by Dee J. Adams
“Leo, can I keep her?” The excitement in Megan’s voice filled Leo with the kind of love he’d forgotten. The unconditional kind. Megan sat in her chair and snuggled Stella close to her chest.
Kim shot him an apologetic glance. “I don’t know if they’ll let you. Maybe we can ask the director.” She looked at him for guidance.
He’d never expected something like this to happen. What if they refused to let Megan keep the cat? “I’ll ask, Megs, but I can’t promise anything.”
Rubbing the soft fur against her cheek, Megan didn’t let up. “I promise I’ll be so good to her. And I’ll give her food and water and I’ll clean her. Everything. Please, Leo, please!”
Kim’s wide eyes spoke volumes. “I am so sorry,” she murmured. “I did not see this coming.”
“Neither did I. Let’s not panic. Maybe I can convince them Stella’s a therapy cat.” He shrugged. “Worth a shot.” The hope on Kim’s face made him feel ten feet tall. “It’s not like I intended to keep her. What am I going to do with a cat? Stella knew it was a temporary arrangement. We discussed it at length.”
Kim’s smile fell flat in an instant. He had no idea what he said to make her react that way, but clearly he’d landed in the doghouse. Or maybe it was the cathouse. He would’ve asked, except the door opened and Howard, the director, walked in with a woman following. Leo had never seen the guy as stressed. Puffy half circles beneath his eyes aged him more than a decade. The middle-aged woman behind him had her arm in a cast and looked white as the pages before he’d written his screenplay.
“Hello, Mr. Frost. So nice to see you again,” Howard said. “I apologize again for the circumstances.”
Leo had to admit that this guy couldn’t be expected to control anyone at the hospital. He’d probably never discover who made the call that brought the paparazzi, but Leo couldn’t blame this man who looked as if he hadn’t slept for forty-eight hours. “Not your fault. I’m just glad Megan’s okay.” He looked to the woman next.
She stuck out her right hand. “Hi, Mr. Frost. I’m Janice Leigh. I was with Megan when she had her seizure. I wasn’t supposed to come in today, but when I heard you were here, I just wanted to meet you and apologize. I’m so sorry that I wasn’t in time to catch Megan.” Janice’s eyes teared up and she struggled to keep her composure. “She’s my favorite of all the patients here and I was devastated when—”
“Janice, it’s okay.” Leo pulled her in for a gentle hug. “I know you did the best you could. I’m just sorry you got hurt trying to help her.”
She waved him off and pulled away, flushed and maybe a little embarrassed. “I’ll be fine. A few weeks in a cast is annoying, but things could be worse.”
A tiny meow sounded from Megan’s direction.
Howard’s eyebrows slanted inward. “What was that?” Didn’t seem as if the guy was a fan of animals.
It had been a long time since Leo had practiced his improvisational skills. “That was the therapy cat we brought. I hope you’ll let Megan keep her. I think she’ll do wonders for my sister.”
Megan shifted in her chair and lifted Stella for Howard and Janice to see. Janice immediately ran over to give Stella some love and the purring started all over again. Man, that cat was easy.
“She looks pretty scraped up for a therapy cat,” Howard said.
“Which is why she’s ideal for this place. No one’s perfect,” Leo said. Except the green-eyed beauty standing next to him was pretty damn close to perfection. Maybe he needed to tell her that.
“I don’t think I can sign off on this,” Howard continued. “We’ve never had an animal here at The Marion. It would go against our—”
“C’mon Howard. Think of how much joy Stella will bring to your patients.”
Kim walked forward and held out her hand. “Hi, Mr. Kaminsky. I’m Kim Jacobs, Mr. Frost’s accountant. I just wanted you to know that Mr. Frost is willing to pay for Stella’s upkeep while she resides here with Megan.”
He was? Leo shot her a glance, curious to see what else he was willing to do.
