by Lori Foster
“Mostly,” she said, “I just want to look at you and know you’re safe.”
His molars locked and he tightened his hands on the wheel. “I was never in danger, honey. But you...”
“He threatened you. He said he had guards watching you, ready to take a shot—”
“I know what the bastard told you.” As far as Leese was concerned, Tesh had gotten off easy.
Everything kept replaying in his head like a horror flick. Seeing Cat jump to the road, her body rolling like a rag doll. That was bad enough, but when Tesh had emerged too, yelling Cat’s name and then aiming a gun at her... Leese shook with the memory. Leese had known he wouldn’t be able to get his weapon drawn in time and in that awful moment, he’d thought he would lose her.
But the officer behind him was ready, and he’d taken Tesh’s life with a single bullet.
Leese knew if he lived to be a hundred, he’d never be able to repay Sahara for her calm, commonsense thinking. She’d had the chip sewn into Cat’s dress as an added precaution, and in between giving him directions on where to go, she’d notified the police. With men in the area, they’d shown up just in time.
“Webb was innocent.”
“Yes. Sahara’s PI knew something was up, but he didn’t know what. He’d told her too many pieces weren’t coming together.”
“Tesh thought the same. That’s why he got suspicious, I guess.” She curled a little tighter in her seat, shoulders down, arms around herself. “He was in as much danger as me. Tesh planned to kill him. But I...I assumed the worst.”
“For good reason, considering the evidence you had.” Leese hated to see her hurt, physically, but emotionally too. “Sahara spoke with your stepfather.”
Cat stared at him with big eyes. “He’s okay?”
“From what she told me, he was relieved to know you’re okay.” Okay being a very relative term. “He claims he knew the rep of the Body Armor agency, so when Platt insisted that he come up with a plan to get you back, he hoped for the exact scenario that played out.”
“I’d like to believe him.”
Getting her life back would be good, and that would have to start with knowing her family could be trusted. “Sahara believes him, if that helps. She says when he called, he worded things in a way that made it clear you were the priority. It was ambiguous enough to get past Platt and Tesh, who were in the room with him, but direct enough that when Sahara assigned me, she told me I worked for you, not for anyone else. And Webb did pay in advance, ensuring Sahara wouldn’t pull your protection for lack of funds.”
Cat watched him. “Would you have—”
“Quit? No. Not after knowing you a day.” It hadn’t taken long at all for Cat to get under his skin. After that first night when she’d slept with him...he’d known he was a goner. “Webb claims he also has evidence that will help to corroborate everything we’ve told authorities. Extra details so he’d be better able to offer an alibi.”
“I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
“After we’ve all gotten some sleep,” Leese agreed. “You’ve had a pretty momentous day.”
Cat held silent for a few moments, then whispered brokenly, “I thought Tesh was going to hurt you and it almost killed me. I knew I had to do something to stop him.”
She’d done something all right. She’d attacked a madman. Jumped from a moving van. Then hoisted a flash drive from a dead body with police looking on. “You’re amazing. And reckless.”
“I couldn’t risk you,” Cat whispered.
Because she loved him? She’d said so, but her timing had sucked and now Leese wanted to hear it again. “We’ll talk about that after you’re rested.” Never again would he let her put him first. If she thought risking him was bad, she should try it from his perspective.
He’d died a thousand times while trying to get to her. And all the while he’d known how twisted Tesh was, what he might do to Cat, what he probably was doing.
The flash drive contained all the information they needed to expose both Tesh and Senator Platt as the perverted, sick fucks they were. Sahara’s PI had quickly located Tesh’s mother, and soon they’d have the evidence from the safe-deposit box too.
Law officials were all over it because sometime after midnight the senator was found dead in his home, poisoned by the ice in his routine nightcap. A staff member close to the senator, but apparently loyal to Tesh, had prepared the drink.
The plan to commit the murder was laid out in notes contained in the flash drive, otherwise the world might have never known that Platt hadn’t died of natural causes.
When Cat dozed off, Leese let out a tense breath. He’d soon have her in his home, and if all went as planned, she’d want to stay with him.
Forever.
* * *
AS SUNSHINE SPILLED into the quiet bedroom, Leese nuzzled against Cat’s neck and stirred her awake. He loved the scent of her skin, the taste of her mouth, the warmth of her small body snuggled to his.
He loved going to bed with her each night and waking up with her each morning.
He loved her, period.
For far too long they’d been under nonstop interrogation. Valentine’s Day had come and gone, along with much of March, and spring was fast approaching. There’d been very little downtime, and no opportunity for a romantic dinner out. But he’d given Cat the few Valentine’s Day gifts he’d picked up back when Miles had stayed with her.
She’d loved the unique, handmade Andamooka Opal necklace. Once she put it on, she didn’t take it off. The bright splashes of color in the gem matched her quirky, fun and beautiful personality. He’d also bought her a new knit hat, mittens and a scarf, and a new cell phone with a long-term plan.
She hadn’t remarked on the implied expectation, but had accepted when he insisted.
