Hide & Seek - James Patterson [48]
An intruder—he rather liked that. He thought he could get into it. He was an intruder—wasn't he? He intruded into the lives of a lot of women, and they seemed to welcome the diversion.
The werewolf of London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Rio—and now New York. So be it.
He peered into the master bedroom and saw Rebecca. The dear girl was sleeping in the nude, spread out in a comfy, sexy pose on top of the sheets. Her long auburn hair fanned out across the pillow. Beautiful. Desirable as hell.
Will knew exactly what he wanted to do—rape her, without saying a single, solitary word. And then just leave her apartment.
That's what the Blond Arrow did—exactly what he felt like doing.
Same as it always was. Love was just a game—to be won, or lost.
CHAPTER 53
WILL HAD TO fly to Los Angeles for a couple of screen tests at the beginning of January. I found that I missed him more than I wanted to admit, or thought that I would. Sometimes, I feared that he was a sorcerer, a sleight-of-hand artist, a seduction artist like no other. Barry counseled me that Will was exactly that. “He's not that way with me,” I told him. It was the truth.
Will came back on a Thursday, and took me to dinner in Bedford. I wore heels and a beaded black dress, a little glamorous for me, and was glad when he noticed. “I love the way you look,” he said. Simple, but nice to hear.
He was in a wonderfully expansive mood. I enjoyed seeing him this way.
“The good news,” Will told me, “is that the camera loves me. The bad is that I can't act.” It was a funny line, and we both laughed.
He talked nonstop. He seemed genuinely amazed by his reception in Hollywood. I found that I was really happy for him. We laughed a lot over dinner. I felt completely relaxed around Will now. People kept pointing us out, but they were considerate enough to stay away. Maybe they thought that we were in love?
By the time dinner was over, it was snowing. Wind whipped the trees so they bowed like exotic dancers; the flakes bit into our eyes as we dashed for the car. Even as we ran, I wanted to reach out and hold him. I just did. It was how I felt.
Will drove home carefully, and walked me to the front door. I still wanted to be held so badly. He had on a very nice, subtle cologne. He'd only worn a sport coat and looked dashing. His cheeks were rosy red, and when he smiled, it was quite something.
“Good night,” he said. “Thanks for going to dinner and listening to me talk way too much about the new career.”
I didn't want him to go. Sorcerer, I thought.
“Hold on,” I said. “It's a mess out. I don't want you driving in this storm.” There had already been too many accidents in my life.
There was a strange, soft light in his eyes. His smile was soft and kind too. “It's only a few more miles. I think I can make it, Maggie.”
“Please?” I said. “Just come in for a bit.”
Will nodded, and followed me inside. He seemed reluctant to stay.
He said he had to make a quick phone call—that he was supposed to have a drink with the Lawrences and had to let them know he wouldn't be coming.
When he returned, we settled down in the living room. I'd checked on Jennie and Allie, and they were sleeping soundly. Unless someone set off a cannon in their bedrooms, they'd both be dead to the world until morning. Then I'd need the cannon to get Jennie up and ready for school.
I am a single woman, thirty-eight years old, I told myself. I'm in control of this situation. I can handle it. I'm not doing anything wrong. I enjoy this person I'm with very, very much. Of course, he has cast a spell over me!
“I never would have imagined this happening,” I told Will as we sat and watched the snow fall. “The two of us like this. Snowflake watching.”
“Truthfully, neither did I. I didn't think you'd give me a chance to prove that I'd finally come to my senses, become a grown-up, that I could change for the better. How am I doing? Do you see any improvement?”
“You're doing just fine. Don't push it,” I said, and we both laughed.
I put my head on his shoulder and enjoyed the moment. I liked feeling his back and