Prey of Desire Read online

  “Well, Addison,” Mallory said in a husky voice. “Get a load of us.”

  “Were we worth the wait?” Kim blushed, a little embarrassed. Addison looked up at them. He flashed a vague smile, stepped back, then shook his head.

  “Frankly, no.” He took Mallory's coat from the entry hall closet and moved toward the front door. His arm bumped the keys hanging on a hook and they dropped to the floor with a rattling clink. Addison bent over to pick them up as he glanced at his wrist watch. “We should've departed an hour ago.”

  “But doesn't Kim look delicious?” Mallory insisted, as if completely oblivious to his bad mood. She stretched her arms outward to present her creation to the awaiting public. “I picked out the gown myself.”

  “Yes. Simply divine.” Agitation grew in his voice. “I'm sure she'll have the attention of every man in attendance. Now, I must insist. We're in a fantastic hurry.” After returning the keys to the hook on the wall, he held up the coat and opened the door.

  Mallory hesitated.

  “Every man?” Her eyebrows narrowed. “You really think Kim looks that hot?”

  “She's positively breathtaking. Stunning. Exquisite.” The coat still in his arms, he pointed to his watch. “Now, it's almost nine o'clock…”

  Mallory paid no attention. She was studying Kim with her arms crossed.

  Kim took a quick breath of utter astonishment. “What's wrong now?”

  “I'm sorry Kimberly, but you just can't leave the house wearing that outfit.” Mallory shook her head, placing her hands on her hips. “You look like a drag queen in a Madonna video.”

  “You want me to change? We don't have time.”

  “Girls please!” Addison flailed his arms. He dropped the coat.

  “I know! I know,” Mallory said, pushing Kim back upstairs. “We're in a fantastic hurry.”

  * * * * * * *

  Next door, inside Kim's dark townhome, the front door unlocked and creaked open.

  A man stepped into the living room, the porch light bright behind him. He shut the door, locked it, then took a flashlight from his jacket. The long, narrow beam pierced the blackness as he stepped through the townhome.

  The kitchen was obviously a mess. Even in the limited light he could see the grime from the garbage disposal that covered the sink and cabinets; soggy towels laid across the floor.

  The man moved from the kitchen and aimed the light back toward the living room, shining it on the wrought-iron staircase spiraling up to a bedroom loft. Cautiously, he stepped upstairs.

  Clothing was scattered on the floor and from the radio beside the bed came a quiet static. The man moved to the bed, setting down the flashlight. He glanced out the sloping skylight above it. He was alone, engulfed in darkness.

  Quickly he turned, grasped the bed sheets and pulled them to his face, inhaling deeply. Shutting his eyes, he sighed.

  From the bedroom window, he watched Kim and Mallory leave for the night, alone.

  2

  New Year’s Evil

  Two hours late and without their escorts, Mallory, dressed in the red designer gown with leopard print breasts, and Kim, dressed in a conservative navy skirt and matching jacket, her face intelligently framed with reading glasses, made their way through the wrought iron security gates and entered Black Moon Manor, the Congressman's estate. Gliding up the sweeping stone steps leading to a grand front entrance, they smiled at the valets and held out their hands to the attendants at the front door.

  “I can't believe Addison left us.” Kim handed her wrap to an attendant. “I told you we shouldn't have changed clothes again.”

  “Pipe down, darling,” Mallory answered her rather flatly. “It's fashionable to be late.”

  “Where's the shrink?” Kim couldn't believe the number of people around them, getting out of cars and making their way inside. The muffled beat of music pounded from the mansion ahead. It was almost too much.

  Mallory took Kim's hand and pulled her forward. “The dashing Dr. Whitman is probably inside some-where, pouring you a drink.”

  They entered the mansion, stepping into a brilliant foyer decorated with ferns and statues. The floor was black marble and Kim could actually see her reflection beneath her feet. She couldn't believe she let Mallory talk her into leaving her contacts at home and wearing those stupid glasses.

  She started to say something when she noticed Mallory focused intently on the room, smirking, apparently satisfied with what she saw. Leaning toward her ear, Mallory took her by the arm and whispered.

