Jarod got out of his car. The entire house was pitched black. A feeling of terror crossed his mind. Unlocking the front door, he turned on the light, his eyes roamed quickly around the living room. Everything seemed in place, yet, his heart pounded loudly.

"Parker!" He called out. There was no answer. "Parker!" Still, no answer. He held his breath. For several seconds, horrifying images entered his mind. He walked into the bedroom and let out a sigh of relief. There she was, sprawled on the bed dressed only in a scantily nighty, her dark hair fanned across the pillow, she smiled naughtily.

"Trick or treat," she said in her throaty voice as she held her arms out to him.

"I'll give you a treat," he said to his seductive temptress.

Parker laughed wickedly.

JPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMP

Miss Parker leaned back against Jarod's chest as they soaked in the warm water of the bathtub, complete with bubbles. Softly lit scented candles completed the atmosphere.

"Happy?" He asked kissing the back of her neck.

"Yes." She closed her eyes, relaxed and enjoyed the moment.

He gently slid a wash cloth slowly across her front.

"A little lower, please."

"Like this?" He whispered as he rubbed between her legs.

"Yes, perfectly like that," she purred.

He planted several soft kisses on her neck and shoulders. "You're beautiful, you know that? I love you."

She turned to face him, her blue eyes glistened. "I love you, too. Now kiss me here and here and here." She pointed to her cheek, lips and breasts.

"A little demanding, aren't you?"

"It's the "ice queen" in me."

JMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMP

The only light came from the fireplace which illuminated the living room. They laid snuggled quietly in front of the crackling fire, Parker's head rested atop Jarod's chest.

"Ready to go to bed?" He asked.

She shook her head. "No, I like it like this. You, me. In front of the fireplace. Isn't it romantic?"

He felt her heart smile. "I'd never imagined you like this."

"Like what?"

"The cuddling type. The romantic type." His fingers ran through her hair.

"And to think, those first few days of being together, I was just softening you up, waiting for the perfect moment to bring you back to "The Centre". And now tonight's our one month anniversary." She kissed him passionately. He pulled away and sat up.

"Jar? What's wrong?" She asked puzzled.

"What are you talking about?" His voice deepened with a slight sound of anger.

"What? You're not making any sense at all."

"What do you mean softening me up? This was just a plan, a game to you? To get me back "home" to "daddy"?"

"It's nothing," she smiled, but, almost afraid to. "I love you."

"This thing between us started as a game for you to take me back to them?" He raised his voice. "Have me fall into your arms? And back with them?"

She was silent and lowered her eyes away from him.

"Don't you turn away from me. Everything you said to me was a lie, Parker?"

"No! It's not what you think. It started out...no! I really do love you. I never lied about loving you."

"So, tell me, Miss Parker. How many times did I make love to you before you realized it was no longer a game? That you finally loved me? In the beginning you felt nothing? But, you did it anyway, because I was your job assignment. Reel me in? Back to "The Centre"? I'm sure "daddy" would have loved to know how you did it."

"It's not a game anymore. I love you. Isn't that what matters?"

"You used me, Parker. And here I was like a stupid fool, happily in love! I'll do you a favor, I'll stay out of your life forever!"

"You don't mean that. You can't just walk out of my life."

"Watch me!"

"No! You're not leaving me! Think of these weeks...cold nights together..."

"You're a very good actress! All those times, it was just an act to get me back to "The Center"!

"No. I..."

"I'll be out of your house in a flash!" He yelled walking towards the bedroom.

She yanked his arms to her. "Stop it! I'm not asking you to leave!"

"No. I'm leaving on my own free will. You think I'm some sort of fool to stay here? Don't touch me!" Jarod pushed her hands away as she caressed his face.

"Where are you going?" She cried.

"As far away from you as I possibly can! You were so believable. You sure fooled me. There were a lot of things I learned from Sydney, but, what he failed to make me aware of, was how conniving and manipulative you can be."

"Don't leave, stay here with me." She reached out to him.

He stepped back. "Get the hell away from me! What makes you think I'd want to stay with you after your games of deceit? You make hating you so easy, Miss Parker."

"You don't mean that. I"m sorry. I really am so sorry," she cried.

"You even shed real tears!"

"Jarod. I've never been happier. Please believe me. You're just going to cut me out of your life? I'm begging you! Please don't leave!"

"Don't beg , Parker. Only dogs beg! You used me in bed thinking you'd get me back to "The Centre"! And your payment was for "daddy" to set you free from that hell-hole. And futhermore...forget it...I'm just wasting my time talking to you! And repeating myself. Back to "The Centre". Back to "The Centre". "Back to "The Centre"! Is that all I was to you? Is that all you wanted from me? Your ticket out of the "The Centre!" Don't you know how much I hate that place?"

"I love you, Jarod."

"You don't love anyone but yourself, Miss Parker! Don't chase me anymore. Because I'll never be ready for you to catch me ever again."

"Don't do this to me, Jar. Tell me you love me. Tell me you need me as much as I love you and need you."

"No."

"You might as well cut off my air supply at this instant! You don't know what you're doing to me inside!"

He stared at her, but, said nothing.

"How can you be so cold, we mean so much to each other. You just can't turn off your feelings for me. "

"I learned well from the "ice queen, darling," he said coldly. "How could you, Parker? How could you have played with my heart? I've never done anything to you but love you."

"Jar..."

"That caring, sensitive little girl I once knew died inside of you and out emerged this heartless woman who thought nothing of piercing a lance through my heart."

JMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMPJMP

She made him think she was harmless and was a victim of "The Centre". He trusted her, believed in her. She never meant for it to have gone as far as it had. Afterall, he was just an assignment to her, a job. The "huntress" lured her "prey" into her web of deceit hungrily. A venomous predator, she was poison to the touch. Her weapon of choice was her kisses of deadly poison.

He entered unknowingly and willingly as she spun her web entrapping him for her own pleasure and need. She smiled on the inside and lured him into her, ready for the kill, but, somehow, her plans had backfired as she found the path to the "pretender's" heart instead.

TBC - Chapter 3