by M. Stratton
Noah patted her shoulder as he walked by. “We’ll be fine.”
“Famous last words.”
Anthony stopped by her. “We’ll have Bruno with us, not to mention a few other security guards who will be following. You don’t need to worry.”
For the first time, Kat didn’t back away from Anthony coming so close to her. “What if it’s a false lead to get you guys away from here?”
“That’s always a possibility; however, we have more people around the property than anyone watching knows. You are secure here.”
“Kat, I know it’s not your responsibility anymore, but could you keep an eye on Lexi? I’d feel better and not worry about her quite as much while we’re out there looking for Jeremy,” Noah asked.
“Of course. You don’t even have to ask.” Kat shrugged. “Old habits die hard anyway. I spend most of my time making sure she’s okay.”
“Thanks. Let’s get him.”
There was silence after the door slammed behind them. Kat walked over to the window and watched the SUV drive out the gates.
She lost track of how long she stood there, waiting for them to come back when she heard a noise behind her. Evie was already next to Lexi by the time Kat was able to get there. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. Really.” Lexi’s brow furrowed.
“It didn’t sound like nothing. Spill,” Evie said as she rubbed Lexi’s back.
“It’s just a twinge; that’s all. It happens.”
“Martha, can you get us some of that lotion Lexi likes so much please?” Kat looked at Lexi’s wrist in her hand and felt her pulse. She gave Evie a look of worry and stood up to get the bottle from Martha. “Thank you. Now Lexi, why don’t you come over to the couch and put your feet up for a bit.”
“I don’t want to. I’m fine here.”
“No, you’re not, honey. You need to relax.”
“How the hell do you expect me to relax when my husband, the father of my unborn child, is out there chasing down a madman whose whole reason for being is to kill the three of us?” Her breathing started to become erratic.
In a calm, soothing voice, Kat said, “Okay, Lexi, we understand; we’re right there with you. But you have to know this isn’t good for the baby. Right now, you need to concentrate on the little one and you. Noah can take care of himself, besides the fact that Jackson, Anthony and Bruno are with him.” Kat began to massage Lexi’s shoulders.
Evie dropped to her knees in front of Lexi. “Please honey, please. Come over to the couch and lie down. We’ve got that lotion you love so much. I could give you a foot massage; Kat will rub your back. And I bet Martha could whip up some raspberry muffins. Please.”
Martha called from the kitchen, “Already on it. They’ll be ready in about fifteen minutes. Go relax, girl; you know when Noah finds out you got all upset, he’s going to be pissed.”
“Come on, honey.” Evie grabbed Lexi’s hands and helped her up. “I’ll even paint your toenails. I was thinking electric blue. I think I’ve got some at the cottage. I’m sure Sam will go find it.”
“No electric blue. You know I always use pink.” Lexi swayed a little bit as they walked over to the couch.
Once settled, Evie began to rub lotion on her feet while Kat produced a brush and started brushing Lexi’s hair while she lay there. Both ladies tried to keep their movements rhythmic in hopes of relaxing Lexi. Before long, Lexi’s breathing evened out and she became restful.
Slowly moving away from her, Kat and Evie walked over to the kitchen and sat down on the bar stools.
“Holy fuck that sucked. I was so scared something bad was going to happen,” Evie said.
“You don’t know the half of it. Her pulse was way too high. I almost called an ambulance. Good job picking up on the foot massage with the lotion. I was trying to think of everything that would relax her.”
“As soon as you said it, I knew what you were thinking. She loves foot massages, and since being pregnant, she’s been enjoying them even more.”
“Here.” Martha put a shot of whiskey in front of them. “You both need this.”
“Oh, man, you have no idea.” Evie turned to Kat, holding up her glass in a toast. “To friendship.”
“To friendship.”
They both drank their shot then turned to watch over Lexi while she slept.
It seemed like they had been gone for half the day when in reality they had only been gone for a couple of hours. Lexi had slept through most of it and once she woke up, had her toenails painted and dried just before the men got home.
“It wasn’t him,” Noah said once everyone was settled around the table.
“Are you sure?” Evie asked.
“Oh yeah, there is no way this guy is Jeremy. He’s actually a few inches shorter, and when you get close you can tell.” Noah was the one who had seen him for the longest.
“So, now what?”
“We continue on with our original plan to catch the bastard,” Jackson said.
“But what if that doesn’t work?” Kat asked.
“Then we try something else. He can’t stay hidden forever. At some point, he’s going to make a mistake, and we’ll get him.”
“Or kill someone else,” Evie muttered.
“We’re doing the best we can. And the cops don’t listen to us, so they aren’t doing anything,” Noah said.
“Of course, the police are also assuming he perished in the ocean, especially since there have been no more murders. They seem to believe he wouldn’t have been able to go this long without murdering someone else,” Anthony added.
“He could be saving it up. What?” He looked around and shrugged at the looks they were giving him. “Well, he could. There’re three of you that he tried to kill and couldn’t. He’s going to want to rectify that before moving on to anything new.”
