Heaving Bosoms

A Cerridwen Press Publication

www.cerridwenpress.com

Heaving Bosoms ISBN 9781419907982 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Heaving Bosoms Copyright© 2007 Ashlyn Chase Edited by Helen Woodall. Photography by Les Byerley. Cover art by Syneca. Electronic book Publication: March 2007

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing Inc., 1056 Home Avenue, Akron, OH 44310-3502. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously. Cerridwen Press is an imprint of Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.®

HEAVING BOSOMS Ashlyn Chase

Dedicated to my family

Acknowledgement I want to acknowledge my friend and fellow writer, Liana Dalton, who went to a fair one fine day, fell in a hole, twisted her ankle, and had to wait under duress for a couple of cute EMTs to cart her off in an ambulance to an emergency room. It was her retelling of that story that inspired this one. I’d also like to thank my very humorous lawyer, Richard Leonard, J.D. for challenging me to write something about tattooed butts and more importantly, for answering a gazillion legal questions any time I needed his expertise.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Barbie: Mattel, Inc. Gucci: Gucci America, Inc. Hilton Hotel: Hilton Hospitality, Inc. Holiday Inn: Six Continents Hotels, Inc. Kate Spade: Kate Spade, LLC Manolos: Blanik; Manolo Polaroid: Polaroid Corporation Ralph Lauren: PRL USA Holdings, Inc. Tampax: Tampbrands Inc. U-Haul: U-Haul International, Inc.

Heaving Bosoms

Chapter One “Why won’t this damn winter end?” Tonia Fuller mumbled. She cursed the freezing rain as she shivered and picked her way across the icy sidewalk to her office building. Still unfamiliar with the fickle March weather in Boston, she’d worn her new alligator shoes with three-inch heels and hadn’t bothered to carry an umbrella. “Almost there,” she muttered. As if she’d jinxed herself, her next footstep flew out from under her and she crashed onto the cold, wet, unforgiving cement. Mentally, she reeled off a slew of oaths, but with the wind knocked out of her she couldn’t utter a word. An unwelcome upside down face wearing a stupid grin hovered over her. “Good morning, Grace. Have a nice trip?” Wanting to spew some unacceptable words at her boss and ask him if he knew how many times she had heard that stupid, worn-out joke, it was a good thing Tonia couldn’t speak. As soon as she could, she refilled her lungs with a gasp and struggled to sit up. “Hold on!” cried an unfamiliar voice. A magnificent well-built, dark-haired man in a navy blue uniform hurried over and knelt beside her. She did her best to yank her skirt and camelhair coat over her bare thighs, meanwhile noticing how far away her right shoe had landed when launched from her foot. “See you inside,” her boss called over his shoulder. Tonia glared at his retreating back. Of all the insensitive… “Don’t get up,” Mr. Tall, Dark and Dripping said. “You took a nasty spill and I’d better check you out before you try to stand.” Tonia glanced at his uniform’s insignia and saw that he worked for Fleet Ambulance, then stared into his down-turned, brown eyes. He had a sad puppy look, as if filled with genuine concern for her safety. As lovely as that was, she was not about to lie on the ice, freezing her butt off, while this gorgeous guy “checked her out”. “Thanks, but I’m all right. Really.” “Please don’t move. I’m a medical student. You need to listen to what I’m telling you. You could have a hairline fracture of your spine. If you move you could cause more damage. Maybe even paralysis.” Tonia sighed, flicked her blonde bangs out of her eyes and read his nametag out loud. “Raphael Beauchamp. Paramedic.”

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“Yeah. Well, I’m almost a doctor. I’m on spring break. I’ll graduate in a couple of months and be interning after that. What’s your name?” “Tonia Fuller. The late Tonia Fuller. I’m ten minutes late already, so as nice as you are to offer, I don’t have time to let you examine me.” “I was on my way to work too, but it looks like I’ve already got my hands full right here. I’m sure both of our bosses will understand why we’re late.” Tonia noticed where his eyes had landed. Right where every man’s eyes landed. He was looking her square in the knockers. To his credit, he glanced away, whipped off his glove, reached for her wrist and checked her pulse. “I’m fine,” she said. Her protest weakened as he held her wrist in his warm, takecharge fingers for several seconds. Even with freezing rain spattering her face she could feel heat rising to her cheeks. “Your pulse is a little fast.” There’s a big surprise. Her heart rate would be pounding if they had met in a coffee shop. “Does anything hurt? Did you hit your head?” “Everything hurts, especially my pride.” “Stay put while I grab my cell phone and call an ambulance.” “You must be joking. I don’t need an ambulance. I need to get to work before my boss docks my pay.” “Who was that who just looked down at you and went inside?” “My boss. He’s a lawyer and probably disappointed that we can’t sue God for the weather.” “Your boss is a dick.” She couldn’t help giggling. “You noticed that right off, did you?” “Yeah. Now stay here and don’t move.” “Okay, you win. But first, would you be a love and grab my other shoe before someone kicks it into the street?” “Sure.” As soon as he had his back turned she pushed herself up, removed her remaining shoe and stood on freezing feet. At least she was vertical. When he turned around and saw her standing there, he folded his arms and frowned at her. She mimicked his expression and posture, including one alligator shoe sticking out from under her crossed arms. Shaking his head, he approached and handed her the shoe. “Why were you wearing those ridiculous high heels instead of something more practical on a day like this?” “They’re not ridiculous, they’re Gucci.” Raphael rolled his eyes. 6

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She set both shoes on the sidewalk. Teetering slightly, she stepped into them. Raphael grabbed hold of her arm to steady her. Instead of letting go as soon as she had her balance, he walked her to the door. “You know,” he said, “when I want to wear my spike heels, I listen to the weather forecast first.” She laughed, picturing this handsome hunk in spike heels. “Oh, really? Are they black vinyl to match your corset? I think I’ve seen you in the red light district.” Raphael smiled as he opened the door for her. Oh and a cute smile too. Everything about this man got her blood pounding. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Miss Fuller.” As he spoke his eyes drifted down to where she was, indeed, fuller than most. Ordinarily she would have been annoyed from years of being gawked at, yet when he jerked his gaze back to her face quickly, she had to give him points for trying. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Paramedic. Thanks for your help.” Somehow, a handshake didn’t seem quite adequate. She looked into his warm darkening eyes and held his gaze a little longer than usual while she decided what to do. He didn’t move. He didn’t even blink. Quick, before you chicken out. Tonia brushed his cheek with her lips, turned and ran into the building without looking back until she reached the elevator. He was writing a note against the glass. As the doors closed he turned the paper around. It said, “Get boots.”

***** Two months later, Raphael was remembering a certain blond bombshell with bright green eyes and a figure to make a Barbie doll weep, when he looked up and realized he was about to walk past her office building. He had thought of her every single day since their chance meeting in March. Now it was May. The weather was finally warming up and he wore his lightweight uniform jacket open to the cool, evening air. This time he was on his way home and wondered what time she got out of work. Maybe, if he saw her again, he’d ask her out for a drink, or coffee. No, not coffee. He had come to her rescue and she had kissed him. Definitely a drink. He glanced up at the top floors. What would she look like without her coat? Hell, what would she look like without her bra? Maybe, after a couple of drinks he’d find out. As he approached the front entrance of her building, a rush of people exploded onto the sidewalk. One woman saw his uniform and called out, “Hey, are you an EMT?” He wished he could say, “No, I’m filling in for a paramedic buddy, but I’m really a senior med student, about to graduate and start my internship a couple of weeks after that,” yet the look of panic on the woman’s face begged for a fast answer. 7

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“How can I help?” “Our fire alarm went off and one of our coworkers fell down a flight of stairs. She’s unconscious on the fifth floor!” Raphael didn’t need any more inspiration than that for his internal rescuer to spring into action. He charged into the building and spotted the stairwell from which people were evacuating. Knowing the elevators wouldn’t work, he prepared to run up five flights of stairs as quickly as possible. “Step to the right, people,” he yelled. “Emergency personnel coming up.” He heard the shuffling of feet above and was able to charge up a couple of flights before he had to repeat himself. As he became more winded, his warning lost some of its authority, but folks managed to get out of his way at the last minute. “Stay calm and stick to the right. Stay to the right, please.” As soon as they saw his uniform, they let him by. Damn, he liked the respect a uniform garnered. Soon, he’d wear a lab coat embroidered with his name and new title. Dr. Beauchamp. Finally. By the time he reached the fifth floor he was panting, but pushed on and spotted a couple of people hovering over an unconscious woman. Mountainous breasts under a soft, pink sweater were blocking her face, but as he drew nearer, she looked increasingly familiar. Oh God, it can’t be. Her long, blond hair was splayed on both sides of her motionless, twisted body. “Her name is Tonia,” said a man standing over her. “I know,” Raphael murmured. “We can’t get her to come to.” Raphael placed two fingers on the carotid artery in her neck and felt a strong pulse. Hallelujah. She’s alive. “How long has she been out?” “Only a minute or two.” “Did anybody call 911?” “I called from my cell phone,” the man said. “Okay, I’ll stay with her until the ambulance arrives.” He called out to the onlookers. “Everyone go ahead and get out of the building.” The gentleman bending over her looked confused. “Didn’t you come in an ambulance?” “No, I was passing by. Wait for them at the entrance and tell them where we are, okay?” “Sure thing.” As the man was leaving, Raphael, feeling helpless to do anything else, started talking out loud to Tonia. “Come on, Tonia. Come back to me.” As the guy joined the ranks of departing workers, Raphael called, “Thanks for your help.”

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He detected the faint sound of sirens growing louder and relief washed over him. He noted Tonia’s shoes and shook his head. Another pair of ridiculously high heels.

***** Tonia slowly regained consciousness, barely aware of her body moving but acutely aware of the throbbing pain in her head. Eventually objects came into focus and she forced the double images to converge on the face above her. Handsome Raphael Beauchamp was looking at her with the same concerned expression she’d seen the other time she gazed up at him. “Welcome back,” he said and let out a long breath. “You too.” When Tonia tried to rise, something held her down. A sharp stab of pain ripped through her head followed by a wave of nausea. “Oww…” “Don’t try to get up. Your head and body are immobilized with thick straps and you’re secured to a stretcher.” Using her most sarcastic intonation, she said, “Oh, wonderful. I’m in bondage already and we barely know each other.” The only thing about this position that beat the last time on the sidewalk was the lack of a cold puddle of melting ice beneath her. Instead she lay in a warm ambulance with an almost-doctor, who looked like a Greek god, sitting next to and touching her. He watched her intently, holding her hand and stroking her arm where he had pushed up her cashmere sweater. Probably to check her pulse. His touch sent warm tingles up to her shoulder and neck despite the distraction of her aching head. She gazed into his yummy milk-chocolate eyes and he finally gave her a half-smile. “I guess you didn’t get any practical footwear, yet?” She gasped. “Are my Manolos with me?” He reached down and picked up her favorite pair of shoes. Black pumps with a strappy back and four-inch heels. “Oh, thank God!” “If I were you, I’d give ‘em to my worst enemy.” He dropped the shoes from a height of about two feet. She gasped when she heard them clatter on the ambulance floor. “If you scuffed those…” she threatened. “Yes? What are you going to do to me?” She huffed. “Never mind. I’ve got nuthin’.” Raphael grinned. One side of his smile was slightly higher than the other. Oh…I love lopsided smiles. Suddenly she wondered what kind of embarrassing stories about her fall were going to circulate through the office.

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“So, I—I guess I tripped and fell. Do you know what happened after that?” He nodded. “I was the first trained professional on the scene. Your coworkers said you were filing down the stairs with everyone else, fell off your stupid high-heeled shoes, could have taken out any number of people with you and came to a sudden stop on the next landing. Somewhere along the way, you hit your pretty, but empty, head hard enough to knock you unconscious.” “Nobody said that! You’re just being mean because I won’t listen to your lame fashion advice.” Raphael raised his dark eyebrows. “My advice isn’t lame, but you could be if you don’t get some lower heels and soles with tread. Women with your build shouldn’t wear heels that high.” She squinted. “What do you mean, ‘women with my build’?” “I don’t know whether or not you’ve noticed, but you’re a bit, well, top-heavy.” Tonia sucked in a deep breath and glared, daring him to say another word. Apparently he dared. “If you knew anything about body mechanics, you’d realize that your center of gravity is probably a little off. The other time I found you flat on your back, you overcompensated and went backwards. Today the part of your body that juts out took you forward and down the stairs.” She felt the temperature rising in her cheeks and knew she must be blushing furiously. “If I could reach you, I’d give your face a good slap.” “If you did that, I’d have to retaliate on your bottom.” She gaped at him. Tonia couldn’t believe a trained health professional would say something like that. Furthermore, she couldn’t believe her own gut-level reaction to his words. Something about it sounded erotic, though. She pictured being pulled over his lap with her knickers down and experienced a raw shiver. “Here, let me get you another blanket,” he said, but Tonia could barely concentrate on his words. She was trying to get the sexy picture out of her mind.

***** Four hours later she was released from the hospital emergency room after making up a series of excuses to explain why she couldn’t stay overnight for observation. They didn’t care when she had said that she had a pet snake and a pet hamster that frequently got out of their cages and it was long past feeding time. They didn’t seem impressed with the idea that she may have left her iron on that morning and it was next to a pile of old newspapers. They did listen, however, to the fact that her health insurance hadn’t kicked in yet. Suddenly, she was good to go and hustled out the door. “Do you know how lucky you are?” Raphael opened the back door of the yellow cab for her. Once she was safely inside, he slammed it shut.

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She had every intention of ignoring his question, even if she was being rude. Her pride was damaged enough without a lecture. He trotted around to the other side of the taxi and got in. “You don’t need to go with me, you know. It’s late and you’d probably rather get home.” And I’m embarrassed as hell. Why couldn’t we meet like normal people? “You have a mild concussion and that’s not something you can ignore. I just want to make sure that your roommate is home and knows what to do before I take off. You shouldn’t be alone.” “For God’s sake, Beauchamp…” “Why? What’s wrong with that?” Tonia stared out the window and didn’t answer. “You’re welcome, by the way.” His voice sounded frosty. Oh, crap. I never thanked him. She turned toward his darkened eyes, ashamed. “I’m so sorry, Raphael. You really have gone above and beyond. It’s just this nasty headache. I’m afraid I can’t think of anything else right now. I’m really sorry about snapping at you.” He touched her shoulder and ran his fingers over her soft sweater. “That’s okay. Maybe I’ll stay with you a little while longer and distract you from the pain.” Even in the darkened cab she could sense his desire and for once, the man’s eyes were looking at her face, not her boobs, when saying something so suggestive. “Sorry, hon. I’m not in the mood. I have a headache.” He chuckled. “I was talking about watching a late-night talk show or an old movie.” “Oh.” He could probably see her blushing in the dark as easily as she had seen his eyes smoldering. Wait a minute. His eyes were telling the truth, his mouth was lying— probably trying to salvage his male ego. If only there was something she could do to repair her own bruised self-esteem. She didn’t speak again until the cab pulled up to her brownstone townhouse on Beacon Street. “I’m fine, really. Why don’t you go home? I’ll take two aspirin and call you in the morning.” “Wait.” Raphael jumped out and ran around to her door. Not much she could do but let him help her out and, if he insisted, walk her to the door. She couldn’t let him go any further than that, though, or he’d discover she had no roommate. He asked the cabbie to stay put and walked her up the stairs, holding her elbow. “Listen, you’ve been really great. I appreciate all you’ve done, but I’ll take it from here, okay?” She whirled toward the door and almost lost her balance. Raphael grabbed her around the waist and yanked her against his chest. She forced herself to focus on her door until she regained her equilibrium, despite the pressure of his firm grip holding her under her breasts. The thought of him sliding his hands up and over them flashed through her brain and she fought off the resulting tingle in her nipples. 11

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“Wow, who knew the world was going to shift on its axis like that?” She took a deep breath and stood straight. “I’m okay.” “Yeah, right.” “I am!” He shrugged. “Fine. I’d just like to tell your roommate what to look for in case of problems that require immediate medical attention and then I’ll be on my way.” “Problems? What problems?” “Well, I don’t want to alarm you or anything. I’d rather just talk to your roommate. It’ll only take a minute.” “No, it won’t.” She dug in her purse for her keys. “Why is that?” “Because, first I’d have to get a roommate. I fibbed.” He raised his eyebrows but didn’t say anything. She fumbled in the dark with the keys until he put his hand on hers. “May I?” “Sure,” she said handing him the keys. He pocketed them, ran down the steps and pulled out his wallet to pay the cab driver. “Hey!” “Keep the change,” he said and the cab drove off, leaving behind the sexiest, most annoying, most paranoid, almost-doctor she’d ever met.

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Chapter Two Raphael walked up the steps with his hands in his jacket pockets. He withdrew the keys and opened the door hoping she’d give him a chance to explain why he wanted to stay with her. She seemed like the type of girl who could be moved to wrath if pushed beyond her limits. He didn’t know if she would invite him in or flatten his nose if he followed her, so he hesitated and followed cautiously. When she was all the way to the end of the hall, she whirled around and teetered slightly causing him to charge in and grab her again before she fell. Holding her in his arms, he couldn’t help feeling protective. He wanted to swoop her up and carry her. Knowing that might not go over so well, he helped her to upright herself and held on until she was steady. “So what were those problems you were talking about?” Her voice sounded a little shaky this time, unlike the confident woman she had been right up to that moment. “Here, let me get you into your apartment and onto a couch.” He opened the second door and helped her to her living room, settled her comfortably on her blue brocade love seat and shut the front door. Her home, neat as a pin, looked as if she had furnished it from an antique store. “Let me take your coat,” Tonia said and she was about to get up when he put a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll hang it up, you just relax.” “I’m not going to break. Am I?” He didn’t answer, just glanced around the room. She pointed to the corner. “The closet is over there.” Opening the door revealed a small space crammed full of junk that was as disorderly as the room was neat. A shoebox that had been teetering on top of some other jumbled items high on the shelf fell off and nearly brained him when it landed on his head. She laughed and a moment later, grabbed her head. “Oww. Okay, this isn’t funny. Now you’ve got me worried. What could happen to me?” Raphael unzipped his jacket and hung it next to her coats. “There’s one thing that I’m really concerned about. If you fall again, you could wind up with something called ’second impact syndrome’, which can be fatal.” Her eyes opened so wide he could see the entire dark jade circumference surrounding the emerald irises. Her mouth formed a perfect little “o” and her brow furrowed. At last, she was beginning to listen. “You’re kidding.” 13

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“No, that’s why the doctor told you to rest for a couple of days. There’s not much else you can do. That’s why I said you shouldn’t be alone. Someone should make sure you don’t do too much too soon and call your doctor if you have a severe headache, repeated vomiting, mental confusion or convulsions. You really need to let someone else look after you so you can stay in bed for a while.” She rubbed her neck. “Stiff neck?” “No, not really. I think I just pulled a muscle.” “Here, let me.” Raphael came around to sit on the other side of her and kneaded the tight muscles of her neck and shoulders. “Oh, that’s the spot.” She moaned as if he were touching her private parts. Raphael’s cock hardened. She felt like warm satin where he rubbed her smooth skin. Now what? Should I offer to stay? “I—I know you weren’t counting on this,” Tonia said. “I hope you didn’t have other plans this evening.” She let out another coo and if he’d had plans, he’d probably cancel them. “No I didn’t. In fact I don’t have any plans for tomorrow either. Other than filling in as a favor once in a while, my paramedic job is pretty much at an end. All I had planned to do was study for a couple more finals. I could bring my books over and study here.” Her body was yielding to his touch like memory foam. “I’m afraid this furniture isn’t very comfortable, or I’d ask you to stay.” He glanced around the living room. The love seat was small and the chairs looked hard and painful. At least the beautiful Persian rug seemed fairly thick. Old, probably full of dust, but at least a quarter inch thick. “I can sleep on the floor.” “I can’t let you do that. I’ve put you out enough.” “I’m staying unless you can come up with a family member or friend you can call.” She was quiet. When she glanced at him, her eyes were shimmering. “I don’t have any friends, only some acquaintances, but no one I could call for a favor this late at night.” “Oh.” His heart went out to her. It didn’t seem like it was her choice to be so alone in the world. What could have happened? “Well, you have me, now.” She smiled warmly. “Thanks. I moved here from Nevada a couple of months ago after my husband and I divorced. People here aren’t very friendly, you know? I thought I’d try to stick it out a little longer and see if it gets better.” Damn, she’s on the rebound. Raphael reached out and caressed her soft cheek with the backs of his fingers. “I’m sorry. You really should stay for the summer, though. People are much nicer once they thaw out and there’s so much to do and see. Boston’s a top tourist location and it’s not just for the history.”

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A light sparkled in her eyes. “I’ve heard about the public gardens and swan boats.” “I haven’t been on them since I was a kid. We’ll have to do that together, then.” He stood. “Where can I find a pillow and an extra blanket?” “No extra blanket and the rooms are drafty. I’m really sorry about the inconvenience Raphael and after you’ve been so nice. You can have the other half of my bed.” “Really?” He hoped he didn’t sound too eager, but it was quite a surprise. Sleeping with Tonia sounded infinitely better than sleeping on the floor. Well, sleeping next to her. Anything more than sleeping would definitely have to wait until she was feeling better. Maybe, by that time, she’d want to do what he wanted to do as badly as he wanted to do it. “Are you sure?” “Hey, you’re just a friend. If you were a female no one would think twice.” Just a friend. I’ll have to change that. “And no one needs to know.” “Right. Besides, I can’t do much with this headache, can I?” “Is it still bad?” “It’s getting better, but I’ll try to behave myself.” She giggled. “In other words, my virtue will be safe?” Her eyes twinkled. Tonia attempted to stand, but wobbled. Raphael swooped in, helping her up. When steady on her feet, she said, “I’m going right to bed. You’re welcome to make a snack or watch TV. Crawl in later when you’re ready.” “You won’t think I’m an intruder and shoot me?” “No. I might think you’re my ex-husband and shoot you though.” “Uh oh. Ended badly?” She looked at the floor, a sad expression on her face. “Well, they never end pleasantly, but don’t worry, I don’t own a gun.” “I’ll be sure to stay on my side of the bed.” She turned her head away but not before he noticed the blush creeping into her cheeks. She walked slowly as if taking her injury more seriously and pointed toward a closed door. “This is the bathroom, the kitchen’s on the right and the bedroom is next to the bathroom on the left.” She smirked. “Try not to get lost in my mansion.”

***** Tonia was awake even though her eyes were closed when the bedroom door opened. Apparently Raphael hadn’t found much on TV or he was tired too. She was facing the other way but felt him slide into her queen-size bed beside her. To have another warm body in bed with her again would have been a cozy luxury, except for…

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What? A head injury? That had nothing to do with warming her body and it wasn’t just months, but years since she had felt any warmth from her ex-husband. She remembered the glimmer in his eyes when she invited him to share the bed with her. A wicked little thought popped into her head and before she talked herself out of it, she rolled over with eyes still closed and let her arm flop over his waist. She heard his breath hitch and he tensed. Now, to wait and see what he’ll do. Several moments went by and he didn’t move. She snuggled closer, let her hand rest over his heart and felt quickening beats through his Tshirt. He moved, hesitated and then cautiously slipped an arm around her. At last, a man who cuddles. She wriggled to get really comfortable and enjoyed the reassuring heat and tender support. He squirmed into the hug too and Tonia’s pussy clenched. She suddenly wanted to make love with this man more than she wanted to lose the remaining thud in her head. He was so close. She moved slightly to rub her breasts against him. A moment later he gently stroked her back. She tipped her face up and opened her eyes. He was staring at her and even with only a dim nightlight in the room, she could see his eyes were blazing. His hand traveled further down her back and caressed her bottom. God that feels good. An unintentional mewl escaped. Without saying a word she tipped her chin up and he captured her lips in a tender kiss. She let her hand travel down his body to his waist. He was still wearing his uniform pants. So, he really had intended to behave himself, but now, she didn’t want him to. Taking a real chance, she slid her hand slowly to the bulge she felt growing through them. Still kissing him, she unsnapped his pants and pulled the zipper down. He made no move to stop her and her excitement soared. His hand slipped inside her pajama bottoms where he stroked and squeezed her ass. She tingled where he touched her and quivered somewhere deep inside. She pushed her bottom into his hand to encourage him. Suddenly, he stopped everything he was doing and pulled his face away so he could look in her eyes. His expression bespoke uncertainty. “We shouldn’t take this much further. You’re still recovering and you need to rest.” She sighed. Damn concussion. “When would it be safe to, um…take it further?” He placed his forehead against hers and smiled. “Let’s see how you feel in a few days.” “Okay, but…” “Yes?” “I’m not sure I can wait that long.”

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The following morning, Raphael moved around the kitchen trying to find what he needed to make some kind of hearty breakfast. This girl didn’t seem to have much food. He scratched his head. What was he going to do? Create breakfast from salad and soup? This wasn’t his neighborhood, but he thought he remembered a bagel shop on Boylston Street, so he crept back into the bedroom to retrieve his uniform and get dressed in the bathroom. She looked so peaceful. She slept on her side with her hands tucked under the pillow near her lovely neck. Her face was beautiful even without makeup, almost angelic, although, she was anything but angelic last night. She had finally talked him into removing his trousers and sleeping so close together that, were they blind, they’d have had a full view of what the other one was made of. Could only a couple of months without a man make her so needy? No, that didn’t fit with her independent spirit. It must be the close brush she’d just had with the angel of death. It seemed a shame to wake her, so he decided to leave her a note on her bedside table. Now where would he find paper and a pen? He had checked every kitchen drawer and cabinet for food and prep items and hadn’t seen any in his travels there. He remembered a small antique desk against the far wall in the living room. Hoping he’d find what he needed, he left the bedroom, washed up and dressed as quietly as he could and then headed for the desk. The top drawer had a lock and the key in it. If it was private, she wouldn’t have left the key in the lock, right? But, maybe she just forgot. He decided to try it. If unlocked, he’d look in there. If locked, he’d give up and write on the bathroom mirror with toothpaste or something. He really didn’t want to wake her. To his relief, it opened. A pen tray held the writing instrument he was looking for, but he needed to open the drawer further to find a pad of paper. A newspaper clipping lay in the drawer on top of paper, envelopes and note cards. The five by seven color picture caught his eye. Tonia was being escorted down the steps of an official-looking building, like a courthouse and reporters’ microphones were thrust toward her face. He had to look. It would have been like trying to ignore a traffic accident on the side of the road. As he read he learned that Tammy Gobini’s petition for divorce had been granted and that she was now free of the mobster Francis (Frankie) Gobini, who was spending twenty years in prison for drug trafficking and a host of other charges. In the picture, she had her shoulders squared her head held high and her mouth set in a solemn, down-turned line. Knowing only what he saw on television about the Mafia, Raphael imagined how hard that must have been for her. Didn’t they always say, “Once in the Mafia, you can never get out, because you know too much?” What kind of courage must that have taken? What a choice to make. She wouldn’t just be divorcing her husband but his whole family. The family! Maybe it wasn’t as bad as it sounded. Maybe she only discovered his dirty dealings during the trial. Perhaps she didn’t know anything, so they let her go quietly. He read on. They had been married for six years.

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She must have known a little something. Damn. She had to have been a teenage trophy wife. The article went on to say she hadn’t been awarded a settlement. Her ex-husband was worth millions, but their assets had been frozen due to the money being earned by illegal means. Raphael shook his head. In other words, she got screwed. Tammy—Tonia. Familiar enough to answer to, but altered enough to throw someone off her paper trail, especially with a different last name. Reality hit him between the eyes. Tonia, or rather Tammy, was in hiding. Terrific. I almost made love to a Mafia wife. And the truth was, he still wanted to. It had taken all of his self-control to stop with a little touching, kissing and fondling. He was clearly not meant to see this. What the hell was he supposed to do with this knowledge? Even though she was in danger if discovered, she hadn’t told him. Why? Maybe because she didn’t know him well enough yet? Maybe for her own safety? Maybe for his safety? Damn it! Why did her ex have to be a cold-blooded killer? Was he ordering a hit man to find her and “rub her out”? Maybe his orders were to follow her around and “snuff” any guy she took home! Damn, damn, damn. Little things were suddenly making sense, like owning a high-priced wardrobe while living in a tiny one-bedroom apartment and working for an asshole lawyer. She would naturally keep her personal property and had probably learned a thing or two about the law in an effort to protect herself. He couldn’t write the note anymore, or she’d realize he was in her desk. Taking a deep breath, he walked back into the bedroom just as she stretched and yawned. He said a reasonably calm and believable, “Good morning.” “Good morning. How’s my hero?” He shuddered inwardly, but managed to put a weak smile on his face. “Uh…fine. How about you?” “Now that the nausea’s gone, I’m starving, but I’m afraid I don’t have much in the way of food. My weekly groceries haven’t been delivered yet.” “You get them delivered? What a luxury.” It hadn’t occurred to him that she probably didn’t want to go much of anywhere especially if someone might be looking for her. Now, avoiding the hospital made sense too. Raphael wondered how many goons Frankie might have searching the city for his trophy wife. “Would you be a love and grab a couple of things from a convenience store for me?” “Heck no. I pay for anything I take.” She laughed and shook her head without wincing. Thank God she just assumed his quick response was a joke. “How’s the dizziness?”

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“Almost gone! Headache’s much smaller too. I think I could make you a big breakfast if you’re willing to go to the store… I’ll pay you back.” Her coquettish look hinted at more than cash in repayment. She stretched and yawned, pushing her chest out until he could see the hard buds of her nipples under the nightie, surrounded by the most magnificent pair of tits he’d ever laid eyes on. His mouth began to water and Raphael looked for loopholes. I’m probably being ridiculous. There’s some kind of plausible explanation, like an identical twin! Yeah, that could be it. It’s all about her sister.

***** During the time it took for Raphael to walk four blocks to Boylston Street, surveying the people around him for suspicious characters, he had vacillated between concern for himself, unbridled horniness and worry about Tonia. Why might she want to hide? Was the mobster a sore loser? Maybe she just wanted a fresh start without the stigma of his reputation? If so, he wanted to give it to her. She deserved that much. Any woman would, after all! If he continued walking past the convenience store, two more blocks to the grocery store, he could buy plenty of food and spend some more time obsessing. With any luck, rational thought about his role in this bizarre situation might return. It wasn’t too late for him to extricate himself and get the hell out of her life. He hadn’t slept with her. Whew. Damn. Whew! She hadn’t really lied to him, just forgot to tell the truth. Had she had lied about the no friends and moving to a completely strange city? Just wondering things like that wasn’t a good basis for a trusting relationship, but she really didn’t know him well enough to trust him with such a shocking secret. That showed good judgment, right? How much slack was he willing to cut her? How much did she know about her ex-husband’s activities? She didn’t seem to fit the stereotype portrayed in the movie, “Married to the Mob”. Or could she be involved in her own life of crime? Maybe she was completely unaware of who she was marrying and the bastard swept her off her feet. A whirlwind courtship, expensive gifts and then, when it was too late, he’d told her never to open the door without checking the security cameras first. Poor kid. She probably could use a friend. A good friend and confidant. A very good friend and confidant and… Dear God, what was he doing? He pictured all kinds of scenarios and in each one she was the helpless victim and he, Raphael, was the hero. He’d swear to protect her with his… On the other hand, maybe it would be a good idea to get some more information…if she would tell him the truth when he confessed what he knew. Or should he? Maybe I should feel her up, first. I mean, feel her out! Damn. When he arrived back at her apartment, she was right where he had left her, but she was sitting up in bed, reading. She was even wearing a cute pair of wire-rimmed glasses. She certainly didn’t look the part of a mobster’s wife. She looked so…cute!

