The Game by Jeanne Barrack Page B

more than willing. After their second week together, she had a key made for him. It seemed silly for him to go back to his apartment since, during the first two weeks, he’d come over to her apartment every other night. When she’d given him the key, he chuckled.
    “Guess you’re pretty sure of me, babe. Glad the last guy who lived here returned the key. Wouldn’t want you to go to any special expense for me.”
    He thought it was an extra, probably thought she’d given it to other lovers.
    Never. She knew he wouldn’t believe her if she told him he was the only one she’d let into her personal space, into her life. But only a little way.
    He’d come into the apartment exhausted from work. She’d hear the thunk as he stowed his gun on the top shelf of the bedroom closet after emptying the bullet clip. Hear the water run as he brushed his teeth. Hear the rustle of his clothing as he folded them neatly on the bedroom chair. He’d sigh, and sometimes she thought he was getting ready to say something. She’d hold her breath, waiting to see if he’d speak, but he never did. She never asked him to talk, afraid he’d say something she didn’t want to hear.
    Instead, he’d slip naked into bed, and gather her in his arms, his thick penis rubbing her backside. His hands would creep around to her nipples, and he’d play with them a bit before he’d grab some lube, sink his fingers in her hot, wet pussy, and his cock in her ass.
    She’d climax, screaming, gasping for breath.
    And wishing she could truly find complete release.
    For the past month, she hadn’t gone back to the sex club where she’d seen him investigating a homicide. He had no idea she hadn’t been there for a story but had just left after a session with her Master.
    Dave had never looked under her bed and found the locked suitcase with her paraphernalia. The closest they’d come to sex toys were the ribbed condoms they used sometimes.
    God, how she wanted to share with him! He was the most forceful lover she’d ever had, and she couldn’t get enough of him. But she’d have to end it soon if she couldn’t get back to the lifestyle she liked the best.
    Should she tell him this weekend? She’d vacillated back and forth, hence Marcie and Frank’s presence.
    What would Dave say? She was so afraid he’d look at her like he looked at one of the scumbags he hauled in for questioning. But she wanted to tell him, had to tell him. Right?
    She had taken a wild, insane chance and toted her suitcase along with her.
    Would she even open it this weekend?
    Not if she didn’t tell him what was inside.
    She snuggled closer.
    *
    Marcie Kaplan looked out the window at the passing scenery. The air was crisp and cold, and the night scattered with stars.
    Her stomach rumbled.
    Great. She had rushed to be ready when Dave picked them up and hadn’t eaten any lunch. They hadn’t stopped for food because they’d seen snowflakes fluttering. Dave didn’t want to take a chance that they’d get stuck on the way to his grandfather’s cabin upstate.
    Stupid idea, this weekend. She knew she’d be nothing more than an extra body when Shari begged her to come along.
    But it had been a long time since she’d been with Tony and Kip. Why the hell had their jobs demanded they relocate? Her nipples tightened as she remembered the last time she’d been fucked.
    “What’s so important I had to drop everything and come over?”
    Kip kissed her on each cheek and led her up the stairs to the second floor. He danced her into his apartment, took off her coat and tossed it onto the living room couch, led her into the bedroom, and she gasped .
    Silk hangings in pink and purple and gold festooned the ceiling and walls. Fragrant smoke from incense burners permeated the air. Pillows and cushions in every color of the rainbow covered the floor and ornate, brass lanterns cast a golden glow over the scene.
    Tony leaned like a pasha against a riot of plump cushions piled on the bed. Every