Page 93 of Blood Moon

“I’m no expert, either, but basically, it’s a method of divination based on an alphanumeric system. The most widely used numerical chart is the Pythagorean.”

John was already lost. “What’s the chart for?”

“The chart pairs each letter of the alphabet with a number between one and nine. Each number represents certain character traits. By using the letters and their corresponding numerals in your name and/or birthday, you calculate your five core numbers. Each of your core numbers applies to a vital aspect of life. Profession, relationships, and so on. Therefore, those who put stock in the system use their core numbers as road maps for their life path, guidelines to influence decisions, major or minor.”

“Like a zodiac sign.”

“Um, similar, yes. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“So why would double letters in a person’s name be arousing?”

“Just as you’d suppose. The letter’s numerical correspondent, and the trait it signifies, is twice as strong in that individual’s makeup.” He paused, then said, “Of course, many people think it’s mumbo-jumbo. But your perpetrator might not. I thought I should at least bring it to your attention.”

“Thank you. I’ll get Beth’s read on it in the morning. If questions arise, can we call you?”

“Feel free to. Good night, Mr. Bowie.”

“Thanks again.”

John turned out lights as he made his way into his bedroom. He took a quick shower and got into bed. It felt good to be lying down, but his brain was slow to unwind. He must have fallen asleep eventually, because he awoke to a soft, cool hand pressing his shoulder. “John?” He turned from his side onto his back. Beth was standing at the bedside. He levered himself up on his elbows.

She removed her hand from his shoulder and stood looking down at him with uncertainty. “I was rude to you earlier. You were trying to be helpful, but I was just so upset that I…” She pulled her lower lip through her teeth.

“You told me your parents worry about you. You worry over Molly. No one ever worried about me. Even though I was their firstborn, to my parents I was an afterthought, if they thought of me at all. The wrong daughter died. I’m not telling you this so you’ll pity me, but so you’ll understand what Max meant to me.

“He wasn’t a father by any stretch. Not even to his own flesh-and-blood son. But he cared about me enough to correct me, chide me, commend me. He wanted to see me do well. He was my… my Yoda. My lodestar.

“I’ll survive his death. But I’ll mourn it.” She wiped her eyes with her fists. “I’m sorry I woke you. I just wanted to apologize for turning you away.” She gestured behind her toward the door. “Thank you for listening. I’ll just—”

“Hush.” He reached out and captured her hand.

He threw off the covers and pulled her down beside him, gathering her close. If she realized he was naked, she didn’t comment or resist. Rather, she snuggled against him. He tucked her head beneath his chin and stroked her back. Her breath stuttered against his chest. She made small, choppy sounds as she brought her emotions under control.

“Shh, shh.” He rubbed his chin back and forth against the crown of her head, then kissed it and kept his lips there against her hair. She quieted, and, for a time, all they did was lie together, breathing in unison, their hearts beating against each other’s, while his hand continued to move up and down her back consolingly.

Then she tilted her head back against his biceps and looked at him. She reached up and lightly brushed her fingers across his lips.

He exhaled through his mouth and against her fingertips, and looked at her with what he hoped didn’t look like pleading, although it was. “Beth?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes.”

Thank Christ.

He rolled her onto her back, pushed his knee between hers, used his hips to secure hers to the bed, and slid his fingers up through her hair to hold her head in place while he kissed her.

He was sick to death of talking and thinking and talking some more. He allowed his mind to go blank and let carnal appetite take over. God, he’d been hungry for her, and now couldn’t get enough.

Her mouth was sweet and hot and delicious and giving, but greedy in its own right. Her dainty tongue flirted withhis, and he permitted the play. For a time. Then he claimed her mouth again in a purely male manner, and that elicited a needy sound from her.

He let up a little to kiss the corner of her lips, dabbing that alluring spot with the tip of his tongue. He kissed her brow, her cheek, which was damp from tears. He kissed along her jawline to the soft skin beneath her ear. He kissed her neck and the triangular hollow at the base of her throat, where he paused to catch his breath.

Then he did a one-handed pushup and with his other pulled her tank top over her head. To help get it off, she raised her arms. When she lowered them, one languidly came to rest on his shoulder. The other she laid across her forehead and closed her eyes, making of her body an offering, and he seized on it.

He caressed her breasts. Their smooth slopes, the plumper undersides, their beguiling crests. He lowered his mouth to one. Against his tongue, the texture was velvety, but its firm assertion told him that Beth wanted this, wanted him. So he worried it with his tongue, tugged it into his mouth, fanned it with his breath, then did the same with the other.

This was the fulfillment of a fantasy. He indulged, hoping that he wouldn’t wake up and discover that he was dreaming. But if he was, it was a graphic dream. Beth’s breathing was now being interrupted by her soft gasps. The hand she’d propped on her forehead flexed and contracted into a fist. She grew restless, her hips now trying to move beneath the pressure of his, to create friction between his erection and her cleft.

He raised his head from her breasts. Beth opened her eyes, lowered her arm from her forehead and used it toencircle his neck. She pulled him to her and lifted her head just high enough for their lips to meet. As they kissed, he slid his hand down into the waistband of her sleep shorts. He petted her, stroked, sought, found her wet. He gathered moisture, then drew his finger up and across the spot that caused a reaction like an electric shock through her whole body.

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