Breaking the Rules

chapter 4





Joe stretched and squinted his eyes against the sun streaming in through the uncovered windows. The curtains must have been burned along with the rest of the stuff.

Whatever was in that incense had knocked him out cold. Or maybe he was just so dog tired he’d really needed a good night’s rest. Whichever, it was the first decent night of sleep he’d had in a long time. No nightmares either, which was a freakin’ miracle.

He rolled out of bed and wandered into the hallway in search of the bathroom.

“Ahh!” The shriek made him jump.

“Morning, Susana.”

She gave him a quick look of horror and scuttled away.

“Morning,” she whispered harshly from the living room.

He glanced down at his underwear. He was fully covered, nothing untoward going on. He shrugged and pushed into the bathroom.

Ouch. A glimpse in the mirror was not a pretty sight. Time to break out the razor. But it wasn’t like he’d suddenly grown horns—what had gotten her all rattled?

He showered, shaved, dressed in clean clothes and was feeling almost completely human by the time he ventured into the kitchen in search of Susana.

He’d heard pans clattering and the rousing aroma of bacon filled the air. A smile started to creep across his face in anticipation of seeing her, and he wiped it away. Didn’t want to look like a wolf entering a sheep pen this early in the morning.

“Something smells good.”

“Just bacon and eggs. Would you like toast with it?”

“Love some. Can I help?”

She shook her head in response and indicated for him to sit at the tiny table pushed into the corner of the small kitchen. He eased himself down into the tight space and propped his elbows on the table.

He seized the opportunity to get a good look at Susana. Again she wore a long, full skirt, dark, with a pattern of tiny flowers. On top, a black blouse tucked in to reveal her slender waist. Her thick, shiny hair hid her face from him as she bent over the task of scrambling the eggs.

Did she know concealment did far more to inflame his imagination than if she’d put everything on display? A tantalizing flash of slim ankle and her narrow bare feet were all he could see of what could only be long, shapely legs.

She had a nice curve to her hip, too. Hourglass.

Down boy.

He shifted in his chair as his blood heated before the sun had even had a chance to steam up the apartment.

“Would you like tea? I’m afraid I don’t have coffee.”

“No thanks.” He wasn’t taking any more chances with her teas. “Milk would be great if you have it. Otherwise water’s fine.”

Her skirt flew out behind her as she darted to the fridge and retrieved the milk. She seemed all on edge this morning, her movements quick and jerky. He still hadn’t gotten a good look at her face yet.

But there was no way she could keep it hidden as she turned to him with a full glass of milk. She carried it carefully, eyes focused on the white liquid as she set the glass down on the table.

Their eyes met for an instant as she looked up, black gaze wide and startled. She blinked and wheeled away, silent feet hurrying back to the stove.

Joe shrugged and stretched. Women. No telling what she was all wound up about. Probably had nothing to do with him anyway.

“Thanks for letting me sleep over. Best night of sleep I’ve had in a long time.”

“You’re welcome.” Her voice emerged as a throaty whisper, and she cleared her throat as she turned to him with a steaming plate of eggs, bacon and toast.

“Damn, that looks good!”

A quick smile flashed across her face at his compliment. She set the plate down on the table, then hesitated for a second with her hands on her hips.

“Aren’t you going to join me?”

“I had something to eat earlier.” She raised a hand to push back her hair, her movements still hesitant, edgy.

“Will you sit with me?”

Something had changed since last night. Since that odd but lovely moment when she’d told him she liked him. He didn’t want her off scuttling around the apartment, not looking him in the eye, then shoving him out the door without really facing him.

She bit her lip, hands still on her hips. “Okay.” She yanked out the chair, then sat down quickly, adjusting her full skirt about her legs.

He scooped up a big forkful of eggs and shoved it into his mouth. She watched him suspiciously as he chewed.

“S’good.”

“I’m glad.” She licked her lips and shifted a little.

“Would you like a bite?” He proffered a forkful of bacon and eggs.

A shy smile curved her lips. “No, thanks. You eat it.”

“Okay.” He forked the breakfast into his smiling mouth and chewed it, watching her. She blinked nervously.

“Your grandma didn’t haunt me last night.”

“Did you think she would?”

“It seemed like a possibility.”

She smiled. “I was a little worried, too, since we didn’t burn her bed. It’s metal. She never much liked sleeping in bed, though.”

“Where did she sleep?”

