Chapter Twelve
Lisa watched Justin lock the door and shove the bolt home. He held out his arms. “Come here, sweetheart.”
She rushed to him and threw her arms around him.
His face lit up with a grin moved closer. His kiss filled her with joy. She kissed him back, eager to express how she felt about him. He lifted her up, his strong arm under her thighs and his warm hand caressing her skin.
He slid her sandals off and strode to the bedroom and set her down beside the bed. He tossed his jacket on a chair. “I like the way your skirt swings when you walk, but this blouse—it hides your curves.” He untied the bow, kissed her neck and unbuttoned her blouse. His hands caressed her breasts. Through her thin lace bra, she felt every touch as he set her flesh tingling. He pulled the silk fabric loose from her skirt and slid it off. After unsnapping the front closure of her bra, he let his hands rove over her breasts, then placed a kiss on each nipple, setting them tingling..
He slid her skirt zipper down and shoved the material down her legs. Clad only in her lacy panties, Lisa stepped out.
He looked at her and smiled. “You look great in those panties, but I’d prefer you naked.”
She met his gaze. “And I’d prefer you naked too.” She unbuttoned his shirt while he removed his belt. The rasp of his zipper sounded in the quiet room. She grasped his pants and briefs and pulled them down over his firm, tanned legs. He shoved them to one side, removed his shoes, and gently pushed her onto the bed.
A wide smile lit up his face as he moved over her. His shaft, firm and erect, echoed his desire as his face came closer. He kissed her mouth, her cheeks and her neck. He nibbled on her ear. He kissed his way down her neck to her chest. Suckling her breast, he sent waves of delight throughout her body. Doing the same to her other breast caused even more electric tingles.
As he kissed his way down to her navel, his fingers moved between her thighs, setting her flesh alive with anticipation and want, that intensified until she pulsed with delight and smiled. “Come inside me.”
He smiled. “Here I am. Take me.”
And she did, pulling his firm shaft close to her throbbing tissues.
He pushed her hands away. “I’ll take it from here.” He pushed his way in. Bigger and harder than last time, he filled her completely.
She hugged him, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers. She kissed him back. She met each powerful thrust with passion, slamming against him with all she had. Faster and faster he went until she felt as if they were riding a cable car up a mountain. With one final push, they rode over the top and hurtled down the other side in a thrilling ride that set her senses on fire.
Justin gave her a final kiss. “You’re wonderful. I think I love you.”
Had he really meant that, or was he just saying it in the throes of passion? She couldn’t, wouldn’t ask, but it had been oh so sweet to hear. She wished it were true.
Justin fell asleep quickly, but Lisa began to wonder. Would this lovely togetherness last? Was it too soon to hope for wedding bells and forever. She’d sure like to be one of the Casa Blanca brides and get married at Casa Blanca Resort and Spa, but she hardly knew him.
* * * *
Justin woke with a start. What was that noise? The puppy’s barks got louder. Someone was knocking at the door. He looked around for his robe, then remembered he was at Lisa’s place. He checked his watch. Nine o’clock. Who could be calling at this hour?
Lisa was sound asleep. Going commando, he yanked on his pants and strode to the door.
“Who’s there,” he called. “So, you are here,” his brother said. “Where’s your shirt? She been giving you a back rub so early in the morning?”
Justin could tell by the smirk on his face, his brother was alluding to more than that. “None of your business.”
* * * *
The next day as Lisa was saying goodbye to her students, her new phone vibrated. Seeing it was her sister, Melissa, she answered. “Hold on a minute. My kids are just leaving.”
To Evan, she said, “Is your play this afternoon?”
“Yes. Will you be there?”
“I sure will. I’ll see you at two o’clock.”
She waved as he walked into the hall to meet Zoe, his mother. Lisa put the phone to her ear. “Hi, sis. How are you doing?”
“Bobby and I broke up. Maybe it’s for the best. Can I come stay with you for a few days?”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. Sure you can come. There’s only one bedroom with a double bed, but we can manage.”
