Anderson took Marie by the hand and pulled her into the back seat of Tims Land Rover. Before Tim had the engine started, the ghost had her blouse open and a heavy-nippled breast excavated and pressed to his lips. Up front Tim adjusted the mirror so that Marie could see his eyes. Then before he started the engine, she heard the zip of his fly, and he wriggled and shifted in the seat. She saw his eyelids flutter, heard the hitch in his breath, then he revved the motor and they were off.

It wasnt a long drive, but Marie was sure the windows would have been steamed had they not been wide open. Anderson had greedily freed both her breast and suckled them alternately while one hand found its way up under her short denim skirt and into her panties. All the while his erection, straining at his black trousers, rubbed and gouged against her thigh. Though she couldnt see what Tim was doing, he was definitely driving with one hand on the wheel, and the way he was struggling to breathe left little doubt where his other hand was. That only made Andersons stroking and tweaking feel even hotter.

They barely got out of the Land Rover before Tim, making no effort to zip himself in — though Marie doubted he could if he wanted to — dragged her bodily from Andersons gropings. Then he took her mouth for himself and yanked aside the crotch of her panties to finger his way in between her creamy folds.

Sipping my coffee, I turned to the sports pages.

My hand began to shake. Drips of dark liquid spilled from my mug onto the paper, spreading like ink on silk. I read the headline three times before I believed what my eyes were seeing.

PHOENIX AND HIS BIRD, it shouted, then in smaller writing, Orlando Vipers star Logan Phoenix Taylor was far from grieving last night as his team struggled to narrowly beat the Washington Capitals. Vacationing in paradise with a mystery woman, he looked the picture of happiness and contentment…

I couldnt read any more. Beneath the headline was a black and lime green night shot. It was me. It was me and Logan in the water. Logan was pressed behind me and my head was tipped into the curve of his shoulder. We were up to our waists in waves and his arms were wrapped around me. One beneath my breasts and one beneath the sea line. His lips touched my extended neck and my arms were raised and locked behind his head.

I pinched in a juddering breath and shakily set down my coffee before I spilled the lot. At least the paper had had the decency to a fix a black rectangle over my jutting breasts. But it was clear to anyone who looked we were naked and hot for one another. And by the look on my face, even through the shady grains of the picture, I was having a wild time.

What made her nocturnal visitor so unusual was its proximity to the house. Animals were braver in the city, where theyd become used to humans. But out here, they were still timid and very wary of man. Heidis little cottage was practically screaming that it was occupied, with its smoking chimney and blazing lights and yet the creature whatever it was was almost outside the window. Heidi frowned. Something definitely wasnt right.

Another flash of movement, and Heidi finally identified her visitor. The beautiful russet fur, big bushy tail with flecks of white there was a fox in her garden.

Grinning, Heidi rushed to dry her hands on a tea towel and then moved across the room to flick off the light switch. She waited until her eyes became accustomed to the darkness, then made her way back to the window. She spied the fox immediately, crouched down beside the hedge surrounding her garden, as though it was hunting something. A life-long nature lover, Heidi smiled, truly appreciating the stunning beauty of the creature. But the longer Heidi watched the animal, the more confused she became.

The fox hadnt moved for some time. If it was hunting, surely it would have pounced by now? A sinking feeling rolled through Heidis stomach. Perhaps it wasnt stalking after all, but lying down because it was injured?

Its not as if were attracted to one another. Its hard to keep my voice steady.

Not in the least, he says, his hand shedding birchbark curls like confetti as he runs it round and over my breast, spiralling in. Weve never been like that, Avril.

I know. Im finding it hard to speak as he closes on my exposed nipple. Oh God. My fingers scrabble clumsily at the oak-bark, revealing swathes of ivory flesh.

Youre not enjoying this. His voice is teasing, his breath warm on my ear.

Neither are you.

His next pass bares my right flank and hip. I lift my thigh against his to allow him access all the way down and I feel his response a surge in the plated region of his groin. Ash winces.

Its okay, I tell him, gently stripping him of his oak-bark armour and exposing the warm velvet flesh beneath, inch by inch. He moves in my hands like a hatchling struggling from its shell and I cup his balls and caress his cock, urging it erect. It jerks between my palms, flushed and proud. I can see how reluctant you are.

Yes. He looks dizzy. Thats quite obvious.

Very, very obvious, I say with appreciation.

All-Star Security, how can I be of service? Brent rested his elbows on the desk and used his thumb and forefinger to massage his temple. Im sorry, sir. I dont understand Hindior Punjabi. Do you speak En? Brent stared at the handset open-mouthed before slamming it down in its cradle. He cursed under his breath.

Another hang up? Jessie leaned back in her chair and applied bright red polish to the nails of her left hand.

Fifth time today and its only ten in the damn morning. Do you have any idea how much work were losing because Jack wont get his head out of his ass and hire us a secretary that speaks Hindi?

We have a secretary who speaks Hindi. Jessie held up her hand to the light and admired her newly painted nails. Yes, and Jameela is great, but she only works three days a week. What about the rest? Im a bodyguard not a damn receptionist. Im tired of this shit, and dont you have any work to do?

Tea break, Jessie explained.

Brent looked at the clock on the tiny office wall. Jessie had been at work precisely forty minutes and he hadnt seen her do a damn thing. And when did he start using the word damn so much?

He tugged on the collar of his white linen shirt and groaned out loud. The lousy air conditioning unit in their small rented office only seemed to work when it felt like it. Mumbai had two temperatures it seemed. Hotand ridiculously hot. Brent wasnt a fan of either.