Becky's eyes shifted from side to side. Lucas's posture sank. By this, Laura knew, as did everyone in the room, that Lucas had made a terrible mistake in his hookup with Becky.

  "Don't feel dumb there, sport. I'm the Sergeant at Arms. I okayed her coming out here. Christ, I even paid her to alter your appearances. So I take it you gave full descriptions to your homeys, right? Let them know what to look for?"

  Becky feebly nodded.

  "Okay then," Will threw his arms up in the air.

  Becky started to explain but Lucas cut her off. "Shut up!" he snapped.

  "I love you," she pleaded. "I was afraid."

  "Wrong answer," answered Lucas.

  Lucas sounded just like Will. "What would you like me to do with her?" he asked.

  Will’s voice was ironically filled with amusement. "I don't know. I have a feeling we are just going to have to react soon enough. I feel a fight acomin'."

  Laura trembled. Just when she was settling in to her the idea of her new life, she was completely disturbed.

  "You know what? Screw it," said Will. "I'm fresh out of ideas and magic plans. If the worst happens, I will face it when it comes. But for now, I wanna go for a ride. Will you come with me?" he asked Laura.

  “We can’t just leave Lucas here alone. Not even for a minute,” Laura replied.

  Will and Lucas exchanged looks like they knew something Laura did not. The whole thing was really working on her. Even Becky’s face registered this and she was already agitated.

  “What are you two up to?” Laura demanded.

  “Never mind,” Lucas answered. “I think it would be best if you went with Will. I will catch up with the Disciples at the club.”

  “But –” Laura protested.

  Lucas answered her firmly. “I am a Knights’ Disciple, sis. And my Sergeant at Arms has spoken. Now let’s eat.”

  “Mirna, let’s eat breakfast. Cold is fine with us,” Will said.

  “I can’t eat anything after what just happened. After what’s been happening and keeps happening!” Laura paused to keep a wall of emotion from erupting. “Just when I thought we were going to finally have some peace. I thought this change was going to work.” She saw Mirna quietly set the food the she had made earlier, out for them. Laura got up. “I am helping you,” she said to Mirna.

  Mirna looked at her, clearly not understanding. Lucas translated in Spanish for them. Laura looked at Lucas confused.

  “I did learn something in high school,” he kidded.

  Laura was not amused. “What are going to do with her?” she asked of Becky. “Take her to the club, too?”

  “Don’t worry,” answered Will. “We’ll handle everything. Lucas knows what to do.”

  That last sentence made Laura cringe. She knew the Knights’ Disciples had a true code of chivalry, but they were a force to be reckoned with. Would they harm Becky to silence her? She and Mirna carried out plates loaded up with burritos stuffed with eggs and cheese, and potatoes cooked in bacon grease.

  Laura pinched a bite of food from one of the plates. It was incredibly delicious, even cold. “Oh my goodness, I am going to get fat if I keep eating like this. It’s amazing.”

  Reflexively, Lucas conveyed the compliment in Spanish to Mirna. Mirna smiled from ear to ear at Lucas, not at Laura.

  Becky socked Lucas. “Cut that out! I love you! Quit flirting with her!” she pleaded.

  Lucas’s eyes were cold. His bloodless expression made Laura shiver. She didn’t think she would ever forget it. “You have a really strange way of showing it. You know we are through, don’t you?”

  “You want them to forgive all the things you’ve done. You told me so. It is all you want in this world, you said. And when I need the same thing, you cut me off? They had me over a barrel, Luke.”

  “My name is Lucas. Stop calling me that. You could have told me. You only care because you got caught. And from what I can figure, you showed up this morning, perfect timing, to help that guy. That guy was sent to find Will and me. I think you’re bullshit. And as far as I can see, we are done.”

  “Then I am going,” Becky retorted.

  “No!” ordered Will and Lucas together.

  It was no use defying the two guys; both Laura and Becky saw that. Becky pouted at the table while the others ate. Everyone finished at about the same time and dumped their plates in the kitchen sink. Laura instructed Lucas to tell Mirna to go home for the day.