“Will that cause a problem with your hot guy—not that it’s any of my business who you sleep with, but that might cramp your style.”
Lisa thought a moment. She didn’t know where she stood with Justin. He liked her a lot, that she could tell. And she really liked him, but maybe a cooling off period would be good. When he made love to her, he enchanted her so she couldn’t think clearly. “No, Melissa. Your staying here will be fine. When are you coming?”
“How about Monday? That’s the soonest I can get a flight.”
“E-mail me the time of your arrival and the flight number. I’ll see if I can get Justin to take me there to pick you up.”
When Justin came to pick her up for lunch, she told him about Melissa’s visit.
“Sure, I’ll be glad to take you to pick her up. Is she staying at the Casa Blanca Hotel?”
“No, she’s staying with me.”
He frowned. “I’m going to miss sleeping in your bed.”
“She’ll only be here a week.”
“I can last that long. You’re worth waiting for.”
She smiled. She too was looking forward to being with him again.
That afternoon, she watched Evan play the wolf and clapped and cheered during curtain calls.
As she got up to leave, Zoe touched her arm. “I really appreciate what you’ve done with Evan. You’ve got him to focus on one project and see it through to the finish.”
Lisa smiled. “He’s a delightful kid. I’ve enjoyed working with him.”
The day Melissa’s plane was due, Lisa went online to check her test score, dreading what she’d find.
Damn, her score was below what UNT would accept. Lisa let out the breath she’d been holding and tried not to cry, but her eyes watered. It was all her fault. Damn. She should have spent less time with Justin and more time studying.
As Justin drove Lisa to the Naples airport. she studied his handsome face. He was kind and brave and he’d finally been honest with her about the real reason he was here. Thank goodness, he didn’t suspect her anymore. He’d been really understanding and continued to believe in her innocence even after she’d told him about her shoplifting mistake.
“Did you find out about your test?” he asked.
She nodded, brushing away the wetness in her eyes. “I’ll have to take it again before next semester starts. If I don’t pass it then, I don’t know if the university will let me register for fall classes.”
She sighed. That would be really disastrous, and she wasn’t sure how she’d cope if that happened. “I need to get a master’s degree so I can get a better job.” She so wanted to be eligible to apply for that prestigious girls’ school in Dallas, but if she didn’t start classes this fall, that wouldn’t be an option for at least three years.
He reached over and patted her hand. “I’m so sorry. I can imagine how disappointed you must be. If I’m back in Dallas by then, I’ll help you study.”
She laughed. “That’s the problem. When I’m with you, I can’t concentrate on anything but you.”
He smiled. “That makes me feel good. Now I’m in danger of getting a swelled head. However, I really want to help. There must be some way I can help you remember what you need to know.”
“You mentioned going back to Dallas. Have you decided if you’re going to work for Stevie’s old assistant manager?”
“That’s really not what I want. There’s no jewelry store on Mimosa Key. Maybe after I find out who’s stealing women’s jewelry, I could get a loan and open one here. I love to design, and with my own store I could do that.” His eyes sparkled. He must be really excited about the idea.
“Couldn’t you do that for your old store?”
“No. Some high paid designer develops the designs, and Father just orders what he thinks will sell well. Since my store was in a less affluent neighborhood, I stocked more simple, less expensive designs. If I had a store here, I could even handle casual jewelry, perhaps some made out of shells by local craftspeople.”
“That’s a great idea.” But that meant she wouldn’t be seeing him in Dallas. Maybe theirs would be only a summer romance. She tried to ignore the empty feeling inside that gave her.
“But first,” Justin said, “I have to catch the thief. She’s giving Casa Blanca Resort and Spa a bad name. Luke asked Charity and Patience not to talk about thefts, but everyone who lives here must know about it by now.”
Justin parked at the airport, decorated by palm trees. Lisa called her sister, who said she’d meet them outside a terminal and gave them the gate number. They walked until Lisa saw her and ran to her. Lisa hugged Melissa. “I’m so glad to see you.”
