He got up abruptly as if all too aware of her scrutiny. Come on. The bathroom is this way.
He led her down the hallway to a spacious powder room furnished in pink, gold and ivory. The décor in here was less exotic and utterly feminine, and Ben seemed overpoweringly masculine against the plush surroundings.
While he opened a gilded mirrored door and collected a box of Band-Aids and a bottle of antiseptic, Anna studied the chiseled line of his profile, the way his dark hair fell across his forehead, giving just a hint of vulnerability to an otherwise dark and brooding face. Shifting her gaze slightly, she saw that he was watching her watch him in the mirror.
A frown flickered across his brow, and Anna knew at once he thought shed been staring at his scar. She hadnt been. She hadnt even noticed it.
It was his eyes that held her attention. Those lips
The nerve endings connected to her heart had been severed during surgery. Her reaction to extreme emotion would be different from now on, Michael had warned her. So how was it possible that her new heart could pound so hard at Ben Porters mere presence?
He turned slowly to face her, his gaze deep, probing. You seem familiar to me. He searched her features, lifting a hand as if to smooth back her hair, but he didnt touch her even though Anna wanted him to. More than anything. She suddenly ached for his touch. Have we met before? he asked in a puzzled voice.
She shook her head, unable to speak. Unable for a moment to even breathe. What was going on here? What was wrong with her? How could she react so strongly to a man shed just met? How could she want himwhen she knew nothing about him?
Something odd happened to her then. The bathroom disappeared, and Anna found herself gazing down into Bens smoldering eyes as her hair fell in a curtain around her face. They were in bed, naked, the covers twisted from their lovemaking, their skin shimmering in the afterglow. And he wanted her again. She could see it in his eyes. The passion. The longing. The desperation
As if lost in the same vision, Ben grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to him, then tangled his fingers in her hair as he lowered his mouth to hers.
But just before their lips touched, Anna gasped and sprang back.
He stared down at her in shock. My God, he muttered. Im sorry. I dont know what came over me. Its just He ran a hand across his eyes, as if trying to clear away the vision. Im sorry, he said again. You probably think Im some kind of pervert, grabbing you like that. But I swear Im harmless.
As harmless as a cobra, maybe.
A door slammed somewhere nearby, and he looked instantly relieved. That must be Gwen. Ill go tell her youre here while you take care of that cut. He backed toward the door as if he couldnt get away from her fast enough, but he paused in the hallway, glancing at her anxiously. Are you sure youre okay?
She lifted her chin. Yes, Im fine. She listened to the house for a moment. The music, she said softly. Its stopped.
Ben listened, too, and then shrugged. Thank God for small mercies. Then he turned on his heel and disappeared.
A YOUNG WOMAN stood arguing with Ben in the dim living room. When she saw Anna hovering in the doorway, however, her anger instantly disappeared and she smiled brilliantly. You must be Anna. Ben was just telling me you were here. Im Gwen. We spoke on the phone this morning.
The first thing that struck Anna about Gwen Draven was her resemblance to her sister. She was a younger version of Katherine Sprague, but without the smoldering eyes, without the full, pouting lips and the hidden passions that, even in Katherines photographs, seemed to ooze from her every pore.
Gwens beauty was more subtle. And more wholesome somehow. She was only an inch or two taller than Anna and almost as slender, but where Katherine had exuded a steamy sexuality, Gwen radiated vitality. The line of tanned skin between her light blue top and her black low-rider jeans rippled with toned muscle.
Her hair was dark, shoulder-length and choppy, and when she carelessly pushed it back, the glossy strands fell perfectly back into place. She seemed the very epitome of youth, health and beauty, and yet when she approached Anna to offer her hand, there was a glimmer of uncertainty in her hazel eyes.
I apologize for being late, she said. I completely forgot you were coming.
No apology necessary. Ive obviously come at a bad time. Annas gaze shot to Bens before she glanced quickly away. It was disturbing seeing him now, a stranger again, when only moments ago Im sorry for the intrusion.
Gwen waved aside her protests. Dont be silly. My sisters friends are always welcome here.
Ben had moved slightly away from them, but out of the corner of her eye, Anna saw him whirl, as if something had caught him by surprise.
