Tingling still from her arousal, she stepped into her panties and pulled on a pair of sweat pants. Not bothering with a bra, she slipped her arms through a loose button down top. The fabric wasn’t rough but snagged her stitches anyway causing her to grimace as she drew the edges together. She went to the bathroom and washed up, and then picking up her tortoiseshell brush, she smoothed her hair until her scalp tingled. She then set about making the bed. With that task complete, her eyes mapped the room for something else to do. Stop stalling and go face Patrick, she berated herself. With a bracing breath, she went to get it over.
* * * *
Frosty stood as Kathy entered the room. The flush of sex bloomed on her skin and shone from her eyes. Heck, she was hot, so hot he could almost smell it. Ice was one lucky SOB. He remembered her last night, bare-assed naked, the flare of her hips, the color of her curls, the curve of her breast. It was almost enough to give him a hard-on, had he been a single man.
He gave himself a mental shake and kissed the cheek she presented to him. “How are you Kathy? Sarah and I have been worried sick.”
Kathy blushed at his knowing gaze. “Still bewildered. I never suspected Len for a minute, we were friends. So much for my judgment,” she scoffed.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
Ice stepped forward and placed a possessive arm around Kathy, guiding her to the couch. Just as they all sat, another knock had Ice leaping to his feet. “I’ll get that,” he announced to no one in particular.
Frosty slid into the seat Ice vacated and taking the opportunity of being alone with Kathy whispered, “I’ve got something for you.”
Her eyes held inquiry, and he gave her a conspiratorial wink as he took the folded photo from his jacket pocket and handed it over.
She unfolded it slowly and relief washed over her. “I don’t know what to say,” she blubbered, all emotional and teary. “I spent half the night worrying about this photo and the repercussions to my career if the press ever got hold of it.”
“You don’t have to say anything sweetie, and you can quit losing sleep. I figured the police had enough evidence, so I pocketed it and deleted the original from the camera before they arrived. No one need ever see it.”
“I’m so embarrassed … ah … about everything.” Her candid eyes lifted to his face.
He picked up her hand and sandwiched it between his. “You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re beautiful and adorable and sweet, never doubt that Kathy. What I saw, or didn’t see, has been erased from my memory, so don’t sweat it.”
“Thank you Patrick, thank you for everything.” Kathy leaned forward and lightly kissed his lips.
It was a kiss of gratitude and friendship and secrets shared, and the thought that sprung into his mind, was that he hoped Ice realized what a treasure he had in this little lady.
“Nice one Frosty. I thought she’d at least be safe with an old married man like you.” Ice accused as he re-entered the room followed by Wolf.
Frosty ignored the jibe and chucked her under the chin, “Anytime sweetheart.”
Kathy gave him a grateful smile and stood.
Wolf’s eyes swept over them, his gaze landing on Kathy’s swollen cheek and black eye, his reaction predictable. Outrage spread across his face. He masked it quickly and gave her a hug. “Nice shiner Kathy.”
Kathy touched the injury. “It’ll fade quickly, and I’m lucky, it could have been a whole lot worse.” She shuddered.
Putting her from him, Wolf took hold of her hands and searched first one arm then the other. “Frosty said you needed stitches, so where are they?”
The bewilderment in his voice was clear, but before he could give Wolf, the heads up, Kathy parted the top of her blouse.
“Here, would you like to see?” she asked.
“Over my dead body.” Ice’s words bounced off the walls. His jealous routine was becoming all too familiar. In other circumstances, Wolf and he would have paid him out, as it was though, they were unable to hide their amusement, and Ice’s lip curled.
“Oh Shane, relax.” Kathy crossed to Ice and linked her arm through his. “I’m not going to show him my breast for heaven’s sakes, just the top where the stitches are.”
Frosty sent a cautionary glare to Wolf as he opened his mouth to speak; this was not the time to grace Ice with their usual wit and charm.