“He’s got a point, crude, but good.” Evie picked her plate up and took it to the sink. “But that’s my brother. Crude.”
“Yeah, but you love me anyway.”
Evie squinted her eyes shut as she mockingly stuck her fingers in her mouth and made gagging noises at him.
“If you’ll excuse me all this love is making me tired. I’m going to go to bed.” Lexi stood up and walked out of the room.
Kat watched as Evie stopped Noah from following Lexi right away, after she talked to him quietly he came over and crouched down next to her chair. “Thank you for helping Lexi today.”
“It’s no big deal. I just helped calm her down.”
“It’s more than that and you know it. Thank you.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek before standing up and walking out of the room.
“What’s going on?” Jackson asked.
They filled him in on what had happened with Lexi.
“I wonder if this whole masquerade event is going to be too much for her?” Anthony wondered as he absently played with Evie’s fingers.
“It could very well be. We’ve got to limit her time at the event to as little as possible. Is there any way we can see if they can move the agenda around so that Noah is doing his speech earlier?” Evie laid her head on his shoulder.
“They’d have to have new programs printed up, in what, less than eighteen hours? Might not happen.”
“Sure, Mr. Moneybags will pay for it,” Evie batted her eyelashes at him.
“Oh, you think so?” Anthony raised an eyebrow at her.
“Yep, you love me.”
Anthony sighed, “That I do. That I do. Make the phone call.”
Everything went according to plan the next day. Kat had purposely not dwelled on the fact that she and Jackson were going to be alone in a hotel room for twenty-four hours. But now that they were there, she didn’t know what to do.
She should have known not to worry about it. Jackson had brought board games, cards, video games, and a laptop with movies downloaded onto it. They had plenty to keep them occupied. Not to mention all of the food. They should have enough f
or at least a week.
It had been so long since she had been in a hotel room she was worried that it would freak her out, but it didn’t. Of course, it might have something to do with the fact they were in the presidential suite and it seemed more like a home than a hotel room. When there was a dining room that could seat ten, it was hard to think of it as a hotel room.
They sat with their backs to the wall, watching the sunset from the master suite. This wasn’t the room they were going to be spending time in, but it was the one that had the best view. Kat had been so comfortable all day that she was surprised when her anxiety level increased once it started getting darker in the room. Jackson must have felt it because he reached over and grabbed her hand.
“I’m here. You’re not alone.”
“I know. It means more to me than I could ever say.”
“I know.”
They sat there for a few more minutes before Jackson pulled her up and they walked out of the room. “Come on. I have a surprise for you.”
“I’m not sure if I should be more scared or relieved.”
“I’ll let that one pass. Okay, now I think it’s … ouch … fuck … nope … ahhh … here we go.”
Kat had no idea where they were in the suite. There wasn’t much of a moon so they couldn’t rely on the moonlight to help. She instinctively tensed when she heard the click of a door closing and some shuffling behind her. “Jackson?” She couldn’t keep the fear out of her voice.
“Shhh, I’m right here. Close your eyes.”
“What? We’re in a pitch black room.”
“Exactly, the light is going to blind you.”
“We can’t turn on the lights.”
“Trust me.”
“Fine.” She closed her eyes.
Jackson turned on the light and after a few moments when she was sure the light wasn’t going to hurt her eyes, she opened them. There, in the huge bathroom, was a mattress on the floor all made up with bedding, and everything else they could possibly need for the night.
“What? How?” was all she could say.
“I knew this would be hard for you and I just wanted to make it as easy as possible. It really wasn’t much.” He shrugged.
“How did I miss this?”
“I just made sure we stayed out in the main living area so you wouldn’t come back here. I know it’s still early, but I thought maybe we could watch a movie before going to bed.”
“Together?”
“Well, we’ve done it before. Plus, we’ve been sharing a room at Noah’s.” He turned and gathered her in his arms. “You know where I want to be. Tonight doesn’t have to be anything more than me lying next to you in bed. I know it might be a hard night for you and I don’t want to make things worse, but I also don’t want to be away from you. I need to be there for you.”
Kat looked up at Jackson, and seeing how much he cared for her, she couldn’t deny him. “You really are the best man I’ve ever known. Please tell me you at least brought something else besides action flicks.”
“Oh, come on, I like other kinds of movies.”
“Yeah, sports movies.”
“That’s different from action movies.” When she didn’t say anything, but gave him a look, he continued, “But for you I brought other movies, in fact, I have your favorite.”
“You didn’t.”
“Yep, ready for a night with Spaceballs?”
Kat took a deep breath; thinking tonight just might end up being fine.
Jackson wasn’t sure what woke him, but Kat in his arms was something he hadn’t felt in a long time. He was happy and thought everything was finally starting to fall back into place.
The noise came again and he realized it was coming from Kat. Worried she was having a nightmare, he tried to shake her awake. It was the wrong thing to do. She started thrashing against him and screaming.
“Kat wake up. Kat, come on, wake up.” He dodged her fists while trying to keep ahold of her. “Chelle!”
