CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – "The Good and the Bad"

After we dropped Josef and Sarah off at the hotel, Mick and I sat and looked at one another for a moment before he slid across the leather seat towards me and I moved to him, and in a second we were in each other's arms, holding each other close, gaining strength for what was ahead.

"I'm so sorry you had to listen to that. Beth, I really don't know what I should do about her."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, so don't apologize. We'll have to figure out how to deal with this. Right now, we're too shell-shocked and too tired."

"You're right about that. Let's go home." He slid back to his side behind the wheel, put the car in gear, and took off in a hurry. All I wanted was the solace of being in his arms—I didn't want to think about anything but us—just for one more day.

--

Morgan was looking out the window of the hotel room which overlooked the pool area, watching as people gathered up their towels and headed indoors for the night. The pool looked cool and refreshing, but she wasn't in the mood for a swim. Besides, she didn't have a suit, and she doubted the management had much patience with people who swam naked in public. The bathroom door opened and Hank Mattola walked into the room wearing only a towel.

"How did it go?" he asked her, wondering about her obvious agitation, which showed in the way she held her body. She turned to look at him.

"Oh, it was awful. I found out that Mick got married! I can't believe it! He married a HUMAN!"

Hank let the words sink in. "Well, so did you, once, I hear."

She gave him a look that might have killed a weaker man. "I never planned to LIVE with a human! He seems happy with it!"

"Face it--he's moved on, Morgan. Maybe you should too." He walked over to her and bent down sideways, looking up at her, trying to use his boyish good looks to charm her out of her bad mood. It didn't seem to be working. "Baby, you know I'm crazy about you."

"Oh, thanks for caring, Hank," she said walking over and dropping onto the bed. "You're a great guy, and I'm fond of you, but I've always told you that Mick was the man I'd love forever."

--

Josef and Sarah spent the night making up for lost time. After the initial reunion had taken place, they lay in each other's arms, content and happy to be together. Josef kissed her shoulder as he held her close against him, spooning. "It seems like old times for me again, honey."

Sarah sighed. "For me it just feels like today—yesterday we went to the park and you gave me that beautiful necklace, and then we went dancing at the Cabana Club, and afterwards, we went back to your place. I remember us making the decision for you to turn me that night, and I was so excited! I remember feeling so close to you as you bit me—I remember the feel of your fangs in my neck and I loved it—I love you so much--and after that, it's all a blank until I woke up and found out I'd missed fifty years of our lives together!"

"I wish I had never tried to turn you, Sarah. I still don't know what went wrong, but I've felt so empty for so long. . ."

Sarah turned onto her other side so she faced him. She placed her hand gently on his cheek. "I would never want you to be sad over me—it was a decision we both made. You couldn't have known it would go so wrong." She kissed him and he pulled her closer and returned the kiss.

"I love you, Charlie. All that matters is that it's all right now."

"I love you, Sarah." He looked into her eyes, both of them smiling, then he turned serious. "You know, Sarah, I'm different now than when you knew me before, and I hope you can still love me!"

She looked him deeply in the eyes. "You're still you, and there's nothing you can do to convince me you aren't the man I fell in love with. Maybe you have changed, but with me, you're still the same. You're perfect for me, and I'll always want you! Believe me, Charlie. I will."

Josef looked at her, glad she couldn't see as well in the dark as he could because he felt his eyes grow misty. Loving Sarah had been the one truly good thing in his life, and it still felt that way. He cleared his throat.

"Well, for one thing, I'm not even Charles anymore, Sarah."

"I know—Coraline told me--you're Josef now. I guess that's going to be little hard to get used to, since I fell in love with Charles Fitzgerald! We were together for a year, and Charlie, that's just the past year for me, you know."

"I know that, honey, but I need to be sure you can love me now, as Josef, a man of the twenty-first century. Older and more hardened than when you knew me before, but it's true—when I'm with you, I feel like no time has passed."

"I'll always love you—whoever you decide to be!"

"Sarah!" he kissed her deeply, then said, "It would mean a lot to me if you'd start getting used to me as I am now." He moved over on top of her, straddling her naked body, taking her head in between his hands, kissing her softly with aching passion, leaving them both breathless as the kiss ended.

"Say my name, Sarah," he said looking her in the eyes, only inches from her face. I want to hear you say my name."