  “Dogs - they're all dogs.” Her voice dripped with judgment. “If someone brought a quail inside, I bet every woman in this room would stand up and point.”

  “You're awful…” Kim looked around to see if anyone had overheard them.

  The New Year's Eve party was a gala event. In the glitter of the fashionably dressed crowd, Kim spotted many familiar faces - all famous: Sports heroes. Newscasters. Politicians. Television stars. And the host, Congressman William Dietz, was at the center of it all.

  Kim judged him to be in his late thirties, if not forty, but that assessment was based purely on media reports and his career position. Physically, he looked to be in his mid-thirties. His hair was thinning ever so slightly above his forehead, and it gave him an air of sincerity and down-to-earth ruggedness. His body leaned toward the stocky side, despite media buzz that he was an ardent jogger. And he had an infamous claim to fame.

  Twenty-five years ago, his older, high school brother was murdered in the dark lake just beyond the estate. The popular senior on the varsity wrestling team had snuck away to go skinny dipping with a freshman girl. His body was found floating, decimated, missing his right eye. Her body was still missing to this day. And, it was a mystery that had never been solved. Locals claimed a gator attacked the kids. It was the only explanation that made sense. Of course, there were whispers of murder.

  Even Kim and Mallory knew of this legend, but it wasn't on the forefront of their minds this once-in-a-lifetime New Year's Eve. They simply wanted to thank him for extending the invitation. Unfortunately, by the time they made their way across the room to talk to him, Congressman Dietz was surrounded by hordes of people.

  With no alternative, the girls walked away. Mallory announced she was finding Addison and coaxing him onto the dance floor. Kim tried to protest as he was still clearly nowhere to be found.

  As Mallory wandered away, Kim accepted a glass of wine from a passing waiter. She wondered what had happened to her date. The shrink wasn't here, she was pretty sure of that. And it only proved that she didn't belong here either.

  At least holding a glass of wine would make her look like she belonged. So much had already happened this evening, she thought. And it was as if each incident was screaming at her to just go home and forget the whole night.

  She was lost in thought when a waiter nudged her again, slipping a folded note into her hand.

  “A gentleman asked that I give this to you.”

  Kim thanked him and unfolded the paper. A message had been scribbled on it: “If you forget me, there's something I want you to know.” She shook her head.

  “Ross,” she sighed. Three weeks, four days, and eighteen hours. Now he was crawling back to her. She looked back at the waiter. “Who gave this to you?”

  “He didn't leave a name, ma'am.”

  “Can you point him out?” She scanned the crowded room and studied all the people laughing and drinking. She expected to see him standing in the corner, smiling at her. But he wasn't among them. The waiter turned his head.

  “I don't see him,” he said.

  “What'd he look like? Was he tall, swimmer's build, early twenties, with short black hair?”

  “I'm sorry. I just wasn't paying attention. I was serving drinks and he came up behind me. I didn't really get a good look...”

  Searching the room, her eyes studied each guest. She moved slowly through the crowd, then turned focusing on every face. She couldn't take her mind off t
he note: “If you forget me, there's something I want you to know.” She knew precisely what it meant. He was here. Somewhere, Ross was here. But had he come back for her? Distracted, she walked right into the Congressman. SMACK! His hand jerked backwards, spilling wine down the front of his tuxedo. Surprised, Kim stepped back.

  “I'm so sorry.” Her heart stopped and she nearly dropped the glass.

  “Don't worry about it... the tux is rented.” He laughed, glancing at the mess she made. Kim took her napkin and gently dabbed at the wine dripping down the front of his jacket.

  “I can't believe I just did that.”

  “You're Kimberly Bradford, aren't you?” he asked. Kim stopped dabbing and looked up into his face. He was smiling at her. “You're friends with Addison Gaynor.”

  She opened her mouth slightly, searching for the words. “You're... you're not a shrink, are you?”

  “No. I'm William Dietz, your friendly neighborhood Congressman.” His grin widened. “Mr. Gaynor told me of your recent and unfortunate separation. He also told me that you're attending my little party unaccompanied.”

