Temperature Rising (8 page)

It took all his willpower not to drag her out of there, to a place where she never had to face the bad things in life again. He relaxed along with Laken when the story ended. He then watched as Dr. Shannon directed her in relaxing further, and just listening to the woman’s voice, Laken seemed to slip into sleep.

“Is she all right?” Mac could no longer keep from asking when Dr. Shannon stepped forward to check her.

“Oh, yes. Let’s get started. Laken can you hear me?”

“Yes.” Her voice was soft, kind of dreamy.

“Good, I would like you to go back to last Wednesday.”

Laken shook her head. “I don’t feel good. I wish I had something to make me feel better. I want to go home but need to finish the last changes to my plans. Hoster’s demanding that I work the Christensen’s plans. I don’t know why. They aren’t due for two weeks, and they’re supposed to be Jeff’s assignment.”

“Good, can you go later, after work?”

“Almost done, just have to print the sheet with the new changes. So sick, just want to sleep, but I’m done. They are so perfect, so perfect. Feel awful. Maybe I should just get a little sleep before I try to go home. No, if I go to sleep I won’t make it home, or I won’t get medicine. I have to get some medicine, go home and sleep. Just want to sleep.”

Mac felt Laken’s body tremble. He glanced at Dr. Shannon. The woman shook her head as if reading his thoughts. He slid his hand over Laken’s, interlocked their fingers.

“It’s so cold. I’m so hot. I hate being sick. I can’t believe I forgot my umbrella. I don’t like to wait for the bus alone when it’s dark, but it should be here soon. I feel so awful, need some medicine.”

She moved restlessly.

“It’s okay, Laken. You’re not sick anymore. Do you understand?” the doctor said, her tones soothing.

“Yes.”

“Good, can you tell me about the woman at the pharmacy?”

Mac leaned forward, listening to her repeat pretty much what she’d told him before, but this time going into the conversation she’d overheard.

“That was very good. Laken, now I need you to tell me about the man in the raincoat.”

Calmly again, she told everything that had happened in the pharmacy. Mac experienced a wave of rage when she repeated how the man had touched her then licked his finger. Dr. Shannon led her through the dream. They were just finishing when Laken jerked and shivered, the violence of it taking him by surprise.

“It’s okay, Laken.” Dr. Shannon stood and moved to her.

“No,” she cried out.

“She’s getting hot.” Mac moved a hand to her forehead alarmed. “She’s burning up.”

“Laken, it’s all right.”

“No, he’s angry. It’s building. He’s going to hunt. He’s going to. He’ll teach them. They are nothing. Shouldn’t be let out of the house. They forget their place.”

“Who, Laken?

Laken shook her head back and forth as if trying to fight off the answer. “He’s going to hunt.” Her words came in raspy gasps.

“Laken, can you tell me his name?”

She shook her head.

“Can you describe him?”

Again, she began to shake her head. “He’s in a crowded room. There’s so much noise. It’s buzzing in his head. It’s not fair. How can they think to compete with him? They’re weak. He’s stronger, smarter, better. They are nothing.” She cried out in pain. Her breathing heavily labored. Her skin was so hot Mac could hardly touch her.

“We’ve got to bring her out of this,” he demanded, feeling his own panic.

“Yes,” Dr. Shannon agreed, her own worry plain to see.

“Laken, Laken can you hear me?” There was no response.

“Laken.” Mac couldn’t keep from calling her name. She jerked.

“That’s it.” Dr. Shannon shot him an alarmed look. “Laken, it’s okay. Mac’s here, he has you. Hold her tight, talk to her.”

“Laken, sweetheart, listen to me, I’m here. I have you. I won’t let anything hurt you.” Fear pounded in his heart, knowing he couldn’t really protect her from this.

“He’s going to kill again,” Laken cried out.

“Come on, sweetheart, I have you. I’m right here. You’re safe. You need to listen to Laura.”

“Laken, you’re going to relax now. Everything is all right. You are going to feel better now. When you wake up, the dream won’t plague you. You’ll remember last Wednesday clearly, but you will not be afraid. He can’t reach you. Do you hear me?”

