by S. E. Babin
“Shh,” he said. “I knocked on your door and came in to shut the fridge. Just putting you to bed.”
“Mmmm,” she acknowledged and reached up to put her arms around his neck. Will’s footsteps faltered. She was warm and soft and smelled delicious. He’d do anything to keep those arms around him for the rest of his days. He closed his eyes for a moment, breathing the scent of her deep inside him. If he couldn’t have her, this memory would stay forever with him.
He nudged the door open further with the toe of his work boot and carried her inside. He laid her down inside the bed and gently extricated himself from her, as much as he hated to do so. Katie’s blonde hair spread out across the pillow. Like Aphrodite, he thought.
She smiled softly at him. “Thanks,” she murmured and reached up again to tangle her fingers in the hair not covered by his ball cap. He tore it off as she brought his head down to hers. And he went. So, so willingly.
At the first touch of her mouth on his, Will wanted to devour her. But he knew she was half asleep and, judging from the amount of beer bottles scattered across the kitchen bar, probably snockered. She pressed her lips against his, hesitantly at first, but then her mouth opened. Everything inside of him tightened.
He opened his mouth against hers, her delicate tongue making delightful swirls inside of his own. He groaned, reached behind her neck and lifted her against him in a crushing embrace. Her arms went around to the back of his neck, and his hands tangled inside of her hair, urging all of her against him. They spent a few moments like that, until Will tore his mouth away, breathing heavily.
Katie leaned her head against his chest.
“I have to go,” he said.
Katie murmured, “You don’t have to.”
He choked out a strangled laugh. “About five hours ago you hated me. Several drinks later, I seem much nicer. Trust me, Katie. I’d stay and you and I would have an unforgettable night. But you’d hate me for it tomorrow.”
She nodded, unwilling to argue with him, and lay back against her pillows. Will leaned over to place a light kiss on her forehead. Her eyes drifted shut. He stood up, cursing under his breath. He wanted nothing more than to crawl under those covers and make her his own. But, by God, when he finally did that, and he would, she’d remember it. And, if he had anything to say about it, she’d never want to let him go.
Chapter 9
Katie was about to test the theory about dying of embarrassment. She woke up with her fingers curled around the brim of a ball cap and the scent of cologne swirling around her bedcovers. Startled, Katie’s eyes flew open and she lifted the bedcovers just to make sure she was dressed. The relief she felt was palpable. And so was the pounding headache marching through her frontal lobe.
But then she remembered exactly what happened last night. As the dopey grin slipped over her face at the steamy kiss she and Will had shared, it was replaced by a frown once she realized he’d come into her house without her permission and manhandled her. And then did her a favor…which made her even madder because she really couldn’t be mad. Will was a frustrating reminder of her femininity. She acted like a total hormonal dope every time he was around. It was like she was the bottle of soda and he was the bratty kid that came along and shook it. The explosion was inevitable.
And…Leo. Where the hell was Leo last night? Katie slid out of bed, still clutching Will’s cap, and tiptoed into the kitchen. The house was silent. It was Tuesday, so she hoped Leo had made it into work. Katie also hoped he didn’t see Will inside of her house yesterday. Although, when she thought about it, why didn’t Leo take it upon himself to help her to bed? She wrinkled her brow and made a disgusted sound. It was way too early to have such deep thoughts. There was coffee to be had and a story to be written.
* * * *
She managed to slip out of the house without alerting Will to her presence. The ball cap sat like a traitor on the passenger seat of her car, willing her to bring it back and face him. But she couldn’t yet. She was too afraid of what would happen if she did. Twice now Will had seen her in less than stellar form. It was becoming like a bad episode of that housewives show Katie secretly coveted and then hated herself for. If he caught her tipsy one more time he might consider forcing her into rehab.
Katie pulled into the parking lot of the coffee shop right before lunchtime, grabbed her laptop and headed inside, hopefully for a few hours of blessed work time. Maybe her brain would shut up about Will. Maybe her heart would, too. She flopped her briefcase down on the table next to one of the coveted plugs, and then trudged over to the line to get her morning jolt.
