by Melody Anne
Katherine fumed at his knowing look. He enjoyed his power game. She decided to quit giving him the victory.
“I always enjoy speaking with any member of the Anderson family, Joseph. I know you’re a busy man and I’m grateful you’ve been able to attend,” she said in the politically correct response.
She stopped struggling for release and allowed him to lead her from the room. At least once they got away from people, she could quit biting her tongue and let him know how she truly felt. As if he figured her out, he stopped their forward movement at the door’s threshold.
“What are your plans the rest of the day?” he asked as if he had the right.
“I’ve got a full schedule. It was nice speaking with you, but I need to leave now,” she told him as she stepped away.
“I’ll follow you. I have extra time on my hands,” he said, switching from gripping her arm to placing it through his. She noticed they’d drawn attention, just what she hadn’t wanted.
“I’m sure you have more important things to attend than harassing me, Joseph. You’re starting to cause a scene, so please be a good little boy and run along,” she hissed as she stepped from the room.
“You’re so good for me, Katherine. I don’t think I’m ever going to let you go.”
She looked at him, terrified when she saw the seriousness of his words written on his face. He may actually mean what he was saying. A shiver racked her body.
Escape.
She had to get far away from him, because she could too easily see herself once again falling under his spell. She was half-way there already.
As soon as they were clear of people, she snatched her arm back and dashed down the hall, her only thought was to get as far from him as humanly possible. The spell he weaved was intoxicating. It wouldn’t take much more to make her fall at his feet.
She reached the elevator and pushed the down button, turning her head and breathing in relief when she didn’t see him. The doors opened and she climbed inside, leaning against the back wall and beginning to breathe easier as the doors started closing.
Just when she thought she was free, a hand reached out and stopped the doors from closing. Within seconds, Joseph was sealed inside with her – giving her nowhere to hide.
Her heart thundered at the predatory look in his eyes. Her stomach tied in knots, she looked at him – really looked at him, standing there so self-assured, fire brewing in his eyes.
She knew she was in trouble.
“You know, Katherine, I’m beginning to enjoy our game of cat and mouse. Chasing you seems to be my new favorite pastime. I don’t know what we’ll do for fun once you’ve accepted the inevitable,” he whispered, his voice seductive, his body sending a challenge she desperately wanted to accept.
“I’m not playing, Joseph. I don’t want you,” she replied, her breathless voice betraying her words.
He smirked knowingly as he took a step toward her. She pressed her back as far against the wall as humanly possible. If he touched her, it was all over. She knew she was on the edge of the cliff, and just the slightest whisper of wind would push her over.
“Do you truly believe that, my Katherine? Are you lying to me, or to yourself? This has been inevitable – it has been from the first moment I spotted you at the dance. We haven’t finished our song yet.”
His words were pure seduction, melting her. Her legs shook, and her lips parted as air rushed in and out of her lungs. She tried telling herself it was only a game to him, that he’d grow bored as soon as he caught her, but her brain function was short-circuiting. She couldn’t bring herself to deny him.
With a last ditch effort at survival, she set her shoulders and tried her hardest.
“You don’t always win, Joseph. You don’t always get what you want. I don’t want you,” she snapped, though, the breathless quality of her voice betrayed the tone she’d been going for.
“You are correct, Katherine. I don’t always get what I want. But you’re also wrong. You do want me. Need is burning in your eyes, desire for me.”
He hit the emergency stop button, bringing them to a halt. Then he stepped up close, his body only an inch from touching her. She refused to look him in the face, and in turn chose to pour all concentration on the emerald green of his tie, such a pretty color…
She tried distracting herself, anything to keep from reaching out and running her hands along the thick muscles of his biceps. She had to fight her mind not to think of him lying next to her, his chest bare for her to explore.
His hand reached up and cupped her chin, forcing her head to lift. She wanted to be stubborn, to try and fight the movement, but she was no match for him, and they both knew it. Her head tilted and her eyes met his, intense desire burning hot, leaving her breathless.
The look of power, confidence, and desire was her undoing. She knew the kiss was coming. She also knew she was powerless to stop it. She only had so much willpower – and she’d reached her limit for the day.
It had always been him and always would be and he was destroying the carefully guarded fortress she’d dedicated to building around her heart. When she had a moment to think, she’d fall apart. She just hoped she was alone when it happened, then he wouldn’t get to glory in his true victory.