“On the couch in the living room mostly. She usually fell asleep during Law & Order.”

Their chuckles mingled, and the tension lifted slightly.

“Did you burn the sofa?”

She nodded. “In the fireplace. My cousin Roman chopped it up with an axe.”

“I bet the neighbors enjoyed that.”

“The neighbors don’t bother us.”

“Yeah, ’cos they think you’ll put a curse on them.”

“Probably.”

“Have you ever put a curse on anyone?” A little twinge of anticipation tightened his belly.

She paused, looked at him slyly, a smile playing across her lips. “Maybe.”

“You wouldn’t put one on me, would you?” He hoped his tone sounded light.

She didn’t answer right away. She studied his face and her eyes narrowed slightly. “You may not like this…” She paused and licked her lips thoughtfully. “But I think you’re under a curse already.”

“Yeah, well, you may have a point there.” He tried to sound jovial as he shoved more food in his mouth.

“I’m serious.”

“I bet you’re always pretty serious.”

Her shoulders hitched in a tiny shrug. “You don’t have to listen to me. You didn’t pay me for my advice, and you don’t have to take it.”

“Just to keep it lively, what would be your advice?”

“First, you need to find the root of the curse, where it’s taken hold.”

“Wait a second here.” Joe held up a hand as he finished chewing and swallowed his mouthful. “Are you trying to say someone out there has actually put a curse on me?”

“Not necessarily.” She regarded him steadily, her heart-shaped face solemn. Calm repose had replaced her flightiness of earlier. She was on her own turf now.

Joe’s gut tightened again. “Well?”

“A curse can come into being without deliberate ill will on the part of any one person.”

“You mean it can just spring to life?”

“Not exactly, it’s hard to explain.” She rearranged the bracelets on her wrist, hesitating. Then she looked back up at him cautiously. “If you lose faith in yourself, that can function as a curse.”

“Like a self-fulfilling prophecy?”

She nodded. “Kind of.”

He’d lost faith in himself all right. Not all at once. It had been nibbled away in tiny bites until there just wasn’t any more left. But he didn’t want to tell his pretty gypsy girl about all that stuff. Didn’t want to think about it either.

Damn she was pretty. He loved her serious expression, no simpering and flirting for her. Getting into her pants might cure what ailed him. Not that she wore pants. Getting under that big skirt then. Maybe she’d let him crawl right under it and hide down there. Make a long slow acquaintance with her thighs.

“If the root of the curse can be found, it can be removed.” Her eyes narrowed.

Joe’s attention drifted reluctantly back to their conversation. “How do you get to the bottom of it?”

“By doing a reading.”

“No thanks. Been there, done that.”

She reached a hand across the table. On impulse he dropped his fork and took it. She curled her fingers around his palm and pressed her cool fingertips lightly into his warm flesh.

“It’s okay, Joe.”

“I look that bad, huh?”

“I can see from your face that you have been badly hurt.”

“Yeah, well, that’s life.”

“The curse can be lifted.”

“I still don’t believe there is a curse.”

“I know, and that’s okay, too.” She squeezed his hand gently, dark eyes filled with compassion.

Joe clamped his teeth down on the inside of his mouth, trying to bite back the surge of emotion welling inside him. He hadn’t yet embarrassed himself by bawling in front of anyone, and he didn’t plan to start now.

He lifted his chin, trying to get his head up above dangerous waters. “You think you can see right through me, don’t you?”

“No. I can only see the surface, just like anyone else. But from my work I have much experience with people…who need help.”

“You think I need help?” He accompanied his words with a dismissive snort.

“Yes. You wouldn’t have come back to me if you didn’t.”

“I don’t even know why I came to you. But I can think of one thing you could help me with.”

“What’s that?”

She said it so sincerely, with such an expression of thoughtful concern, that he couldn’t bring himself to say the crude, sexually suggestive words he’d hoped to brush her off with.

“You could let go of my hand so I can finish my breakfast.”

She gave him a knowing smile as she withdrew her hand gently from his.

He picked up his fork and stuffed another heaping mouthful of bacon and eggs into his mouth. Narrow escape. He’d come way too close to losing it right there. He was walking a fine line between sanity and madness lately, and he wasn’t sure this chick was going to help him fall on the right side of the line if he crashed.

He glanced up at her and got an odd little stab in his gut when he saw she was looking at him, soft-eyed, her lips curved in a slight smile.

