Fade to Black

by Unknown

  Rich happened to be leaving the same time Kate was, and they said their goodbyes as they walked through the parking lot to where their cars were parked. The fact that he was going to be spending tomorrow with a house full of nuts bothered her a great deal. And the more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she became.

  “You aren’t pretty,” he said.

  All the air left Kate’s lungs, and she could feel the tears stinging her eyes. She wasn’t so naïve as to think that she was a super model or anything, but his words hurt more than just her pride. The thought of Rich Spencer not thinking she was at least pretty caused more pain than she thought possible.

  Burning instantly started in her eyes. She took a step back and was about to turn away before the tears fell, embarrassing her further, when he took a step toward her as his eyes continued to bore into hers. She wanted to look away, to look anywhere except the intoxicating face staring back at her.

  “I think you’re absolutely beautiful.” He winked. “Definitely my type,” he whispered, before turning on his heel and walking away.

  Her first instinct was to run after him, to get clarification. His type? She didn’t want to be his type. She was Jesse’s type.

  Her ringing phone interrupted her thoughts. “Hello?” She snapped at the poor person on the other end of the line.

  “KC? Is everything okay?” Jesse asked, worried.

  His voice was all Kate needed to calm herself. She turned to face her car and smiled. “No, everything’s fine. You can’t imagine how much I needed to hear your voice right now. I love you, Jesse.”

  “Wow, what brought this on? Not that I’m complaining.”

  “It’s just…” She looked over her shoulder to see Rich drive away. “It’s been an emotional day.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She climbed into the car and turned the key. “I’m on my way. Will you be there when I get home?”

  The sound of metal and air guns could be heard in the background. “No. That’s why I was calling. I have to work late since we’re off tomorrow and Friday. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” She sounded disappointed to her own ears. “How long are you going to be?”

  “Probably three hours or so. Will you wait up?”

  “Of course. I really need to be with you tonight.” If for no other reason than to solidify her feelings for him and convince herself she didn’t feel anything for Rich.

  “I love you, KC. I’ll see you in a bit.”

  The line disconnected, and she was again alone with her thoughts. The CD player was going to be her only salvation. She turned it on and enjoyed the hard notes and beats of her newest CD, which made her thoughts muddy in her head.

  The dark apartment wasn’t at all what Kate needed to lighten her mood. She needed Jesse to wrap her in a hug and make the rest of the world disappear. She flipped on the lights and headed straight for the bathroom. A nice warm bubble bath would have to be what she used to get her mind off of the comment made by Rich.

  She slid into the tub, submerging herself into the hot water and fluffy bubbles. Definitely my type, her mind chanted. His type? His type? What was that supposed to mean? He was married for crying out loud. And she was in love with Jesse. There was no way she would ever feel anything for Rich.

  Rich.

  His name echoed in her mind as did his words. Kate replayed everything about their conversations since the time she began working with him. His jealousy at the thought of Clayton hitting on her, and the events of today were enough to make her believe he had feelings for her—more than the professional, platonic friendship they were supposed to have.

  I have to know, she told herself as she climbed out of the bathtub, sending water splashing over the sides and onto the fluffy white rug.

  Kate didn’t even take the time to dry off. Instead she wrapped her robe around herself and headed for the phone. She dialed the familiar number and waited for a voice to answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi Monica, it’s Kate.” Her heart hammered in her throat.

  “Oh hi, Kate, what’s up?”

  “I um—” What the hell are you doing? “—I need to get a hold of Rich, can I get his number?” You’re playing with fire!

  “Sure thing. One sec.”

  Hang up, NOW!

  The phone clanked against the desk, and then Monica was back and rattled off the number.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem. See you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, tomorrow.” Kate stared down at the numbers that seemed to glare back from the paper in accusation. If she dialed them, nothing good could come from it. Kate had no business calling another woman’s husband to ask him to clarify exactly what he meant by her being his type, no matter how horrible the marriage was. Nor did it matter how psycho Shea was. Rich was still married to her.

  And Kate’s heart belonged to Jesse.

  She walked into the kitchen and pulled out a Coke, took out a cup and filled it with ice before dumping in the bubbling brown liquid. While the bubbles subsided, she paced in front of the notepad by the phone. This was a decision that couldn’t even be discussed with anyone. Olivia was too close to the situation, besides she’d known Rich for far longer. Her only other friend, Sophia was… Well, she’d tell Josh and Josh would tell…Jesse.

  What are you doing?

  Staring into the face in the mirror in the entry way, Kate spoke to the only confidante she had, “Who cares if the gorgeous guy with the intoxicating baby blues has feelings for you? It doesn’t matter. What you have with Jesse is wonderful.” Over her shoulder, from the opposing wall, was a picture of Jesse with her in his arms, kissing her.

  The memory flooded her thoughts and she smiled.

  It was just before they moved from Arizona. She’d just received the call saying that she had her first job after college. Jesse threw a party and convinced all their friends to come to wish her good luck—and goodbye. As people started to leave, he took her hands. “KC, I can’t bear for you to leave me.”