  “Really?” Kim thought that was odd. She pushed the reading glasses up further on her nose. “I just don't know where my date is.”

  “Well, whether he turns up or not, I hope you'll save a dance for me.” The Congressman took her hand in his.

  “Of course. It would be my pleasure.” She forced a thin smile. The mob of people who had followed and surrounded the Congressman all evening long returned, pushing Kim out of the way. But despite the swarming commotion, he never took his eyes off her.

  “I'll be looking for you later.” He kissed the back of her hand, then turned, slipping between two small groups of people loitering by the buffet and holding little plates of hors d'oeuvres. A moment later he was gone, swallowed by the crowd.

  Kim set down her empty wine glass and raised a hand to her flushed face.

  Ten minutes later, she found Mallory in the powder room, engrossed with her image in the mirror, reapplying a heavy coat of lipstick. Kim approached her, holding up the note.

  “I've got news,” she said, excitement creeping into her voice. “Look what the waiter handed me.”

  Mallory didn't even acknowledge her. Kim continued anyway.

  “Ross is here. He wrote this note.” She paused looking around the lavatory. “I wouldn't be surprised if he's hiding in here somewhere, spying on us right now!” Paranoid, Kim turned to the water closet behind them. Mallory glanced at the note, but still showed little interest.

  “There's a blonde here with breasts out to there.” Mallory held her arms out in front of her body to describe an exaggerated size of her own breasts in the leopard print material. “She thinks she's got every guy here drooling but I don't think anybody really believes that boobs just accidentally pop out at inappropriate moments. Like they need to come up for air or something…”

  “Mal, listen to me. Ross is here. He sent me a note. Do you know what this means?”

  “I think she's trying to start a music career or something,” Mallory said, once again puckering at her image in the mirror. “But she'd better watch herself. I may just take her out right here in front of everybody, boobs and all!”

  “Mal, I'm having a crisis. Are you even listening to me?” Kim shoved the note in her face. Mallory put down the lipstick.

  “No, I'm not listening. If I don't ever hear Ross' name again, it will still be too soon!” She twisted shut the tube of lipstick, then grabbed the note. She glanced over it. “He didn't even sign this. How do you know this is from Ross?”

  The lavatory door opened, interrupting the girls. Making a grand entrance, the well-endowed blonde walked inside the powder room. Mallory glared at her. The blonde glared back and then stepped into the water closet, shutting the door.

  “She thinks she's so hot,” Mallory grumbled. “Slutty Miss Stillwater 1995.”

  Kim looked back at the note. “I can't believe Ross has finally come back…”

  Outside the powder room, Kim and Mallory wandered toward the ballroom. Men and women were dancing around them as a live band played “Mambo No. 5.”

  Kim glanced at the black tie crowd then sighed.

  She had to yell at Mallory to be heard over the rhythmic beat of the song. “Where's Addison?”

  “I haven't seen him all evening.” Mallory focused on the crowd.

  Kim glanced at the band. “Maybe he went home with the shrink.”

  “They're both here, somewhere,” Mallory yelled.

  “I just want to find Ross.”

  “You're making too much of this!”

  “He's come back to me. Come on, help me find him.” Kim tugged on Mallory's arm, trying to lead her away from the dance floor. Mallory resisted and drew back her arm.

  “He was your high school boyfriend,” she said. “High school is over. Let him go.”

  “We're soul mates,” she insisted. “This note is proof that he's realized that too.” Kim suddenly stopped walking, her exit blocked by a man.

  Tall and athletic, he approached the girls.

  “Prospero Año Nuevo,” he said with a heavy Cuban accent, his voice deep. “You would like dance?” He was dark and Hispanic with smoldering good looks and a boyish charm. His white tuxedo shirt and black pants strained to contain a muscle-beach-boy body that had brought his major league career strength, speed and steroid speculation. He seemed entranced with Mallory, staring intently into her eyes.

  “Have we met?” Mallory flashed him a wicked grin as she stroked her bottom lip with her index finger.

