Downtown Girl (Lipstick Red #1) Read online

  'You're ready! Your handler’s here. Good luck in your new life.' David shook Daniel’s hand, grateful for the intense preparation he’d been put through, before he was handed over to the man who'd take him to his new life. Another Daniel.

  ‘George, good to meet you. We’ll drive through the night.’ His minder showed the way to a nondescript ten year old car. His eyes widened as he considered his future prospects. A salesman in some backwater town. He’d make the most of it, he’d no option, or he’d have to find his way back to his old life. He’d thought about it, but if he stayed with his own name, it would be easy for her to find him. That would put her in even bigger danger than she faced in witness protection.

  He felt like every mile was a mile further away from her. She’d got him out of prison, giving him the gift of a new life. She could be back in America for all he knew, but deep down, he knew she wouldn't be allowed to do that either. She’d given up everything and everyone she knew, to take care of him, and it wrenched at his gut.

  With the hum of the engine relaxing the tension, he thought about poor Lindy, and how she must have suffered at Jack's hands. For his own sanity, he'd have to leave all that behind him. He'd have to leave behind the two women who ever meant anything to him.

  He could easily use the money in his offshore account to look for her, but if he found her, someone else could follow the trail, so he pushed thoughts of riding to her rescue like a knight on a white horse to the back of his brain. It would be a fantasy that he’d live out in his dreams only.

  He wished he could go back to the night in her flat, just one more time. To be able to breathe in the sweet smell of her hair, touch the smooth skin of her face, and hold her tightly…

  ###

  'We're here,' his handler said, shaking his shoulders. Exhaustion had overtaken him and he’d fallen asleep.

  'How long did I sleep?'

  'Eight hours,' Daniel replied. 'You snore like hell. I'll be glad to see the back of you.'

  The little cottage was furnished, if a little sparse. A small sofa and a TV adorned the plain white lounge, with an extremely small single bed standing alone in the bedroom. It was a world away from the luxury he'd been used to for the last few years, but compared to prison, it was a palace.

  ‘I'll leave you to it. You start work on Monday. The address is on the map and there's a car outside. Don't be late.' Daniel flashed him a warning. David knew he had to keep the job, otherwise it would cost a fortune to move him on again.

  'I nearly forgot. This is for you.' Daniel handed him a sealed envelope. 'Don't open it yet!'

  'When?'

  'You'll know!' The answer came simply, as his burly companion smiled for the first time since they met.

  David tucked the envelope into his jacket pocket. He'd think about that later. For now, he needed food. The fridge held milk and orange juice, with only biscuits and a couple of cans of soup in the equally bare cupboards. Couldn't they at least have given him a loaf of bread and a jar of jam?

  For tonight, the milk would have to do. He took the full carton, slid his knees up on the sofa to watch trashy TV, and swigged large mouthfuls of milk to calm the rumbles of hunger from his belly. Film after film rolled across the screen as he turned night into day, avoiding the news channels. He hoped she was safe and warm.

  ###

  By Sunday morning, hunger drove him to check his map, in a search for a local shop. Lifting the car keys, he stepped out into a slurry of mud from the torrential rain of the night before.

  'Shit,' he said to himself. They'd sent him to hell. He found a pair of green wellies in his size and pulled them on. He hadn't shaved for days. He definitely looked like the ex con he was. The car was an old Vauxhall. Frowning as he spotted signs of rust on the sills, with questionable stains on the seats, he considered that whoever owned it before him, could well have had an incontinence problem.

  Stopping his car at the side of a road, yards from the local beach, he climbed out, walking to the shore as he took deep breaths to clear the stale air from his lungs. The peaty smell reminded him of his grandmother’s hearth, of happier days before he’d begun to get involved with the gang.

  He watched a woman playing on the beach with a young dog. Smiling, he wondered if she was as carefree as she looked. As he edged closer to the sand, the dog ran over to sniff his hand.

  ‘I’m sorry about that,’ a breathless redhead thundered up to him, ‘he’s just a pup.’ She cajoled the puppy into running back to the sand, without a care in the world. Maybe this isn’t such a bad place to live.