"Oh, Josef!" she whispered softly against his lips as they crushed hers once, then again. "Josef! Oh, Josef."

"That's what I mean," he said softly as he made her his own once again, and as they made love, all he heard, over and over, was the sweet sound of his name.

--

By the time we got back to Mick's place, it was about two in the morning.

"What do you say we forget what just happened and continue the last day of our honeymoon as two newlyweds should?"

I smiled at him, looking so strong and appealing in the low light of the fire. "Fine with me—I really, really want you!"

That's all I had to say. In a minute our clothes were strewn about the floor, Mick had thrown our bedding onto the couch and we were making love like we'd been separated for a year. Intense and passionate, we quenched the flames of our desires over and over until we were completely spent. We slept, even though the couch wasn't made for two slumbering people, but we barely noticed, cuddling tightly and sharing our dreams. I woke once in the night, feeling him pressed tight against me, and remembered reading somewhere that 'sleeping' with someone was almost as intimate than sex, the idea having something to do with trusting another person enough to be vulnerable in their arms while you weren't conscious. Sleeping like this, with our heads so close together, I felt as though we shared our dreams as well as our bodies, and I moved my free had up so it lay on top of his hand, which in sleep was unconsciously cupping one of my breasts. Sudden, unexpected joy overtook me, and I thanked God and the Universe for giving me a man I could love and trust so completely. We were definitely the lucky ones.

I felt Mick rise and climb over me after only a few hours of sleep. He patted me as I began to rouse and told me to go back to sleep—he was going to hit the freezer for a while. I nodded and fell back asleep with no trouble, inhaling the scent of him on the pillow as I drifted back to my dreams. When I woke again, I was too tired to move right away, but dozed lightly on and off, listening to Mick as he carried our luggage up the stairs, and as he made quiet little noises in the kitchen. I gradually came to with an urgent need to use the bathroom, so I got up, pushed my arms into my shirt, and ran up the stairs. As soon as I reached Mick's bathroom, I knew I was going to be sick. I was throwing up in the john when I felt him enter the room. I spit, flushed and turned on the tap, washing my hands and face, and slurping water right out of the tap. I felt his hand on my back.

"Beth—are you all right?"

"Oh, it's just a little morning sickness. I feel fine now, except I have to pee."

"Be my guest." He handed me a towel for my face, and I dried it as I sat down. When I looked up, his eyes were scrutinizing me.

"I keep forgetting how you love to watch this. I'm really okay, Mick. This is normal."

"Hey, you can't blame me for being worried when you're sick! I mean the last time you got sick you ended up in the hospital! And yeah, I still like to watch you in the bathroom! You look really cute sitting there—but you look a little green. Honey?"

"You are a perv! Oh no!" I barely had time to flush before I had to turn around quickly to vomit again. This time Mick flushed for me, then turned the sink on for me, nice and warm.

"Honey—Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Naaauh," I said, gulping water straight from the faucet. I got up and he handed me the towel again. "I think that should do it. I usually don't get sick, but if I do, it doesn't last long, and then I'm starving."

"Oh! Well, that's good--I was going to make you breakfast. Are you SURE you're okay?"

I gargled and spit into the sink, then ran the tap on hot. "I'm fine, Mick. I'm thinking of morning sickness as just more proof that I really am pregnant! And breakfast sounds great—I'll be down in a minute. Oh--do you know where my toothbrush is?"

He opened up his medicine cabinet, and inside were about six toothbrushes just like mine, still in the packages. Also my favorite toothpaste. "Here—help yourself. I got these thinking you might need them, and here are the disposable cups—go ahead and I'll be downstairs making you something to eat. Hurry up!" He kissed me on the cheek, leaving me to freshen up a bit.

I came back downstairs and pulled on my slacks, going commando this morning!" Breakfast was perfect, as usual, and I lingered over my tea as Mick cleaned up. I just loved watching him move. He was wearing the red Silkies this morning, and his bare chest was calling out to me to touch it; I wondered once more if I'd ever resume a somewhat routine existence—even post-honeymoon, I found that I still wanted to put my hands on him any chance I got!

He was all smiles when he came back and leaned on the counter, looking at me.

"What's up?" I asked, noting the sly little smile on his face.

