Love Lies Dying Read online

  For both their sakes.

  The last thing he needed was Helen walking in and finding them going at it like animals.

  But she has such a fine body.

  Or worse still, Ricky Fox kicking down the door with a gun in each hand.

  The gun!

  Shit, John thought. I didn’t move the gun!

  He walked quickly out of the spare bedroom and up the hall, trying hard not to make too much noise and alarm Zoe. He had to hide the gun, just in case it gave her any more flashback memories like last night.

  As he left the hall and entered the lounge room, he checked the door to the main bedroom.

  It was still shut.

  She wasn’t ready yet.

  Quickly, he turned around to face the kitchen and looked at the hallway entrance.

  The gun was gone.

  Eight

  Ten minutes later, Zoe opened the bedroom door and walked out into the lounge room.

  She was wearing blue cut-off jeans that ended just above her knees, an old pair of sneakers and a tight pink top that accentuated her breasts and covered very little else, leaving her arms and stomach bare.

  John’s eyes looked her over and checked to see if her diamond was still nestled in her belly button. It was.

  “Ready,” she said as she walked into the room.

  “Are you sure you’ll be warm enough?” he asked.

  Zoe giggled, “Don’t worry about me. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.”

  John nodded, “That’s a flaunt alright.”

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Johnny,” she walked closer to him. “It’s just skin.”

  He smiled at her and crossed his arms.

  “So, where do you want to go?” he asked.

  “Hey, you’re the tour guide,” Zoe punched him on the shoulder. “I’m in your hands.”

  “Is there anything in particular you want to do or see?”

  Her forehead furrowed as she gave it some thought, and then her eyes lit up and she smiled.

  “Can we do some shopping?” she asked.

  “Shopping?”

  “Yeah! I mean, only if you want to, Johnny. But I’ve only got a small suitcase of stuff and I don’t have too many clothes.”

  “But the bed in there was covered with clothes,” he said, remembering the clothes spread around her in the main bedroom.

  “That’s hardly enough,” she said. “Besides, Ricky bought me those clothes and he knows what I wear. I’d like to buy some new stuff. Clothes that have nothing to do with him.” Her eyes fell to the floor and she pulled at one of her braids. “And clothes that make me look different. You understand? Just in case.”

  John nodded, “Okay, that makes sense.”

  “And don’t worry about the money,” Zoe looked into his eyes, took a step forward and grabbed his hands. “I still have the money I took from Ricky. Not much, but enough. I don’t expect you to pay for any of it, you know.”

  “You don’t have to convince me any more,” John smiled. “A shopping tour it is!”

  I can’t believe I’m letting myself do this! he thought. Only for Zoe…

  “Great!” Zoe jumped on the spot. “Let’s get going. We’ve got to be back in time for Helen’s phone call at four.”

  “I know, I know,” John turned and headed down the hall towards the front door. “I’m sure we’ll have enough time.”

  He heard Zoe following behind him.

  “Don’t bet on it, Johnny,” she said. “I’m crazy when it comes to shopping.”

  “Now why doesn’t that surprise me?” he said over his shoulder as he grabbed the car keys from the key holder and unlocked the door.

  He drove her to the Parkhurst shopping complex and watched as her eyes opened wide as she took it all in.

  “It’s all so big,” she said to him, amazed, as they stood in the entrance.

  “Stop kidding around,” he said. “It’s only a glorified mall.”

  “But there’s people and shops everywhere,” she said as she spun around, eager to look at everything; taking in every sight and sound, watching as the people pushed past her.

  John was puzzled, “But you’ve shopped at places like this in the past, right?”

  Zoe shook her head. “Ricky was pretty strict when it came to places like this. He said I could have whatever I wanted, just name it and he would have it brought in for me. Just like the Jeep. I mentioned to him that I’d like a red Jeep so we could take some off-road trips and have some fun. And then, bang, out of nowhere, a week later I’ve got one! But he never took me places like this and I’ve never shopped in any place like this. Usually his guards or staff would pick things up for me.”

  “But that’s horrible,” John replied.

  “I know.”

  “You should’ve tried to get out of that relationship sooner than you did.”

  She turned to face him, the excitement in her eyes replaced by sadness.

  “Believe me, Johnny,” she whispered. “I tried. I truly did.”

  John stood beside her and placed his right arm around her body. He rubbed her side and squeezed her.

  “I thought we were here to shop,” he smiled down at her.

  She hugged him tight and rested her head on his chest.

  “You’re right,” she said. “No more bad thoughts.”

  “Exactly.”

  She lifted her head to stare up at him, “Thanks, Johnny.”

  “My pleasure.” He let her go and looked around the complex. “Where do you want to start?”

  “I have no idea,” she replied. “There’s so much to do and see.”

  “Well, don’t get too excited. You’re on a budget, remember.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Zoe dug deep into her left pocket and pulled out a roll of cash. “I suppose I should count it first.”

  She opened the wad of money and started to count.

  John watched as she counted the notes. They were all hundred dollar bills. He became increasingly nervous as Zoe counted higher and higher. They stood at the entrance of the shopping complex with people charging past on every side.

