Ellen shook her head, trying to bring herself back to reality. "Yes,

ma'am, I'm fine. I'm just in the tub." She could hear the clank of glass

and s'dverware in the bedroom.

"I thought I heard you tlking to someone," the woman called through the door.

"I was ... just thinking out loud."

"See you later, love." Jack waved at her, then slowly faded out of sight.

The landlady's voice cut through the steam which filled the bathroom.

"Well, I brought you some soup and crackers. The tray's here by your

bed, but don't worry about the soup etting cold. i've put it in athermos. Now, enjoy your bath, dear."

"You're welcome. Have a good long soak."

Ellen remained in the water until her fingers starl to wrinkle.

Wrapping herself in her threadbare wive, she hopped across the chilledbedroom and tried to create a pocket of warmth between the cold sheets.Ellm uncapped the thermos, finding the savory smell to be strangelyunappetizing to her. Even hunger failed to permeate the depression thatsettled around her.

How can I separate the two sides of his personality like this? How can Ihate Hank so much, yet miss lack so badly ? God. I think I'm going crazy.

Eventually despair surrendered to sleep: a deep, dreamless sleep fromwhich she awoke feeling tired and even more depressed. As gray threadsof light hegan to fill her room, she glanced through the window. Nighthad passed A Killer Smile A Killer Smile to morning, bringing with it ablizzard to block the sun and cover the world with white. Outside, carsskidded down the siushy streets, narrowly missing each other.

Ellen took little time to make her decision to forego a day of hangingaround the flea market and watching the diehard Sunday shoppers stragglepast her portrait booth without stopping. She rolled over in bed andslept, praying one again for some sort of new dream to help her escapefrom her prison in the midst of freedom.

STAMNO our the bedroom window, Alec watched cars slide uncontrollablydown the tree dined road below him. Nursing a scalding cup of blackcoffee, he was thank fiji it was Sunday and he had no plans to goanywhere or do anything. In an effort to regain the-v-aim ants of hislife before the mountain, he'd made up for his inactivity and ill temperby playing racquetball with Reid almost all Saturday afternoon.

Alec's sore muscles screamed their protest, complaining about the suddenover exertion after weeks of near stagnation. Nw, all he wanted to dowas prop himself up inside the shower stall and let the stream of waterknead his body until he could stand no more.

With the massage-unit dial turned up to heavy pummel, he soaped himself,then remained in the daunting spray, dazed by the euphoria of reliel Inhis opinion the only thing that could exceed the soothing sensations ofa shower would be a long soak in a hot tub.

hot tub. A shiver crawled up his spine despite the clouds of steam thatenveloped him. The mental picture became almost too much to take.

Ellen, a hot tub, a bottle of champagne. and him.

FROM BEHRD all I could see was a topknot of dark hair, held with a widewhite ribbon. Bubbles popped gently, dancing to their own exotic, eroticchoreography, revealing an occasional enticing glimpse. Catching mybreath, I took a moment to appreciate the light fragrance filling theair. The scent had no name, no description other than the fact it wasuniquely hers.

Her perfume.

Just the thought' of it made me stiffen in desire. I glanced down at my tuxedo. A wild idea filled my mind and my heart, my body already

consumed by a greater need. I moved closer to the tub.

Her eyes were closed and her lips slightly parted. Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead, and tiny cuds of dark hair plastered her cheeks.

Before I could say a word, she opened her eyes and looked up at me.

Her face ' reflected surprise, but not fear.

My heart soared. I held out my offerings: a bottle of champagne and two stemmed glasses.

"Thirsty?"

She nodded.

I popped the bottle's cork with one hand, then poured two drinks.

Sitting on the edge of the tub, I held a glass to her lips; Her gaze

held mine for a brief moment, then she took a tentative sip.

"It's good."

Her smile betrayed a thousand thoughts.

"I'd ask you to join me but ..." She fingered the lapel of my jacket,

leaving behind a trail of bubbles. "You're not dressed for il" I returned her hooded look with my ownhungry anticipation. "You mean, not undressed for it?" I placed thebottle and glasses on the edge of the hot tub. '" do believe in being flexible, don't you?" I slipped out of the black shoes and stepped into the tub, tuxedo and all.

Killer Smile A Killer Smile I started to take off my jacket, but found

two foamy hands pressed against my shoulders.

"Not so fast. Don't deny me my pleasure."

I smiled.

"What is your pleasure, my dea?"

"Turn around."

