Chapter 4: Murder In Harmony
Chapter 4:
“Ok, so what do you want to do?” Luis asked.
“I want to go swimming.”
“Swimming? It’s not exactly 90 degrees out there Sheridan and it’s getting kind of dark.”
“The pool is heated Luis and there are lights too. I love to swim at night.”
“But I don’t even have my swim trunks with me.”
“Actually you do,” Sheridan said, “I asked Pilar to bring them a while back because I was going to see if you’d let me go swimming, but then there was the hitman at the wharf and I never got around to asking you. So can we go please?”
“But we just ate dinner and you’re not supposed to go swimming after you eat,” Luis said, trying to come up with an excuse why they couldn’t go because he wasn’t sure he could handle seeing Sheridan in her bikini tonight.
“Luis, that is just an old wives tale, and besides, by the time we get changed and walk up to the pool plenty of time will have passed since we ate dinner and it’s not like I’m planning on swimming an Olympic race or anything.”
“Ok, I guess we can go,” Luis said, because he couldn’t think of another good reason to tell her they couldn’t go.
“Great,” Sheridan said, “I’ll get your suit so you can change.”
Luis changed into his swim trunks and put on a T-shirt and waited for Sheridan to finish changing. A few minutes later she came out wearing a wrap around her waist and a tank top that hid her bikini, but that didn’t do any good for Luis because he couldn’t help imagining what she was wearing underneath.
“Ok, let’s go,” Sheridan said and she and Luis headed for the pool. When they got there Sheridan flipped a switch to turn on the underwater lights in the pool and lit some candle torches that were set up by the deck chairs. She slid her sandals off and dipped her foot into the water. “Oh, that’s perfect,” she said and pulled her tank top off uncovering a very revealing red bikini top and threw the shirt into a chair. She untied the wrap from around her waist and Luis’ stomach started doing flip-flops as he watched her walk to the edge of the pool and dive in.
Sheridan swam under the water up to where Luis was standing. “What are you waiting for, the water feels great.”
“I think I’ll just sit here.”
“No way Luis, you are definitely getting wet.” Sheridan said and she splashed Luis.
“Ok, you are going to pay for that.” Luis stripped off his T-shirt and Sheridan just stared at him admiring his well-defined chest and she wasn’t really paying attention to the fact that he was jumping into the pool until the water splashed her in the face. While Sheridan was wiping the water from her eyes Luis swam around and grabbed her from behind.
“Aghh,” she cried and smacked Luis’ arm, “what’s the matter with you. Don’t scare me like that.” “Sorry,” Luis said and he swam off.
“Mother are you in here?” Ethan called as he stepped in the doorway. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had a guest.”
“It’s ok Ethan, come on in,” Ivy said, “you’ve met Kay Bennett before haven’t you?”
“Yes, it’s nice to see you again Kay.”
“Nice to see you too.”
“I’ve invited Kay to stay with us for a while. I hope it’s ok with you if she stays in Sheridan’s room.”
“Of course it’s fine Mother. We’re glad to have you Kay. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Actually Ethan I was just about to go speak with Chief Bennett. Would you mind keeping Kay company and showing her around the house.”
“Sure. Theresa and I were going to go for a swim before she goes home. Do you want to join us?”
“I didn’t bring my suit,” Kay said.
“That’s okay dear we have plenty of extra suits in case people come over. I’ll have the maid bring one up in your size. I’ll be back in a while,” Ivy said and she went downstairs and dialed Sam’s number.
“Hello Kay,” Sam said answering the phone, “is that you?”
“No Sam it’s Ivy.”
“Look Ivy I don’t have time for your games right now.”
“Sam please, I’m calling about Kay.”
“Kay? What do you know about Kay?” Sam asked, “have you seen her?”
“Yes, I know where she is. Can you meet me somewhere so we can talk?”
“Do you really know something about Kay or is this just another one of your tricks to get me alone?”
“It’s not a trick Sam, just meet me at the Book Café so we can talk about Kay.”
“Ok fine I’ll be there in 15 minutes,” Sam said and he hung up the phone.”
“So Kay, how come you are staying here?” Ethan asked.
“I didn’t want to live at home anymore and I was going to take a bus somewhere, but Ivy asked me to stay here instead.”
“Hey Ethan, one of the maids asked me to give this to the girl in here,” Theresa said as she walked into the room, “oh Kay, are you the girl who’s staying here?”
“Hi Theresa,” Kay answered, “Ivy invited me to stay for a while.”
“Oh how come?”
“I really don’t feel like talking about it. But what are you doing here Theresa?” Kay asked
“I’ve been working for Mrs. Crane as her personal assistant, but Luis doesn’t know that I work here, so please don’t tell him.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.”
