Lethal Game (GhostWalkers 16)

Her lips were every bit as soft as they looked. Full, curved like a bow, they gave a man too many fantasies. She didn’t move for a moment, but her eyes went an even deeper shade of blue, taking on that jeweled tone he’d first noticed. Then she pulled back slightly, and he dropped his hand as if just realizing what he was doing.

“Those talks don’t work because every country is out for itself, to strike the best deal. Their idea is people getting together. They’re planning a huge conference in a couple of weeks, at least that’s what Marie told me. It’s been in the works for several years. I haven’t been keeping up, but I do know that’s why the five of them have flown in this time. The San Diego Convention Center isn’t that far from here, and the convention’s sold out.”

“Well, I hope they’re successful. I’ve pulled enough of our young men, dead or dying, without arms or legs, sometimes both . . .” He pressed his fingers to the corners of his eyes, thinking of Tim and Jerry. They were too close. Good men, both, one gone and the other with a very long road ahead of him.

She put her hand on his arm. “Don’t think about it, Malichai. Whatever happened to your leg, whatever is making you sad, don’t think about it.” She looked around the patio. “Half the customers staying at the B and B are attending the conference. You know the three in suits already. The couple at the table across from you are staying on the first floor. This is their first time with us, according to Marie. Bryon and Anna Cooper have been here a week and are staying another week. Both are very nice. They leave good tips and are extremely polite.”

The waiter brought their food out and put it in front of them. Malichai had thought his stomach was going to go into a full mutiny if he didn’t eat soon, so he tried not to look like a starved man when he picked up his hamburger and took a bite. It was delicious, or maybe he was just that hungry, but it could have been the best burger he’d ever eaten.

Amaryllis laughed softly. “You have this look on your face of absolute ecstasy.”

He scowled at her, lowering the hamburger to his chest, but not relinquishing it for a moment. “Woman. You can’t use that word. I would only look like that if I was having sex. The right kind of sex.” He knew it was inappropriate, but he couldn’t help himself. He was a little shocked that she would equate eating food with ecstasy.

She laughed again. “I can’t help how you look. Maybe you get the same look on your face when you’re having sex. Do you like food that much?”

“As much as sex?” He took another bite and chewed thoughtfully, pretending to weigh the two in his mind. “You need to eat to keep up your strength for sex, so food is important, and you may as well enjoy it. Nonny is an amazing cook.”

“Is she attractive?”

Was there just a little hint of jealousy in her voice? He hoped so. “I would say men would always find her attractive. She is eighty, but the woman is a legend in the swamp. Stayed true to one man her entire life though, even long after she lost him.”

She nodded. “I see. Well, on with it. Which wins, sex or food?”

“Depends on who’s cooking and who I’m having sex with.”

“That’s cheating. Totally cheating.”

Malichai grinned at her. “You didn’t state the rules, so I slipped right through the loophole.” He indicated the two men and one woman he knew were staying at the bed-and-breakfast. He had to find something safer than sex to talk about with her. “Who are they?”

She rolled her eyes. “Tania and Tommy Leven are brother and sister. Billy Leven is their cousin. They are difficult. We always have one or two, but it isn’t a big deal.” She took a bite of her own hamburger. She hadn’t gotten the double burger like he had, so hers was a much more delicate bite.

“What’s difficult about them?”

She shrugged. “Nothing big. The usual kind of thing. They don’t want their rooms cleaned, but they pile wet towels on the floor in the hall. Then they ask for new ones but won’t let me clean their bathrooms. They insist on room service when we don’t offer it. They’re always calling down for me to bring them coffee. I’ve told them a million times they can get coffee on the corner, or use the coffee maker in their room, but that isn’t good enough. Nothing big, and those things aren’t uncommon, but when I’m working like a crazy person, it can be annoying.”