Love and Always (A Pound of Flesh #1.5)

by Sophie Jackson

  Carter took a deep breath and glanced toward the gray New York sky. “I didn’t want to tell you on the phone, which isn’t ideal, but it’ll have to do because I don’t know when I’ll be able to come and visit you and I wanted to be—”

  “Shit, son, you’re rambling!” Max exclaimed, worried. “What the hell’s up?”

  Carter laughed nervously. “Nothing. Nothing, it’s just . . . Kat and I . . . I asked her to marry me. We got engaged.”

  The silence at the other end of the line was thunderous. Carter slumped against the nearest wall and dropped his chin to his chest. If he knew his best friend at all, he knew that he had to give him time to digest the news. Carter was all too knowledgeable of Max’s pain in regard to his fucked-up relationship with Lizzie, but Carter had no idea how news of his own impending nuptials was going to go down.

  The silence continued, punctuated only by the occasional fizz of white noise on Carter’s cell phone. “Max?”

  “That’s . . . the last thing I thought you were going to say,” Max said eventually. His words were slow, careful and, without seeing his face, Carter couldn’t get a read on him. “It’s that serious, huh?”

  Carter nodded toward the ground. “Yeah, man. It’s that serious. I saw the ring one day in Tiffany’s window and I just thought, Fuck it. Why the hell am I wasting my life not being married to this woman?”

  Max sniffed. “Yeah,” he replied softly. “I, um, I remember the feeling.”

  Carter closed his eyes at the pain in his friend’s voice. “Look, Max, I—”

  “No,” Max interrupted, causing Carter’s heart to thump hard, “I’m . . . that’s great news, brother. Great news.”

  Carter blinked. “It is?”

  A resounding snort echoed down the phone. “Well, I hope so, dude, you’re marrying her!”

  Carter laughed in relief, leaning his head back against the bare brick of the building and sighed. “No, it is. It’s awesome news, although, why the hell she wants to be with me for the rest of her life, is beyond me.”

  “No doubt. She may need her head examined, for real, man.”

  Both men laughed and Carter was momentarily crippled with the sudden need to hug his best friend. “I’m so glad you’re . . . thanks for being cool about it, Max.”

  “Hey, Carter, I get it. I do.” There was a heavy pause. “I can’t resent you for wanting to be happy just because my life fucked up. And if anyone deserves this, it’s you.”

  Carter cleared his throat a few times before he spoke again. “Thank you.” He wiped at his unexpectedly wet eyes and smiled. “Hey, you’d better hurry up and come home so you can be here for the celebrations, brother. Riley’s already planning the bachelor party.”

  “Were lap dancers mentioned?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  chapter four

  Carter growled again at the black silk bow tie that hung uncooperatively around his neck.

  “Tell me again why the fuck we’re dressing up like this,” he yelled to Kat who’d been barricaded in the en suite bathroom for the past hour and a half. Carter could only assume that she was creating nuclear fusion, with the amount of potions and lotions and shit she disappeared in there with.

  “Because dressing up for the Thomas Family New Year’s Eve Charity Ball is a tradition, and we missed it last year. That’s why,” came the sharp, I’m-sick-of-your-whining-so-shut-your-mouth reply through the door.

  Heh.

  “Well, it’s a stupid-ass tradition,” Carter grumbled to himself as he once more attempted to tie his bow tie, again without success. He didn’t know what all the fuss was about. He could still give a check to charity in fucking jeans and a T-shirt! “Dammit, Kat, why the hell didn’t you get me a clip-on one?”

  “Because”—the bathroom door finally opened—“it wouldn’t have looked as good as a tied one.”

  “But it won’t do as it’s told!” Carter whined, holding the urge to stamp his foot.

  He looked from the mirror and over his shoulder to where Kat stood, ready to bitch and moan some more, but what he saw halted the words dead and just about stopped his heart. His wide, awestruck eyes devoured the black, strapless, floor-length gown Kat wore, dancing over her delicate collar bones and décolletage, across her bare shoulders to her long arms, one of which was decorated at the wrist with the stunning onyx bracelet he’d given to her for her birthday. Her engagement ring looked spectacular on her left hand.

