Burn: A Novel by Linda Howard
Chessie Fox and her husband, Mike, were not what Jenner would call close friends. They were ten or so years older than she and more involved in their children’s activities than in the charities Jenner and Syd embraced, but they did run in the same circles, on occasion.
Chessie was dressed in a pink gown that screamed “money doesn’t necessarily equal good taste,” but the diamonds in her ears and resting on her massive chest were real enough. Her blond hair was arranged simply and had been sprayed into submission; the breeze coming off the water didn’t ruffle a single strand. Mike’s suit was expensive and cut for his trim build. They were nice people who lived their lives as they wanted, and didn’t worry about anything else.
Jenner introduced Cael to the Foxes, and he was his usual charming self. He could be devastatingly charming to everyone but her, it seemed. He smiled, shook Mike’s hand, then placed an easy arm around Jenner’s waist. Just a couple of days ago her heart would have been pounding at being put in this situation, to be forced to play this role, but tonight it seemed natural enough.
“I would say I’m surprised I haven’t seen you sooner,” Chessie said, laughing, “but I spent the first three days in bed, upchucking, then the last couple of days trying to find my way around. This ship is supposed to be extremely well-built and stable, but you can’t prove it by me.”
“I hope you’re not still seasick,” Jenner said. She’d been worried about that herself, but she hadn’t had a moment’s trouble. Beside her, Cael and Mike were having one of those men conversations, about sports or investments or politics. She tuned them out, much as Mike had probably tuned out her and Chessie. Cael, though, would be aware of every word she said.
“No, I’m fine now. I hit the gift shop and stocked up on Dramamine and ginger, and this magnetic bracelet seems to help.” She showed off a small, plain bracelet that hugged her wrist. “So far, so good.”
“I’m glad. Being sick on your vacation is the pits.”
Chessie beamed. “It’s so nice to see someone I know here. I’ve seen some familiar faces, but I honestly haven’t known nearly as many people as I thought we would.”
“I know what you mean.” She’d been surprised herself at how few people she’d seen that she actually knew.
“Is Sydney here?” Chessie’s gaze scanned the immediate area.
“No, Syd got sick with a stomach flu right before we sailed. I talked to her just a little while ago. She’s feeling better, but she said she still wasn’t completely over it.”
“I’m sure she’s upset to have missed the cruise.” Chessie continued with a friendly, “Would you two like to join us for dinner?”
Jenner smiled. “Thank you, but we already have plans with a couple of friends.” She turned to Cael, whose expression had not changed one bit. “Is it almost time to go?”
He glanced at his watch. “We’re already a few minutes late.”
The Foxes said good-bye, and Jenner promised them that they’d have dinner together another time. As they walked toward the restaurant, Cael said softly, “You handled that very well.”
“I can be reasonable,” she said.
His answer was a strange, brief, strangling sound deep in his throat.
She saw Faith and Ryan on the other side of the room, Ryan in a tux, leaning on his cane, Faith in a stunning bronze gown that gently hugged her curves. They were a beautiful couple, with a sort of easy, comfortable sophistication. If she didn’t know better, she’d never dream they were not exactly who they appeared to be.
The evening wasn’t all fun and games. Frank Larkin was also there, with his bulldog bodyguard close by … but not too close. She didn’t like the way Larkin looked at the other passengers. Even when he was talking to them, smiling, to all appearances one of them, something was off. He made it easy to choose sides.
Something was wrong with him, she thought, and wondered why none of the people he talked to seemed to see it. He seemed to be deteriorating before her eyes, getting more and more antsy as the days passed. His clothes, while expensively cut and made of the finest materials, didn’t fit him exactly right. He seemed to have lost weight, and hadn’t bothered to buy new clothes or have the old ones tailored, which didn’t make sense for someone who went to the trouble of having those clothes made in the first place.
Everyone else on the cruise had someone with them; a friend, a spouse, a lover … a Cael. But Larkin was alone. He not only had a large stateroom to himself, and was making the two-week trip without a traveling companion, but he kept all others at a distance.