  Zoe stopped counting at four thousand, seven hundred dollars.

  “Do you think that’s enough?” she asked him, holding the money out to him.

  He reached out and rolled it up in her hands, “Put it away before we’re mugged.”

  “Don’t worry,” she smiled. “I can handle myself.”

  “Yeah, well, put it away anyway.”

  “I’m sure I can spend it all in one afternoon without any problem. I’ve forgotten how exciting it is to shop.”

  “Hang on,” John interrupted. “Is that all the money you have? Don’t go spending it all, you’ll need it to begin your life again. To buy food or rent a place and other things.”

  Zoe patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry so much. I have my own savings. This is just the money I took from Ricky. It’s the only thing that still binds me to him. I don’t want the money, so I’m gonna spend it to start my life over.”

  “Okay, just checking.”

  “Don’t worry so much Johnny.” She smiled. “I have lots of plans and dreams I’m going to make sure happen.”

  “Just don’t lose your head when you see all these nice things.”

  “I won’t. Anyway, you’ll be there to stop me buying anything too silly, right?”

  “Right,” he smiled at her.

  “And if I ever run out of money, I can go back to making coffees behind a counter at a café somewhere.”

  He laughed, “Yeah, or research.”

  “Huh?”

  “You know, researching. Being a researcher.”

  “Oh, yeah, that too.” She looked around once more, her eyes dancing from shop window to shop window. “Shall we?” she said.

  “Go for it.”

  They stopped at a coffee shop just after half past two. Zoe found them a table and began to squeeze all her parcels into the seat next to her. Some of them were too bulky, so she place
d them on the table.

  “Anything to eat?” he asked her.

  “Nah, I’m not hungry. But I’d love a mineral water.”

  John walked to the counter and ordered a coffee and a mineral water from the waitress.

  The shop was dingy and run down, and he was glad they weren’t eating any of the food that was slowly being nuked under the heat lamps in front of him. Anyway, they were going to have an early dinner with Helen, so he didn’t feel forced to have a meal now. He was more tired than hungry anyway. Zoe had shopped like he had never seen anyone shop before.

  He turned to face her while he was waiting for the drinks. She was surrounded by her purchases and they made her seem even smaller as they surrounded her. He wasn’t sure how much money she had left, but there couldn’t be much.

  As he watched, she excitedly pawed through each of the bags, as if checking what each contained.

  Maybe she’s already forgotten what she’s bought, John thought and laughed to himself.

  From where he stood he was looking at her from side-on. He could see her ribcage and her muscles as they flexed and stretched while she reached for a bag almost out of her grasp. Her tanned skin looked warm and inviting and so beautiful against her pink top. She looked so feminine and yet so strong. Her legs tensed as she lifted herself slightly off the chair and the muscles in her arms tightened as she pushed through her purchases. The two braids swung in the air as she turned her head, deciding which package she would search through next.

  John smiled.

  Who could hurt someone so sweet?

  He paid for the drinks and took them back to the table.

  “Is there enough room here for me?” he asked as he sat down opposite her and placed the drinks on the table.

  She smiled at him but said nothing.

  “Drink up,” he said. “We’d better be leaving soon so we’re back in time to get that phone call from Helen.”

  Zoe nodded and unscrewed the top of her mineral water bottle. She placed it to her lips and took two big gulps.

  “Better?” he asked.

  She nodded and placed the bottle back on the table. Then she smiled and held out her hand, palm outstretched for him to take.

  He tilted his head to one side, but then followed her example. He held out his hand and she clasped it firmly and shook it.

  “Zoe Barber,” she said. “Nice to meet you.”

  John’s forehead creased in puzzlement.

  “Ah, John Murdock,” he replied.

  She let go of his hand and took another mouthful of water.

  “It’s nice to be properly introduced, don’t you think?” she smiled. “We didn’t get around to doing that last night.”

  “Yeah,” John sipped his coffee. “I guess so. Very formal of you, though.”

  “I’m just an old fashioned girl,” she winked back at him.

  “Yeah, I can see that.”

  One corner of her mouth turned upwards in a smirk, “I hope you’re not besmirching my reputation with that comment.”

  “Well, I’m sure old fashioned girls don’t wear cut-off jeans and pink tops that cover hardly anything.”

  “They do these days.”

  “Or have pierced belly buttons with diamonds in them.”

  “Do I embarrass you?” she asked, her smirk now growing to the other side of her mouth.

  “No, you don’t. I’m just saying –”

  “I think you’re embarrassed being seen in public with me!”

  “No, you’re wrong.”

  “Or maybe you’re just turned on by it all.”

  John took a gulp of coffee. It was too hot and burned his tongue.

  “Maybe you like the idea of being seen with me in public. Maybe you love it when other guys look me over and think to themselves ‘Yeah, I’d love to screw her. That guy’s really lucky to have her.’ Maybe you like it all but just won’t admit it.”

  John could feel his cock start to grow hard and push against the inside of his jeans. He just shook his head and tried to look exasperated. But he knew he was failing dismally.

  “Am I right?” Zoe leaned closer to him, her eyes narrowed as she whispered. “You’re turned on by it all, right? Maybe you’re the old fashioned one.”