“An extra two hundred dollars a month should cover any of Stella’s needs. You can keep a Stella fund and any medical expenses incurred can come out of it if necessary.” When Howard seemed like he might balk at the offer, Kim continued. “And of course, Mr. Frost is willing to donate a one-time only therapy cat fee of five hundred dollars for you to use at The Marion at your discretion.” She gave him a beaming smile and Leo waited for the man to fall at her feet.
Howard looked between all of them and finally nodded his head. “That’s very generous. I’m sure a cat won’t be too much of a bother. I just have to see if any of our residents are allergic. That could cause a problem.”
“You could always make sure that Stella stays with Megan. If the other residents want to spend time with Stella, then they can come visit Megan as well.”
Leo kept his mouth shut as Kim negotiated the deal. Watching her work in those heels and that dress made him itch to have her. Last night had been long and lonely on the couch and he didn’t especially want a repeat tonight.
“Of course. I think we can arrange that.”
Kim sealed the bargain with a handshake, and they watched Howard and Janice head back to the main building.
“That was genius. Except that I can barely afford to pay them what I’m paying them now.”
“No worries. I’ve got it covered.”
Leo faced her. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means, I’m going to pay Stella’s fee and the retainer for her to live here. It was my idea, it’ll be my money that pays for it.” She put her hands on her hips. “Why do you have that stink eye on? I’m perfectly capable of paying this. And honestly, I want to.”
They both watched Megan and Stella, happily enjoying each other’s company.
“I’m not letting you pay for my sister’s cat.” It was a matter of pride at this point.
Megan looked up them, her eyes sparkling.
“Can we not talk about this now,” Kim said, gesturing with a nod of her head toward his sister. “Little ears are listening.”
He sighed. “Right. Fine. We’ll talk later.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon getting a tour from Megan. She showed them the indoor swimming pool, the cafeteria, the movie room, the playroom and even the laundry room. Stella didn’t stay far behind. She weaved around Megan’s legs like they belonged together. It was clear to Leo that maybe they did.
Another Stella bites the dust.
Leo checked his watch. He still had a few phone calls to make to the distributor and time was running out. “Megs, we have to leave now, but we’ll be back tomorrow before we go back to Los Angeles.”
“Okay. Will you be back for another visit soon?”
“As soon as I can. How about next month?” Leo asked.
“That’s good. That’s not too far away.”
Leo tried not to let the guilt wipe him out. It happened like this every visit.
Kim left all of Stella’s paraphernalia, food, treats and bowl, and promised to bring the rest at tomorrow’s visit. Megan didn’t really seem too crushed at his leaving because she had Stella to take out the sting. It seemed weird to say good-bye to the cat, but Stella was just as wrapped up in Megan as the girl was with the cat.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Once they returned to Leo’s neighborhood, Kim took him up on the dinner offer from the night before. Leo decided on the Italian place a couple of blocks from his apartment. The small restaurant catered to an upscale crowd. Wall sconces and candlelight provided an elegant ambiance. A middle-aged host with balding gray hair greeted Leo with a welcoming hug and seated them in a back corner table for privacy.
Despite feeling positive about the day’s outcome with Stella and Megan, Kim readied herself for an earful regarding the cat’s fee at The Marion. She never intended to wound Leo’s pride, but since she made the offer, she intended to supply the funds. Sitting across fro
m Leo, she sipped a ginger ale. “Megan is adorable,” she said, setting her drink on the table.
He nodded. “Yeah, she’s pretty cool.” His half-hearted smile didn’t trump the turmoil in his eyes. “I just wish…”
She hated the guilt that streamed off him and she leaned forward. “You’re doing the best you can, Leo. You can’t beat yourself up about it. Look how happy you made her with Stella.”
His gaze met hers. “You made her happy with Stella.” She waited for the but or the earful. Instead he smiled. “Thank you.” He took her hand and his instant warmth sent a thrill up her arm. “You are one giant surprise after another.”
“Me?” she scoffed, pretending that his innocent touch didn’t make her as giddy as a baby goat. “I’m as predictable as it gets.”
“Hardly.” His shocking blue eyes made her self-conscious and she sipped her drink again. “Thank you for today, for being so awesome with Megan, for handling Howard and Stella. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“You’re welcome. It was no big deal.”