“What’re you smiling about?”

“Nothing.”

“I guess we can both play at that game, huh?”

She nodded, still smiling like the Mona Lisa, and he got on with eating his breakfast.



Susana got up and wandered off while Joe finished up the last of his eggs. He stretched as best he could in the cramped space. Damn he felt relaxed. And good. Whatever tricks she had up her sleeve, so far they were working.

But he had work to do today. He needed to find a place to live and start getting his business plan off the ground. And he had to deposit that check.

The thought of the check, still crumpled in the back pocket of yesterday’s jeans, stirred his muscles to life. He really shouldn’t leave that kind of money lying around.

He squeezed himself out from behind the table and carried his plate and glass to the sink. Common politeness told him to wash up, but suddenly he had a very strong desire to make sure his check was where he left it.

Not that he didn’t trust Susana or anything.

Anxiety pricked him as he strode into the hallway and shoved open the door to Grandma’s bedroom. Phew. Everything looked much as he’d left it. He snuck a glance at the doorway before picking his crumpled jeans off the floor and shoving his hand into the back pocket.

Empty.

Jesus.

He groped for the other pocket, heart firing. When his fingers closed around the crisp paper he let out an audible sigh of relief.

“Thought I robbed you?”

Susana’s cool voice from the doorway made him jump.

“No.”

“You think all gypsies are thieves?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. I saw you come running in here to check your pockets after I got up.”

“If you put it that way, I have pretty solid evidence that all humans are thieves and will strip you bare sooner or later.”

He stared at her for a second, and she regarded him down the length of her elegant nose. Heating with embarrassment, Joe balled up his jeans and flung them at his bag, then tucked the check into the front pocket of his clean jeans.

“Hmm. Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps it’s best not to trust anyone.”

She stood regally in the doorway, chin lifted. Joe could hear doors slamming shut in her mind. He’d obviously just dropped a thousand notches in her esteem.

There went his chances of getting under her skirt.

“I appreciate you letting me sleep over.” His own chin tilted naturally as he turned to her, defying her to look down on him.

Not that she could, since he was several inches taller. But her quiet dignity gave her stature beyond her physical height.

“It was nothing.” The emphasis on the last word cut him like a blunt knife.

“How can I repay you?”

She laughed. The sound of it curdled his breakfast. “Don’t worry. I’ll just help myself.”

Joe felt his heart literally sinking. He didn’t realize until this moment, but overnight he’d come to count on Susana’s friendship. And now she’d withdrawn it.

The renewed sense of aloneness chilled him. His calm relaxation of a few minutes ago evaporated as the familiar tension crept back into his muscles, tightening them. Girding him for battle with a cruel world.

“Look, I didn’t mean to insult you, Susana. It’s just that this piece of paper,” he fished into his pocket and drew it out. “It’s all the money I have in the world.”

She raised an eyebrow very slightly over her withering glance.

He unfolded the crumpled and insignificant looking blue paper.

“It’s a check.”

“I can see that.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“For one million, nine hundred and seventy two thousand dollars.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s a lot of dough.”

“You’re telling me. You can see why I’m a little antsy about it.”

“You should be. Why are you carrying that kind of money around in your pocket?”

“I was on my way to the bank when I stumbled across this gypsy fortune-teller.”

“Banks aren’t open in the evening.”

“No? Guess it’s okay I didn’t make it there, then.”

Susana planted her hands on her hips and stared at him. The expression on her face softened. She glanced down at the blue paper then back up at him.“What’s it from?”

“I sold my business. Well, my share of it anyway.”

To the thieving swine who stole my wife.

A spark of rage stirred his gut, and he blew out a breath. No sense getting all riled up any more. It was over. Cold hard cash, that was all he had left to worry about now.

“Huh.” She pursed her lips. “Must be nice to have that kind of money.”

Joe shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t cashed it yet.”

“What kind of business was it?”

“Security.”

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask for details. “What are you going to do with it?”

Joe suppressed a chuckle. She was pretty interested all of a sudden. “I dunno. Maybe we could go to Atlantic City and see if I can double it?”

Her eyes narrowed, and he saw her fighting to keep a smile from creeping across her lips.

“I’m serious. I’m a desperate man, remember?”

“Not that desperate. You’d better get that to the bank before someone less trustworthy than me relieves you of it.”