“Well I invited Kay to join us for a swim Theresa, so you ladies get changed and we’ll head down to the pool.” They all changed and started downstairs when Theresa remembered that she was supposed to call Whitney and see how her tennis match went, so Theresa stopped to use the phone and Kay and Ethan went ahead to the pool.
Sheridan leaned against the side of the pool watching Luis swim underneath the illuminated water. He started to swim in a direct line towards Sheridan and when he emerged from the water about a foot in front of her, Sheridan was ready and splashed him right in the face.
“Oh, you want to play again huh,” Luis laughed, “I thought you would have learned your lesson the last time.” Sheridan splashed Luis again, but this time he grabbed her hands and held them down to her sides. “So now what are you going to do?”
Sheridan tried to get her arms free, but Luis had too good a grip on them and she couldn’t. “Where’s my bodyguard when I need him?”
“I’m right here,” Luis whispered in Sheridan’s ear and he released his grip on her arms just long enough to wrap his arms around her, pinning her arms against her waist. Sheridan continued to struggle to get away, but the more she struggled the tighter Luis’ hold on her got. Their bodies were pressed together, separated only by the thin material of their swimsuits. It was driving Luis crazy to feel Sheridan’s body moving against him. Sheridan looked up at Luis and when she saw the way he was looking at her she stopped trying to get away and stared longingly into his eyes.
“Uhhhmmm, Sheridan, what’s going on?” Ethan asked.
Luis let go of Sheridan and they swam apart slightly. “Luis and I were just going for a swim Ethan.”
“Kay is that you?” Luis asked.
“Hi Luis, Hi Sheridan,” Kay said, “uh, I think I dropped something inside. I’ll be right back.” Kay ran back into the house just as Theresa was coming down the stairs.
“Theresa hide, Luis and Sheridan are outside in the pool,” Kay whispered loudly. Theresa hid around the corner and Kay went back outside.
“So Kay, what are you doing here?” Luis asked as he got out of the pool.
“Kay is staying at the house,” Ethan answered.
“Sam is actually letting you stay here?” Luis asked in disbelief.
“Dad doesn’t know yet, but Ivy went to tell him,” Kay said, “But it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t like it because I’m not going home anyway.”
While Kay was talking to Luis, Ethan leaned down to Sheridan and told her that Kay was in the house. Sheridan swam over to the stairs and climbed out of the pool. She dried herself off with a towel, which distracted Luis from his interrogation of Kay.
“We better get going Luis, we don’t want to miss the beginning of the movie.”
“Um, ok,” Luis said and turned back to Kay. “Are you sure you want to stay here? If you need a place to stay you can go to my house, I’m sure Mama and Miguel would love to have you.”
“No,” Kay said defensively, “I mean thank you for the offer, but I’ll be fine here.”
“Come on Luis, let’s go. You guys enjoy your swim, and if you need anything Kay you can come down to my cottage,” Sheridan said and she grabbed Luis’ hand and led him back to her cottage.
When Ivy walked into the Book Café Sam was already there pacing nervously in front of the magazine rack. When he saw Ivy come in he went over to her. “Where’s Kay?”
“Sam why don’t we sit down,” Ivy suggested and they sat down at the nearest table. “Kay is at my house.”
“What is she doing there?”
“I saw her headed for the bus station and she said she was going to leave town but I convinced her to come and stay with me instead of leaving.”
“She should be at home. I’m going to go get her.”
“Please don’t Sam. Kay said that if you make her come home that she would just run away again. She refuses to go back home.”
“I just don’t understand why she doesn’t want to be at home with her family,” Sam said confused, “do you know why she ran away?”
“She told me, but she made me promise not to tell you and I don’t want to break her trust or she might run away again,” Ivy said, “but maybe it’s time you took a better look at what has really been going on in your house.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Look Sam, Kay doesn’t really seem to be upset with you, but you’re just about the only one. She’s really been hurt by a lot of things that have happened.”
“I just wish she would tell me what’s wrong.”
“Just give her some time and I’ll try to get her to tell you, but for now the best thing you can do is just give her some space to sort out her feelings.”
“I hope you don’t think that being nice to my daughter is going to change things between us because it won’t. And I don’t know if I want my daughter to be around you or the rest of your family.”
“I know you don’t want me Sam, you’ve made that perfectly clear,” Ivy said sadly, “and I promise that I won’t say anything to Kay about us. I’ll make sure that Kay is well taken care of and Pilar will be around everyday so you can have her check on Kay if you want.”