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Christ! He couldn’t be taken in by “cute”. He was going to be a doctor and falling for a manipulative woman had been trained out of him. Or, could he? She looked up and her whole face beamed. “What did you do? Go grocery shopping?” He swallowed. “Yup. I just got a few things to tide you over. Some bread, eggs, milk, cold cuts…” “Oh, that’s so sweet of you! Honestly, Raphael, I can’t believe how good you are to me!” She tilted her head to the side and his heart melted. That’s not fair. She’s not playing fair! Acting as if she had never had anyone in her life who’d really cared about her. Then, he couldn’t help feeling sorry for her when he thought that perhaps it was true. “I’ll just put these things away and then I’d like to talk to you about something, Tammy…I mean, Tonia.” Her look of surprise was quickly replaced by a nervous giggle. “Oh, don’t worry. People get my name wrong all the time. I get called Tony, Tawny, even Tammy.” “Oh, good,” he said absently. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Dear, God. What do I say to her? Do to her…No! No do. Try to…No try. Only…Crap. When did he become so desperate as to channel Yoda?

***** When he returned, he sat on the edge of her bed. “How are you feeling?” “Oh, so much better, it’s as if nothing happened at all. But I’m being good and staying in bed like you told me to.” She gave him her sweetest smile and even thought about batting her eyelashes. He was too smart to fall for that, though. Some subtle seduction would be better. She cocked her head to the side, almost laying it on her shoulder. “Do you want to check me out?” He bit his lower lip. “I should probably check your neuro signs. Where’s your flashlight?” “I don’t have one.” He took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll improvise.” He plucked the lamp off the bedside table and removed the shade. “Just look at the bridge of my nose.” She stared right into his sad-looking brown eyes. What could he be sad about? “Now scoot forward a bit.” She took the opportunity to place herself right next to him so their legs touched and their faces were inches apart. He cleared his throat and leaned back. “Oh!” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Is my breath okay?” He chuckled. “You’re fine. Keep your eyes open and focused.” He placed the lamp behind her back and then brought it around to shine in her right eye. Then reached around her and passed the lamp to his other hand while she leaned forward, hoping

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he’d take a gander at her cleavage. Instead, he simply repeated the process while watching her other eye, acting very professional and detached. She could almost trust a man like that. “Pupils are equal and reactive to light, that’s a good sign.” He replaced the lampshade and returned the lamp to the table. “Can you move your head around without getting dizzy?” She did as he asked and nodded. “Squeeze my fingers.” She took hold and gently closed her hand around his. “Can you squeeze harder?” She did and didn’t take it easy on him at all. He didn’t even flinch and his eyes never strayed from her face. Tonia rarely used her feminine blessings to get what she wanted, but this man’s heart was so big and he was so responsible and respectful. It was driving her crazy. She craved more of it. Of him. Unselfish, loving attention was like a new drug. She needed it. Didn’t know how much she needed it until she got a taste and now it was all she wanted. When she let go, she slid her hands up his arms and around his shoulders. She moved closer to kiss his neck and made chest-to-chest contact. As she trailed kisses around his ear, she pushed her ample bosom against him. She heard him sigh and then he removed her hands and sat a few inches further away. “We need to talk.” “Uh oh. Did I fail the test?” “No you’re just fine.” She looked up at him with doe eyes and said, “Did I fail some other test? Like the kind where we can only be friends, now and in the future, accident or no accident?” He took in a sharp breath. Moments later he pulled her toward him, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting hug. Mixed signals or no mixed signals, she had to try. Leaning into him, she played with his thick, curly dark brown hair as she kissed and nipped his ear. He shivered and groaned. “Tonia. I’ll have to go home and stay there if you don’t cut it out.” “Please don’t leave,” she whispered. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been held like this, maybe I’ve never been held like this. Please, Raphael. It feels so good. Like something I didn’t even know I’ve been missing.” Raphael was quiet for a few moments. Tonia hoped he was about to give in, but then he whispered, “I—well, we’re both… You know, one thing could lead to another and I don’t want to hurt you.” “If it hurts, I’ll let you know and we can stop.”

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He didn’t say anything, but he continued to hold her and stroke her back. She gave him about ten seconds before she began nibbling his neck. She kissed around to his chin, lifted her mouth to his and tried to convey with a special kiss all the tenderness expanding within her already oversized chest. He answered by accepting her kiss, but he didn’t try to deepen it. He broke the warm contact much sooner than she would have liked and looked uncomfortable. “Tonia, I have something to confess.” “Oh, no. You really do wear a black vinyl corset and stilettos?” He smiled and shook his head. “If only it were that simple. No, I was looking for a pen and paper to leave you a note and I pulled open your desk drawer.” Her body tensed and all of her senses heightened, amping up to hyper-alert. Even though she was pretty sure he had found the newspaper clipping, she held her tongue rather than, stupidly, volunteer any information. What if he had just stolen the pen she had stolen from the Holiday Inn and wanted to fess up? She mentally rolled her eyes at her own false hope. No, that wasn’t what those sad eyes were about.

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Chapter Three “I need to know more about you before we start a physical relationship. I have the feeling there are some things—important things—you may have neglected to mention.” She slid her body back and leaned against the pillows. “What do you want to know? I’ll tell you anything.” “First of all, are you going to tell me the truth about who you are, Tammy?” He stared at her with such intensity that his brown eyes turned into dark chocolate. The jig was up. She might as well get the whole thing out in the open, now. It would hurt less when he ran out the door and never came back at this stage of their relationship. She sighed. “I’m the ex-wife of Frankie Gobini. My real name is Tonia, though. He changed it to Tammy. He said it was because he thought Tonia sounded too exotic and that it was important I remain innocent, but I don’t know. He did a lot of crazy things and gave me the lamest explanations. Like, if you ever see my butt, you’ll see the weirdest tattoo. It’s a bunch of straight and squiggly lines.” “He did that to you?” “He had a tattoo artist do it and he supervised. I think with the name change he might have been testing me. Wanted to see how compliant I was or something. I never complained about anything. I was eighteen and stupid when I married him. After that, it was too late. Nobody in the family defies Frankie Gobini. And nobody crosses him. Nobody.” Raphael showed no reaction whatsoever. Maybe he didn’t know who her husband was. She thought everyone in the country knew. Damn, now she’d have to explain. “He was older, sophisticated and spoiled me rotten. I was so green! Completely unprepared for it.” Her eyes pleaded with him. “Expensive gifts, dinner in all the best restaurants, trips to the Caribbean…” “I grew up in nowhere Nevada with six sisters and nothing. My father was an evangelical minister but without the big monetary contributions. We were homeschooled. He kept us under his thumb as long as he could. But when I began developing everyone starting acting weird. My father wouldn’t hug me or kiss me anymore. Sometimes I’d catch him staring and then he’d look away fast, as if he hadn’t done it. Then he’d excuse himself. Mostly, he ignored me. My sisters starting acting jealous of me, I found out they thought my looks would help me land a rich guy and be better off than they were. They treated me so horribly, I decided to try to prove them right. I didn’t have much to improve my station in life, but at least I had these.” She looked down at the mounds under her pajama top.

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“I doubt that. I mean the part about how you didn’t have anything much to improve your station in life.” At last, Raphael moved, but he looked like he was just getting comfortable, adjusting his legs and crossing his arms. “How did you meet him?” Two waves of nausea later, she told him the truth. “It was in a strip club in Vegas. But, I wasn’t a dancer!” “Considering your balance and coordination, I hope not.” “I didn’t strip. I promise! I was a waitress.” “I thought you said you were eighteen? Isn’t that too young to serve alcohol?” “Not in Nevada.” She could feel her cheeks heating to boiling. Might as well get it all out in the open, so he doesn’t think I’m trying to hide my past. “I, um. I was topless. Getting me to come to their tables meant they had to order more drinks. I made more in tips in one night than I could make at the grocery store in a week. I didn’t know how expensive it was just to live. I was literally going hungry and looking at food all day. Food I couldn’t eat. So after work, I began visiting the lounges with free appetizers.” “And that’s how you got the job?” “Yes, at Frankie’s place. I almost didn’t take it, but the thought of going home with failure written all over me—ugh. Later on I found out that I had been disowned, anyway.” “Ouch. So what were the customers like? Did they try to touch you?” Her eyes filled with shimmering tears. He pursed his lips. He looked angry, but she had to keep going. He didn’t have the whole story, yet. How dare he judge her without hearing the whole thing. “Hey, I could have done worse things. At least I stayed a virgin. I had promised myself I’d wait until marriage and Frankie was the only guy who really seemed to believe that was true and admirable. Other guys said so, but still tried to get into my panties. Frankie protected me. He let everyone know that I wasn’t to be treated like that. Pretty soon, no one would even so much as reach for the drinks I was serving. I thought Frankie had high moral standards.” Raphael snorted. “Yeah, I know. I was as dumb as they come. I didn’t know he was a criminal until after we were married and even then it only dawned on me slowly…and of course, I didn’t know squat about sex. He eventually found better partners.” She felt the corners of her mouth droop and quickly concentrated on the bed covers so she couldn’t meet his gaze. Tonia pushed on. “He spent all of his time at the club, ignoring me except when he wanted to show me off, and I was just supposed to play dumb about the affairs.” “Why did you?” “Fear. I didn’t know what he was capable of or would do to me. Being his quiet, compliant Barbie doll kept me alive and unhurt.” “‘Barbie doll?’” 24

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“Yeah. That’s what he called me. He liked to tell his guys that no one was allowed to play with his Barbie doll. No one but him, that is. They always laughed, so he kept saying it. Even though he didn’t play with me much, either.” “Degrading, but at least it kept you safe. So, what was he into?” “Huh? You mean like kinky stuff?” Raphael cracked the first smile she had seen since the beginning of the conversation. “No, I don’t want to know that. I mean criminal activities.” “He was involved in the drug trade, but when we got married he told me he was an importer. I asked him what he imported and he said botanical products. I thought he meant rare flowers or natural herbs for cosmetics or something.” Raphael rolled his eyes but sat like a statue with folded arms. If only he’d give her some indication of what he already knew or wanted to know, she might be able to save the worst for later. “Well, that’s my sad story. The rest is just more of the same. I was a stupid kid. He was a frightening mobster. He’s in prison now and I’m free of him.” “So why are you in Boston with a new identity?” Crap. Raphael waited for an answer. Five heartbeats, ten heartbeats, fifteen heartbeats. She was plucking at invisible pieces of lint on her sheet and breathing faster. Her face flushed. Before she passed out from hyperventilation, Raphael would have to decide how hard to push. “Okay, look. I can see it’s not something you want to tell me right now, but you will if you want to see me again. I at least deserve to know if I’m in any danger.” Her eyes flashed with surprise and she remarked, “No! You’re not in any danger at all. I wouldn’t let you… It’s not what you think. I don’t even know if I’m in any…anymore.” “Uh huh? Keep talking.” She took in a deep breath and looked up at him with watery eyes. “Can I get dressed first?” “Sure. I’ll make some breakfast.” “No, I’ll make it. You can make the coffee the way you like it. I’ll be right out.” He helped her get up out of bed. “Coffee is my specialty. All of us adrenaline junkies run on caffeine.” She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around him. He couldn’t help but melt. She sighed and seemed more relaxed, probably grateful for the reprieve. Going to the kitchen, Raphael remembered in which cabinet he had seen coffee and filters. The mugs were neatly hung on a wall rack. They boasted assertive sayings like, “Chicks with attitude” above a cartoon of baby chickens. “A man of quality is not threatened by a woman of equality”. And perhaps the most telling of all was the one that said, “I live

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in my own little world, but it’s okay. I’m safe here”. Only one mug had no message, but it sported the picture of a rainbow. It sounded as if Tonia had been trying to reclaim herself. Raphael chose the rainbow mug for her and the ”man of quality” for himself. When Tonia entered the kitchen, she was dressed in blue jeans and a soft, shortsleeved, pink sweater. Oh man, a sweater designed to distract men. Miss innocent. Whether intentional or not, a moment later he had to admit it was working. “So, the newspaper article said you wound up with nothing. How’d you manage to get to Boston and how could you afford an apartment on Beacon Street?” She pulled a pan out of the drawer beneath her oven and set it on the stovetop. “I knew I’d only be allowed to keep my personal possessions, so I sold what I could, kept what I needed and parted with a lot of tacky furniture and useless trinkets. And if you’ll notice, this isn’t the nicest end of Beacon Street.” “It’s not bad. You should see where I live.” The open refrigerator door blocked his view of her as she gathered the breakfast ingredients…all except for her lovely, round ass and long legs. Raphael took his first swallow of scalding hot coffee and even though he tried not to, he coughed and sputtered. “Are you okay?” she asked, bolting upright. “Yeah,” he wheezed. “Fine.” He let his coffee cool and watched her with rapt attention as she whipped up a fluffy omelet, breakfast sausage and toast. How many women look sexy before they’ve even had their coffee? When he felt like he could speak again, he asked, “Do you have a view of the Charles River from here?” “I might be able to see it if I ever opened the curtains.” “Which brings us back to the reason you seem to be hiding.” She brought both steaming plates to the table. “It’s kind of strange.” “Don’t worry, it’s hard to shock me. I’ve seen a lot. The strange, the gross and the creepy. So what happened? Did you wake up with a horse’s head on your bedpost or something?” “Yuck, no!” She picked up her coffee mug, rested her elbows on the table and blew on the hot liquid. He was mesmerized by her pretty, pink, pouty lips forming a perfect “o” and pictured them sliding over his full to bursting erection. Good thing it was hidden beneath the kitchen table. “Well, here goes. Frankie had a long-time mistress. I don’t know the details, like how long it went on or where they met or anything. Since I was his wife, pretty much everyone but me knew about his gigalette.”

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Raphael held her green, doe-eyed gaze and wondered why any man would need or want a woman other than Tonia, or Tammy, or whatever she was calling herself at any given time. She was practical, resilient, sexy and charming. Oh and spunky. Must not forget spunky. So what if she didn’t know much about sex when she got married? What’s wrong with teaching her? Ohhh… Teaching her. Wouldn’t that be fun? Raphael had to push the image of showing her the fine art of fellatio out of his head to concentrate on what she was saying. “So anyway, just as I was leaving the prison after my first and last visit with Frankie, this redhead got out of the car next to mine and introduced herself as his girlfriend. Okay, so that wasn’t a complete shock, but then the bitch—Oh, sorry. I mean, this woman, wanted me to get into her car. She said I had something that belonged to her and we were going to go somewhere together to get it.” “You can call her a bitch. It sounds like a very apt description.” “Oh, well it’s just a word, I guess. It’s rare that I let a curse word out of my mouth. I can think them, but I always feel guilty when I swear out loud.” “Really? Why?” Raphael squinted, trying to reconcile the image he had of a gangster’s ex-wife with this too good to be true, polite, intelligent beauty sitting across from him. She put the coffee cup down and cut into her omelet. “My folks were devoutly religious and if I said anything derogatory I had my mouth washed out with soap. I can still taste it. Yuck.” “Derogatory? Like if you called someone a bitch?” “Even if I called someone a bitch for calling me a bimbo.” Raphael rolled his eyes. “And then, after I was married, Frankie didn’t like it and told me never to let myself become a potty mouth. In fact he told me never to let myself become anything. Not too fat, not too nosey, not too…” She stabbed the sausage, hard. “Smart.” Raphael leaned back in his chair. “He sounds like a charmer. What did you have to say to that?” She chuckled around the sausage and swallowed. “I didn’t say anything. How could I? What Frankie wanted, Frankie got and nobody complained. It wasn’t allowed.” “Yet you have absolutely no trouble disagreeing with me.” She smiled. “Yeah. After Frankie was locked up, I went to some adult education classes and took assertiveness training. Three times.” “Why three times? Did you flunk out?” She shot him an indignant look and bit into her toast. “It wasn’t natural for me, but I eventually got the hang of it.” “Okay. So back to the bitch. What was she looking for?”

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“That’s just it, I don’t know! She must have thought it was pretty valuable because she tried to beat the crap out of me when I told her to get lost.” “Really? What did she do?” “Oh, you know. Typical cat-fighting techniques. Spitting, scratching, hair pulling, biting, kicking…” “Jesus. What did you do?” “Mostly I did the falling, crawling and screaming.” “Then what happened?” “I managed one lucky kick and it was enough to get me into my car. I looked all around the house for what might belong to someone else, but I couldn’t find a thing.” “What if it wasn’t an object?” “I thought of that. He was always buying stuff and giving it away, though. If he didn’t want me to get suspicious, he probably wouldn’t have had it around the house.” “What did he buy you?” She sighed. “He was always sending me out for clothes or shoes when he wanted me out of the way, something that had to be tried on. He’d peel off a handful of one hundred dollar bills and tell me what to buy. ‘Comhea doll’,” She imitated an accent that sounded like Brooklyn in the Twenties. “‘Get yaself some nice silva shoes, Bahbiedoll. You know da kinds I like. Da higha, da betta.’” “Ah. Getting you out of the way to conduct ‘business’?” Tonia nodded. Raphael finally understood where all of her unworkable footwear had come from. He chewed his first bite of the delicious omelet. “Hey, this is good.” “Of course it is. One thing I can do is cook.” “I’m sure there are a lot of things you can do, even if he made you feel like you weren’t capable. You know, I’ve never understood that thinking. Why wouldn’t you want a woman you could talk to, be friends with, encourage and know you had a hand in helping them realize their dreams?” They ate together in companionable silence for a while, mulling things over, before she dabbed her mouth with a napkin and continued. “So, I guess you’ll want to leave and never come back, now.” Raphael finished his coffee and heaved a sigh. “I don’t know. Give me time to adjust.” She excused herself from the table and left the room. Raphael had plenty to chew on and most of it wasn’t food.

***** “Are you sure you want to do this Beauchamp?”

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Tonia held onto the subway car’s metal pole with both hands while Raphael grabbed the same pole wrapping his arm around her. Every time he touched her, she had the same sense of welcome surprise. “Why not? You need to get out of that depressing apartment, but you still shouldn’t be alone. I need to get back to mine and study. Besides, you’ll get to see the real me in my own habitat. Who knows, you might be the one who wants to run.” The subway swerved and squealed while the lights flickered on and off. He grabbed her tight around the waist to steady her when they rounded a curve. The warmth spread from the point of contact through her lightweight jacket and into her body. She tried not to think about the possibility that she was still being followed. That could be terribly inconvenient, not to mention a real buzzkill, in a new relationship. “What am I supposed to do at your apartment while you study? Watch your eyes move across the page? Not that you don’t have sexy, brown eyes…” Raphael rested his chin on her shoulder. “I have something more interesting than that in mind.” “Oh?” Maybe he had discovered a way to study and “do it” at the same time. If so, he’d make millions. “I’m going to let you help me. I want to work in trauma medicine. I learn best by actually doing things hands on and I could use another person to play the victim.” “So, naturally, you thought of me.” “Well, you’ve had some recent experience…” Tonia smiled and glanced away. No one around them looked especially threatening, but it was a good idea to stay vigilant. Two weeks ago she was sure she had spotted Frankie’s mistress hanging around her subway stop. She had taken cabs or walked ever since. Today she had let Raphael talk her into walking to Copley Square and getting on the subway to his place from there. It was cheaper and more direct to the Northeastern University area where he lived, so she agreed. When they reached his stop, he gently ushered her toward the Huntington Avenue sidewalk. Right smack in the middle of the street seemed like an odd place to let people off, but she had little experience with old public transit systems and Boston had the oldest. “Are you from this area?” she asked. “No. I moved here from the western part of the state. Boston is the medical Mecca and I had dreams of going to medical school from an early age. I didn’t pass the MCATS the first time and had to study harder and retake them before I got into medical school. So I became a paramedic and a study-freak in the meantime.” She looked over hoping to catch some expression that would tell her more, but his face was set in the frown of a determined jaywalker. He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him toward the sidewalk. A car sped by and she had to run on her toes to avoid getting hit.

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“Is your apartment much further?” “We’ll be there in a minute. Why, are you getting dizzy?” He stopped and wrapped an arm around her. “No. It’s just these shoes on this crappy pavement…” He gave her a knowing smile and resumed their walk. They arrived at what looked like a student ghetto. Rows of ugly buildings fronted by ten-speed bikes chained to trees. Old and battered economy cars with bad paint jobs were parallel parked so closely they would have to be carried sideways onto the street to go anywhere. He stopped in front of a dirty concrete stairway and looked up at an old brick building. “Here we are. Home, sweet home.” Tonia wished she could say something nice, but opted for saying nothing at all. She followed him in through the heavy, locked outer door to an inner locked door, which was being opened from the other side by a motorcyclist wearing his helmet and carrying a milk crate and bungee straps. “I’ve got that,” Raphael said. He grabbed the door and held it open as the guy squeezed past them without so much as an “excuse me” or “thank you”. Tonia followed Raphael up the stairs to his apartment. She thought she was prepared for bachelor housekeeping, but… Upon opening the door she realized it was even worse than she imagined. It was hard to tell what kind of furniture he’d had before the bomb went off. Clothes were strewn all over everything. Books and papers littered the desk and floor. Raphael ran around the living room in an attempt to pick up and cleared space for Tonia to sit on a narrow upholstered chair. It looked as if he had two that matched, but who could tell. He just made less of a mess in one chair and more of a mess in the other. “Sorry. The dryer was broken.” “Oh, I thought it must be the housekeeper’s day off.” Tonia settled into the Queen Anne replica chair with fading upholstery. Maybe it wasn’t a replica. The fabric looked like it had been around since Queen Anne’s reign. “I wouldn’t have suggested coming here, but this is where all my stuff is.” Raphael jogged into the next room. Glancing around, Tonia muttered, “Yup, obviously.” He returned carrying a large red case that looked like a tackle box and set it on the floor. When it was opened all the way, it looked like it held an ER supply room and a small pharmacy. “I need to practice adjusting dislocations, venipuncture for blood gasses, inserting chest tubes…” “Now wait just a minute.” Tonia slowly stood and began to sweat as she realized she really didn’t know much about this guy. Sure, he knew her whole sordid past, but

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what about his? Why did he have to practice this stuff if he was already a paramedic? Did he flunk amputations in serial killer school? “I’m not letting you put a chest tube in me or dislocate anything or wound me in any other way, got it? I still know people.” Raphael looked up at her as if she had two heads and neither one of them held a functioning brain cell. “Of course I won’t wound you. I’ll just go through the motions. Sheesh. I’m the one who’s been trying to keep you from falling on your head and hurting yourself for two days.” Tonia eased back into the chair feeling sheepish. “Here, lie down on the floor and pretend you’ve just arrived at the hospital in an ambulance.” “Do I have to?” “No. You can sit in the chair and pretend if you want to. I can start an IV upside down in a dark closet if I have to.” “Upside down in a…” Tonia tried to picture it. “Okay, I’ll lie on the floor.” She kicked off her shoes, stretched out on the rug and closed her eyes. “Great. We’ll take it from the top. You arrive unconscious. No one knows what’s happened to you and I have to figure it out. I’ll do the whole assessment from top to bottom. I’ll let you decide what’s wrong, pretend the symptoms accordingly and you can tell me afterward if I figured it out correctly.” Tonia had an evil little thought and happened to be in a wicked enough mood to go for it. She heard Raphael walk out of the room. A moment later, he rushed in, plunked his emergency medical supplies next to her head and pressed one side of her neck. “I’m not breathing and I don’t have a pulse,” she whispered. “Then you’re in cardiac arrest and I’ll need to perform CPR until I can get a nurse to bring the crash cart and defibrillator over.” Several seconds passed and nothing happened. When she opened one eye he was staring at her chest. “I thought you wanted to go through the motions.” “I should, but…” Tonia was mildly annoyed. Her little prank was backfiring. “But what?” “Well, you’re so…” Raphael tentatively assumed the proper had hand position and hovered above her ample chest. “I’m not sure I can…” She lifted her head off the floor and raised her voice. “Hey, I’m dyin’ over here!” That’s all she needed to say. Raphael’s fingers touched her breastbone, measured two fingers above it and marked the correct spot on her chest, then he moved to her head where his fingers gently held either side of her nose and glued his lips over hers for a couple of pretend breaths. Then he straightened, found the correct hand position and almost broke his fingers trying to pull them back so he wouldn’t be feeling her up

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as he faked chest compressions. He counted to fifteen. “Okay, the nurse has brought the crash cart to me and other personnel are arriving.” He touched the side of her neck again. “Is there a pulse?” “No,” she said. “Well, now my nurse is going to take over, so I can get the defibrillator all charged up and ready to go.” “I don’t want your nurse, I want you.” The near touching was driving her crazy. It was as if she could feel the pull of magnets between them, but couldn’t let them touch. Tonia sat up, grabbed either side of his white lab coat and pulled his lips to hers. When he responded, she opened her mouth and slid her tongue in. She thrust, he parried. He thrust, she sucked. Their lips crushed together, taking on a combustible and irrepressible character as soon as he allowed his hands to get involved. After several desperate moments of writhing, kissing and desperate petting, when it was clear she wanted more, Raphael pulled back and gazed at her. One side of his mouth turned up in his lopsided smile. “I guess you’ve recovered from your heart attack?” “Actually, I was almost a goner. And it wasn’t a heart attack. I was dying of sexual starvation.” He laughed. In seconds, he became more serious and swept a long blonde hair out of her eye. “Why me? I mean, you’re obviously used to the nicer things and as you can see, I live in student-induced poverty. I didn’t come from wealth and don’t have a lot of those things.” Tonia answered him in a quiet voice. “At least you came by the things you have honestly.”

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Chapter Four She waited. Raphael didn’t respond right away. He just continued to gaze at her and play with her hair. Wherever he touched her, her scalp tingled. At last, he said, “Tonia, did you ever have any dreams? Other than getting out of nowhere Nevada, I mean. Did you ever wish that you could do something special with your life?” “Of course. I had lots of dreams.” She ran her hands over his taut biceps. “When I was little, I wanted to be the wife of a preacher and have a whole lot of kids.” She smiled and chuckled but looked away. “I guess I didn’t do that, though, did I?” Raphael propped himself on his elbow and rubbed his hand back and forth over her tummy. “If you wanted a lot of kids, why didn’t you have any?” Tonia’s mood grew solemn, fast. “I tried. I had three miscarriages. I guess I’m just not meant to be a mother.” She sighed. In a low whisper she added, “Or a lover. Frankie didn’t touch me after the third failed attempt.” “Is that how he saw it? A failed attempt?” “Yeah. It really upset him. I think he took it as a blow to his masculinity. I was supposed to be the sainted mother of his many perfect children. A task I failed. He had me believing I was a failure too.” “I’m sorry.” Raphael bent down to kiss her forehead. The fire in her ignited immediately and she answered his tenderness by pulling his face closer and kissing him on the mouth. His lips answered hers in a heated crush. He opened to her, as she did to him and welcomed his tongue. Hot passion passed between them and she hoped the fire wouldn’t cool down anytime soon. His hand slid up her back underneath her sweater and found the bra clasp. He had to work at it for a minute but their desperate kiss lasted longer that way. A full-figured girl needed more fasteners to hold her heavy breasts and for once, she didn’t mind. She would have helped, but didn’t want to insult his competence. At last, she was freed from her body prison. Ah… He was sliding his hand around to the front. She hungered for his touch. She had never wanted her breasts fondled as much as she did right now. He gently ran his hand over the tops of her mounds and let his fingers brush her sensitive peaks. She shivered with a sensuous thrill that shot through her nipples and radiated to her body’s viscera while she arched into his hand to encourage further exploration. She got what she wanted. He cupped her fullness and his hand stroked, squeezed and massaged each of her breasts thoroughly, his thumb twirled around her nipples 33

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every so often making her moan. She salivated, craving more of his sexual attention, ravenously. She moaned with pleasure and hoped he’d want to suckle her. Well, of course he would. He was as man, wasn’t he? How much should she help? She wanted to sit up, tear off all her clothes and shove his face into her cleavage. No, that might not seem very romantic, but something had to be done to get his mouth attached to her nipples, suckling. “Beauchamp?” “Hmmm?” “Could I have—some suction? Please?” Raphael raised his head enough to look at her. He looked surprised at first, but then smiled. “I’d love to do that.” “And, while we’re at it, I’d like to get more comfortable.” “I would too,” he murmured. “But, I don’t have a bed.” Tonia sat up so fast her head spun. “You don’t have a… Where the heck do you sleep?” He grinned and winked, “In a Love Sac.” Tonia raised her eyebrows and waited for him to explain. Whatever a Love Sac was, it sounded promising. Raphael stood and held his hand out to her. She grabbed on and let him heave her to her feet. “Come and see,” he said. She followed him into the bedroom where an oversized, floppy, stuffed somethingor-other dominated the room. “So, that must be the Love Sac?” “Yeah, go ahead. Try it out.” Tonia lowered herself onto the imitation suede surface. “Hmmm. Not bad. It’s like a bean bag.” “Yeah, roll around on it. It’s comfortable. Molds to your body.” She didn’t want to roll around on it alone. It would be ever so much more delightful with the two of them, naked and his cock inside of her. She pulled her sweater and bra off over her head in one swoop. His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. Lying down to make her anxious body more inviting, she reached for her zipper and began to unzip her jeans. “Not yet,” he said, breathless. “Why not?” “I—um, wasn’t planning on any more than a little gentle petting. The concussion… You should still be taking it easy.” “Fine, then you can take me easy, but I want you to take me.”