I hated to turn away, but I followed my instructions. Damp hands helped

me out of the jacket, and it landed on the floor. When I turned around,she smiled, her delicately scented fingers pulling at my tie. After sheloosened it, she playfully tugged my suspenders, threatening to snapthem.

"It's always been my fantasy" -- she reached below the surface of thewater and found the' metal fastener at my waist "--to undress you." "You've done that before."

"But not in a hot tub." Who was I to deny a beautiful woman her fondest fantasy ? I remainedstill, wondering if the furious rhythm of my heart would be plainly evident to her.

Surely she could feel the reverberations that rocked through my chesteach time she touched me.

I reached up to unfasten the silver studs on the shirt, but she pushedmy hands away.

"Oh, no," she whispered in a husky voice that made my. heart miss abeat.

"That's my job." Sure fingers plucked at the studs, pushing their wayinto my open shirt, caressing the muscles that tightened at her lightesttouch.

I groaned in pleasure as she slid her hand down the length of my body,unfastening my pants and pushing them out of her way. My dee was hard tocontain, much less' disguise.

Before I could move, she shifted to the opposite side of the large tuband draped her arms along the rim. She rewarded me with a wicked smile.

"Your turn."

I decided to imitate the slow deliberation she took in. undressing me.

Running a hand over the top of her shoulder, I discovered a thin straphiding beneath a layer of bubbles. My hands didn't shake as I peeled thelacy lavender band from her pale shoulder. Beneath the foamy surface ofthe water, I could see the thin material mold to her bare breasts. Whenmy hand brushed against her, she closed her eyes and leaned forward..

Running a hand down her lace-clad legs, I returned to her thigh todiscover the garter that held the stocking in such exquisite place.

Slowly peeling the hose down and over her toes, I allowed the fabric toslide against her body as I drew it up, pausing at the valley betweenher breasts.

Then I draped the lace stocking over the edge of the tub. She released araspy gasp and reached for me.

"Not yet, darling'." I kissed her hands and replaced them along the rim.

Instead of closing he) eyes to savor the sensation, she riveted herattention on me, demanding, coaxing, pleading with the silent words Icould hear in my heart.

I removed the second lace stocking slowly, allowing myself time to enjoythe softness of her submerged skin. The lace floated free, riding acrest of bubbles." Our gazes locked in desire. Patience disappeared. Mylips discovered the sweet sensations of her breasts. My hands traced apath beneath the surface of the water. Her hands kneaded my back,digging in when waves of passion became overwhelming. I shifted in orderto look at her, seeking agreement in my intent to possess her.

All of her.

She responded to my passionate request with a nod. Her lips formed asilent yes.

Bubbles, steam, perfume, hot water. all combined to become anoverpowering aphrodisiac to heighten the Killer Smile pleasure wecreated. Passion rode rhythmic waves, bringing us to a pinnacle ofsexual frenzy amid a froth of bubbles. Words were unimportant, givingprecedence to a tactile understanding of the ultimate act of sensualityand love.

I knew it was love and I intended to tell her so.

She spoke first.

"I love you, Jack."

I ran my fingers along her cheek and traced a path down her neck. '7love you, too. Tess."

AT C LOST ms BALAI:E and stumbled in the showr, knocking the faucet withhis elbow. Ice-cold water poured down, chilling his body as well, as hisheart. He slapped at the control to shut off the water, then reachedblindly f6r a towel. Goose bumps danced along his flesh and unwelcomeideas flooded his mind.

Did you love Ellen?

Or Tess?

Why does it matter? She's dead.

Alec sagged against the bathroom doorframe.

She's dead.

He tightened the belt of his bathrobe and stared out the window at thesnow-capped mountaina outlined against the western sky.

"And I never said thank you ... or good settings from his mind,leaving him with nothing but his thoughts.

His guilt.

"Why?" He slammed his fist into the window frame, dangerously closet0the glass pane.

"Why is this bothering me so much? Why can't I get her out of my mind?"

He heard the rattle of a dog tag behind him and turned to face Hermitt.The animal stretched, yawned and glared at his masl, evidently blaminghim for the rude awakening. Alec gave hin a quick scratch behind theears, then A Killer Smile 209 followed the limping dog back to thehearth in the living room. At some point in the intervening months,Hermitt had regained his love for fire.

Survival in the face of holocaust.

Hermitt had done what Alec couldn't: forget the past and live for thepresent and the future.

"If she's dead, Hermitt, then why does she continue to live in here?"

Alec tapped his finger against his temple. "And here." He balled his fist and placed it against his chet.

The dog thumped his tail against the hearth at the mention of his own name.