Once her desire was satiated, he began to move faster, which heightened her already raw body to feel entirely new sensations.
After a few more minutes, he groaned and bowed his head in release.
He rolled to his side, a lazy smile on his face, looking drunk with satisfaction. He pulled her against his sweaty body, tightening his grip on her waist.
“Oh, are we done?” She drew her eyebrows together into a false pout. God, this was so not like her—and it felt so damn good.
“Give me a few minutes, and I promise you there’ll be more.” He pressed his mouth to hers and lifted her on top of him.
Kate woke a few hours later to find the bed empty. They’d had a marathon of sex, and she must have fallen asleep after. Sex with Michael had proven spectacular and addictive.
The night had been amazing—what she needed to take her mind off the heavy stuff.
But, when she had decided to sleep with him—well, more like her body had told her mind to pull over and let it drive for a while—she knew that she would need to accept him as he was.
And that meant accepting that he would be rid of her soon. Maybe he was already done with her, which should’ve been fine—she didn’t want anything heavy, either. Hell, maybe she needed to rethink her rules. Maybe casual sex was the solution to staying out of a serious relationship while she was building her career.
But thinking about Michael sleeping around created an unwelcome tightness in her chest, and that was a pretty strong indicator that Kate wasn’t really up for casual sex. Sleeping with Michael had been incredible, but now her heart would pay the price.
She stepped out of his mammoth bed and retrieved her silk tank top and shorts from the floor, wanting to find him and assess his mood.
She walked down the hall in search of him.
Michael was standing out on his balcony, dressed only in a pair of sweats despite the slight chill of the September night. Her breath caught in her throat as he turned toward her. In spite of her drowsy soreness, she found herself growing hot with desire just looking at him.
She doubted any woman would ever get enough of that man. He was gorgeous, and yet there was so much more to him than that. But he didn’t want anyone to see—he didn’t want to let anyone on the inside. Those emotions trapped inside of him—she’d felt them, with every thrust. It was like he was sharing himself with her in the most pure and honest way he could since they’d met.
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know that Michael was hurting. But why? Because of what happened when he was in the military? The people he lost?
The shadow of the moon was cast down on him, making him look somehow unreal. His chest moved with each slow breath. She noticed for the first time his slight dusting of chest hair and the dark trail of hair at his navel. His five o’clock shadow from yesterday had grown even darker.
“Are you okay?” she asked upon approach. Her shoulders sagged a little as she rubbed her arms, feeling a bit cold, and waited for him to reply.
“Yeah.”
She closed the gap between them and rested her hand on his forearm. “Why aren’t you in bed?”
He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m not great at sharing a bed.” He looked away from her and fixed his gaze on the hotel across the street. Was he worried about the nightmares?
“Michael, I always tell my half-brother—well, brother, I mean. I hate when people call him my ‘half’ as if he is less of a brother because we have different moms . . . A brother is a brother, right? Well, I always encourage him to talk about what he’s going through when deployed—he shouldn’t keep things locked up.” She raised her right shoulder and released a breath. “Sorry, I’m rambling. I’m nervous. But maybe you could try talking about—”
“You don’t need to be nervous with me, Kate.”
She wasn’t going to come away from this unscathed . . . was she?
Michael cleared his throat and stepped back, turning away from her. “You should get some rest, Kate.” He was closing himself off. Of course, what else did he do when things got real?
She looked over as his hands swept up to the railing. He gripped it and bowed his head forward, and she noticed the muscles in his back tense.
“If you change your mind about talking, well, I can be a friend. I can listen,” she said with a slight tremble in her voice.
Without turning around, he answered, “I have enough friends, Kate. But thanks.”
And like that, the icy mask slid back into place, and the Man of Steel was back.
Chapter Twelve
Michael was standing in the kitchen cooking an omelet when he looked up to see Kate. Although she’d only gotten a few hours of sleep, she looked rested. He was relieved when she had left the balcony to sleep in her own room. He didn’t want to send her any more mixed messages. Besides, what if he’d had another nightmare? What if he hurt her?
The sex had been amazing with her, but she was too good for him. So sweet and innocent. She should have come with a warning label.
“Hi.”
She was standing at the edge of the kitchen, and he could already see the damage he’d done.
“Morning,” he said before focusing back on the frying pan. He was unable to look into her eyes, afraid of what else he might see.
“A man who can cook. Smells good. Can I help?”
He turned back around, not wanting to be rude, even though he knew he shouldn’t be nice. She wouldn’t fall for him if he acted like a dick, he hoped. Hell, but what if she already had? He tilted his head to the side and studied her for a moment. He couldn’t stop himself from appreciating the sight of her.
She was in her gym clothes again, and he’d be damned if he ever saw someone wear workout clothes better. A fitted, bright orange tank top showed off her curves, and her tiny workout shorts revealed defined legs and hinted at an equally toned backside.
He scratched the back of his head and turned back to the eggs, pushing at the omelet with the spatula. “I’m just about done. Have a seat.” He grabbed two plates and slid the food onto them before sprinkling a dash of salt and pepper.
