Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

David it would have been fornication—a clinical, unemotional, biological function. But she had been ready to do it, enthusiastically, until he spoke and jarred her back to reality. Did that make him a gentleman, or a cold, calculating machine who could turn off his passion rather than be harassed by a clinging woman the next morning?
    Though she realized she couldn't handle him the way she did Philip, the fact remained that David wanted her. Even with as little experience as she had, she knew that part of his interest stemmed from her refusal to acknowledge an attraction. She may not know the game as well as he, but if she could keep from giving in to him, she might be able to hold his attention long enough to watch him investigate Frampton. It was worth considering.
    His comments about Erica Donner had shaken her but on reflection she realized they weren't uncalled for, since he was the reporter Erica had told her about. She was certain her answer had been logical, almost truthful, and that there really wouldn't be any reason for him to question her further about that relationship in the future. She would just have to keep in mind what an excellent memory for details he had and never reveal more about herself than she absolutely had to.
    She hated the fact that David was completely at ease when he came out from behind his partition fully dressed. Busying herself with the coffeemaker gave her an excuse to avoid meeting his eyes. Again he surprised her by acting the part of the gentleman.
    "While the coffee's brewing, I'll take care of refilling the water tank so you can shower later. Is fifteen minutes enough for you?"
    She smiled, less shyly than she had yesterday. "Yes, thank you." Just before he walked out the door, she stopped him. "David? Could you do me another favor? I have a nine o'clock flight back to Washington tonight. Would you mind asking the manager if there's an airport shuttle that might pick me up here?"
    His frown revealed that he hadn't realized she was leaving so soon, but he merely gave her a mock salute and left.
    Several inches more rain had arrived during the night to drench the savaged land and scattered belongings of the dispossessed. Although it had stopped by the time David and Holly were riding to the site where they were to board the helicopter, the intense humidity made Holly think they were enveloped in a giant steam bath.
    The news team's flight was slightly delayed, but it gave David and Holly a chance to speak with another man and woman who would be sharing the ride. The woman was the local reporter David had met the day before who had told him about the flight. The man was a marine biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources, and the others immediately took advantage of his knowledge.
    Headphones allowed the conversation to continue after they were in the air. The islands looked as though they had been bombed by an enemy intent on total devastation. Key West had suffered damage similar to Key Largo in that some of the newer structures were still partially standing. However, the islands in between had been decimated.
    The biologist pointed out that for another week or so, the water would be too murky to judge the damage to the reefs, but it was expected to be massive. They passed over a sunken ship in shallow water, and he explained how it had undoubtedly been pushed there by one of the tidal surges during the storm. It could be dragged back into deeper water again, but it would be decades before its previous function as an artificial reef would be restored.
    Holly was disappointed that she could not get any clear indication of reef damage and that the cloudy day was going to limit the quality of the pictures she was taking.
    Unfortunately, the weather reports sounded as though this was the way it was going to be for the rest of the week, so it would make no sense to extend her stay. It would be more efficient to go home and figure out how she could help there. If nothing else, she and Philip could put pressure on the government to act quickly and attend to the needs of the environment as well as the people.
    Concentrating on the biologist's monologue and the scene on the ground occupied her thoughts until David distracted her. He didn't need to speak to her or touch her. She could feel him watching her, daring her to look at him. She ordered herself not to let him see that she picked up his unspoken message, but her eyes betrayed her.
    Turning her head toward him,