Chapter 12


Lucy’s first destination was Jasmine Island. But she had no idea if Kevin would even be there. Probably not. After a few minutes of driving aimlessly, she headed for Felicia’s. As soon as Mac opened the door, his face showed concern. Lucy was hysterical.

“Lucy? Hey, what’s wrong?” The next thing he knew, her arms were around his neck and she was shaking.

Felicia heard them and came to the door. “Oh, Lucy, you told him, didn’t you.”

Turning to her, Lucy could only nod.

“What did he do?” Pulling her to sit on the sofa, Felicia handed her tissue.

“Well, he... he was angry,... I knew he would be... I never thought.... He....” She started to cry again.

“Lucy, what did he do?”

“He.... he took... he won’t... Felicia, I can’t give her up. I can’t. How did I... how can I... God, I always manage to screw up everything! How did I let this happen?”

Felicia was ready to grab Lucy. “What happened!”

“He took Serena away.” Felicia couldn’t understand another word Lucy said. She didn’t need to. Scott had taken away the one thing that he knew would tear Lucy apart. Mac was standing quietly behind them, his confusion showing. The last he knew, Scott and Lucy had been the happy family.

“Have you talked to Kevin yet?”

Lucy shook her head. “I can’t call him.”

“Lucy! You did what he asked you to! Now it’s his turn! You’ve given up everything, you need to tell him that you did it!”

Staring at Felicia for a moment, she finally nodded. Taking her cell out of her purse, she held it, uncertain. “I don’t know. If he hasn’t told...” She shook her head. “You know what? You’re right.” Dialing Kevin’s number, she heard the answering machine. A small stab went through her heart and she felt a moment of panic when she heard Kevin’s cheerful voice saying ‘Hello, Eve and I aren’t here at the moment. Leave a message at the tone....’ Trying to keep her voice even, she spoke into the tape. “Kevin, it’s Lucy. I need to talk to you. Call me on my cell. You know the number.” Hanging up, she looked at Felicia, not sure she’d done the right thing. Lucy finally noticed Mac, who looked so lost she almost laughed. “Kevin and I have been seeing each other. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes. I just.... I just left Scott.” The tears came again, and she fought them.

“If you’ve been seeing him, why was he at the Outback with Eve... now I know why you were staring daggers at him. But what’s he doing?”

Felicia answered. “I wish I knew. I don’t like it. She just walked away from Scott to be with Kevin. She gave up everything. Mac, she may have lost Serena! And Kevin is still with Eve. He apparently hasn’t even told her, yet.”

“I don’t get it. That doesn’t sound like Kevin.”

“I know. But... “ Felicia looked at Lucy and shrugged.

“But he doesn’t trust me. I lied to him before. He didn’t know I wasn’t this time.”

Starting to say something, Mac suddenly stopped. It would have been something about Kevin not having anything to say about trust with what he was doing to Eve, but he figured this was not the time to say it. What really suprised him was that Lucy was okay with it. He’d given her more credit for being smarter. Certainly for having more self-respect. Apparently not when it came to Kevin.

Lucy stood. “I’ve got to get out of here. No offense, but I really need to go.”

“Where are you going?”

“Jasmine Island. He’ll turn up there sooner or later, and I’d like to be alone right now.”

Felicia watched her go and turned to Mac. “I’m not really happy with Kevin right now.”

Shaking his head, Mac sighed. “I’d love to know what he’s up to. I never pictured him to be the type to do this.”


Chapter 13


Ryan had spent the evening shopping and filling the house with Lucy’s favorites. Lots of chocolate, Chardonnay, and various other goodies he had seen Lucy rave over in the last few months. He heard a car door shut and ran to the front door. As soon as he opened it, she threw herself in his arms, crying.

“What happened?” Ryan was as stunned as he sounded. He expected some sort of highly emotional ‘reunion’ with her, but this was not what he had in mind.

“I told him. I told Scott everything!”

“Well, YOU said that’s what you wanted.”

“It is. I... I just....” Letting go of him, she began to pace around the living room. “You don’t understand! He is hurt, and furious, and I’m not sure he’ll ever speak to me again!”

“And?” Ryan still didn’t understand, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

“Kevin! He’s going to take her away from me again! He told me.... he said.... I... I’m going to lose Serena! He’s not going to let me see her! I never told him I was in love with him. He knew I was still in love with you. I tried not to hurt him! He’s the best friend I’ve ever had, and he has my baby, and he hates me! He’s going to keep her from me again! And I can’t stop him!”

“I could kill him.” Ryan muttered, then realized Lucy had heard him and was staring at him, shocked. “Figure of speech.”

She was still staring.

“You look like you need a drink.” More to escape her intense stare than anything else, Ryan practically ran to the kitchen. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Pouring the Chardonnay, he thought about the tranquilizers he’d hidden. One or two couldn’t hurt. Anything to keep her from going off on another rant. When he returned to the living room, she was on the sofa.