You knew Katherine? His tone sounded startled. I assumed you were Gwens friend.
Gwen and I spoke on the phone this morning, but wed never met until now. Anna was suddenly experiencing an acute attack of conscience. Shed wanted to meet Katherines family, wanted to tell them without telling them what Katherine had done for her. To that end, shed devised a cover, informing Gwen earlier that shed gone to the University of Texas with Katherine and had only recently heard about her death.
It was a plausible enough story, Anna supposed. Through her research, shed discovered theyd both attended UT, and even though Katherine had been in graduate school when Anna was a freshman, it was certainly possible their paths might have crossed at some point. But credible or not, Anna was finding the sham harder to pull off than shed imagined. She didnt like deceiving Katherines family. They deserved better from her.
But it was too late to change her plans now. Anna couldnt just blurt out the truth. They didnt deserve that from her, either. After all, if theyd wanted any contact with her, they would have responded to her letter.
Bens gaze was still on Anna, and her skin went hot and cold from the intensity of his stare. I guess I jumped to conclusions when you said you were here to see Gwen, he muttered.
She and Katherine went to UT together, Gwen explained. Annas been ill and only just recently heard about Katherines death. She called this morning to see if she could stop by. She turned to Anna, lifting a perfectly shaped brow for verification. Did I get it right?
She asked the question as if she suspected the story might be a fabrication. Or maybe her suspicions were a figment of Annas guilty conscience. She moistened her lips, all too aware of both Gwen and Bens scrutiny. Yes.
Were you close? The edge in his voice sent a chill up Annas spine.
I beg your pardon?
You and Katherine. Were you close friends?
She took a moment to formulate her response. No, I cant say that we were, she said carefully. But she had a very definite impact on my life.
How? He was scowling now, obviously displeased, but Anna had no idea why. Because of what had almost happened between them in the bathroom?
Itsdifficult to explain.
He looked on the verge of challenging her for that explanation, difficult or not, but Gwen said smoothly, A lot of people have said that about my sister. She had a special way of touching peoples lives. Our father used to say she was like the Pied Piper. Her devotees would follow her anywhere.
He looked on the verge of challenging her for that explanation, difficult or not, but Gwen said smoothly, A lot of people have said that about my sister. She had a special way of touching peoples lives. Our father used to say she was like the Pied Piper. Her devotees would follow her anywhere.
Exactly how well did you know her? Ben persisted.
For Gods sake, you sound as if youre trying to interrogate the poor woman, Gwen scolded. Dont pay him any attention, Anna. Once a cop, always a cop. She took Annas arm. Why dont we sit down?
She guided Anna to a sofa luxuriously upholstered in a deep green chenille. Tossing aside a leopard-print pillow, she drew her legs underneath her and turned to face Anna. Ben remained standing. He hovered near the windows where the filtered light cast him in an unnatural aura.
Anna watched him for a moment before tearing her gaze away. I cant stay long. I just wanted to stop by for a few moments.
You cant go yet, Gwen protested. We never have company anymore. Sometimes I think Ill go out of mind from boredom around here. We used to have people in and out of the house all the time, especially in the summer, when Katherine had her retreats here. Nowadayswell, its just not the same without her, is it, Ben? There was the barest hint of mockery in her tone before she turned her attention back to Anna. Anyway, you said on the phone youre an attorney in Houston?
Yes, thats right.
Did you and Katherine keep in touch after college?
Anna paused. No, not really.
Then youd probably like to hear a little about her life. Gwen smiled. She was a tenured professor at the University of St. Agnes in San Antonio and the author of nine novels. Her books werent all that successful from a commercial standpoint, but they acquired a certain amount of critical acclaim, and over the years, she developed something of a cult following.
Ive read her books and enjoyed them very much. Anna was relieved that at last there was a ring of truth in her voice.
Ben is a writer, too, you know. Thats how he and my sister met.
He turned from the window with an impatient gesture. Im not a writer.
Yes, well, the only bestseller in this house has your name on it. Was that a touch of resentment in Gwens voice?
Ben frowned. That doesnt make me a writer.