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He was staring with big, round eyes and looked as if he might be salivating. Good. Maybe he’d become the initiator and she wanted sex. Desperately. “But, I don’t know what would happen if…” “If what?” she asked in a sexy whisper. He took a step backward and hesitated. “If you have an orgasm. That’s not something I’d want to cheat you out of, but the increased internal pressure might not be good for you. I don’t want anything to happen to you by resuming sex too soon.” “For Chrisakes, Beauchamp, do you think my head’s going to explode or something?” Raphael looked at the ceiling, took a deep breath and blew it out, slowly. Then he leveled his gaze at her and set his hands on his hips. “If I’m uncomfortable with the idea, then my wishes should be respected as much as any woman who says ‘No’. I will not be told to make love and when to do it.” Silence rippling with electricity vibrated through the room. Maybe guys in Boston didn’t like her body. Maybe she stood out like a freak. No one at work had hit on her and she was used to getting hit on every time she walked down the street in Vegas. Maybe it wasn’t her. Maybe Raphael just had a low libido. “Never mind,” she whispered. “I know the drill.” Tonia rolled away from him onto her side and curled into a fetal position. “Go away. I’ll get dressed and come out in a minute.” “No, you don’t know. I’m sorry, Tonia. I want you more than you realize. This must sound awful, but I’ve got to study. These exams, then the boards, they’re killers and my future depends on doing well. I don’t want to squeak by. I want to at least be in the top half of my class.” “I understand.” And she wanted to, but of all the things he could have done to hurt her, that was probably the deepest cut he could have chosen at the moment. For some reason, she couldn’t look at it dispassionately and realistically, no matter how good his reason might be. The painful humiliation of having opened herself up, saying what she wanted, only to be rejected by the only man she had asked to make love to her. It was too much. As soon as he stepped out of the room, she hustled into her bra and sweater. Bolting through the apartment to the door, she avoided eye contact and managed to get as far as the stairs before he caught up with her. “Tonia, wait.” Raphael grabbed her arm, but she jerked it away before he had a good grip on her. “Leave me alone!” She reached for the banister lest she fall again and require more of his medical expertise and attention. Raphael managed to get his arms around her waist and halt her forward progress. “Stop, damn it!” Tonia strained against him. It was no use. He was too strong. She quit struggling and slumped to the floor. Her throat constricted and prevented her from yelling or even

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speaking without crying. She had held back those tears for so long, she wouldn’t let them fall now. Raphael wrapped his warm arms around her and held her as she shook. Suddenly he realized that for all her brazen talk and assertive behavior, Tonia was scared, deep down. Perhaps she was still somewhat naïve, thinking male attention affirmed her desirability as a woman. He bet for sure that she was afraid of being alone against a hostile, uncaring world and needed someone on her side. “Tonia…” he said in his gentlest, most reassuring voice. She had buried her head in her arms and refused to look at him. He tried to lift her chin, but she jerked away. How could he have caused this girl more pain than she had already suffered and for what? To study? He had been studying for weeks. He knew all of the narcotics he could prescribe by heart, indications for use, effects, side effects, risks and contraindications, inside and out. He knew every treatment trick in the book from preserving and reattaching a severed body part to treating third-degree burns with minimal scarring. He knew exactly what he needed to keep in his little black bag at all times. He could probably bring a zombie back to life. Was there more to it? She turned him on more than any woman ever had. Was he really afraid to make love to her because of a recent concussion? Was he so used to denying himself companionship because he had decided to put that part of his life on hold? Or did he have to ask himself that perhaps he was avoiding intimacy for another reason? He didn’t know what that reason might be and he didn’t have time to go into therapy to figure it out. Meanwhile he was holding a quivering Tonia, whom he had already begun to think of as his responsibility. He had forgotten that this type of responsibility was also a privilege. One he shouldn’t take for granted. Stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head, he tried to put himself in her shoes. For all intents and purposes, it seemed he was her sole friend. She must feel as if she had placed all of her eggs in one basket and it was dropped. Perhaps some of them cracked. This was a new kind of responsibility. He had been responsible for other people for so long. His younger sister. His mother. When his father died in a car accident, he was the man of the house. Now his mother was remarried and his sister was building a career as an interior designer. Finally relieved of family responsibilities, he had felt free to take care of only himself. Always giving, he thought he had forgotten about taking. But taking a good woman into his life could be another pressure alleviated, not created. Good God, man you can only deny yourself for so long. “Tonia. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’d love to make love to you…soon. No, now. I’ve studied enough to take three different exams and pass all of them.” She took a few deep breaths and her trembling dissipated. At last, she came out of the ball she had curled into. He eased his hold on her, hoping she would turn around and give him a chance to explain.

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They rose from the floor at the same time. She did turn around but her expression was unreadable. “I’m okay. I do want you to do well on your exam and I have to go anyway. Maybe another time.” “You don’t have to go as far as I’m concerned. I wish you’d stay.” “No. There are some things I need to take care of. I have to see my nincompoop boss and explain what happened. I probably have work to catch up on.” “At least let me walk you to the subway and make sure you get on the right one.”

***** Tonia felt very differently after making her way to the sidewalk without falling. Of course, Raphael was holding onto her the whole time they descended the stairs together. What had gotten into her, anyway? He was sure to think she was a spoiled brat who couldn’t hear the word “no” without having a tantrum. “Raphael, I’m so sorry. I’m not usually that insecure. I don’t know why I overreacted like that.” He slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her temple as they walked. “I think we both have a lot on our minds and reacted because of the added stress. It’s okay, hon. Don’t give it another thought.” She looked up at him and smiled. They reached the corner, traffic sped by and there didn’t seem to be a good opportunity to cross the street. He turned her toward him, took her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly. Right on the sidewalk. Dear Lord, Frankie would never have done that. When she pulled back and saw his facial expression, she noticed his wrinkled brow and sad puppy eyes. “What is it?” she asked. “What’s what?” “You look so sad and worried.” “I’m not sad. Maybe a little worried, but not sad.” He stroked her arm and offered a weak smile. “I hope I didn’t just blow my chances with you. I really do want to see more of you and as soon as I get these damn tests out of the way, I can do that. I took a two-week vacation from my paramedic job. I have a week to study and a week to recover. I figured I’d need it.” Tonia dropped her head and stared at her shoes. “Are you sure you want to see me?” “I couldn’t be more sure of anything, ever.” He enveloped her in his warm arms and held her tight. When he let go, he grabbed her hand. Warmth filled her from the point of contact and licked up her arm like flames flickering up a wall. No, not a wall. A

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bonfire. It was more like a bone-fire. As if struck by lightning, Tonia was shocked right to her marrow with the sure knowledge that this was a man she could fall deeply in love with. “I think we can cross now.” He led her at a trot through the break in the stream of cars. “Just in time to catch your train, too.” Tonia had seen a subway car approaching, but hadn’t read the sign over the front window to know where it was heading. Checking the front of it, she read, “Copley Square.” Suddenly she spotted a redhead on the curb. Holy crap. Is that Kendra? On the opposite sidewalk stood a woman in a light-colored trench coat. She looked just like Kendra with her long, red hair and full upper lip. If she were taller and her nose sharper, she’d be a dead ringer for Julia Roberts. Tonia didn’t know if she had her wide smile, though. She had never seen Kendra smile and probably wouldn’t. People blocked her view. Raphael assisted her up the steps, saying, “If you need anything during the week, call or come right on over. Okay? I want to be there for you.” “Are you sure?” “I promise.” She smiled and nodded. Tonia glanced all around the car but didn’t see the redhead. Thank God. She turned and blew a kiss to Raphael, then grabbed onto a pole next to the emergency exit. Searching beyond the window, up and down the platform, she saw no one who resembled Kendra. Where the hell could she have disappeared to so quickly? Was she a magician, or maybe a quick-change artist?

***** “I’m sorry it took me a while to get back, sir. I was in the hospital and then…” “Hospital?” Tonia’s boss rose and came around his polished mahogany desk, looking as if he actually cared. He leaned against it, arms folded over his chest. “Now I am concerned. What happened?” “I—I fell. Remember the fire alarm?” “Vaguely. I ignored it.” Tonia wasn’t surprised by his reply. He was preoccupied with much bigger things, like money, whom he could sue and how much publicity he could get when he won. It seemed as if he always won. “Well, I fell down the stairs and knocked myself out. I had a concussion.” Already looking bored, he returned to the massive leather chair on the other side of his desk. “You fell on the sidewalk a while ago too. You should be more careful. I’m responsible for you, you know.” “Yes, sir. About that—there’s something else you should know.”

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He was rifling through his desk drawer looking for something, as usual, distracted. Tonia steeled herself for his reaction, whatever it might be and plowed on. “Mr. Hayes? I think I saw Kendra.” He snapped to attention. “Kendra? Frankie’s Kendra? Here?” The term, “Frankie’s Kendra” made her bristle. The divorce didn’t take the sting out of betrayal. The woman was still a gold digger and had led her husband away from their marriage bed. A dancing sex kitten who had lured him into her thong. How could a woman like that be anything but evil? She took a deep breath and remained calm. “Yeah, the redhead from the club in Vegas.” “What’s she doing here?” “Stalking me. I don’t know what she wants, but I’ve seen her at my subway stop. I managed to turn and disappear around the corner before she spotted me, I hope.” “When was that?” “Thursday.” Why not tell him about today too? Something stopped her from volunteering too much. He stood and paced. “The day you fell and went to the hospital.” Now he was talking like a lawyer. Perhaps he was hoping that Kendra tripped her and he’d have someone to sue. She was strangely not comforted. “May I sit down, sir? I’m still a little dizzy.” “Oh, of course. Sit.” He indicated one of the chairs that stood as an additional barrier to the world when he sat behind his desk. He seemed to need about six feet of personal space at all times. Why on Earth had she listened to Carlo and gone to this cold fish for protection? “Thank you.” She made herself as comfortable as she could under the circumstances. “So, what do you want me to do?” “About Kendra?” He stopped pacing and rolled his eyes. “No, about global warming. Of course, Kendra!” Tonia flinched. “I—I don’t know. Hide me, I guess.” “I’m already hiding you.” He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Do you have any idea how she may have found you?” “No. None. There was only one person who knew where I was going. Carlo, Frankie’s right-hand man. But you knew about him since he was the one who called you.” Her boss nodded and sat in his massive chair. “Are you sure Carlo didn’t tell anyone?”

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“I’m almost positive he wouldn’t. It was his job to protect me and I think he had a crush on me. He knows that Frankie’s furious with me for divorcing him. If anything, he’d probably lie to keep me safe and maybe for himself when Frankie calms down. I can’t picture him telling Kendra. Why would he do that?” Steepling his fingers, Hayes rocked in silence for several moments. At last, reaching for the phone and without even looking at her, he said, “Step outside and wait. Let me make a few calls. I’ll see what I can find out and where else you can go. By the way, you’re fired.”

***** Saturday morning, Raphael was a different man. He was whistling on his way to Tonia’s apartment. Actually whistling from her subway stop, across the wide street and into the old brick townhouses of her neighborhood. He never whistled. He couldn’t wait to tell her how confident he felt about the outcome of the exams. They were tough, but he was prepared. He just knew he had done well enough to pass them all. Now, he had another week of vacation and a goddess waiting for him to warm her bed. He had spent the evening before straightening up his apartment in case she wanted to hang out there and because he was still running on pure adrenaline after the exams. He had her on his mind all week. He had to push her to the back of his mind so he could stay on track, but she wouldn’t stay there for long. Her face, her voice, every nuance that was Tonia cropped up with the slightest provocation. The swan boats. The rain. If only he hadn’t needed to study. He would have called her every time he thought about her mouthwatering chest in all its naked glory, splayed on his Love Sac for him to take, touch and suckle as much as he liked. He pictured himself massaging and squeezing one succulent breast while pulling on the other sensitive nipple with the suction of his anxious mouth. Feeling his cock twitch, he tried to change the subject as he mentally conversed with himself. Maybe it was a good thing he didn’t have the option of booty calls. He’d have called her way too much and made a pest of himself. He couldn’t wait to make her arch her back and moan, urging him to suck her deeper and harder, which he would happily do. He would make love to every part of her body, slowly, repeatedly, thoroughly satisfying her hunger and his own wild lust. Now that he had accomplished his mission, he could let loose with the woman of his dreams. He bounded up the stairs of her building, two at a time and buzzed her apartment. He resumed his whistling as he waited. There was no answer after several seconds so he buzzed again. An older woman in a bathrobe and curlers exited an apartment and came to the front door. She squinted at him and spoke through the thick glass. He couldn’t understand what she said, so he cupped a hand behind his ear and said, “Excuse me? I can’t hear you.” She raised her voice and yelled, “She’s gone. Moved out.” 40

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“Moved out?” Raphael thought she must be mistaken. He had been here so recently and there was no sign of her moving anywhere. “Are you sure?” “Positive,” the woman yelled. “She gave me only a few days’ notice and now I’m keeping her security deposit.” The woman turned, went back into her apartment and slammed the door behind her. Raphael felt a door slam closed on his heart. How could she leave things the way they had and just move? No. There’s got to be some way to find her. Raphael rang the landlady’s buzzer. She came out of her apartment, saw him still standing there and rolled her eyes. She trudged to the door and again, didn’t open it. Instead she yelled through the glass, “Yes?” “I’m sorry to bother you, but I need to know more. Did she leave a forwarding address?” The woman crossed her arms in front of her. “No.” “Do you happen to know her work number? She must have had to fill out an application.” “Confidential. Look, I don’t know who you are or why you want her, but I’m not telling you anything. Maybe you’re some kind of serial killer or something.” “I’m not, I swear. I need to check on her. She’s…” Was he going to just give up? No. Did he dare tell a little white lie? Yes. “She’s very ill.” “Are you next of kin?” Oh crap, now what? “No. I’m her doctor.” The landlady glared at him a moment with a look of disgust. “Yeah, right. Like any doctor makes house calls anymore.” Then she whirled on her fluffy, slippered heel, returned to her apartment and slammed the door so hard the building shook. Not knowing what else to do, he wandered away, dejected. He had to face the sad fact that he had blown it. Meandering down the side street toward Commonwealth Avenue, Raphael noticed the air chilling. Clouds had moved over the sun and blocked it out. Going back to his apartment to pout was a depressing idea, so he zipped his jacket higher, shoved his hands in his pockets and decided to walk as many blocks as it took until his legs hurt more than his heart. After that, he’d either grab something to eat and walk some more, go window-shopping, or stick his butt on a barstool and never leave. He knew he was in trouble when the last option sounded like the best one.

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Chapter Five Raphael was meandering down the bicycle path that doubled as a wide median strip when he looked up and thought he saw a familiar face. The well-dressed, short, portly gentleman walking toward him seemed to be studying him, as if he thought Raphael looked familiar too. They both slowed to a stop as they came face-to-face. “Don’t I know you?” Raphael asked. “I’m told I have ‘one of those common-looking faces’, but you look familiar too.” The man’s voice triggered Raphael’s memory. It was the gentleman from last Thursday who stood by Tonia on the stairs until he reached them on the fifth floor. Raphael snapped his fingers and pointed at the man. “You know Tonia.” Hope jolted him back to life. “I’m the paramedic who responded when she fell down the stairs.” The gentleman raised his eyebrows. “Oh yes. Where is she? Is she all right? She didn’t come to work on Friday.” “She’s doing okay, I think. I stayed with her last Thursday and Friday and she dropped in at my place for a few minutes one day, but I haven’t seen her since. I told her to call me if she needed anything.” “You stayed with her? That seems above and beyond—” “Well, we had met before and we’re sort-of dating.” The man smiled. His pudgy cheeks shone like dark pink moons. “Oh, that explains why you seemed to know her.” “I was just at her apartment and her landlady said she wasn’t home. You don’t by any chance know what office she works in so I could call her tomorrow, do you?” The man smiled. “She works in my office for my partner. It’s Jensen and Hayes.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Jensen.” Thank God. I finally caught a break. Raphael shook the man’s hand and simultaneously decided that honesty was the best policy. “Do you happen to know where she went? Her landlady said she moved out. I’m worried about her.” Mr. Jensen’s forehead furrowed. “That’s strange. I didn’t hear anything about it. Are you sure?” “That’s what the woman said.” Jensen fished in his overcoat’s inner pocket and withdrew a cell phone. He pushed a couple of buttons and held the phone to his ear. It seemed an eternity before he began speaking to someone.

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“Jensen here. Do you know anything about Tonia moving?” After a brief silence, he continued. “It’s the paramedic who helped her out last Thursday when she fell down the stairs.” A long silence ensued and finally he handed Raphael the phone. “It’s Mr. Hayes. He wants to speak to you.” Raphael grabbed the phone. “Hello?” A man’s clipped voice asked, “What were you doing yesterday?” Surprised, he answered, “Yesterday? I was taking exams all day. Why?” Then the man asked, “What did you have for breakfast last Friday morning?” Breakfast, last Friday? Then it dawned on him, he was being asked questions only he and Tonia would know the answers to. “I had eggs and toast. Tonia didn’t eat much. How’s her concussion?” “I’ll let her tell you.” A moment later he heard her voice. “Raphael?” Thank God. “Yeah, babe, it’s me. How are you? Where are you? Your landlady said you moved.” “No. I told her to say that. I had, um, reasons. I’ll tell you about them next time I see you. I’m at my office catching up on some work.” Reasons? “Why? It’s Saturday.” “I have to make up the time I missed in order to keep my job.” He caught himself before he started a long rant about what a Scrooge her boss was and quickly said, “How are you? Can I come down to your office? I need to see you.” “I’m fine. I don’t know about coming here, though. Hang on.” He heard her muffled voice as if she had her hand over the phone. At last she returned on a sigh. “Can you wait until four o’clock?” Remembering what a dick her boss could be, he relented with a sigh of his own. “Of course. Can I take you out to dinner?” “Is this a date?” she asked. “Yes, it’s a proper date.” “Not too proper, I hope.” Raphael grinned. “I’ll leave that entirely up to you. We’ll do whatever you’d like. I’ll come by and meet you there at four.” He glanced at Mr. Jensen and noticed his mouth turning up in a plump smile. “Thanks, Raphael. Well, I’ve got to get going.” “Bye, babe.” Raphael handed the phone back to its owner and let out a deep breath. “Whew, everything’s okay. Thanks, Mr. Jensen.”

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“No problem. I’m glad she’s all right. She’s a nice girl and really needs someone like you looking out for her. You seem like a good man.” He pocketed his phone and tipped an invisible hat before he continued on his way. A good man. Good for Tonia. He wanted to be, but was he? Or was he just another asshole in lust with her?

***** An implausible-looking couple huddled over their coffee cups in a North End restaurant. The attractive, young woman was a flaming redhead and wore a sequincovered, silver tank top. She yanked at the hem of her short, red, leather skirt. The dark, formidable man with a thick slash of a scar across his pockmarked cheek, forty-something, wore a light blue polyester suit and had a dark gray, felt hat plopped on the table between them. His suit jacket sat atop padded shoulders the size and shape of bricks. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me this city would be this conservative, Carlo? I’m freezing my ass off from the looks I’m getting.” “Because this is Boston. It’s conservative. I thought everyone knew that…even you.” He removed his suit jacket and placed it on the chair between them. “I figured you’d know how to dress.” The woman grabbed his blue jacket and pulled it around her shoulders. “And why’s that? You’re the one from Boston, honey. Not me. I’m from sunny California and Las Vegas.” “Yeah, I know. I know. Studied with the best pole-dancing studios, yada, yada, yada.” The redhead jammed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Take that back. I studied dance. D-a-n-c-e. I’ve never had to resort to stripping, unless I wanted to for someone special.” Carlo’s eyebrows shot up. “Look, Kendra, I can’t do anything about the people, now do you want to do this thing or don’t you?” “I didn’t fly almost three thousand miles for nothing and I didn’t come here for a critique of my wardrobe, either. Now what’s the plan?” “I need time to think. You say you’ve seen her coming out of her apartment twice and once with a man.” “Yeah. A good-looking guy. Tall, dark and handsome as they say. I followed them to his place, at least I assume it’s his place. He lives in the low-rent district. She’s certainly stepping down in the world. But they were real cozy. She hasn’t been back to her place since Friday. She must have slept with him at his place last night.” The big man flinched and clenched his fists. “So where does he live?”

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Kendra shook her head. “I only know the building, not the apartment. I tried to follow them, but I couldn’t get too close. On her way back to my place, I think she saw me. She probably didn’t recognize me, but I couldn’t take a chance.” “That was sloppy. I suppose you were dressed like this, weren’t you?” “Like I said, big guy, if you had told me how damn conservative it was here, I’d have brought something more modest than a trench coat.” “So you were wearing a trench coat?” She nodded. “At least you had that much sense. You can’t walk around here dressed like a Vegas showgirl.” “But I am a Vegas showgirl. What sort of clothes do you expect me to have? And by the way, I have more sense than you do Mr. Big Ideas and No Plan.” He leaned back, making his chair look as if it were made of matchsticks. “Fine. Go shopping while I come up with something. Can you buy something that doesn’t make you look like a hooker?” The familiar insult felt like a slap across the face. Kendra shot to her feet and leaned over the table toward him. “I’m not a whore and never was, you bastard! I only gave you a lap dance because you wouldn’t tell me what I wanted to know any other way. And by the way, I happen to be very picky.” “I never said you weren’t, Kendra. You had to be faithful to the boss, I’m sure. He wouldn’t put up with anything less. But he’s in prison now. So, sit down before I knock ya down.” She fell back into her chair and glared. “You’d better not touch me. Frankie’s gonna get out someday and if he hears that you…” The man leaned his chair back on two legs and laughed. “Me touch you? What do you call that wild lap dance you gave me the other night? I swear you woulda gone down on my dick if I asked you to.” “I’d call it motivation and it worked didn’t it? Now I know where she is and you’ll never know how far I’d have gone.” “Maybe I’ll find out soon?” “Yeah, right. Try me. Force me to do anything I don’t want to do and I’ll tell Frankie.” “And the same threat goes for you too, sweetie.” He pointed at her. “If you touch a hair on Tammy’s head, Frankie’s gonna hear about it.” “What makes you think he’ll care? After all, he says he loves me and the bitch divorced him. I never saw him so pissed in my life.” “Doesn’t that tell you something? Like that he might care?” “Why would he care? He had to have two of us once he found out how frigid she was. I was the one who gave him anything he wanted.”

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“Anything except kids. He wanted his well-bred, pure, saintly wife for that. So, yeah. He was fuckin’ both of ya. So what? Every man wants a lady in the living room and a whore in bed. You just didn’t happen to fit the lady part.” Kendra folded her arms and turned her head sharply to the right. She held that pose, looking at nothing in particular, just not at Carlo. She took a few deep breaths and reminded herself that she still needed the jerk. He was a vital part of the plan and it wasn’t worth blowing her windfall over his goading insults. She turned toward his smug face and said, “So, okay, genius, what’s the damned plan?” “We gotta find out where the boyfriend lives and this time, I’m gonna follow them.” “What am I going to do?” “You go shopping. Buy some real clothes and, honey, better make ‘em beige or gray. That’s what women wear here.” “Yeah? And what about you? Does every guy wear light blue leisure suits?” “No.” He reached into his back pocket and withdrew his wallet. “Buy me a nice gray suit. Something classy. Size 44, long. Be sure it’s a roomy cut.” “Where the hell do I go for that?” “I don’t know. Ask someone wearing beige or gray.”

***** Raphael didn’t know what to do with himself until he was almost to the Public Gardens. It occurred to him in a flash of inspiration, that he should probably walk one block over to chic Newbury Street and buy his future lover a gift of some kind. Something that would say, “I’m sorry I made you cry and I’d like to make it up to you—a lot.” He took a sharp right and jogged to the corner. Looking up and down the wide avenue lined with trendy shops, he spotted the exclusive jewelry store on the corner of Newbury and Arlington. If he were following impulses today, he might as well follow them all the way. Maybe a bracelet or pin or something would say that he valued her generous offer to enhance his life. Not only that, but she was special…as a woman and as his lady. Feeling good about his decision, Raphael entered Shreve, Crump and Lowe. A few minutes later, on his way back to the sidewalk, he knew how the place got its name. He had strutted in feeling downright Shreve and wandered out feeling Crump and Low. On his budget, flowers would have to say it. Quincy Market sold flowers and with plenty of distractions on the way to keep him busy, he looked forward to the long afternoon. Raphael glanced over his shoulder as he crossed the street and thought he noticed a familiar-looking, large man wearing a blue leisure suit. After a longer appraisal, he 46

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concluded that it was no one he knew, just a man he had seen out walking earlier that day. Something about him seemed to stand out, maybe his scar, but Raphael promptly put it behind him and continued across the street to the Public Gardens. Even though it was a cool day, the sun was shining and a walk through the park would be a pleasant way to spend his early afternoon. Strolling around one of the cobblestone walks that circled a statue, he noticed the same man following the same path about fifty yards behind him. He told himself to shut off the early warning system. He was being foolish. Who would want to follow a poor paramedic around the streets of the Back Bay? Tonia’s ex flashed into his mind. That’s ridiculous. The man’s in jail. A guy traveling in the same direction was probably a coincidence. He’d only start to worry if the man followed him past Park Street Station, where most people headed when walking in this direction. It was a nice day for walking and the area was popular because of all the different paths and park benches. Even if the vegetation was an attraction in itself, the public transits converging near the area drew plenty of foot traffic. The guy was probably going to get on the subway. To his relief, the man seemed to have disappeared the next time he turned around.

***** Two hours later, Raphael had browsed through a bookstore, a pharmacy where he had, with hope in his heart, picked up condoms and a florist, where he had bought a large bouquet of carnations and roses. Glancing at a newsstand as he walked by, he noticed the familiar big blue suit in his peripheral vision. The same ominous guy seemed to be browsing Quincy Market, but so were hundreds of other people. Raphael thought he had lost him at Park Street figuring he disappeared down the stairs to the subway there. But here he was, still near. Checking over his shoulder a couple more times to see the man’s face better, Raphael may have tipped off his shadow. The goon was approaching him with a purposeful stride. What could this guy want? Tonia. He had to try to lose him. It should be easy on a crowded Saturday afternoon. He could walk into the food court and out the other side. Maybe he could disappear down into the subway system from Government Center and get on a train to anywhere, then switch back. Or, there was always the police station a couple of blocks away…but what would he say to them? There’s a big guy hanging around who may or may not be in the Mafia and may or may not be following me? And I’m acting like a little girl about it? No, not today.

*****

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Tonia had sorted, filed and even looked up some legal documents for Mr. Hayes in the dusty archives of the law office. He had gone home an hour ago but gave her a few more things to do before she left. His legal assistant usually handled this kind of work, but Tonia was enjoying the break from her usual tedious duties. Who knew the law could be so interesting and informative? As a receptionist her challenges seemed to lie mostly in lying. This quiet, behind the scenes sort of thing was more to her liking…something she could picture herself doing for a while, though not right away. She’d ask her boss about doing ”more of this”’ and “‘less of that” after her job was secure again. Right now she was working her way back into his good graces. As the day flew by, she had more insight into her boss. He wasn’t just a dick, he was a cold-blooded dick with a killer instinct. She was amazed at how many obviously guilty slimeballs he got off on technicalities, how many honest businesses he sued and how many who brought suits against his clients were countersued. She had lost track of the time when she heard the buzzer and remembered that Raphael was coming. Checking the wall clock, she saw that he was right on time. Delighted, she practically skipped to her desk to buzz him in. The body that pushed open the heavy, polished, wooden door wasn’t Raphael’s. She froze and realized a second too late that she should have asked who was there. Then she recognized the face. “Carlo! What are you doing here?” “Is that any way to greet the guy who saved your pretty ass?” He held out his arms and advanced on her, beaming a cigarette-stained grin. “C’mere sweetheart and give me a big hug and a kiss.” The idea sickened her, but Tonia rose dutifully and walked over to him, as if resigned to stand in front of a firing squad. She wrapped her arms partway around the big man’s back and gave a light squeeze, trying to keep her breasts from touching him. “Hey, is that the best you’ve got?” Carlo grabbed her and smashed her against his chest. “Ow, you’re hurting me.” “Oh, sorry, doll. I forgot you was made out of glass.” She wasn’t hurt at all, but whatever made the big oaf step back was worth saying. “So, how’s my old lawyer been treatin’ you?” “Like dirt under his feet.” “Sorry about that. Well, don’t worry, ‘cause now that I’m here, you’ll be treated a lot better. So, how about that kiss…” “I—I have a virus,” she said and coughed her hardest trying to imitate a TB victim in her last hours. She retreated a couple of steps behind the reception desk, but he moved in and grasped her arms. “Oh, that’s too bad, hon. Why don’t you let me kiss it and make it better?” 48

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“Because…well, because my boyfriend is due here any minute and he’s very jealous.” “Boyfriend? Is that who was bringin’ you flowers?” Tonia gasped. “Was? Carlo, what did you do?” “Nothin’, doll. Nothing. I think he got sidetracked is all.” “If you hurt him…” Tonia glowered into Carlo’s eyes. His danced with amusement. When she didn’t back down, his expression turned hard. “Don’t threaten me. I saved your life, remember?” “Yeah? Well, so did he!” They glared at each other for several seconds. At last, Carlo released her and seemed to adopt a nonchalant disposition. “I have something important to tell you, sweetheart, but if you don’t want to know…” “What could be that important? Is it about Frankie?” “No. Well, not exactly. I came to warn you about Kendra. Somehow, she found out that you were here in Boston and she’s lookin’ for ya.” “How?” Tonia crossed her arms and put on her best scowl. “You were the only one who knew.” Carlo shrugged. “How am I supposed to know how she found out? Frankie told me to keep tabs on the both of you. I found out she had taken a plane to Boston a couple of days ago, so here I am to protect you, again, just like I always have. Nobody’s ever laid a hand on you when I was around and she won’t either. You might try to be a little grateful.” Tonia didn’t answer. She just looked at the floor and nodded. She hated walking the fine line between acquiescence and ignorance, but she had learned her nonassertive, survival skills well. With Carlo ordering her around, it was all coming back to her. Worrying about Raphael and desperately wanting to know where he was and what Carlo might have done, she’d have to think of another way to get it out of him. The direct approach didn’t work and she knew better than to push it. “Good. Now I’ve got me a nice hotel room nearby and I think we should go there to talk about how to keep you safe from Kendra.” Dear God. Deliver me. Tonia hadn’t prayed since her contemptuous “Christian” family had disowned her, but she wasn’t in much of a position to resist Carlo or any of his demands. “You promise all we’ll do is talk?” A creepy smile lit Carlo’s face. “Of course, doll. All I want to do is take care of you.” She sighed and retrieved her pocketbook. He swept open the door for her, as if he was a complete gentleman. Tonia knew better. No sooner had she walked hesitantly into the hall when something appeared to move in her peripheral vision. Carlo followed close behind her until a hard metal object

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flew around the door and clanged into his head. He went down and lay motionless on the floor, covered in cigarette butts. Tonia gasped when Raphael put down the huge combination ashtray and hallway trash receptacle and stepped over Carlo’s body. She flew into his arms and cried, “Thank God.” “Are you all right?” He pulled back, still holding onto Tonia’s waist and scrutinized her face. “What did he do to you?” She shook her head and glanced at the ash-covered body collapsed on the floor. “Nothing, yet, but we’d better leave before he gets up. He’s gonna be pissed.” Raphael grasped her hand and led a mad dash to the elevator. Tonia prayed they’d get as far away as possible before Carlo came to and tracked them down. She already knew what he was capable of and wondered if Raphael had any idea. If he did, would he have come to her rescue? Once on the elevator, she forgot the question since he grabbed her and pulled her into the most passionate kiss of her life. His soft lips smashed down on hers and they opened to each other. His tongue traveled all over the inside of her mouth, licking and sucking. Moisture coated her lips. He wrapped her tighter in his hold until the ding of the elevator signaled that they’d reached the lobby. Reluctantly, they pulled apart and Raphael grabbed her hand. As they stepped out, the twin elevator on the other side began to whir. Raphael snapped to attention. “Holy crap. He’s up already. I thought I hit him hard enough to knock him out for hours.” Tonia’s hand trembled. “We’ve got to get out of here. Fast!”

