Crystal Lakes, as exclusive and ritzy as it was, sat only about twenty-five minutes from the lower east side. It was one of those areas where you could feel the gradual change as you left hell and entered heaven. The grass started looking greener, the business district slipped away, and eventually everything was clean and untainted.
Bonnie pointed out her house, a small white one, with a front porch. It looked as if it had been standing there for more than a hundred years, and was surprisingly different from the newer, immense homes recently built in the area.
There were lights in every window, providing a sense of warmth. All in all, the place was impressive, but not quite what he’d expected. Somehow, he’d envisioned her stationed in real money. Any truly successful businessperson could afford this house.
David stared around the isolated grounds. “So you decided to live here by yourself?” She nodded, not quite looking at him, her hands clasped nervously in her lap.
“And that's what you want? You don't want …someone…a husband or little ones to help fill up the space?” he asked jokingly.
“No. No husband. No children.”
“Why not? I thought all women wanted that kind of stuff.”
He didn’t think she’d answer at first, but then she licked her lips and her skittish gaze settled on his face. “Not all women do, But I did…I mean, I do, but I guess I haven't met anyone I'd want to have that with.”
She rushed through her words, seemingly unable to stop herself. “I bought this house about a week ago. I was in a hurry to find a place to call my own and I didn't want to lodge. It's one of the smaller homes in the community. According to the realtor, it was an original estate, not one built when the Lakes was developed. It’s been renovated, and I think it’s charming.”
She said the words defensively, as if she expected some scathing comment from him. David didn’t like being affected this way, but there was something about Bonnie that touched him. He could feel her emotions, had been feeling them since first making eye contact with her. And right now, she seemed almost wounded.
Very gently, he asked, “You are comfortable here?”
“Yes.”
He looked around the dark, secluded yard and shook his head. “Do you think your parents would approve of your living here alone?”
“They are not okay with me leaving home, so no, but it doesn’t matter what they think. When my grandmother died, she left me a large inheritance. My parents expected me to stay and live near them and then invest the rest using their suggestions.” Her hands tightened in her lap and she swallowed. “But I don't want that. I loved this house on sight. I don’t regret a single penny I spent on the place. Everything is just as I want it.”
“What if you weren't from a rich family and didn't get an inheritance?”
“I would have found a job. I’m educated. I’m not helpless.” She gave him a narrow-eyed look. “But this way, I don’t really have to. I’m financially independent.” And alone, she thought but didn't add that.
“You are Twenty five, but you don’t look more than twenty.” he said suddenly.
Bonnie raised her chin, a curious habit he had noticed she used whenever she felt threatened. Without thinking, he reached out and touched her cheek, his fingertips drifting over her fine, soft skin. “Twenty and untouched.”
She jerked away. “Are we going to sit in the driveway all night? Go around the back, to the kitchen door.”
He shouldn’t let her give him orders, but what the hell. He put the truck in gear and did as directed.
The darkness of the hour had hidden quite a few things. There was a small lake behind her property, pretty with the moon reflecting off its surface.
“Is the lake stocked?”
“Yes. But it’s seldom used. The realtor said one or two of the neighborhood children come here sometimes to fish. It's shallow, so it’s safe. And apparently it’s the only one on this side of the community. Most of the lakes are farther up.”
“You won't mind kids trampling around your yard?”
“Of course not. I like kids and I think I'll enjoy watching them.”
David stared back at the house. There was a large window that faced the backyard and the lake. He could picture her sitting there, content to watch the children play. Maybe longing for things she didn’t have. Things money couldn’t buy.
Hell, he was becoming fanciful.
Disgusted with himself, knowing he’d been away from normal society too long and that was probably the reason she seemed so appealing, he parked the car and got out. The fresh air cleared his head.
He opened Bonnie's door to help her out, but she held back, watching him nervously.
“I’ll make sure you get inside okay, then I’ll take off. We can hook up again tomorrow morning.” he said.
Oh, I thought you said you were going to… you know what, never mind. Yes. That will be fine." She sounded relieved that he didn't intend to come inside tonight, and perversely, he changed his mind. He'd come in, all right, but with his imagination so active, he couldn't trust himself to be alone with her any length of time. Anyway, he told himself, she wasn't his type--not even close. She was much too small and frail. He liked his women big, with bountiful breasts and lush hips.
As far as he could tell, Bonnie didn't have a figure.
But those eyes...She walked up a small, tidy patio fronted by three shallow steps, then unlocked the back door and flipped a switch. Bright fluorescent light cascaded through a spotless kitchen and spilled outside onto the patio. Everything seemed cheery and colorful...like a real home, and not at all what he'd expected.
Damn, he might have to find some way to dissuade her from her plan before he got in over his head.
She turned and gave him a small, uncertain smile. "About tomorrow..." she began.
He interrupted her, coming up the three steps and catching her gaze. "Let's make sure we understand each other, Bonnie, so there won't be any mistakes." She nodded, and he deliberately stepped closer, watching with satisfaction as she tried to pull back, even though there was no place to go. Good, he thought. At least she had some sense of self-preservation.