Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

receives his just rewards."
    As Erica finished packing, they exchanged a few ideas.
    "Oh, shit," Erica muttered and hurried to the side of the bed, where she pulled an automatic pistol out from under the mattress.
    Rachel nodded her approval as Erica efficiently unloaded and dismantled the weapon and placed the sections in separate suitcases. Having a private jet had all sorts of advantages, relaxed security just being one of them. It had taken Rachel a while to convince Erica to carry a gun when she traveled, but once she got used to handling it, the weapon became one of her regular accessory items.
    "All set," Erica declared as she locked the cases. "Now promise me you'll try to stay straight while I'm gone." Drunk, Rachel was unpredictable, dangerous... talked too much.
    "Don't worry. I haven't had a drop since Ziegler was sent to hell. But if I get to feeling edgy, I'll call you."
    With a wink and a thumbs-up sign, Erica picked up the phone and dialed the bell captain. "Would y'all please send a bellhop up to the penthouse?"
    Hearing Erica put on her sweet Southern accent so easily had Rachel laughing.
    Erica grasped the back of Rachel's neck, and gave her a slow, wet kiss. "Y'all keep mah secrets, darlin' and yours will always be safe with li'l ole me." As she stabbed her tongue into Rachel's mouth again, she pinched one of her nipples hard enough to make her gasp. Then she smiled.
    There were times when Rachel despised that knowing little smile of hers.
    * * *
    David willed himself to follow the dialogue between Spock and Captain Kirk, and ignore the nervous woman next to him. He analyzed that his inability to concentrate stemmed from the fact that the last woman with whom he had shared a bed and remained fully clothed was his kid sister. This was unnatural.
    For the first half hour of the film, Holly had sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, her arms crossed protectively over her stomach. She was clearly prepared to scurry away at the first suspicious movement he might make.
    He purposely took on the most casual pose he could—reclined, legs stretched out with ankles crossed, hands behind his head supported by several pillows—and she finally relaxed enough to scoot back to the pile of pillows he had arranged for her use.
    From vast experience, he knew when a woman was filled with nervous anticipation. Holly's case of nerves seemed to originate in fear. He reminded himself of his conclusion that it would be to his advantage if she remained on edge around him. His instincts told him she was dangerous for him, that she might have the power to get under his skin. And yet he didn't care for being cast in the role of villain either.
    Besides, he had yet to find a smooth way to introduce the name Erica Donner into their conversations. He was fully aware of the fact that she had turned his interviewing techniques back on him. She now knew his life story and he had had a wonderful time spilling his guts to her. He, on the other hand, hadn't gained one new tidbit about her.
    By the time the credits were rolling, he decided a slight alteration in their relationship was absolutely necessary to get through the next few days. He intended to insist that she stay there with him, if only to get some questions answered.
    As she started to inch off the bed, he made up his mind about what had to be done. "Wait a minute." She stopped, but the wariness in her eyes told him it was hard for her not to run. "This isn't going to work, you know."
    "I'm sorry. I'll find a place in the morning."
    "That's not what I mean. You know you won't find anything better than this, nor should you waste a day looking when you should be working. No, I'm talking about this tension between us. I'll admit I had no intention of mentioning it, let alone apologizing, but it's obvious we can't share this space with you scared to death I'm going to jump on you every minute."
    "I'm not—"
    "Yes, you are. I figured you deserved the big, bad wolf treatment the other night. You got me pissed and my reaction was—"
    "Childish? Beastly?"
    "Not one of my better moments. I think we could be friends, if you could forget our rough start."
    Friends? Her smile spread slowly over her features. He was suggesting they be friends. She couldn't have planned it more perfectly. Holding out her hand, she said, "Friends."
    He clasped her hand and moved closer. "No more jumping if I touch you? I'm afraid I'm a habitual toucher."
    She grimaced. "I can't promise, but I'll try to