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Chapter Six Raphael led the flat-out run toward the revolving door. “So, what the hell did he want with you?” “I don’t know. He said something about Frankie wanting him to keep tabs on both of ‘his girls’. Even though, I’m not his, anymore, he can’t seem to get that through his thick head.” He pushed open and followed her through the same revolving compartment. Raphael smelled her citrusy clean scent as he followed close behind her. He hoped he’d be burying his face in her neck and getting some of his body parts even closer as soon as he had her safely ensconced in his apartment. “Carlo wouldn’t have hurt me. You shouldn’t have hit him.” Raphael screeched to a halt in the middle of the sidewalk and gaped at her. “Are you telling me that you wanted to go with that goon?” “Of course not! It’s just that…” She touched Raphael’s face and stroked his smooth cheek. “He’s not a nice man and even though I’d be safe, I can’t say the same for you. I don’t know what I’d do… I couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to you.” “What makes you think I can’t outsmart someone like him? I’m surprised at you, Tonia. With your assertiveness training, you were just going to go along with him? What if he wanted to pressure you into doing something you didn’t want to do? Would you have said no?” “Of course! Well, I hope I’d try.” She looked down. “Probably not.” “Yeah, I thought so. Especially if he bought you pretty shoes.” Tonia went to slap his face, but Raphael caught her wrist before it connected. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I was going nuts outside that door wondering what you’d do if I wasn’t there. I need to get you somewhere safe. Then we can fight.” As they jogged toward the subway as fast as Tonia’s four-inch heels would allow, she said, “I don’t want to fight.” “Neither do I. I’ve been waiting all day to take you in my arms and make love to you…the way you deserve to be loved.” Did I just say the word “loved”? Tonia was quiet. Too quiet. He silently berated himself as they ran down the subway steps together. Hesitant to look at her face, he glanced at everything else in the dingy, foul-smelling, underground station as he pulled the fare out of his pocket. Tonia was fishing in her purse. “Put your pocketbook away. I’ve got it.” “No,” she said. “I’ll pay my own way.”

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“Whatever.” Raphael didn’t have time to argue. A train was waiting at the platform. Tonia managed to dig out the money and get through the turnstile just in time for the two of them to hop on before the doors whooshed shut. “Where are we going?” she asked. They landed with a simultaneous thud in the seats next to the door. Raphael put an arm around her and squeezed her shoulder. “We, my dear, are going shopping, specifically for a good pair of running shoes.” “I’m sorry I got you into this mess.” “Don’t be.” What else could he say? He had his chance to back out and didn’t. That wasn’t her fault. Raphael flashed back on the words of Mr. Jensen that morning. “She’s a nice girl. She needs someone like you looking out for her.” His stomach tightened into a knot. This woman was struggling to make a life for herself in a new city, not knowing who might find her and show up or what might happen to her from one day to the next. She must feel that no place was safe. She could be assertive with him when she didn’t have to be, but not with the people from her past. The ones she most needed to resist or avoid. She did need him…even if she didn’t want to admit it out loud. Raphael reinforced his decision. He was going to see this through and be sure this special woman received the fresh start she deserved. Maybe they’d both start new lives, together. It wasn’t completely out of the question. Tonia heaved a huge sigh and laid her head on Raphael’s shoulder. “I’ll bet you wish you had never met me.” He stroked her arm and kissed her hair. “No way. I wish I had met you sooner.” She wrapped an arm around his waist and squeezed. Cuddled and bouncing together as the subway hurtled through the black tunnels with colored lights flashing by, Raphael knew this escape was only a temporary reprieve and wondered from whom they’d be running next.

***** Washington Street entertained a surprising crowd of shoppers for a Saturday night. Two major department stores with a merger in the works captured Tonia’s attention. They were on opposite street corners as if they had to watch one another, closely, for a century. Tonia pointed to the one on the left. “Oh, can we check out that one first? I got my coat there. They have a fabulous basement with some incredible bargains.” “Sure. Somehow I didn’t picture you as a basement shopper.” “I am now,” she said matter-of-factly. Tonia had decided she might as well tell him what her financial situation was really like. He obviously had the wrong impression.

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“Frankie left me destitute. I didn’t have my own checking account, savings, money market or anything. I had to go to him for everything I needed. Once the government froze our assets, I had nothing but what I could pawn before all but my clothing was seized.” “You were out on your assets.” “Yeah and when I got to Boston, I was freezing my assets off! I had to set enough money aside to pay my rent and stuff and be as frugal as I could until I earned a few paychecks. I allowed just enough to buy a few warm sweaters, some wool skirts and slacks and a coat. That’s why you don’t see me spending money on new shoes.” Raphael only had a chance to say, “Oh” before their conversation was cut off by the one-person-per-compartment, tiny, ancient, revolving door. On the other side, he finished his thought. “What about all the antiques in your apartment?” “I drove across country and took a lot of the good pieces with me in a U-Haul trailer. I sold the car once I realized how expensive it would be to keep it in Boston. Insurance and parking is ridiculous! Before I got rid of it, though, I went to a few flea markets in the suburbs. It’s amazing how many people don’t know the value of their things.” “It sounds like you know something about antiques?” They stepped onto the down escalator and she scanned the basement floor from above until she spotted the shoe department. Tonia wasn’t paying close attention to Raphael. She was almost swooning over some of last season’s spring career outfits and suits, which were on display at the bottom of the escalator. “Well?” “Huh? Oh yeah, I love antiques. My upbringing taught me to value heirlooms and hand-me-downs. Especially things that cost a lot to replace, like furniture. If you take care of things, they take care of you.” Raphael followed behind her. She couldn’t help touching everything, running her hands over the genuine silk and suede, cooing as the items slid under her fingers. She must sound as if she were about to moan in the pleasure of foreplay any second. If only she could afford a shopping spree here, she could have an orgasm at the cash register. Raphael didn’t seem to be paying much attention to fashion, but he would if he could see how becoming she was wearing the spring and summer fashions in colors that suited her fair skin and golden hair. But even though available at bargain prices, her money was rapidly running out. Damn. “So, it sounds like you have a skill that you didn’t realize you had.” Tonia checked a price tag and groaned. They wanted $150.00 for the ivory Ralph Lauren suit, even in the basement. Of course, it would have to be dry-cleaned and that would cost money too. Disappointed, she turned back to Raphael and realized he had

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just said something. He was smiling and looking pleased with himself for having thought of whatever it was. “What?” “Antiques. It sounds like you know the value of things, which could be another, more interesting way for you to make a living. Have you ever thought about a job in an antique store?” “No, not really. I doubt that would pay very well. The real money would be in finding the bargains, cleaning them up and selling them for a huge profit.” She resigned herself to going straight for the shoes. “Do that, then.” He had good intentions, but still didn’t get how little money she had to invest in anything. They neared the shoe department and Tonia saw the beautiful dress shoes with fashionably high heels first. Just as she picked up a cute pair of red stilettos with pointed toes, Raphael tore it from her hand. “Are you trying to goad me?” Tonia folded her arms. “Of course not. I just like to touch the things I’m drawn to. Is that so wrong?” “It’s nice that you’re kinesthetic, but we didn’t come to browse. Now, will you please focus on your survival and find a comfortable pair of sneakers to wear with jeans?” Tonia huffed and turned, ready to march toward the sneakers. She bumped into a woman carrying a pile of clothes too high to see over. As the clothing hit the floor she was looking right into the overly made-up face of a certain redhead, named Kendra. Raphael could tell by the rippling tension in the air that the two women knew each other. Judging by Tonia’s expression turning from shock to hostility, he surmised that they weren’t exactly friends. “What are you doing here, Kendra?” The redhead’s mouth curled up at one corner and she spoke as if her words were dripping with poisoned honey. “I’m in this dirty, old city looking for you.” “What the hell do you want, bitch?” Raphael was surprised to hear the tough talk that rolled out of Tonia’s mouth. He thought she found it hard to use language like that. What was that about? “Before I tell you anything, tell me who he is.” She pointed at Raphael. “He’s none of your goddamn business.” The redhead laughed. “You might want to be nice to me, Tammy. I’m here to bring you some good news. Now who is this? Your boyfriend?” Uh oh. The redhead called her Tammy. Translation, a bitch from her old life. Possibly the bitch who attacked her in the prison parking lot. “Yes, I’m her boyfriend and bodyguard. Now, you can tell her the good news in front of me, or keep it to yourself. It’s up to you.”

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Kendra rolled her eyes and shrugged. “I’m not falling for the line about good news, Kendra. I spoke to Carlo a little while ago. He said he was here to protect me from you and that doesn’t sound like good news to me.” “He what?” The woman reached into her trench coat pocket and extracted an envelope. “Carlo’s trying to pull a fast one on you, me, or more likely, both of us. Here, read this.” Tonia took the envelope addressed to Carlo. As soon as she saw the one-page letter, she turned to Raphael and said, “It’s from Frankie. I recognize his handwriting.” Tonia held the letter so both she and Raphael could read it, but her hands were trembling. Raphael took the letter from her, held it steady and read it quietly. Carlo, I found someone inside who owes me a favor, so you’ll be getting this letter without all the blacked-out words. Don’t lose this. After you get it, I want you to visit me and if you understand what to do, just say, “Hey Frankie, my friend.” I’ll know you didn’t get the letter if you say, “Hi boss,” like usual. I want you to take care of my girls. Both of them. Yeah, I know Tammy pissed me off by divorcing me, but after all the crap I put her through, all the cheating and illegal business deals that came out, I guess I would have divorced me too. So, here’s the deal. I have a secret offshore account in the Cayman Islands. Each of my girls has half the account number tattooed on their asses, along with half the map of where to find the bank. X marks the spot, but you have to put their butts together to see it. They don’t know this yet. It just looks like a bunch of weird lines. I told Kendra I didn’t want her stripping, so I was gonna mark her butt with something ugly I’d recognize if anyone described it to me. I didn’t have to tell Tammy anything except, “Hold still”. It’s up to you to get them together. I mean cheek to cheek. When you butt Tammy’s right ass cheek against Kendra’s left, you’ll see the numbers and the map. Not even the tattoo artists would know what the hell it was, but just to be sure, I used two different ones. I’m not a sick bastard, I want to make sure no one gets left out of their fair share. So you all gotta cooperate to get any money. I’m gonna feel better right after you say “Hey, Frankie, my friend.” Then I’ll know you understand what you gotta do. Sincerely, Your boss and don’t you forget it, Raphael glanced from Tonia to Kendra. “So, you’re saying that Tonia has money coming to her?” Kendra answered, “I don’t know any Tonia, but Tammy does. So do I and so does Carlo. Don’t you get any ideas of splitting it four ways though. It’s Frankie’s money and he wants the three of us taken care of, not some new guy he doesn’t even know.” “Hey, I don’t want any of his blood money and neither does Tonia.”

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Tonia’s hand flew over Raphael’s mouth. “Speak for yourself! I’m poorer than a church mouse and I deserve something for all he put me through. I could even open my own antique shop if there’s enough money in my share to get it started. You were right, that kind of job would make me happy. All I want to do is start over, find myself a nice little life and be happy.” Then she gritted her teeth and spoke through them. “Is that too much to ask?” She removed her hand and Raphael knew he couldn’t stop her. What could he do? Tie her up? All he had on his side were logic and reason. “Look, Tonia. You have a job. You could give them the numbers they want and save your paychecks for your antique shop.” “Are you nuts?” She jammed her hands on her hips. He had never seen her so resolute, even when it came to her shoes. “I was going to tell you, but I didn’t have a chance. My job doesn’t pay enough to cover the rent, food and little extras, like heat and I’m almost out of the money I had stashed away from pawning all my jewelry. I don’t even want to spend money on decent sneakers knowing I’ll be homeless soon.” “Crap. Why did you move into a place you couldn’t afford?” “Because my stupid boss told me to get situated first and then we’d talk about salary. I thought he was going to give me enough to cover expenses. Maybe I was stupid, but I was used to Frankie. Whatever I needed was taken care of. I learned an expensive lesson from that.” “You really had some learned helplessness going on.” “Yeah. So you can butt out of my business, or come along for the ride. Your choice, but I’m not going to be helpless anymore.” A browser wandered near the trio. They clammed up until she looked at a couple of pumps, checked the price tag and moved on. “The ride? You mean you’re going to the Cayman Islands?” “Of course I am. Do you think I’d trust a woman who stole my husband not to steal my money? Neither Kendra nor Carlo is seeing my butt until we get to the bank.” Kendra supplied the obvious. Raising her eyebrows at Raphael, she said, “Now that Carlo’s not to be trusted, you, if you choose to accept this assignment, or another neutral party, get to keep us from killing each other. Plus, put our cheeks together and read the map. Once we get to the bank, that person will have to memorize the numbers long enough to give them to the banker. I don’t trust Carlo. It sounds like he was planning to take the information off our asses and cut both of us out.” Tonia shivered. “Carlo’s capable of cutting both of us up, too. He’d get the numbers off our butts and kill us if there’s enough money in it.” Raphael folded his arms. “So, short of standing in front of the banker with your bare butts pressed together, there’s no way the two of you can cooperate and do this without someone being gypped out of their share…or worse.”

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Tonia looked uncomfortable and said, “I wasn’t serious when I said you should come along. I don’t want you to get mixed up in this. But, as much as I hate to say it, Kendra makes sense. We’ll probably have to hire an outsider to act as a buffer and bodyguard.” Raphael shifted his stance until his feet were planted far apart and kept his arms crossed. He hoped he looked authoritarian. “How you are going to find this neutral party and what are you going to pay him with?” Kendra piped up before Tonia could answer. “I can probably convince Carlo to find someone since he’s from Boston and has connections here. He could get someone who’d wait for his cut.” “Would you go along with Carlo’s choice, Tonia?” “I guess I’d have to. I don’t know anyone.” “Then you’re a fool. I’m willing to bet that two goons could overpower the two of you in seconds flat. And I’m still not convinced that Carlo isn’t in cahoots with Ms. Red Hair, Black Fishnet Stockings and Spike Heels, here.” Tonia had narrowed her eyes at the insinuation that she was a fool. Raphael pulled her off to the side determined to reason with her. Before he had a chance to speak, Tonia had already come around. “You’re right. Why would she have the letter that Carlo wasn’t supposed to lose if they weren’t planning this together?” Tonia pursed her lips and shook her head. “She’s pretty crafty, Tonia. She’ll tell you she found it or picked his pocket or something. She’s only making it look like she doesn’t trust him so she can gain your trust. Then she’ll try to convince you that you two can do this together without anyone else. As soon as she’s got what she needs from you, in comes Carlo and out goes y-o-u.” He put his hands on her shoulders and gave her an intense stare. “If you have to go through with this, you’ll need someone you can trust who only wants you to get through this alive. If you insist that Kendra accept my going with you, it’ll probably be all right since I don’t want any of the money. Greed seems to be a great motivator.” “But…” Raphael put a finger to her lips. “If you’re going, I’m coming with you and that’s that.” She remained quiet and looked thoughtful for a moment. “Let me see what she says about where she got that letter, first.” Raphael nodded and they walked back to where Kendra stood tapping her foot. Tonia leveled her gaze at the other woman. “How’d you get the letter, Kendra?” “He told me about it. I told him I wouldn’t believe him unless I saw it for myself. He showed it to me and then I picked his pocket after I saw which one he kept it in.” “How did you know where I was?” “A lap dance and a little something extra slipped into his drink.”

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Tonia turned to Raphael and raised her eyebrows. Raphael shook his head in resignation. “We’ll all have to show up at the bank together. I’ll pay all of Tonia’s expenses and my own. Tonia, you can pay me back after your windfall.” “I will. Don’t worry.” “Now go tell Carlo the terms, Kendra. I don’t want any of your money, but Tonia better make it through this without so much as a scratch, or there’ll be consequences. You’re not the only one who knows how to make a cocktail with kick.” “What makes you think I know where he…” He folded his arms and took a wide stance. “Just do it.” Raphael had never played the tough guy before. When Kendra shrugged and walked away, he felt a certain surge of power. She turned and said, “We’ll meet at Tammy’s place, tonight.” “Her name is Tonia.”

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Chapter Seven Raphael stood in front of his dresser, tossing underwear and socks into a backpack. Tonia licked her lips as she watched his well muscled back and arms move. Even under a college T-shirt his sex appeal had her blood simmering. He had said that they’d need to stick together, that if Tonia were alone she’d probably be overpowered and Carlo would have her pants down before help could arrive. She resented the implication that she couldn’t take care of herself, even if it was true. What she really resented was her own vulnerability and lack of battle skills. “As soon as we get back, I’m taking some kind of martial arts classes.” “That’s a great idea. I learned a few self-defense moves, knowing that I could go into rough neighborhoods. I’ve never had to use it, but I’m glad I know what to do.” “Are you packing for a one-night stay?” “I can throw enough for a couple of days in a backpack, why? You weren’t thinking of spending a long vacation there, were you?” “Well, we are going to the Cayman Islands.” Raphael turned and looked at her incredulously. “I have my graduation to attend. My mother and sister are looking forward to it and for that matter, so am I.” “I’m kidding. I was really thinking about what if something goes wrong and we can’t get the money right away?” “Then we’ll need to get back to your place, sell your stuff and find you a nice cardboard box to live in.” “Hey! That isn’t funny.” Tonia plopped onto his Love Sac. “This has to work out. I don’t know how much money is in there, but if I know Frankie there must be plenty. He had money from drugs, money from his club and if I can believe Carlo, he also set up a protection ring for a lot of Las Vegas whores and got a cut from their earnings.” Raphael dropped his knapsack and sat beside her. “You mean he was a pimp?” “No. He was a pimp for the pimps. He set up some of his most trustworthy guys to look out for the girls working the hotels. He guaranteed the girls they wouldn’t be mistreated and the guys had Frankie’s drugs handy to keep them working.” “You say Carlo told you that?” “Yeah, just before I packed up and left. I overheard him on the phone saying there would be a lot of unhappy hookers if someone didn’t take over that business for Frankie. I asked Carlo and he told me about it. He also told me to keep it quiet if I valued my life.” “He what?”

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“He said that all the time. It didn’t mean much since Frankie would have taken out a contract on anyone who touched me. The funny thing was listening to Carlo trying to put a positive spin on it, like they provided a legitimate service for a respectable business and it was all I could do not to laugh or cry. I’d see these girls on the streets all strung out and I’d feel so bad for them. I had no idea it was my husband who made them that way.” She looked at her lap. “It was Frankie who was the whore.” Raphael sat, put an arm around her and stroked Tonia’s soft sweater. “Yup and yet Carlo would have you believe ol’ Frankie was a regular knight in dirty armor. How stupid did he think you were?” She rested her head on Raphael’s shoulder and shuddered at how little she knew about her ex-husband’s businesses before most of it came out in court. “Frankie kept me stupid on purpose. He even had me convinced I shouldn’t bother trying to understand things that were beyond my mental grasp. Like business. I was only allowed to watch cooking shows and home decorating shows on TV. He checked my magazines before he’d let me read them and they had to be food or fashion-oriented, only. I never saw a newspaper.” Raphael bristled. “How the hell could he do that to you? He stifled your curiosity, your abilities, your creativity, your understanding of the world beyond your own four walls…” “Well, I’m rid of him now and if I do wind up with more money than I need, I’ll be sure to donate some to a Nevada rehab or something.” “That sounds like a good idea to me.” Tonia still suffered from major trepidation about dragging Raphael along with them, especially when he didn’t stand to get anything out of it. She wrapped her arm around him and stroked his back. “So, you’re really on-board with this?” “I’m packed, aren’t I?” She didn’t know what to say. How could she thank someone for caring enough about her, a woman he barely knew, to risk his life? And he didn’t want any money for himself. But, she was beginning to understand, that was Raphael. He pulled her close and angled his lips over hers. They shared a long kiss that said many of the things they hadn’t been able to verbalize yet. His lips were soft and easy to melt into. So unlike Frankie’s hard, demanding kisses in the beginning of their relationship, or the obligatory pecks later. Tonia’s left hand slipped to Raphael’s solid chest and she noted the hard body beneath her caress. He wasn’t an overly muscular, body-builder type, but he was certainly fit and strong. She guessed he probably had quick reflexes if he had studied martial arts. That made her feel a trifle better. She let her hand slip lower and lower. The moment she touched his hard bulging crotch, his hand came out of nowhere and grabbed her wrist. Yup. Quick reflexes.

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She broke the kiss and leaned away from him. “You still don’t want me? You’re putting your life in danger to help me, but you still don’t want me?” “That’s not it at all, Tonia.” He cupped her face in his hands and his sad, concerned look appeared. “I want you so much…more than you know. I just don’t want to put either one of us at risk. I need condoms. I bought them earlier today, but I left them behind when Carlo showed up at your office and another kind of safety took priority.” “So they’re sitting in the hallway near my office?” “I’m afraid so.” “Well, I won’t be working there after this, anyway.” Tonia sighed, gave a somber nod and then a smile crept across her face as she remembered something. Raphael cocked his head. “What?” “There’s a pharmacy a block from my apartment. Time to put your money where your mouth is, honey.” “I have no problem putting my money and mouth on you, Tonia. I just worry that if I can’t stop myself, I’ll wind up having passionate unprotected sex with you. You have no idea what you do to me.”

***** The pharmacist smiled at the lovey-dovey couple as they approached the register. Tonia wondered if he had overheard them discussing which brand to choose that would enable them both to give and experience maximum pleasure. Raphael set the package on the counter and pulled out his wallet. As the pharmacist was ringing up their purchase, Raphael grabbed one of the single red roses next to the cash register. When he had paid, he handed it to Tonia. “That’s so sweet. Thank you.” After tucking the package into the pocket of his backpack, he escorted Tonia out, holding the door for her. He said, “I had a whole bouquet for you earlier today, but you can guess what happened to that.” “Yeah, Carlo happened.” She buried her nose in the single red flower and inhaled the sweet fragrance. “I hope they show up later rather than sooner.” Raphael had been so attentive and kind in the past few hours holding her elbow as she got on and off the subway, buying her a pair of running shoes on sale, but still expensive, listening attentively to everything she said and mostly, letting her know in actual spoken words that he cared about her. Tonia was in heaven. She hadn’t been treated with such sincere kindness since, well, since she’d developed breasts. “I hope so too, babe.” He slipped his arm around her waist and gave her a squeeze.

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On the stoop of her building, he pulled her close and brushed his lips over hers. She tilted her head up and he nibbled her lips, ran his tongue gently around her open mouth and kissed her deeply before she even had her key in the door. When he let her go, she sighed. “Oh, yes.” “Yes what?” “Yes, I like the way you kiss.” Raphael leaned toward her as they were walking down the hall to her apartment. “There’s lots more where that came from.” An odd thought struck her. “Are you just being nice to me in case I don’t make it through this?” His posture straightened. “What? Of course not. How could you think that? You and I are going to make it through this.” She hoped he was really as confident as he sounded. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m used to being lied to and you were so reluctant a week ago.” He waited until they were in her apartment with the door closed before he confronted her. “That was because of the concussion. How come you think I’m lying and yet you were ready to believe Kendra?” “I don’t know. I really don’t know. I guess I’m just used to going along and not asking questions of certain people. But I feel comfortable asking you anything.” Raphael’s body relaxed a bit. “Okay, I’ll accept that this time, but you’ve got to work on flipping that around. I’m not going to lie to you. They’re probably lying to you if their mouths are moving.” Tonia slumped against the closet door and heaved a sigh. “I know you’re right. It’s hard changing old habits.” Raphael dropped his backpack and coat on the floor, leaned on the closet door with an outstretched hand and gazed at her. His eyes darkened. “Let’s not talk about them, all right? I have other things to say.” His voice was as smoky as his eyes. She reacted to his words with tingling anticipation. “Like what?” He swooped in for a long, passionate kiss. His mouth demanded that she open to him and she did. His tongue sought hers as he angled his head further and pushed against her mouth harder. He locked his arms around her in a determined embrace. Tonia felt her legs weaken, the deep kiss and his secure hug made her head spin. It wasn’t the concussion this time. Her heart pounded and her breathing deepened. When he eased off her mouth, he didn’t let go of her body. Instead, he tucked her head beside his neck and held her close. “That’s what I’ve wanted to say to you all day.” “Oh.”

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They simply hugged for a long moment and then, without saying a word, Raphael grabbed the paper bag holding the box of condoms and they made their way to the bedroom hand in hand. Tonia pulled her sweater over her head and Raphael unbuttoned his shirt. This time when Tonia reached for the zipper of her jeans, Raphael just smiled. They didn’t stop until they had stripped naked and then paused to caress one another’s bodies with their eyes. He was well-built and solid. She noticed the remnants of a tan by lighter skin where his swim trunks must have been. His erection was large, but not to a frightening degree. “You’re beautiful, Tonia. More beautiful than I pictured you in my mind.” “Are you saying you fantasized about me?” He laughed. “Only every five or six minutes since I met you.” Surprised, but pleased, she confessed, shyly. “You inspired some sexy fantasies too.” Raphael’s voice became low and husky. “I want to see you in the same position you were in when I met you.” “What, flat on my back?” “Yeah.” Tonia giggled. “Do you want me to do a backflip in the air too?” “That’s not necessary.” Tonia pulled back the covers and scooted to the other side of the mattress. Raphael crawled in next to her. His brown eyes shone with scintillating intensity she hadn’t seen before. “Tonia?” “Yes?” “Am I only your second?” She fidgeted and wondered what the right answer might be. It had to be honest. That’s all this man asked of her. “Yes, but why do you want to know?” “Are you nervous?” “No. Should I be?” He chuckled and stroked her arm so lightly goose bumps jumped up on her skin. “No. I just don’t want you to worry. I’ll be gentle.” “I might not be.” She wrapped her hand behind his neck and pulled him down for an open-mouthed passionate joining of their lips and tongues. He placed his mouth over hers and adjusted so he could crush her close. Warm skin to warm skin, the heat increasing until her core clenched with need. Tonia reveled in deeply kissing the man she had come to think of as her knight. He hadn’t really rescued her yet, unless being rescued from her own shoe wardrobe

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counted, but she knew she could trust him with her life. A pang of regret for doubting him entered, but she pushed it away so she could enjoy the moment. Their tongues swirled and played hide-and-seek while their hands roamed and caressed. Tonia’s hunger was overwhelming her by the way she craved his touch and longed for him to play with her throbbing clit. And she didn’t want him to stop there. Her center was already moist by the time his hand stroked her mons. She shivered and groaned into his mouth with the sweet agony of being pleasured to new levels of anticipation. He smiled into her hooded eyes. When he touched her button, she reared back and moaned. Raphael rubbed the small target and sexual energy mounted inside her. Her legs trembled. He was going to bring her to climax before he entered. As soon as she realized this, she clenched and spasmed. Riding her release like a roller coaster, her moans turned to gasps and louder moans. At last she was convulsing repeatedly and emitting a loud and unchecked “Oh, yes, yes, yes!” and then she let out an uninhibited cry of pure bliss. Raphael let her recover for about thirty seconds before he moved under the sheet to taste her. “No, please, Beauchamp.” She gasped on her inhalations. “I can’t take another one like that. Not just yet.” He grinned and kissed her navel. “I wore you out already? It’s a good thing we don’t have all night, then.” She giggled. “No, I’m not completely exhausted, yet. I’d like to make you feel good for a while, though.” He scooted up next to her. “Really, what did you have in mind?” “Can you kneel next to my breasts?” Raphael couldn’t help the look of surprise he leveled at her. “I thought you didn’t know much about sex.” “I know more than I did. I called an old friend and asked what to do, so I wouldn’t lose another man to another woman.” “Oh, honey. You wouldn’t lose me like that, especially when I can teach you everything you want to know.” “Well, let me try this, first.” He was delighted with the idea and assumed the requested position. Tonia licked his hard shaft from the underside up and over the swollen tip. She took the head in her mouth and swirled her tongue around it requiring Raphael to rear back and let out an appreciative moan with the building sensations. Sucking in almost the whole thing, she then blew it out. “What the…?” “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”

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“Well, yeah. Sort of.” Puzzled, he began giving her instruction in the fine art of fellatio. “You were absolutely wonderful with the whole licking and sucking part, but I don’t understand why you got rid of it so quickly.” “I wasn’t getting rid of it. I was blowing it. I thought that’s what a blowjob was.” Raphael slapped a hand over his mouth to hide his smile and stifle a laugh. When he had recovered his decorum, he bent down and stroked her cheek with as much affection as he could convey. “Well, honey. I suppose that’s one way, but most men like it sucked in and drawn almost all the way out. You keep some of it in your mouth and then pull it in again with suction. If you do that over and over and maybe add some other pleasurable moves that I can teach you, I’ll become your sex slave for life.” “Oh,” she said. “So I wasn’t supposed to really blow on it?” Raphael shook his head and a smile crept into his face, try as he might not to let it. “I guess I really blew it.” He chuckled. “Do you want me to try again?” “That would be great. Do you want me to tell you what I like? You can always stop if you feel uncomfortable.” “Please. It would probably help a lot.” She reached for his penis and closed her hand around the base. “There, that’s nice. You can rub it up and down while holding it. Use a slow, steady rhythm, for now.” Tonia did as he asked. It felt so good he let her know with a sexy growl. “Are you all right?” “Perfect. Can you mimic that action with your mouth, suck me in as far as you can, but stop before it’s uncomfortable?” “Yeah, I’m sure I can do that.” Tonia closed her lips around his shaft and did a nice job of what must have been her first act of fellatio. “That’s it, baby,” Raphael crooned. “Very nice. Keep that up until you want to stop.” She pulled back until he popped out of her mouth. “What if I don’t want to stop?” she said, with coquettish grin. “Then, I’ll ask you to stop when I get close.” “Okay.” She resumed her rhythm and without his even asking, she cupped his scrotum while her mouth did the rest. Raphael groaned with rapidly building sexual pleasure. He didn’t want to make her go on too long, so he waited until his erection was asking for release, but not begging. “Okay, hon, ease up, now.” She let him withdraw from her mouth and grinned up at him. “How’d I do?” 65

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“Fantastic.” Raphael sat beside her and kissed her breasts. “Are you ready for me?” She parted her legs. “Absolutely.” Raphael leaned forward and kissed her while letting his hand wander to her vaginal folds, testing her wetness. She moaned as he gave her a little more foreplay, even though she was well lubricated. A little more attention to her mons and she was begging for him. He waited until he heard her say, “Please, Raphael, I want you so bad.” He moved slowly and positioned himself on his knees between her legs. Then he grabbed a condom, ripped it open with his teeth and rolled it on. Grabbing the pillow, he folded it in half and said, “Lift up your bottom for me.” She looked perplexed, but did as he asked. Raphael shoved the doubled pillow under her butt until he liked the height and angle. Then he moved forward on his knees and held his engorged erection in front of her opening. Slowly, while gazing into her eyes, he pushed into her. His eyes drifted shut and he moaned instinctively. Of her own volition, Tonia raised her legs and set them on his shoulders. Delighted that he could hold them and pump harder Raphael placed his hands against her calves and began a series of thrusts and parries in a gentle rhythm. Tonia moaned in accompaniment as if playing a sensual percussion instrument. When he felt the time was right, he reached for her center to finger her clit. She gasped and moaned louder, but the sound could only be described as encouragement. He increased his momentum and felt his balls tighten with the promise of fulfilling sensations building in his own genitals. Soon she was moaning continuously and her thighs were trembling. Raphael watched in the dim light as she erupted, quivering and howling. Her core clenched his cock and he closed his eyes as the overpowering spasm ripped through him too. “Oh, God,” she shouted. She seemed to be continuing on her ride, so he stayed with her keeping his rhythm on her clit with his thumb, even as he took pleasure in his own aftershocks. She bucked and shuddered, clutching the mattress and arching as she came a second and third time with involuntary, high-pitched cries. There was no question that she had come apart. At last she whimpered, “No more,” and pulled his hand away. Raphael collapsed beside her, grinning and kissed her moist face.