Even as he made small talk, walking through the crowd playing the gracious host, he was separate and alone. It was sad, in a scuzzy kind of way.
She and Cael had been talking to Faith and Ryan for just a short while when Tiffany joined the group. She wore a very short and snug black dress that left little to the imagination, and five-inch heels that lifted her to a height equaling Cael’s; how she could walk in those heels was a mystery to Jenner. While not everyone had witnessed Tiffany’s scene on their first night at sea, most had at least heard about it. All eyes were on their little group as Tiffany turned to Jenner.
“I owe you an apology,” she said, her voice calm and at normal level, so some people could overhear but it wouldn’t look as if she were putting on a show. The smile she flashed was brilliant. “You’ll be glad to know I’ve given up alcohol for the duration of the cruise, and if I never see a Ghostwater again, it’ll be too soon.” The smile softened. “I don’t like being a mean drunk.”
She even nodded to Cael, though her attitude was outwardly more dismissive. “I’m sorry. I’m glad the cruise is working out well for you, even though I did my best to make a mess of things.”
He nodded politely, said nothing, and drew Jenner a bit closer. The look he gave Tiffany was one of relief and, more strongly, suspicion. Was that a part of the act, or was he truly surprised by this new development?
Tiffany returned her attentions to Jenner. “Again, I’m so sorry I dragged you into my drama. Am I forgiven?”
“Of course.”
Tiffany offered her hand for a handshake. Jenner took that hand, and felt something being pressed into her palm. It was small, square … a note? When the handshake was over, Jenner waited a few seconds before she surreptitiously glanced at what she was holding. Her heart leapt into her throat; her mouth went dry.
It wasn’t a note. It was a plastic-wrapped condom.
Chapter Twenty-five
JENNER CLUTCHED THE CONDOM IN HER HAND, FEELING as if she couldn’t get enough air. What the hell—? The plastic wrapper crinkled, and she prayed no one else heard the very soft noise. She gave Tiffany a quick look, then said, “Excuse me, please. I have to visit the ladies’ room.”
“I’ll go with you,” Tiffany said brightly.
Cael gave her a long look. Jenner had never had anyone pay such close attention to her as he did. It was as if he knew every breath she took, as if he caught every flicker of expression. She just hoped she didn’t look as panicked as she felt. She sensed he didn’t like her going off with Tiffany, but what was he going to do? There were too many people close by, still listening in, and he couldn’t forbid her to go to the bathroom, for God’s sake. He released her, his fingertips trailing over her arm in a way that said Hurry back.
She and Tiffany fell into step, and behind them she heard Faith say, “I need to powder my nose; I think I’ll join them.”
Ryan made some offhand comment about women going to the restroom in a pack. Cael remained silent. Jenner didn’t look back, because she knew what she’d see: a very suspicious man.
She had more important things than his happiness on her mind. Why the hell had Tiffany passed her a condom? Did she think it was going to be necessary, or was it a sick joke?
When they entered the nearest ladies’ room, there was one other occupant, a white-haired lady who was reapplying her lipstick at the mirror. The woman smiled, nodded, and left. As soon as she was gone, Tiffany c
Faith saw what Jenner was holding and said, “Tiffany!” Disapproval was plain in her voice.
Thank goodness someone realized the “gift” was inappropriate under these circumstances, Jenner thought.
And then Faith continued. “One? What good is one condom?”
Jenner stared at her in disbelief, then shook the small, square, crinkling package in Tiffany’s direction. “What are you not telling me? What makes you think I’m going to need this?”
Tiffany sighed. “Shit. You’re scared, aren’t you? Sorry. It’s just … I saw the way you looked at Cael today, and I figured if you decide to jump his bones you should be prepared.” She looked at Faith. “And honestly, if she needs more than one, she can buy more in the gift shop. This one is for a dire emergency.”
Jenner gaped at her. “And you decided the best way to pass it to me was with a handshake, in public?”