"I have a surprise for you and I'm really hoping you like it!"

I was pleased and intrigued. "Well—if it's from you, I'm sure I'll love it!"

He looked down and picked at a nonexistent spot on the counter. He looked shy, like a little boy, and my heart swelled just looking at him.

"Let me know when you're ready and I'll show it to you."

I laughed. "You already did—like all night long!"

His head went back as he laughed softly. "That's no surprise anymore, honey." He turned to look straight into my eyes and I was instantly lost in the depths of them.

Not breaking eye contact, I said softly, "You always surprise me—every time I'm with you I'm surprised at how seriously in love with you I am."

His smile flashed sexy. "Okay! Same goes for me! I sure never expected to feel this way about anyone, human or non!" He came around and bent over to hug me from behind. He whispered in my ear. "I have a very special surprise for the new Mrs. St. John. Wanna come with me and see it?"

I could see he was just about bursting, so I took his hand and followed him. He led me up the stairs and down the hall through the gray door leading to his "freezer" room. My mouth dropped open. I couldn't believe he had done this!

"Mick!" I put my hands over my mouth and turned around, giving the room a 360 degree examination. It was a miracle! "How in the world did you DO this?"

"It was pretty easy to arrange—I had a whole week to line it up before we left, and then the workers did it while we were gone. I wanted to show it to you last night, but we had other things to do, so, here is the first part of your "welcome home" present. I hugged him before looking around again. The room had been transformed from the stark "freezer room" to a very upscale "chick friendly" bathroom! He had literally had the place torn apart! Gone was the urinal and the steam room, and in their place was a lovely array of all the things a woman could possibly want in her bath. In one corner of the room was a large whirlpool tub, big enough for two, I noted, on a step-up platform with a waterfall faucet, towels and candles all around, baskets of bath salts and bubbles, and it was built into travertine marble in a beige/tan/off white/black pattern, with the towels and candles had been selected to match. At what I'd call the head of the tub, there was a two-way fireplace, which looked into the adjoining room. I walked past the tub and then looked at Mick.

"I think we can have some fun in this!" His eyebrow raised up over one eye.

"You think?"

"I do!" His eyebrows raised again and so did mine, until we both laughed. Oh yes! Fun times were ahead!

Then I went over to the dressing area which had a makeup counter with soft lights all around a tri-fold framed mirror which sat above a countertop of travertine. Not only did it have one of those cool clear-bowl sinks with the high black faucet over it, but the counter lay atop about twenty pull-out drawers and a couple of cupboard doors. A little chair fit perfectly into the space where I could sit and apply my makeup, blow my hair dry, do my nails and do all of those little "human" things Mick loved to watch me perform. I didn't miss the small upholstered chair which sat at a 45-degree angle to my makeup chair! Wonder who'd sit in that?

"This is just wonderful!" I beamed and Mick looked pleased.

"Come tell me if you like this, then." He walked over to a set of double doors and pulled them open, which automatically turned on the overhead lighting, which was recessed and spotlighted, depending where you looked. The space was as big as my bedroom in my apartment, but this was my closet! Every inch of space was organized professionally, with the usual poles for hangers, but also glass-front lingerie drawers, sweater drawers, shoe racks that would hold all of my shoes in one little corner of the rack! On the shelves above were dividers for stacking things, hooks galore and a full-length mirror! The wood was pickled to a luscious vanilla color, which went with the rest of the room, and on the floor lay a deep tan plush carpet. It was so elegant! I finally took my hands off of my mouth and looked at Mick, who was wheeling in my rolling bag.

"A place to start. I have movers ready to pack up your place up and move you over here."

"This is amazing, Mick! I'm overwhelmed!"

He smiled and nodded. "I thought it turned out good. I thought you might like having your own closet without all of my stuff in it."

I laughed. "I think this is big enough for both of us!"

"That may be, Mrs. St. John, but it is all yours, and you don't have to share it with anyone!"

I was speechless for a moment. Then I wondered—if Mick was having my stuff moved here, I'd need a bed! Mick was reading my thoughts.

"I'll keep taking you on the tour, here, if you don't mind. You can always come back again." He led me out of the closet and over to another spot. I never realized how large this space was! "Here is the place where Princess can have her privacy!" He held out an arm for me to enter a space behind a pocket door, which he slid back to reveal another surprise.

