Free Blood Guilt by Ben Cheetham Page A

news?”
    Harlan nodded,
reflecting that even after four years apart Eve could still read him better
than anybody else he’d ever known. Her eyes widened as he told her what’d
happened. “So you caught the kidnapper.”
    “Maybe. I guess we’ll
have to wait and see.”
    “You could be in line
for the reward then.”
    Harlan frowned. “I
honestly hadn’t thought about that. I didn’t do it for the money.”
    “Of course you didn’t.
I know that. Just like I know you’re already thinking about refusing the
reward. Well you shouldn’t. That money could give you a fresh start. You owe it
to yourself to accept it.”
    I owe myself nothing ,
thought Harlan, his desire evaporating like dry ice. The only debt I have is
to Susan Reed and her children . The idea that he might profit from their
loss was almost enough to nauseate him. He looked guiltily away from Eve,
turning as if to leave. “Do you want something to eat?” she said quickly. “I
can make you a sandwich or whatever.”
    “I don’t know. Perhaps
I should go.”
    “Stay a while longer.
If you’re not comfortable talking about Susan Reed, I won’t mention her name
again.” Eve reached out to touch Harlan’s hand. It was only the lightest of
touches, but it reignited his desire like a fire in a haystack. “Please,
Harlan.”
    “Okay. I tell you what
I’d really like. I’d like some spaghetti, if that’s not too much trouble.”
Harlan had always loved Eve’s pasta. He hadn’t eaten a meal that was worth
tasting in years, and just the thought of it made him salivate. 
    Eve smiled again. “Of
course it’s not.” She headed into the kitchen. “Look, why don’t you get a bath
while I’m cooking?” She pointed to a door. “The bathroom’s in there.”
    Harlan hesitated, but
Eve wafted him towards the door. Like the rest of the flat, the bathroom was
clean and comfortable and smelt of Eve’s perfume. He set the water running and
poured bubble-bath into it. As he undressed, he noticed a razor and
shaving-foam on the side of the bath. He lathered his cheeks and shaved at the
sink, before getting into the bath. He stretched out, releasing a long breath,
and for the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt the knot of
tension in his belly start to uncoil.
    After soaking in the
bath, Harlan towelled himself down, dressed and returned to the living-room. He
inhaled the scent of cooking, and his stomach growled. Like a moth to a flame,
his gaze was drawn to the photos of Tom. After a moment, he was amazed to
realise he was smiling. “Beautiful, isn’t he?” said Eve. Harlan turned and saw
that she was watching him intently from the kitchen doorway, as if trying to
gauge his reaction to the photos.
    “He’s the most
beautiful thing I ever saw.” There was still sadness in Harlan’s voice, but no
trace of the old bitterness.
    Eve’s features relaxed.
She approached Harlan and stood close enough that he could smell her wine-sweet
breath, studying his face as if she’d never seen it before. “I used your
razor,” Harlan said, dry-mouthed, restraining an urge to grab her and crush her
to him. “I hope you don’t mind.” 
    Eve shook her head.
Hesitantly, she reached to stroke his cheek. “The food won’t be ready for a
little while,” she said, as he shuddered at her touch.
    He opened his mouth to
reply, but before he could do so she kissed him. He kissed her back, hard. The
sensation was familiar, yet new at the same time. Blood pounding in his head
and groin, he ran his hands up and down her back. Urgently fumbling at buttons
and buckles, they undressed each other. Then they were on the floor, limbs
entwined, hips grinding, rushing towards a simultaneous orgasm. Afterwards,
they held each other close for a long while. When they finally drew apart,
Harlan saw that there were tears in Eve’s eyes.
    “What’s the matter?” he
asked softly.
    “Nothing,” she said,
turning her head away as if embarrassed.
    “Tell