“Yeah. I guess I’d better. You want to come?”

He watched her hesitate, her eyes suddenly bright. Jeez, maybe she did like the idea of sticking close to all that money? He didn’t much mind, though. As long as she was back on his side.

“Come on, I need you, Susana, I don’t even know which bank to go to. You can pick one for me. But then I don’t suppose gypsies go in for banks much. Do you keep all your money under the bed?”

“I wear it around my neck in gold coins, of course.” A smile tugged at her lips again.

“All right. Maybe we can get this melted down into some coins and you can wear them for me?”

“Sounds kind of heavy.”

“Weight-bearing exercise is good for the bones.”

“You’re terrible, Joe.”

“I know. That’s why I’m so damn miserable.”

She tossed her head, the mane of raven hair falling down her back. “I’ll come to the bank with you.”

“Now you know I’m loaded you want to be my friend again?”

“Something like that.”

“I’ll take what I can get.”



Joe watched as she locked up the apartment. Five locks seemed a little paranoid, but he enjoyed watching her bend over to turn the one right near the floor.

Sooner or later, he was going to get under that skirt. Preferably sooner.

“You can leave your bag here, you know.”

“Nah, it’s got stuff in it I might need.”

“You don’t trust me?” Her brow arched but her expression was warm.

“Let’s not go down that road again. And who knows, I might not be back. I’m going to look for an apartment today.” He looked at her quickly to gauge her reaction.

And was delighted to see a flicker of alarm—and very definite disappointment—cross her delicate features.

“Maybe you could help me find it?”

“I have to get to the store. I have an appointment at ten-thirty. But if you do need a place to stay tonight…” She pulled the key out of the last lock and pushed past him to the stairs. Her hair flew out behind her as she dashed down the first flight.

“If I need a place to stay tonight?”

She turned around and put her finger to her lips, giving him a stern glare. Joe glanced around at the closed apartment doors ringing the narrow stairwell. He nodded and smiled.

“Cool.”

She dashed down the stairs so fast he had to jump them two at a time to keep up with her. No wonder she kept so trim.

“Hey, wait up!” he shouted, as she pushed out the door into the blinding brightness of the street.

She strode along the sidewalk, skirt flying behind her. An invitation to hot pursuit. Exhilaration jumped in Joe’s veins as he smelled the sea in the warm morning air—salt and seaweed and life.

He dashed past Susana, then turned and blocked her. She bumped into him, hair flying, breasts crushing deliciously against his hard chest.

“Ouch!” Her eyes glittered.

Joe dropped his bag and wrapped his arms round her, imprisoning her with his body.

“We’re not in your apartment any more. The rules are lifted.”

Her fingers tightened around his biceps, holding him at bay. “We’re out in the street.”

“I know.”

“People are watching.” Her eyes darted about his face.

“Do you care?”

She hesitated, teeth grazing her lip. “Not really.”

“Me neither.” He held her gaze for a minute as her pupils darkened with desire. “I’d like to kiss you.”

She tossed her hair, releasing a whiff of incense from its black depths.

Her fingers softened their grip but her wrists held firm. Pushing him back until her breasts were one or two inches from his chest.

From his heart. Which tightened, beating harder as heat crept through his muscles.

He’d kept himself firmly in the “off” position all night. Playing by the rules.

Her lips pressed together, skeptical. But her eyes were an invitation that summoned him to act.

Joe buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling the exotic scent as her hair trailed over her face. He heard her swift intake of breath as he brushed her earlobe with his lips.

“I’d like to make love to you.” He whispered it so softly the words were barely more than breath.

She gasped and stiffened.

“Not now,” he whispered, lips brushing the pulse below her ear. “Now I just want to kiss you.”

He trailed his lips over her cheekbone, her skin smooth, silky and cool under his mouth. His arms held her tightly to prevent escape. He couldn’t bear to lose her now.

All night he’d held thoughts of her at bay. Visions of her that danced at the edges of his mind, taunting and teasing him. Curious thoughts about every hidden inch of her.

He’d played by the rules.

He hadn’t thought about the tiny dimple in the middle of her chin that deepened when she smiled. Or about her long, elegant fingers tipped with gloriously unvarnished shell-pink nails.

Or about the thighs that strode under her long skirt.

As his lips neared the corner of her mouth, her eyes flickered closed, black lashes falling like a curtain. Her lips softened, flushed with new blood.