“Looks good. Thank you so much,” she said when he set the food in front of her.
He sat on the stool next to her, and then he did something stupid. His hand came up over the top of hers. “Are you okay, Kate?” When he looked up at her, her eyes were focused on his hand, her mouth in a tight line.
Shit. What am I doing?
“I—ugh . . .” she started.
He lifted his hand from hers and pressed it to his lap.
“Michael.” She kept her eyes trained on her dish, and that was fine with him. He didn’t want to see pain on her face. He didn’t think he could handle it if he did. “I don’t think I’m cut out for this. I’m sorry.” And then she stood up and came around behind the stool. “Thank you for the food, but I don’t have much of an appetite.”
He rested his elbows on the edge of the counter. He wasn’t sure what to say.
“Last night was amazing. I mean, like, amazing with capital letters. But we have been thrown together under unusual circumstances, and that would never have happened otherwise.” She paused and rubbed her hands against her sides, fixating on the floor. “The girl in the bedroom with you last night—that’s not me.”
He swallowed as he turned to face her and stood, his eyes studying her high cheekbones and full mouth. She could have been a model or an actress, but he was immensely relieved that she wasn’t. Not all celebrities were pretentious and shallow, but most of the ones he dated were—and that was just the way he liked it, usually. That way, he was in no danger of falling for anyone.
But Kate, she was the entire package, wasn’t she? And while he adored every new perfection that he discovered, each thing pricked him with the pain that he would have to lose her.
“When I walked into the kitchen this morning, and I saw you—”
“I’m sorry, Kate.” He couldn’t let her continue. He couldn’t
hear what she’d say. “I enjoyed last night. It was great. But I can’t be anyone else—this is me. I only do casual. You know that.” He dragged a palm down his face, hating himself right now. “I can never give you what you need—what you deserve,” he added, and he wasn’t exactly sure what possessed him to note that point.
“And why is that?”
He looked down at the hardwood floors and stepped back from her, needing some space. “I just can’t get into this right now.”
Or ever.
He paused and forced his attention back to her eyes. “Listen,” he began, reaching for her hand, but she stiffened and pulled away. He deserved that. “I promise I’ll keep you safe. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you—that is something you need that I can give you.”
Before she had a chance to respond, Michael’s phone began ringing. “That’s probably Connor, your bodyguard.” He reached for his phone. “Yeah, come on up. I’ll buzz you in.”
He went to the foyer and tapped at the keypad by the elevator doors.
Connor stepped out a moment later, wearing faded blue jeans and a dark green T-shirt. He’d clearly stopped shaving, Michael noted when assessing his scruffy beard. Michael felt strangely uneasy as he watched Kate’s eyes wander over Connor’s body, before adjusting to meet his green eyes.
A muscular arm extended toward Kate. Her dimples were exposed as she smiled back at Connor. “Hi, I’m Kate.”
“I wish I were meeting you under different circumstances, but it’s nice to meet you. I’m Connor.” He flashed her a bright smile.
“Thank you for coming,” Michael said and looked back at Kate. “Connor was with me in the Marines—he joined the year I did. He’s been out of the military for about as long as me.” Michael motioned them into the living room.
Connor studied Kate’s long legs as he followed behind her, which Michael observed with pained annoyance. “How do you know each other?” Connor asked before taking a seat on the suede sofa next to Kate.
Michael stood by the fireplace and trained his attention on Connor. Now that he noticed how captivated Connor seemed to be with Kate, Michael was beginning to question his choice of bodyguard. Connor was thirty-two, single, and a handsome guy. He’d have to be blind not to notice Kate.
God, what is wrong with me? He shouldn’t care if his friend checked out Kate—she wasn’t his.
“I planned the ball for Michael. I didn’t see you there the other night, did I?”
Connor shook his head. “No, I just got back from London yesterday. I was working on a special assignment so I couldn’t make it.”
“Do you, um, keep people safe for a living?” she asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.
Connor smirked. “When it pays well,” he joked. “Michael explained to me the situation. I’m glad to be at your beck and call until he finds the bastard who is following you.”
“I don’t think we’ll need you today,” Michael found himself saying, deciding he could protect Kate today and skip his meetings. “I’m not needed at the office today.” So maybe he’d piss off about ten different people by not showing, but at the moment, he didn’t give a damn.
He had another meeting with the DoD tomorrow, though. He’d have to go in for that one. “If you could be here by eight tomorrow morning that would be great.”
Connor nodded. “I’m staying at the hotel across the street, so I’ll be close by.”
“Thank you. I think this is all a little extreme, but Michael insists, so I guess I have no choice.” She smiled at Connor and rose to her feet when he stood.
“We’ll keep you safe. Don’t worry.”
“Let’s talk for a minute,” Michael said. He motioned for Connor to follow him into his office.
“It’s good to see you, man.” Connor patted Michael on the shoulder.
“You, too. How’s your brother? Mason on his last tour of duty?” Michael folded his arms and stood in front of his desk.
“He signed up for another one, and then I think he’s done. My dad wants to groom him for the family business.” Connor rubbed a hand down the side of his head before he swept it to the back of his neck.