  “Give me the damned thing and I’ll tie it for you. It’s really easy. I learned how to do my dad’s when I was about six and . . . why are you looking at me like that?”

  She stopped and touched her hair, which was pinned up. Her dress clung to her in sinful, breathtaking ways. Carter rubbed at his sternum, where a heated ball of possessive desire grew unashamedly, pumping lust and wonder through his veins. Mine, his blood sang. All mine.

  “Carter?”

  He brought a finger up to her glossed lips. “Shhh.” The sound was all he was capable of as he watched her flush under his heated gaze. Slowly, never taking his stare from her skin, he walked around her, seeing the gooseflesh appear across her neck and shoulders as he moved.

  He stood before her and took a long, deep breath that he released gradually, gathering himself, calming the overwhelming urge to lift her to the bed and worship her body the way it was meant to be. “I’m without words.”

  Kat shifted and smiled nervously. “Well, that’s a first.”

  Carter stepped closer, catching the scent of her perfume and the underlying fragrance of peaches from her hair. “Is this what you bought with Beth?” She nodded. “You are . . . Peaches, no woman will ever look as perfect as you do right now. Ever.”

  A small whimper was all that escaped Kat before Carter’s lips pressed against hers. She tasted as good as she looked, and her skin under his hands was soft and smooth. He opened his mouth, deepening the kiss, needing to feel her tongue against his. She gripped the back of his dress shirt and groaned into him.

  “We can’t,” she panted, breaking the kiss that was becoming fire and desperate yearning. “The car will be here in ten minutes.”

  “I can make you come in five,” Carter growled into her throat as he kissed and nibbled at the small freckles he adored so much. “You don’t even have to take the dress off.”

  She moaned and clung to him. “Oh, God. I don’t doubt it, and I swear to you we can do whatever you want when we get home, but we can’t be late.”

  Carter, hard and almost frantic with the need to lift up her skirts and do dastardly things to her with his mouth, grunted into her shoulder. “Fine,” he acquiesced reluctantly. This teasing thing was getting to be goddamn ridiculous. He stood back, stretching his neck from side to side, willing his body to calm the hell down.

  Kat bit her lip. “Dammit, you look hot as hell in that shirt and pants.”

  Carter didn’t miss a beat. “I look even better without them. Wanna see?”

  Kat shook her head and laughed. She tied the bow tie, squirming under Carter’s hands as they traveled up and down the tight bodice of her dress. Jesus, she looked incredible. With his blood still pumping furiously, Carter shrugged on his dinner jacket and followed her out the door of their TriBeCa apartment to the elevator. Kat pressed the elevator button, glancing at him as she did.

  “Don’t even think it, Carter,” she murmured, seeing his smirk and the middle-aged couple waiting behind them. “You will not get handsy in the elevator or in the car.”

  “I can be a good boy,” he uttered with wide, innocent eyes. “I promise.”

  He bent down to her ear, noticing her pulse thrumming in her neck. “But be damned sure that I’m going to take my sweet-ass time with your body later.” He breathed against her cheek, aching to lick her. “Every time I look at you tonight, I want you to imagine what I’ll do to you when we get home, every position, fast and slow, hard and soft; I’m going to do it all, Peaches. And even when you b
eg me to stop, I’ll keep going. After midnight, you’re mine.”

  He chuckled when she all but stumbled into the elevator.

  Poor thing didn’t know what the hell she was in for.

  The five-million-dollar Upper East Side residence was full of life when Kat and Carter arrived. Ben’s mother, Barbara, always liked to put on a show and her New Year’s Eve Charity Ball was always a hell of a spectacle. Kat clutched Carter’s hand tightly in hers as they wandered into the chandeliered lobby, knowing that in spite of the evening’s good intentions, the sight of such extravagance and the smell of high society would have his teeth on edge. He was still very skittish around the rich, in spite of the fact that he was possibly the richest man in the building. He was modest about his wealth, mostly because he hated the root of it, and detested those who gloated about the size of their bank accounts.