“Yes.” Her breathing smoothed and became regular. Her body temperature fell to normal. She let out a huge sigh. A shiver of released tension shook her, then she stilled, calm in Mac’s arms.

“Very good, Laken. Now, I’m going to count to three, and you will wake up. One, two, three.”

Mac let out a sigh of his own when Laken opened her eyes. She looked up at him holding her to him with one arm. His other hand still held hers, their fingers interlocked. “Welcome back.” He smiled down, never so happy in his life.

“Did it work?”

“Yes, you remembered a few more details, but it was all pretty much the same. How do you feel?”

“Okay, just a little tired, thirsty.”

He reached over for her glass. “Here.”

She took it and drained what was left, and Dr. Shannon refilled it for her to drink again. “Thank you, I’m so thirsty.”

Mac exchanged looks with Dr. Shannon.

“That’s fine. You did very well.”

“What do you think?” Laken looked hopeful for answers.

“I will tell you, I found it very fascinating. I’d like to go over the tape before I comment more on it. Then, if you don’t mind, I’d like to see you again.”

“You don’t think I lied then or am making it up?”

“No, I will try to find some answers for you,” the doctor said soothingly.

The words seemed to help Laken relax. “Thank you.” Laken glanced at her watch and looked startled. “Oh, my, I didn’t realize it was so late.”

Mac glanced at his own watch. An hour and a half had passed.

“That was why I had you as my last appointment. I hope that it’s okay?” Dr. Shannon smiled, unconcerned.

“Yes, I just didn’t realize that much time had passed.”

“I understand.” The doctor rose with them, going to the door. They were through it when Dr. Shannon said, “Mac, can I speak to you alone a minute, please?” The woman looked thoughtful.

“I’ll just be a minute.” He looked down at Laken. “Wait for me, please.” He waited until she nodded before going back in the office. When Dr. Shannon closed the door behind him, he turned to her. “Yes?”

The doctor seemed to take a second to collect her thoughts. “I wanted to tell you that I believe everything she said. I’m quite concerned about Laken’s fever. The thing is, it shouldn’t have happened. It was extremely high, too high to be healthy for a person. I can’t explain it, but I think it’s a link.”

“A link to what?”

“I’m not sure. As I said before, I’ll have to do some research and see if I can find out anything.”

The sense of dread slipped back into him, but all Mac could do was nod. He was relieved to see Laken waiting for him when he opened the door. A smile crept to her lips and pleasure filled him. She wasn’t mad at him anymore. Everything would be all right. He moved directly in front of her, so her head had to tip up to look at him. Her fingers locked around his as he took her hand.

“Would you like to go get something to eat?” He raised his other hand to brush back the hair from her face. Her skin was incredibly soft. He longed to caress it, cup her face and draw her to him, and since the room was empty, he did just that.

She sighed into the kiss, giving herself over to him. When the kiss ended, he pulled her to him, her head coming down to rest on his chest. “This is how it should be between us.” He brushed his lips across her forehead.

“Yes.” She nuzzled tighter and sighed.

“Hey,” he said after a minute. “Are you going to sleep on me?”

He felt her sigh again. “Maybe… it feels so good to be in your arms, and I feel very tired.”

“Late night?” He winced at his own question but couldn’t help asking it.

“Awful night. First it was what happened with us. Then, I got to my apartment, and my neighbor caught me. She’s been trying to set me up with her nephew, and he was in town.” Laken shuddered and tightened her hold on him.

“That bad?”

“Yes.”

He kissed the top of her head, and she relaxed again. He felt a small yawn slip from her. “I don’t think I’ll make it going out to dinner.” There was a definite sleepiness in her words.

“Tell you what. I know a place that has great soup. How about we get a couple bowls to go? And then I’ll take you home and we’ll eat there.”

She leaned back and looked up at him. “That sounds perfect. There’s a bakery on my street that makes wonderful breads. We can grab a loaf on the way up.”

****

An hour later Laken sat curled up on the couch, her head resting against Mac’s shoulder. His arms wrapped around her. She felt warm, happy and totally content.

“I think you’re falling asleep on me again.” The words rumbled under her ear.