“Here. Now calm down. He knew you loved me. We’ll find a way to get him to let Serena see you. It will probably take time.” Putting his arms around her, he leaned her back against him. Trying to sound understanding when he wanted to laugh hysterically was taking it’s toll on him. This was going better than he’d hoped. It wasn’t until after she’d swallowed the last of her first glass and started the second that she started to relax in his arms. Ryan found himself actually enjoying the feel of her against him. It had been a very long time since he’d held a woman like this. Her hair smelled like strawberry, and actually complemented the perfume she was wearing.

Suddenly she leaned forward and turned to look at him. “How did you know I was here? My message just said for you to call me.”

His mind raced. What was she talking about? Then it occurred to him. She’d called Kevin. “You called the lighthouse?” He tried to keep the fury and panic out of his voice.

“I just said I needed to talk to you and to call me on my cell. You didn’t get it? I was careful of what I said.” Well, it was a good thing she was here to stay. No, she WAS here to stay, it was a good thing she wanted to stay. Ryan realized he couldn’t let her leave now. All he had to do was get to her cell before he called her back. If he would. No, he’d call. If for no other reason then how her voice had probably sounded. Kevin would know something was wrong with her. So, get to the phone. Soon.

Lucy was looking at him expectantly.

“What?”

“I take it you haven’t….”

“Haven’t….? Oh, have I told her yet?”

Lucy nodded.

“Well, I haven’t come out and said it, but she knows I’m not really happy with her.”

“Are you going to tell her soon?”

He knew he couldn’t put her off forever. Sooner or later, she would want to go to the lighthouse. “Soon. I promise.” Before she could say another word, he kissed her. “It’s been so long.” No lie there. “I want you.” Another honest statement. He smiled. He was on a roll.

Lucy leaned back against the arm of the sofa, wrapping her arms around his neck. This was what she’d dreamed of for months. Why did something feel wrong? Opening her eyes, she looked at him. “Kevin?”

He sighed. “Yes?”

“This isn’t right.”

“What is it?” He tried to control his temper.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this.”

Sitting back, he looked at her. “What can’t you believe? That I’m here with you? That I want to be with you?”

“That you’re... that you... What about Eve?”

“What about her? I’m here because I want to be with you.” Pulling her to him, he kissed her. Whatever Lucy was going to say next, she forgot. All she could think about was the taste of his lips on hers and the feel of his hands on her body. Reaching for him, she began to cry. When he realized he was crying, Ryan put his head back and sighed.

“What?”

“I just... I just never thought this would happen. I love you so much.” Touching his face, she leaned close to him. “I never thought you... That you could....”

“Lucy, stop. Please? Can you listen to me?” He began to wonder if he’d given her too much. “We’re going to have everything we ever dreamed of. Starting tonight.” Pulling her to him, he kissed her hungrily. After a moment’s more hesitation, Lucy returned his kiss with equal passion. When she climbed in his lap, Ryan almost ripped her shirt getting it off of her. Her bra was next, releasing her breasts to his eager mouth. When Lucy felt his teeth, she almost pulled away from him. Kevin had never been much for biting. The thought that he’d picked up a few things since the last time she’d been with him was not something she wanted to dwell on. When she pulled on his shirt, he put her on her feet and unzipped her short skirt. Before it could fall off of her, she stopped him and tugged at his shirt. Taking her hand, he pulled her towards the stairs. “I think the bed would be more comfortable.”

“Okay.” Dropping her skirt, she went upstairs.

Ryan stood still for a moment, watching her. God she had a body on her. Shortly, it would be on him. He grinned. After turning off her cell phone, he headed for the stairs. Taking the stairs two at a time, Ryan grabbed her from behind and dragged her into the bedroom. The grip he had on her was so tight, that when she turned to face him and grabbed his belt, her strength suprised him. If she decided to try to get away from him, he couldn’t underestimate her. But right now, she’d decided to tear his clothes off, and he was not about to fight her. After his clothes were lying on the floor, Lucy pulled him to her. Her mouth opened to his and he could barely taste the Chardonnay she’d been drinking on her lips and tongue. Pulling away from her for a moment, he reached out into the hall and turned on that light. It was just enough to barely illuminate the room. He wanted to see her. Crawling onto the bed, she reached for him. Ryan kneeled next to her, and ran his hands over her. The idea that he was here, in bed, with Kevin’s woman, was driving him to the point he couldn’t stay still. He wanted to touch her, to have every part of her that his brother had before him. Grabbing her, he practically shoved her down on her back so hard the bed shook. She didn’t seem to mind, reaching for him she pulled him down on top of her. When he made love to her, he finally stopped thinking about Kevin. All he could think about was her. Holding her, kissing her, being inside of her. It was everything he’d imagined it would be. And more. Lucy couldn’t get enough of him. His teeth along her shoulder felt like he was taking her skin off. She was suprised to find it excited her. Using her own teeth, she ran her mouth along his neck and collarbone. It drove him into a frenzy, and the headboard sounded like it was going to go through the wall. Gripping him by the hair, she put her head back and screamed. His mind had gone completely blank as every nerve ending he possessed felt like it was on fire. As his body shook, her obvious pleasure drove him crazy, and blinded him to everything except the feel of her. Until she screamed his brother’s name. It hit him like a slap in the face, reminding him of everything that was really happening. She was Kevin’s. Yes, he’d had her body, and Kevin would try to make him pay for it when he found out. But her heart, her soul, they belonged to ‘the good twin’. Rage flowed through him, and he put his hands around her neck. So easy, so perfect. For her to die with him inside her......


