Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

her own passion could be her undoing... again. Yes, it was definitely a good thing he wasn't interested in that sort of relationship with her.
    As a friend, she would be free to notice the way his smile showed off straight, white teeth, or that his hair hadn't been trimmed in some time. If he caught her staring he wouldn't be driven by a primitive need to pull her against his hard body and—
    "Hey! Here I thought you were enthralled by my stories and all the time you were off in another world."
    She tried to look indignant. "I heard every word you said. You're very funny."
    "So? Answer my last question."
    Once again heat flushed her cheeks, but this time it was too dark for him to see it. "All right. Maybe I drifted a little." Suddenly she noticed the line of traffic had come to a complete stop. "Where are we?"
    "Florida City. According to the map, from here, we can take U.S. One all the way down to Key West."
    The tollbooth worker took the money from David and asked, "Where're you headed?"
    "As far as we can go," David replied.
    "I'm afraid that won't be but about twenty-nine miles. Then you'll reach the roadblock. Curfew went into effect at eight o'clock and all traffic into the Keys is being turned back until sunrise tomorrow."
    "But I'm a reporter sent to cover the story."
    "The police aren't making any exceptions."
    "The roads are that dangerous?"
    The man laughed. "It's hard to say what's the most dangerous, trees across the roads, downed power lines, the looters, or the displaced snakes and gators. Regardless, you'll have to wait till tomorrow. But I can tell you one thing right now—there's nothing left to see."
    Holly tapped David's arm. "Ask him if there's a motel near here."
    David motioned for her to be patient. "Is there a campground anywhere near here?"
    The man gave him simple directions to one close by, but added, "The power hasn't been restored in this area yet, and the water's not safe to drink, so be careful. Oh, and you may as well be prepared for a pretty steep price— if they have any spaces available. Everything around here filled up hours ago."
    As they pulled away from the tollbooth, Holly said, "You didn't ask him about a motel." David didn't bother to answer her with words. His eyes showed that he had no more patience for that discussion.
    The campsites on the grounds the man had directed them to were all rented, but for a mere $100 they were given permission to park on the property without any hookups. They could use the facilities, however. Just don't drink the water, and be sure to use lots of insect repellent. The mosquitoes were worse than usual after a storm.
    David paid the owner and drove to a vacant space of grass barely large enough to fit the motorhome. He got the generator going a few minutes later, then went to "visit the facilities".
    While he was gone, Holly inventoried the contents of the refrigerator and cabinets. It had been quite a while since she'd eaten, but she didn't want to be fussing with things if he wanted to go right to sleep. By the time David returned, Holly had set out cold cuts, bread, and condiments on the counter and was making a sandwich.
    "That guy wasn't kidding about the mosquitoes. I just met a couple in the men's room that were big enough to shake hands with. I hope that's for me," he said, grinning at the sandwich.
    She handed it to him on a paper plate. "Only because you asked so politely," she returned, and proceeded to make another for herself. "I owe you a proper thank you," she said when she joined him at the little table.
    "I'd prefer an improper one."
    "I'm serious."
    "You're always serious."
    She grimaced. "Now I forgot what I was going to say."
    "Thank you, David, for—"
    "Oh. Yes. For not leaving me stranded. I'm not much good at winging it. I... tend to work better in an organized, well-planned situation. Anyway, I appreciate your letting me stay here with you."
    His eyes twinkled mischievously. "We still haven't talked about your payment, have we?"
    "Don't you ever think of anything else?"
    "Don't you? I didn't say a single lascivious word. Admit it, Holly. You're earthy, too."
    "And you're incorrigible."
    "I know, but I've thought of a payment that won't cost you much at all."
    She refused to be baited again.
    "You have to get on that bed with me."
    She stopped in midchew for a split second then continued eating. She was not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her blush again.
    "And watch a movie."
    Her eyebrows lifted a