***** Sitting at her kitchen table drinking coffee, they gave each other shy, knowing smiles. Raphael reached over for her free hand and squeezed. “You’d better get packed. I’d like to take a quick shower while you’re doing that.” “Sure. Want me to join you as soon as I’m done?” Tonia had never dreamed of climaxing three times in one session before…or making love in the shower. She was 66

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lucky if she could get a decent fucking once a month from Frankie and only until he orgasmed. Selfish bastard. Tonia had a newly discovered admiration for sexuality and the pleasure it could afford. She watched Raphael’s solid body closely as he rose from his chair and came over to kiss her. “I think we’d better take tag team showers or we’ll lose track of time and miss our flight.” He winked, looked over his shoulder and sauntered toward the bathroom. “Does Kendra have your phone number in case anything happens?” “Probably. I couldn’t afford to have a private number, so I had it listed under T. Fuller. Carlo must have told her my maiden name.” “Next time you can just mislist it. I’ve heard of people putting their phone numbers in their pets’ names sometimes. It’s perfectly legal.” “They don’t care who pays the bill for Mr. Fluffy?” “Nope, just as long as it gets paid.” Raphael shrugged and disappeared into the bathroom. As Tonia finished her coffee, she wondered if she’d have to change her name, yet again, sometime. Something totally new, so she could really get on with a whole new life. Maybe something to go with Beauchamp? She rinsed their mugs, added them to the dishwasher and tried on a few for size. Talia Beauchamp, Tara Beauchamp, Tallulah… Now wait a minute. Get a grip. She shook her head and smiled at her own silliness. Tallulah. Now that’s just ridiculous. Getting back to the matter at hand she pulled a suitcase out of her hall closet and lugged it to the bedroom. The sheets were still nice and rumpled. She sighed reflecting on the recent activity and reluctantly made the bed before tossing the suitcase on top. What a remarkable lover she had found! She felt as if she had won the get lucky lottery and hoped they’d be able to have some privacy from the other two travelers. If only they could indulge in that kind of activity again, often and soon. She hummed as she pulled clothes from the back of her closet. Oh yes, it would be nice and warm in the Caribbean. She tossed some of her light blouses and skirts onto the bed along with, of course, her favorite Kate Spade sandals and her attention-getting Spiegas. Raphael would die when he saw that pair. Not only were they hot pink, which went beautifully with her favorite skirt and sleeveless sundress, but they had four-inch heels that looked like chrome. She chuckled just thinking of her lover’s face. It was true that she wasn’t afraid to tease him, disagree with him, or outright defy him. It was a freedom she had never known but could get used to. Next she went to her dresser and found her sexiest underwear. Thongs were a must. If she had to place her butt next to that woman’s, she was going to have something covering her most private area. Fortunately, she had a few with opaque fabric. She could loan one to Kendra so Raphael didn’t get more of a show than

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absolutely necessary. She threw in her matching bras feeling a bit smug since her competition couldn’t borrow those. She might be a C, but she sure wasn’t a dramatic double D! As Tonia was moving on to her T-shirts and shorts drawer, someone buzzed her apartment. She walked to her door, opened it and glanced down the hall where she saw Kendra through the window. She noticed that the woman’s eyes were darting all around and she was shifting from foot to foot on the stoop. Instead of hitting the buzzer, Tonia strolled down the hall to the massive front door and looked around before she opened it, as she’d been doing for the past six years. Kendra seemed to be alone. “Let me in!” Tonia didn’t like the look on her face, but opened the door when Kendra told her to hurry up. “Where’s Carlo?” Kendra pushed past her with a large suitcase on wheels and said, “Which apartment is yours?” “Depends. Are you going to tell me why you’re freaking out?” “Yeah. Carlo tried to kill me. Now if you have someplace to hide ourselves, I’d recommend we do that.” Tonia rushed to her door at the back of the building with Kendra right on her heels. She slammed the door behind them and locked it. Raphael walked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel and ducked into the bedroom. “You didn’t tell me we had company, babe.” Tonia pointed to her love seat and ordered Kendra to sit. She followed Raphael, opened the bedroom door a crack and found him hopping into a pair of briefs. She couldn’t help admiring his butt as she whispered, “Kendra said Carlo tried to kill her.” He jerked his head around and gaped at her. “What? How?” “I don’t know. As soon as you can come out, I’ll get the whole story.” “I’ll be right there. Don’t take your eyes off of her.”

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Chapter Eight Raphael jumped into his jeans. Dread obliterated his relaxed mood and he hoped there was still time to back the hell out of this. What would that mean, though? Wouldn’t Carlo keep coming after Tonia? He still needed both of them to put together the map and numbers. He grabbed a T-shirt from his backpack and struggled into it as he hurried to the living room. Kendra sat on the couch twirling her long, auburn hair. He heard water running in the kitchen. Tonia joined them and offered a glass of water to the distraught woman. “Okay, tell us what happened,” Raphael ordered, without preliminaries. Kendra took a sip of water. “Okay, I called his cell phone and arranged a meeting. Before I met with him, I thought I’d freshen up and that’s when I found him in my hotel room.” “Where were you staying?” Tonia asked. “At the Holiday Inn on Cambridge Street.” “That’s where Carlo said he was staying.” “Yeah, he booked the closest room to mine. He was being all friendly, like he was coming to help me. Then he started making goo-goo eyes at me and the propositions for sex began. He’d give me a bigger cut, etc. etc. I didn’t think he’d really be that stupid because of Frankie still having friends on the outside and everything.” Raphael was growing impatient with this sleazy woman, “No, of course not. Especially after you gave him a lap dance. Why would he think you’d have sex with him? So what happened?” “He tried to get me to take my clothes off. When I said ‘no’, he tried to tear them off. Look.” She pointed to a rip in the seam of her short, tight skirt. “You could have done that when you sat down,” Raphael said. Her eyes narrowed and glared at him. Tonia hushed him and sat beside her. “It probably happened like she said, Raphael. He was coming on to me too. If you didn’t show up when you did, I’d probably have been in the same situation.” Tonia nodded to Kendra and let her continue. “Anyway, he had this Polaroid camera. So I asked him if he was going to take a picture of my butt and then get one of Tam—I mean, Tonia’s and cut both of us out of the deal. He just grinned and told me I was smarter than he thought.” She stopped to take another sip of water.

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“Is that it?” Raphael rolled his eyes. “You said he tried to kill you, not rip your clothes off.” Kendra’s face turned a clashing bright pink and she sputtered, “Look, he had a knife. He was trying to use it on my skirt, but if I hadn’t knocked him out, he’d have ripped open my guts to get that money. It must be a lot if he’s willing to hurt Frankie Gobini’s girls.” “Girl,” Raphael corrected. “Tonia’s not his girl anymore. She’s mine.” Tonia softly smiled at him. She should probably be insulted by his making her sound like a possession, but instead, a warm glow settled in her heart. She couldn’t wait to hold him again, letting the warmth of his body seep into hers. “How’d you overpower him?” he demanded. “By crashing the telephone over his head and then I tied him up with the phone cord.” Kendra eyed the two of them. “How long have you known each other, anyway?” “Never mind that,” Raphael said. “We have more important things to worry about. Like, what do we do now?” Kendra let out a long breath. “I’ve been thinking about that. If we can go back to Vegas…” Tonia burst out of her seat and faced Kendra with her hands on her hips. “No way! You can go back if you want to, but I said things to Frankie that put me on his hit list for life. Plus I divorced him. You know how the family feels about divorce.” An involuntary shiver ran up her spine. “Okay. Sheesh, sit down and relax, will you? I can go by myself. I just thought you’d want to be there so I don’t get the pin number and maybe all the other numbers from Frankie without you.” “I wouldn’t recommend we go, for Tonia’s sake.” He turned toward Tonia and frowned. “And, who knows what kind of muscle she could get to take care of you? Now that she knows where you are, you’re in danger even here. I’m still not sure she isn’t in on it with Carlo.” Kendra threw her arms in the air. “I don’t believe this! Why would I clock him if we were in on this together?” “Maybe you didn’t,” Raphael said. “It’s hard to believe a skinny little thing like you could put down a big goon like him.” “Then why isn’t he here? And why do I have all four of our tickets to Grand Cayman with me?” Now Tonia was suspicious. “How did he get tickets so fast and how did you wind up with them?” “He went to a travel agent as soon as I called to set up the meeting. He’s not exactly a modern man and doesn’t trust e-tickets, so he made the travel agent print them. He showed ‘em to me to prove he didn’t intend to hurt anyone and made the same mistake

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he made before. He put them in his pocket in front of me and didn’t bother to tuck them in deep.” Raphael rolled his eyes. “So why did you have to set up a meeting?” “Because we don’t trust each other.” Kendra tossed her hair behind her shoulder and looked rather proud of herself. “I said I needed to see that he had all four tickets before I’d believe he was going to agree to your conditions.” “And you were figuring you’d pick his pocket again,” Tonia said. Note to self, don’t let Kendra near our pockets. “No, I wasn’t. He had the pin number, but of course, he wouldn’t give that out because he doesn’t trust me. Us. If he didn’t try to kill me, or threaten me, I wouldn’t have hit him and tied him up.” Raphael put an arm around Tonia’s waist and said, “Hon, can I talk to you in the kitchen for a moment?”

***** As soon as they were ensconced in the kitchen, Tonia turned on the faucet and whispered to Raphael. “I know what you’re going to say.” “You do?” “Yes and no, you can’t talk me out of this. If you don’t want to go, that’s fine. It’s one-on-one now and I can take care of myself.” “Are you sure about that?” Tonia filled another water glass and sipped. She was clearly ignoring his question. Damn, if he couldn’t talk her out of it, he’d have to go with her. He still didn’t trust Kendra. “We’d better get out to the living room. You were the one who said we should watch her at all times. By the way, how are we going to do that in the middle of the night?” Raphael took a deep breath. He hadn’t thought of that. If they left her alone in a hotel room, she could make a phone call. Hell, she might even have a cell phone with her. They’d better check or it wouldn’t even be safe to let her go to the bathroom by herself. “You’re right. We need to get out there.” He returned to the living room with a purposeful stride, put his hands on the back of a straight-back chair and confronted Kendra. “Look, I know you don’t like us treating you as if we don’t trust you, but the fact is, we don’t. If you still want to do this, we need to figure out a few things first.” Tonia came up beside him and slipped an arm around his waist.

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Raphael noticed Kendra had a purse and thick suitcase with her. It looked like one of those garment bags that held clothes on hangers along with about a hundred pockets to hold everything else. “I need to look through your purse and suitcase.” Kendra laughed. “For what? The guns and knives I can’t take on the plane?” “For a cell phone, sleeping pills, or anything else that might cause problems.” “Oh for Chrisakes.” She grabbed her purse and opened it, dumping the contents on the seat beside her. He noted a couple of small zippered cloth bags and a wallet along with the usual junk. “Open the bags.” She rolled her eyes and opened one that held makeup and the other, which held tampons. She tossed the one with the tampons close to his face. “Care to inspect them?” Why did women think that their monthly ritual intimidated all men? Raphael was going to be a doctor, for God’s sake. Plus he had a mother and sister and knew what was what. He snatched the bag in midair. “Sure,” he said, extracting one from the bag. “Tampax Super. Ah, a classic choice.” He sniffed it as if it were a Cuban cigar. She ripped it from his hand and shoved it back into its bag, then grabbed the rest of her personal items and began stuffing them back into her purse. “Where did you find this loser, Tammy?” “Not so fast,” he said. “Open the wallet.” “Huh? What now? Are you going to add to my humiliation by robbing me?” “Of course not. I’m just curious about a couple of things. If you want our cooperation, you’ll give us yours.” She huffed and hesitated. Narrowing her eyes and pursing her lips, she reluctantly handed over the wallet. Raphael wasn’t surprised when he found more than one ID and they showed names that were not Kendra’s even though the pictures were reasonably close, just with a different hairstyle and color. Classic shoulder-length, medium brown. “Well, well. Look at this Tonia. It seems we have a Leslie Weiner, a Lola La Blanc and a Vanessa Dickey with us.” “Put them back and shut up,” Kendra said. “I don’t think so. I’ll be putting two of these somewhere for safekeeping.” Raphael fanned them out like playing cards and showed them to Tonia. “I think I should be Leslie, but you can call me Les. I just don’t feel like a Lola or a Vanessa. Which one would you like, my dear?” “I’ll be Vanessa,” Tonia said.

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“All right. Here you go Lola.” He tucked Lola’s ID into the clear window behind Kendra’s real ID and handed the wallet back to her. The other two he gave to Tonia. “Go hide these where a talented pickpocket won’t find them.” Kendra jumped up and bellowed, “Enough with the humiliation! You two might need someone like me to save your asses if things go haywire.” “Like?” “If Carlo or any of his friends decide to come after us, we’ll need to disappear deep. You might need me to come up with one in a hurry for you, ‘Leslie,’ since you don’t resemble your picture.” Tonia paused on her way to the bedroom. “She’s right, Raphael, again.” The idea of letting Kendra ”find” him a new ID bothered him, but not as much as Carlo finding him and Tonia. “Okay, I’ll keep the sarcasm to myself. By the way, are you all packed, Babe?” “Almost.” “Hurry up,” Kendra snapped. “I can’t afford another plane ticket if we miss this flight and if Carlo gets loose, we’ll be dead before we get to the airport. We’ve got to get through that metal detector, then we’ll be safe. He’s armed and he knows where you both live.” Raphael coughed. How the hell does he know where I live? Tonia vanished into the bedroom and emerged moments later pulling along a carryall that looked like it earned its name. “One quick peek in the suitcases,” Raphael insisted. Both women groaned, but bent over and unzipped them. Raphael gave more than a cursory glance to Kendra’s and while rifling through the inner pockets, he found a length of rope. “What’s this for?” “Hanging clothes.” “Sure it is. I think I’ll put this is my backpack.” Kendra leaned over and rifled through Tonia’s case. From under her sexy nighties, she plucked a large box of condoms. “Oh and what do we have here?” “Give me those,” Tonia snapped. “I don’t know, Tonia. Maybe I should borrow a few. Your boyfriend’s pretty hot.” Tonia lunged. She grabbed Kendra by the hair and pulled off her long, red wig. Kendra squealed and grabbed it away from her as she landed a kick in Tonia’s stomach. “Ladies!” Raphael shouted. He grabbed the two of them by their arms and yanked them apart. “Tonia, you have to know I won’t let that happen! Even if she baits you, don’t give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Ignore her.”

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“And you,” he roared, pointing at Kendra who was busy fixing her wig and didn’t bother to make eye contact, “You knock that shit off! You hear me? Next time you taunt her, I’ll rip your wig off and let her tear your real hair out. Got it?” Kendra stuck her fake dazzling auburn hair over her straggly, mousy brown and proceeded to fasten it on with long pins, as if ignoring everything he had just said. “Do you understand, Kendra?” “Yes,” she snapped. “That was payback.” “For what?” Tonia shouted. “For treating me like a—” “Knock it off!” Raphael had to squash this catfight once and for all. “Zip those suitcases and your mouths right now. Tonia, I want you to hear me and hear me good. I’m in this for you. I wouldn’t have anything to do with this woman, or this stupid, irrational scheme if I didn’t care a hellova lot about you. Let me referee if The Queen of Mean tries to upset you, all right?” Kendra stomped off to the bathroom. He pulled Tonia close and whispered in her ear. “Please, hon. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I think I’m falling in love with you and I’d like to live long enough to know for sure.” Tonia’s mouth dropped. She took a step back and stared at him. Eventually she took a deep breath as if making up for the air she must have forgotten to take in. Without a word, she returned to her suitcase to zip it and put it back on its wheels.

***** Logan Airport by taxi was taking much too long. The trio had waited for the cab for 20 minutes and Raphael was glancing at his watch every time Tonia looked at him. Or maybe he was avoiding her gaze. Either way, he was making her nervous. Raphael leaned toward the Plexiglas window and shouted, “If you can get us there by ten o’clock, there’s a handsome tip in it for you.” The cabbie stepped on it. At one point, he went up over the sidewalk to get around a slow vehicle and resumed driving like a maniac toward the tunnel. Tonia grasped Raphael’s arm and didn’t let go. “Do you think we’ll make it?” “If we can get checked in fairly quickly, we should be okay.” “What are the chances of that happening?” Kendra asked. Raphael shrugged. “It’s a crap shoot.” At last, the cab stopped in front of the terminal. By the time all of the luggage was on the street, it was 9:59. Tonia struggled with her bag until Raphael rested a hand on her arm and stepped in to take it for her. She looked up and saw the first smile on his face since he had confessed his feelings for her and she hadn’t responded. Her heart warmed and she returned the soft expression. “Thank you, knight.” 74

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Kendra’s lip curled. “It must be a welcome change to have a bona fide gentleman to carry your bags instead of someone your husband hired to do it.” Tonia opened her mouth to deliver a retort, but remembered what Raphael said and shut it. Clenching her teeth, she grabbed her suitcase back from him as soon as it was on the walkway. “Kendra,” Raphael said, “It’s going to be a long night. Don’t make this trip harder than it has to be.” She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine.” The three of them jogged to the baggage check-in and made it to the gate just in time. Once they were through the security checkpoint Tonia’s sense of relief lightened her mood significantly. They could breathe easier, for now. If Carlo showed up, at least he wouldn’t have a gun or a knife. It was a good thing they didn’t have long to wait before the plane boarded. Kendra was pacing like a cat and Tonia wondered what she was thinking, or worse, planning. Since they had no small children, weren’t in wheelchairs and didn’t have first class tickets, they were among the last to board. Kendra glanced backward one last time before they disappeared though the door and down the ramp. “Expecting someone?” Raphael asked. “Just making sure we’re one step ahead of Carlo.” Once they were on the plane and had found their seats, Raphael stuffed his backpack in the luggage compartment and without looking at her, said, “Is that all? You seem jumpy.” “Wouldn’t you be? I’m the one who brained him with the phone and tied him up.” “Uh huh.” Tonia let Kendra take the seat next to the window, shed her coat and then settled herself in the aisle seat. “How hard did you hit him?” “I don’t know. I cracked him over the head with as much force as a person gets when their life depends on it and then he hit the desk before he hit the floor. I knew I’d only get one shot, so I made it count.” Tonia shivered but hoped Kendra didn’t notice. “You’re a scary-ass chick, Kendra.” Raphael slid into the seat between the women. “How’d you get so street-savvy?” “By living on the street.” She had been facing him, but quickly turned her head and looked out the window. “I guess you don’t want to talk about it.” Still staring out the window, she said, “You guessed right.” The three of them remained silent until the plane was taxiing down the runway. “I hate to fly,” Tonia admitted in a small voice. Raphael took her hand and squeezed it. “Think of something else, then.” 75

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“I can’t,” she said. Raphael chose that moment to deliver a long, powerful kiss. No tongue, but with the fullness of his lips against the softness of hers, Tonia melted and leaned into him as much as the seat belt would allow. Kendra remained quiet, which was both a relief and a surprise. “Raphael, if anything happens to me…” “Nothing is going to happen, babe. You’re perfectly safe.” She wondered why he cut her off. All she was going to say was, you can have my apartment. After a long, sleepless, but thankfully unremarkable flight, the three of them assembled at the baggage carousel. At least, Raphael hadn’t slept. The women had napped before and after the forty-five minute stopover in Dallas and seemed better rested than he was. Raphael glanced out the airport windows at the bright morning Caribbean sunshine in a cloudless blue sky that would encourage any tourist to hit the beaches. Majestic palm trees swayed in the breeze and he experienced a sudden urge for a cool umbrella drink. He couldn’t wait to reach the hotel. “I wonder if we should pay back Carlo for the airfare in addition to his cut?” Tonia asked. She shifted her weight from one leg to the other and fidgeted. Kendra snorted. “Why pay him at all?” “It might appease him. You know how he gets.” “I don’t think we need to worry about him right now, hon. We slipped away. We’ll lay low, then get to the right bank first thing Monday morning. After that we’ll be on our way home. We’ll wire him his cut and he’ll probably be surprised to get that much. I know I would be.” “I don’t know if he will be, though. I feel kind of nervous that he paid for the tickets. They weren’t cheap. I don’t want him coming after us thinking he was cheated.” Kendra smirked. “Then you can reimburse him out of your cut. I’m afraid I’m not feeling sympathetic enough to chip in.” Raphael grabbed Kendra’s bag as it came around on the conveyor belt and set it on the floor. Tonia’s should have come along soon after. Unfortunately, hers looked like several others, so he had to reach over and check the tags. The carousel had made three full revolutions without her bag showing up. He was certain he had checked every large, black, soft-sided suitcase, confirming that Tonia’s bag didn’t make it. “I don’t believe this,” Kendra huffed. “Why the hell did your bag get lost?” “I’m not happy about it either,” Tonia said. “Maybe it fell off the luggage bus in Dallas or even back in Boston.” Kendra smirked. “Luggage bus?” “Well, what would you call it?” Tonia’s hands were on her hips and she was leaning forward in battle stance. 76

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“Ladies, knock it off. We’re all tired and cranky. Just bite your tongues if you have to.” Tonia took a deep breath and counted to ten. “Does anyone know how to file a baggage claim?” “Wow, you really are helpless, aren’t you, Barbie?” “Shut up, Kendra,” Raphael snapped. “Who made you boss?” “You did, or have you already forgotten that? To answer your question, Tonia, we’ll have to go to the customer service office.” “But I’m exhausted,” Kendra whined. “I want to get to the hotel.” Raphael thought about the wisdom of letting them split up, but they sure needed a break from each other. In every movie he could recall, the words, “let’s split up” resulted in something disastrous happening. Still, Kendra didn’t have any reason to vanish or to believe they’d disappear on her. Not after coming this far and without the numbers having been matched up yet. Besides, a few minutes alone with Tonia would be heaven. “Okay, you go ahead. We’ll come as soon as we finish up here. There’s only one Hilton on Grand Cayman, right?” “As far as I know.” Kendra took her suitcase by the handle and strode away. Without turning around she called out, “You’ll find me by the pool.”

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Chapter Nine Tonia heaved a sigh of relief when they had finally filled out the paperwork to return or reimburse her for her luggage. Raphael had been so patient throughout the process and she had the opportunity to glance over at his handsome face and appreciate his relaxed body and mind. God, he was gorgeous…inside and out. Maybe that’s why the main thing she regretted losing were those condoms. “So, now what?” she asked. “Well, we can shop, or go and see if Kendra will share her clothes with you.” Tonia burst out laughing. “I doubt that very much. Besides, have you seen what she’s wearing and what’s in her suitcase?” He gently placed a hand at the small of her back and escorted her toward the taxis. “Yeah, now that I think of it, I don’t want you looking like a Vegas showgirl. I’m sure plenty of guys are going to be checking you out, anyway. No need for a neon sign.” It struck her a little like a backhanded compliment, but she’d take it. Slipping her arm around his waist, she whispered, “You and I have to replace those condoms too.” He smiled at her and she could have sworn she saw his eyes actually twinkle. She remembered the first taxi they shared. What if he had just bundled her in there and let her drive off by herself? But that wasn’t Raphael. With any other guy, she might be dead of second impact syndrome by now. Instead, it seemed as if goodness had its rewards. Now the two of them were sharing an island holiday and very possibly falling in love. As soon as Raphael hopped in and closed the door, he said, “Shopping district, please,” to the cab driver. She had to ask about money and fidgeted with her purse. “Raphael, I might need to borrow your charge card, but I promise you’ll get back every cent.” He smoothed her bangs away from her eyes. “I know.” Then he kissed her temple and said, “Don’t worry about it.” The cab driver, speaking with an island accent, said, “Your money will go much further here. Duty-free, you know.” “Oh, that’s right.” Tonia’s mood brightened considerably at the thought of finding some bargains while replacing a small portion of her wardrobe.

*****

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Bargains my ass. Raphael didn’t relish being dragged from boutique to boutique. That plus his eye-popping discovery of what constituted a bargain in women’s clothing had earned him a stop at the nearest bar. “Tonia, are you almost finished?” “I am if you don’t mind my not wearing any underwear.” He grinned. “Don’t mind a bit.” She rolled her eyes at him and wandered off to the back of the small store. “There’s a bar across the street, hon,” he called. “I’ll get a table while you finish up.” She rushed back to him, panic-stricken and whispered in his ear. “How am I going to pay for this?” “I’ll see if they have a charge slip I can sign on the way out. They can put your purchases on it when you’re done.” She kissed him on the cheek and said, “You’re the best. I’ll try not to take advantage of you.” “Oh, but I wish you would.” He winked and walked out of the store into the rejuvenating sunshine.

***** Tonia was taking a long time just to buy underwear. Too long. Raphael finished his drink, left his tip on the table and returned to the boutique, hoping she was still there. He also hoped she hadn’t misinterpreted his parting comment and bought out the whole shop. Poking his head in, he didn’t see her. Her blond head would have been visible above the round racks, even if she were behind one of them. Anxiety descended into his chest as he thought about Carlo. He charged in, hoping to find her kneeling on the floor and trying on some ridiculous, impractical, spike-heeled shoes. In fact there was nothing he wanted more. When that didn’t happen, he approached the sales woman in a state of shock. “Do you know where my pretty blond companion went? Is she in a dressing room or something?” “No, I’m sorry. She left quite a while ago.” Dear God. What could have happened to her just crossing the street? “Did you see what direction she went off in?” “I think she went that way.” The woman pointed to the right. “Not across the street?” “No, I don’t think so.” Raphael called his thanks over his shoulder and dashed out to the sidewalk. Looking toward the right, he squinted into the sun and shaded his eyes. Nothing but 79

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more shops. It’s okay, he tried to convince himself. Carlo couldn’t have found a way to get here first and grab Tonia. Or, shit, maybe he did. He could have been faking his unconsciousness and come in on an earlier flight. He could have sent some local goons to kidnap the girls and hold them for him somewhere. And once Carlo had both Kendra and Tonia, he had no more use for them. What had he been thinking by letting himself and Tonia split up like that? Raphael’s panic kicked into overdrive as he realized Carlo might have less trouble with the two of them if they were dead. Calm down. Relax. You’ll find her. There was no other choice but to scan every store along the block as he hoped and prayed. Or maybe go back to the bar. What if he had just missed her and she was there, looking for him now? No, there was no way he could have missed her with only one flight of stairs up to the bar, he’d have seen her. She had to be in another shop. Working his way down the block, he visited a bathing suit store, a jewelry store, a beach boutique, another jewelry store, a liquor store… He paused and thought about picking up a pint for later, then shook his head and pressed on to a photo shop and a souvenir shop. As he approached the final door, he hoped for a miracle. Hell, even a gun shop would be welcome right now. If she wasn’t in there, it must mean that she had met with some sort of foul play. It was a shoe store. Yes, she has to be here! His moment of hope vanished when he searched every corner and didn’t see her.

***** Tonia tapped her foot and decided to make one more sweep of the bar. He wasn’t there a moment ago, but maybe he had gone to the men’s room. She snatched up all of her purchases and walked upstairs wondering why Raphael would desert her. It had taken her a little while to find a pharmacy and buy a small box of condoms with the few dollars she had, but she never thought he’d just up and leave. That wasn’t the Raphael she knew. Then again, wasn’t she still just getting to know him? Maybe he had a funny way of breaking up with women. “Here’s my credit card. Meet me later at the bar…” When she had scanned the whole place twice, she had to make a decision. Should she wait around for God-knows-how-long, or try to find her way to the hotel without any money for a cab? A nice-looking, older gentleman, dressed like a golfer and wearing designer sunglasses over his graying temples cleared his throat. “I’d love to buy you a drink and enjoy your company while you wait for him.” Tonia was startled at first, but relaxed once she saw the gentleman with the English accent. He seemed very un-mob-like and she just knew he had nothing to do with Carlo or Frankie.