By this time Justin had caught up to them. “I’m Justin. Nice to meet you.” He carried her bag as they walked back to his car.
On the way back, Lisa said, “I just found out I didn’t get the score on the GRE I need.”
Her sister reached over and patted Lisa’s shoulder. “Oh, that’s too bad. I’m sure you’ll pass it next time. Can’t you take it before the fall semester starts at UNT?”
“I hope so, and I’ll have to get a good score then.”
“Justin, you’ll have to take her for a hot fudge sundae to make her feel better,” Melissa said.
“You don’t need to do that,” Lisa said. “I’ll just study harder next time.”
“How about I treat you both to dinner at Junonia tonight?” Justin said.
“That would be nice,” Lisa said.
“As they drove over the causeway, an ocean breeze wafted by, teasing Melissa’s auburn hair and filling the air with a refreshing salty tang.
“Oh,” Melissa said. “This is wonderful. Beats the heck out of Dallas during the dog days of summer. I can’t wait to hit the beach.”
When Justin parked in front of Lisa’s turquoise cottage, Melissa said, “Oh, it’s adorable. You’re not going to want to come home at the end of the summer.”
Lisa swallowed. Her sister had that right. Lisa wouldn’t want to leave if Justin stayed here, but she had plans. Sadly, they meant going back to the Dallas area. Besides, his setting up a store here might not happen, so why should she worry just yet? She’d enjoy showing her sister around.
She thanked Justin for picking up her sister and unlocked the door. Yips and yaps greeted them. Melissa ran in. “Oh, he’s so cute. Where did you get him?” She petted Rusty as his tail wagged.
“I’m keeping him for the summer as a favor to a local boy. We’re hoping his parents change their minds and let him keep the puppy.”
“Why wouldn’t they? Don’t they like dogs?”
“Yes, but they already have several pets.”
“What if they don’t take him at the end of the summer?”
Lisa picked him up with both hands and cuddled him. “I’m kind of used to him. I may just take him back with me.”
That evening Justin treated Lisa and Melissa to dinner at Junonia.
Leaning close, Lisa explained about the jewel thief, then asked Justin, “Have you gotten any closer to finding out who took the jewels?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I checked again at nearby pawn shops, but found nothing. Maybe the woman just likes pretty things and is lying low.”
“Do you think it could be a local resident or a vacationing one?”
“I think it’s someone local. I’ve checked out all the suspects, but maybe I’d better look more closely at other residents I haven’t considered, namely the ones in your book club.”
“Well, I hope you leave me out.”
“Of course.”
Chenille strolled over to speak to them. She nodded toward Melissa. “I see you have a friend visiting you.”
Lisa introduced them.
Chenille squeezed into the booth beside Justin, who was seated facing Lisa and Melissa. “So how long will you be staying here?”
“Just for a week. That’s all the vacation time I have.”
Lisa set down her menu. “I’m going to be busy showing her around and spending time on the beach.”
“I see. Well, nice to have met you.” She rose and placed a hand on Justin’s shoulder. “I need to go home and get ready for a late date. Rocco has a city council meeting tonight, but he wants to meet me for a drink afterward.”
“Nice meeting you,” Melissa said. “Enjoy your date.”
Lisa gritted her teeth after seeing how Chenille was acting. However, Lisa was glad Chenille was dating Rocco. Lisa’s date with him for the gala had been an arranged one. Inviting Lisa and Melissa to eat here to cheer her up after her disappointment showed Justin really cared about her. Too bad Chenille had to but in.
“Bye, Chenille,” Justin said, removing her hand from his shoulder.
As she walked off, Lisa said, “I guess she prefers Rocco to your brother.”
“Looks that way,” he said, “but I could have sworn Stevie said he had a date with her tonight.”
“Maybe,” Lisa said, “he didn’t want you to think he had nothing to do since you’re taking us out tonight.” Guys must sometimes feel that way too.
They ordered fajitas and soon were munching on beef-steak slivers wrapped in tortillas, garnished with guacamole and sour cream. Melissa entertained them with descriptions of some of the weird clients her attorney boss had.