I looked behind the glass block wall to find my own beautiful toilet and bidet in a private little room! Very sleek, shiny and elegant in a vanilla color, which looked smashing on the travertine, which made up the floors and counters of the entire room. Plush vanilla-colored rugs were planted in strategic places. It was so lovely. I smiled at Mick, who pointed toward a space next to the wall of the bidet room. I entered the spot he was indicating and squealed with glee. The shower had two large rain heads and several jets that I imagined squirted water at you in a way that would wake you up and have you singing the Halleluiah Chorus! The two heads in the one shower were no surprise, but I loved that it was made very simply; a walk-in that was large and deep enough to require no door or curtain. All of the fixtures were beautiful, and I loved the colors—so neutral, yet so contemporary!

"Mick! I just LOVE this! It's just fantastic!"

He smiled. "Well, I was hoping I could come in here once in a while, so I tried to make it yours, but really, kind of ours."

"It's absolutely perfect! I can't wait to have a water fight with you—I notice we each have our own sprayer!"

He smiled sideways. "I thought that might be fun!"

"The room seems so much bigger! How did you get it to seem so roomy?"

"I just annexed some storage space I wasn't using and it did make the space seem a lot bigger." He looked at me, and my eyes must have been wide with delight.

"So--I think you like it? So far so good?"

"Like! I think it's the coolest bathroom I've ever seen! But—where is your freezer?"

"Oh—we haven't gotten there yet. Come on with me—I want to show you the rest!"

We passed by the tub and walked through an archway, which led to an enormous bedroom! The first thing to catch my eye was the black shiny-wood high poster bed with rails all around the top posts which had been wrapped with puffy white tulle and little twinkly lights and ivy. It reminded me of the ceiling of the balcony at Steve Wynn's where we had had our wedding! And the BED! To say it was enormous would be a serious understatement. We could have six other couples sleep over with us, and nobody would have to touch. I'd never seen anything like it! It was covered in a white/black/tan/vanilla down comforter with tiny touches of robin's egg blue here and there in the soft fabric. There were European shams in white and tan, vanilla ruffled pillows and a little robin's egg blue neck pillow sitting in the middle of the pile of soft stuff.

"Oh, Mick! I can't believe this!" I squatted down to run my hands through the deepest, plushest pile carpet I'd ever walked on. It was in the darker tan color, which was just a couple of shades darker than the walls, which had white trim around the floor and white crown molding up above twelve feet or so. A giant ceiling fan hung over the bed, and the room held furniture that was a mix of the shiny black wood and tan and vanilla upholstery. There was a vanilla- colored chaise in front of the fireplace with a two small upholstered black chairs with pillows in the special shade of blue that would match my ring box from Tiffany's, I was sure. Mick! Who knew how sentimental he was! There was also a table and some lamps to make a nice little area for reading or relaxing by the fire. I looked over at Mick, who was standing with his hands folded as in prayer over his mouth. I felt the pesky tears begin to fill my eyes, and soon they spilled over onto my cheeks. I looked at him and shook my head. He held his arms open and I went to them where they enfolded me and let me know once again exactly where home was.

"Okay, I'm thinking the tears men you really like it?" he whispered with emotion into my hair. I moved back from him again and took it all in. I simply couldn't believe he had done all this while we were away. It was a perfect blend of color and neutrality—exactly what I would have chosen if I'd ordered it myself.

"I just love it, Mick! Our bedroom! It's so beautiful!" Just then I caught a glimpse of the wall behind me—there was the freezer against the wall, and above it hung a huge, framed picture.

"Oh Mick! I love the picture! Omigosh! It's our wedding!"

"It turned out really nice, didn't it?"

"I—oh gosh!" it was the first picture from our wedding that I had seen, and it was beautifully done! A huge black and white picture of Mick and me standing, holding hands in front of the arbor, smiling, ready to take our vows. It was triple matted in the colors of the room, and framed in black shiny wood.

I walked right up to it, admiring it. My handsome prince taking me for his bride. What a wonderful day that had been, and now I could look at it every day! And it was right above where Mick would sleep!

"Can you see this from the freezer?"

"Absolutely. It's the first thing I'll see every day when I wake up. One of the happiest days of my entire life."