While they were on her turf, he’d been good.

He hadn’t entertained the tiniest notion of finding her belly button in the dark, with his tongue. He hadn’t dreamed about exploring every inch of her with the sensitive tip of his nose, seeking the subtle private scents, the sweet, musky animal smells that must lie under that seductive veil of incense. He hadn’t fantasized about her lips.

But now he parted them with a soft lick of his tongue.

A tiny moan escaped. Her nails dug into his skin—a sweet agony that melded with the blissful sensation of losing his mouth in hers.

Then her fingers crept up his arms, and suddenly those mysterious breasts were pressing against his chest as her fingers threaded into hair.

Joe released a groan that got lost in the hot darkness of their kiss.

He’d kept himself in the “off” position all night long, but as his tongue roamed into Susana’s hot, welcoming mouth, “on” roared through his blood in a torrent that threatened to knock him off his feet.

His palms slid down into the hollow above her buttocks. He could feel the teasing lift of muscle where the sweet curve of her backside began and he fought to keep his hands from sliding down to cup their soft roundness.

You’re in public.

His body didn’t care. Buried in the folds of Susana’s skirt, his jeans bulged. Tightness hummed in his nerves as his body came alive with dangerous arousal.

He shuddered as she licked his tongue. She’d softened, losing herself in the kiss, her hands drifting through his hair and down over his face. Her breasts crushed against him, braless and unrestrained, her nipples grazing his own as she strained upward on tiptoe.

One long finger trailed over his cheek and plunged into his mouth, breaking the vacuum of their kiss and probing along with her tongue in an act of unashamed discovery that almost made him lose it right there on a city sidewalk.

He clung to her to keep upright now, his arousal so intense that reality shimmered beyond his grasp. She withdrew her wet finger and dragged it down over his T-shirt, suddenly pinching his nipple hard as she reached it.

Joe jerked back, a wordless shout forming on his lips as they lost contact with hers.

His eyes shot open and he saw her face, just inches from his, her eyes black with desire. She panted, her breath coming in tiny gasps, her mouth open. She blinked rapidly and suddenly her hands flew to cover her swollen red lips.

The moment was over.

Joe dragged a hand through his hair, trying to catch his own breath. Trying to catch thoughts that flew wildly around him. His body stung with the unwelcoming parting from the soft, female flesh it ached so badly for.

“I’m sorry!” Susana’s eyes were wide with horror now.

“Don’t be sorry.”

“I hurt you. I don’t know what…” She shook her head, struggling for words. “I’ve never…” She dropped her head, still shaking it, her hair tossing about her face as she struggled for breath and words.

“It was magic,” he said, and reached his hand out to cup her chin and lift it. “I’ve never…” He shook his head too, still trying to untangle his messed-up thoughts. “I’ve never…either. Never like that. That was something else.”

He had no idea what he was trying to say. The physical sensations torturing his body were totally new. He was no virgin for sure, but he’d never known the torment of such severe and intense arousal.

Of such unexpected and intriguing behavior by a woman.

But Susana was no ordinary woman. He knew that before he kissed her.

And now he suspected he’d run aground on the tip of an iceberg that would change his life forever.

Susana stepped back from him. “I’m embarrassed.”

“Don’t be.” He blew out a breath of air as his glance jerked down to his bulging jeans. He quickly untucked his T-shirt to cover his very obvious arousal.

Susana pushed her hair off her face. Two pink spots high on her cheeks shone through her honey complexion. She bit a swollen red lip.

“I have to go… My appointment.”

“I know. Can I see you again? Can I come by later?”

His chest constricted. He couldn’t hear a no. If she said it, he’d come anyway.

Susana glanced about, suddenly aware of the street around them. Of the people pointedly ignoring them.

“Yes.” She breathed it, surreptitious, a secret message.

Joe let out an audible exhale of relief. “I’ll come here around seven, okay?”

“Yes.” She still looked dazed, as if she’d just staggered out of a burning building. “The buzzer’s broken. Just call up. I’ll leave the window open.”

A grin swept across his face. “You’ll hear me.”

He didn’t know what to say next. Certainly not “goodbye.” “See you later” was far too casual.

“You’re beautiful.”

Susana’s eyes widened for a second before she gasped and took off down the block, running.

Joe stared as her skirt flared out behind her and her hair tossed about her shoulder blades until she rounded the corner and vanished from sight.