In return she’d given him a small painting, and then, because she said she hadn’t had an opportunity to shop, she gave him a lap dance.
They were the best Valentine’s Day gifts ever. One memory stayed on his office wall, the other he stored away as the hottest experience of his life.
It was the first holiday that Leese had celebrated in a long while. He knew it would always be the most memorable.
Things with Platt and Tesh weren’t yet settled, but they were well on their way. Because Leese and Cat told the truth, as did Sahara and Justice, there could be no cover-up of the senator’s evil conduct. The world had a right to know.
And Georgia Bell deserved justice.
Leese didn’t want to think about that right now though. He wanted to concentrate on the fact that he and Cat finally had a few days free. His house was a good distance from hers, but Cat was still with him, and if all his plans worked out, they’d have a lifetime together.
There was nothing he wanted more.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
As Cat stretched, making a small, throaty sound, Leese gently touched her ribs. She’d recovered from the assault, and no longer flinched in pain. Only faint bruises remained, though he’d forever remember them.
He, too, had healed from the bullet graze. Then, to get things settled, he’d taken a hiatus from work. Soon, however, he’d return to the agency, probably next week. Before then, he wanted to cement things with Cat.
Resting on his forearms over her, Leese murmured, “Open your eyes, Cat.”
Her thick lashes slowly lifted. “Mmm?” She yawned widely, stretched again, then smiled up at him with soft affection. “Someone,” she teased, “kept me up too late last night.”
Last night had been amazing. Every time with her was better than the last. How that was possible he didn’t know, but it was still true. “Complaining?”
“Praising,” she corrected as she looped her arms around his neck.
Smoothing back her beautiful hair, Leese kiss
ed her lips, then whispered, “Stay put. I’ll bring you coffee in bed.”
“Oh, nice. I’ll just run to the bathroom, then crawl back under the covers.”
She was so incredibly cute.
And she was his.
“Sounds like a plan.” He kissed her again, then said, “Be right back.”
In the kitchen, he made the coffee, readied two cups and retrieved the small wrapped package he’d hidden behind the bread box, along with everything else he needed.
When he returned, he found Cat in the bed propped against the headboard with the covers pulled up to her chin to ward off the chill.
She said, “Gimme,” and gratefully took the coffee he handed her. “Mmm. Delicious.” After two fortifying sips, she cradled the warm cup in her hands and eyed the other things on the tray. “So...what’s all that?”
Leese smiled. “A proposition.” He got into bed beside her, letting her wonder while he drank a little coffee too.
Finally she set her cup aside on the nightstand and reached for the sketch of a room. She studied it a minute, then said, “This looks like your guest room, but a little different too.”
Also setting his cup aside, Leese scooted over to sit closer to her. “It’s the guest room, but I had a designer reconfigure things so it could be a studio.”
Surprise widened her eyes. “A studio?”
“More specifically, your studio. I wanted it to be similar to the room you had set up at your house.”
“Why?”
“Your art is important to you, so it’s important to me.” Before she could question him further, he showed her a pamphlet. “And this is from the local shelter.”
She blinked, clearly confused.
Leese opened it to photos of dogs. “What do you think?”
“I don’t understand.”
“We both wanted a dog, right? I figured we’d get one from the shelter.” He teasingly kissed her. “You’re not one of those snobs who need a pet with a pedigree, are you?”
Her eyes got a little glassy and she whispered, “No.”
“Good. Me either. And my yard is already fenced. So when the shelter opens up today, we’ll go get us one. Or hell, maybe two? Whatever you think is best.”
She bit her lip, then whispered softly, “Two.”
“Perfect. Two it is. Now open your gift.”
“My gift?”
Leese handed her the small box, moved the tray to the floor, then lowered the sheet below her breasts. “Open it.” He liked the way the opal rested just above her cleavage.
Breathing deeper, she whispered, “You can’t keep buying me gifts when I can’t reciprocate.”
He gave her a hot smile. “You reciprocated enough for twenty gifts, trust me.”
“You’re saying you liked the dance?”
“The dance, the way you kissed me and the sex afterward. But that’s nothing new, Cat. You know I love having sex with you.”
She swallowed, nodded. “I love it too.”
Still she held the small box without opening it. Leese figured she knew what it’d be, so maybe she just needed some time. He’d give her a few minutes more.
Until then...he cupped her breast. “I also love watching you paint. And seeing you laugh. The way you argue and how you sip your coffee.”
That made her laugh.
Leese bent and kissed the warm skin just beneath her left breast. “I love your heart,” he whispered. “How you trust it and your instincts, how loyal and brave you are.”
Cat threaded her fingers into his hair. “I love those same things about you. And your body.” She tugged until he lifted his face so she could look into his eyes. “Not just how good you look, though you’re seriously hot. But you’re also strong and so capable.”
Sweeping a hand down her side to her hip, and pushing the blanket away in the process, Leese said, “You’re strong in your own way, honey, and your body is about the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I definitely love it.”