"Aw, Sweetie!" I said as I hugged him. "You're so wonderful!"

"I hope you like that one—actually Josef picked this one out for the wall!" He laughed. The proofs came to him while we were gone, and he had that album made," he pointed to the long dresser on the adjoining wall. We can always order more pictures later after we look through the proofs together and pick them out, but this one is just for a start.

I picked it up and leafed through the eight-by-ten colored pictures of us on our wedding day and started crying all over again. Pregnancy! It was making me into a weeping wuss!

Mick stood right behind me as I looked carefully at the pictures. He reached over and plucked a tissue off of the top of the dresser and handed it to me. "They're awfully good, aren't they? Bob the photographer, is a real pro! I guess he wants to use some of our photos in his display for other brides and grooms—he must think we look pretty good to use us to sell others on his services!"

"We do look good, Mick! Look at us! Your eyes—mine—we were so excited and happy! I still am!" I looked up at him as I closed the cover.

"It was the beginning of my life, Beth, and ever since then, it only keeps getting better." He kissed me and held me, and I hugged him tightly.

"I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, Mick St. John, but I'm going to be forever grateful for whatever it was."

He kissed the top of my head. "Me too."

--

Hank strolled over to Morgan, where she sat on the bed, and he sat down beside her. They had spent most of the night out drinking in one of the lounges downstairs in the hotel. Now morning was approaching, and he wanted to get some things straight with her.

"You've always been honest with me about your feelings for your ex, Morgan, and I appreciate that. I was just hoping that if you found out he's moved on, that maybe we could too—that is, maybe we could move on—together."

Hank didn't say any more, but inwardly was rejoicing. Ever since Morgan had turned him when he had been so sick, near death, lying in the hospital, and she had come to him, a beautiful dark angel offering him un-life instead of death, he had loved her. Sure, it was life in a different way, but it had been an escape from death—forever! And since that day, she had been much more than just a sire to him. He was absolutely crazy about her—crazy enough to try to kill her ex-husband back in that cemetery! The jerk had gotten away, but he didn't like the way Morgan was so obsessed with the guy! Maybe he'd have to take him out yet!

He thought about meeting her and all that had transpired between their first meeting in the hospital and her disappearance. Man! Every single thing she'd asked him to do he'd done! And gladly! He'd even killed his old girlfriend to stage that photo she took of the fire in that old hotel! If she wanted a man who was loyal, it was him, not that Mick character.

Morgan looked at Hank, taking in the beauty of his upper body, the smoothness of his skin, the definition of muscles, and remembering the beauty of him beneath the towel. He was hoping she'd take him up on his offer—he wanted them to be together—and she did love him in a way! How could she not! He never said 'no' to her!

"I was afraid you'd feel that way, Hank, and you'd want more from me than I can give you. I really don't want to hurt you—you've been so great all of these months, waiting to hear from me, and here you are again, just being so supportive of me!"

"I waited a long time for you, Morgan," Hank said, moving closer to her. "I can't wait forever, though." His eyes were raking over her hungrily at first, then glazed over as she heard a low growl come from his throat. He snarled and showed his fangs.

She rose up off of the bed and swung her arm at him, knocking him off of the bed so hard that he flew across the room and hit the wall with a crash. He was back up in a second, lunging for her, but she kicked him and sent him flying into the opposite wall.

Hank growled and showed his fangs. "So you want foreplay, huh? Fine with me!" He jumped quickly and grabbed her, pulling her down onto the floor with a crash. They struggled, biting, clawing, snarling, drawing blood, smashing into the furniture as they rolled around on the floor. She was clawing his face until it was raw and bloody, as he ripped at her clothes until they were in shreds, and at last, when their room was in ruins, and Morgan was overpowered, Hank mounted her and took her violently, asking no questions, giving her no choice, but taking her in the midst of his mad, frenzied, angry passion. He slammed into her repeatedly as she still fought and kicked to try to gain control, but it was no use; he would have her and would use her—it was the vampire way—the one on top was the winner, and tonight it was he who had won! She'd had plenty of times when she was on top, winner of the foreplay!

