FLOWERS and CAGES by Mary J. Williams Page B

hungry, the feeling was different than when one was not. Did one appreciate the food any less? He didn't think so. It was simply a different kind of appreciation.
    "Don't get me wrong," Colleen assured him. "I don't consider money a dirty word. One day I plan on having a nice chunk of it myself."
    "Will you buy a lake?" This time, when Colleen's hand brushed his, he moved closer until the touch was no longer random.
    "Perhaps. But first, I want a closet full of shoes."
    Dalton grinned. "I can identify with a dream like that. Thank you for this, Colleen."
    "It's a treat for me, too. This was one of those slow, catch up on paperwork afternoons. I hate paperwork. Damn."
    Opening one eye, Dalton peeked Colleen's way. "Is something wrong?"
    "I forgot to put on sunscreen. In another five minutes, my skin will go from light pink to lobster red."
    "Do we need to go back?
    "No. With a complexion like mine, I always have SPF gazillion in the glove compartment." She began swimming to shore. "Stay here. I won't be long."
    Dalton gave Colleen a bit of a head start then leisurely followed. It gave him the chance to watch as she left the water. The view was spectacular. Her underwear wasn't designed for swimming, the result being an interesting see-through effect. His opinion of her ass didn't change. It was fine indeed.
    "Need some help?" he asked as Colleen retrieved the sunscreen.
    Lifting her arm, Colleen peered at him, her green eyes sparkling. "Rubbing lotion on me holds more appeal than the lake? I'm flattered."
    "I doubt there is a straight man alive who would turn down a chance to touch you, Colleen."
    "Well then." With a slow smile, Colleen handed him the bottle. "Touch away."
    Dalton wasn't an untried boy, but neither was he made of stone. Was he capable of touching without taking a taste? Maybe. Now wasn't the time to test the theory.
    "I don't have a condom with me."
    Taking back the sunscreen, Colleen gave him a look of genuine regret. "As a modern, sexually active woman, I pride myself on always being prepared. But not today. Another time?"
    "It feels inevitable."
    That brought a big, bright, palpitation-inducing smile to Colleen's lips. When she turned away, Dalton raised a hand to his chest. He rubbed the spot just above his heart with a puzzled frown. That was different . He didn't have time to contemplate what it meant. If he couldn't touch Colleen, he could still enjoy the show.
    "Mind if I watch?"
    "Too bad that sounds kinkier than the reality." Colleen picked a patch of green grass to sit. She began at her feet and slowly worked up. "One of the ways you lured me away from work was the promise we would talk."
    "Did I say that?" Dalton teased. At the moment, his interest was centered on the slope of Colleen's calf.
    "Should I stop?" Colleen flipped shut the bottle's cap.
    "No!" Hearing the tinge of desperation in his voice, Dalton cracked up. "You make me feel like a teenager. Can I talk you out of that bra?"
    "If we were teenagers? Probably. But not today. I'll lotion up, you talk."
    "Fair enough." Leaning back on his elbows, Dalton stretched out his long legs. "I wasn't a teenager, but I was just as reckless and stupid."
     
    SEVEN YEARS EARLIER
     
    "WHEN WE MAKE it big, our first investment will be a new van with a working air conditioner."
    Sweat rolled freely down Dalton's face. The open window did nothing to ease the heat. It made it so they could breathe while they roasted.
    "Amen, brother." Ashe drove through the Arizona afternoon wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. The old beach towel that protected him from the springs sticking out of the imitation leather seat was soaked with perspiration. His shaggy dark hair clung to the side of his sweat-drenched face. He had the seat pushed back as far as possible to accommodate his long legs.
    In the back, their instruments were carefully packed beside four suitcases and some camping equipment. There were nights when the budget didn't include money for a motel