than
before, and she became aware of how much bare leg she was
exposing. In comparison to her tiny bikini, it wasn't much, but the
context of it was what had her blushing furiously. A quick second
glance at him found him looking slightly amused, and this only
served to make her redden even more. 'Who gets first dibs on the
bathroom?'
She seized on that gratefully. 'I'll get in first, so that I can be packing
while you're in.' And then, with asudden forlorn look around, she
added miserably, 'What's going to happen to all my things?' But she
ducked her head without waiting for a reply, then turned to bring
down a coffee mug from the cupboard, pouring some of the fresh hot
liquid into it and handing it carefully to him, heart rattling madly
away and mouth dry. She kept a stern hold on her expression, though,
and her face was calm. Mike took it with a murmured thanks, and
then glanced at her other empty hand curiously.
'You're not having any?' He sipped at the cup and winced at its heat.
'No,' she replied offhandedly, 'I want to take a shower first so that my
hair can dry. Leave the burner on and I'll have some when I get out.'
He nodded, and she quickly escaped into the minuscule privacy of the
bathroom, shutting the door and leaning against it, sagging. Then,
shooting into frantic action, she jumped into the shower and was out
again before the water had a chance to heat up. Towelling her hair dry
and combing it with a ruthless disregard for the painful tangles, she
was out again in about seven minutes. The drug was powerful and it
would start to hit him soon. She found him partially dressed, with a
pair of faded jeans on and a dark blue shirt, unbuttoned. He was
sitting at the table and holding his head in one hand, and Dee felt a
surge of guilt at what she had done. She advanced cautiously. 'How
are you feeling? Are you getting disorientated?'
His head came up and he looked at her angrily. 'You drugged me,
didn't you?' The words were angry, yet slurred, and she winced.
She didn't bother to lie. 'Yes, I did. I'm sorry, but I had to.'
She came over and put a hand on his arm, feeling the muscle bunch at
her touch, so that she stepped back nervously. Would he get violent?
He tried to stand and started to fall, and she ran to his side quickly,
throwing her arms around his waist for support. She helped him to her
bed and let him fall on it, stepping back pantingly. He was heavier
than he looked. Then she sat on the edge of the bed and looked down
at his face. It was strange, looking at him like this. He seemed so
helpless, for all his smooth, latent muscled strength. He focussed his
eyes with difficulty on her face, one hand coming up to cup her
cheek, only to fall lifelessly on to the bed again.
Impulsively Dee reached out and smoothed hair away from his brow,
and it was silky to the touch. 'How long do I have?' he muttered,
fighting to keep his eyes open.
'Only a minute or so. They're strong sleeping pills,' she answered
softly. Strange, to feel regret. 'You should be well rested by the time
you wake up, in about five or six hours. I hope they don't give you a
headache, like they did me.'
Mike sighed, resignedly, and incredibly his lips quirked into a
fleeting smile. 'You little shit, why'd you go and do a thing like this
for?'
'I'll run until I die,' she said quietly. 'No amount of coercion will
change that. I will not be forced into something against my will. I tell
you, I will not go back.'
'I'm going to come after you, you know that,' he whispered, closing
his eyes and opening them again to stare at her. Dee was amazed that
the sleeping pills would take so long to affect him. He should have
been out cold long ago.
'Stubborn man!' she muttered, running her gaze over his face. He was
a very handsome man, and she suddenly realised that she was resting
one hand lightly against his bare chest.
He muttered mockingly, 'Stubborn child,' and his eyes fluttered shut
for
Ginni Conquest
Lou Harper
Nevada Barr
Cheris Hodges
Diane Kelly
Maximilian Timm
Rita Mae Brown
C. J. Cherryh
John Man
Barbara Hambly