Hank felt powerful, the alpha wolf; he had the upper hand this time, and he was taking advantage of it, growling and snarling as he made her take him in deeper and deeper, as he joined himself with her in this unholy union, enjoying the sound of their bodies slapping and banging together. He was merciless and she was at his mercy, and when at last he felt her begin to shudder and quake beneath him, he knew he had done well by her and he, too, gave in to the completion of this act, stepping over the crevasse, the point of no return, falling into the bliss of the hell they made together, his fangs sinking into the tender flesh above her breast. When she wouldn't make any noise, he wouldn't stop battering her with his hard-as-steel, relentless weapon.

"Scream for me, bitch!" he shouted as she bit her lower lip to keep from making any noise. She didn't want to give him that satisfaction. She couldn't help that her body responded to him, but she didn't want to give him any more than her body's betrayal.

"I said scream!" he yelled loudly, waiting for her response. When none came, he grabbed her breasts, squeezing them roughly and with force, while he moved so strongly within her, beating so inexorably that he was literally pushing her across the carpet.

Morgan chose to ignore the burns the carpet were making on her back and bottom as Hank battered her, but instead focused on the pleasure of the violence. When he had pushed her hard and long enough that her head bumped the wall, she opened her eyes, seeing that there was nowhere else to go. Now as he dominated her, she felt her head begin to bang painfully against the wall, but still he didn't let up. She at last cried out as the spasms again took her and carried her through wave after wave of utter release as Hank again smashed into her, banging her head into the wall over and over again, pummeling her down below where they were joined, and as she screamed and hissed at him, wanting badly to sink her fangs into him, she felt him once again take his pleasure in her, growling and shuddering, letting go within her.

When it was over, they both lay panting on the floor, spent, with the first hunger of their inner beasts satisfied. Morgan moved first, sliding down his body to his thighs, where she sank her fangs into his femoral artery. She watched as he bucked like a landed fish and came again, growling and groaning, and while he lay helpless in the spasms of his own release, she mounted him and had her way with him for what might have been hours, taking him as she would, being the winner of the new contest. By dusk, when at last they had found temporary satiety, they assessed the damage to the room and decided to check out and go to her apartment. No use paying for cheap hotel furniture when she had a perfectly good place in town.

As they packed to leave, Hank stepped into his jeans. "We're meant to be together, Morgan—if today didn't show you that, I don't know what will."

"Maybe you're right," she said, finding lipstick in her bag. "The only thing is—if I can't have Mick, I don't want HER to have Mick."

"So—what are you saying? You want me to take care of him for you?"

"I think--you'll have to promise to kill him for me if you want to be with me. I can't live knowing he's with that little freshie!"

"Want me to kill her too?"

"No—I think she'd suffer more if we just killed him, and he's marked for extermination anyway, according to Lance, so there'd be no problem with his disappearance."

"Consider it done."

--

Mick was like a little kid showing me his new toys. He pushed a button on the cabinet that sat at the foot of the bed, and a flat-screen TV rose up from inside of it. I was impressed.

"The remote is on the bed post. See the buttons? You can pull up the television, close the drapes, whatever. It's all very handy. The buttons down below here—he went over and pushed one, and on came the sound system. Beautiful strains of Rachmaninoff set the stage for a romantic time.

"Actually, I put everything in your iPod in here, so you can play with this all you want and we can make love to your playlists." He saw my eyebrows rise, saw my eyes shine as I looked at him in surprise, and he laughed. "Yeah! It's pretty cool, isn't it?" All I could do was nod.

He walked over to an alcove behind some large plants. "Come tell me if you like this!" He touched a wall switch and light came on to show off a beautiful, large desk with all of the things you'd ever need in a home office, including a brand new computer system. I gasped.

"I figured you can use your laptop anywhere, but sometimes you just want a nice place to sit and work. Now you can do that right in your own bedroom, but it's kind of hidden, so hopefully you'll come in here more often to have fun and to sleep than to work!" He smiled sideways at me. It KILLED me when he did that.

I jumped up into his arms and wrapped my legs around him. I kissed his face and his mouth. "Oh! Have I told you how MUCH I love you?"

"MMMMMmmmm—I think so," he managed to say between the big, smacking kisses I was covering him with. He walked us over to the bed, lips on lips, and carefully dumped me onto it. I sank into the soft depths and groaned with pleasure.

"Oh, this is so soft! It's going to be like sleeping in a cloud!"

"That's the idea—our lovemaking here should be heavenly." He flopped down beside me, his gaze piercing mine.