“Yes.” She tilted her head to place a kiss against his neck; the arm around her tightened. She smiled and pressed another kiss to his skin.

“Oh, sweetheart.” He groaned, and she watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down. Without thought, her finger came up to trace it. He was so fascinating.

His hand caught hers, bringing it up to his lips. She tilted her head up to find him looking down at her. “Sorry,” she whispered, feeling embarrassed by her forwardness.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he replied, his voice husky. “I’m just trying to be noble here. You’ve had a lot of upheaval in your life lately. You’re tired and need rest. And well, I find you extremely desirable, and it’s been a long time since I’ve… been with a woman.”

“Mac.”

He cut her off with a finger to her lips. “Laken, I mean a serious long time. I’ve never been one to go into relationships lightly, and my lifestyle hasn’t been conducive to relationships.”

Laken felt her heart jump at what he revealed. She’d sensed Mac wasn’t the sleep around type, but he was saying it was more. He would have to be in love with a woman to sleep with her, and there hadn’t been many.

“Mac, I’ve never slept with a man. I plan on waiting until my wedding night.”

A smile spread across his lips. It burned in his eyes and caught her breath. His hands came up to frame her face while his lips descended.

“You don’t mind?” She gasped out when they came up for air.

“Not in the least.”

“A lot of guys think I’m a prude or just plain strange.”

“I’m not most guys.”

“No, you’re not.” The feeling behind the words swelled in her. “Mac, I know it’s only been a couple days, but I think I’m falling in love with you. Is that going to scare you away?”

“I think I started falling in love with you the moment I saw you looking so lost at the police station. Even when I thought you were nuts, I was still drawn to you for some odd reason that wasn’t at all sexual. Well, maybe a little sexual — you’re beautiful,” he teased, stroking her cheek. His eyes drifted over her as a serious look spread over his face. “But there is something special about you.”

Too nervous to go into the last sentence, Laken locked on the previous one. “Nuts. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He let a little laugh out.

“I didn’t sleep good last night because it hurt to think you—”

He cut her off again with a finger to her lips. “I was miserable too. I never want to hurt you again.” He pulled her up to capture her lips.

Laken surrendered herself to his kiss, returning it with pleasure.

A growl ripped from his throat and he broke off holding her close. “We have to stop this now. You need to get some rest. I better go.”

Laken missed the feel of his body the moment he moved away. It was as if part of her had been taken away. He turned to look back at her and swooped in. The kiss was hard and stole her breath, and then he was gone.

“Lock up after me and right to bed,” he ordered, heading for the door, grabbing his jacket from the hall-tree as he passed.

Laken could only stare after him, hugging her knees to her chest. Mac hadn’t said when she’d hear from him again, but there was no doubt that she would. He’d told her he was falling in love with her. Happily, she did as he ordered. Sleep came almost immediately when she closed her eyes and, a short while later, the dream.

Chapter Six

The hunter’s stride was purposeful, smooth, taking Laken along with him. She could see the woman in front of them. She wanted to yell to the woman to run, but the hunter’s thoughts answered back.
There’s
no need to hurry, she can’t get away.
The stupid woman doesn’t know
I
am
here, so absorbed in her own world, thinking how she’s
come out on top.

I
heard her boasting about her new job, and
how
she didn’t need some jerk hitting on her.
How she told
that
man to get lost.
Who
does
she think she
is
to treat her betters like that?
She’s
just another back-stabbing witch.
But
I am
more powerful than her.
Fire burned in his veins.

The distance between him and the prey diminished. He could taste the thrill of the kill now. Laken sensed it, and it made her stomach roll. She fought to pull back, but she was trapped. The clicking of heels on the sidewalk thundered over the soft whispers of the hunter’s shoes.

Exhilaration leapt inside him when he saw the alley.
It’s
perfect.
The street’s
empty, no one to see her go in and not come out.

“No.” Laken tried to scream, but nothing came out as he rushed forward.

At the last second the woman must have realized he was there because she turned. Her cry was hardly a squeak. She stumbled back in the alley, turned, and ran. Laken cheered her on until she got a taste of the hunter’s satisfaction of the prey being herded just where he wanted her. He swooped in after her.