“You know, Leese, that’s an awful lot of love words.”
She sounded worried by that, but Leese didn’t relent. “Know what else I love? The honest way you say what you think and feel. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that’s wrong.”
She took in a shaky breath and nodded. “Okay.”
Lastly he kissed her forehead. “I especially love the way you think, how you deal with all the twists and turns of life.”
After a fortifying breath, she whispered, “I love everything about you.” Her gaze held his. “I already told you that.”
“Just once,” he reminded her. “And I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”
With no hesitation, she said, “I love you, Leese.”
God, it felt good. Because she hadn’t yet unwrapped it, Leese took the small box from her. The ribbon pulled away with ease and he lifted the velvety lid. “I love you too, Catalina. Will you marry me, live here with me, adopt a pet or two, eventually have some kids and let me love you forever?”
She stared at the ring, her breath coming faster and faster—and then with an elated scream she launched herself at him, taking him to his back and kissing his face all over.
Leese hooked her legs and flipped her right back over so he could settle between her legs. “Can I take that as a yes?”
“Yes!” Tears clung to her lashes. “I know it’s crazy and insane, but I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone or anything.”
He smiled, and his heart felt full. “Same here. And yeah, it’s a little crazy, but in a good way.” He took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger. “Do you like it?”
She looked at the ring as if she hadn’t really seen it before. It wasn’t an extravagant diamond, but a moderately sized cushion-cut diamond with opals on either side that matched her necklace.
“Oh, Leese.” Tears had her blinking fast. “It’s the most stunningly beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Again, as if only just then catching on, she said, “You’re having a room remodeled for me?”
“I want you to live with me.” It’d be a big move for her, but also a way for her to start over, away from the memories of what she’d been through. “What do you think?”
“I’d like that very much.” She continued to study the ring, a small smile teasing over her lips. “I’m sure my job is gone by now, and after knowing people were in my house, that they’d planted bugs to spy on me...” She shuddered. “I don’t ever want to live there again.”
He understood that. Her stepfather claimed he wasn’t the one to plant the bug, but he was the one who’d kept up the house for Catalina, and to fend off curiosity.
“It’s okay,” she said, smoothing a finger over his frown. “I’m okay. I promise.”
She would be, Leese vowed. He’d make it so. He’d fill her life with so much happiness and love, it’d help to drive away the dark memories. “What kind of puppy do you want?”
She let out a big sigh. “Would you mind if we got a more mature dog? Everyone wants a puppy, but the older dogs get overlooked. I like the idea of two.”
Could she be more special? He didn’t think so. Meaning it, he promised, “Whatever you want, honey.”
She curved her hands over his shoulders, then lifted her fingers to again admire her ring. “I want you.”
Leese groaned in physical regret. “We have to leave soon if we’re going to make it to Cannon’s house on time. All the guys will be there, the wives and babies too. Everyone is anxious to visit with you.”
She bit her lip, then nodded. “They’re like your family, aren’t they?”
“More so than my real family ever was. You’ll like everyone, I promise. And the babies are cute as hell.”
“Cannon and Armie each have kids?”
He
nodded, smiling when he thought of the little ones. “Armie has a son, and Cannon has twins, one boy and one girl.”
“I can’t wait to see them.” Cat drew a hand down over his chest. “We’re going to visit my family afterward, right?”
By the second, it got harder to think about leaving the bed. “Yes.” He’d met Webb a few times now. The man was formal, quietly caring and wary. He and Cat were slowly reconciling. A private dinner at Webb Nicholson’s home would give them a chance to get more comfortable, and a chance for Leese to meet her brothers.
“We’re going to have a busy day,” Cat said. “But tonight...tonight you’re all mine.”
Leese loved the sound of that. “Tonight, tomorrow and for the rest of our lives.”
* * * * *
Look for Justice’s story, HARD JUSTICE, coming soon from Lori Foster and HQN Books!
Meanwhile, read on for BUILT FOR LOVE, a bonus novella in print for the first time!
Built for Love
Dear Reader
Those of you who read my stories “Love Unleashed” (in the Love Bites anthology) and “Love Won’t Wait” (in the Turn Up the Heat anthology) have been waiting patiently for Jesse Baker, best friend of brothers Evan and Brendan “Brick” Carlisle, to get a story of his own. After all, the hot contractor is the perfect blend of honorable and charming, despite his bad-boy rep. I’m so pleased that the wait is over and that Jesse’s story, “Built for Love,” is available now.
You might recall that Jesse was first introduced to sexy Realtor Tonya Bloom in “Love Won’t Wait”—but though their chemistry ignited from the start, Tonya had just become the guardian of her orphaned twelve-year-old nephew, Kevin...not exactly the best time to fall in love. In “Built for Love,” Tonya is struggling to help Kevin feel safe and secure in his new home—and while she sees Jesse as a distraction she can’t afford, Jesse’s determined to prove to her that he wants forever. With a little help from some old friends and a pregnant cat aptly named Love, can Jesse convince Tonya that some loves are built to last?
