Keepers of the Cave (12 page)

There were so many things CJ could say to that but she kept quiet. Paige didn’t share much about her upbringing, but that little statement spoke volumes. She couldn’t help but be impressed with Paige. Here was a woman born with a silver spoon in her mouth, yet she nearly shunned it, slumming at a job with the FBI instead. CJ believed Paige when she said she wanted to help people. After all, that was the reason CJ became a cop. To help people...kids.

They walked next door to Suzette and Becca’s place as soon as they saw another couple arrive. CJ had no qualms about being first, but Paige had given her a look to indicate that it was just
wrong
to be the first at a party. Today’s theme was Mexican food and CJ brought Coronas and lime for them to drink. Paige had made a casserole that was bubbling with cheese. Another one of her vegetarian dishes, nonetheless, it looked delicious.

Valerie and her partner, Ella, were there ahead of them, and they both greeted them warmly. CJ was hoping to get Valerie alone. Paige had shared Gayla’s hint about Valerie’s trip to the local grocery store. CJ wanted to question her about it. At least she’d feel like she was working then.

“Oh, that looks scrumptious, Paige.”

“Thanks.”

“What makes you think I didn’t make it?” CJ asked with a grin.

“Sorry, dear. I just assumed Paige was the cook in your family,” Suzette said, taking the dish from Paige and setting it on the table that would later serve as a buffet.

“That’s okay.” CJ flicked her eyes to Paige. “My sweetheart won’t let me in her kitchen except to do the dishes.”

“Can’t say I blame her,” Becca said. “Suzette has two left feet when it comes to cooking. I’d just as soon she stay out as well.”

Suzette laughed. “Which is fine by me. I hate to cook.”

CJ kept a smile on her face, mentally rolling her eyes. She was already bored, and they had the whole afternoon ahead of them. She spied the lawn chairs that had been set up in the shade, noting with amusement the two oscillating fans that were brought out to help chase away the summer heat. She grabbed Paige’s hand, pulling her along. She chose a lounge chair, sitting down and drawing Paige after her, making room for her between her legs.

“We should share,” CJ said.

Paige sat stiffly, her hand digging into CJ’s arm in warning. “I think there’s plenty,” she said. When she saw no one was watching, she turned, glaring at CJ. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Now behave, sweetheart,” CJ said, a smile playing on her lips. “I just can’t get enough of you,” she murmured.

“You will pay for this,” Paige hissed, then forced a quick smile as Valerie came over.

“You two are so cute,” Valerie said as she pulled up a chair. “When Ella and I first got together, we didn’t leave the house for the first six weeks,” she said with a laugh.

“You mean this feeling will stop?” CJ asked as she let her fingers rub gently against Paige’s stomach.

“Well, if you’re in love, I guess it doesn’t stop, it just tempers a bit.”

Paige linked her fingers with CJ’s, effectively stopping her caresses. With her other hand, hidden from Valerie, she pinched CJ hard on her leg. CJ had to bite her lip to stop from grimacing, then nearly choked as laughter threatened.

“I think CJ sometimes forgets that we’re not alone.” Paige smiled sweetly at her. “Don’t you,
sweetheart
?”

“Maybe I just can’t keep my hands off of you.”

“Maybe you should try,” Paige murmured.

CJ cleared her throat, not releasing Paige’s hand. “So, Valerie, I hear you had an experience at the grocery store in Hoganville. Paige and I tried to go there last weekend, but it was closed.”

Valerie shook her head. “No, don’t do it. That’s one creepy place.”

“That’s what we thought about the café,” Paige said. “We went there yesterday.”

“Wow. You actually got inside?” Valerie asked. “What was it like?”

Paige turned slightly and CJ met her eyes, both with identical questions. They hadn’t discussed how much to share with the others. CJ took the lead.

“It was pretty weird,” she said. “We sat down, but the coffee lady wouldn’t serve us. The others in there turned away and wouldn’t look at us. Then some older woman showed up, Ester Hogan, and she said they were closed, that they were having a private party.”

Valerie nodded. “Yeah. That’s kinda what happened at the grocery store. I went in. All I needed was flour. I was having a craving for banana bread and I didn’t have any flour,” she said with a smile. “There were maybe five or six people in there. They literally scattered when I went inside. I mean, like ran. But it was like they just disappeared,” she said, snapping her fingers. “Not a sign of them anywhere. I mean, the store is not that big. So I’m standing there, wondering if I should look for the flour and just leave money or what, when this woman—Ester Hogan—just appeared out of nowhere. Scared me half to death.” She laughed.