*
“I forbid it,” Ice growled, not knowing where that had come from. As a rule, he couldn’t give a rat’s ass who eyeballed his squeeze. But the thought of Wolf ogling Kathy made him want to rearrange his face. His reaction was over the top, but he was powerless to retract his words.
Kathy’s eyes stretched wide. “Give over Shane, Wolf’s seen more of me in my swimsuit.”
“It’s not like he hasn’t seen stitches before either, so he really doesn’t need to see yours,” he pointed out, trying to sound reasonable.
The lifeline came from Wolf and that surprised him. “He’s right Kathy, if you’ve seen one set of stitches—you’ve seen ‘em all. How many did you get anyway?”
“Eleven,” she replied as another knock sounded.
“I’ll get that.” Ice disengaged himself from Kathy’s arm, grateful for the distraction.
As suspected, it was Havoc and Hawk, and Hawk was bearing flowers. “We’re all in the living room, but don’t even ask to see her stitches.” Ice snarled at Hawk as he flung wide the door allowing them in.
“Huh.”
“Ah, forget it. I’m going to make coffee.”
*
Kathy beamed when the newcomers entered the living room, and Hawk handed over the flowers. “Hell Kathy, you look like something the cat dragged in.”
As usual, the kid engaged his mouth before his brain, and Wolf elbowed him for his bluntness. “Ease up Hawk.”
“I look worse than I feel.”
“Is that true love?” Havoc shortened the distance and scooped her into his embrace. “But for once the kid’s right, you do look bad. Are you in a lot of pain?”
“Of course she’s in pain you big dumbass, she’s got stitches. Where are they anyway Kathy?” Hawk gave her the once over trying to ferret out where she’d been sutured.
Kathy wisely ignored Hawk’s question. “These flowers are lovely Hawk, thank you. I’ll just get a vase and put them in some water,” she said and left to join Ice in the kitchen.
No sooner was she out of earshot when Wolf enlightened him. “There on her tit, so don’t think you’ll be copping a look you little pervert.”
Hawk reddened. “Hell man, I didn’t know, I’m not a fucking mind reader, you bastards tell me nothing.”
“Yeah, and if you know what’s good for you, don’t mention them in front of the Iceman.”
“Why, has he put on another shit attack over her? I tell ya, I’ve never seen anyone get as bent out of shape as he does. What does he think? That one of us is going to run off with her?”
“Just watch your big mouth around him, he’s got a hair trigger where she’s concerned.”
“God, if that’s what love does to you, then count me out.”
“Well kid, let me tell you, it’s not something you have a choice in, when cupid fires that arrow, its good night dick.” Frosty clued them all in.
Kathy re-entered the sitting room with the flowers she’d artistically arranged in a vase and set them on the dining table. Ice followed carrying a tray of coffees and cake and told them to tuck-in.
Havoc poured a coffee and stirred in sugar, his brow furrowed. “I think I speak on behalf of everyone here when I say how sorry we are Kathy that we failed to protect you from that sadistic lunatic. It was unforgivable.”
They all nodded in silent agreement as Havoc aired his thoughts. The men took their assignments seriously, and although the danger had seemed to have passed, in their minds that wasn’t an excuse.
“Havoc, this wasn’t anyone’s fault. I thought Len was my friend. I had no inkling he was infatuate
d with me, so how could I hold any of you responsible? You all protected me so well and then when they found Dawson dead, we all believed it was over.”
“I never liked Baker,” growled Wolf. “I failed to act on my instincts, if this is anyone’s fault, it’s mine.”
“You’re not listening guys, this is no one’s fault except Baker’s, and if you keep beating yourselves up about it, I’ll only feel worse.”
The guys drank their coffee in silence. It was good of Kathy to absolve them of blame, but they knew what they knew, they’d been too quick to relinquish their guard, and it could have cost Kathy her life.
Ice drained his cup and stood. Wolf stood too, he wasn’t thick and took the hint. Ice was twitchy and wanted to be alone with his woman. Ever since the moment Ice had laid eyes on this girl, he’d been different. “Come on guys, time to hit the road,” he said.