It was dark when Justin escorted the sisters to Lisa’s cottage. Lisa unlocked the door, expecting to hear Rusty bark. Maybe he’d drifted off to sleep. Melissa went on inside. Justin took Lisa in his arms and kissed her long and hard. His tongue slid between her lips, pushing and thrusting, and making her want to do the same, which she did with gusto.
He hugged her tightly, making her feel desired. “I’d rather spend the night in your bed,” he whispered and kissed her once more, his mouth roving over her neck and face before pressing a soft kiss on her mouth. “Good night. Sweet dreams,” he said in low, tones, then walked backwards, waving to her. He bumped into his car, but waved once more and walked around to the other side.
Still feeling the taste of his lips, Lisa opened the door, feeling as if she could float inside.
Rusty wasn’t in his playpen, and its doggy door was wide open. She hurried out the front door. “Justin, come back.”
Justin followed her inside. “What’s the matter?”
“Rusty’s missing.”
“Maybe he’s hiding,” Justin said. Have you checked the closets?”
She ran from room to room and checked the closets, but he wasn’t anywhere in her cottage.
Justin checked the sliding door facing the patio. “There’s an inch and a half opening between it and the door jamb.”
She turned on the outside light. A small gob of poop lay on the patio floor. Rusty had been here, but how could he have squeezed out that tiny space?
Justin walked over to look. “That opening is too small for him to get out. Someone must have taken him and not closed the door tightly enough.” He shut the door hard, and it slid back about the same amount.
Lisa rubbed her chin. “It does that sometimes. I wonder if Evan came over and took him.”
She dialed Zoe’s number. “My puppy’s missing. Did Evan by any chance come and take Rusty from my cottage earlier this evening?”
“He’s in bed, but I’ll ask him.”
Lisa waited. Zoe came back on the phone. “He says he knocked, but you weren’t there. The patio door wasn’t locked, so he snuck in and petted Rusty, but the dog was still in the playpen, and Evan didn’t take him out.”
“Did he shut the patio door?”
“He said he thinks he did.”
“Thanks for checking. I guess I’ll have to go hunt him.”
“Hope you find him soon,” Zoe said.
Justin found a flashlight in one of the kitchen drawers. “My cottage was stocked with one too.”
Lisa locked the patio door and the front door. They didn’t see him trotting along in front of the nearby cottages. Her cottage backed up against some woods. “We have to find him before an alligator, or some other wild animal gets him.” The three of them set out among the trees. Spanish moss hung from several trees, brushing against Lisa’s skin as she walked.
“Here’s some more poop,” Justin said.
“But is it from Rusty or some other animal?” Melissa asked.
Lisa bent closer. “It looks the same color. Rusty, Rusty, come here.”
Crickets and katydids called. A howl, sounding like a wolf’s, echoed through the trees.
“I hope he’s not hurt,” Lisa said, worrying about him getting cut or scratched as he ran.
Then she heard it—a far-off little bark. “I think I hear him. Let’s go that way.” She hurried in the direction of the noise. Justin and Melissa followed not far behind.
Another bark sounded, louder this time. She grabbed the flashlight and ran through the underbrush, ignoring the scratches on her legs.
Finally, she came onto a clearing. A rattlesnake was coiling. Its tail rattled. A lump formed in Lisa’s throat. Rusty stood much too close. He was barking at it. She had to get him away. Could she do it without getting bit again? She might not survive another snake bite. “Oh, no. Rusty, don’t bark.”
But he kept on barking. The snake coiled. Its diamond design moved with the snake’s sinuous motions. Her stomach churned. How far could they strike? Was she too close? She remembered that other snake striking her arm. This one could bite her. Make her really sick again. She could die. Her heart thumped hard in her chest. She froze. But only for an instant. She had to save Rusty. Pulse racing, she ran. Snatched him up.
Footsteps sounded. Justin ran up behind her. He grabbed the flashlight and yanked her close against his firm chest. She felt better already. He’d protect her.
