or say. It was the last thing she had expected to hear. Was he leveling with her? It wasn’t some kind of sick joke, something they would sit around and laugh about at those family functions? Her voice was flat, her words came out almost as a monotone. “The only thing I told her was that I’d met a charming man and we’d had dinner together. I knew something was going on with her, but I didn’t know what. I certainly didn’t think it had anything to do with you.” “Please believe me. There was never any intention of embarrassing you or making you feel bad. I just wanted to meet you that much and you kept shooting me down. I didn’t know what else to do.” She stepped back from him and he reluctantly released her from his arms. He didn’t know what else to say. She sat on the edge of the bed. The expression on her face was part stunned disbelief and part confusion. And then the sound floated into the room from the direction of the balcony. The soft cries of a woman, a forlorn sobbing for a lost love. Erin and Trent locked in a moment of eye contact. Each read the thought in the depth of the other’s eyes. Martha Brownley seeing a couple that belonged together and grieving for her own lost love. Trent reached out and took her hand in his. “Erin? Are we okay here? I know this isn’t what you expected to hear, but I also knew I had to tell you the truth before we left tomorrow. I didn’t want you to return home under a misconception and I certainly didn’t want you to find out about my little deception from someone else. I also wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything standing in the way of me seeing you after this weekend.” Erin didn’t know what to think or what to say. She wanted to believe him. More than anything she wanted to believe that what he just told her was the truth. She had heard the sobbing woman. She had heard her twice. So had Trent. Was the legend true or was it nothing more than coincidence? She needed to clear her head and she couldn’t do that with him there. He clouded her thoughts. All she had to do was hear his voice. And when he touched her she totally melted, her normally strong-willed nature dissolved in a puddle of desire. She tried to force a determination, to steel herself against his magnetic presence. “I’m not sure what to say. I need to sort this out…alone.” Was the victim in the mystery game the only murder to take place that weekend or had her hopes for Trent as her Mr. Right also been

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killed? Had their weekend been nothing more than a deadly encounter? Trent watched in stunned silence as she quickly dressed, gathered her belongings and started for the door. “Erin? Where are you going?” She reached for the door handle, then turned to face him. “I’m going back to my room. I have to figure this out. What do we really have together if it’s all based on a deception?” She quickly opened the door and left, but not before he could see the tears welling in her eyes. He felt numb inside as if his life had walked out the door with her. One way or the other he had to make things right between them. There was no way he was going to allow her to disappear from his life. He knew she needed a little bit of time to sort everything out in her mind, to see that what they had was very real and not just some weekend fling. He would give her an hour, then he would call her. As much as he wanted to feel the confidence that usually accompanied his decisions, this time it wasn’t there. He felt apprehension and anxiety, but nothing that bore even the slightest resemblance to confidence. He tried watching television, but it didn’t hold his interest. All his thoughts kept returning to Erin. He finally decided to take a shower. Maybe that would make him feel better. Fifteen minutes later he emerged from the bathroom towel drying his hair. He didn’t feel one bit better. He glanced at the clock. It had been an hour. He grabbed the phone and dialed her room. The phone rang several times, then the hotel operator answered. “I was calling Erin Summerville’s room.” “Miss Summerville checked out.” The operator’s words stabbed through him like an icicle. Cold fear swept through his body. “Checked out? That can’t be. When did she check out?” “She checked out half an hour ago.” “Thank you.” He replaced the receiver. He didn’t know what to think or what he felt. He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall. He had never felt more alone than he did at that moment. He knew he had to do something, but he didn’t have any idea what that should be. He couldn’t think. All he had were images – flashes of her smile, the twinkle in her eyes, the sound of her voice. The sex had been beyond anything he had ever shared with anyone else, but it wasn’t his cock that was dictating his feelings or experiencing the loss. It was his heart. *** Erin had spent a restless night with very little sleep. It had been a little after two o’clock Sunday morning when she pulled her car into her garage. Even after climbing into her own bed and admitting to exhaustion, sleep continued to elude her. Images, thoughts, feelings – everything kept swirling around in her mind. She finally gave up about seven o’clock and accepted that a few hours of uneasy sleep was all there would be. She fixed herself some coffee and toasted an English muffin. It wasn’t only Trent Owens who occupied her thoughts. There was also her best friend, Cindy Reynolds. How could Cindy have conspired to deceive her this way? Would she ever be able to trust Cindy again? And the man she truly believed was the final Mr. Right for all time? What about him? She shook her head. Things weren’t any clearer than they had been when she walked out of Trent’s suite, went back to her room, packed and checked out. She still didn’t know what to think, what to do or what she felt.

Samantha Gentry

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Well, if nothing else she certainly had enjoyed a weekend of the most incredible sex of her life. She knew she would never be able to forget the sensation of his touch, the heat of his kiss, the ecstasy that soared through her body whenever she thought about him. She tried to read the Sunday newspaper, but couldn’t focus her concentration. She thought several times of calling Cindy, but didn’t know what to say to her. She didn’t know exactly what she felt. Angry? Understanding? Forgiving? She was all those things. After all, she had been friends with Cindy for many years. Did she really want to terminate such a good and close friendship over this? Trent kept telling her not to blame Cindy, that it was all his doing. She just didn’t know what to think. She walked around the house, going from room to room without any purpose. She felt so lost and so alone. The sound of the doorbell brought her out of her trance. She glanced at the clock. Could it be Cindy at her door? Had Trent called her to report on what happened? She opened the door and found herself face to face with Trent Owens. She stood frozen to the spot, staring into the depths of his blue eyes. She couldn’t get her mind wrapped around the reality of him actually being at her house. He forced an uneasy smile. “Would it be okay if I came in?” Her mind finally snapped into the here and now. “Uh…” she stepped aside, “of course.” He entered the living room and closed the door. More than anything he wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her close, to feel her warmth and know that everything between them was right. He restrained his desires. “I tried to call your room last night. Imagine my shock to find that you had checked out half an hour earlier.” She broke the eye contact with him, her gaze falling to the floor between them. “I had to think, to try to make sense of all this. I knew I couldn’t do it if I stayed there.” It was all he could do to keep from touching her. He sucked in a steadying breath, hoping it would calm his rattled nerves. Everything he wanted, the entire future, rested on her response. “And did you come to any conclusions?” Her voice was a barely audible whisper. “No.” He placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “Erin…I knew the deception was wrong and it played heavily on my conscience. But I’d do it again in a heart beat if I thought it was the only way to bring us together.” She heard the sincerity in his voice and his words. She saw the honesty etched deeply in his face. She saw the adoration in his eyes. And her heart melted. She stepped into his waiting embrace, slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder. Nothing else needed to be said. She had found her Mr. Right and this time she was sure. The End