“Ok fine, she can stay for now, but I’ll be keeping my eye on the mansion while she’s there and if anything happens that I don’t like I’m coming to get her.”
“Thank you Sam, and I’ll see if I can get Kay to talk to you,” Ivy said and she left the Book Café.
“I don’t like Kay staying here and I know that Sam won’t like it,” Luis complained as they entered the cottage.
“Luis, Kay will be fine, and if Sam doesn’t want to her to be here I’m sure he’ll come and get her. So stop worrying.
I’m going to go change.” Sheridan went into her bedroom and since they were just going to be sitting on the couch watching a movie she decided to change into a pair of light pink silk pajama pants and a matching silk tank. She quickly brushed her wet hair back and when she went into the living room Luis was just pulling a T-shirt over his head. His back was to Sheridan so he didn’t see her come in and he peeked behind the chair.
“Are you going to tell me what you’ve got hidden back there?” Sheridan asked startling Luis.
“What makes you think I’m hiding something?”
“You’ve been looking behind that chair all night. What do you have back there?”
“It’s a present for you.”
“You got me a present? Why?” Sheridan asked.
“I just did,” Luis said, “now come over here.” Sheridan walked over next to Luis and he pulled a large gift bag out from behind the chair and handed it to Sheridan. She reached inside and pulled out a white teddy bear dressed up in a police uniform. It even had a little badge.
“Oh Luis, it’s so cute.”
“Well I saw it in the window of the toy store next to the Chinese restaurant and I wanted you to have it,” Luis said. “I thought he could keep you company so you won’t be lonely. And you can take him to bed with you and he’ll protect you from the bogeymen.”
“My own little Luis, I’ll sleep with him every night,” Sheridan said, wishing she could have the real Luis in her bed each night. “Thank you so much. I love it.” Sheridan hugged Luis but pulled back quickly before she got too wrapped up in feeling his body close to hers. “The movie’s about to start. Why don’t you turn on the TV and I’ll make some popcorn.”
“When Sheridan came back from the kitchen with a big bowl of popcorn Luis was sitting on the couch and all the lights were turned off except for a small lamp in the far corner of the room that gave off a tiny glow.
“Come sit down,” Luis said patting the couch next to him,” the movie is starting.” Sheridan sat on the couch close to Luis so they could share the popcorn and they watched the movie.
Luis noticed that Sheridan was rubbing her arms. “Are you cold?”
“Yeah, swimming always makes me cold,” she answered. Luis pulled out a blanket and put it over both of them.
“Is that better?”
“Much, thank you.”
After a while Sheridan was feeling a little tired and rested her head against Luis’ shoulder. After thinking about it for a little bit, Luis put his arm around Sheridan and she instinctively snuggled up next to him. Luis didn’t see much of the movie after that. He just couldn’t concentrate on the TV with Sheridan so close. He just looked at her while she watched the movie, noticing every movement she made. The way she tucked the straying strands of hair behind her ear.
The movement of her lips when she ate a kernel of popcorn. How she played with the badge on the bear he had given her. Every little thing she did made him want her even more. Without thinking Luis started running his fingertips up and down Sheridan’s arm, feeling the silky softness of her skin.
Sheridan felt so content sitting there on the couch with Luis and she laid her head against his shoulder. When Luis put his arm around her she didn’t even think anything of it. It just felt so natural to snuggle up against him. A couple of times during the movie she had noticed out of the corner of her eye that Luis was watching her and when he started rubbing his fingers along her arm it sent tingles of desire through her body.
The credits began to roll and Sheridan looked up at Luis. “Did you like the movie?”
Luis just stared deep into Sheridan’s eyes. “It was mesmerizing,” he said, never looking away.
“Luis, I know you were lying about having too much stuff to pack and getting home late. Why did you really stay tonight?”
Luis reached up and stroked his fingers across her cheek. “I just couldn’t stand the thought of not being with you.” He ran his fingers from her cheek to the back of her neck and pulled her into a passionate kiss. All thoughts were lost to either of them except the need to be with the person they had wanted for so long. Luis finally pulled away from Sheridan’s lips and began to kiss her neck fervently.
“Oh Luis, I want to be with you too,” Sheridan moaned breathlessly. She ran her hands down his back and grabbed the edge of his shirt and yanked it over his head. He returned his attention to the trail of kisses he was forging across her shoulder and Sheridan raked her nails down his bare chest and pulled him into a burning kiss. Luis tore his lips away and looked into Sheridan’s eyes, seeing her desire for him reflecting back.
“Please don’t stop Luis,” Sheridan begged, “I want you now.” Her words stimulated a longing in Luis that he had never felt before and he picked Sheridan up and carried her into the bedroom.
To Be Continued…