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“Well, thank you for the offer, but I’m not sure if I should wait or not. He was supposed to be here earlier than me.” She cocked her head. “How did you know I was waiting for a guy?” The man simply smiled. It wasn’t the smarmy smile that she was used to seeing from visitors in Vegas. It was a kind, knowing smile that could only be taken as a compliment. “Well, I’m sorry he disappointed you.” “Oh, no. It’s my fault. I was late, as usual.” “If you decide to wait, my offer still stands.” Confused, Tonia looked toward the empty doorway, then back at the Englishman. “I—I guess I should wait since he was my ride to the hotel. I haven’t even checked in yet.” “I could give you a ride.” “Oh, no. I couldn’t put you out. I don’t even know you.” “Nonsense. It would be an honor to help a damsel in distress. Or you could get to know me while you wait for him. Then if he doesn’t show, I can give you a ride to your hotel.” Tonia chuckled. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask your name. My friend already thinks I’m too trusting, so I’m sure getting into a car with a stranger would earn me a talkingto.” “Of course. I should have introduced myself, first. I’ll do so at once. I’m Myles Atwood.” He extended his right hand. “Tonia Fuller.” When she reached for his hand to shake it, he surprised her by grasping only her fingers and bringing her hand to his lips. “Whoa,” said a familiar male voice behind her. “Looks like I got here just in time.” Tonia whirled around to see Raphael strolling toward her with a puzzled expression on his handsome face. “Oh, thank God. I didn’t know where you were. I was just about to give up on you.” Raphael eyed the gentleman and said, “So I see.” He came up beside her and placed a possessive hand on her waist. “I was off looking for you. What took you so long?” “I had to…” She giggled. “I’ll tell you later.” Raphael smiled at the stranger. “Well, I’d like to stay and chat, but we really have to get going.” “Of course. It was nice meeting you, Miss Fuller.” “Nice meeting you too, Mr. Atwood.” It was only at that point that Tonia realized the gentleman’s eyes had never strayed below her face…and that he had just dropped a business card in one of her shopping bags.

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***** Raphael paced back and forth in their hotel room. Fuming since he saw her with another man, Raphael couldn’t hold it in any longer. The cab ride to the hotel had been strained. She seemed distant and he didn’t want to get into it until they were somewhere private. Now that they had checked in and carried Tonia’s many shopping bags to their room, he seethed. “You didn’t waste any time making friends.” “What? You mean at the bar?” “Where the hell were you?” “I was looking for a pharmacy.” “A pharmacy?” Suddenly concerned, he softened. “Are you sick?” “Probably. I was getting these.” She pulled a box of condoms out of her purse and tossed them on one of the double beds. “Oh.” He couldn’t help feeling sheepish, but that was the last thing he had expected. “Are you still in the mood?” “Not really,” she responded coolly. She rifled through the bags until she found the bathing suit she had bought. “I’m going to the pool for a while…alone.”

***** Kendra heard wolf whistles and turned to see who was causing the sensation. Oh, crap. It’s the Barbie doll. She sunk a little lower behind her magazine, hoping to escape detection. Maybe, if she quickly removed her wig, Tonia wouldn’t recognize her. She felt her head getting hot and sweaty, anyway. Kendra had only removed two pins when Tonia spotted her and made a beeline in her direction. Kendra ignored her and removed the wig as if she had been intending to do so all along. “Hi Kendra, mind if I sit down?” “Whatever.” Tonia dragged a chair across the cement and plopped her body right next to her. “I’m glad you found a spot by yourself. I thought it was time we had a talk.” Kendra lifted her sunglasses and studied Tonia’s expression. “You’ve got to be kidding.” “No, I’m dead serious. It might help us trust each other a little bit.” Kendra snorted and looked away. “Look, there are some things I’d like to know. I can’t make you tell me anything, but since Frankie and I are divorced now, it really shouldn’t matter to you anymore. You can have him. Maybe there are things you’d like to ask me too.”

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Kendra thought about that as she unwound her brown hair and shook it free. “Okay, I guess we can play twenty questions for a while. But if I don’t answer you, don’t assume I don’t want to tell you something you don’t want to hear. I’ve probably just gotten bored and fallen asleep.” Tonia cleared her throat and leaned forward, looking at the ground. “How long did you and Frankie…” She was obviously struggling for the right words. Kendra couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for her. “Know each other?” Tonia looked up with an expression of anxiety. “Yes.” “About six years.” “I mean, was that how long you…you know, knew each other, in the biblical sense.” “There was nothing biblical about it, but yeah. About six years. I don’t get why you care anymore? Unless you still love him or something?” “No! That isn’t it at all. I just want to know how long…” She took a deep breath and seemed to be struggling again. “I want to know how long he was making a fool of me without my knowing it.” “Oh, hey! Don’t think like that. He was just a typical, self-centered man. Listen, he hurt me too. It was along time before I found out why he never invited me to his place. If I had known… Well, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” Kendra shocked both of them by reaching over and laying a hand on Tonia’s knee. She quickly retracted it and tried to think of something sassy to say. Tonia’s eyes shimmered. “It’s just that I feel so stupid.” “If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t know about you for quite a while, either. I felt like a fool too.” “Really?” “Yeah. But I figured, what the hell, he’s a man.” Tonia’s eyes widened. “You think all men are like that? Seriously?” “Of course. I don’t think the males of our species were built to be monogamous. Why is that so surprising?” Tonia pursed her lips. “I hope you’re wrong.” “Maybe I am. I think you may have found a good one.” “I hope so.” She sighed and her posture slumped. “What’s wrong?” “Oh, nothing. Just nervous, Kendra. Once bitten, twice shy. Isn’t that what they say?” “Is it? I’ve been burned plenty, but I’m not shy and don’t plan to be in the future, either.” Tonia sat back in her chair. “I guess not if you gave Carlo a lap dance. You must have been desperate to get that letter.” 83

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Kendra laughed and smiled at her former competition. “I knew showing you that letter was the only way you’d believe me. The lap dance wasn’t my idea, but it worked. I knew I wouldn’t be able to find you without his cooperation.” “He told you where I was?” “After enough bumping and grinding. Carlo isn’t pretty, but at least he’s predictably stupid.” The two of them chuckled and smiled together for the first time. After that an uncomfortable silence descended. Kendra fidgeted in her chair. “I’m nervous about him too.” “How did you know what I was thinking?” Tonia cleared her throat. “Is there any way we can call a truce to sniping at each other and behave decently, so Raphael doesn’t have to waste his time playing referee?” Kendra nodded. “Sure. I’ll give it a try. There is something nice I’d like to say to you.” “Really?” “Yeah. You showed real guts when you divorced Frankie. No one defies the family like that, yet you held your head high as you marched into that court house and demanded the right to start over.” “You saw me?” “From a distance. And then the newspapers printed a nice close-up.” “Thanks. I was never so scared in my life, but it was what I had to do. You only live once, you know? I wasn’t sure where I was going, but it had to be better than the life I had…if you can call it a life.” Kendra nodded. “I’m sure that waiting twenty years for your crime-boss husband wasn’t what you signed up for.” “No, it wasn’t.” “So what do you want to do with your share of the money?” “Depends, I guess. If there’s enough, I’d like to rent this little antique shop I saw and maybe buy a truck to go to the flea markets and hunt for bargains. I could fix them up and sell them in my shop. Just a pipe dream, probably.” “Why a pipe dream? Sounds pretty workable.” Tonia shrugged. “I guess it depends on the money. How about you? What do you want to do with your share?” “I don’t know—well not specifically. Disappear completely and start over with a brand-new identity, but now that my IDs are gone…” Tonia bit her lip, then looked away for a few uncomfortable moments. “It’s so lovely down here. Maybe you could enjoy more time in the islands. I wish I could talk Raphael into it. We have to get back because he has to begin his internship. But if it’ll help, I can give Vanessa’s ID back to you.”

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She smirked. “Thanks, but no. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I don’t—not completely.” The palms swayed gently in the balmy breeze, the sky was blue without a cloud. Kendra thought about how she’d love to stay somewhere like this for more than a few days. Wouldn’t it be heaven if the money split two ways would be enough to support a leisurely lifestyle in paradise? Tonia cleared her throat. “You know, even if we don’t trust each other, that doesn’t mean we can’t be a little more considerate and respect each other’s feelings. I think Raphael’s about had it. He’s not used to this kind of crap. He’s worrying about Carlo and trying to protect us from killing each other.” Kendra sighed. “I guess we haven’t exactly been on our best behavior. I’ll admit I can do better.” Tonia extended her hand. “Me too. I think he’s seen the worst of me, now.” “That’s your worst? You mean, that’s all you’ve got?” Tonia shrugged. “We’re different people, Kendra. Maybe that’s what Frankie liked about having both of us. We fulfilled different needs.” “No kidding. You were his nice girl. The long-suffering dutiful wife. You were to be the sainted mother of his children and I was his nasty one.” “So, truce?” “I’ll give it my best, Tonia. Things should go smoothly with the transaction if we can get along and after all, that’s the reason we’re here. Agreed?” “Agreed.” Kendra grasped Tonia’s hand firmly and they shook on it. Still, it irked Kendra to be so sweet when that was exactly what Tammy was. That must have been why Frankie didn’t want to divorce her. Kendra felt the familiar sting of being tainted and not good enough for a real relationship.

***** Raphael watched as Tonia emptied her purchases onto the bed and started to put them away. He could barely tear his gaze from her thigh-high, low-cut, turquoise bathing suit to notice the sexy underwear and baby doll nightgowns she had bought. He wished he had fought his green-eyed monster of jealousy harder, forbidding it to make an appearance, but the damage was done. She didn’t crack a smile the whole time she was putting her new things in the closet and drawers. Along with one pair of shorts and a souvenir T-shirt, he noticed that she had bought a couple of revealing sundresses with low cut, V-necklines and flirty short skirts. Men were going to approach her. That was just a fact of her life and it would be part of his if he wanted to take part in it. He’d have to learn to control his inner dark impulses, somehow. Frankie may have been able to control the world around her, but he couldn’t and didn’t want to. 85

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“Babe, I’m sorry.” Without looking at him, she muttered, “For what?” “For what I was thinking, I guess.” She turned around and looked at him, but, when she finally said something, her tone of voice hadn’t changed. “What were you thinking?” “I don’t know. I guess I wasn’t thinking at all. I was reacting.” “To what?” Raphael looked at the ceiling and let out a deep breath in a whoosh. How much did he want to admit when it would only make him sound like an obnoxious prick? “I… Sleep deprivation, I guess.” She paused, then shrugged and returned to taking care of her clothes. No, he hadn’t based this relationship on lies and wouldn’t start now. “Tonia, I got jealous when I saw you with that handsome older man. I’m sorry. I have no right to expect you to be exclusive when we haven’t even discussed it yet.” Tonia’s straightened and dropped the dress hanger she had been holding. “You think I’d let you put all of this stuff on your credit card if we weren’t exclusive? You think I’d sleep with you and go off with another man that I just met?” She spoke through clenched teeth as she approached him. “Who do you think I am? Kendra?” Raphael was about to take a step back when he remembered what else she had done to upset him and instead narrowed his eyes and walked toward her. “Look, you made me completely crazy with worry right before that. I was out of my mind wondering what had happened to you and then, when I finally found you, you were laughing and drinking with another man.” Tonia took a step back. “I didn’t think we had to discuss it, but if you do let’s get it straightened out right now.” Raphael kept advancing, forcing her to retreat until she was flat against the wall. “I thought Carlo grabbed you off the street. Probably pinned you up against the wall.” As she tried to push him away, he grabbed her arms and slammed them against her sides, pinning her. “Then I thought he probably forced you to kiss him.” Raphael dove for her lips and smashed his mouth to hers. She tried to move her head, but he followed her and didn’t allow her to break his fierce, unrelenting kiss. When he finally freed her mouth, she gasped and said, “I don’t want to see anyone else.” “Neither do I. I’m crazy about you.” Raphael held her steady, green gaze. She didn’t blink, didn’t look away. Fear left Tonia’s face and she smiled. “See? That was easy.”

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Chapter Ten He pulled her into a warm hug. Purposely losing his balance, he toppled onto the bed bringing Tonia with him. She giggled and nipped his neck. “Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?” Raphael traced her jaw with his thumb. “That those condoms might not go to waste?” “No, that we might not have enough.” She licked her lips, leaned in and kissed him. It was the kind of kiss he had been waiting for. The one that told him she was holding nothing back. He pushed his open lips firmly against hers so he could thoroughly caress her tongue. She met his with the same force he used, igniting the fire and it flared. Intimacy was not even a decision. With her it was inevitable. His hands roamed over every bit of her that he could reach. As if she couldn’t wait another moment, she broke contact and grabbed the hem of his T-shirt. She breathed deep and yanked it up over his head. He nuzzled her neck and ear. “I think we should start using those condoms and see how far they go. Then we can buy more.” He pushed his hand in the deep V of her bathing suit and cupped her breast while his thumb massaged her nipple. “I love it when you do that.” She sighed and reached for his cock. As she was cupping and squeezing him, his lust took over, becoming nearly uncontrollable. He inserted his other hand into her deep V-neckline, grabbed both of her plump tits and squeezed. She yanked the zipper down forcefully. He thought he’d better help or she might perform an accidental castration when she went to rip off his jeans and briefs. “I’ve got it, hon.” “Hurry.” Tonia shed her bathing suit in seconds and slid to the middle of the queen size bed without peeling back the covers. Raphael’s breath hitched. When he could speak it was as if he had no impulse control. “Good God, Tonia. You’re body is perfection. I want to make you feel so good. I’ll suck those gorgeous breasts and rub your sweet pussy. I’ll make you come over and over again with my finger, mouth and tongue. And pardon me for being crass, but then I want to fuck you all damn night.” She giggled and said, “I like your plan.” As soon as he was free of his clothing, he rolled to her and they locked mouths. He glued his lips to hers with every intention of kissing her senseless. She responded as if she had the same goal. He flipped onto his back, pulling her on top of him, so his hand could travel all over the velvety soft skin of her back to the slight depressions just below the hollow of her 87

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arch. He rubbed and caressed her bottom, squeezing each cheek gently and then fondled her some more. Every touch thrilled his fingers and made him want to memorize her curves and textures as if he were blind. She worked her hands between their bodies and grabbed his cock, stroking him enthusiastically. He had to moan around their fused lips. Tonia let go of their lip-lock and slid down his chest. He grasped her head and stopped her halfway down. “Suck my nipples like I suck yours. It feels good for a man too.” She circled his nipple with her tongue and looked up at his face as if to gauge his reaction. He thought he should offer her some words of encouragement, but all he could do was groan in pleasure. She seemed satisfied and drew one nipple into her mouth. Sucking and nipping it only made him hornier. She moved to the other one and he longed to suckle her too. It felt so damn good there were no words. He watched her take him and accepted the thrill. At last she let go and he didn’t waste any time. He flipped her onto her back and applied his hungry suction to her closest nipple. Her giggles turned to satisfying moans in seconds. Raphael suckled her breasts thoroughly while his busy hands squeezed and massaged her everywhere, then concentrated on her buttocks and pussy. Her body writhed under his. When he moved his fingers to her clit, she bucked and yelped. “Are you all right?” “God, yes! Don’t stop.” He grinned. The smile she gave him in return looked as if she had found genuine happiness at last. Perhaps for once she knew what was going to happen and could trust him to take her all the way there. He rubbed her mons tenderly and then moved to the apex of her thighs. She opened her legs to accommodate him. Sliding into the space, Raphael nuzzled her thigh and realized he hadn’t shaved and probably sported a heavy five-o’clock shadow. Better to let his tongue caress her sensitive flesh than his beard. He lapped at her labia, until he heard her whimper in what sounded like near desperate anticipation. Though wanting to tease and torture her a little, he didn’t think she’d appreciate it, so he placed his mouth over her clit and sucked. Tonia cried out and undulated as if she were trying to either push her pelvis closer or wriggle out of her skin. Raphael tickled her clit with his tongue and she quivered all over. Her moans took on a frantic quality. At last, she burst underneath him, crying out and shaking violently. Bringing her to orgasm satisfied him in a whole different way from making love to other women. With others he had experienced relief that he had accomplished his first objective, but it was largely so he could get on with the main event…for him. With

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Tonia, it was more than that. Her satisfaction gave him enormous pleasure in and of itself. He cuddled her satiated body and knew he had helped her slip the remnants of her emotional wounds for a while. It must be the healer in him. But, when Tonia, wearing a come-hither smile, crooked her finger, he was thrilled to let her take the lead and accept her silent seduction. Raphael reached toward the drawer of the nightstand for a condom, but Tonia grabbed his waist and said, “Not yet. I want to practice my new skill.” She rolled onto the floor and grinned. He knew exactly what she meant before she kneeled in front of him. “You don’t have to, you know.” “I didn’t say I had to, did I?” He stood with his cock pointing at her mouth and she slid her full lips over his shaft while grasping his buttocks. He groaned in grateful pleasure. Tonia took him deeper this time. He alternately offered encouraging words and moans. Before long, he could feel his release coming and pulled back. “Stop. Oh baby, that’s so good, but I can’t let you go any further.” “Why not?” “Because I’ll come in your mouth.” “Did I do it right? I mean, is that okay?” Raphael tried to suppress a smile without any luck. “Yes, it’s fantastic! Let’s save it for later, though. Tonight, I’m looking forward to fucking. A lot.” Pleased with herself, Tonia sat back on her haunches. “Sit on the edge of the bed. It’s your turn.” Tonia eagerly did as she was told. Raphael gently spread her legs wide and kneeled between them. “Move right to the edge. I’m going to eat your pussy, mercilessly.” She scooted her bottom to the very edge and leaned on her outstretched elbows, looking anxious. “Is anything wrong?” “No! I love how you make me feel and I just hope I’m doing the same for you.” “You do plenty for me.” “But you make me come so many times and you only come once.” “That’s because you’re multiorgasmic, hon. Believe me, that’s a good thing.” “And you’re not?” “Not so much. Now, rest your feet on my shoulders. Don’t push me back until you absolutely can’t stand another second of aftershocks.” With that, Raphael bent his head forward in order to lick her labia.

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Tonia chose to lie down, close her eyes and focus on experiencing the sensation fully. His tongue glided along one moist ridge and then the other. He lapped from the bottom of the folds to the top, giving her clit just a hint of what was to come. Tonia jumped with the spark that each tiny touch of her clit brought. Raphael spread her pussy lips with his fingers and zeroed in on the sensitive target. She shuddered as he ran his tongue around the tiny nub in circles. Then he lapped at it and pushed two fingers into her wet, waiting and wanting chasm. She twisted and moaned while the glorious teasing continued and escalated. He pulled the bud into his mouth and sucked, applying just the right pressure, then tickled it with his tongue presumably to drive her nuts. It was working. She trembled and her heat rose to a fever, then his fingers and tongue traded places. She whimpered, crested the top of her wave and like a surfer just as they catch it and ride, she reached an emotional high. Tonia burst like never before. She arched her back and yelled out her release. The electric current radiated through her every nerve, gradually ricocheting to her center in what Raphael had appropriately called, ”aftershocks”. She let him continue pleasuring her until she really couldn’t handle any more. Her body gradually collapsed into a sated state of sweat and pleasure. She was almost too weak to move, but managed to exert a light pressure against his shoulders. Raphael backed away and she melted down the edge of the bed, landing on the floor with a thump. Tonia opened her eyes to see him wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and then he grinned and licked his lips. “Oh, God. That was incredible,” she said, breathless. “I want you, Raphael. I want you inside me, but I don’t think I can stand up.” “Not a problem. Roll over right where you are. When you’re able, I’ll pull you up onto your hands and knees.” Tonia’s legs were still vibrating. “You mean doggy style?” “Sure. Unless that’s something you object to for some reason.” “No, it’s not objectionable for me, just… Do you want to be looking at my tattoo the whole time?” “What? Why should I care about that? “It’s ugly. Won’t that detract from your pleasure?” “Of course not. It’s part of you. If you care about someone, their flaws fade into nothingness. As long as the rest of your inner beauty comes along with it, Tonia, I can ignore the physical flaws you may have and I sure don’t see many.” Her heart melted and she willingly positioned herself on the soft rug with her shaky knees parted, presenting her ass to him for the taking. There was no question about her lubrication. Her cunt was dripping and begged for him to fill her. She heard the rip of the condom package and before long, the rubbery tip of his cock met her

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opening. Dying for him to push it inside, she leaned back as he thrust and the whole length of his shaft sank deep inside her core. A gurgling moan of relief escaped her lips. She heard an echoing “Ahhh…” and knew the magnificent sensation of coupling was mutual. With his hands firmly holding her hips, he launched into the rhythm of mating. Tonia met his plunges by rocking her body onto his cock, harder with each drive. Their tempo increased, their bodies slapping together yet never separating, like a Chinese finger puppet. She could only pull away so far before her body needed him inside again. Their bodies belonged together. They belonged together. He was still fucking her when Raphael leaned over her and touched her clit. Tonia spasmed and cried out. Almost as if all he had to do was push a button, a mind-blowing climax exploded. At the same time, Raphael jerked and groaned. Tonia bucked wildly and tried not to scream, but it was no use. She was hit with such intensity, she had to let out the fierce shriek, or she might have imploded. When she had experienced every last aftershock, she fell forward, rolled onto her side and panted. Raphael curled up behind her on the rug and spooned her. Despite her hot sweat, he hugged her with his whole body. “That was fantastic,” he whispered in her ear. “I love making love to you.” “Yeah,” was all she had the strength to say. He propped himself on one elbow and loomed over her. His eyes traveled all over face, neck, shoulders and chest. She followed the path of his hot gaze and responded with inner vibrations. Eventually, she managed to ask, “What are you looking at?” “You.” His eyes returned to hers and twinkled. The side of his mouth that always rose higher than the other curled. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. When he drew back, she saw something else glow in his eyes. Not just amusement, but the look you’d give a precious child when they touched you deep inside. “What are you thinking about?” “I was just thinking about how much I’m going to enjoy doing that with you again.” Tonia patted the mattress next to her. “Maybe next time we can use this perfectly good bed.”

***** The next morning, after making love most of the night and again in the shower, Raphael watched Tonia get dressed. She was just as beautiful clothed in her new sundress as she was naked in his arms. Raphael looked on until he decided he couldn’t keep his hands off of her another second. Coming up behind her, he slid with arms around her waist and nibbled her neck and ear. She giggled and tipped her head to the side, trying to pull away from him.

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“Tonia. I have to know, did you freak out when I said something about love, before? Back in Boston?” She turned around and glanced at him, then looked at her feet. “I—I think I did.” “You’re not sure about us?” He retreated a few paces and tried to look casual. “No, no. It’s not that.” She hesitated and seemed to be thinking as she folded the empty shopping bags and stowed them in the closet. “Raphael, it’s all happened so fast. I—I think love you. I feel all squishy inside, but I didn’t know it could happen like this. Can it?” He smiled, put his hands in his pockets and leaned against the double dresser. “I guess so. It did for me.” She strode to him and clutched either side of his face, looking into his eyes. “I’m so glad it’s happening to both of us. I mean, I can hardly believe it. It seems like we just met and already we’re in love.” ”In love”? Isn’t that different from just plain love? It was Raphael’s turn to freak out. He loved Tonia. Of course he did. There was no question of that, but those words. ”In love”. What did they mean? Did that infer another level? Something that demanded commitment? Some kind of, I’ll never look at another woman as long as I live meaning? Because, truth be told, he was very much a man and didn’t think he’d ever stop appreciating the female form. In fact, he had been looking forward to having these two very different but very beautiful women baring their asses for him. They were shaped similarly from the back and would probably make a luscious pair of bookends. He couldn’t help but wish he was a book. He smiled, but it was weak. Probably pathetic. Tonia leaned back and studied his face for a moment. He quickly managed to cover his alarm and angled his head to cover her mouth in a searing kiss. He kissed her for all he was worth, buying time to think about the concept of being in love while trying to erase any doubts. He met her hot tongue with his and swirled it. But when he kissed her all thinking ceased and he wanted only to feel. That might mean he was in love. When at last he remembered there were more pressing matters, he broke the kiss abruptly. “We need to get to the bank. That storm is supposed to hit today. I don’t know about you, but I’d feel a lot better if we could just get your money and fly out of here before it does.” Tonia sighed. “I guess you’re right. Maybe we can come back here for a real vacation some time.” “Absolutely.” She grabbed her purse, Raphael slung his backpack over his shoulder and they left their room in search of Kendra. “She said she’d see me at breakfast,” Tonia said. “So I imagine she’s downstairs in the dining room.”

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“Good, I’m starving. We worked up quite an appetite last night.” She turned and smiled at him. A short way down the hall, they passed a room with an open door and Kendra called out to them. “In here, guys.” Backing up, they noticed that Kendra had a continental breakfast laid out on a cart. The aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods greeted them as they strolled in. “I thought it would be easier if we met in my room for breakfast since we need to put our two halves of the rump-map together this morning.” “That’s an interesting way of putting it,” Tonia said. Raphael reached for a cinnamon roll and pulled over a chair. “Good idea. I don’t think the middle of the restaurant’s dining room would be the right place for that.” “Help yourself, Tonia. I had breakfast for three sent up. I figured I’d be the first one up.” She winked at her. Winked. The smell of money must be putting Kendra in an especially good mood. “Thanks.” Tonia plopped her pocketbook onto the floor, sat on the edge of the bed and buttered a croissant. “So, my half of the map is on my right cheek. I assume yours is on the left?” Kendra snorted. “If not, Frankie made a pretty big mistake.” “We may have a hard time reading it anyway. Mine just looks like a bunch of squiggles and straight lines that dead end near my right hip.” “Yeah, mine too, but on the left. Hopefully, when we put our asses together they form numbers.” Tonia’s eyes widened. “You do think the numbers will be there, don’t you? I mean, Frankie wouldn’t pull a cruel prank on us, would he?” “No. He thought Carlo was going to be reading them and splitting the money with us. He couldn’t have known his loyal thug was going to double-cross both of us and we’d have to find someone else.” “Raphael will be the better man to do it. At least I know he can read. Frankie must have made them like a digital clock makes numbers…out of two squares on top of each other, then the lines that light up form a number. I’ve got a couple squares, some right angles and then the squiggle all around it.” “Yeah, that’s what I have too.” Raphael leaned back in his chair and regarded the two women. “Didn’t you object to having a bunch of nonsensical scratches etched into your butt cheeks? Didn’t either of you ask what he was doing it for?” They both looked at him as if he had two heads. Finally Tonia said, “It wouldn’t have mattered. What Frankie wanted, Frankie got.”

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Kendra nodded. “He said he didn’t want me stripping or doing porn movies or wearing a thong bikini, so he was gonna mark me and it wouldn’t show as long as I kept my pants on. Then he made me butt-ugly. Literally.” “What about you, Tonia? He couldn’t have thought that you’d ever do anything like that. How did he explain it to you?” “I stopped trying to explain Frankie a long time ago. Ever since he changed my name from Tonia to Tammy.” “And now you’ve changed it back again,” Kendra said. “Why? Tammy suited you.” “It suited the old me. The one who didn’t ask questions. Now, I’m starting over and I want to reclaim some of who I was. I used to be gutsy and smart.” “You’re still gutsy and smart,” Raphael said. Kendra nodded. “You can use your part of the money to have the tattoo removed if you want to.” “No, thanks. It hurt enough the first time.” “Really? I didn’t think it hurt that much. I was thinking of getting another one. I was even thinking I could become a tattoo artist myself…you know, when I’m through with stripping and porn movies.” She rolled her eyes. “Really? Do you have some artistic talent?” “I wouldn’t be thinking of doing it if I couldn’t draw. The artist who did mine had pictures of his other work on the walls. I really think I could have done better.” “You had a male tattoo artist? I had a woman,” Tonia said. “Did he take you out of town to get yours done?” “No, he had the woman come to our home. I didn’t know who she was or what she was there for until Frankie said I had to wash up and come to the bedroom without my drawers on. I thought we were going to have a three-way.” Kendra laughed. “I can’t picture him doing that with you. He seemed to think you were as pure as the sainted holy mother.” Tonia laughed. “I’m telling you, that’s the only reason he had me on the side. I was there to do all the nasty things you wouldn’t do.” Tonia lifted her chin defiantly. “What makes you think there’s anything I wouldn’t do?” One side of Kendra’s mouth curled up in a smirk. “Okay, then. Let’s have a threeway, right now.” Shock waves ripped through Raphael, but before his cock could respond, Tonia leapt to her feet and swore. “I thought you were going to stop being a snide bitch!” He expected a catfight, but Kendra slid further into her chair and laughed. “I wasn’t being snide. I was proving a point.” 94

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“Oh.” Tonia still didn’t seem too happy and Raphael wished Kendra hadn’t brought it up since he was going to see the two of them bare-assed any minute. Now he couldn’t get the picture of a Raphael sandwich out of his head. Tonia reached into her purse and pulled out a scrap of fabric. “This is for you. I want you to wear a thong, at least, when Raphael puts our cheeks together.” Kendra shrugged. “I don’t see what difference butt floss is going to make, but if you insist…” “Yeah I do.” Tonia leveled a glare at her. “I’ll be back in a minute. Gotta put my wig on anyway.” Even though he knew it was a wig, Raphael couldn’t help wondering if Kendra was usually a redhead, or if it was just part of a disguise. She was probably counting on people giving that description of her in case she could grab the money and make a fast getaway. He made a mental note to keep his distrust of her fresh in his mind. Kendra grabbed the thong and went into the bathroom. Meanwhile, Tonia lay facedown on the bed and flipped up her skirt. Raphael’s mouth began to water. Tattoo or no tattoo, thong or no thong, Frankie had good taste in glutes. He was dying to know what Kendra’s would look like. Would it be plump like Tonia’s, or bony? He could see her padding it. When she returned from the bathroom, Kendra’s shorts were unfastened. She walked around the bed to the right side of Tonia, turned away from Raphael and lowered them. Tonia had her eyes glued to her rival the whole time. After Kendra had kicked them off and lay next to Tonia, she turned her gaze on Raphael. Damn, what a sight Frankie’s missing. Don’t drool, whatever you do. They were both shaped magnificently. Four rounded globes stared up at him…only Kendra’s left cheek had something obscuring her half of the numbers. “What’s with the adhesive bandages, Kendra?” “I’m not giving up those numbers until all three of us are at the bank.” “How am I supposed to see through your clothes once we’re out in public? You know I have to figure out the numbers of the account for you to empty and close it.” “We’ll go cheek to cheek in the bank’s restroom. You can sneak in with us.” Tonia whipped around and looked at the thin, flesh-colored bandages on the butt next to her. “You’ve got to be kidding! Take those damn things off.” Kendra slapped a hand over her butt cheek and gave Tonia a hard glare. “This is all the insurance I’ve got that you two won’t kick me out of the cab at the wrong bank and take off for the right one without me.” Raphael threw his hands in the air and Tonia’s lips formed a hard, thin line. She seemed as if she were using all her self-control to get through this, already.