  Will smiled darkly. “Thank you, Laura. I’ll handle this.”

  Laura was fully incensed now. She wasn’t even allowed to suggest the woman go home after working hard and in light of all the drama? She was completely annoyed with Will and she let him know it. “Whatever,” she said acidly. She put on a sweet high-pitched voice to affect a damsel-in-distress. “What should I do next? Please tell me so I don’t displease you master.”

  Laura’s display silenced the room. Even Mirna, who was on the periphery, took pause because she found Laura’s behavior weird.

  Will loomed over her, blinking with disbelief before pinning her with a steely gaze. “Knock it off,” he said in a low deep voice. “We need to act like a team right now. You and I are riding up the coast and Lucas is running with the ball.”

  Laura found his football metaphor dumb and she mocked him for it. “What if the quarterback gets tackled and dies, Coach?”

  “Excuse us,” Will said to everyone and abruptly whisked Laura up and out to the elevator, up to his room.

  “Don’t you manhandle me,” Laura hissed.

  “A little late for protests,” Will said facetiously.

  She couldn’t return his direct look. His response made her blush. A thousand images came to mind of the many ways they had been so intensely intimate. It didn’t matter if they were at odds. The moment their powerful attraction was instigated, nothing matter. Despite being pretty pissed off at him, she could have sex with him at that very moment. Apparently Will was feeling the same.

  The elevator stopped. Laura was gripped with instant fear. “Not again!” she complained, but then she realized that the lights were still lit whereas before the elevator car went pitch black. There was no mistaking the expression on Will’s face. “I am mad at you,” Laura weakly protested.

  He didn’t budge. His gaze was fixed. It was her undoing. She wanted him as much as he apparently wanted her. And she had wanted to have sex in the elevator since the moment she saw it. It was the first thing she thought of when she stepped inside.

  She stepped gingerly to him and went up on her tiptoes to put her arms around his neck. She plied him with a slow, sensual kiss that revved him up and made her melt. She was already so wet for him.

  Will lifted her, light as a feather, up to the rail around the car. She reached between her legs, now wrapped tightly about his hips, and lifted her underwear aside for him. Will freed his massive erection from his jeans and was inside of her. The pressure against him, created by the balance of her hips on the rails, was exquisite. She was set at just the right angle and his slow grinding – at first – was positively electric. Laura drew in her breath, holding back the pleasure rising within so as to prolong it. Her orgasms with him were unspeakably sweet but the state that they were in was nothing short of bliss. Laura clenched her core muscles rhythmically to give him some of the spice that he was giving her.

  His eyes widened with wonder upon experience. “Goldie Locks,” he murmured drunk with arousal. He kissed her lazily, teasingly. He lightly trailed his tongue on her lips.

  The elevator suddenly jerked, dropping a couple of inches. Still joined, Laura jolted with fear but then remained still so as not to upset the elevator car further. The adrenaline rush and jar to her body the fall caused pushed her over the cliff of ecstasy. If they were plummeting to their deaths any time soon, she would be going with a smile on her face.

  Will reflexively upped his pace to stroke her through her powerful climax. She trembled, muttering a mix of words about the elevator and coming. She mewled with delight; she couldn’t help it.

  When her climax peaked and ebbed, Will brushed her hair back, managing a sane communication before tumbling into a wild orgasm himself. “It does that. We’re fine,” he said before his eyes rolled slightly upward. The ultimate pleasure had taken him.

  Will pumped into Laura. Even though she had already found her pleasure, the way he felt as he drove into her was pure honey. The elevator rocked some but Laura trusted what he said: they were safe.

  After they recovered from their intense passion and returned to sanity, Laura resumed her cold-shoulder to him. He tolerated it long enough for them to change clothes for their ride up the coast to a place called Dana Point. It was difficult for Laura to accept just leaving Lucas to contend with Becky.