“What are we leaving so early for?” Hawk complained. “There’s a game on soon that I want to watch, and I haven’t finished my cake.”
Frosty eyed Hawk as if he had too heads. “Shove the cake in your mouth and make a move. Kathy’s got to make a statement then she should be resting,” he explained patiently in the hope that Hawk would catch on.
“Come on kid, you can watch it at my place on the big screen, you too Havoc, what do you say?”
Wolf’s invitation was accepted, and Ice and Kathy escorted them to the door.
“Thanks for coming guys, and a special thanks for the flowers Hawk, I really appreciate it.”
“Sarah will pop over later to see how you’re doing,” Frosty said.
As the door closed, they all heard Ice plain as day say, “Now, babe where were we?
“The Iceman’s melting.”
“I’ve got fifty that says it’ll be a June wedding.”
“You’re on.” Wolf and Havoc shook on the bet.
Chapter 19
There were several times during their relationship when Kathy thought Shane was on the verge of saying something monumental, but he always pulled back, and she never pressed the point. After her ordeal with Baker, she was sure he was going to ask her to move in with him. But as the days following her rescue lengthened into weeks, and still not a hint from him, her disappointment grew, and she couldn’t shake off the sadness that settled on her. Although Shane was a gem and did his utmost to make their life coast along as carefree as before, she wanted more, longed for more. Recurring nightmares and bouts of nausea that she attributed to frazzled nerves added to her melancholia. The scar was a visible reminder too. She had hoped once the stitches were removed and she returned to work the sick feeling would pass and she’d be able to put the whole nightmare behind her. It wasn’t to be though. She was still plagued by illness, but she did her best to hide from Shane.
Kathy rolled over and switched off the alarm. She didn’t want to get up. Her head was woolly, but she couldn’t delay forever, and she had to get ready soon or run the risk of missing the bus. Thank God it was Friday, and tomorrow she could sleep in.
Throwing off the covers, she stood but immediately had to sit back on the bed. Her stomach was doing back flips again. Usually, the queasiness would pass in a few minutes, but today it worsened. Kathy covered her mouth and dashed to the bathroom. As she lifted the toilet lid, her stomach heaved, and she threw up in the bowl.
Eew, that was unpleasant. Afterward, she felt marginally better, mopped her face with a damp cloth, and rinsed her mouth before showering.
Ten minutes later, she dried off, slipped into a pale blue blouse, and tugged on a denim skirt. It was a little snug, and she had to breathe in to close the zip. She fixed her hair in a braid, and slipping on her pumps, gave herself a cursory glance in the mirror. She patted her belly and thought, time to cut back on desserts.
In the living room, she snatched up her handbag and keys and hurried from the apartment, arriving at the bus stop just in the nick of time. She counted her blessings; the next one wasn’t for another thirty minutes and that would have made her late for class.
The journey took close on a quarter hour, long enough for Kathy to conclude that it was time to see the doctor. She could kill two birds with one stone; get something for her nausea and a prescription for the pill. Something she’d been meaning to do for weeks but kept putting off, having spent enough time with doctors during her mother’s illness to last a lifetime.
Her relationship with Shane was strong, and she ached to feel him inside her without any barriers. He would prefer it too, she felt sure. Rubbers were a necessary convenience, but men didn’t really like those things, or so she’d heard.
Kathy rang the doctor’s office on her break. The only available time left was eight o'clock the following morning. It would mean getting up early and leaving Shane, when she’d rather be in bed making love, but this was important for both of them, so she accepted the appointment.
The hands of the clock dawdled, like a watched pot waiting to boil. The end of the day was slow in coming. With the weekend looming ahead, Kathy was hard pressed to contain her excitement. Shane had the next two days free and they were spending them together. Over the past ten weeks, he’d made her deliriously happy, but with his job, their schedules didn’t often overlap, so two whole uninterrupted days in his company was a luxury.