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Chapter Eleven Raphael was becoming annoyed with Kendra’s mistrust, even though he didn’t trust her either. “How do you know they’ll have a ladies’ room?” “The nicer banks do. Frankie wouldn’t do business with anything but the best.” “The nicest banks are also the most conservative. You don’t think they’ll notice two women and a man going in together?” “So Tonia and I will go in and get ready for you, then you’ll come in, read the numbers and go write them on a withdrawal slip. We’ll join you before the teller counts out the money.” Tonia was shaking her head, her face flushed dark rose. “Can we just get this embarrassing moment over with?” Kendra crooked a smile and nodded. Raphael was glad that Tonia wasn’t aware of his arousal. Since she was focusing intently on Kendra’s face, she probably didn’t notice. “Yeah, that’s fine, but Kendra, can you scoot closer to Tonia.” Tonia wrinkled her nose. “Closer?” “I can see the map, but I think there’s an X that will form when you two are…for lack of a better word, abutting each other.” Tonia raised her eyes to the ceiling as if asking for strength. Kendra wore an impish smirk, but she faced away from Tonia and moved over to rest her lush, spherical left cheek against Tonia’s mouthwatering, sumptuous, right one. Dear God, how long can I stand here and stare without pointing like an arrow? “Hang on a second. I need a map of the island. Maybe there’s one in the phonebook?” Raphael began rummaging in the desk drawer and glancing up at the girls every few seconds. “Why don’t you just draw what you see and we can compare it to a map of the island later?” Tonia’s irritation seemed to be growing. “I think I need to see the streets and intersections while I’m looking at the real map,” he said, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice. Kendra rested her forehead on her crossed arms and chuckled. “Cut that out,” Tonia snapped. “Oh, come on, Tonia. You have to admit this is funny. Can you imagine what Frankie was thinking when he dreamed this up?” “I think he must have been psychotic.” Raphael breathed a sigh of relief. “Relax. I found a map.” 96

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Kendra chuckled. “He probably thought we’d either become good friends or lower ourselves to this level of humiliation only as a last resort. Can you imagine if one of us died before we got the money?” “Yeah, I’m dying right now.” Raphael wandered over to them and placed the map on the bed. “Frankie thought his trusted right-hand man would be the one staring at your buns. Is he likely to be furious that a total stranger did it?” “Yes,” both women answered at once.

***** Palm trees curved at thirty-degree angles in the wind and a dark, foreboding sky loomed over the trio. Regardless, they had called a cab and set off for the bank. Kendra knew that Raphael took his damn time making sure he got the map matched up just right and found the right bank, but she wasn’t at all surprised. Men. He seemed nervous and was fidgeting in the front seat of the cab, more nervous than Tonia. Of course, living with Frankie for six years had probably made her pretty shockproof. Still, the girl was a puzzle. A blushing innocent one minute and a lioness, ready to scratch her eyes out the next. “So, Tonia, I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” she said. Tonia had been staring out the window, but turned toward her, slowly, as if being pulled out of a daydream. “What?” “How did you manage to stay so innocent, considering…well, the whole Vegas environment?” Tonia snorted. “It isn’t hard to remain unchanged when you’re locked in an ivory tower.” “You’re kidding. He kept you locked up?” “I might as well have been. I didn’t go anywhere without his knowledge and approval. And, of course, Carlo had to accompany me. I got looks of sympathy from people, probably thinking I was married to Carlo.” “Didn’t everyone know you were Frankie Gobini’s wife?” “Did you?” Kendra shook her head, trying to imagine such a restrictive life. “Kind of ironic, isn’t it? Now that he’s in prison, you’re free.” Tonia shrugged. “I guess that’s true as long as no one finds me again.” Kendra knew she’d have no reason to bother Tonia again when she had her money in her hot, little hands. The cab pulled up to an impressive-looking building, large white columns flanked the opulent glass and marble entrance. It was more impressive than any other buildings she had seen on the island save possibly the luxury hotels.

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Raphael pulled out his wallet and paid the cab driver. “I think we got here just in time. The sky looks ominous.” “Yes. Hurricanes are rare this early in the season. But this one passed south of Cuba without slowing down, so she’s coming at us fast and strong,” the black as coal cab driver said in a lilting island accent. “Can you wait for us?” “No, mon. I can tell when the big wind means business. I must get home and hold my house down.” He laughed. Tonia had hopped out already and was waiting on the sidewalk anchoring her flapping dress against her legs. Kendra stepped out onto the street glad she wore her tucked-in shirt and well-behaved shorts. “I’m sure we can get another one.” Nothing could dampen her mood, not when she was about to become independently wealthy! “Fine.” Raphael seemed irritated, but he joined Tonia on the sidewalk and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. No, not even envy could play with Kendra’s emotions right now. When she had money, she could have boy toys. Lots of them. It would be nice to turn the tables for once. She led the way with the cozy couple following her into the bank. Tropical touches like white ceiling fans graced the mix of opulent modern and conservative decor. Gleaming mahogany desks sat behind glass offices. Plush carpet beneath her low heels reminded her that soon luxury would be hers. Plenty of customers were already doing business with the tellers, who looked as polished as their high counter. Glancing around for a ladies’ room, Kendra had a moment of panic. What if they had assumed incorrectly and there wasn’t one? At last, she spotted a dark wooden door tucked into the side of the corridor near the last teller’s window. She grabbed Tonia’s arm and strode toward it with purpose. Tonia ran on tiptoes behind her as fast as she could in her spike heels. Kendra let out a breath of relief when she spotted a small plaque with the international symbol of a silhouetted figure wearing a skirt and a Sixties hairstyle. “Ah, ladies’ room.” Whew. Thank God. When they were both ensconced inside the one-stall restroom, Tonia eyed her suspiciously. “I hope you wore some kind of underwear this morning.” “Relax. I have a thong bikini on under this.” “Were you thinking of going to the beach with a hurricane coming?” Tonia asked. Kendra raised her eyebrows. “What? To let it blow away all my money? I don’t think so.” Tonia smirked. Kendra shrugged and said, “I was trying to be considerate and wore something with slightly more coverage.” “Oh.” Contrition swept over Tonia’s face and the furrows in her forehead disappeared. “I’m sorry, Kendra. It’s just scary to think of losing another man to you.”

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“Are you joking? The way he looks at you? Have you noticed? It’s like you’re something precious and irreplaceable. I couldn’t tear him away if I tried. And, to be honest, I wouldn’t want to. I wish I could find someone to be that way with me, but he’s not my type.” Tonia smiled. “No, I don’t imagine he is.” “You have nothing to worry about. Besides, we’ll probably part ways as soon as we can and never see each other again.” Tonia’s expression changed, becoming somber. “You’re right. I wish we had managed to be nicer to each other. I’m really not upset about you and Frankie, anymore. He’s not my type, either.” “That’s for sure.” “Are you going to wait for him?” Kendra burst out laughing. That was the moment Raphael chose to push open the door about halfway and slip into the now crowded ladies’ room. “Shh… Ready?” “As we’ll ever be,” Tonia replied. She turned around and flipped her flirty sundress up and over her back, exposing her bare bottom. Kendra raised an eyebrow as she unfastened her casual, but neat, sporty, shorts. She turned, dropped them to the floor and bared her backside plus thong and minus adhesive bandages. “Inch together,” he whispered. The girls shuffled closer, just until their cheeks touched. “The numbers aren’t quite matching up. Tonia, you’re too tall. Kick off your shoes.” She did as he asked and yet Raphael still wasn’t pleased. Look, I’m not getting fresh, but I have to hold you together in a couple of spots to see the numbers match up exactly.” Tonia let out a sigh. “Okay, just do it.” As he placed his hands on each abutting cheek squeezing them together and reading the numbers out loud, the door to the ladies’ room flew open. A woman shrieked. Kendra felt cold prickles shoot through her body. All three of the occupants whipped their heads around, but the rest of their bodies froze in place. “Get the manager!” the woman screamed. “Crap! If you had only trusted me this morning,” Raphael sputtered. “Just shut up and run.” By the time Kendra had her shorts back up and zipped, Raphael and Tonia were dashing for the door. Raphael crashed into it, Tonia banged into him, but the door barely moved. Apparently, the sizeable, well-dressed woman was holding it shut and she was still screaming. Even through the thick door Kendra could make out the words, “Disgusting, kinky people in the lavatory”.

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“Let us out,” Raphael yelled through the door. “There’s been a misunderstanding.” A deep male voice yelled back. “This is security. Come out with your hands up.” “I don’t believe this,” Kendra muttered. Raphael hesitantly pushed against the door and this time it opened. He held the door and Tonia marched out with hands raised. Kendra rolled her eyes and followed, shocked to see that the guard had pulled his weapon. “We’re not robbing the place, for God’s sake!” She pointed to Tonia and herself. “We were just standing in the ladies’ room with our pants down.” A balding, rotund man hurried to the security guard’s side. “I’m the manager. What were the three of you doing in there? No! Never mind. I don’t want to know. Just get out and don’t try to return—ever.” All eyes were on the dejected threesome as they were escorted to the door.

***** “I suppose it could be worse,” Raphael said. He stuffed one hand in his pocket and held Tonia’s with the other one. Leaning into the wind, he walked toward the restaurant down the street. Kendra lifted one eyebrow. “How? We can’t go near the bank where the money is, we don’t have the pin number to transfer it to another bank by phone and a hurricane is about to hit the island.” He shrugged. “We could be in jail.” Holding the door for the women, they entered the restaurant and Raphael followed behind them. He couldn’t help noticing the wind tossing Tonia’s skirt up and like a Marilyn Monroe reaction, she tried to hold it down in front while he enjoyed the view from the back. She smoothed it down as soon as the door shut out the wind and they found a table far from the taped windows. “How long do you think it’ll be before the hurricane hits full on?” Tonia asked. Raphael noticed the rain beginning to spatter the windows. “It won’t be long, now.” A waitress walked to their table without a menu. “Everything you order has to be take-out, only. Hurricane’s coming now.” Raphael sighed. “Fine. I don’t think any of us are hungry anyway. We just came to sit and talk over coffee. Is that all right?” “Sure.” She turned and left. “So, what are we going to do now?” Tonia asked, looking at Kendra. Kendra shook her head. “The only thing I can think of is getting a hold of that pin number.” “Excuse me, ladies. I’m going to the men’s room.” They chuckled and grinned as he departed. Raphael saw a long hallway and figured that must be where the bathroom was. The first door was labeled Employees Only and smelled like the kitchen, the second door 100

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said, “Ladies” and the men’s room was all the way at the back. He took a few moments to compose himself after taking care of nature’s call. Leaning on the sink, he took a few deep breaths and looked in the mirror. “Raphael, my friend. You’ve officially lost your mind. You knew that falling in love could lead you into some sort of temporary insanity and here you are. At least you waited until the end of medical school, you idiot.” Raphael closed his eyes and hung his head for a full minute while contemplating his next step. Should he try to talk Tonia into going home? Take her back to the hotel and make love until the hurricane blows over? Would she insist on staying until they got the pin number? How the hell were they going to get that? He shook his head. The women would stick together and outvote him, that much he was fairly sure of. Meanwhile, he’d continue to protect the woman he loved, consistent with his self-diagnosis of insanity. Graduation was one week away. Internship would start two weeks after that. In worst-case scenario terms, Raphael could allow himself three weeks to be insane and then come what may, he had to get his butt back to Boston. At that moment, the door opened and a burly man wearing an obvious toupee stepped in. A gauze bandage on his forehead peeked out from beneath the frostcolored, fake hair. As Raphael was about to leave and give the gentleman his privacy, a heavy hand clamped over his shoulder. “What’s your hurry?” Turning to get a better look at the guy, or maybe pervert, Raphael tried to pull away. Something about the man seemed familiar. “Crap. Carlo!” “I saw your little scuffle at the bank. It was all I could do not to laugh my ass off and blow my disguise.” Raphael tried to quell the trembling underneath his skin. “I suppose you want to be in on it, now?” “No.” An evil grin curled Carlo’s mouth. “I want all of it.” Carlo pulled a knife and held it to Raphael’s jugular vein. “We’re going to take a little walk out the back door. One sound and you’ll be bleeding all over the floor.”

***** “Ladies, you’re going to have to leave.” Rain had started pelting the windows of the restaurant while Tonia and Kendra finished their second cups of coffee, still waiting for Raphael.

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“Would someone be willing to check on our friend in the men’s room?” Tonia asked. “We really don’t want to go in there, but we’ve been waiting for him for a long time.” The waitress snorted and left the dining room, headed for the kitchen. “I wonder what’s taking him so long?” Tonia tensed as she watched the waitress disappear in silence and glanced at her watch periodically. The cook came into the dining room, shook his head and said, “No one there,” and then he untied his apron. “Are you sure? He was with us a few minutes ago and said he’d be right back.” Kendra tsked. “No one should say, ’I’ll be right back.’ That’s the way every horror movie begins.” “Don’t say that!” Tonia snapped, then she turned to the cook and asked, “Are there any other rooms back there where he could have gone? Maybe a bar or something?” The cook was rolling his apron into a ball. “No, just the ladies’ room. Maybe he went in there by mistake?” Tonia shook her head. “I doubt he’d do that.” Kendra chuckled and added, “again,” under her breath. “The only other doors lead to the kitchen and I know for sure he’s not in there and the other one leads to the outside. He probably left…went home. Like I’m going to, now. Like you two should.” Shock waves rippled through Tonia’s torso. “Left? You think he just left us?” Though she was staring at Kendra, the cook answered. “He’s probably back wherever you’re staying. You need to leave, though. Might as well go check for yourselves. He really isn’t back there. No one is.” Tonia felt as if she were in slow motion as she stood and picked up her pocketbook. Why would he leave? Has he finally had it with me? Unanswered questions paraded through her mind and all she could think of was how well they had been getting along. It didn’t make sense. How could a man be in love one minute and just run off the next? Was being ejected from the bank that upsetting? He hadn’t seemed distraught, but then he may have had time to think while in the men’s room and thinking can be dangerous. Kendra brought her back to the moment. “Why don’t we check the restrooms ourselves before we go?” “Yeah, that’s a good idea. Then we can leave by the back door and see if he’s out there.” The women tromped down the hall, opening doors and calling his name. Kendra walked into both the ladies’ and men’s room and checked the stalls. “Nope. He’s definitely gone.”

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Moisture began to gather in Tonia’s eyes. Opening the back door, she prayed that he’d be standing there, leaning against the building, cooling off in the rain. Nothing. Rain stung her face like a swarm of angry bees. “I see fresh tire tracks in the mud,” Kendra said. “Could he have called a cab?” “I—I don’t think so. I didn’t see a phone anywhere. I just can’t imagine what happened to him. He’s not the kind of man to leave me sitting in a restaurant and take off without saying anything.” “I wouldn’t have thought so, either, but you never know. He’s a man and sometimes they do that.” “How did you get so cynical about men?” “Long story. Let’s go, I’m getting soaked. I hope we can find a cab and get back to the hotel. Otherwise we’ll be waiting out a hurricane in this mudhole.” Hurrying ahead of Tonia, Kendra splashed into the street and waved her arms at a passing cab. Thankfully the driver stopped and waited while they got in.

***** Raphael rode in the back of a rented van, arms tied behind his back while Carlo careened around corners. How convenient it would be if he flipped the vehicle in his rush to get to whatever secret hideout he had in mind. Raphael pictured being stuck in a hurricane with a maniac in some desolate, deserted warehouse. Maybe he’d be tortured to get the account numbers. Carlo had already searched every inch of him and was none too happy to find that he hadn’t written them down. Thank God he wore boxers, not briefs and a shake of the elastic waist and loose legs proved there was no note in there to flutter to the floor. He was pretty sure he’d stay alive as long as his memory of those numbers remained fuzzy. Now he just had to hope the girls would figure out what had happened, then split up and hide. If he could escape, he’d have to find them before Carlo did. Not a very likely scenario, but it was the best he could come up with. At last, Carlo screeched to a halt. He dragged his captive through the driving rain and gale force winds to a stucco beach hut and pushed Raphael inside onto a wooden floor. Glancing around the one-room shack, there didn’t appear to be much to it. A sink, hot plate, small table, one chair and a cot. Fishing equipment stashed in the corner and eau de mackerel made its purpose clearer. The fisherman was probably staying someplace safer, or maybe he had been stuffed into a sack and his boat pushed out to sea. Raphael tried hard not to show the throbbing fear coursing through him while Carlo lashed his captive body to a chair and then to the pipe beneath the sink. “Now you and me’s gonna have a little talk.” “Yeah, that sounds great, Carlo. So how about this weather?” “Huh? Hey, I’m doing the question asking, here and don’t get cute with me.” 103

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Raphael thought he pulled off the nonchalant act pretty well, but doubted he could last under torture. Inside, his pulse was pounding. What the women had said about Carlo replayed in his mind. Big, dumb brute. So far, big and dumb seemed to be true. He had a feeling he was about to discover the “brute” in him. “I want those numbers and you’re not leaving here ‘til I get ‘em…one way or another. Understand?” “I told you, I just got a glimpse.” “You were in the ladies’ room longer than a glimpse.” “They had to unroll pantyhose carefully so they didn’t run, slip off panties and fold them…you know what women are like.” Carlo’s eyes glazed over and he looked like he might drool any second. “Yeah. Musta been nice watching the two of ‘em strip and put their asses together for you.” Raphael shrugged and tried to keep his voice even. “It didn’t suck.” Carlo’s eyes narrowed and his face began to turn red. “That Tammy’s a sweet, classy woman. You don’t know how lucky you are to even know her.” Uh oh. “Of course she is! What I meant was I would have liked it better if it was just the two of us. That Kendra can be a real bitch.” Carlo laughed. “Yeah, she’s got balls of steel.” Then his face flashed as if he’d had a moment of recognition and yelled, “Don’t distract me. I want those numbers, prick. Now!”

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Chapter Twelve Tonia ran ahead of Kendra through the hotel lobby to the elevator. An “Out of Order” sign was plastered on the doors. Probably in case they lost electricity. Damn. Stairs. Ever since her tumble, she’d been avoiding them. Hopping on one foot while removing her shoes, she found the door to the stairwell and held it open. “Hurry. I want to see if he came back.” Kendra continued her stroll and shook her head. “You don’t get it, do you?” “Get what?” Tonia leveled a glare at her. “Never mind.” Tonia gripped the railing and ascended the stairway, carefully. Relieved when she made it to their floor in good health, she remembered Raphael’s kindness and attentiveness to her when she needed him. He wouldn’t, couldn’t, have run out on her. What about their lovemaking and his confession of feelings for her? Was that all an act, or could he have changed his mind? She could hear her telephone ringing through the door and tried frantically to grab her key out of her purse and open it in time to answer. Hopefully, it was Raphael calling. She got the door open and ran for the telephone. It had stopped ringing and she found herself listening to a dial tone. Just a few seconds too late. Shit! She did a quick check of the bathroom and when Raphael wasn’t there, but at least his toiletries were, Tonia flopped onto the bed. She wallowed in confusion until interrupted by a knock at her door. Bolting upright and racing to open it, she prayed that Raphael was on the other side. “Damn.” It was only Kendra. “Nice to see you too.” “Come in,” Tonia said, dully. “Who was on the phone?” “Nobody. I got to it too late.” “The red button’s flashing. It looks like you have a message.” She whipped around, overjoyed when she saw the telephone message’s flashing light. “Oh, thank God.” She lifted the receiver and punched the button. “Hello, doll-face. Remember me? Your old friend, Carlo? I have your boyfriend. He can’t quite remember all the numbers he saw in the ladies’ room earlier, so I thought you girls might be able to help him…if you want to see him again. I’ll call back in 105

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twenty minutes and you’d damn well better be there and ready to cooperate. Don’t be stupid and call the cops or nothin’ Tonia, or he’s dead.” “Fuck!” “Really, Tonia. Such language. Tsk tsk.” “Not now, Kendra. I can’t take your taunting right now. That was Carlo. He has Raphael.” Tears filled her eyes. “Okay, stay calm. Take a deep breath, clear your head and think. What do you want to do about this?” “Well, I can’t let him hurt Raphael. We have to cooperate.” “He didn’t say ‘we,’ did he? He probably said, you have to cooperate. He may be leaving a message on my phone too, but if I never get the message, I can’t cooperate.” “Why would you do that to Raphael? For God’s sakes, Kendra. He was there for us when we needed him and now he needs our help.” Tonia’s voice was shaking with the shivering of her nerves. “And by giving in to Carlo’s demands you think you’re helping him? As soon as he’s got what he needs from us, Raphael’s toast.” “How do you know so much about kidnapping?” Kendra narrowed her eyes and spoke through gritted teeth. “I don’t.” During a pregnant pause she gathered the composure she’d almost lost. “Do the math, Tonia. Raphael stays alive as long as he’s useful.” Tears spilled and rolled down her cheeks, thinking of her poor Raphael who wanted nothing to do with any of this and now his life was in danger. “So what do we do?” “We have to act like we split up. I never got the message. That way you can stall saying you’ve got to go look for me. Meanwhile I can try to get in touch with Frankie, tell him about what his good, trusty right-hand man is up to and get the pin number. Then we can wire the money to another bank. It would be better to have Carlo looking for the money rather than our asses, don’t you think?” Tonia took several deep breaths while mulling it over. “That makes sense if it works, but how can you call Frankie in prison?” “I have a couple of contacts there…guards who might do me a favor if they think I’ll do one for them later.” “Okay, that might help. Meanwhile, I’m going to call that guy I met at the bar. He gave me his card.” “Who?” “Oh, that’s right. I never mentioned him to you.” Tonia jumped up and ran to the closet. While rifling through her empty, folded bags, she kept babbling. “When we first arrived, after we filled out the missing baggage claim, Raphael took me shopping. Well, he got tired, so he gave me his credit card and went to the bar across the street to wait for me. I took kind of a long time and when I got there, he was gone. He had gone to 106

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look for me. Anyway, this nice gentleman with an English accent offered to buy me a drink and chat until he showed up.” She extracted the card from the last bag she rifled through. “Here it is.” “What can he do to help?” “I don’t know.” Tonia waved the card around as she talked with her hands and paced. “I got the impression that he knows the island well and it’s not that big. He might know where a kidnapper could hide. Or maybe he can think of someone else besides the police who we can call for help.” “It’s a long shot, but it seems it’s worth a try. I have to work on getting in touch with Frankie.” Tonia nodded and took a closer look at the card. “Shit.” Kendra put her hands on her hips. “What’s the matter now?” “Nothing. I’m, um, just upset about the whole thing.” “Well, at least we have a couple of options we can try instead of losing our heads. Maybe I’ll go down to the lobby and get someone at the desk to help me make an international call. You can use this phone to call your friend.” Tonia gazed at the card and mumbled, “Yeah.” Kendra shook her head and left Tonia alone in the room. Tonia wondered why she hadn’t read the card before. It said, Myles Atwood. Detective. Georgetown Police Department. Grand Cayman.

***** Raphael sweated profusely from anxiety and struggling with his bonds the entire time Carlo was away making a ransom call. What kind of an idiotic goon would leave his victim tied to a chair in a shack that might burst apart at any moment in this gale? The single windowpane was rattling so hard it might blow in and glass shards would cut him to ribbons. Unless Carlo didn’t need him anymore. Tonia! Dear God, if he’s hurt her, I’ll kill him. A moment later Raphael remembered his Hippocratic oath and changed his mind. Killing him just to turn around and do CPR on Carlo’s still warm corpse created a disgusting picture in his mind. Of course, if he couldn’t get these ropes loose he hoped that whoever found him drowning would know what to do. Picturing his own epitaph, it read, “Dr. Raphael Beauchamp. He might have been a great man, but for love he died a horndog in a hut.” Within the sounds of the battering wind and rain came a scraping clunk at the door. Raphael stopped struggling and turned to see Carlo enter, alone. He prayed that meant the girls were hiding. Carlo walked up to him and shook his shoulder, hard. “I been real patient with you, but time’s up. Now give me the friggin’ numbers.”

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“Couldn’t find the girls, huh?” Raphael’s insides were vibrating so hard he thought he’d lose his breakfast, but maintaining his nonchalant exterior took precedence. Letting the goon intimidate him would feed his sadistic nature. Carlo loomed over him. He fisted his hands on his hips and his knuckles began to turn white. “I left a message for both of them and called back when I said I would. If they was there, I imagine they’d have picked up the phone.” Thank the Lord this guy wasn’t as sharp as the rusty knife Raphael pictured in the tackle box. Carlo’s face reddened and he lifted his arm ready to deliver a backhand. “Look, you’re an intelligent guy, Carlo. Let’s reason this thing out. They’re probably stuck somewhere and riding out the storm. The cab driver who took us to the bank refused to stay for the return trip. Maybe they’re still at the restaurant. If I were sure of the numbers, I’d have given them to you to save Tonia.” Carlo paused, hand in midair. “And if you kill me, you’ll have nothing to bargain with.” Raphael watched as Carlo’s eyes narrowed. He must have been thinking so hard it hurt. “Hey, why are you tryin’ to help me?” “Because I’m sick of this. I never wanted the money, I didn’t want Tonia mixed up in it in the first place and now, I just want to get home.” An evil gleam in Carlo’s eyes produced tremors Raphael couldn’t hide.

***** Tonia heard a loud rap at the door and prayed as she ran to answer it. “Who’s there?” “Myles Atwood,” a softly accented voice called back. Tonia heaved a sigh of relief and opened the door. Myles wore a white slicker and his hair hung wet over his forehead. “Thank God you’re here.” “You sounded frantic. How may I be of service, fair maiden?” Tonia opened the door wider so he could enter and closed it before she began telling the story. She had been wondering how much to tell and figured she’d start with the minimum and play it by ear. She waited for Myles to remove his raincoat, then she draped it over one of the wicker chairs and sat on the bed. Myles sat in the other chair at a respectful distance. “Raphael’s been kidnapped.” Myles raised his eyebrows but didn’t respond in any other way. “I know who has him, but I don’t know where. He couldn’t have gone too far in the storm. Can you help me find him before anything…” Tears invaded Tonia’s eyes and she reached for the tissues on the nightstand. 108

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Myles adjusted his seat and frowned. “Do you think he’s in danger?” “I know he is.” Tonia dabbed her eyes, took a deep breath and proceeded to divulge the story in small pieces. Myles sat attentively, but rarely spoke unless it was to prompt her with another question. By the time he was satisfied, Tonia had told him that the man who had Raphael was crazy and dangerous. That she knew him through her ex-husband who was in prison and that Raphael was an innocent bystander. She mentioned that he was probably jealous of their relationship since he had been sweet on her before but hadn’t tried anything out of respect for her husband. She didn’t mention the Mafia, nor Kendra, but when Myles pressed her to tell him about the ransom demand she said he wanted money, but she didn’t have it. To be honest, she didn’t want the money anymore. All she wanted was Raphael. Her shoulders began to tremble and Myles reached over to place a few sympathetic pats on her knee. “Let’s see what I can do. I’ll need descriptions, time and place last seen, plus anything else you can think of.” “Why? You met Raphael. Can’t we just go and look for him?” “I need to put out a bulletin to the rest of the police force, Tonia. You and I running around in a hurricane by ourselves won’t be much help to anyone. We need more eyes and ears looking, aware that something suspicious might be a lead.” Her heart sank. “But he said no cops!” Myles looked at her and waited. Damn his silence. It gave her time to think. Tonia rose slowly and nodded. “All right, but there’s another person I have to talk to and you can’t let her know you’re a cop.”

***** Raphael had managed to convince Carlo to look for the girls during the storm. He fell for the part about how they were probably stuck together in one spot until the storm passed and he’d be smarter to find them before they could move around and split up. With his ropes loosening, Raphael hoped it would soon be enough to slip one hand out and he certainly didn’t want Carlo there when he managed to do it. The other thing he didn’t want to happen was to wait until Carlo became any more frustrated and angry. He had a pretty good idea that the girls would have realized he was gone before the storm hit full force and hopefully made it back to the hotel all right. He hoped they had the sense to call the police no matter what Carlo said. They needed protection from him as much as anyone. The skin on his hand burned but he’d have gnawed it off if his mouth could reach. Gritting his teeth and squeezing his eyes shut, Raphael pulled full force until his right

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hand felt like it was on fire, but sprang free. He took a few moments to breathe deeply and let his face return to beige from the purple he imagined it was. His hand bore red and white striations and throbbed, but he was intact and ready for action. Raphael reached for the tackle box with his foot. His sneaker landed just shy of it, but if he could inch a little closer, the rubber sole might grip the lightweight metal and drag it toward him. There had to be a knife in there for gutting fish and if he could get to it fast enough, it might not be used for gutting Raphael. He leaned back in the chair and rocked forward as far as the bindings would let him. The rope had just been looped around the sink’s pipe once, so there might be enough give. He rocked again and measured the progress with his feet. Glancing over his shoulder he saw the rope pulled taut, straining at the pipe, but all he needed was another inch. He rocked again, pushed out all the air in his lungs and rocked harder. Almost. A few more good tugs and he’d have it. A growl escaped from his throat as he prepared the all-out attack on the rope’s hold. He jerked as hard as he could once, twice and then something gave way, throwing Raphael, the chair and rope flying. He hit his head on the floor with a loud crack, but not hard enough to lose consciousness. He might have a good-sized egg on his forehead, yet that was infinitely better than the alternative. Pushing himself around with his one free hand, he spotted what had happened. The pipe rolled across the floor and the sink hung off the wall. Raphael just had to free himself from the chair as quickly as possible. He opened the tackle box and found what he was looking for. A nice sharp knife with a serrated edge. Freedom and weapons! Finally, a lucky break.

***** “Kendra, this is Myles. He’s going to help me find Raphael.” Kendra raised her eyebrows, but didn’t step back from the door to let them in. “How?” Tonia hoped she’d leave well enough alone with a brief explanation. “He knows the island inside and out. He might be able to find Carlo’s hiding place.” “Then what?” Myles gently tapped Tonia’s back and cleared his throat. “May I?” Tonia heaved a sigh of relief, but dearly hoped he wouldn’t give away their secret. “Sure. Please do.” “I have a nine millimeter in the car and if it’s only the one man, I can take him out before he knows we’re there. I’ve had some hunting experience.” Kendra nodded. “He’ll be alone all right. He wouldn’t share the money with anyone else if he didn’t have to and knowing the dumb, arrogant prick, I’m sure he assumed he could cheat all three of us.” 110

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Myles smiled. “Excellent.” Kendra studied his face for a few moments, then her gaze swept over the rest of him and she opened the door slightly. “Tonia can you come in, so I can speak to you alone for a minute?” “Sure. I’ll be right out, Myles.” She slipped into Kendra’s room, closed the door behind her and followed Kendra to the other side. “How well do you know that guy?” “Not well, but I know he’ll help us without wanting a cut, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Kendra shook her head. “No, that isn’t it. What did you tell him?” She turned toward the windows, watching the storm rage outside. “I said this guy who was sweet on me kidnapped my new boyfriend.” “Okay. Stick to that. I may be able to get a call from Frankie, but it’ll take a while. If you find Carlo and your friend really doesn’t mind shooting him, so much the better. But he’ll probably try to arrest him without using deadly force. Whatever happens, don’t tell him about the account.” Tonia snapped to attention. How the hell did Kendra know Myles was a cop? “Um…Uh, what do you mean, ‘arrest’ him? Like a citizen’s arrest?” “No, you ditz. Your friend’s a cop. The police don’t usually kill people in cold blood, especially if he has no evidence other than your story that he’s a kidnapper. You didn’t let him listen to Carlo’s message did you?” Tonia tried to show surprise but annoyance won out. “No, of course not.” Why can’t I lie or even tell a believable half-truth. She’d have to try it in the mirror someday and figure out what she was doing wrong. One side of Kendra’s mouth curled in that annoying “gotcha” way. “Okay Kendra, how did you know?” “I didn’t. I guessed and then you told me I was right. But, really, think about it. How many ‘citizens’ you barely know are going to get involved in a kidnapping in the middle of a hurricane? I just hope your face can keep from telling him why we came here in the first place.” “Don’t worry. I haven’t told him and I won’t.” Tonia left out the part about all bets being off and telling every cop on the island everything if that’s what it took to get Raphael back. With narrowed eyes, Kendra studied her in silence. Just as Tonia was getting antsy, she thought of a diversion. “So how can you possibly arrange a call from Frankie?” “Like I said before. I know a couple of the guards. I caught one at home right before his shift and he said he could smuggle his cell phone to Frankie for me.” “Cell phone?”

