Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

next to him. "It's all right, honey. You don't have to do any more than you're ready to." He reached toward the lamp, but she stopped him before he could turn it off.
    "Please leave it on. You know I'm uncomfortable in the dark."
    "I've never known why. Is that their fault, too?" he asked, easing her down next to him. She nodded. "I don't mind the light. It lets me see how beautiful you are."
    Holly tried to relax as he kissed her. She ordered herself to enjoy the feel of his hands kneading her breasts and his male body pressing insistently against hers. But when his fingers slipped between her thighs, her muscles clenched before she could prevent it.
    Even if he hadn't noticed her reaction, the tight, dry flesh he encountered would have alerted him to her unaroused state. "They're here, aren't they?" Philip said as he rolled onto his back.
    She blinked at him, not comprehending his words or why he had stopped touching her.
    "The bastards that raped you. They're here, in this bed with us. That's why you can't relax—why we can't have a normal relationship."
    She raised herself on her elbow and turned his face to hers. "I want to do this, Philip. Don't you see? I want you to make me forget what they did."
    He hugged her to him. "This isn't the way. I would do anything for you, honey, but I'd only hurt you if I went further. Your body doesn't want mine." He kissed her nose. "It is gratifying, however, to know that your mind is willing. Perhaps it's only a matter of time before the rest of you gets accustomed to the idea as well."
    Holly's thoughts wandered to something April had told her. As long as your attackers go unpunished, you'll always feel like a victim. Once you take action against them, they'll no longer have any power over you. Philip could not wipe the memories away with sex any more than talking about her experience had. She had to try the one course left open to her.
    Retribution.
    Philip took a deep, ragged breath and renewed guilt washed over her for tempting him into the condition he was now in. She placed her hand on his lower stomach. "Just because my body isn't accommodating, doesn't mean you—"
    He stopped her hand from touching him more intimately. "Until you can find pleasure in our being together, I would rather do without also." He waited until she relaxed in his arms. "Will you stay tonight?"
    She immediately tensed again. "I can't. I have an early appointment and I didn't bring a change of clothes or a toothbrush, or—"
    "You don't need an excuse. I understand. Just let me hold you for a while before you go."
    Holly laid her head on his shoulder. "Sometimes I wonder why you put up with me."
    Philip kissed the top of her head. "You're all I have, honey. I'd do anything for you."

Chapter 6

    For four days, the news had been filled with video clips from the Senate committee hearing, opinions from women's groups as well as the general citizenry and speculation about the names of the other men Cheryl Wallace claimed participated in her gang rape.
    The top story on the eleven o'clock news Thursday night was the confirmation of Timothy Ziegler's appointment to the position of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
    The President, who was expected to attend the private reception for Ziegler in the Kessler Hotel the next evening, issued a statement to the media. "The Senate committee members deemed Miss Wallace's testimony insufficiently supported by facts to negatively affect their decision."
    Stricken with a case of flu, Mrs. Ziegler would not be able to fly in for the party, but she was relieved that the hearing had ended so satisfactorily for her husband. She had never doubted him for a minute.
    Senator Ziegler's sterling reputation remained intact... publicly.
    Privately, the truth was known, and those knowledgeable people had to find ways of coping with the unjust decision. Though the individual reactions ranged from resentment to fury, only one person determined to give Ziegler the party that he truly deserved.
    That person counted on the probability that Ziegler would be feeling very self-assured by the decision, perhaps even a bit indestructible. Such a feeling could cause him to use poor judgment in the hours before his victory celebration. Because of the news, the time and place were easily chosen. Between six and seven o'clock, Ziegler would undoubtedly be alone in his hotel room getting ready for his big evening.
    All that was needed to implement justice was already at hand.
    It