Chapter 48

John and Billie hauled their suitcases to the door of their room. When John had retrieved the key from the front desk he was listed under the name of Jack Harris. Billie smirked when they were out of earshot and asked what had happened to Jimmy Lawrence. "Last I heard he skipped town," John replied. "Kidnapped by some pretty little girl."

With the key in his hand John reached out, unlocking and opening the door, darkness sitting inside. It was like stepping into a hole. They took careful steps, Billie ahead of John, her feet sinking into a thick carpet. It smelled crisp and unfamiliar. Somewhere behind her the door shut and John switched on a light. They were alone. Two large beds took up the room, a dresser and mirrors to another side, and a door leading to a bathroom. Unlike John's apartment there was no kitchen or separate rooms. The carpet was dark as well as the bedsheets, giving the room a heavy atmosphere.

"Looks like they've gone out to eat," John mentioned, unloading his pockets on the dresser. Other suitcases, those belonging to Mairy and Pete, rested near one of the beds as if reserving their space. Billie eased down on the bed she imagined was hers. This, too, was unfamiliar; the mattress was hard and the sheets scratchy. She took off her shoes, looking up to see John pulling the shirt out of his pants and unbuttoning it. Their eyes met and he smirked in the dim light.

He sauntered to the bed in that easy way of his, gliding over her and arching his head to kiss her neck in one smooth movement. Billie's eyes shut, her hand rising to the back of his head, her fingers sliding in his hair. She felt a shiver, goosebumps, and yet her body seemed to flush heatedly. How could he cause her such opposing reactions and with such intensity? Her entire being reacted when he was near, and almost exploded when they touched. He filled up all her senses.

John's hand, so much larger and stronger than hers, held her waist while his lips puckered and kissed the skin of her neck. He did so with much care, kissing slowly and lingeringly and intently, wanting to draw out her desires. He was doing it right. John was lost in her hair, on her shoulder, and reached his arm around so he held her in a delicate hug. "It's not your fault."

Curiously, Billie opened her eyes. Her body started to stiffen as his words came out, soft and soothing. He noticed even the slightest change in her and pulled back to see her eyes. He touched the soft skin of her cheek. "It's not your fault we left," he spoke almost in a whisper. "It would have happened anyway."

Understanding, Billie relaxed some. Now was the time, he buttering her up with kisses. "I have my own wanted poster." He smirked. "I thought that..." she sighed and started again. "I thought that my note would have been enough."

John's expression was light, his voice casual as he rubbed her back and side. "You didn't think your mother would mind? Of course she's going to come after you...and me..."

"You thought it would happen?"

"Well," he considered. "Not exactly like that, but your mother isn't the only one who wants me dead. She'll have to get in line."

John was about to chuckle when Billie's eyes grew wide and she frowned. Instantly she leaned forward and grasped John around the neck with both arms. "Don't talk like that," she breathed heavily. When he was so close, even there in her arms and so strong and animated it was impossible to imagine him otherwise, but when she did, it was a hurt unlike anything she'd ever known.

"It's the truth," John muttered, stroking her hair. He didn't seem at all bothered by this fact though it wrenched at her heart. Even if it was the truth she didn't want to hear it. As far as she was concerned they were infinite- and that included John. "Baby, I've done a lot of bad things," he said now with seriousness. "If they ever catch me, I get the chair."

Billie's heart pounded and she moved herself from him. While looking into his eyes the fear was tight on her face. She looked to be near tears again. "You won't get caught."

It was the first time she had had the same kind of blind confidence like John, and now she understood why. It was either life or death. If she didn't have faith in anything she had nothing; all or nothing. She had to believe in the impossible.

"No, I won't," John agreed with a smile of assurance. Now, suddenly, he was nervous about this idea. It was a promise and he had to keep it for Billie; there was nothing else he could do but succeed. She leaned forward and kissed him eagerly.

"I don't...want to talk about this," she said between kisses.

"Me either, doll. I'm not goin' anywhere."

They had been under too much stress and talking about such things was not at all helping. They continued to kiss, Billie eventually lying down on her back, looking up at him. He was there. For this moment she had him and that's all that mattered- the present moment. She wanted to think that things would be easier after a good rest. "I need a shower."

John nodded. "Me too."

They shared a smile and Billie rose, rolling to her side and stepping off the bed. She didn't get two steps away before he was touching her arm, drawing her back. She turned to see him sitting still, she now gazing down at him. There was a new look on his face as he held her hand, caressing her skin. "Let's take one together."

She paused, now understanding the look. Hesitantly she looked up toward the door as if she expected Pete and Mairy to appear any moment. At any other time she wouldn't have been opposed to the idea, but there was a good chance a shower would lead to something else. If anything happened between them she didn't want it interrupted, and worrying about being interrupted would ruin the thing entirely. John noticed her hesitation and stood, eager.

"They won't be back for awhile."

Should she believe him? His eyes held a smoldering darkness. Billie wanted, needed, the closeness as much as he did. While watching his face for some moments she knew there was no way she could deny him. She grasped his hand tightly. "But just a shower. Alright?"

John nodded instantly. She was asking that they didn't become intimate even though they'd be in the most intimate of situations. John didn't actually mind if anyone caught them or even heard them in the act; he was cocky. He was proud to have Billie and honored to make love to her. He wanted the whole world to be jealous. The man agreed readily just to get in the room with her, knowing that promising was a whole lot easier than fulfilling.