Chapter 14


Having no idea what was going through ‘Kevin’s’ mind, Lucy had her eyes closed. When she felt his hands on her neck, she grabbed them. “I can barely breathe as it is. Don’t help.”

Opening her eyes, she looked at him. With the light coming from his back, she couldn’t see his face. “It has been way too long. Why is it you have this effect on me? Is it because I love you so much? Or are you just the most incredible lover ever?”

Letting go of her neck, Ryan looked at her, shocked. Yes, she loved Kevin, but Kevin hadn’t done to her what he’d just done. She was talking about him. Ryan. She didn’t know it, but… Her face was barely illuminated, and Ryan looked into her eyes. Kevin had walked away from this? Who was the crazy one here? Kissing her once more, he rolled off of her. When he laid on his back, she put her head on his chest. It seemed like an automatic thing with her, and he realized that this must have been how she’d slept with Kevin. A million things went through Ryan’s mind. He’d done it. He’d managed to seduce the woman that Kevin had loved more than anything. But then, who had seduced who? Was that a wild twist, or what? He almost laughed. Now to put the rest of the plan into motion. The final step was to make sure Kevin came here looking for him. He couldn’t wait to see Kevin’s face when he found ‘his woman’ with Ryan. Then he thought of Lucy’s face when she realized she’d betrayed both of the men she loved with a man she hated. That thought didn’t make him as happy as it had before. Was he feeling guilt? That would be a new emotion for him. He had to remember that if she knew, she would gladly kill him herself. She did hate him. No matter how good he made her feel, how many times he made love to her, how many times he made her scream, she would hate him when she found out he wasn’t Kevin. No matter how he felt about her. As long as he could remember that, he could do what he had to do.


Chapter 15


The flashing light on the answering machine caught Kevin’s attention when he and Eve walked in the door. Pressing play, he stood next to the table and listened. When he heard Lucy’s message, he looked at Eve.

“Kevin, if you want to return her call, go ahead. She doesn’t sound like… well like herself.”

“Something’s wrong.” Her voice did sound strange, but he was thinking about the Outback. Even though he hadn’t dialed her cell in a year, he had no trouble remembering it. When the recording came on that the customer couldn’t be reached, he hung up. After thinking about it for a moment, Kevin picked the phone up again and dialed the firehouse.

Scott’s voice answered.

“Scott.”

The sound of Kevin’s voice further fueled Scott’s rage. “Don’t. I’m telling you right now, don’t. You want her, you can have her. But don’t call here and try to change my mind.”

Scott hung up before Kevin could ask what was going on. He figured out they’d had some sort of fight, but what did he have to do with it? Why would Scott think he wanted Lucy?

“What happened?” Eve could read the confusion on Kevin’s face.

“I have no idea. Apparently they had a fight. She probably called to talk about it.”

“In that case, I guess I’m going to have to admit I’m glad you didn’t find her.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, Eve whispered to him. “I have plans of my own for you tonight. And they don’t include you listening to your ex-girlfriend cry about her love life.”

“Be nice. She’s left you alone for a while now. I think she really loves Scott, and if they had a fight, I’m sure she’s upset.”

“She’ll also get over it. They’ll probably be back together before you even find her. Scott told me they used to do this all the time when they were together before.”

“Lucy told me the same thing.” He had to admit, this did sound like the relationship Lucy had described to him.

“Which is why I couldn’t believe they-“ Eve shook her head. “I really don’t want to talk about Scott and Lucy. I want to go upstairs, and talk about what we’re going to do to each other tonight.”

Erasing her message, Kevin followed her upstairs. Eve was probably right. They’d had a fight. It was their problem. If they didn’t work it out, Lucy would call again. That much he was sure of. The only thing that really puzzled him was that Scott apparently thought he had something to do with it. What was Lucy up to now?


Chapter 16


Ryan opened his eyes and tried to sit up. It took him a moment to remember that Lucy was across his chest. She’d passed out about 2 minutes after lying her head down on him. Sliding out from under her, he stood and took his clothes into the hallway. The last thing he wanted to do was wake her, although that would probably be difficult. They were tranquilizers he’d given her. She’d probably sleep until sometime late in the morning. Now, how was he going to handle her? The fact that she’d called Kevin complicated things. He couldn’t let her run into him. What if Kevin went looking for her? How long would it take him to piece together what was going on? A thought crossed his mind that made his heart skip a beat. Who else had she told? From what he’d seen of Lucy, he had a hard time believing that Scott was the only one she’d talked to about this. Deciding to keep it simple, he took her cell phone. Then he went outside and turned the headlights on in her car. Lifting the hood, he disconnected the cable from her battery. No phone, dead battery. She would be here when he returned.

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