They fit so well together, like pieces of a puzzle. The connection was established the first time they’d eyed each other across the room at Shenanigans. He was as perfect for her as she was for him.
Although officially having completed his stint as trainer, Shane had spent the past few days training the divers at sea and was due back later today. She hated the emptiness she felt inside when he was away. It was as if an intricate part of her was missing, and she couldn’t wait to have him back where he belonged, to take him to bed and love him as only she could.
Tonight would be perfect.
Shane had made reservations for seven at the Italian restaurant where they’d had their first date. Afterward, they would take in a movie or go to Shenanigans for a dance. They hadn’t been back since that first time when she’d nicknamed him Adonis, how he’d laughed when she’d told him about that. It seemed like a lifetime ago now.
Kathy glanced at her watch—the kids had been terrific all day. Even Timothy and Martin had been perfect little angels. She decided to reward their good behavior with a story. Reading the book though, it took all of her concentration to stop willing the hands of the clock to move to three fifteen when school would finish for another week.
The clanging of the school bell signaled the end of the day. Kathy closed the book, and the children slipped on their backpacks in readiness for her to march them to the school gate. Anne was on afternoon duty, so Kathy didn’t have to wait. She left her charges, said good-bye to her friend, and caught the three-forty bus home. It was running ten minutes late, but nothing could dampen her spirits; she still had plenty of time to wash her hair and paint her nails.
Back at her apartment, Kathy scrunch dried her long chestnut hair until it tumbled down her back in a curtain of unruly waves. She added little diamante studs to her ears, secured the left side of her hair back with a sparkly comb, and sprayed her neck and wrists with perfume.
As the time drew nearer to Shane’s arrival, she slipped a slinky dress over her black lacy bra and matching thong, it was a simple style but classic. The scooped-out back highlighted her figure and the higher neckline was flattering without revealing her scar. She added the pair of high-heeled stilettos with thin glitzy straps that she’d bought the day of the shopping spree with Liz. It was the first opportunity she’d had to wear them. The whole outfit was chic and made her feel elegant and sophisticated. She was just putting the finishing touches to her makeup when a knock sounded at the door.
*
“Wow babe, you look good enough to eat.” Ice eyed her up and down as he held her at arm’s length. Like a thirsty man discovering an oasis in the desert, he drank her in. “I’ve been thinking about this for days.”<
br />
“Me too, I’ve missed you so much. Two whole days together, no interruptions.”
“You ready to go then?” Ice really wanted to hustle her into bed, but she was dressed to kill and obviously looking forward to their night out.
“I’ll just get my purse.”
He waited while she locked up then, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, guided her down the steps and into his truck. The engine fired but before engaging the gears, he took her face in his hands and kissed her hard on the mouth.
“I needed that,” he said then put the vehicle in motion. Kathy leaned her head against his shoulder, and they converged into the traffic, a comfortable silence filled the cabin as they drove over the Silver Strand to San Diego.
* * * *
At the restaurant, the waiter seated them by the window. Déjà vu—the crisp white cloths, the candlelit table, just like the first time, except there was no violent storm, and Kathy was no longer nervous or quite so naïve. A lot had transpired since then.
“Can I get you something from the bar?” The server directed the question to him.
“What do you fancy, Kat?”
“Sparkling water thanks.”
Ordering the water and a beer for himself, Ice reached across the table for her hand and brought it to his lips. “It’s good to be back, babe.”
“It’s good to have you home.”
Studying her over their meal, Ice found her comfortable, like an old pair of jeans that fit just right. It didn’t matter if there was a lull in the conversation. The silence wasn’t awkward like it was with some women who constantly needed attention. And bonus, she was a piece of eye candy, every red-blooded male in the room had ogled her when they walked in, but she’d only had eyes for him. The sex they shared was incredible; she was like a wildcat in bed and never turned him down. Even now, he could tell she was champing at the bit, and the lust reflected in her eyes mirrored his own.
Desire Unleashed Page 25
