Keeping Katie

by Angela Castle

  How was Katie ever to decide between them?

  Katie sighed, grabbing the bar of soap to wash herself. Maybe it wouldn't be up to her to decide, as she looked down at the horrid burn scars over her left shoulder and the one marring the middle of her stomach. Her heart twisted in pain. What man would really want a scar-riddled woman anyway?

  No, her grandpa had always told her people who couldn't accept another for who they were on the inside were not worth knowing. She wasn't looking for love right now. Her main goal was to experience life and she seemingly had found one, or even two, willing candidates to help her out.

  Washing away the day's grime, she climbed out of the bath and towelled herself dry.

  Tomorrow was another cleaning day. She was half excited at the prospect of running into Jack Cullen again, as much as she was in fear of it. It seemed both Jack and Jordan had been permanently etched into her brain, whether she liked it or not.

  Chapter Five

  Katie hesitated outside of Jack Cullen's office. What were the chances he was still in there and remembering his promise from Tuesday? She was being silly. Why should she be afraid of Jack's office or Jack for that matter? It's not as if she was going to tell him he had featured in her masturbation fantasies. She pushed the nonsense from her head and knocked lightly on the door before turning the handle and pushing it open.

  "Come in, Katie." Jack's voice sounded like a deep purr as she stepped inside. He wasn't sitting at his desk but on the lounge suite situated on the right side near the window. He held a drink in his hand.

  "Sorry, Mr. Cullen. I'll come back later."

  "No, Katie, come in and its Jack, remember?" She moved further into the room. He was still as dark and as dangerously handsome as she remembered. She had little experience dealing with men like this. She had never been on a date, never even had a kiss. Any boys she knew were like friends.

  "I'll get out of your way as quickly as I can." She turned to unwind the vacuum cord.

  "What makes you think I want you out of my way? Come sit down and have a drink.

  The carpet doesn't need vacuuming today."

  "I really don't think I should."

  "Nonsense, I insist. It's not against any rule I know, and it's my job to know the rules." He stood up, helping to relieve her of the vacuum and set it down against the wall. Before Katie could protest further, he caught her hand, tugging her toward the sofa.

  "Sit, sit. What drink can I get you?" She sat down and he released her hand, moving over to the bar.

  "I don't really drink alcohol. Do you have a lemon-aid?"

  Jack gave a chuckle. "Have you ever had an alcoholic drink?"

  "My grandpa liked a drop of red wine every now and then and I liked the taste of that.

  I never liked the taste of beer," she found herself confessing.

  "I thought all Australians liked beer. Or is it Fosters?"

  "Well, not this Aussie." She couldn't suppress a small smile. "Assuming all Australians like beer is no better than Australians assuming all English people are stiff lipped and snobbish."

  "Okay, you have me there. But this English fellow is far from snobbish. As for the stiff part, well, it varies."

  Katie felt herself blush, but he didn't seem fazed by it at all. He mixed something at the bar before bringing it back to her. "Try this. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."

  She looked at the creamy liquid drink as Jack sat down not too far from her. She took a sip.

  Smooth, creamy sweet vanilla flavour hit her tongue, rolling down the back of her throat. She did like it immensely.

  "What is this?" She looked at the drink.

  "It's called a Vanilla Dream, a favourite in some clubs and bars with the ladies."

  "Well, I think you missed your calling. Maybe you should have been a bartender instead of a lawyer."

  Jack gave a laugh again. Despite their initial introduction, Jack didn't seem as intimidating as she remembered.

  "So you've come to London to live. I'm assuming you have some residency here in the UK?"

  "Are you an immigration lawyer?"

  Jack laughed. "No, property and finance mostly."

  "Okay then, I have dual citizenship in the UK and Australia. My mum was born here.

  She made sure we could come back any time we wanted."

  "Smart lady, your mother. Is she back in Australia?" Katie frowned remembering her mother, pain seeping into those memories.

  "Yes she is," she said quietly looking at her glass. She no longer wanted the drink.