After a sip of three-dollar fortification, Katie fired up her laptop and willed herself to work for two hours straight. The sounds of the day-to-day goings on in the shop lulled her brain into a comfortable rhythm, and it wasn’t too long after that she was firing on all synapses. Katherine and Leo were hitting it off pretty well, but the next door neighbor was a knot in their otherwise perfect piece of string. As she typed, the characters began to take on a life of their own, even though Katie knew perfectly well she was the Katherine in the story. She did take some liberties, however. It was fiction, after all. Katherine was a little (okay, a lot) more well-endowed than Katie and quite a bit more in touch with her feelings.
Leo, on the other hand, was a little beefier and a little less intelligent in her story than he was in real life. Will…Katie wanted to put her entire fist into her mouth and scream. Will was just as handsome as he was in real life, and in the book Will still had a lawn care fetish. He was just as infuriating, something she realized might actually make him more likeable. Will was real. As real as the computer she was typing on…as real as the third cup of coffee she was swigging. And heaven help her, she liked him for it.
Was she real when she was around him? Her fingers paused over the keyboard. Unfortunately, yes. Every time she saw him, she was either angry, annoyed, tipsy or awkward, sometimes all of the above. How could anyone not be real when all of those factors were present? And then there was Leo. Was she real with him? Katie felt her brow crease. She was, but she also felt herself holding back. Could you really be as genuine as possible when confronted with a perfect specimen who was insistent that you were the one for them? Could any person lay aside their hesitancy to embrace something that up until a few days ago wasn’t real? Katie didn’t know anyone who could. In fact, she was surprised Mel was taking it as well as she was. After all, she was a hard core scientist. But, then again, Leo was living proof that something bigger than all of them existed outside of their bubble of life.
Honestly, what were the odds she and Will would even work if he even wanted her? Her face flushed as she thought about last night. She might not be able to remember all the words he said, but she remembered the way his mouth felt when it curved over hers and the raw strength as he pulled her against him. She placed a finger against her lips and closed her eyes. Confusion clouded her brain. A couple of weeks ago there were no prospects. Now she had two, one who did everything possible to please her; the other who did everything to annoy her, yet muddled her brain every time he turned those topaz eyes onto hers.
Katie took a deep breath, ran her fingers through her messy hair, and forced herself to concentrate on the matter at hand. The story. And the paycheck she wouldn’t be receiving unless she finished this book. With a fierce look of concentration on her laptop, Katie shook off her maudlin thoughts and focused on Leo and Katherine’s make-out session in the car. Hot. Check. Steamy? Yes, sir. Embarrassing? Most definitely. Katie nailed the scene and chuckled. Life really was stranger than fiction sometimes.
After writing a few more scenes, Katie shut the laptop with a satisfied sigh. The way it was going, she’d have the book finished in a few weeks. During that time, she’d hopefully have made a decision about Leo and Will. Even though she knew in her heart there was only one decision. Leo would be there until the end. Would Will? Katie didn’t know him well enough to know that for sure, but he was handsome enough that sh
e knew he wouldn’t have any problems getting a girlfriend. In fact, she’d never even asked him if he had one. That would be just her luck. Obsess and freak out over someone who wasn’t even available.
But that kiss. If that kiss wasn’t screaming he was available, she just needed to jump off a cliff because she’d lost all touch with reality. Katie shook her head at her wandering thoughts and gathered up her things to leave. Once she was situated back in her car, she started the engine, but before putting it into drive she picked up the phone and contacted her agent.
“Lucinda John here.” The cool British voice oozed self-confidence over the phone. Katie relaxed. This was one constant. Her agent was there for her and supported her work. She didn’t even have to wonder about it, even when she thought she was the worst writer in the world.
“Lucy! Katie Walker.” She shifted the phone to the other hand and put her car in drive.
“Darling! Long time no hear.” Lucinda’s voice held the slightest touch of reproach. “Do you have anything for me yet?”
Katie cringed. It had been awhile…too long, she thought. “I will in just a few weeks. I’m working on a new project.”
