He popped open her bra, captured her plump breast in his hand, and squeezed it gently. She moaned.
Konrad backed down the bed until his mouth was level with her breast, and suckled. She arched and moaned some more. Her responsiveness turned him on every bit as much as her beauty.
I can’t believe how much I love her. Why do I have to tell her what I really am? I don’t want this to end.
Roz suddenly retracted her fingers from his hair. “What do you mean?”
Konrad looked up into her expectant eyes. Something like fear brewed behind them.
“Tell me what you heard.”
“Why? Can’t you just tell me what this big secret is?”
He hung his head. Realizing he’d have to tell her something, he decided to divulge the less frightening of the secrets he’d been keeping. She’d probably be angry, but he’d prefer anger to her being frightened of him.
He scooted up beside her and pulled her into his arms. “You’re apt to be disappointed with me. Are you sure you want to know?”
After a long pause, she finally said, “Yes.” He’d hoped she might change her mind, at least until after they’d made love. Oh well. It seemed like that ship had sailed for the moment. He hoped it was only temporary.
“Roz, I don’t know how to say this without…well, hear me out before you get angry, all right?”
She took a deep breath. “I’ll try.”
She broke out of his embrace and sat up, leaning against the headboard. The loss of her warmth made his job that much harder, but she was expecting an explanation, so he had to press on.
“Okay, you know I have a brother, right?”
“Yes, your twin.”
“Nicholas.” He sat up and scooted next to her.
She nodded.
“We tried to start our own business together, selling alarm systems.”
“Tried to? I thought you still did.”
“Yes, we do. But it’s a tough time for any small business, and unless people feel security is absolutely necessary, they won’t pay for an expensive alarm system.” He dragged a hand over his face.
She nodded. “Go on.”
“You could say my job was to drum up business.”
She frowned and shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
He took a deep breath. “I’m a thief, Roz. Well, not a real thief. I don’t actually steal anything of value. I just jimmy a lock or break a window, something to make business owners realize they need to be better protected. In a way I’m doing them a service.”
She snorted. “Is that what you tell yourself so you can sleep at night?”
He hung his head. “Kind of, yeah.”
“So that night you were arrested, you weren’t just taking a walk, were you?”
“No. I—”
“Shhh.” She hurriedly put her finger against his lips. “Don’t say any more.”
He figured she might have to turn him in. There might be some kind of lawyer’s pledge or something, but he was willing to go to jail if she did. By stopping him, maybe she didn’t want to hear the details and wouldn’t have to take any action.