  She rose to her feet. "Thanks for the drink, but I really should get back to work."

  Jack had risen to his feet taking hold of her arm. "Don't go yet, please." His tone had softened.

  ~ * ~

  Jack let her arm go when she sat back down. He had noticed the pained look flash across her face when he had mentioned her mother. He had to assume there must be bad history there. He wanted to make her comfortable, get her to lower her guard.

  She had already surprised him with her quick humour. He watched her take another sip of her drink, her fingers nervously fiddling with the glass.

  "Can I take you to lunch tomorrow?" He didn't want to mess around.

  "Why would you want to take me to lunch?" She seemed genuinely surprised at his invitation.

  "Because you're fun, beautiful, sweet, and I have a great desire to take you to lunch.

  Say yes."

  She frowned at his complements, staring at him as if she didn't believe him. Jack leaned closer, taking her drink from her and setting it on the coffee table before taking her hands into his.

  "Some lawyers may be the scum-bags of the universe, but I'm just a guy, Katie, and I know a good thing when I see it. Say yes, I won't take no for an answer."

  She shook her head. "I'm sorry but I can't. I've just started a second job this week. I'll be working all day tomorrow."

  Jack conceded on that part, but hadn't, nor wouldn't, give up yet. "Okay, dinner then.

  I promise to be the perfect genial British host and make sure your home at a decent hour, unless you have other deviant plans." He gave her a seductive wink. He enjoyed watching the shade of crimson that rose into her cheeks at his flirtatious remark. She sucked in a breath. Jack had been gently rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb, noting the shudder of sexual tension. There was something in her blue eyes he just couldn't seem to read. It seemed a mix of excitement and fear as she was trying to decide how to answer.

  "If I say yes will you let me go back to work?"

  He grinned. "Most definitely."

  "All right, but not tomorrow, I'll be too tired after work."

  "Saturday evening then."

  "Saturday evening," she agreed. He smiled feeling like he'd just won a major victory, but he had one more surprise up his sleeve for the sexy, Australian kitten.

  "Great, I'll pick you up at seven." He was quick on his feet, striding over to his desk to snatch up a note pad and pen. "Jot down your number for me and address. Now that you've said yes I have no intention of letting you get away." Giving her his best beguiling smile, Katie took the items, writing down her cell number and her aunt's address before handing the pad back.

  "I'll go now." Katie rose to her feet, turning to collect her cleaning tools. Jack once again put his hand on her arm halting her progress.

  "Just one more thing before you go, Katie." He closed the small gap between them, dipping his head to capture her luscious red lips. He had been dying for a taste of them ever since he'd laid eyes on her mouth.

  ~ * ~

  Katie's breath caught in her throat as Jack's lips descended upon hers. The spicy smell of masculine after-shave made her head swim, scattering what was left of her sense of reason. She couldn't think strait. She couldn't fight it. Did she want to fight it? In that moment, she didn't care. At the first touch of his lips on hers, she gasped then his tongue slipped passed her lips into her mouth. He tasted like scotch, spice and deep dark male. She h
ad always wondered about and fantasized what her first kiss would be like. Nothing prepared her for the reality of what his hot mouth and tongue could do. He licked and sucked along her bottom lip before pressing down hard, plunging his tongue against hers in short stabbing thrusts. When he pulled back, her breathing was ragged, and her hands were clinging to his biceps. She was completely dazed with a surge of unfamiliar lust. It was only a taste of what Jack Cullen promised. He pulled away somewhat hastily.

  "Well, young lady, back to work with you now." He helped her put the vacuum cleaner onto her back, practically pushing her out the door. She stood on the other side of Jack's office door feeling confused and very aroused.

  "Katie, there you are, are you all right, dear? You look flushed." Her aunt walked towards her. Katie had to quickly recover her wits. She was in big trouble. If only one kiss could render her a horny twit, what would sex do?

  Katie smiled. Oh, there were so many things to discover with Jack. Saturday was going to change her life.

