He pulled out his cell phone, dialing one of the numbers Rick had e-mailed to him earlier. The phone rang and rang, but no one picked up. He left a message. He tried the other one, with the same result. Laurie went back to studying the remote.
“They probably took them for tests, or they might be sleeping. We’ll call again tomorrow, if they don’t call us back first.” He squeezed her leg again.
She nodded, turning back to the mindless TV show.
Dante watched her for a minute. He wished he could comfort her, put his arm around her, something. But he didn’t dare. He dashed off an e-mail to Rick, asking about Cheyn and Max. If he had lost another team member due to complications or problems, he didn’t know what he would do.
He started working on his report just as John and Dean finished dinner and wandered into the living room. John sat down on the arm of the sofa right next to Laurie. Dean flopped down on the chair next to her. Laurie didn’t seem to notice, she was lost in her own thoughts, but Dante clenched his jaw. He stopped typing and began tapping the top of the laptop with his index finger.
“So what do you like to do during the day, Laurie? Play card games? Watch movies?” John bent over her with a smile.
“Oh, I read or watch TV, sometimes we watch movies.” Laurie looked up at him, but she didn’t smile back.
“I can teach you poker. We taught our last witness poker. He kind of got a little too good at it, but we can teach you.” Dean leaned forward until he brushed against her knee.
Dante felt the muscles in his neck and shoulders tighten.
“Maybe.” Laurie shrugged.
“What kind of books do you like to read?” John clasped his hands in his lap.
“Well, I’ve almost finished my law degree, so I read books related to that, but I’ll read almost anything.” Laurie shifted away from John and Dean.
“Wow, law school. We have a very smart woman here gentleman.” John tapped her on her shoulder.
Laurie gave him a half-smile.
“Didn’t I tell you two you were starting a shift in a few hours? What happened to getting some sleep?” Dante interrupted.
“Come on, Dante, you know I don’t need much sleep. I can stay up for hours, no problem.” Dean winked at Laurie.
“I had two team members on last night who thought the same thing, and they both ended up in the hospital. Now, I need you both alert tonight. I’m not joking. Go get some sleep. Now.” Dante gripped the pillow next to him to keep him from launching out of his seat.
“All right, all right, boss. We’re going!” Dean got up.
John stared at Dante, not moving. Dante stared back. Neither budged for a minute. Then John gave up and slowly got to his feet. He walked out of the living room, disappearing into the hallway.
“That was a little harsh.” Laurie turned to him. Dante looked at her.
“I don’t have the luxury of being lenient anymore.”
Laurie lowered her gaze, staring at the remote again. Her cheeks were pale, a frown creased her forehead and the corners of her mouth. She poked at the remote buttons with her long, slender fingers. Dante sighed.
“Why don’t we fix dinner?” He forced a smile. “We can make that tomato sauce you wanted to try.”
Laurie’s gazed flicked up to meet his. She considered him for a moment, then put the remote down on the coffee table.
Relieved, Dante put away the laptop, leading her into the kitchen. He got out the pots they needed.
Laurie pulled out the magazine she saw the recipe in. She took the ingredients from the refrigerator. Conversing little, they set about chopping onions, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs for the sauce.
Dante stirred until he got restless, then Laurie took over. He started boiling the water for the pasta. By the time the noodles were ready, the sauce bubbled merrily.
They sat next to each other at one end of the long kitchen table. Laurie’s somber expression finally got to him, and Dante covered her hand with his.
She looked up at him and gave him a small smile. It was a start.
“I know it’s been hard.I know loosing David was awful, but we’ll get through this.”
Laurie’s smile brightened. She leaned over, kissing him on the cheek.
Warmth spread through his chest, and he smiled back at her. He continued to hold her hand as they ate dinner, both trying not to say or do anything that would further upset the other.
Dante didn’t attempt to work after dinner. Laurie wanted to watch TV to get her mind off everything. Dante agreed without much protest. She sat on the couch, close to him. He stretched his arm over the back of the couch. Around 10:00 p.m., Dante heard a door open down the hall.
Laurie scooted over to the end of the couch.
Dante threw her a smile right before John appeared.
Laurie said hello to him. She pushed herself up from the couch to go the bathroom and get ready for bed.
Dante was relieved. He didn’t want another scene like the one earlier. Dante followed shortly thereafter. He entered his room, and then crept through the adjoining closet into Laurie’s room. He waited.
When she returned from the shower, Dante stood just inside the bedroom door. The moment the door closed, he tugged her to him, wrapping his arms around her. They stood there like that for several minutes, as Dante kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and her lips. He nuzzled her neck, licking her freshly scrubbed skin. When he started moving her toward the bed, Laurie chuckled at him.
“Shhhh. We have to be quiet. They’re right down the hall.” Dante kissed her silent.
“Sorry,” she mouthed.
He gave her a lingering, slow kiss. One of his hands tangled in her hair, while the other slid down to the soft curves of her backside. He was amazed at how her touch could make him feel so alive. Heat washed over every place they touched. He ached for her.
Dante laid her down on the bed. He pulled the nightgown off her then kneaded her breasts with his palms, grazing the nipples with his thumbs. He ran the back of his fingers down the smooth skin of her abdomen, and then massaged the sensitive flesh of her thighs. Every stroke was careful, deliberate, as he sought to heighten her desire.
Laurie ran her hands up his chest, sliding her hands underneath his t-shirt. He worked himself out of his own clothes. Then he made love to her again, but this time it was slow and sweet. They savored every minute as if tomorrow would never come.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Laurie
Laurie woke up in a haze. She lay in a ball on her side, knees drawn up toward her chest. She could feel Dante behind her, his chest pressed against her back. His right arm draped over hers, his hand covering hers. She curled under his chin, so his head rested lightly on the back of her head. She wondered if he was subconsciously trying to shield her from the door. She smiled at the thought.
Laurie felt his deep, even breathing. He was fast asleep, and she didn’t want to wake him. She studied his strong hand. He had knobby knuckles; strong, thick fingers, and a fleshy palm wrapped in his caramel complexion. How on earth had she ended up with such a lover? He was nothing like the previous men she dated.
She had dated rarely, but when she did, the men were bookish types. Frail, thin men who wore sweaters into class because of the air conditioning. She didn’t date gun-toting, life-saving, strong, and silent types. Yet she felt a profound sense of comfort and ease tucked beside this man she hardly knew.
Laurie found herself wondering what it would be like starting a new life without Dante around. He had been her guide in this horrifying adventure. She would only have a few more days with him. Would he have the opportunity to write to her, to call her? Would he want to? Was this was just a mindless fling for him? Laurie sighed. Being lovers for a few days seemed insufficient. She felt a pang of loss more sharp than giving up her friends and her life at the resort. The cost of testifying at this trial rose every day.