Her eyes popped open and she started sobbing. Jackson’s heart broke for her; the things that had been done to her and continued to haunt her. “Shhh … it’s okay; I’m right here.” He gathered her up in his arms and started gently rocking her back and forth. He could feel the depth of her sadness as her body violently shook against his.
After what seemed like hours, but was probably only about thirty minutes, she began to calm down. He smoothed her hair back from her face. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No,” she hiccupped, “it was just the usual. Reliving the nightmare that’s Jeremy. Nothing new.”
“Oh baby, I’m so sorry. We should have come up with a different plan.”
She pulled away from him. “No, this is the best plan. This is something I have to live with. Really, I’ll be fine. I’m sorry I woke you up.”
“Don’t. Don’t you dare apologize. I understand this is something that is going to happen from time to time for the rest of your life. Noah tells me all the time that Lexi still has nightmares. And even though it wasn’t anywhere close to as bad as what happened to you or Lexi, even Evie still has nightmares. It’s going to happen. What you’ve got to get through that thick skull of yours is that I’m here for you. You don’t ever have to go through one of these nightmares alone again.”
Jackson didn’t know what else to do to get through to her that he’d be there for her, no matter what. He wanted to take all of the pain away, but knew she had to let him in completely before that was going to happen. For now, he’d settle for her just letting him be her support.
Kat cleared her throat. “Ummm … could you give me a minute?”
“Oh sure, no problem.” He had forgotten that they were camping out in the bathroom. “Will you be okay if we turn the lights out for a moment while the door is open?”
“Yeah, I’ll be good.”
“I’ll be right outside the door if you need me.”
“Thanks.”
Jackson leaned against the wall, counting the seconds until she would open the door to let him back in.
Jackson was right. She didn’t have to face this alone; all she had to do was open up and let him in. He’d shown over and over that he’d be there for her. Hell, he’d searched for her, for years. He’d kept the fact he knew her, a secret. She went back in her head to the last night they were together. She had completely relaxed with him, and given all she had, it was the best night of her life. She wanted that, and the woman she used to be, back. It was coming, slowly, but maybe there was something she could do now.
Leaning against the counter, she rubbed her hands over her face, wondering if she could do this. Knowing that if she did, it would change everything. It would mean Jackson meant more to her than her need for revenge. It would mean she’d have to start relying on someone else, knowing they would be relying on her too. She’d actually be in a relationship. As damaged and broken as she was, she really wanted this; she wanted it with Jackson. She needed him in her soul.
Having made her decision, she quickly undressed, folding her clothes neatly and putting them to the side. Taking a deep breath, she climbed in under the covers and called to Jackson so he would come in.
He slid into bed behind her and reached for her. She knew the instant he knew she was naked; his hand stilled on her shoulder and his breath caught.
“Are you sure?” he whispered.
Turning over so she was facing him, she said, “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
She felt his hands shaking as they traced down her arm and across her belly, leaving a trail of goose bumps. Her eyes closed and she enjoyed being touched by him.
“I don’t want to do anything that will scare you,” he said as he kissed the side of her neck, just under her ear.
She pulled his t-shirt up so she could touch his chest. “Remember that last night we were together?”
“How could I forget?” His breathing became more rapid.
“Nothing you did then scared me.
I was yours, completely. Take me. Take all that I am.”
She felt him go still for a second as her words sunk in. The next thing she knew, his lips captured hers and their tongues fought for dominance.
She pulled and tugged at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against hers. Their mouths briefly separated as he yanked the shirt off over his head. They crashed back together, the years they spent apart melted away as their bodies remembered.
Once they were naked together, he slid into her and she shuddered, finally feeling complete. She matched him thrust for thrust, wanting more, demanding more from him. Rolling off the mattress, the cool marble floor was in direct contrast to the heat coming off his body.
Using his strength, he moved them back onto their makeshift bed and she enjoyed the feeling of being in charge, setting the pace as she straddled him. Her breathing coming faster as his fingers teased her nipples. Leaning down, she took his mouth with hers. She pulled back, but he wouldn’t let go. Sitting up, he wrapped his arms around her as they continued to rock with him buried deep inside of her.
Feeling the orgasm building, she raked her nails down his back not able to control herself. His fingers bit into her ass as his held her close to him. His cock throbbed inside her, wanting its release.
Running her hands through his hair, she got a handful of it and pulled his head back. Looking into his eyes in the dim light, she knew she’d come home.
Screaming his name, they toppled over the edge together.
Kat slowly came awake, feeling a body behind hers. She didn’t even have a second of hesitation; she knew who it was, Jackson. A small smile teased her lips as she remembered why she was naked, pressed against another naked body.
“Good morning,” he said as he trailed his fingers up her arm.
“What are you doing up already?”
“People typically get up in the morning.” He continued to trace patterns across her neck and shoulder.
“But you were never up first and you’ve never been a morning person.”
“People change.”
“Not about being a morning person; you’re either born that way or not. What gives?”