“We need to back off slowly,” he said, his voice low and quiet, but he was breathing heavily. “It may not strike, but we don’t want to chance it.” He took one step back at a time, pulling her with him. She was too scared to do anything but hold Rusty tight.
After they’d moved several yards away, Justin let go of her and took her hand instead. “Lisa, you scared me half to death. After seeing you so sick from that snakebite earlier, I was afraid for you. Why did you get so close to that rattler?”
“Rusty was barking at it. I was afraid the snake would attack him. I had to do something, so I grabbed him.”
“Wait a minute,” Melissa said. “Did you get bitten by a snake? How bad was it?”
“She was in the hospital for five days,” Justin said. “Thank goodness, I came when I did. You were brave to rescue Rusty, but that snake might have attacked you. I don’t know if you could have withstood two bites so close together.”
Lisa was trembling now, just thinking about what might have happened. Walking beside him, she held the pup against her chest and didn’t breathe naturally until they’d walked quite a distance from the snake.
“You found him,” Melissa said.
“She snatched him away from the rattlesnake,” Justin said. “But we didn’t get bit.”
“Thank goodness,” her sister said.
Justin shone the flashlight on the path. “I’ll lead us back to the cottage.”
After they got there, Melissa went inside while Justin gave Lisa a heart stopping kiss. His hands squeezing her breasts made her wish they could spend the night together.
He gazed into her eyes. “I’m really going to miss being able to make love to you. I know you want to spend time with Melissa, but I hope you’ll find time for me too.”
She placed her hands on his shoulders and gave him a soft kiss. “Of course, I will. We can even do things together.”
He smiled. “Good. I’ll call you tomorrow with suggestions.” He hugged her and kissed her once more. “Til tomorrow then.”
She waved goodbye as he got in his car and drove off, then went inside. She’d sleep better now, knowing Rusty was home safe and sound. Of course, if she and Melissa got to talking, they wouldn’t get much sleep.
Melissa stood by the bureau gazing at Lisa’s open jewel box. “Wow, where did you get these? I’ve never seen any of them before.”
She held up a diamond tennis bracelet, and a large ruby ring. She pointed to a huge diamond ring flanked by two small triangular diamonds sitting next to Lisa’s small ruby ring. “That diamond must be four or five carats at least. Are you holding out on me? Did Justin propose?”
Lisa stared. “Omigosh. How did they get there? Put them down. That’s the stolen jewelry Justin’s been trying to find. Now your fingerprints will be on them, and I’ll be charged with stealing them. The robberies didn’t start until I arrived, so now I’ll be considered guilty.”
“You’d better call him.”
“I already told him I didn’t know anything about them. Now, he’ll think I stole them.”
“He seems like a nice guy. I think he’d believe you.”
“I’m not so sure. I actually told him about the time Mom caught me trying to shoplift. I insisted I learned my lesson, and that I’d never steal again, but how can I explain this?” Was the thief trying to cast suspicion on her?
“What about maid service? Do you have someone who comes in and cleans?”
“Yes, but she promised she would only come when I was here.”
Lisa walked into the tiny kitchen. “The dishes I left in the sink have been washed and put away. That looks suspicious, but I hate to accuse her. She’s a single mom trying to make ends meet, but she was wearing a green pendant the last time I saw her here, and there’s no emerald pendant here. It’s one of the missing jewels.”
“Maybe she stole the other jewels and changed her mind about keeping them. You’d better call Justin and explain how we found them here.”
Lisa rubbed the back of her neck. “I really like him. I’d hate to have him think I stole other women’s things.”
“Has he acted like he suspects you?”
Lisa shook her head. “Actually, he told me he didn’t really consider me a suspect. He should be glad they’ve been found.”
“Then why not call him about this now?”
“It’s late. He or Stevie might be sleeping.”
Melissa brushed her auburn hair. “They couldn’t be. They just left. You’re a coward, Lisa. Look, this has got to come to a head sooner or later. Call him.”
“I need to think how to tell him what we’ve found without looking guilty.” After a moment, she drew in a deep breath and dialed.