Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

eyes and prepared herself for his assault. He could take his kiss. When he discovered just how cool she really was, then he would have all the proof he needed.
    She didn't expect the spark.
    Certainly he felt it, too, for his sharp intake of breath sucked her own gasp into his mouth. When his lips brushed lightly over hers, she almost sighed from the exquisite sensuality of it.
    Dear god! She had forgotten what it felt like to be immersed in liquid heat. His tongue slid across her lower lip, then withdrew, only to return again with increased pressure.
    Her mind went to war with her body. She should be fighting this intrusion. After all the years of existing in a passionless void, how could she respond so easily to a man she hardly knew? A man who was intent on tasting her whether she gave him permission or not.
    To her utter shock, her body was somehow winning the battle. She couldn't seem to resist the melting sensation she had experienced only once before. Her fists clenched and unclenched against the metal of the car to keep from showing him just how strongly he affected her. Maybe she could enjoy it for another moment or two, then she would push him away.
    Parting her lips the slightest bit, she did not grant him easy access but neither did she block his entrance. It was impossible to prevent the shiver of pleasure that ran through her when his tongue met hers and he deepened the kiss. She had to stop him, but not just yet. It had been too long and she was too starved for this sweet torture.
    She felt his fingers release her one shoulder and skim down her arm. Taking her hand in his, he slowly dragged it up between his thighs. And pressed.
    In her slightly dazed state it took her a second to realize that the flesh cupped in her hand was flaccid. His biting words completed her humiliation.
    "Now who's not the least bit interested?"

Chapter 8

    Timothy Ziegler's murderer glared at the Friday morning newspaper. Unbelievable! Not even a single line of coverage. Why couldn't the body have been found by a hotel employee or other nongovernment person who would have gone screaming to the press? That was what was supposed to have happened. Instead, a secret service agent had been given a key to the senator's suite to check on him, ruining a perfectly good plan.
    Even after death, another rapist was being protected!
    Just as the murderer's biological father had been protected in spite of impregnating his victim. Rather than that man being held responsible for what he had done, it was his unwanted child who had been sentenced to years of hate and neglect—abuse for which there had seemed to be no way to seek adequate revenge.
    Until now.
    A cryptic, anonymous phone call or note to the media would undoubtedly stir up some attention and possibly force some details out of the FBI. But that was the sort of act a psychotic killer might perform—someone who really, subconsciously, wanted to be caught. The message had to be spread without personally going public, because this murderer had no intention of being caught.
    There were three more names on the list. Surely the message would be made public with the next execution.
    How convenient that Billy O'Day's itinerary was published in the sports section of every newspaper in the country.

Chapter 9

    Three days had passed since David had blown it with Holly Kaufman, and he was still kicking himself. He had acted like a cub reporter, letting his personal feelings interfere with a story. The recycling article had come out fine, but the other, the one he smelled, had slipped right through his fingers, and all because the lady got to him.
    He had gone over the sixty minutes they'd spent together at least a dozen times. The conclusion wasn't very attractive. Like a teenage boy with his hormones in an uproar, he hadn't been willing to accept no for an answer. Was it because she was more seductive than every other woman he'd ever encountered, or because she was one of the few who seemed immune to his charm? Even though he had accused her of it, he was no longer certain she had been trying to seduce him. That left the latter reason.
    He had used his sex appeal as an investigating tool for so long, he hadn't considered the fact that it would have the opposite effect on Ms. Kaufman, even though he had been well warned.
    He should have acted strictly professionally during that first meeting. His plan to establish a relationship, befriend her and gain her trust would have eventually earned