Her grin was diabolical. “That was just for fun.”
“Fun!”
“You should’ve seen the expression on your face.”
“Yeah, funny. Ha ha. What makes you think I want to jump Cael’s bones?” Maybe the fact that she did. She was resisting for all she was worth, but it was a real effort, especially when she woke up in his arms and he was mostly naked, and—Don’t go there! As long as the circumstances were what they were, jumping his bones wasn’t going to happen … she hoped. The temptation was so strong it was almost painful.
Tiffany said, “Please. The way you two look at each other?”
“As if there’s going to be a murder at any second?” Jenner said drily.
“Is it really possible to die from sex? Because it’s looking more and more like it’s going to happen, and one of you has to make the first move. You’re going to have to do it, because it won’t be Cael.”
That made Jenner freeze, her mind momentarily thrown off track. Indignantly she thought: Why the hell not?
The silent question must’ve shown on her face, because Faith gently explained, “He kidnapped you. You’re entirely in his control, so he won’t make any move on you, no matter how much he might want to. It wouldn’t be fair. Cael has some faults …”
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Tiffany muttered. She was ignored.
“But he won’t take that kind of advantage. He just won’t,” Faith finished. “Tiffany’s right. If you want him, you’ll have to make the first move.”
“What makes you think I want—” Both women looked at her as if she’d lost her mind, so she didn’t even finish the question. Okay, they were observant. It was part of their jobs, she supposed. She threw out her arms, so frustrated she wanted to hit something. “Would you even consider getting involved with a man in this kind of situation?” she asked, incredulous.
Calmly Faith asked, “What makes you think I didn’t?”
There was something about the expression in her eyes that told her this was no joke. Something had happened with Ryan, something Jenner never would have suspected, given Ryan’s suaveness. Not the same situation—was any situation ever exactly the same?—but they hadn’t met in the produce section of the supermarket or been introduced by a friend.
She blew out a breath and looked back at Tiffany. “While we’re apparently laying it all on the line, what about you and Cael?”
“What about—?” Understanding flooded her face. “Oh, no. Never. No way. He’s so not my type.”
How could Cael not be any and every woman’s type?
With a smile, Faith clarified. “Tiff prefers a … different type of man.”
“I like nerds,” Tiffany said defiantly. “So sue me.”
Faith gave a ladylike snort, if a snort was ever ladylike. “What Tiffany’s saying is, she prefers men who let her be the boss in all areas—and that so isn’t Cael Traylor.”
“I got it,” Jenner said. She held the condom out, getting back to the subject at hand. “What am I supposed to do with this? I don’t even have an evening bag with me.” There hadn’t seemed to be any point in bringing one, as she didn’t have her cell phone or even a key card for the suite. Her lipstick was in Cael’s pocket.
Tiffany shrugged her shoulders. “Your call. Do what you want with it. Stick it down in your bra, or throw it away.”
Another group of three well-dressed women entered, so the conversation ended. “I’m starving,” Faith said, leading the way from the bathroom. Jenner glanced briefly at the trash can near the door, hesitated, then tucked the plastic wrapped condom into her strapless bra.
THE SHIP SAILED during the night from Hilo to Honolulu. Ryan, Faith, and Tiffany went ashore that morning, while Cael stayed onboard with Jenner. He’d expected her to rant and rave, to give him grief about staying onboard when they were in freak-in’ Hawaii, but she’d been oddly quiet since going to the ladies’ room with Faith and Tiffany the previous night, which made him wonder what they’d said. Jenner hadn’t even complained about the handcuffs last night. When they’d gone to bed she had simply stuck out her hand, a solemn and begrudging offering. A thoughtful Jenner Redwine scared the shit out of him. What the hell was she up to? He didn’t for a minute think she’d suddenly and meekly accepted the situation, because that wasn’t in her DNA.
She didn’t do anything, which made him even more wary. It was like waiting for a volcano to blow.