“I’m going to kiss you now, Katherine. I’m only warning you because I’m close to losing my sanity at the moment. You may not have figured it out, yet, but I’m powerless with you. You control this. You have the power. One touch from you has my body in flames. One sigh from your lips and my heart quickens. I need you like I’ve never needed anyone. It’s almost a violent compulsion. I feel I can’t survive if I don’t take you with me to the ends of the world and back,” Joseph said, his voice deep, dark, and utterly devastating.
Suddenly she found herself pressed between his solid frame and the back of the elevator. He was crushing her in the best possible way. Before she had time to think, his head leaned down for his mouth to claim her.
He was done talking, he was done seducing. He was claiming her in the oldest way known to man.
She couldn’t fight him anymore. She gave up trying, and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him have her, relinquishing all she had, his mission now accomplished.
Katherine didn’t know how much time passed, she didn’t care. She didn’t even know where she was anymore.
“This is Anderson Security. Is there a problem with the elevator?”
Katherine jumped as Joseph lifted his head, his eyes glazed.
“Hello, please pick up the phone to the left of the door. Do we need to call the fire marshal?” a voice spoke over the intercom.
Joseph swore as he took a step back. Katherine looked around, praying there wasn’t a camera witnessing their behavior. She knew the staff and would be utterly mortified to come back into work knowing they’d seen her acting so wantonly.
With an angry growl, Joseph released the stop button, ignoring the phone. The elevator started its downward motion again. Only a few floors to go.
“Come home with me, Katherine,” he commanded as he turned back to her, the fire having dimmed, but still shining in his eyes.
“Joseph…” she said. She’d come out of her fog.
Intensity was pouring off of him, urging her to continue.
“You want me, Katherine. Quit fighting yourself,” he demanded as he stepped toward her again.
The elevator doors opened, surprising him long enough for her to skirt around him. Katherine rushed past him and didn’t hesitate for even a fraction of a second. She knew she’d have to build much stronger walls to keep him out the next time they met…
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s long past visiting hours,” a nurse apologized as she stepped into the room.
Katherine looked at the nurse, her mind foggy as she came back from the past. Then she looked at her husband.
So handsome. He hadn’t changed one bit in her mind. His passion, beauty, and zest for life had only grown deeper, richer
and stronger. The more she talked about their beginning, the more she needed him to wake.
A tear fell down her face as she looked at him. She gripped his hand and let the tears flow. “Please come back to me, Joseph. You made me love you. You refused to let me go. Now, I refuse to let you go. I refuse to give up. You come back to me soon, real soon,” she demanded. She didn’t even realize she spoke the words out loud.
She kept her eyes glued to her husband as she felt kisses on her cheek. She knew her family was saying goodbye for the night, giving her time to grieve.
They knew what she needed. After all, they were here because of the great love she shared with the wonderful man lying so still in front of her.
With a final tear escaping, Katherine slowly climbed in bed next to Joseph, holding him close. She was exhausted, drained, emotionally and physically.
The last thing she remembered before blessed oblivion overtook her was the feel of soft blankets being placed over her.
Chapter Fifteen
Austin sat back with a determined look on his face. He was grateful to have a distraction from his continual thoughts of Kinsey. He was going out of his mind. Was she pregnant? When would he see her again? What was she thinking?
“Are you sure you’re up to this. I know you have a lot going on right now?”
“No, I’m fine,” he answered. “Really,” he added when Trenton gave him a suspicious look. “Quit trying to coddle me. I’m not one of your kids.”
They reached the warehouse and Austin climbed from his car. He watched as employees filed through the doors, getting ready for their day to begin. He never enjoyed firing anyone, but he was happy to get rid of Jack. He was bad news all the way around.
“I’ll have to take your word for it, but remember to keep calm. Dean said the crew has been walking on egg shells around him lately because his temper’s been so bad. We don’t need you to punch him in the face and get sued.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Austin grumbled.
“Let’s get this over with. I have an appointment in an hour with an investor,” Austin said as he strode forward, his walk confident, his shoulders back. To the outside world, he looked like the corporate shark he was, though he was boiling on the inside.
They passed through the doors, watching as employees placed personal items in their lockers and put on their safety gear. A few greeted them, not alarmed to have them there. It wasn’t unusual for any of the Anderson family member’s to come and personally check on their varying businesses. They often jumped in while on site and gave a hand.