  "Oh, yes, fine. Let's finish up and go home." She walked toward the elevator with a smile on her face.

  Chapter Six

  Friday morning Katie saw Jordan's work truck parked around the side of the old Victorian maisonette. She pulled her moped up along the side of the east wall, parking it between an over grown shrub and the wall out of sight.

  "Hey, there's my miracle worker." Jordan came striding from around the back carrying a bucket of plaster sealant. A smile on his handsome face made Katie's heart do flip flops in her chest. "Thought I heard the sound of your scooter. Hope you're up for another full day."

  "Not a problem, boss."

  "Oh, don't call me that. Jordan's fine. I've got the electrician coming in today and with any luck, on time." She gave a laugh.

  "I think luck is the word. In all the time I spent with my grandfather on building sites, I've never known an electrician, plumber or contractor to be on time."

  "Hey, don't count me in that. I have some very reliable people at my disposal."

  "I'll take your word for it."

  She followed him into the house and into the dining room.

  "Ever done any plastering?"

  She gave a nod.

  "Great. While pining over your absence yesterday, I got all the main foundation cracks filled in the lower rooms but only a few in the upper rooms. All they need now is plastering over. It may take a few days." Jordan was all business. Katie listened to what he needed done. It was simple enough; she had done this kind of work with her grandfather.

  "Show me to the tools and it's as good as done."

  "Everything is in my truck. Help yourself to whatever you need. Today I have to rip out all the piping. The bulk of it is rusted through. So if you need anything, just yell."

  Jordan handed her the plastering bucket. Katie shrugged off her backpack, dumping it in a corner.

  "I hate to leave you on your own again, but between the two of us, I'm sure we'll have this place looking fantastic in no time at all. Oh, and give a yell when it's around ten for a break. I get caught up some times and forget what time it is." He gave a boyish grin and she laughed at his enthusiasm. His love for his work was obvious.

  He gave her a wink and started whistling a tune she didn't recognize as he strode out through the kitchen.

  There was a lot of plastering to be done in the dining room. Lots of the original masonry had cracked and come away from the brickwork. She was careful to keep her work even and straight. Soon the walls started to look smoother under her diligent work. Every so often she would hear banging then Jordan talking to himself, followed by a faint cursing.

  She smiled. He was a really great guy. She wondered at him not having a girlfriend as she recalled the last conversation they'd had about love lives. She started wondering what it would be like to kiss Jordan. Would it be anything like Jack Cullen's head-spinning kiss?

  She was very curious, not to mention aroused. She had little to compare Jack to.

  Maybe it was time to change all that. Katie shook her head at her wayward thoughts.

  No, it was foolish. She still had many scars that she was certain he would find unattractive. But what harm would a kiss do? It's not as if she wanted to strip naked for him and beg him to make love to her. Oh, that idea was now firmly embedded in her brain. Katie was beyond the kissing stage, and she wanted to know what sex was like. She was already addicted to the feel of the pleasure she could bring herself, but what would it be like if Jack or Jordan brought her to such pleasures?

  She mentally kicked herself for having a one-track mind. No, she set back to work.

  Hard labour would be the only thing to keep her mind free from confusion and out of the gutter.

  ~ * ~

  It was Jordan's plan to keep Katie busy and out of his line of vision in order to keep him concentrating on the job, rather than the problem of a swollen cock. Shit, he couldn't even nip off in some secluded place to jerk off, and even that would only offer temporary relief. He found himself glancing at his watch, cursing that the electrician was now two hours late. Katie had been right on that score.

  He tossed one of the rusted pipes into the skip with a clang and pulled off his gloves.

  Glancing at his watch, he saw it was just after ten. He went to his truck to grab the flask of tea he'd made before leaving the apartment that morning and went in search of Katie.

  What he found made him groan. Katie was on all fours, her arse high in the air, her legs bare, and the blue shorts she wore clung around her thighs. She was smoothing a trawl over the wall in the corner of the room. Jordan couldn't tear his eyes away from her shapely rear. He knew if Jack had come across her like this, he would have taken full advantage of her. Jordan just stupidly stared. She must have heard him.