“You’re wrong. It was a huge deal to me.” His gaze never wavered and her heart kicked hard against her ribs. “I’ve never seen Megan so enthralled with anyone. She fell in love with you in two seconds. So did Howard.”
Too bad the man watching her hadn’t done the same thing. Kim kept her disappointment buried and forced herself to match his smile. “Howard fell in love with the money. Megan just liked having the attention of a new face.” A waiter came by and Leo ordered the house special for both of them, a sample plate with small versions of their best dishes. “Megan’s lovely, Leo,” Kim said when the server left. “She’s not unhappy at The Marion. Yes, she might miss you, but she stays busy and she’s being well taken care of. Janice wouldn’t have come back two days after breaking her arm if she didn’t feel the need to apologize, and she felt that need because Megan is special to her.” She reached across the table and took Leo’s hand. “You did good when you found that place. Megan needs specialized care. There’s no need for guilt.”
Leo blinked a few times and Kim saw the emotion he struggled to hold back. Something in her heart snapped and all she wanted to do was comfort him. Though he’d complained about not wanting a cat, she had a feeling that Stella’s unconditional love filled a void in his life. In one fell swoop she’d accidentally flushed that relationship down the crapper.
They ate in relative silence, but every time Kim looked up, she met Leo’s hot gaze. Just looking into his eyes, sent her heart racing faster. She saw so much inside him: need, desire. Two things she’d always wanted from a man. But she didn’t have his heart and that was the one thing she wanted most.
When they finished, Leo escorted her back to the apartment, his hand warm and strong around hers.
“You’ve been awfully quiet,” she finally said as they took the stairs to his place.
He nodded. “Just thinking.”
She wanted to take away the grim expression on his face. “Okay. I’ll allow it, but just this once.”
His smile melted her bones. When they reached his apartment, he trapped her against the door. “You know, you keep making me smile and I might do something to return the favor.”
“Impossible.” The second she said it, she realized it sounded like a dare and that hadn’t been her intention.
The determination in Leo’s eyes warned a second before his mouth closed over hers. She had zero will power when it came to this man. Less than zero. Because she kissed him back just as she had last night. The man had a set of lips to die for, and God, did he know how to use them.
He nibbled, sucked and kissed the bejeezus right out of her.
He pulled away after a few minutes, looked into her eyes and stepped back before unlocking the door. Was he putting on the brakes because of last night? She remembered everything she said to him and it was all true. But it didn’t stop her from wanting him.
His mood took a complete one-eighty and she hated it. The last thing she wanted was to be another load of shit on a rough day.
Did all his visits with Megan give him this much guilt? Did he struggle this much after every trip to the East Coast?
Leo dropped his sport coat over the back of the sofa and stood at the window, looking out to the dark, quiet street. He looked so alone and she didn’t want that. Yes, they had a major gulf between them, between what she wanted and what he could give, but it didn’t mean she didn’t care for him.
Kim stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, offering her warmth, her comfort. Offering more than she should, and she realized it. She just couldn’t help herself. If her body was the thing that would help him right this minute, then she didn’t mind giving it. In fact, she wanted to.
Leo faced her, the confusion in his eyes disappeared as soon as he got a look at her. The heat that took over nearly set her aflame. When his lips touched hers, she melted into his arms.
Nothing was going to change after this interlude. He’d get distant and she’d feel alone, but for this minute, when his hands traveled her curves and his tongue tangled with hers, she didn’t care. She wanted him and wanted to give him the solace he needed.
When he scooped her in his arms, she gasped into his mouth. He didn’t say a word as he carried her to the bed. Last night she’d had the bed all to herself. She’d woken up alone and surprised that Leo had crashed on the couch. No chance of that happening tonight.
Leo kept his mouth on hers. Maybe he worried if he gave her a chance to breathe, she’d put a stop to the amazing foreplay he’d started. Not even if hell froze over. Clearly old habits died hard with her. She kept going back to all the wrong places despite knowing she’d be crushed in the end.