  “I know, but we’ll call every day and I’ll come home as much as I can, and you can come…”

  He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers as he traced circles on her back. “I don’t want to be away from you for one minute, let alone weeks or months at a time.”

  Tears burned her eyes as she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him. The anticipation of being away from him ate away at her heart. “I know how you feel, Jesse, but what do you expect me to do?” The first tear made a trail down her cheek.

  He chuckled as his thumb stretched out to brush away her tear. “I expect you to let me come with you.”

  Kate’s brows furrowed in confusion, and she took a step back so she could see him better. “What? Jesse, what are you saying?” Her brain was working overtime trying to comprehend what he was telling her.

  “I’m saying that I bought into a garage, and I’m moving out there with you.”

  The next thing Kate knew she was throwing herself into Jesse’s arms, while wrapping him in a chokehold, kissing his cheeks and lips. “Are you serious?”

  “If it’s okay with you.”

  “Okay…with me?” There was no way to contain the excitement, and relief. Tears streamed down her cheeks with increased force as she pressed her lips to his.

  A flash interrupted their moment.

  She studied the picture, running her finger over the people who looked so happy. They were happy. They are happy.

  Her thoughts returned to Rich and the horrendous conversations she’d overheard, and the sad stories he’d told her as verification of Shea’s lack of mental stability. Kate picked up the pad and stared at the numbers. Curiosity killed the cat, she told herself. With a flip of her thumb, the phone opened and she pressed the first three numbers, only to close the phone again.

  Rich’s words floated through her mind again, “I think you’re absolutely beautiful…Definitely my type.”

  What the hell is th
at supposed to mean?

  She curled up on the couch, with the pad, her phone, and her Coke. Her co-workers would be doing the 10:00 cast, so she flipped it on to see what was happening. The voice speaking was far too familiar, “And with photographer, Rich Spencer, I’m Kate Callahan reporting for News17, your extended family.” They’d re-run her package from earlier.

  “I think you’re absolutely beautiful…Definitely my type.”

  After sucking in a deep breath, holding it, and exhaling slowly, Kate worked up the courage to dial the numbers…and she did.

  Her heart seemed to pound harder with each ring of the phone. She held her breath until a voice answered, “Hi Kate, I’ve missed you.” The sound of his deep, comforting voice was all it took to erase any doubts or curiosity she had.

  “Are you coming home soon?” she whispered.

  “Yeah, I’m actually just locking up. KC, honey, are you okay?” Jesse always knew her too well.

  “I’m just really tired.” It wasn’t a complete lie.

  “Go ahead and climb into bed, I’ll be home in about fifteen minutes.”

  “Hurry.”

  He chuckled, and she could hear the engine of his car starting in the background. “I’ll be home soon.”

  The phone closed with a snap, and she laid it on the table, plugging it in. She picked up the pad and stared at the numbers, then pulled the top page off and shoved it into her purse. She took one more look at the girl in the mirror and waved a finger. “You are not allowed to call that number unless it’s business related.”

  Her whole body felt exhausted. Kate stripped off her robe and laid it across the bottom of the bed. The blankets were cold against her skin, and she couldn’t wait for Jesse to come home so she could curl up next to his warm body.

  As soon as her head hit the pillow, her eyes drifted closed.

  Chapter Five

  “Kate.” Her whole body began to move gently back and forth. “KC, sweetheart, it’s time to get up.”

  “Hmm?” she groaned, snuggling into the warm body next to her.

  A chuckle rumbled below the skin next to her ear. “I’d love to hold you all day, but…” She ran her fingers up his side and he laughed, brushing her hand away. “Do you really want to play that way?” he asked, kissing her neck. “It seems to me that you’re pretty ticklish, right here.” His tongue brushed along the hollow space below her collarbone and she squealed.

  “Okay, okay. I don’t want to start something that you’re going to win.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and his hand reached around her back, pulling her closer to him. “Come on, we have to be at Josh and Sophia’s in an hour.”

  Kate slid her hands down his back and under the waistband of his boxers, holding a firm cheek in each hand. “I’ll just starve,” she said as she squeezed. “Please.”

  “You’re killing me, KC.” He closed his eyes and let out a deep, frustrated sigh. “I promised Sophia we’d be there by 11:00.”

  “We’ll be quick,” she promised, leaning up to kiss his jaw.

  “Not this morning.” He ran his nose up her neck then ran his tongue along her earlobe. He rolled her over so that she was on her back and he was on top of her, balancing his weight on his arms. His lips lowered to hers, but just before they touched, he chuckled, “Get up, KC.” He kissed her softly and climbed out of bed, stripping of his boxers as he headed toward the bathroom.

  The shower turned on, and Kate lay back against the pillows, frustrated in more ways than one. Kate was also frustrated with herself. She had no right to worry about Rich the way she did. The fact that he was spending the day with his wife shouldn’t bother her. Nor should she be relieved that he spent every night alone behind a locked door. Certainly he was getting pleasure somewhere. He’d promised her that he’d never cheated on the crazy woman lucky enough to be his wife.

  “KC?” The sound of Jesse’s voice jerked her out of her thoughts.

  Kate’s eyes met his, and he smiled as he rubbed the towel over his short black hair. “Yeah?”