  Back in his car, he parked close to the shops. The grocery store stocked basics, but it was closed. It would open on Monday at nine am, just as he was starting work. He’d have to break open a tin of soup for tonight. There was no other choice, but hunger drove him on. Walking the main street, looking for somewhere he could get food, he wished he’d got the redhead talking. She’d have known the best way to go.

  Hearing voices, he walked more quickly, to catch up with someone, anyone who could help him out. A couple slid into their car, closing the doors as the engine purred into life. He banged on the window, hoping they wouldn’t pull a knife on him. He wanted to laugh at himself when the window rolled down.

  ‘Where can I get a hot meal around here?’

  ‘Round the corner, best eating place this side of the border,’ the young man said uneasily.

  ‘You’re Welsh, right?’ David asked. The girl grinned, looking sheepishly at her companion.

  ‘We’re on our honeymoon! We couldn’t have picked a better place.’

  David waved them on as he turned to the best eating place this side of the border. A quick glance into the building told him the place was closed for the afternoon. Disappointed, he turned to leave, when a quick movement registered in the corner of his eye. He turned his head slowly as a voice behind the counter flatly berated him.

  ‘Come back later, we’re closed.’ He was so hungry that he considered arguing, but he withdrew quietly. Tonight would be soon enough.

  Chapter 16

  Morven Anderson cleared her tables as she cleared up from the afternoon meals. The bar would be packed tonight. It was the monthly pub quiz and almost everyone who lived within five miles of the place turned up to have a go at beating their closest neighbors. Most of them walked, so there were plenty well oiled customers by the end of the night. Even so, she was beginning to enjoy her new life. They’d accepted her like one of their own.

  Mary patted her shoulder. ‘It was a good lunch today lass, make sure you get off in about half an hour for a break. You look like you need a few hours sleep. I’m off upstairs to put my feet up for an hour. We’ll see you at six for the mad rush. If Helen and Susan don’t win tonight, we’d better steer clear of the dart board. There’ll be a few stray ones aimed in the direction of anyone who grins at the winners.’

  With her back turned, Morven glanced around her new life. It wasn’t so bad. All she had to do was check in once a month, and keep her emergency pager with her. It would be busy tonight, so she needed to unwind for a while. She knew what she’d do with her free hours. It’s what she always did. She’d search online for news of David Burton. He’d been released for a week, yet there was nothing on the Internet to say where he’d gone or what he’d been doing. It’s as if he’d disappeared off the face of the earth.

  She walked slowly to her chalet, kicking off her shoes and throwing herself onto the cozy sofa that she’d covered with a wine colored throw. With her chin resting on the arm, she fired up her laptop and began her daily search. Nothing. Another day with no news of David. She’d not learned to feel fully safe yet, so she pulled closed her blinds while she double locked the doors. She could use a shower. It was her favorite place to cry. No-one could see her, or hear her there.

  She slept the afternoon away, before making an effort for the monthly quiz. She carried a pair of low heeled boots to match the dark blue jeans and white t-shirt she wore. Instead of her usual
pony tail, she’d decided to be adventurous and let her chestnut curls hang loose around her shoulders.

  She walked the short distance back to work. One of the lads was at the gate on the other side of the chalets. She couldn’t see which one, but she waved anyway, laughing to herself as she stumbled. Her wellington boots sucked into the mud with each step.

  She wasn’t working on food tonight, so she was free to join the banter at the other side of the counter while she worked.

  ‘You’re looking bonny tonight lass,’ Mary said, when she slipped her jacket off to start her shift. ‘It’s going to be a fair busy night, look, you’re in demand already.’

  ‘Morven, could you send us over six pints of lager and two of bitter lass,’ one of the local farmers shouted.

  ‘Aye, ah can,’ she giggled, mimicking the gentle Scots lilt she’d never tire of, and stepping behind the bar to pour the pints. The room went quiet as the quiz preparations were underway. Too quiet, she thought, chuckling to herself, as she struggled with the frothy bitter, concentrating to pour it properly.