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“Yeah, the irony wasn’t lost on me, either.” “Why would he do that?” Kendra looked away and shrugged. Tonia stuck her hands on her hips and cocked her head. “Let me guess. Lap dance?” Kendra’s eyes widened and stared at her. Bingo. Tonia hoped she was mimicking the curled lip expression just right. “Hey, whatever… We have to go. Good luck with the cell call. If Raphael shows up, call the cops and ask them to get in touch with Detective Myles Atwood, okay?” Kendra’s eyes hardened. “If you promise to keep your mouth shut about the account, I will.” “All right already. I get it.” Tonia stormed out of Kendra’s room and found Myles in the hall talking on his cell phone. He said, “Gotta go,” and hung up as soon as he saw her.

***** The tables were about to be turned. Raphael had gathered his weaponry behind the door and contemplated what best to hit Carlo over the head with. His head must be pretty damn hard to have gotten up so quickly from the blow Raphael delivered with the ashtray back in Tonia’s office building. Raphael looked at the pipe. It was so rusty and thin it had broken when he pulled on it. He imagined the pipe bending into a head shape like on the cartoons with the goon still standing. Studying the knife blade, he calculated the distance from the tip to the hilt. A stab in the right place might sink it in about five inches. Plenty of length to do serious damage, but could he do enough and not too much? Turning into a killer wasn’t a great way to start his career as a doctor. With the rope coiled at his feet, he could tie up an unconscious Carlo, but could he stop him before he turned the knife around and it was himself bleeding to death… Then he spotted an even better weapon if he could pry it off the wall. Better to be armed with everything…including the kitchen sink! He abandoned his spot behind the door and crossed to the loose sink in three strides. The backsplash had already pulled away from the wall. Raphael went to work on it. It tipped both up and down, but it didn’t come off. He threw his full weight behind a downward thrust and the sink lowered a bit further. Maybe a few more forceful pushes and it would come crashing down. The door rattled. It was time to do or die trying. With the knife and the pipe in the opposite corner Raphael had seconds to decide if he should flatten himself against the wall behind the door, or give the sink one last full-force blow. He climbed onto the chair and jumped, landing on either side of the sink with all his might. Just as Carlo pushed the door open against the wind, everything came

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crashing down. Shattered backsplash, cracked sink and Raphael. Grabbing the large chuck of porcelain, he scrambled to his feet. Fortunately, Carlo was squinting against the driving rain and was slow to react. Raphael’s heart was in his mouth. Lifting the broken sink over his head, he let out his best intimidating yell and charged. Carlo turned tail and bolted for the van with Raphael giving chase right behind him. Carlo must have realized he couldn’t open the door and get in without his head meeting the sink first, so he circled the vehicle, twice, with Raphael closing in. Despite weighing as much as an ox, Carlo could run. But Raphael, younger and healthier, soon wore him down and began closing the gap, even while slowed down by a sink held over his head and wind resistance. Carlo dashed back to the door of the shack, looking as if he hoped to get in and slam the door in Raphael’s face. But the sink did the slamming. Carlo went down like a sack of potatoes. Dragging him inside might have been difficult except for the extra adrenaline pumping through Raphael’s aching body and he managed to accomplish the task. He retrieved his weapons and tucked the knife in his backpack. While he could, he fished around inside and grabbed Kendra’s thinner, stronger and less pliable rope, or “clothesline” as she had called it. He still didn’t trust her. Raphael, the humanitarian doctor, hog-tied Carlo on his side. That way, if he awoke with a serious concussion and vomited, he wouldn’t choke.

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Chapter Thirteen Tonia was gripping the inside door handle of the unmarked car as Myles drove. It’s not that he was a bad driver, but he had told her that with 80 mile per hour winds, they’d be lucky if they weren’t blown off the road. Myles kept glancing over at her. “You’ve never experienced a hurricane, have you?” “How can you tell?” “Your knuckles are turning white.” Tonia glanced at her blanched fist and let go of the handle. “It’s a lot worse than any rainstorm I ever saw in the desert.” Rubbing the red grooves in her palm she asked, “Aren’t you a little nervous in a storm like this?” “This is just a baby hurricane. It’s already been downgraded to a tropical storm. I’ve seen much worse.” “Worse?” Tonia couldn’t imagine a worse storm. It was probably crazy to be out in it at all, but she’d brave fire, floods and pestilence to find Raphael. “You know that driving around aimlessly is probably not the most efficient way to find them, right?” Myles asked. “I can’t just sit and do nothing. If the cops checked the obvious places and found everything in order, that doesn’t mean they’re gone. It means they’re in a less than obvious place.” The two rode in silent concentration until Tonia spotted a bizarre sight out of her passenger’s side window and shrieked. Myles tapped the brakes and slowed to a stop. “What the…” “I—I saw something. Back there. See where that van is?” “What did you see?” Tonia wasn’t going to say that it looked like Carlo running away from a man with a sink on his head—best not to make Myles think she was insane—but, yeah. That’s what it looked like. “A couple of guys. One of them looked like Carlo.” “Two of them? I’d better radio for backup.” “What if there isn’t time? I thought I saw a struggle.” Tonia was opening her door open against the wind when Myles reached over and grabbed her arm. “You stay here. It may be dangerous.” “Yeah, for you. Carlo won’t hurt me.”

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“How do you know that?” “I just know.” Myles glared at her and waited for more information. That was information she wouldn’t give him. Talking about her ex-husband, Carlo’s boss, and why she needed a bodyguard, would bring up the whole past and since she was such a poor liar, who knows what else he’d manage to get out of her. “Sorry. No time for long stories.” She wrenched her arm from his grasp and pushed harder until the door opened and let her out. Myles jumped out of his side and cut her off as she ran toward the van parked near a small ramshackle building. “Blast, woman! At least get behind me, for God’s sake!” All his refined English manners disappeared when he grabbed her arm. His eyes blazed and he gripped her like he had her in a vice. “Let me go. You’re hurting me.” “You’re not going to go charging into a situation you know nothing about. I’m going to creep up on the side of that shack and check out the area without being given away. There’s a window. I might have a look inside from there. Now get behind me.” Tonia nodded and he let go of her arm. She stayed behind him until they approached the window and she saw someone standing up inside. Raphael! “It’s him!” Tonia tore around to the front of the building yelling Raphael’s name. When she burst through the door he was standing over Carlo, unconscious on the floor and tied up. “Tonia!” Raphael caught her as she threw herself into his arms. They held each other so tight a crowbar couldn’t have pried them apart. “Oh, God! You’re alive. Thank God.” “How did you find me?” “I had help.” Myles walked in. Raphael opened his eyes wide and let go of Tonia. “What is he doing here?” “He’s a cop. Detective Atwood is here to help.” Atwood nodded. “She absolutely refused to be left behind while we made our search.” Raphael smiled at Tonia. “Yeah, she can be like that, sometimes.” Tonia leaned into Raphael and cuddled, a satisfied smile on her face. Without letting go of him, she turned to the detective. “Can we go back to the hotel now, while there’s still some time before our flight?” “Time for what?” Tonia couldn’t believe the blank stare on the detective’s face. Was he really going to make her say she wanted to screw her lover’s brains out? 115

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Apparently the detective got the message and frowned. “You’ll have to come back to the station with me. I have a few questions you need to answer before you go anywhere.” Confused and irritated, Tonia squinted at him. “Questions?” “Yes. I know what I was told and I know what I see, but those things don’t seem to match up.” Raphael tensed. “Wait a minute. You don’t think for a minute that I had anything to do with this, do you?” “I can’t tell you what I think until I get some answers from each of you, separately.”

***** Kendra paced the room like a cat. Frankie should have called by now. What was taking so long? She flopped into a chair and was about to give up waiting when the phone rang. She lunged for it and yelled, “Hello?” “This is the International operator. Will you accept a call from the United States?” “Yes, yes! Put it through.” “Kendra doll?” She rolled her eyes, now that she knew he had a “Barbie doll” and a “Kendra doll,” and the jokes and laughter he must have enjoyed with his cronies over that one. But too bad, she needed him now. “Frankie! Thank God. What took you so long?” “We was out in the yard when your friend got here. How do you know him, anyway?” “Just from around Vegas, Frankie. Don’t be upset. He’s nobody.” “So, you’re still waitin’ for me, beautiful?” “Of course!” “Good. At least you’re not like my frigid, disloyal wife.” “Ton…I mean, how could I be? Just hearing your voice makes me wet.” What should she say? Tammy aka Tonia looked anything but frigid with Raphael? She could make one innocent slip of the tongue and get her rival into a heap of trouble. But did she want to anymore? Not after getting to know her side of the story, she didn’t. “So other than missing me, why did you need me to call you right away? You in some kind of trouble, doll?” “No, Frankie, but I need your help.” “What are you doing out of the country?” “It’s about the account in the Caymans, honey. Did you mean for Carlo to try to kill us and use the numbers on our butts plus the pin number to transfer all of the money to his own bank account?”

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“What? Carlo tried…? What are you telling me?” “It’s just that Carlo tried to rape and kill me. And he tried to get to Ton—I mean, Tammy before that. I don’t think he wants to share, baby.” There was a charged silence on the other end. At last Frankie cleared his throat. “How do I know you didn’t try to kill him and keep the money for yourselves?” “How? That would be a good trick. Carlo outweighs us both by like a hundred pounds and the idea of the two of us working together to overpower him isn’t likely, either, is it?” Frankie chuckled. “No, It’s not. That was the genius of my plan. I just never thought Carlo would betray me.” He cleared his throat. “Okay, doll. So, where did Tammy wind up?” “Why do you want to know that?” Kendra made her voice raise in volume like a jealous lover. “Do you still care about her? She walked out on you. Divorced you. I’m the only one who’s still here for you, Frankie. Forget her! I think I deserve a little more consideration than she does, don’t you?” “What do you need? The other half of the numbers and the pin code?” “Yeah, Frankie. That would be great.” “First, you’ve gotta prove your loyalty. You gotta do what I say, no matter what.” “Okay, sure… What do I have to do?” “First of all, wait until I call Carlo. He always takes my calls right away since I hate the fuckin’ voicemail thing. If he don’t answer, I’ll know something’s up. If he answers and lies to me, I’ll know that too. He couldn’t pull one over on me if he tried. I just never thought he’d be dumb enough to try.” “Okay, Frankie. I understand.” “You know I still have people on the outside who’ll hunt you down if you cross me.” “Come on, baby. You know I’d never cross you. I don’t have a death wish.”

***** Raphael and Tonia were being transported to the station for their statement in the back of a police car and Tonia couldn’t quite figure out his mood. He seemed sullen. Of course he had been through a lot, but shouldn’t he be glad it was over? He was alive, Carlo was in custody and they were together again. Attempting to start a conversation the first time had resulted in dismal silence, but Tonia couldn’t stand not knowing what was going through his head. “Raphael, what is it?” He turned away and stared out the window. “Please talk to me. I don’t understand what’s wrong.” “I think the less said to each other right now, the better.” 117

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Maybe he was worried that the police would think they were collaborating to get their stories straight before they gave their statements. That must be it. Why couldn’t he just say so…unless something else was bothering him? “Is it because I called and asked Myles to help?” He didn’t turn around, didn’t answer and seemed like he was a million miles away. Tonia decided not to push it. They had both been through a lot in the last fortyeight hours. Is that all it had been? If they made it through this together, hopefully they’d be able to laugh about it someday. Although it would have to be remembered as their worst vacation, ever. The police car pulled into the parking lot of the Georgetown P.D. Both the wind and rain were letting up, so the worst of the storm must have passed. The officer instructed them to wait until the car behind them and Myles’ car were parked so they could all go in together. That meant they thought the two of them might take off on foot. Anxiety overtook her worry about Raphael’s mood. We must be suspects in the kidnapping plot. Perhaps they thought one or both of them faked it to get ransom money from someone else. Crap. Raphael didn’t look over at Tonia the whole time they were being escorted inside and taken to separate rooms. Myles entered Tonia’s room a few minutes later. “What’s happening, Myles? Why are being treated like we’ve done something wrong?” He sauntered over and stood beside her. “Don’t worry. It’s routine procedure. I’ll be right here with you the whole time.” He placed a chilly hand on her shoulder and massaged it, as if that could soothe her. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. They’re just going to take your statement.” She hoped Raphael would receive the same reassurance but suspected not. He was standing over an unconscious body that he had tied up like a cowboy would hogtie a calf. “Why can’t Raphael and I give our statements together?” Myles gave her that long silent stare and when she didn’t babble on, he just said, “It’s policy.” Tonia sighed. She suspected that answer, but had to try, anyway. Raphael didn’t deserve any of this. “Might as well start, then.”

***** Raphael couldn’t imagine what was taking so long. Just sitting here in a nearly empty room in cold, wet clothes was wearing his patience thin. What was Tonia telling

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them? He couldn’t imagine her going into the entire story, but maybe she was as fed up with the whole mess as he was. Listening to his stomach rumble, he was reminded that he hadn’t eaten anything but a small continental breakfast early that morning. The door opened and Myles along with another man wearing a suit entered the room. “Finally. Do you think I could have a blanket and something to eat while we talk?” The two men glanced at each other briefly and Myles nodded. Both men sat on the opposite side of the table from Raphael. It was clear that the mirror he was facing must be one-way glass. “You’ve met Detective Atwood and I’m Detective Roseau.” “Nice to meet you. I’m Raphael Beauchamp. Dr. Raphael Beauchamp.” Detective Roseau folded his hands and leaned forward. “Ah, I see. Dr. Beauchamp, want to tell us what happened?” “I was kidnapped. Taken from the Cayman Café’s men’s room at knifepoint, tied up inside a van…” “Would that be the van that was parked outside the building where Detective Atwood found you?” “Yes. License number 14839.” Myles pulled a notepad from his pocket and jotted something down. “Continue.” “Okay, this thug, whose first name is Carlo—” “And his last name is?” “I’m afraid I don’t know his last name.” Detective Roseau only nodded and Raphael took that as his cue to keep talking. Before he could get into the rest of the story, however, the door opened and a uniformed policewoman entered with a blanket and a steaming cup of black coffee. She whispered something to Myles that sounded like, “Your wife called.” He frowned, but nodded. “I’ll take care of it later.” Raphael relaxed slightly. They seemed reasonably respectful, so maybe this wasn’t going to be an inquisition after all. Thinking that there might be a Mrs. Atwood at first brought a smile, knowing Tonia wouldn’t want to get mixed up anything like that, but a cloud soon descended over his thoughts as he wondered whether or not he should continue his relationship with Tonia, regardless. Was this sort of thing going to follow them everywhere? What did he really owe her? At this point, nothing. Not a damn thing. He accepted the blanket gratefully and wrapped himself up in it. The hot coffee felt good in his hand and the welcome warmth slid down his throat. When the woman exited, he resumed his side of the story.

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“He took me to that fishing shack where Myles, Detective Atwood, found us. Carlo had the upper hand at that time, though. He tied me to a chair and wrapped the rope around the pipe underneath the sink.” “What did he want?” “Bank account numbers.” Both detectives raised their eyebrows for a split second making Raphael wonder if Tonia had managed to tell the story without talking about the account numbers tattooed on her and Kendra’s asses. If not, what had she told them? That wasn’t something he could know and was, of course, why they separated them in the first place. Raphael remembered his internal code of ethics. When unsure of what to do, do the right thing, even if it’s not the easy thing. Screw it. “Okay, I’ll tell you what I know for sure, but that isn’t much.” The detectives sat up and paid attention. “Tonia is divorced. Her ex-husband had a mistress and for whatever reason, guilt for cheating on her probably, he had half of an offshore bank account tattooed on Tonia’s…” Raphael squirmed and wondered which word would be least degrading. As a doctor, clinical words were always the best. “On her buttocks.” The detectives didn’t say a word, but their rapt attention spoke for them. “The other girl, she calls herself Kendra, again, I don’t know her last name, has the other half of the number tattooed on her buttocks.” “Have you met this other woman?” Detective Roseau asked. “Yes.” “And you know she has the other half of the numbers, how?” In for a penny, in for a pound. “I saw them.” Detective Atwood raised his eyebrows. “I thought you were the jealous type. Or is this the double standard?” “I am. I mean, no! Look, I couldn’t help it when I saw her with you, but I’m over it. Anyway, someone had to put their backsides together to read the numbers and I guess Carlo thought it should be him.” “So that’s why he kidnapped you?” “That and he knew I had seen the numbers. He thought I had them committed to memory and tried to threaten them out of me. When that didn’t work, he decided to use me to get the girls to cooperate.” “How?” “They had to come to him together without calling the police, I assume.” “Apparently that didn’t work.” Myles said. “What do you think would have happened if we hadn’t found you?” “I don’t know. I’m sure he wouldn’t stop looking for Kendra and Tonia, but, at the point he thought they were going to take the bait, that’s when I’d become expendable.” 120

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The detectives looked at him silently, as if waiting for him to continue. Yet, there was no more to say unless they asked more questions. “Look, am I being charged with anything? Because if not, I’d like to get back to my room and into some dry clothes. I’d also like a hot meal and a good stiff drink.” Myles rose and nodded. “I can’t say that I blame you. We’ll need to confer, but it won’t take long, I promise you.” After the two detectives left the room, Raphael forced down the rest of the horrible black coffee and wrapped the blanket tighter. What could they be conferring about? What had he really told them? Would they want to see Tonia’s ass? They’d better not. Myles popped his head back in a moment later. “You can go, Dr. Beauchamp. I have an officer ready to take you back to your hotel. I’ll need to hang onto Tonia for a while, though.” His smile said he might want investigate that pretty bottom of hers. Raphael, seething, left quickly before he could say anything that might get him into any more trouble.

***** Tonia couldn’t wait much longer. She glanced at her watch for about the twentieth time, knowing their return flight would be leaving in two hours. She should be at the airport now and she hadn’t even packed. The door opened and Myles stepped in and sat across from her. “Your statements matched up as well as could be expected. He didn’t seem to have all the facts, but he told us what he knew. Tonia, does he know who your ex-husband is?” “I told him, yes.” Myles looked at the table and shook his head. “I have to hand it to him. Most men wouldn’t be willing to come down here just to protect you, wanting nothing out of the deal…or even to get romantically involved with a woman with your past, no matter how beautiful.” “Like you said, he’s not like most men. The world needs more people like him. Can I go now? Please? I have a plane to catch and an incredible man to thank.” “Of course.” “Where is he?” “One of our officers gave him a lift to your hotel. I can drive you there if you like.” “Please. The sooner the better.”

***** By the time Tonia reached the hotel, she was more than a little frantic. Myles said he would wait until he was sure she had a ride to the airport. All she wanted to do was see Raphael and hold onto him as tight as she could without constricting his breathing.

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When the elevator didn’t come right away, she kicked off her shoes and raced up the stairs, leaving them at the bottom. She had the card key out of her purse and in her hand before she reached the door. With shaking hands, she inserted the key and burst into the room expecting to see Raphael waiting for her. He was probably all packed. Hell, he was always all packed, carrying the few items he needed in his backpack at all times. Panic gripped her when she didn’t see him. The beds had been neatly made and the room was deathly quiet. Racing to the bathroom, she saw her toiletries, but not his, by the sink. Oh no. He really did leave me this time. Damn it. Damn it to hell! Tonia felt a raw lump in her throat while tears began to burn in the back of her eyes. There was no time for self-pity and recriminations. She simply had to get packed and catch him at the airport. She thought fleetingly of Kendra and the money, but Raphael was so much more important now. Kendra might have flown out as soon as the airport reopened, or she may still be waiting for Frankie’s call. Tonia didn’t even want to take a few seconds to run down the hall and check on her. As soon as she had her belongings stuffed back into the shopping bags, she ran for the elevator. Fortunately it was waiting with doors open and the down arrow lit. She leapt onto it, as if it were the last train pulling away from the station. Arriving at the lobby, she charged to where she had left her shoes, but they were gone. No time to worry about that now. She threw her key card on the hotel desk as she flew past it and rushed over to Myles. “Let’s go. He’s gone and I have to catch him at the airport.” Myles nodded and walked toward the outside door behind her as she dashed, barefooted, for his car. “Hurry!” she yelled.

***** Raphael had time to think while waiting for the plane. Was he doing the right thing? Leaving Tonia at the police station? At least he knew she was safe. He had been assured that Carlo was under arrest even as he was being treated at the hospital. Yeah, insanity’s over, Beauchamp. It’s about time to start worrying about Graduation, the internship and myself. He realized, at last, that Tonia wasn’t ready for the kind of serious, committed relationship he wanted. Why would she know where to find Myles if they hadn’t exchanged some sort of information? It was clear to him that she needed time and probably a real vacation. She had made it clear that she was more than a little disappointed that they couldn’t stay longer.

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She’d be okay as soon as she had her money and he was sure the two women would have it soon. They didn’t need him now. If Tonia really wanted him, she knew where he lived and where he’d be working. She could find him, if she looked. Raphael heard his flight called for boarding. Trudging over to the newly forming line, he reflected on how three of them flew down and only one was going home. He wished it had been he and Tonia that stayed, with Kendra boarding the plane. This just didn’t seem right, but it was too late to stop and waffle on his decision. He had to be prepared to make a lot of hard decisions in the future. This was only the beginning. He threw his backpack over his shoulder and got in line. Far off in the distance he could have sworn he heard a faint voice call out his name. It sounded enough like Tonia’s voice that he simply hung his head and figured it was his guilty conscience. “Raphael! Wait for me.” It wasn’t his imagination that time. He jerked his head in the direction of the voice and saw Tonia, shopping bags grasped in either hand, rushing barefoot from the security gate toward him. He dropped his backpack and stared as she came closer, then opened his arms to her. She launched herself at his neck and wrapped her legs around his pelvis. Holding her tight, her heart beat hard next to his and he never wanted to let go of her. She sniffled. “I thought I lost you,” Tonia finally managed to whisper. “You won’t lose me unless you want to.” She slid slowly to the floor and backed away enough to look in his eyes. Hers were glistening. “How could I ever want that? I’m so lucky just to know you and I love you, Raphael.” He smiled and placed his forehead against hers watching as she lowered her lashes, looking almost shy. “Then we’d better get on that plane together. Where are your shoes, honey?” “I don’t know. I lost them.” He was surprised, but details could wait. “Where’s Kendra?” “I don’t know. I didn’t take the time to look for her, either.” He raised his eyebrows. “So, the money?” “I guess I lost that too, but I don’t care. As long as I have you, it doesn’t matter.” Raphael could hardly believe his ears. “I’m not sure I heard you right. Did you say the money doesn’t matter?” Tonia smiled and nipped his earlobe. “That’s right. I said no amount of money is as important as getting on that plane and joining the mile high club with you.”

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Warmth spread through his body from his point of contact with Tonia all the way into his marrow. “Let’s go, honey!”

***** Once the captain turned off the seat belts sign, Tonia and Raphael tucked both armrests away and cuddled under a blanket. Without Kendra in their row, there was plenty of room. Luck was on their side and no one occupied the row opposite, either. Tonia raised her skirt and removed her panties while watching Raphael shimmy around under the blanket getting his pants down. It was all she could do not to giggle. “I’m already drenched just thinking about it. Now, how do we do this?” “Darned if I know. I’m sure we’ll think of something.” Tonia winked and patted Raphael’s erection under the blanket. Feeling his cock jump, her trepidation was overtaken by her mouthwatering desire. He leaned in close and nibbled her neck. “Oh yeah. We definitely will.” Shivers passed through Tonia’s whole body. “Oh, God. I love it when you do that. We have to figure out how to do this, if it’s the last thing…” Raphael pulled Tonia onto his lap. “Oh!” They were facing the same direction and she felt his hard ridge against her bottom. She giggled and took a quick peek around to see if anyone was watching. Fortunately, the engine noise seemed to cover her little squeal of surprise and no one looked in their direction, as if they’d noticed. She bent forward, placed her hands on either side of Raphael’s middle seat and pushed her ass up and forward enough for him to slide under her pussy. He speared her. “Ohhh…” Before long he began his rhythm while Tonia tried to remain still. It wouldn’t do to have her head bobbing up and down in front of the passengers. Hopefully the flight attendants would be occupied elsewhere for a few minutes. The friction and angle made her want to moan out loud. This was the most intense contact she had ever experienced. His cock must be reaching some new and exciting erogenous zone. Suddenly Raphael let out a low groan. She was pretty sure only she had heard it, yet the flight attendant appeared and walked toward them carrying a plastic bag of peanuts. Crap. Raphael stopped abruptly and pulled the blanket tighter. The flight attendant paused next to them and asked, “Nuts?” “No thanks,” Tonia said. “We brought our own.” As soon as she continued her leisurely stroll, Tonia felt Raphael’s body trembling and heard him chuckling.

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He nipped her ear and resumed what he had been doing before they were so rudely interrupted. “I’m glad I fell in love with you.” She turned and said, “Me too and not just because of this.” She bounced once on his lap and he jumped. “You gave me a life.” Raphael kissed her neck and shoulders. “No, hon. You were the one who gave me a life.” He pushed into her pussy harder and faster until she heard his breathing become ragged. Her own excitement was building to a feverish pitch. She hoped the flight attendant wouldn’t come back for another couple of seconds. That’s all they needed. Raphael reached around and fingered her clit. “Marry me?” Tonia exploded inside, ripples of electricity shot throughout her whole body just as the love of her life jerked several times underneath her. The orgasm was probably the most powerful she had experienced, yet. If they had been on the ground she could have said the earth moved. An involuntary cry escaped, but she didn’t care if the whole damn plane heard her. In true When Harry Met Sally style, she blurted out, “Yes, yes, yes!” Their flight attendant made her way back to them. “Is everything all right?” Tonia, still sitting on Raphael’s lap, leaned back against the headrest and let her cheek caress Raphael’s hair. She grinned and said, “We just got engaged!”

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Ashlyn Chase

Epilogue Raphael had just placed the last suture in a ten-year-old skateboarder’s knee when he heard the curtain slide open. “Dr. Beauchamp, your fiancée is here to see you.” Any mention of Tonia brought an immediate smile to his face. “I’m finished, here, Billy. I’ll let the nurse put on your bandage for you. Stay safe, okay, pal?” He high-fived the boy and left him in the nurse’s capable hands. He spotted Tonia near the nurse’s desk where she merrily chatted with a couple of the staff. She looked as radiant as ever, wearing one of the sundresses bought in Grand Cayman and her red, high-heeled sandals, which he had grown to love. “Hi honey. What brings you to this end of town?” “I have to tell you something…in private.” She didn’t seem nervous or upset, so whatever it was couldn’t be too bad. He had stopped looking over their shoulders all the time. Carlo was in prison doing fifteen to life and Kendra had quietly disappeared. “Let’s step into the back room.” He escorted her with a hand on her waist and turned toward the secretary at the desk. “I’ll be doing some—er, paperwork, for a bit. Knock if you need me for anything.” She answered his grin with one of her own. “Sure thing, Doc.” As soon as they were closeted in the small private space, he engulfed her in his arms and kissed her soft lips. She opened and slanted her mouth so he could kiss her deeply. “Mmm.” Tonia smiled and sighed. “I should disturb you at work more often.” “I wish you could, but I’d get nothing done.” She giggled, then excitedly grasped the lapels of his lab coat and said, “I came to tell you something amazing. I just received a mysterious package.” Raphael raised his eyebrows. She was still smiling, so it probably wasn’t a bomb. “What kind of package?” “The kind that’s full of money.” Tonia took a step back and reached into her purse. She withdrew a manila envelope originally addressed to her at her Beacon Street apartment, but with a forward to their new address. “I had to sign for it.” She placed it in his hands and he peeked inside. Sure enough, it was stuffed with bills. “Where did this come from?” “I don’t know. The mailman brought it and the return address is illegible. But inside was this note.”

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She reached into her purse again and produced a single sheet of paper neatly folded in half. It read, Tonia, I hope this is enough to pay off your debts, rent the little antique shop you wanted and buy a few pairs of sensible shoes. K. Raphael chuckled. “I’ll be damned. I’d never have guessed she’d keep her end of the deal.” Tonia shrugged. “I’m not that surprised. She really wasn’t so bad, you know.” “Are you kidding me? I was afraid I was going to have to put you two in separate cages.” Tonia bopped him on the arm with her purse. “Well, I thought maybe I’d take this to the bank. Can you meet me for lunch?” “Sure. I assume you’re buying.”

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About the Author Kidnapped by gypsies as an infant, Ashlyn Chase was left on the doorstep of the Massachusetts home in which she grew up—at least that’s what her older siblings told her. It seems that storytelling runs in the family. Ashlyn worked as a psychiatric nurse for several years, holds a degree in behavioral sciences and has been trained as a fine artist, registered nurse, hypnotherapist, and interior designer. Writing is one career she wasn’t formally educated in, yet by sheer determination she’s become a multi-published, award-winning author. Most writers, whether they're aware of it or not, have a “theme”, some sort of thread that runs through all of their books, uniting the whole mishmash into an identifiable signature. Ashlyn’s identified her theme as involving characters who reinvent themselves. It’s no wonder, since she has reinvented herself numerous times. Finally content with her life, she lives in beautiful New Hampshire with her true-life hero husband and a spoiled brat cat. Ashlyn welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.cerridwenpress.com.

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Cerridwen, the Celtic goddess of wisdom, was the muse who brought inspiration to storytellers and those in the creative arts. Cerridwen Press encompasses the best and most innovative stories in all genres of today’s fiction. Visit our site and discover the newest titles by talented authors who still get inspired—much like the ancient storytellers did, once upon a time.

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