They were in Honolulu only that one day, and sailed that night back to the Big Island, to Kona, which was on the opposite side of the island from Hilo. Kona was their turn to go ashore. Their movements couldn’t mirror Larkin’s, or even each other’s. Someone on the team would be aboard at all times, someone would be on Larkin at all times, but it couldn’t always be the same person, or group of people.
His original plan had been to take Jenner to a restaurant or coffee shop with a great view, and kill a few hours there. They could’ve gone along with the Kona group tour, which would’ve been great cover, but also a special kind of torture. Linda Vale and Nyna Phillips had met two other women who were traveling together, and the four of them had hit it off. Penny and Buttons—Buttons, what kind of name was that for a woman?—were staying in one of the smaller staterooms on another deck, but in the past couple of days they’d been spending a lot of time in Linda and Nyna’s suite across from Jenner’s. He knew, because a couple of times he and Jenner had run into the foursome in the hallway, and they’d also heard them out on the balcony, laughing and evidently having a blast.
Yesterday they’d met the four ladies twice: once in the hallway, once on deck. Today’s tour had been mentioned both times, as had meals. How about lunch? Join us for dinner? All the offers were friendly, casual, and genuine. They liked Jenner, and why shouldn’t they? Instead of quickly accepting, though, as he’d expected her to do, Jenner had offered polite, reasonable refusals. Still, the four older ladies were persistent.
All four were on the group tour; hence the torture that he wanted to avoid.
Instead of the tour or the coffee shop, Cael took Jenner to a small cove that a local had recommended for snorkeling. Jenner had mentioned that she liked snorkeling, and, hell, she deserved a little fun.
They separated from the group soon after leaving the ship, and he found the dive shop Sanchez had recommended, where he rented the necessary equipment and got directions to this cove, which, according to the man who rented him the equipment, shouldn’t be as crowded as Kealakekua Bay.
The shallow water was an unexpected shade of blue; the half-circle of trees around the water were lush and thick, cutting them off from the rest of the world even though Kona bustled just beyond those trees.
Jenner stood a few feet away, her cover-up discarded to reveal a black bikini that looked as if it had been painted on her body. Seeing her in a bathing suit had made him realize she wasn’t skinny, at least not as he thought of skinny. She was thin, but her bones were covered by
Those little breasts made his mouth water, and his hands twitched with the need to touch them. Her nipples would be—He jerked his thoughts away from the path they were racing down. His willpower was already stretched thin from sleeping with her. He’d woken the past couple of mornings to find her wound around him like a vine; his morning erections made the situation particularly dicey. If he were smart, he’d ditch the handcuffs, except then he wouldn’t wake with her almost on top of him. Tradeoffs were a bitch.
Her flip-flops and hat were sitting on the sand with her cover-up neatly folded and laid on top of the hat to keep it from blowing away; her snorkeling equipment dangled from her hand. She stared at the water before her, lost in its beauty—or maybe wondering if he was going to drown her once they got into the deeper water. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t given him cause.
“Don’t worry,” he said as he walked toward her. “If you disappear while we’re together, it’ll raise too many suspicions. You’re safe here.”
She rolled her eyes. “Thanks so much. You’re such a gentleman.”
There was more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice. By now she knew that he wasn’t going to hurt her, and he knew that she wasn’t going to cause him the trouble she continued to promise. Not in public—and not until this job was over, at least. Afterward … afterward, he and Jenner Redwine would settle the accounts between them.
That promised to be one hell of a battle. He looked forward to it more than anything else he could remember in his life, even his sixteenth birthday when he’d gotten his first car. He pulled on his mask and walked into the water, looking back to make sure that Jenner was following. She was, and like him she pulled on her mask as she moved into deeper water.
His eyes followed the lines of her body, because he couldn’t not look. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t seen her in form-fitting clothes before. Some of her gowns hugged her curves, and there had been the other bathing suit for sitting by the pool. But a bikini was the same as underwear, at least to a man, and the amount of skin visible was nothing short of torment.