Blue Moon Read Free Page B

did, I wasn’t sure where it would stop. Richard was in trouble. I’d betrayed him once with Jean-Claude; I wouldn’t let him down again. “I need to pack,” I said. I turned abruptly and started walking towards the bedroom.
    He followed me.
    I put my gun on the bedside table beside the phone, got socks out of the drawer, and started tossing them into the suitcase, trying to ignore Jean-Claude. He doesn’t ignore easily. He lay on the bed beside the suitcase, propped on one elbow, long legs stretched the length of the bed. He looked fearfully overdressed against my white sheets. He watched me move around the room, moving just his eyes. He reminded me of a cat: watchful, perfectly at ease.
    I went into the nearby bathroom to get toiletries. I had a man’s shaving kit bag that I kept all the small stuff in. I was traveling out of town more and more lately. Might as well be organized about it.
    Jean-Claude was lying on his back, long, black hair spilling like a dark dream on my white pillow. He gave a slight smile as I entered the room. He held a hand out to me. “Join me, ma petite.”
    I shook my head. “If I join you, we’ll get distracted. I’m going to pack and get dressed. We don’t have time for anything else.”
    He crawled towards me over the bed, moving in a rolling glide like he had muscles in places he wasn’t supposed to have them. “Am I so unappealing, ma petite? Or is your concern for Richard so overwhelming?”
    â€œYou know exactly how appealing you are to me. And yes, I am worried about Richard.”
    He slid off the bed, following at my heels. He glided in a sort of graceful slow motion while I hurried to and fro, but he paced me, matching each of my quick steps with his easy ones. It was like being chased by a very slow predator, one that hadall the time in the world but knew in the end it would catch you.
    The second time I almost ran into him, I finally said, “What is your problem? Quit following me around. You’re making me nervous.” Truth was, his body being so close made my skin jump.
    He sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed. “I don’t want you to go.”
    That stopped me in my tracks. I turned and stared at him. “Why, for heaven’s sake?”
    â€œFor centuries I have dreamed of having enough power to be safe. Enough power to hold my lands and finally, at long last, have some sense of peace. Now I fear the very man who could make my ambitions come true.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” I came to stand in front of him, arms full of shirts and hangers.
    â€œRichard; I fear Richard.” There was a look in his eyes that I’d seldom seen. He was unsure of himself. It was a very normal, human expression. It looked totally at odds with the elegant man in his peekaboo shirt.
    â€œWhy would you be afraid of Richard?” I asked.
    â€œIf you love Richard more than you love me, I fear you will leave me for him.”
    â€œIf you haven’t noticed, Richard hates me right now. He talks more to you than to me.”
    â€œHe does not hate you, ma petite. He hates that you are with me. There is a great difference between the two hatreds.” Jean-Claude stared up at me almost mournfully.
    I sighed. “Are you jealous of Richard?”
    He looked down at the toes of his expensive boots. “I would be a fool if I were not.”
    I transferred the blouses to one arm and touched his face. I turned his face up to mine. “I’m sleeping with you, not Richard, remember?”
    â€œYet, here I am, ma petite. I am dressed for your dreams and you do not even offer me a kiss.”
    His reaction surprised me. Just when I thought I knew him. “Are you hurt that I didn’t give you a hello kiss?”
    â€œPerhaps,” he said very softly.
    I shook my head and tossed the blouses in the general direction of the suitcase. I bumped his knees with my legs until