  Not that Carter was frugal. Far from it. He had an impressive bike and car collection, which he’d built up since he was reinstated at WCS. He lavished Kat with gifts of jewelry and clothes, in spite of her telling him in no uncertain terms not to; he cleared Max’s debts and paid for his rehab; and insisted on footing the bill for all manner of things even when he didn’t need to, including several of his own charities he’d become involved in. He thought little of the money that allowed him to live the life many envied, and thought little of giving it away.

  His unthinking kindness and generosity were what Kat loved most about him.

  Well, that and his dirty mouth.

  It had taken all of Kat’s willpower, as well as the thought of her mother’s face if they’d been late, to stop Carter from doing what he wanted in the back of the car. He’d never before looked at her the way he had when she’d stepped out of the bathroom. It instantly set Kat alight from the inside out.

  She glanced at the gilded clock on the lobby wall. Five hours until midnight.

  “You okay?” she asked him, reaching for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

  Carter glanced around and shrugged, taking a drink for himself. “Sure. It’s a free bar, right?”

  Grinning, she reached up and kissed him softly, wanting nothing more than to grab his ass through his dress pants. Christ, those bad boys were tailored too damned well. “I write a check,” she said breathlessly, “and at midnight, we’re out of here.”

  He chuckled darkly and cocked an eyebrow. “There’s my naughty girl.”

  Kat led Carter through the throngs of people, stopping every so often to introduce him to friends of her family, of Ben’s family, and acquaintances of her father’s from back in his political days. Everyone was thrilled about the couple’s engagement and, as expected, Carter was totally charming, laughing and taking genuine interest in the people he met. There may have even been a business card or two shoved his way.

  Carter’s height and size and the way he carried himself—all but prowling the room, shoulders rolling seductively like that of a keen predator—could be, and was, intimidating, but his magnetism was undeniably disarming. His time spent in the meetings and boardrooms at WCS hadn’t tamed the beast entirely, merely gift-wrapped it in a more approachable, patient yet entirely removable package.

  If he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Kat knew—as sexy and gentle as the sheep could be—she’d want the wolf every time.

  Midnight. Midnight.

  As they crossed the room, Carter caught her eye and squeezed her hand tightly. “Jesus, look at you, all flushed and wild eyes. What are you thinking about?” His voice was a molten, hungry murmur. “Because I swear, woman, if it’s the same thing I am, I hope to God you’re not wearing panties.”

  Kat knew she wore her feelings all over her face, including the unequivocal need she had for the man beside her. Unable to speak she simply squeezed his hand back in reply.

  Midnight. Midnight.

  Greeting them at the bar, Adam, Carter’s cousin, and his wife, Beth, who looked stunning in a silver ball gown, were as courteous as always. Over the past year, Beth and Adam had made a huge effort to build bridges and right any wrongs between the four of them, with Adam even offering Carter some inside information about mergers and business opportunities.

  Adam had worked at WCS for many years and, despite the way in which he was relieved of his position as CFO, along with his brother, Austin, who was original CEO, he continued to want the best for the family company. He’d told Carter on several occasions how glad he was that Carter was doing so well, steering WCS in the right direction. Nevertheless, the air between the two men was still decidedly frosty.

  Beth had been equally eager to make amends with Kat, to move forward. She’d been more than excited about Kat’s engagement, gushing over the ring and offering ideas about dresses and locations. Their New Year’s dress-shopping excursion had been filled with reminiscing and laughter and Kat had thoroughly enjoyed it. Much to Kat’s relief, their friendship was slowly but surely making its way back to where it had been eighteen months before. Things between them would never be exactly the same. Their friendship had morphed into something different, something more careful.

  “I hear your brother has set up a firm in Chicago,” Carter said to Adam while they waited for drinks.

  Adam nodded and sipped the champagne Beth handed to him. “Yeah, Ben mentioned it. I haven’t spoken to Austin, though. He keeps his cards close to his chest these days, especially after what happened at WCS. He doesn’t trust me.”

  Carter snorted. “Can’t say I blame him.”

  “I can find out what I can for you,” Adam offered. “Kick over a few rocks.”