  Will texted the Disciples at the club that Lucas was officially alone and that he was on the road with Laura. Will and Laura would be out of pocket for the next few hours. The fact that she could not be in touch with her baby brother gnawed at the pit of her stomach.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The weather was as it had been the past few days: absolutely perfect. But each time that Laura stepped out into it, it was an amazing experience. A generous sun warmed her entire body. The sun heat was soothing through the cotton fabric of her clothing.

  Laura straddled the back seat of the motorcycle like a pro now. Each and every time, however, Will took hold of her thighs and drew them up close to fit him perfectly. To her, it felt like he was claiming her, or reclaiming her. It was always a good moment. Despite high drama and hot tempers, they belonged together.

  Will situated her arms around his hard body so she was secure and off he went. He coasted the bike to the street from the drive before accelerating. He zipped it up the Coast Highway towards their destination, about an hour away. Dana Point. It was hot the way he told her where they were going. With the discovery that there were spies among them, he whispered everything directly into her ear, making an erotic game of it. It was tough for him to get the syllables out. She would burst out laughing from the ticklishness of the heat of his breath in her ear. Or she would moan from the sheer erogenous effect of it. He was merciless to her suffered arousal.

  When he managed to communicate an entire sentence, he cut her off. “Let’s go,” he said. And he left her in a worked-up state to dress and mount the motorcycle.

  The route Will took them up to Dana Point was all along the ocean. The ocean didn’t change much, but Laura never tired at looking at it. The smell of it, the roar of it, the beauty of it, heightened Laura’s senses and made the feelings she felt for Will that much more acute. Hell could be about to crash around them with Marauders fast on their trail, but all she cared about was the two of them and their moment together.

  It was just about an hour’s ride to the Blue Lantern Inn at Dana Point. It was a sweet, bramble-climbing cottage with generous balconies that overlooked the sea. When she got off the bike, her skin was tendered at her T-shirt sleeves. Despite the sunscreen, she was sunburned. She caught a glimpse of herself in the big picture windows as she and Will walked to the entrance of the Blue Lantern. She had white-blonde curls and mirrored shades. For a split second, it looked like someone else was checking into the Inn with Will.

  The hostess showed them their room and gave them a brief tour around to make sure they knew where everything was and how it worked. When they were alone, they changed quickly into bathing suits.

  Only to get right back out of them. Laura figured out the logistics of her string bikini while freshening up in the massive bathroom. She had her towel wrapped around and stepped out to join Will. Without a word, he took hold of her towel and opened it up for a reveal.

  Laura smiled. It was a wonder what the littlest bit of fabric did for a man. He had seen her naked a thousand times. She marveled at the delight he took in looking at her body. The slightest variation – for a bra and panties are not too much more or less than a bathing suit – and he was completely enraptured.

  And that was okay with her. She was all too happy to be the recipient of the rush of passion that overtook him and was now enveloping her. He growled, surged with attraction as he took her into his big hands. He quickly wrecked the careful placement of the scant triangles over her vulnerable flesh. Laura’s breasts gently dropped from their containment. Will’s fingers slid beneath the bikini bottoms to find her hot, wet center. She was so ready from the teasing that occurred before they had left and the ride itself that it didn’t take much for her to be on the path to ecstasy.

  A few thrusts against the pressure of his knowing fingers and Laura was clenching wildly against him. Will slid aside the fabric barriers and thrust inside of her. It was a quick and sweet union. He filled her completely as her body convulsed around him. It was blissful agony that paralyzed her with utter contentment. It was the most exquisite experience she had ever known. Will pounded again and again to find his own roaring climax, which he so powerfully crashed into, exploding and trembling like a mighty wave against her shores.

  “My God,” he exclaimed as he braced her, letting their pleasure ebb slowly over them in delicious rhythm. He kissed her hard and quick, and guided her down to the pool, which, the hostess explained, was heated.