"I can't wait."

"Neither can I. Here, let's give it a try!" Instead of ripping my clothes off, he grabbed my hand and pulled me up onto my knees. "I plan to spend a lot of time with you here, so let's be sure it's good for what we have in mind." Now his hand pulled me up to standing and he held it as he started bouncing on it with his feet. I thought it was good we were barefoot!

"Yeah, seems to have a nice bounce factor, I like that!" Soon we were jumping up and down, then falling onto the mattress and rolling around like two little kids, hugging each other. I rolled back and forth and bounced my butt against it, loving the feel of the mattress, which was densely pillow-topped, but firm underneath. Mick was lying next to me, hands under his head, watching me act like a crazy, giggling little girl, as I rolled onto my stomach and laughed, rubbing my face on the soft fabric of the cover.

"So? What's the verdict? Think we can have some good sex on this bed?"

I climbed on top of him and kissed him soundly. "No."

His eyes flew open. "What?"

"I said no—we're not going to have good sex on this bed! We're gonna have GREAT sex on this bed!" He laughed and his arms went all the way around me, causing me to press closely into every contour of his body, allowing me to feel every lovely inch of him. "Hmmm. Somebody is thinking of sex!" I said, kissing his face all over with light little smacks. He raised his legs up and wrapped them around me so tightly that I felt like a spider caught in his web. Oh, how lovely it felt!

"Why wait for great sex! I'd like to show you the sheets here—" He reached over and pulled down the comforter and in a few seconds we were naked, giving the new bed a workout! It passed the test!

--

Talbot was out for his morning run, and as usual for the past two weeks, his thoughts were on Beth Turner. Or would she be Beth St. John tomorrow when she came back to work? This was still so difficult for him to wrap his mind around, but he looked forward to seeing her tomorrow. Why, he wondered? He didn't know—maybe just to see that she was safe. Had St. John been able to keep her safe? He wanted to punch the guy without even knowing the answer to that question!

As his feet slapped the running path, he thought about that invitation he'd received to the secret meeting. He hadn't gone because it felt somehow too risky. Still, he had nagging doubts about choosing not to go, since his priority was keeping Beth safe. He had a feeling something bad was going to happen to St. John, and he certainly wanted to be sure it didn't also happen to her. He could forgive her for falling for the guy, a good-looking, charming sort with a mystery about him that women seemed to find attractive, if he knew anything at all about women! Not much, he had to admit! But if and when Beth's world crashed down on her, he'd be the man who would be there for her!

He turned as he heard steps behind him, gaining on him. He sped up—he hated it when people passed him. The runner was going really fast, though, sprinting, which made Ben speed to a sprint. Now it was a race, but it was a race Ben couldn't win. Soon a man in a black sweat suit, black baseball cap and sunglasses came up beside him, passed him, and turned, running backwards so he could look into Ben's face. Ben felt vulnerable, all of a sudden. This guy looked exactly like the man Beth had described as the man who had attacked her in the parking lot. Fear and adrenaline shot through him, and he stopped running, standing his ground, panting. The man in black wasn't even breathing hard.

''What do you want?" Ben said as authoritatively as he could, while trying to catch his breath.

"Hey, man, don't be upset! I just wanted to know why you didn't come to the meeting!"

"I'm not going to a clandestine meeting in a back lot of an abandoned studio in Century City for no good reason. Think again. I'm not suicidal!"

He kept trying to get his breath back as the man spoke.

"I get it, man. It sounds a little scary, so pick someone you trust. Bring a gun. We don't care—just come to the next meeting. We need you there, and you need to know what's going on around you. It's an informational meeting, that's all."

"So tell me what it's all about now."

"No can do, man. This is serious business, conducted by my bosses. I'm only the messenger."

"Even messengers know something."

"True, but I'm not at liberty to say. We'll let you know when the next meeting will be held, and I'd recommend you come. Actually, we need your help with a very, ah, unpleasant element in your jurisdiction. Consider this a tip. All we ask is that you show up. We won't pat you down, so bring whatever weapons you like, just be there. And if you bring someone with you, be sure they'll keep their mouth shut. This is all very much on the QT."

That's all he said. Ben watched as he turned and ran on ahead, but in seconds he was out of sight.

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