“When are you going to stop running around—risking your neck?” Michael chided gently. “You could work at your dad’s place, too, you know.”
Connor shook his head. “Fuck no.”
Michael didn’t press. Instead, he filled Connor in with all the details.
“And Jake managed to get time off to come help tomorrow?” Connor asked as they made their way back to Kate a few minutes later.
“Yeah, fortunately.”
“Good. Well, see you guys in the morning.” Connor smiled and said goodbye after they chatted for a few more minutes.
“So, what do you think of him?” Michael asked after the elevator doors closed.
“I like him,” she said.
Michael’s jaw clamped shut for a brief moment. “Good.” He looked down at his watch. “We have a few hours before Jake gets here. I was thinking that maybe you could try and sketch a picture of what the guy looked like—the one you saw watching you at the club, restaurant, and ball.”
Kate released a small laugh. “Me? I can try, but I doubt it will do us much good. Drawing is not exactly my forte.”
He gave her a slight nod. “Come on, I’ll let you use my office.” After providing her with paper and a pencil, he left without saying another word. He didn’t want to be alone with her. He couldn’t breathe around her right now. She smelled too good—looked too good.
And he had promised to keep her safe.
“You’re gorgeous.” Those were the first words that Jake uttered to Kate. Not “hi,” “how are you,” or “nice to meet you.” He opened with, “You’re gorgeous.”
Michael pushed his fingertips against his right temple. “Jake,” he muttered in a low voice.
“So, some asshole has been following you, huh?” Jake released her hand and smiled.
Kate decided that swear words sounded sexy with a Texas drawl. “Unfortunately.”
“Perhaps we could sit and get acquainted and discuss what you already know,” Jake replied before heading toward the living room.
“Sure. Let me just grab something.” She left and went to the office to get her drawing.
“You could have warned me about Kate before I met her.” Kate paused in the hallway on her way back at Jake’s comment.
“Warn you about what?” Michael asked. She could just imagine Michael rolling his eyes.
“She’s an incredible looking woman. And with no make-up on . . . she looks like that? Tell me you’re not screwing her. Tell me she’s available.”
“Jake, you’re a good friend, but if you even think about making a move on her . . .”
A small pebble of hope bounced around her stomach.
She must have made some small sound because Michael looked up and found her standing still in the doorframe of the hall. “Kate.”
Kate glanced at Michael as she made her way to Jake. “Ugh. Here,” she said, handing her drawing to Jake, playing off the weird tension in the room by offering a forced but tight-lipped smile. “I can’t draw well, but that’s the best I could do. I saw this guy a few times. I don’t know for sure if he’s the one following me.” She sat down in a nearby armchair.
“This will help. Thank you,” Jake replied. “So, tell me what’s been going on.” He focused his attention on Kate, ignoring the glower that Michael was shooting his way. Fanning the flames a bit more, he added, “You’re a beautiful woman. It’s no great surprise that you might have a stalker.”
She studied Jake as she thought about what to say. He had short, dirty blonde hair. He was tall and muscular, but a little leaner than Michael and his warm brown eyes seemed to smile whenever he flashed his dimples at her. Like Connor, he was handsome. Did Michael only have good looking friends?
“Show him your phone,” Michael said, almost as if he were impatient with Kate.
“It’s ov
er there,” she said, pointing to her phone, which sat on the coffee table just in front of Jake.
Jake nodded and grabbed it. “Michael said your stalker started off by sending text messages, right? I assume they’re from the blocked number in here.” He scrolled through the images. “What else do you have?” He put the phone back down and looked at Michael, and then to Kate.
The red envelope was sitting on the end table by the armchair, alongside the dozen or so pictures that had been on the bed at the hotel. She reached for them, noticing her fingers trembling slightly. “Here,” she said, trying to steady her hand.
Jake flipped through the photos and opened the envelope. If he was worried at all, his face didn’t show it. In fact, she couldn’t gauge any type of reaction from him whatsoever. He was an FBI agent, she had to remind herself, and her situation probably didn’t even rank on the weird meter to him.
He set the photos and envelope on the table next to her phone and leaned forward, perching his elbows on his knees. “Stalkers generally send messages and photos for one of a few reasons. Sometimes the stalker actually believes that he or she loves the person that they’re following, and the messages are meant to serve as a token of appreciation and love. Sometimes a stalker sends messages because they get off on the fear. They like seeing your face when you receive the message and the person enjoys your reaction.”
Kate pulled the side of her bottom lip between her teeth for a moment before realizing it. She shifted her focus to Michael, who rose to his feet and walked to the wall of windows. The cloudy sky was growing darker, matching their somber mood.
“But it may not be either of those reasons,” Jake announced.
Her shoulders slumped as her brows lifted. “What else could it be?”
“The person might not be obsessed with you in an infatuation sort of way, but rather just wants you to think that he is. Considering that your stalker demanded you go back to New York suggests that the motive of the texts and photos was to frighten you out of the city.”
The Hidden Truths Series Box Set Page 13