  Will and Laura had the pool to themselves. As they lay back on their own chaises, Will reached over and took Laura’s hand. He toyed with her, stroking her palm, softly – agitating it with his fingernails, lightly. It was sweet and erotic. The baking light of the sun on her belly helped along the aphrodisiacal qualities of his touching. Laura wanted sex with him again.

  The hostess appeared with a tray of mineral water flavored with slices of citrus. They were refreshing with just the right hint of sweetness. As soon as the hostess was out of sight, Will butted his chaise up next to hers. He took her drink from her and directed the straw to her mouth, as though he were feeding her.

  The act of his putting a straw in her mouth was intensely, almost unbearably erotic. She could not draw on the straw for she had to suck in her breath.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked, his voice as sweet as honey.

  The only response she could give him was to look longingly into his eyes and breathe hard.

  “Mmm,” he replied, his gaze so wolf-like and just plain hot. “What shall we do about this?” Will glanced around, specifically at the pool. She knew he was looking for opportunity to bring this burst of passion full circle. “Wanna see how warm that water is?” he asked her.

  “Yeah,” she could barely manage.

  He worked the straw suggestively between her lips. “Yeah?” he asked her.

  She gripped the straw, taking control and aimed to give him back some of his own medicine. She raked her tongue up and down the length of it, just enough to give him ideas. She looked at him with big cow eyes while she worked her tongue. “Yes please,” she lisped.

  “Oh my god, you’re going to do me in,” he muttered.

  “I am going to do you,” she said wickedly. Laura rolled off of the chaise and sashayed slowly to the pool edge so Will could absorb the view of her body. She deliberately hesitated from diving in, to torment him fully.

  “You better get in that water,” he said deep and low, agony in his voice. “Before I turn into a caveman.”

  “Cavemen can’t swim,” she cooed.

  “I don’t plan to swim,” he fired back.

  In perfect form, Laura dove into the water. It was just the right temperature, not shockingly cool and not too hot. While she was still under the surface, she heard the crash of Will’s dive, following in after her.

  His warm, solid body grazed hers and instinctively, she rolled on to her back while suspended in the water, and opened her legs to him. She wrapped herself around his magnificent form and drew him to her center. They both came up for air.

  Will kissed her hungrily. His tongue against hers was somehow masterful and commanding. He swept her mouth so completely inside, Laura thought she might melt into the water, but he braced her body possessively. Laura could feel his formidable erection pressing directly between her legs. It agitated her aroused center without mercy. The floating sensation, the heat of the water, the pure arousal, and the fact that she had recently been pleasured combined to deliver the promise of a powerful orgasm.

  She reached between them and placed his cock inside her. He was so powerful, he managed to work her body up and down on him but not as effectively had they been on solid ground. He kicked, while still joined, to steer them over to the shallow end, to the graduated stairs.

  The impact of Laura’s back tapping the first step was enough to set her off. Involuntarily her body spasmed into one of the sweetest climaxes ever. Will buried his face in the base of her neck and came with her. The two of them quivered in the warm weather, done in by their own intense chemistry.

  As discrete as they tried to be, anyone looking on would know exactly what they were doing. Despite using each other to muffle their wails of passion, Laura was certain they were heard. The thought colored her face briefly. A wonderfully timed, gentle ocean breeze drifted by and cooled her.

  Will withdrew. He turned her over and lifted her up without explanation.

  Laura thought he was playing. “What are you doing?” she shrieked.

  He lowered her. “I am seeing how badly you were skinned. Not sure I was thinking too clearly just now.” He pulled her back against him and whispered in her ear. “But my, that was so tasty,” he murmured.

  He rose from the pool to get them each a raft and they floated around the pool long enough to take deep, restorative naps. Laura was definitely baked when they awoke.

  “Come,” Will urged her.

  They went up to their rooms and showered off.

  Will laid her on the bed, atop a sheet towel and slathered her with a rich, coconut-scented lotion. He worked her body in sections, massaging her clear through the muscles. The effect was intoxicating. She felt as though she had been drugged for she was half in and out of consciousness. She imagined that it was years now of stress oozing from each and every cell.