Reluctantly he tore himself away from the striking beauty of her face. In compensation, he allowed his eyes to wonder to her delicate hand, along her arm and across her naked shoulders. Stone’s mind drifted happily back to their earlier lovemaking. He remembered how surprisingly strong Linda was — particularly for such a slim woman. At one point, at the peak of their heat and passion, they had again play-wrestled for dominance. Linda had won easily, although to some degree Stone had deliberately thrown the game — conscious that the prize for second place was to lie back and watch a beautiful woman lost in the throes of ecstasy. Even so, he had wondered how someone so petite had developed such unexpected strength — perhaps he should join her yoga class.
His eyes wondered freely along her shoulder to her neck, and then down the gentle curve of her spine. In his mind he retraced the delightful journey he had taken just a few hours earlier, when encouraged by her soft moans of pleasure, he had passionately anointed her naked back with his gentle licks and kisses. He continued his visual journey until he reached the edge of the sheets, where the soft swell of her buttocks was punctuated by two perfect dimples. Stone reached down and gently lifted the sheet.
“Are you checking out my ass, you perv?” Linda mumbled sleepily, without looking up.
“I was just thinking how fat you’ve got since we met,” Stone answered factually, dropping the sheet.
“Yeah, I’ve really let myself go,” she patted his arm gently, “but at least I’m not old like you!”
Stone leaned down and blew a raspberry into the small of her back. Linda giggled and kicked in a delighted response. Then he planted a quick row of kisses up her back and onto her face, stopping when he reached her lips.
“Breakfast?” he asked. “Are you hungry?”
“Mmm… starving,” she growled huskily.
Stone leaned forward and kissed her forehead lightly.
“Stay there. Today we can have breakfast in bed. What is your desire?”
Linda rolled over and sat up, casually revealing her nakedness. Even though they had made passionate love just a few hours earlier, Stone gave an involuntary gasp of lust. Linda noticed his reaction and smiled a little coyly, before reaching for the sheet.
“Come on, Stone — get your head in the game! Tea and toast will do fine. Chop, chop!”
“Yes ma’am.” Stone gave a mock salute and headed for the kitchen.
It was an hour later, when they were sitting at the breakfast bar and drinking a second cup of coffee, that Linda eventually asked the question.
“So what happened yesterday?”
Stone stared silently at his coffee cup, his eyes distant and unfocused, while he thought about what to say. How could he safely encapsulate the terrible events of the previous day? Although Linda had indicated that she understood some of what was involved in Stone’s hunt for the Wrecking Crew, and what that entailed, he was genuinely worried about sharing too much information. What if she thought less of him? What if she screamed and ran out of his life forever? On the other hand, what if he lied? How would that feel?
The silence stretched for two minutes, three, and then five. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, it was respectful — like an old married couple quietly waiting for a bus, or sitting together reading the Sunday papers. It was as if they were just two people lost in independent thought. Two people who didn’t feel the need to fill every gap in the conversation. The comfortable silence stretched on as Stone considered what to say. Finally, he came to a decision.
If their relationship was to be built on a foundation of truth and trust, Stone felt that he had to tell Linda something about what had happened. At the same time, if she was going to help in the search for the Wrecking Crew, then Linda needed to understand exactly what she was getting into. That was her right. He had to take the risk, even if there was a danger of losing her. Stone took a deep breath and turned towards Linda, but as he did she put her hand on his arm. Clearly, she had something to say, but had been waiting for the correct moment.
“Before you speak Eric, there’s something that I want to say first.”
“Go on,” he said guardedly.
“This… ” she flicked her index finger back and forth, pointing at both of them, “this relationship is important to me.”
“It’s important to me as well.”
Linda nodded, slightly impatiently, and held up a reassuring hand.
“That’s not really what I meant — although it’s good to know.” She gave a little smile. “Let me put it another way.”
Linda subtly changed her posture, like a seasoned politician preparing to deliver a keynote message.
“This is important to me, because it’s something that I have always wanted, but never found. In the past, I’ve had boyfriends, not many, but a few, and I’ve had some relationships — but I’ve never had this. I feel that we have something here, something that could be special — something almost unique. People talk about ‘love at first sight’ and ‘soul mates’; well I don’t know what that means, or what it would feel like, but I know I have never felt anything like this.”
She took his hand and looked into his eyes, Stone felt like she was looking directly into his soul. Through his hand he could feel her pulse racing, it was in perfect time with the way his heart was thumping within his chest. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“The thing is — I’m taking a huge risk here, baring my soul like this. Many men would just run away in panic, but I wanted to be honest with you. I feel that it’s important. I’ve told you what’s in my heart, and risked losing you, because I want to be with you. So… I just wanted to say, if you decide to tell me about what happened, whatever it is — it will be OK.”
Stone said nothing. He just leaned forward and kissed Linda. He kissed her as if he was kissing her for the first time. He kissed her as if he was kissing her for the last time. They kissed each other as if they never wanted to stop. When they eventually stopped kissing, Stone spoke first.
He told her everything. He told her about the Wrecking Crew, and about the files Charles had sent. He told her about the death of Valerie Jenkins, about Carter, and even how Megan was running background checks on Linda. Then he gave a step-by-step description of what had happened the previous night.
For an hour, Linda sat at the breakfast bar and listened attentively as Stone gave her every detail. Nodding occasionally, she said very little. She broke her silence twice to clarify something, and once more to swear loudly when Stone described finding young Jenny gift-wrapped in the trunk of the Mercedes. When there was nothing left to say, he sat back and held up his hands defensively.
“So there you go… that’s it, that’s all there is to know.”
“Wow! It’s a lot to take in! I feel like I’ve just walked in off the street and into the middle of a bank robbery.”
“I know what you mean, it’s all very surreal. Look… I would understand if you wanted to walk away… you probably should, you know,” Stone said seriously, but with trepidation.
“Thanks for the offer Stone, but no deal. You’re stuck with me. I told you the other day that I wanted to help, and I still do.” Her fingers impatiently drummed the breakfast bar. “So what happens next?”
Stone’s heart surged. He suddenly realized just what an extraordinary woman Linda Smart was, and how much he had already fallen in love with her. He slowly reached over and took her hand.
“Today we spend together. This is our day. Tomorrow morning we’ll drive down to Megan’s place. Ed Carter wants to meet you.”
Peter White clutched a large manila envelope to his chest, and stared fearfully at the door to The Fixer’s office. He felt like a schoolboy waiting to see the headmaster. His armpits were moist, his heart was racing, and he could feel stomach acid burning in his gullet. He shouldn’t be anxious. As far as he was aware, he had no need to be, he had always performed his work admirably. Yet, here he was staring at the door, afraid to knock, but too scared to turn and face the vile bodyguard again.