“Really?” Lucinda’s voice perked up. “And here I was starting to worry about you and whether I was going to have to dump my star client.”
Katie’s stomach lurched. “Ummm…”
Lucinda’s deep laughter rumbled over the phone. “Hardly, darling. Untwist your knickers. I was only kidding. But I will say I was about to start bugging you for more work. Your fans are absolutely rabid for more work. Tell me about it, dear. What fabulous new story do you have for us?”
Katie relaxed into the drive and caught Lucy up on her story. She finished as she pulled her car into the driveway.
Lucy was silent. “Lucy?” Katie pulled the phone away from her ear, thinking the signal was dropped. It still showed a connection, though. “Lucy?” she asked again. “Are you still there?”
“You’re writing chick-lit?” A note of disbelief crept into Lucy’s voice.
“Yes.” Katie beamed. “Isn’t it great?”
More silence. After a long pause, Lucy’s clipped voice came back on. “Great? Katie, you happen to be a best-selling women’s fiction author. Cerebral, haunting fiction. Chick-lit is fluff. You’re too smart for fluff.”
Katie turned off the engine. It was her turn to be silent. She was eighty pages in and had never felt so good about one of her projects. Yes, it was true her other work was vastly different, but wasn’t this why she had an agent? To take chances?
“Katie?” Lucy’s voice sounded far away.
“I’m here,” she finally said. “What exactly are you saying?”
Lucy chuckled. “Darling, you can’t be serious. Chick-lit has been dead for ages.”
Katie cleared her throat and gripped the phone tightly. “Oh, I’m a hundred percent serious, Lucy. This book is good. More than good. It’s great.”
More laughter trilled through the phone, causing Katie’s blood to start heating in a slow burn. “Let’s quit joking. Tell me what you’re really working on. Chick-lit. Seriously, Katie. It’s not even April, but that was a good one.”
Katie leaned her head against the back of the seat. She felt her throat working and tears burn her eyes. “Unfortunately, Lucy, this is no joke. I like this book. I believe in this book. And I think it will sell.”
The silence on the end of the line was deafening. After an awkward pause, Lucy sighed deeply. Katie could almost picture her pinching the space between her brows and motioning for one of her peons to get her a cup of Earl Grey. “I don’t even represent chick-lit, Katie. You never once said anything about writing something like this when we formed our partnership.”
Katie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “So what exactly are you saying, Lucy? I’m not allowed to take chances?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying!” Lucy’s shrill voice rang through the earpiece, causing Katie to wince and pull the phone away.
Tears threatened to fall, but she forced her voice to sound light and carefree. “Are you breaking up with me?”
Lucy snorted. “Kid, I’m breaking up with chick-lit. Do yourself a favor. Stop writing it and get me something different in this office within the next four weeks. If you don’t, you can consider this partnership terminated.” The click on the end of Katie’s line was final.
Katie threw her hands up in the air and banged her head on the steering wheel a few times. Instead of getting out of her car, she started it back up and drove to Mel’s work. A quick check of her cell told her it was almost quitting time. Maybe she could convince Mel to head from work to out on the town with her tonight. Yes, it was Tuesday. But it wasn’t everyday your BFF had a potentially nuclear crisis.
Katie had no intention of giving up her book. She didn’t want to lose Lucy either, but from the way it sounded she didn’t have a choice about it. This was the first project she’d worked on in months that gave her the tingle of excitement she’d missed so much. And she was going to keep it no matter what. One thing about being a writer Katie loved so much was the freedom. She made up lies for a living! Who could honestly say they had a job like that? Maybe financial people, but that was different. She didn’t hurt anyone in the process. And her books made people happy. That was what she loved about it. Straight from her brain to the paper could bring magic. Or, at least, that’s how she felt. Katie bristled at Lucy’s quick assumption about chick-lit. She knew for a fact it wasn’t dead. She read it all the time. Was it wildly popular? No, and she understood that. But she also understood she was a bestselling writer. And, yes, she was taking a chance on writing something so different, but people change. She had an android living in her house, for crying out loud. That would change the pope!