  “I'm The Gunz,” he said to her. “We should dance?”

  Mallory laughed, batting her eyes. Kim nudged her, trying to get her attention.

  “Mal, I'm in crisis mode and you're flirting with a stranger!” Kim said. Clearly, Mallory didn't hear a word. She was focused on the athlete in front of them.

  “You look familiar...” Mallory cocked her head and put her index finger to her lip as if his name was on the tip of her tongue. “Are you famous?”

  The man smiled broadly. He only got better looking.

  “I'm Antonio Gonzales, Second Baseman.” He spoke as if he hoped to elicit a response of recognition, but Mallory stared blankly at him. Seemingly, taken off guard, he stumbled to explain himself. “The New York Yankee's. We just swept Atlanta in the World Series.”

  Mallory stared wide-eyed. She didn’t blink. He continued.

  “I was on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”

  Mallory looked as perplexed as ever; it meant nothing to her. Kim intervened, placing a hand on Mallory's shoulder.

  “Maybe if you had been on the cover of Forbes,” she suggested. Mallory gently pushed her aside and smiled at the man.

  “So, second baseman...” Mallory's eyes sparkled, her left hand lightly grazing his massive right biceps barely constrained in its shirt sleeve. “You play football.”

  “Baseball,” he corrected.

  Mallory laughed again, excited. She then locked her arm in his, leading him to the dance floor.

  Shaking her head in disbelief, Kim watched the two disappear, then once again glanced at the note in her hands.

  “If you forget me, there's something I want you to know” was all it said. This was proof, she thought. And she moved through the crowd, searching for the waiter who handed it to her, or possibly Ross himself.

  When she ran into Addison, he looked frantic and upset.

  “Why, Addison,” she exclaimed. “Where have you been?”

  Addison took her hands in his. “Kimberly, have you seen Mallory?”

  “Yes,” Kim said slowly, clutching the note, then asked again. “Where have you been all evening?”

  On the dance floor, Mallory and The Gunz held each other close and tightly rocked together as the band began a slow song.

  “I never meet lady like you,” he said to her. She smiled devilishly and nodded.

  “And you never will.” She held his hard, sun-dark
ened face between her soft hands and kissed him, drawing the breath from his body. Then finally she gasped and pulled her head away. “Would you believe I'm still innocent?”

  “Como una Virgen.” His hands moved on her back, kneading the tender flesh in an outpour of desire that was beyond either's ability to control. His hand slid lower to cup the firm, round swell of her hip.

  “Do you want me…” Mallory was panting now. She had to concentrate on each word to speak, “...as badly as I want you?”

  “¡Ay, caramba!” The Gunz bent her back in his arms and looked her squarely eye to eye. He groaned.

  Suddenly, a hand forced its way between the two straining bodies. It was Addison Gaynor, prying them apart. Mallory's eyes enlarged.

  “Why, Pudd'n Toes - I was just looking for you,” she said quickly, taking her hands from the ball player's grasp.

  Grabbing Mallory by the arm, Addison yanked her off the dance floor.

  Kim followed Mallory and Addison as they pushed their way through the crowd. Addison was lecturing, on the verge of hyperventilating.

  “Mallory Astin, this is scandalous. Just scandalous!” He waved his arms as his voice rose. “What in the name of all that is good has come over you? And wasn’t Kim wearing that dress earlier?”

  Mallory didn't seem to be listening. Turning her head, she glanced at The Gunz, who was still standing on the dance floor. She winked at him. A moment later, they had disappeared around the corner and down the hall.

  Walking past the corner too, Kim hesitated, feeling his presence. Ross was here. Watching her. She could feel his breath like a firm, invisible grip. Turning her head, she saw no one familiar in the crowd. Was it just her imagination?

  Stepping into the entrance way, Kim ran after Mallory and Addison.

  His voice echoed in the marble hallway and carried over the music. “Just scandalous,” he said again. “Scandalous!”

  Before midnight, Kim accepted a dance with the Congressman. She was graceful and light on her feet. But there was an awkward distance between them.