This isn’t about you. She had to keep reminding herself of that. This was for Leo because he needed her. That was all she ever really wanted. Well, that and someone to love her.
After laying her down on the bed, Kim helped Leo peel off her clothes. She tackled her dress and bra and he divested her of her thong in one quick motion. His clothes came off next.
He never slowed the pace. He kept his mouth and hands busy, working her into a mindless sexual haze where nothing mattered but his skin against hers, his mouth on hers, and his body filling hers.
With a couple of pushes to test the waters, Leo finally plunged deep, taking Kim’s breath and most of her sanity. She’d never felt so full, so needed. So with every fresh thrust, she lunged up to meet him. She let the sensations take her where nothing mattered but release. She locked her legs around him and dug her heels into his ass to keep him connected, to let him know he wasn’t on this train alone.
The guttural sounds coming from his chest tore her up as he battered into her. All she could do was grip him tighter and hold on for the ride. And, God, what a ride. He knew what she liked. Knew how to hit the exact right spot that would send her off into a euphoric abyss.
Sweat slicked their skin as Leo moved over her with deliberate hard strokes and, with every new glide, Kim got that much closer to the edge. Leo hooked an arm under her knee and levered it back, opening her wider as he thrust, the fierceness in his eyes an aphrodisiac like none other. When he growled and clenched his jaw with his muscles straining above her, he pushed her over…a slow motion fall that wiped her mind clean of everything but the pulsing between her thighs. Nothing mattered but the pleasure rippling through her in delicious waves.
Leo set his mouth over hers as he froze over her, his muscles stiffening as his climax rumbled through him. Kim breathed him in, the salty taste of his sweat, the smell of sex. She loved this part as much as the sex itself, the immediate afterward, the closeness, the bond, the little aftershocks that rocked them both. Leo collapsed on her and rolled to his side, taking her with him, keeping them close. He held her tight and she put her lips to his neck, spreading kisses and nibbles so he knew she was all right. He’d worry about her, worry that’d he’d been too rough and she didn’t want that. She wanted this time t
o mean something to him because it meant something to her.
He was still semi-hard inside her and Kim didn’t want to break the spell that happened when they were together. Much too soon they’d be apart for good, so she wanted this time to last.
She rolled him to his back, kissed his lips softly. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
He watched her with those gorgeous blue eyes of his, eyes that sometimes seemed to see right to her very heart and soul. He opened his mouth and Kim shushed him with a kiss.
“Shh. No questions. I’m not done with you yet.”
The hot spark in his eyes coincided with the fresh twitch of him between her legs. Kim gave him a seductive smile as she eased off him. After a quick stop in the bathroom to clean up, she went to the kitchen and grabbed the chocolate ice cream from the freezer. Leo watched her from the bed, leaning on his elbow, a predatory look in his eyes as he followed her every move. Kim came back to bed with a bowl full of ice cream and nothing else.
“You forgot a spoon,” Leo said, his voice husky.
Kim wrinkled her nose. “Spoons are overrated. And I hate doing dishes.” She swiped a dollop on her finger and spread it over Leo’s shoulder. The blank look on his face turned into understanding when she leaned forward and licked the ice cream off. He groaned when she shoved him down to his back.
“I want my dessert now,” she murmured, then she spread more ice cream over the hard bud of his nipple.
Leo held her head as she licked and sucked the chocolate from his skin. “Jesus,” he muttered. “This is the best dessert I’ve ever had.” He dipped his finger in the bowl and spread more down the line between his abs, coaxing her, daring her with just a look.
Leaning forward, Kim took his chocolate covered finger in her mouth and sucked it, loving the cool, sweetness combined with Leo, loving the rise and fall of his chest and the animal attraction in his gaze. She released his finger and took his dare further when she added more to the line and ended right where the tip of his erection rested on his stomach. A primitive thrill of success shot through her veins as his nostrils flared when she bent low, her gaze on his, her mouth open and ready to taste.