“I knocked over a whole shelf of canned goods, ending up on my ass with this very scary woman standing over me.” Her smile faded. “Then it got cold. Really, really cold. And there was this... I’m not sure how to describe it. It was like a shadow, a presence, something. Then I couldn’t breathe, like someone was choking me.” She shivered, and CJ felt Paige’s fingers tighten against her hand. “The woman picked me up like I was a doll. She said her store was not for outsiders. I think I blacked out or something because that’s the last I remember. Next thing, I’m sitting in my car.” She paused. “That’s weird and all, but what was really weird, there was a bag of flour on the seat.” She tried to smile, but CJ could tell it was forced. “How did she know I went into the store for flour?”

“Wow,” Paige said. “We went in for breakfast. They wouldn’t serve us, but Ester Hogan sent us home with a basket of eggs, bacon and a loaf of homemade bread.” Paige laughed. “So did you make the banana bread or what?”

Valerie laughed too, her tension easing somewhat. “Yes. After all of that, I deserved a treat.”

CJ smiled. “Yeah. I will say that breakfast was the best I’d had in years. Fresh eggs, probably home-cured bacon. Wonder why they’re so afraid of outsiders?” she asked.

“Don’t know. Fiona is just as nice and
normal
as can be. I find it hard to believe she’s from that town.”

“We haven’t met her yet,” Paige said. “She’s our neighbor, we’re told.”

“She’s been out sick all week. Really unusual. I don’t think she’s ever missed a day,” Valerie said. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“What about this animal scream we heard the other night? What the hell was that?” CJ asked.

Valerie shrugged. “We don’t have a clue. I’d like to say you get used to it, but you really don’t. Sometimes it sounds so close.”

“How often do you hear it?”

“Oh, it’s not like it’s every night or anything. Once a week, maybe. It’s probably just a mountain lion or something.”

“Well, it scared the crap out of us,” Paige said.

They were interrupted by the arrival of others. Paige and Ella both got up to help, as Robbie was loaded with three dishes. CJ took that opportunity to snatch one of the beers she’d brought. As she popped the top off of the bottle, her interest was piqued when she spied a portable margarita machine on a table. The man setting it up was unfamiliar to her so she extended her hand in greeting.

“I’m CJ Johnston,” she said.

“Hi there. Dave Grumfeld. Nice to meet you.”

CJ nodded. “You’re Gayla’s husband,” she said.

“Yes. You’re one of the new ones, right? Paige Riley?”

CJ grinned. “That’s us.”

“How do you like it so far?” he asked.

“Well, coming from Houston, I’m in culture shock,” she admitted truthfully. “The pace is a little slow.”

He laughed. “I know what you mean. Before here, we were in Atlanta. I didn’t think we would make the first month. I would say you get used to it, but maybe you just learn to tolerate it,” he said. “We make a monthly trip to Dallas to get our city fix. You might try that. It’s only slightly closer than Houston but not nearly the traffic nightmare. At least for us. You’re probably used to it.”

“I will say that’s one thing I don’t miss,” she said. “So what you got here?”

“We bring it out every time there’s a Mexican themed get-together.”

“In that case, we should have a Mexican theme every weekend,” she said, tipping her Corona at him.

He nodded with a short laugh. “I see we have a shared interest then. Give me about fifteen minutes and I’ll have the first batch ready to go.”

“Thanks, Dave. I’ll be back.”

She spotted Paige talking to Suzette, and she walked up behind her, snaking an arm around her waist, laughing as Paige jumped.

“Didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” she said.

Paige smiled. “Of course you did.” She glanced at the beer, then back at CJ. “I would love one. Thanks.”

CJ took that as an invitation and leaned closer, kissing Paige on the mouth. “Be right back. Suzette, can I get you anything?”

“Becca beat you to it, but thanks.”

CJ winked at Paige, glad there was a hint of a smile in her eyes instead of the daggers she’d been expecting. Maybe Paige was bored as well and didn’t mind a little playing. After all, they did it with Ice and Billy all the time. Of course, the flirting they did while around the guys was never physical. Today, here, they could expand on that. The roles they were playing gave them permission, she reasoned. Maybe she would test her luck and see just how far Paige would take it.