  Kat watched Carter chat with his cousin, noticing how neutral his reactions were. Even when Austin’s name was mentioned, his blue gaze and strong jaw never gave anything away. To the untrained eye he was wholly indifferent, but Kat knew better. Kat knew that inside her fiancé a vengeful inferno still raged for Austin Ford, waiting for the opportune moment. Kat hoped, for Austin’s sake, that moment never came.

  By nine o’clock the party was in full swing and Kat and Carter had done at least two exhausting circuits of the entire room. Of course, everyone Carter came into contact with was bowled over by his wit and charisma. Even Ben’s mother, Barbara—much to Eva’s annoyance—was left in a puddle of giggling, flustered goo after Carter told her how wonderful he found her apartment and how fantastic the party was. The six-figure check from WCS Communications, which he handed over with a suave smile, helped win some points, too.

  “If only your mother had been that easy,” Carter joked as they sat at a beautifully decorated table next to Adam and Beth, eating their dinner.

  Kat laughed.

  Yeah, if only.

  Her mother had greeted them when they arrived, but had been busy mingling ever since. Not that Kat minded. Having her mother over for two days at Christmas had been stressful enough, thank you. Here, surrounded by her friends and acquaintances, Eva was in her element, hobnobbing and gossiping and putting the world to rights. She looked fierce and altogether lovely in a floor-length red gown as she swept from one person to the next, smiling, laughing, and frequently reaching out a gentle hand to Harrison, who never left her side. Kat saw the small smile that played on his face every time Eva touched him, knowing that the small gesture was all the confirmation Harrison wanted: she needed him as much as he needed her.

  Although Kat still missed her father desperately, she would forever be thankful for Harrison and the love and understanding he had, not just for Eva, but for her, too.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Ben’s voice echoed around the cavernous room, halting the live music and the conversations taking place. “I hate to interrupt your delicious meal, but if I could have your attention, please. I hope you all have a drink, because we have a couple of toasts to give tonight.”

  Kat smiled as her friend adjusted his tie nervously before he spoke into the microphone again. Ben had always been a terrible public speaker. She sat back in her seat and rested her hand on Carter’s leg under the
table. He smiled into his champagne flute and draped an arm casually around the back of her chair.

  “First, on behalf of myself, my wife, and my mother,” Ben continued. “We’d like to thank you for coming tonight. We’ve raised an astonishing amount already for the Cancer Institute, PCF, and the Think Pink Breast Cancer charities that we, as a family, are so thankful for. To those of you here tonight representing so many companies: MetLife, Morgan Stanley, and WCS Communications, you have deep pockets and we thank you for your generosity.”

  A loud round of applause washed across the room. Kat smiled widely at Carter and kissed his warm cheek with pride.

  “But none of this could happen without my mother,” Ben added, “who works tirelessly with each of these charities and has done since we lost my father to prostate cancer ten years ago. So I’d like you to raise your glasses to Barbara Thomas, my mother, for being the strongest, the most generous, and the bravest woman I’ve ever known. I love you.”

  The room lifted their glasses and toasted Ben’s mother who, as she always did, waved modestly from her seat at the head table, even though the applause for her was deafening and lasted a full minute.

  Ben cleared his throat. “The second toast tonight is an unprecedented one. Abby, sweetheart, can you come up here?”

  Abby, Ben’s wife, stood from her seat, clearly embarrassed, and approached Ben timidly. He tucked an arm around her and kissed her forehead lovingly. “I’ve been sworn to secrecy for the past three months, which has killed me, but we both decided tonight was the night to tell you all that, early next summer, Abby and I will become parents. We’re pregnant.”

  The room erupted into squeals, shouts of joy, and applause before Ben even finished speaking. Startling both Carter and Adam, Kat and Beth launched from their seats in excitement, clapping their hands, all but jumping up and down. Not many people knew how hard Abby and Ben had tried for a baby over the years, suffering two heartbreaking miscarriages amid months of no joy. Kat explained this to Carter before she hurried over to shower Ben and Abby with her congratulations, fawning over Abby’s small baby bump.