Free Ghost House Revenge by Clare McNally Page A

time, lady.”
    Liza put her hands on her hips and tossed back her dark hair.
    “What do you mean I ‘play like a man’?” she asked “I play to win, and that’s all.
     You’re sexist.”
    “Sorry,” Derek said. “It’s just that I’ve never been defeated by a woman.”
    Shut up, Derek
, he told himself.
Before you blow it
.
    “It isn’t that painful, is it?” Liza asked.
    Derek thought for a moment. “No, I guess not. Especially not when you’re my partner.
     Say, would you like to relax in the whirlpool awhile?”
    “I was thinking the same thing,” Liza said. “Meet you there in ten minutes.”
    Derek was relieved to find the whirlpool unoccupied. He leaned back, letting the water
     massage his aching muscles. A day of therapy with Gary, and three games had made him
     sore all over. He opened his eyes and smiled lazily when Liza sat down beside him.
    “That bathing suit is beautiful,” Derek said. “Almost as beautiful as the woman in
     it.”
    “Okay,” Liza said, laughing, “you’ve earned your Brownie points. I don’t think you’re
     sexist any more.”
    “I mean it,” Derek said. “You look as if you’re in top physical condition. I—uh—I’m
     speaking from a therapist’s point of view, of course.”
    “Of course,” Liza said, smiling. “Remember I’m a dancer, and I keep myself in shape.”
    “That’s obvious,” Derek said.
    That’s the understatement of the year, he thought. She was downright stunning. Her
     one-piece suit clung tightly to her, its shiny material showing off her curves. There
     was just enough fat on her body to make her soft looking, but not an ounce too much.
     She had rolled her hair up, and now her cheekbones stood out. Derek couldn’t help
     staring at her.
    “I’ve thought about you all week,” he said.
    “Really?” Liza asked, sounding pleased. “I was afraid you’d forget me.”
    “Are you kidding?” Derek asked. “I was hoping you’d want to see me again.”
    Liza moved a little closer to him. A second later, he felt her hand on his thigh.
     He gaped at her, then grinned. She smiled slightly, teasingly.
    “I’ve only known you for a while,” she said, “yet I know you’re my kind of man.”
    “Thanks,” Derek said. God, it had been so long since a woman had touched him this
     way. Unseen beneath the foamy waters, he slid his arm around Liza’s waist.
    “I think I’m falling in love,” he said.
    “Me, too,” was the answer.
    They stared at each other. Without another word, Derek leaned forward and kissed Liza.
     She moaned a little, pushing herself closer to him. They kissed passionately, so passionately
     that they suddenly slipped and went under the water. They quickly pulled each other
     up and sat there laughing hysterically.
    “Do all great love affairs start this way?” Liza asked, rubbing her eyes.
    “I don’t know,” Derek said. “But they ought to. I’ve never been kissed like that before.”
    He thought for a split second of Elaine, feeling a little guilty. Then he smiled again
     and took Liza’s hand.
    “Want to get dressed?” he asked.
    “Sure,” she said, a little breathlessly. “I’ve got to get home to practice.”
    “Practice?” Derek asked. “But I was hoping we could go out somewhere.”
    “Some other time,” Liza said, giving him an apologetic smile. “I have a recital coming
     up tomorrow.”
    “You should have told me about it,” Derek said. “I would have gone.”
    “It’s private. Only for the dance instructor and class. I’ll be advanced according
     to how I do on this.”
    “You’ll do great,” Derek said. “I just wish you could come with me tonight.”
    “Don’t be disappointed, honey,” Liza said, kissing him.
    “I’ll see you soon,” Derek said.
    “You bet.”
    They hugged for a few minutes, their wet bodies pressed so close that they could feel
     each other’s heat rising. At last, Derek pulled away.
    He didn’t wait to see Liza again, but went straight to