J. McKenna - Wanted - Kept Woman

“It’s nice,” she said, though there wasn’t much to see. The headlights reflected off the surface but she couldn’t see the island.

“How far out is it?”

“Not too far. Just a half-mile or so.”

They got out. Brian brought the suitcases around and led her to the dock. A small fiberglass boat with an outboard motor lay tied up along the far side. He placed the suitcases in the middle and helped Suzanne down into the padded seat up front. He sat in back.

“Let’s hope this starts.”

Suzanne smiled. “It could be a short trip.” If it doesn’t start, I’m taking him to the nearest motel. You owe me a powerful fucking, mister!

He cranked the outboard. It sputtered and died. He pulled hard again and the motor caught. It roared for a moment and he adjusted it to a lower pitch. He reached up and untied the line.

The roar of the motor prevented much conversation. She sat in the bow of the boat and looked into the darkness, feeling the cool mist from the spray wafting over her.

The ride didn’t last long. Within a few minutes, a shape loomed up in the darkness. Brian steered the boat alongside it. Suzanne could see it was a narrow island, full of scrubby trees and bushes that widened as they sped along.

“It’s called Rattlesnake Island,” Brian shouted over the motor. “But don’t worry, there are no snakes. It’s named for its shape.”

Suzanne nodded and watched the island undulate as they sped alongside. It did have a snake-like look to it, twisting in and out, creating coves and inlets along the side. They came to the far end, where it ended in a large knob, like the head of a snake. As he circled around, she saw through the gloom a white, two-story house with a wraparound porch at the second level. It remained partially hidden by the trees and was illuminated by a single light near the well-kept dock. Brian slowed and steered the boat to it.

He shut the motor off and they drifted alongside. He grabbed a line and jumped onto the dock, fastening it tight to a pier. He went to the bow and asked Suzanne to toss him the second line and he snugged it tight as well.

Brian helped her off. She watched as he grabbed the suitcases then with a toss of his head, led her to the house. Suzanne studied it as they approached. It looked quite new.

“It’s beautiful,” she said.

“This was built about five years ago, so it’s got all the modern conveniences.” He unlocked the door and ushered her inside. He flicked a switch by the door and one small light barely pierced the gloom.

“This light and the dock light are on solar-powered batteries that constantly recharge. Hang on while I get out some lanterns. Then I’ll go fire up the main generator.”

He went off into the darkness, returning a minute later with a softly glowing lantern. The flame cast eerie shadows along the walls. A darkened one was in his other hand. He put the light down on a table and lit the second one.

“There, that’s better.”

Suzanne looked around. The living room was paneled in cherry, giving the cabin a rustic feel. A soot-blackened fireplace stood at one end. The furniture looked comfortable and inviting.

“This is a great getaway,” she said.

“Come on,” he said, picking up a lantern. “I’ll show you the kitchen.”

He gave her a quick tour. The kitchen was spotless, with granite counters and an island. To Suzanne, it appeared like something out of Country Living .

She heard a humming and turned, surprised to hear the refrigerator operating. She asked him about it.

“Oh, that’s gas-powered. Keeps it cold all the time. Otherwise, well, you know how old refrigerators smell.”

She opened it and observed enough food for several days. “Well, we won’t be going hungry.”

“Yeah. I wasn’t sure what we needed so I had the caretaker put in a little of everything. Let me get the generator going, then I’ll show you the upstairs.”

He went out the back door with one of the lanterns and in a few minutes, Suzanne could hear the low rumble of the main generator. Lights began coming on throughout the house.

Brian returned, grinning and blew out the lantern. “That went well. I made sure the caretaker checked it before he left. Wouldn’t want to get stranded out here with no juice.”

Suzanne thought the lantern light was rather romantic, but she didn’t say anything. She half-expected him to reveal a big-screen TV behind a panel and settle down in the couch with a beer. Of course, that’s what a typical man would do. She didn’t really think Brian was typical.

“Come on,” he said, grabbing her suitcase. “I’ll show you your room.”

My room?

“Hey,” she said suddenly. He turned. “You’re going to make me sleep in my own room?”

“Probably not. I’m just going slow. I like to heighten the experience. It’s like the difference between a woman in a sexy negligee versus one naked. The former hints at the delights to come, while the latter lays it all out, removing all the secrets.”

“Well, considering what’s gone on between us, we don’t have many secrets left, do we?”

Brian’s grin lit up. “No, I guess we don’t.”

He didn’t know how wrong he was.

Sam parked a quarter-mile from the shore and turned off the insistent beeping of the tracker. He didn’t dare get too close in case they were still near the car. He stepped out and walked as quietly as he could down the crude road until he spotted the dark shape of the SUV in the moonlight.

He paused, listening. He didn’t want to ruin everything before he started. Reaching behind him, he eased the Glock out of his waistband at the small of his back and held it down along his thigh.

Sam crept closer, his ears turned to every sound. He crept up to the driver’s side and saw nothing. A peek inside told him they were gone.

He walked to the dock and cursed when he noticed there were no boats for him to steal. He turned and began to walk along the shore. He’d find one somewhere.

The question was, which way did they go? He couldn’t see any islands in the darkness. The idea of him out boating around in the dark didn’t appeal to him. He knew Suzanne and this Armstrong asshole were going to be there for the weekend so what was the rush?

He could rent a comfy little motel room and come back in the morning, early. Banks are open until noon, aren’t they? He nodded, as if winning the argument with himself. He stopped and retraced his steps, heading back to his car.

He had plenty of time. Once he had the money, he might enjoy tormenting Suzanne for a while before putting the final part of his plan into place.

Suzanne tried to be coy, but when Brian approached her, his arms wide, she nearly leapt into his grasp. The feel of his muscled chest, the manly smell of him, the taste of his lips on hers made her lightheaded.

He held her delicately when she wanted to be crushed. He kissed her softly when she wanted a demanding French kiss. She couldn’t explain it. It just was. But that was all right. He controlled the pace of their lovemaking. She knew he liked to lead the way.

She wrestled with her emotions, trying to match her needs with his actions. When he slipped a hand underneath her skirt, she mentally gave herself a high-five. There ya go! His hand seemed hot against her naked flesh. It sent goose bumps up and down her body.

He kissed her mouth, her neck, her ear. His hand brushed the V of her legs and she shuddered anew. His fingers came away wet.

“Let’s go upstairs,” he whispered.

She could only nod.

He took her hand and led her up the steps. The master bedroom was decorated in a masculine country style, with stressed pine on the walls and a simple, Quaker-style queen-sized bed.