  She stopped pouring when she heard it. Her heart beat faster as the opening bars of ‘Meeting You At Midnight,’ sang clearly through the pub. She stood with her face to the wall, the tears flowing over her lashes and marking her pink stained cheeks. It was the first time she’d heard it since she’d been with him. She’d kept the CD on top of her player, but she hadn’t played it. The memory was too painful. The words cut through her.

  Don’t go away, not while we’re together,

  I want to see you smile, next to me, forever,

  Say you will, go with me, wherever…………

  She heard Helen’s voice in the background. ‘Whoar, I wouldn’t kick him out of bed on a cold mornin. Look at the muscles on those legs.’

  ‘No chance of that,’ Susan quipped back. ‘He’s spoken for!’

  It couldn’t be!

  ‘Morven, lass.’ Mary stood by her side, touching the back of her hand gently. Morven wiped the tears with the back of her hand as Mary gently turned her round, while her legs turned to jelly.

  The room was too quiet as she felt all eyes on her. Blinded by the tears, it took her a few seconds to focus. Mary pointed across the room, towards the Jukebox beside the front door, before cupping her nose and mouth with both hands in suspense and stepping back.

  She started at his feet. Leaning against the side of the Jukebox with his legs crossed and his arms folded across his chest, he was wearing ridiculous green wellies. His tight jeans were tucked in to his knee high wellies and showed off every muscle in his powerful thighs. The wellies suited him, like everything else did. A tight fitting short sleeved black t-shirt sank into every part of his chest, and exposed the taught biceps. She knew he’d picked it just for her. Showing off what he had to offer.

  He stood taller than anyone else in the room, his sharp square jaw shaded by hair that was longer than she remembered. He looked like he’d walked off the cover of a fashion magazine, and his blue eyes were fixed intently on her, blazing into her soul. She dropped the glass in her hand, shattering it, when Mary shoved her in the back.

  ‘Go and get him you daft mare, before someone else steps in.’

  She walked slowly, swinging her hand around the pillar at the end of the bar, not wanting to lose his gaze for a second. Stepping down onto the smooth wooden floor, she saw him stand straight, and slip his thumbs into his front pockets.

  She couldn’t wait any longer, she ran the last few steps, her hair flying behind her as she jumped to wrap her legs around his waist. He laughed as he caught her easily, securing her tightly with an arm hooked around her waist. She took his chin in her hands and kissed him deeply.

  ‘Get a room,’ one of the regulars shouted as the room erupted into laughter.

  ‘Aye,’ Mary called over good humouredly. ‘We’ll see you in the morning Morven, you’ll be no use to me the night.’

  Chapter 17

  ‘Morven huh?’ he winked, ‘I could get used to that.’ He walked towards her chalet, holding her in his arms.

  ‘Morven Anderson. What about you? Who’re you now?’

  ‘George Carter at your service ma’am, and I do mean at your service.’

  ‘And how do you know where I live George Carter?’ She punched him playfully in the chest.

  ‘I was the one you told the meals were finished this afternoon. I needed a shave, and I’d not had a shower for days, so I’d no intention of letting you see me like that. I wanted to make an impression for my favorite girl.’

  ‘Well, you certainly did that. They’ll be talking about tonight for years. So, you followed me home from work then?’

  ‘I did! I thought you’d rumbled me when you waved over on the way to work, but you were more interested in your rubber boots getting mucky.’

  ‘How long have you known I was here? Couldn’t you get word to me?’

  ‘Christ Taylor, I only found out when I heard your voice telling me to sod off at lunch time. I’ve been here for three days. If I’d known you were here, I’d have had your clothes ripped off your back long ago.’

  ‘It’s Morven, remember, and what are you waiting for?’ She wriggled for him to put her down at the door of her chalet. ‘Boots off at the door!’ she warned.

  She’d expected it to be quick, demanding sex, but he stopped her.

  ‘I’ve been thinking this over in my mind for weeks. I thought I’d never see you again. I don’t plan rushing it. What have you got to drink?’