Could be fun.

Or she could kill you.

***

“She’s so affectionate,” Suzette said. “You’re very lucky.”

Paige had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. “Yes.
Very
lucky.”

“Becca was never like that. I don’t know that she’s ever touched me outside of our own home,” she said almost pensively. “I think being a lifelong teacher does that. It’s fun to watch you two. So in love, always touching. I miss that.”

Paige didn’t know what to say to that comment.
So in love?
Was their acting that good? She glanced up as CJ approached, their eyes meeting. There was a suggestion of a challenge in CJ’s eyes, and she felt a moment of panic at what CJ intended.

“Here you are, babe,” CJ said with a charming smile.

“Thank you.”

CJ’s hand glided over her hip, dipping lower for a split second, then back to her waist. Suzette was watching intently and Paige leaned closer to CJ, affectionately brushing her shoulder with her own, feeling Suzette’s eyes on them.

“I met Dave,” CJ said. “He’s got a margarita machine. I think he’s going to be my new best friend.”

Paige and Suzette both laughed. “Having tequila withdrawals, are you?” Paige teased.

“Yes.” Then CJ wiggled her eyebrows. “You know what tequila does to me.”

Paige smiled. “Indeed I do.”

“Well, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” Suzette said. “I should help Becca set up.”

As soon as she was out of earshot, Paige turned to CJ, intending to chastise her but found herself being pulled closer. Before she could protest, CJ’s mouth was on hers, her tongue brushing teasingly against her lower lip. To her horror, she found herself responding, barely able to keep her mouth from opening and inviting CJ inside.

CJ pulled back slowly, her eyes shadowed. “I love the way you kiss,” she murmured.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Paige whispered, unable to keep her hands from sliding up CJ’s chest.

CJ drew her closer, mouth at her ear. “Just trying to fight off boredom,” she said. “Kissing is an acceptable cure.” Again, her mouth moved to Paige’s. Paige had time to turn her head, if she had chosen to. Unfortunately, her body didn’t catch up with her brain in time, and she accepted the kiss, her eyes slipping closed at the contact.

To the casual observer, it would appear that they were nothing more than lovers having a quick, intimate moment. Which, of course, is what they were trying to portray. But
damn
, did CJ have to make it seem so real?

“I thought we decided that kissing was
not
acceptable,” Paige said quietly, her eyes drawn to CJ’s lips.

“I never agreed to your rules.”

They were just a breath apart and had they been real lovers, Paige would have leaned closer, again taking the lips that were tempting her. Instead, she stepped back, out of CJ’s arms. Whatever game CJ was playing, she wanted no part of it.

“Take it easy on the tequila, tiger. You wouldn’t want to sleep on the sofa tonight, would you?”

Paige went to help the others, hearing CJ’s light chuckle as she headed in the direction of the margarita machine. She would speak to her tonight, she decided. No, this assignment wasn’t at the top of the excitement scale for her either, but that didn’t mean CJ could improvise in their role playing. And it certainly didn’t mean she could touch her and kiss her at will. The fact that she responded to the kiss made her angrier at herself than CJ. She was no longer in the mood for a party, but she plastered a smile on her face, vowing to avoid CJ for the rest of the evening. Which might not be hard to do. She spotted her chatting with Dave, a margarita in her hand. Paige went in the opposite direction.

***

“How long are you going to keep this up?” CJ asked as Paige silently stepped around her in the bathroom. Again, Paige didn’t answer as she brushed her teeth. CJ wasn’t one to keep things inside. If you’re angry about something, say it. She couldn’t take silence. So, she childishly blocked the door so Paige couldn’t flee to the safety of the bedroom. She raised her eyebrows. “What’s your problem?”

Paige crossed her arms defensively, giving CJ a blank stare. “Do you have to ask?”

“Obviously I do. You avoided me at the party. You’re not speaking to me. So you’re pissed about something.”

 Paige smirked. “You’re a genius. Now please let me pass.”

“No. I want to talk about it. Is it because I kissed you?”

“Wow. Great deduction.” Paige moved to walk past but CJ stopped her.

“You’re mad because I kissed you? Come on, Paige. Really?”