Blood Orchid (Holly Barker 3)

“Key West,” he replied. “I wasn’t running fast enough. Fortunately, I had a partner in the bushes with a sniper’s rifle.”

“He was a little late, wasn’t he?”

“Believe me, we had a serious discussion about that later.”

“Just like the FBI to be a tad late when it counts.”

“You won’t get an argument from me about that.” Using the fork, he mashed some anchovies, then whipped them into the egg yolks with some Dijon mustard and some chopped garlic. Then he added olive oil slowly, until he had a smooth dressing. He added torn Romaine leaves, tossed them well, and Holly sat down to a table already set with a bottle of the Far Niente Cabernet waiting, breathing. Grant tossed the steaks onto the grill before sitting down.

“When was the last time you had dinner naked?” he asked, shoveling salad into his mouth.

She rolled her eyes in thought. “Well, let’s see; that would have been . . . never.”

“No kidding? Well, you certainly do it well, for a first-timer.”

“Funny, that’s what my first lover said.”

“What else did he say?”

“Modesty prevents me from telling you.”

“That’s what I like, a modest girl,” he said, reaching across the table and tweaking a nipple.

“Careful, buddy, or we’ll never get to the steak. You better marshal your resources for a while.”

“I’m marshaling, I’m marshaling,” he said, serving the steaks.

When they had finished their steaks and a bottle and a half of wine, she took a deep breath and sighed. “That was wonderful,” she said. “Is there a bed in this house?”

“You betcha.”

“Don’t tell me, show me.”

And he did.

22

They lay on their backs in the moonlight, bathed in sweat, panting, on a bed that had been stripped of everything but the bottom sheet.

“It’s been a long time for you, hasn’t it?” he gasped.

“Over a year, but I’m always this way.”

“Always?”

“Can we do it again, now, please?”

“Oh, God, I’m going to die.”

“Not until I’m finished with you.” She rolled over, put her head on his shoulder and began fondling him.

He stopped her. “It has to rest.”

“How long?”

“I’m not sure. Weeks, maybe.”

“You should speak to your doctor about getting that pill that makes it possible for the impotent to get an erection.”