  ‘How about a Glenmorangie?’ she said, slipping the bottle from her cupboard and tossing some ice in two glasses before pouring. ‘On the rocks, like a real man,’ she teased, sipping hers slowly.

  Taking a seat on her treasured wine throw, he pushed the table away and pulled her down to sit on the floor between his knees, with her back against the sofa. He lifted her hair and slid it across one shoulder, while he trailed a finger down her pale skin.

  He rubbed his hands together and pressed them firmly on her shoulders. Her muscles were so tight he could feel the knots under his fingertips.

  He felt her relax as his hands kneaded her shoulders, with his thumbs pressing into the knots, rubbing in circles around the taut muscles.

  ‘Ahhhh.’ She moaned, reminding him of the noise she made when she climaxed. He felt himself harden uncomfortably and wanted to take her right now, right here, but she deserved more from him. She deserved love as much as raw sex, and he was going to give it to her.

  ‘Taylor,’ he said quietly into her ear. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘It’s Morven now, we can’t forget.’ She squeezed the hand on her shoulder. Her voice quivered as she’d answered him, making his heart ache. She sounded almost scared, as if she feared him.

  ‘What’s worrying you, Morven?’

  He felt her muscles tense under his hands as she answered. ‘That you’ll leave again.’

  ‘Not if I can help it,’ he bent his head down to kiss her exposed neck, before slipping his hands down the front of her neck, massaging the muscles in front of her shoulders. She tasted like he remembered, as her breath hitched while he trailed fingers slowly down and between her breasts. She leaned back, flattening her back against his legs, her head tilted back on his thighs, giving him the perfect access to her rosebud mouth. He flattened his hands on her chest, sliding them down and cupping her breasts in his hands while his lips tickled her closed eyes.

  ‘Ahhhhh,’ she sighed again, breathlessly, as her back arched into him at the sensation of his warm hands caressing her nipples. He leaned her forward to slip the t-shirt over her head, giving him a perfect view when she settled back. The nape of her neck was vulnerable to his touch, and led down to two perfect mounds with tightened and aroused nipples.

  He stroked a finger down her cheek as he pinched her chin with a thumb and forefinger, appreciating her pretty flushed face. She turned to face him, rising to her knees, lifting his hand and leading him to the bed. She slipped off her jeans as he r
emoved his clothes methodically, never removing his eyes from her.

  She slipped under a smooth sheet, tossing the quilt to the floor. Lowering the light, she beckoned to him with a finger as she bit her lip, making him harder, as he felt himself twitch in anticipation. He slid in beside her, running a hand down the outline of her body. She was on her side, her head leaning on a propped up arm.

  Sliding the covers below her breasts, he traced the route of her breasts, to her hips, then down to her deliciously tantalizing hips. She settled on her back as he gently ran his hand down her belly, moving closer to the darkness between her thighs. He leaned forward to take a nipple in his mouth, already hardened, as she squirmed when he closed his lips around it and gently sucked, while his hand ran down the inside of her thighs, teasing her with fluttering light touches.

  He pushed himself further down the bed, his knees between her legs, while he took his erection in his own hands, teasing her with the sight of his need for her. He dropped a hand to between her thighs. She was wet and hot, fully ready for him, but he wouldn’t be selfish.

  He slipped a finger into her folds, then pulled it out, while his other hand spread open her labia to heighten the sensation of his light touches. He drew his fingers across her clitoris, causing her to buck her hips against his hand, trying to prolong the contact of his fingers with her sex. With a knowing smile at her reaction, he slid a finger back across her clitoris, leaving a second between each slide, the touch making her breath quicken. She began to tense, making him smile, as he realized she was close to losing control. He loved that he could manipulate her body into quivering at his touch.

  He sat back on his heels, opening her to look at her swollen clit. Heat rose in her eyes as she realized what he was doing. The slight shock of embarrassment at being so intimately gazed at, touched his heart. When he squeezed her clitoris while he gazed into her eyes, she drew in a sharp intake of breath as sensations flooded through her body, making her thighs quake.