  As she straitened up, she plopped the trawl in the bucket before twisting around.

  She had white streaks across her face and in her hair. She had rolled her sleeves up to her elbows. Jordan's cock protested the restriction in his jeans. Christ, if he got any harder there would be a permanent zipper mark down the length of his dick.

  "Cuppa tea?" Jordan managed to squeak, swallowing hard. Couldn't he even manage a manly sounding invitation? He cleared his throat.

  "I'd love one, as long as you like homemade biscuits," she countered. Rising to her feet, he watched her dust off her hands before reaching for her backpack. From her bag she pulled a clear square Tupperware container filled to the brim with homemade biscuits.

  "A woman who brings sweets and can use a trawl. If you tell me you can cook, I think I'm doomed. I just may have to ask you to marry me." She blinked at his words, her cheeks suddenly shading a lovely crimson. Although they were said in jest, he was half wishing it were true. She tried to hide it by turning away, busying herself dusting off her pants before taking off the pink work gloves. Jordan was half grateful for the reprieve so he could turn his back to her, hoping she hadn't noticed the bugle in his pants.

  "There's a stone bench I found the other day in the garden. We can have our tea break out there." He led the way out the door and she followed.

  Katie pulled open the biscuit container and took the cup of tea he had poured for her from his thermos. They sat in a secluded section of the overgrown garden. A few statues of half-naked Greek women were littered about the grounds. He handed her a cup. They were both silent while they sipped the tea. Jordan took a large bite out of the biscuit, allowing a moan of appreciation to escape.

  "Fuck, Katie, these are fantastic. You make them?"

  She nodded nibbling on her own. "My grandpa liked his cakes and biscuits. I did all the cooking at home." She really was a walking handy man's fantasy. His fantasy.

  "You must have made him proud. Can I ask?" He paused not wanting to ask any sensitive questions.

  "I'm sure he was proud. He used to tell me so before he got sick." Her eyes grew sad.

  "Where are your parents?"

  "Dead. Grandpa looked after me since I was ten,
then I looked after him when he got sick."

  "Oh, Katie, I'm sorry." He put his arms around her shoulders to give her a comforting squeeze. She leaned into him. It felt good just holding her. She drew in a long breath.

  "Was he sick long?"

  "Eight years with Alzheimer's. He couldn't even remember who I was for the last two years."

  Jordan couldn't begin to understand the pain Katie must be feeling. Both his parents were still functioning. He had grown up in a secure loving home. "You spent all that time alone, looking after him?"

  Katie nodded, drawing in a breath as if trying to fight back tears. He ran his hand up and down her arm in a comforting gesture.

  "My aunt and uncle are all that is left of my family now. They offered me a place to live while I decide what to do with my life."

  "Seems you need to get out and enjoy yourself--live a life you've been denied. Did you get to finish school? I mean, I hear people with Alzheimer's need a lot of care."

  She gave a nod. "I was able to study through a program from home then did a high school equivalent exam. So in a manner I did finish school. My grandpa made me promise I would before he lost all his mental reasoning. But I had to stay with him all the time."

  A lot of things were starting to click into place with Katie. Shy, innocent, and inexperienced, she had been hidden away from the world, but not for much longer. If only he could get up the courage to ask her out. Maybe he didn't have to ask her out.

  He could just take her home. An idea began to form in the back of his brain.

  "I can't begin to understand what you've been through, Katie. All I can say is I'm grateful you're here, not just as your boss, but I hope you can consider me a friend."

  She drew in another slow breath, giving him a lovely smile. "Thank you. I like you a lot, Jordan."

  Her lovely innocent blue eyes full of trust, he found himself falling fast for this beautiful woman. "You ever go out with boys?" he asked before he could stop himself.

  She blushed. "No, never got the chance, but I'm kind of going on my first date tomorrow night. I know it's pathetic, a twenty two-year-old woman going on her first date." She gave a laugh.