No, Gwen agreed. But it made you a lot of money, didnt it? Not that you need it now, she added under her breath. She glanced back at Anna. He and Katherine met at one of Bens signings in Houston. It was at a little bookstore on South Main. Maybe you know it.
No need to bore her with the details, Ben said dryly.
Oh, dont be silly. What woman doesnt enjoy hearing a good love story? Especially one that involves love at first sight. She gave Anna a sly smile. Katherine used to go on and on about how their eyes met across the crowded bookstoreand then later, how they couldnt keep their hands off each other. It was a real fairy-tale romance. My sister was a very lucky woman, Anna.
So lucky shed felt compelled to take her own life, Anna thought.
Bens mouth tightened as he glared at Gwen. For Gods sake, do you have to do this in front of a stranger?
Anna rose. Perhaps I should go
Gwen grabbed her arm and pulled her back down on the sofa. No, please. Dont go yet. If Ben doesnt want to talk about Katherine, we can change the subject. Perhaps he could tell you about his book. Now theres an interesting topic. Her eyes gleamed with something Anna couldnt define and wasnt sure she wanted to.
She said cautiously, Whats it about?
It doesnt matter, Ben said with a dismissive shrug.
Its about a serial killer. Gwen gave him a smug smile, as if she enjoyed goading him. Anna had to wonder about their relationship. The two of them obviously didnt get along, so why did they remain in such close proximity to one another? Why hadnt Ben moved back to Houston after Katherines death? What kept him in San Miguel?
Youre from Houston so you probably remember all those murders three summers ago that the police attributed to a killer they called Scorpio, Gwen was saying.
Anna forced her attention back to the conversation. Yes. As a matter of fact, a girl who worked in my building was one of the victims.
Ben turned. What was her name? he asked sharply.
His tone took her by surprise. I dont remember. Renee something.
Renee Canard. It wasnt a question.
Anna nodded. Yes, I think that was it. She was killed in a parking garage across the street from my office. I didnt know her, but the police came and interviewed people in the building after her body was found.
Gwen had been sitting quietly during this exchange, but now she said suddenly, What a strange coincidence. Ben was probably one of the cops you saw that day. You two may have even spoken, and now here you are.
Annas gaze went reluctantly back to Ben. She wondered if he was thinking the same thing as she, that maybe such a meeting, no matter how brief, was the reason they had this strange connection.
The killer was never caught, Gwen said. Isnt that right, Ben?
He started toward the doorway, as if hed had enough of the conversation. If youll excuse me, I have work to do.
Gwen watched him leave, then turned back to Anna with a frown. Youll have to forgive Bens manners. Hes a littleabrupt at times.
Hed left the room, but Anna could still feel his presence. It was so odd. Shed never felt this way before. Shed never experienced such an intense attraction, and she knew hed felt it, too. Why else had he tried to kiss her?
She strove to keep her tone even as she said, Is he working on a new book?
Gwen grimaced. No. Hes working on an old case.
Hes still a cop, then? Anna asked in surprise.
Gwen shook her head. Hes not a cop. Ben will never be a cop again. Scorpio took care of that.
What do you mean?
Gwen hesitated. I dont know how much you remember about that summer, but the police had no real suspects. They were very frustrated. Ben was one of the lead detectives on the case, and hedid something stupid. He used himself as bait to draw out the killer, and he very nearly became Scorpios thirteenth victim.
Icy fingers played up and down Annas spine as Gwen leaned toward her, lowering her voice. The scars on his hand and faceScorpio did that to him. And the scars on the inside are even worse. I dont think Ben ever recovered from that summer. Hes still convinced Scorpio will jump out of the bushes one day and finish him off.
Anna suppressed a deep shudder. Whatever Ben was afraid of, she doubted it had anything to do with his personal safety. He didnt seem the type of man to dwell on a close call, even one with a brutal killer. It had to be something else he feared. I dont remember hearing about any more victims after that summer, she said reluctantly. The killings stopped, didnt they? The police thought Scorpio might be in prison for some other crime or else he was dead.
Gwen shrugged. No one knows what happened to Scorpio, or why the killings stopped so suddenly. But all those unanswered questions still feed Bens obsession.