  “Are you going to get up?”

  Kate smirked as her mind crawled momentarily through the gutter. She raised a suggestive eyebrow while seductively letting her eyes roam down his body to the towel that hung low on his hips. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

  The deep rumble of his laughter filled the air. He shook his head and reached down to pull the towel away.

  Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him standing completely naked in front of her. The male anatomy wasn’t something Kate considered beautiful, until she’d seen the forever tanned skin that covered the muscular body of Jesse Vasquez.

  “Nope.” He replaced the towel and walked back into the bathroom. “Now, get up.”

  Two can play at that game, she thought as she ran fingers through her hair on the way to the bathroom.

  Jesse was standing in front of his sink, brushing his teeth. Kate stood in front of the mirror and ran her hands over her breasts, moaning lightly, “Jesse.”

  He dropped his toothbrush in the sink and stared at her reflection with eyes wide while his mouth hung open.

  “Oh, Jesse, I need you.”

  His head shook back and forth in a desperate attempt to remain in control. He rinsed his mouth out, never taking his eyes off the erotic motions of her hands. “Huh uh, Kate—” He turned to look at her. “—this isn’t going to work.” He walked over to turn the shower on. His hands stopped her before she got to the one place that would be his undoing. “This is not working.” The towel twitched, revealing his lie.

  “It’s not, huh?” She raised an eyebrow and whipped the white cloth away. “It looks to me like it is totally working.” She ran her hand down his abdomen and brushed him ever so lightly with the tips of her fingers.

  He sucked in a breath of air. The sound of victory.

  “Why, Jesse Vasquez, where is your self control now?”

  His mouth crushed hers as he left a trail of kisses from her mouth to the tender space just below her ear. “You are evil, Kate,” he whispered before brushing her hand away so he could lift her into his arms.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the shower.

  He set her on her feet and kissed her passionately. As the shower door opened, he kissed her one more time. “You are very persuasive, babe, and if I let you, you’re going to make us late.”

  “But…” she stammered in surprise.

  He kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose. “If we’re late to Josh and Sophia’s, then you’ll be late to work.”

  “It’s okay.”

  He chuckled, kissing her on the forehead before easing her under the stream of hot water. “If you’re late for work, you’ll never forgive me. Now, hurry.” He quickly strode away, leaving her alone to finish getting ready.

  **

  After being forced to endure a cold shower, Kate’s teeth were still chattering as the dress slid its way into place on her body. She should have been angry for his refusal, but turnabout was fair play. Heaven knew, she’d shot him down more times than she could count over the years.

  “You ready?” Jesse asked from the bedroom.

  “Yeah,” she called back, “just about.” After walking through a spray of perfume, she headed out to meet him.

  He was dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans and a long-sleeved navy dress shirt. His back was to her as he searched through the drawer for a pair of socks. “I was thinking we should take two cars.” He stopped mid-sentence as he turned and their eyes met. “You look beautiful.”

  She rubbed her hands down the front of her cream dress. The simple tailored A-line design came down to the knee and had a matching jacket.

  “When did you get that dress? I’m thinking it’s not at all appropriate to wear to the office.” He flashed a suggestive smile and arched a sexy eyebrow. “I’ll bet it’d look amazing on the floor.”

  Kate rolled her eyes and answered his first question, “I got
it for the new job, and just haven’t had a chance to wear it yet.”

  “It’s definitely a keeper.” He turned back to the task of finding his elusive socks.

  After grabbing the matching heels out of the closet, Kate headed for the living room. “Hurry, Jesse, we’re going to be late,” she teased, laughing as he launched a rolled pair of gym socks at the doorway, purposely missing.

  Laptop, purse, keys, her mind ticked off the list of things she’d need to take for work later. She lifted the bag to her shoulder, and the thin piece of paper in her purse carried the weight of a bag of wet cement.

  “Ready?” Jesse whispered from right behind her as he placed a kiss just below her ear.

  “Um hum,” she whimpered as her knees reacted to his hot breath.

  He chuckled, “Have you got everything?”

  “Yeah.” She grabbed her things and Jesse ushered her out the door.

  Standing outside her car, Jesse kissed her sweetly on the lips, lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “Okay, sweetheart, I’ll follow you. Do you remember the way?”

  “Yeah, I’ll see you in a few.”

  Kate sunk down into the seat of her well-maintained Volkswagen Jetta. Her lower body slid under the steering wheel, Jesse leaned in for one more quick kiss before he returned to his full height. “Drive safe.”

  “Promise.”

  He nodded and closed the door. In the rear-view mirror, Kate watch Jesse walk over and get into his car. His smiling face looked over to meet her gaze, he nodded and she put the car in reverse, pulled out of the space and headed in the direction of their Thanksgiving dinner.

  “Come on,” the screeching continued from the other side of the bathroom door, as did the incessant pounding. “Would you hurry up? You know how my family feels about tardiness.”

  Rich turned toward the door and put his hand on the handle. He filled his lungs with a long, deliberate breath before opening the barrier between them. As soon as her furious face came into view, he rolled his eyes. “Tardiness, Shea? Really, how old are we?” A smile spread across his face as he slipped passed her.