Blood Red

She didn’t let him get any further than the one word. His blue eyes were wide and his entire body was prepared for flight before she reached out to give him a little assistance.

A few moments later he was leaning against her, his face buried in her hair, and begging her not to tell anyone. Maggie turned her head and kissed his forehead softly, and then lowered to her knees in front of him and did things with her mouth that kept him speechless for quite some time.

A short while later she stared at the statue of the Virgin Mary that stood near the front door of the church as she leaned over the altar and he entered her from behind.

He was more imaginative than the other two priests had been. He was also less vocal. When they were done, she walked him back over to the alcove where she had caught him in the act and gave him one kiss on the lips before she left. His secret would be safe with her.

Maggie felt invigorated as she started back for home, and she felt as relaxed as she ever had. Several people who saw her thought to themselves that she was a woman in love as she walked; the soft, sweet smile on her face was a wonderful sight to behold.

It wasn’t love, but it was as close as she ever let herself get. The three men she had been with in the last couple of days had all managed to bring her more pleasure than she’d experienced sexually in her life. Maybe it was something about priests, or maybe it was the fact that they all so desperately wanted her again. Whatever the reason for her pleasure, she wasn’t even trying to hide it.

She made a short visit to the library, where she checked out three books she knew would be useful for her term paper. It was still a few weeks before she’d really have to worry, but it was best to get the work done early and she had the time.

Ben, from across the hallway, was just getting ready to leave when she came home. He smiled sweetly and made a quick wave before he closed and locked his door.

“Hi, Ben.” She smiled back, pleased to see him. He was funny and he was cute and she liked him. “You heading out somewhere?”

“Yep. I have to pick up a few packages. From my friend. The one I called.”

She stared blankly for a second and then remembered what he said he was doing to a crooked cop. “Really?”

“Yep. He’s supposed to leave them out for me and I’m going to check on them.” He looked at his watch. “He should just about be done setting everything in place.”

“Want company?” The last thing she’d expected to come out of her mouth was a request to come along on what could be a dangerous little trip. She didn’t need to get into any trouble with the law, that was all there was to it. But she was curious about Ben and she was doubly curious about what he had planned. And she was restless. Very, very restless.

Ben looked at her for a few seconds and she could almost see him working out all of the details in his brain.

“If you don’t, it’s okay.” She laughed to show him the truth of her words. “I won’t be offended or anything.”

He blushed, even in the growing darkness, she could see it. “Well, it’s not exactly legal. I just don’t want you getting into any trouble if he’s outsmarted me.”

“I could be your alibi.” She smiled and brightened, then winked conspiratorially. “You could say we were just making out if anyone gives you trouble.”

Ben looked away for a second and she saw a smile start on his face. He was blushing worse than ever.

“Okay. If you want to.” He put his hands into his jacket pockets. “You need to change first, or anything?”

“Yeah, gimme just a sec.” She slid into her apartment and shimmied out of her skirt as she walked toward her bedroom. There was a nice dark pair of jeans and a sweater that would be perfect for sneaking around in the woods. By the time she’d changed her clothes, she was actually looking forward to the trip more than she had expected.

It was the risk. That was the conclusion she came to. It was the risk that made it so damned exciting with the priests, and it was the thrill of being mischievous that had her heading into the woods with a man she barely knew, all so she could watch him commit a crime.

Too many years of playing it safe and working hard had made her a thrill junkie. She hoped it was temporary insanity, because she didn’t need the complications in her life.

But that was okay, too. Now and then everyone needed to have a little fun.

Later, she’d have reason to doubt the wisdom of those words.

Chapter 5

I

Kelli Entwhistle slumped on the front porch and rubbed at her temples. The night had gone on and on, but at least the crisis seemed to be over.

Of course, the eight hours at the hospital and the numerous tests hadn’t told them a damned thing. They would probably have kept Teddy, too, but Bill was having none of it and Michelle was furious that they’d failed to uncover anything.