  He laughed, “Yeah, right. That’s me! I’m old fashioned? I don’t think so.”

  “Maybe Helen’s held you back,” she whispered. “Maybe she’s not putting out for you any more. Maybe there’s no excitement left in your life. Huh? Am I close?” she tilted her head to one side, as if awaiting a response. “Stop me anytime if I’m wrong, Johnny. I mean, I know you love her and I know you’re married to her and all that, but have you ever thought that maybe it could have been the wrong decision? Have you ever wondered if you hadn’t married her what your life might be like?”

  She paused and sat back, waiting for his answer.

  John just stared at his coffee.

  “Are you embarrassed by Helen, Johnny? Do you go shopping with her and bring her here for coffee? I bet you don’t. Or do you both live your own separate lives with separate interests and only ever meet over a defrosted TV dinner at home?”

  John sipped his coffee and looked around the shop.

  “Come on Johnny, I’ve opened myself up to you, I’ve told you all my dirty secrets and problems. I confided in you Johnny! It looks like it’s time for you to confide in me.”

  John stared back at the coffee.

  “It’s eating you up inside and you have to speak out. Get it off your chest. I did last night and I feel a million bucks now. Try it, you’ll like it. Please?”

  She reached out and took his hands in hers. His eyes rose to meet hers while his erection throbbed under the table.

  “We’ve all got our dirty little secrets, Johnny,” she smiled. “Sometimes it helps if you tell someone. Care to tell me yours?”

  John pulled back from her and removed his hands from the table.

  “This isn’t helping either of us,” he whispered.

  “But it would if you’d let it.”

  “Not here,” he said, looking around the lunch bar. “Not now.”

  Zoe sat back in her own chair and crossed her arms over her pink top.

  “Alright,” she nodded. “Have it your way. But I want you to remember that I’m here for you, okay?”

  John nodded.

  “If you ever want to talk, or anything, I’ll listen.”

  “Okay,” John said.

  “Good,” she smiled and finished off her mineral water with one last mouthful.

  “But it felt good, didn’t it, Johnny?” she smirked. “Shopping with me.”

  John smiled and then nodded, “Yeah. It made me feel young again.”

  Zoe laughed out loud and then clasped her hand over her mouth until she calmed down. “Come on, Johnny. Don’t go all grandpa on me. ‘It made me feel young again,’” she mimicked his voice and then laughed again. “You’re only three years older than me.”

  “I don’t feel it.”

  “That’s life getting you down,” she said. “Stick with me and I’ll soon get you regenerated.”

  John’s hands rested in his lap, trying hard to push his erection away from the underside of the table.

  “That’s what worries me,” he smiled.

  She smiled back and ran her eyes over his face, as if looking for something she hadn’t seen before. Her hands automatically went to each of her braids to check they were still in place and not coming undone.

  She looks so hot in those braids and pink top, John thought. Imagine how good she’d be sitting on top of you.

  Then he wished he hadn’t as his erection found new life.

  Zoe turned in her seat and started to dive through her packages again.

  “I’ve got a present for you,” she said as she searched.

  “Really?” John replied, happy to change the conversation and get his mind off other things.

  “Yeah, somewhere…” she continued looking. “I pick
ed it up when you went for a browse through the men’s section of that last store.”

  “You didn’t have to do that,” he said before sipping his coffee again.

  “It’s a pleasure, and at least this way you’ll always have something that will remind you of me.”

  “Yeah, like I need reminding,” he rolled his eyes.

  She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. “Don’t be naughty or you won’t get it,” she said.

  “Sorry, Mistress,” he replied and smiled at her.

  She stopped searching through her bags and turned to face him. She was silent for a moment as her face changed with her thoughts. Then she smiled again and continued looking, this time through another bag.

  “Ahh!” she yelled with excitement and victory. “Got it!”

  She pulled out a small black box and handed it over the table to him.

  “From me to you,” she said.

  “It’s not that gold Rolex I’ve always wanted is it?” he smiled at her.

  Zoe slapped her forehead with her hand, “Now you tell me!”

  John pulled the lid off the box and stared down at a shining silver key ring; at one end was an eye-bolt and the ring at the other end held one single red key.

  “Thanks,” he said, genuinely surprised.

  “See,” she reached over and took it from the box. “It’s got this handy little bolt thingy at this end which allows you to slip it over a belt loop in your jeans and carry your keys on your hip! You’ll have them with you at all times and won’t have to worry about leaving them near the front door or losing them or anything. They’ll always be hooked to your hip.”

  John pointed to the red key hanging from the other end of the key ring. It was an odd shape and design, not like a normal door key. It was less sophisticated and had only three large teeth. John had no idea what it was for. He’d never seen a key like it before.

  “And that’s the key to…?” he prompted.

  “My heart?” she smiled. “Or some sunken treasure? Fort Knox?”

  John began to laugh.

  “Maybe it’s the key to disarm all nuclear warheads?” she continued. “Or a prison cell?”

  She giggled with him now as she handed him back the key ring.

  “Or maybe it’s the key to freedom,” she whispered.