Katie pulled into the parking lot of Croft Enterprises and stared in awe at the building. She much preferred seeing Mel at the university, but today was one of her off days. Katie knew Mel was brilliant, but every time she saw this building full of mirrors and sharp angles, she couldn’t help but remember Mel was up there with the best. Maybe she was going through some kind of crisis, too. Her with the weed, and Katie with the chick-lit. They were two peas in a pod. Except Mel’s life sounded much more fun than Katie’s right now. At least she could get baked in the name of research. Katie just got fired in the name of money.
She pulled out her cell and sent Mel a quick text. You. Me. Joe’s Pizza. And beer. Okay, maybe not beer again, but soda. Don’t reject me. I’m sitting outside like a creepy stalker waiting for you to get off so I can throw a hood over you and kidnap you in my low environmental impact Hybrid car. It’s kidnapping…with a conscious.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and flipped the radio stations trying to find something upbeat to whittle away the time before Mel came downstairs. The ding of her cell signaled an incoming message. Pizza again? Stronger men than me could not resist. Btw, you are an idiot. Stalkers don’t drive hybrid cars. You really need a manual before you try to engage in a life of crime. Come upstairs. Weird day. And there’s someone here you should see.
On that cryptic note, the text ended. Katie grabbed her coat, trying to avoid looking at the ball cap sitting on her passenger seat. On an afterthought, she tossed it into the back seat so Mel wouldn’t see it and ask her a million questions. Walking into the building was always a surreal experience. Men and women in suits walked through the lobby, some intent on their cell phones, others with their heads up high and walking forward with purpose. Katie always felt like a black sheep here. She didn’t have a nine-to-five and normally didn’t have too much to stress over. Until lately, that is. Now she was hanging by a thread, and it felt like she was dangling over a pit of crocodiles—Peter Pan style.
She felt out of place in her I didn’t choose the Nerd Life, the Nerd Life chose me T-shirt, a pair of jeans that had seen better days and her favorite black sneakers. The looks she was getting verified she didn’t belong. Katie stopped at the elevator, punched t
he floor twelve key and waited, trying not to fidget. Never let them see fear, she thought.
Once the elevator dinged, Katie rushed on and prayed no one else would get on with her. The doors closed a few seconds later with a whoosh, leaving Katie alone in the elevator, but surrounded on all sides by her harried reflection. Whoever designed this building had a major vanity problem. Seeing herself from every angle wasn’t her idea of a good time, so she looked up at the ceiling and waited for the elevator to stop. The doors opened, and Mel stood there to greet her with a big grin and Leo. Leo?
“Hi?” Katie said hesitantly, wondering if she’d missed the memo.
Mel waved and motioned Katie over. “Leo’s the investor who missed the meeting the other day. Weird, right?”
She stole a glance at Leo, who was standing there with a slightly guilty expression on his face. “Yeah.” Katie wondered what he was hiding. “Super weird.”
Mel started to walk back to her office, gesturing for Katie to follow her. She turned as she walked and said, “I know I say this every time. But don’t touch anything. Anything! Do you hear me, Katie?”
She smiled sheepishly. “I hear you. I promise.” Katie crossed her heart. The last time she was here she’d knocked over an expensive vial of something she could no longer remember. Mel had almost had a heart attack, and Katie had almost gotten banned from the building. She kept her arms firmly at her sides as she followed Mel. Leo trailed behind them, his hands in his pockets. Katie knew something was up, but it wasn’t the time or place to ask.
Where the outside and lobby of the building was stark and modern, the lab she worked in looked like something out of Doctor Who. Vials, beakers and tubes stood in organized containers. An array of cages hosted animals toward the back. Katie looked away, saddened. She knew Mel didn’t animal test, but she couldn’t say the same for some of her co-workers. In fact, she wasn’t all that sure of what Mel worked on because she was notoriously tight-lipped about it. Of course, neither Leo nor Katie were allowed inside the lab, but her office hosted a clear glass separating panel, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of what went on at Croft.