It was their fathers who’d taught them that hard work was expected, not to be passed off. They’d teach their children the same values. Just because they’d been fortunate enough to be born into money didn’t give them the right to forgo certain steps in their learning process.
“A little sweat helps you grow into a man,” both Joseph and George would say to their boys. Austin had actually heard Trenton say the same thing to his son. The thought almost made him smile – would have, too, if not for the situation.
“Trenton. I’m glad you’re here. Can you come look at something?” an employee asked as he rushed over to them. Trenton looked at Austin, obviously unsure if he should leave him on his own.
“I told you, I’m fine. Go help. Come find me when you’re finished,” Austin snapped, the last of his patience with his brother evaporated.
“Okay, but don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Trenton said as he turned and went down the hall.
Austin figured he had a lot of room to do what he wanted if that were the case. Trenton had been the wildest of them all, the word no just being another challenge for his brother.
Putting Trenton out of his mind, Austin continued to walk toward the loading dock, where he knew Jack would be. He tuned out the conversations going on around him as he focused on the task at hand.
“Hi, Austin. Glad you’re here,” Dean said as he appeared at his side.
“Yeah, better to get this over with. Which bay is he in?”
“Number twenty-three. I’m coming with you. He’s been pissier than usual lately and I have a feeling you may need a witness. There’s been mention that he might be on drugs. I don’t know what happened to him. He used to be one of our best guys.”
“It really bothers me when this kind of thing happens. I like a clean ship ran.”
“I know. I’m sorry I allowed it to get this far,” Dean said, obviously embarrassed.
“You’re doing a great job, Dean. You notified us as soon as the problem was found. You can’t tell when someone’s about to snap. It just happens,” Austin reassured his foreman.
They didn’t speak any further as they approached the bay. When Jack turned and spotted the two of them, his eyes narrowed and he stood up in a defensive stance. Austin took a deep breath. He could already tell the conversation wasn’t going to go well – not in the least bit.
“Jack, can you come outside with me? We need to have a talk,” Austin asked in his most professional tone.
Jack looked from him to Dean before answering.
“What about?” He didn’t budge from his stance.
“I’d much rather do this in private, Jack,” Austin tried again, though he knew it wouldn’t do any good.
“What is it that we need to do in private?” Jack demanded.
Austin sighed. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy so he didn’t understand why he was letting it get to him. It had to be everything else going on in his life - Uncle Joseph, his father, and especially Kinsey.
Jack was already looking for a fight, his defenses up. He had to have known he was going to get caught eventually. Drugs tended to make a person think they were invincible, though, so maybe Jack really had thought he could keep getting away with his little theft ring.
“We’ve come across some irrefutable evidence that items have been stolen from the yard…” Austin began when Jack interrupted.
“So what? I don’t know anything about it. Why are you talking to me,” he bellowed. Jack’s temper was starting to really escalate. With just a few words, he was darting his eyes around, before turning back to Austin, glaring with an intense hatred.
“Jack, the evidence points to you,” Austin said, his voice quiet. He was trying to avoid a scene, but wasn’t having much success.
Several workers had stopped and were openly staring. Many of them already knew the situation. Rumors flew rampant in any workplace, but most of these guys had been working together for years already and rumors spread faster than normal. They weren’t even trying to hide the fact that they were watching.
“That’s ridiculous. You can’t come in here and accuse me. It’s probably one of your greedy relatives. I’ve been framed, that’s it,” he shouted, his face turning red, his nostrils flaring. He looked around, starting to notice all the people watching. “What are you looking at? Don’t you all have a job to do? This is none of your business,” he cried out.
Austin heard someone chuckle, and he tensed, waiting for Jack to explode.
“Get security here, now,” Austin whispered to Dean, who nodded and quickly left.
Jack wearily watched Dean go before his gaze locked back on Austin.
“Come on, Jack. Let’s go outside,” he tried one more time.
“I have nothing to hide. You can’t bully me around just because you were born with a silver spoon in your damn mouth. I ain't going anywhere. If you want to go outside, then be my freaking guest!”
“I’ve had enough, Jack,” Austin thundered. He was losing his cool no matter how much he tried to reign it in. The man was pissing him off.
“I’ve had enough, too. Now, get the hell out of here so I can do my job!”
Jack actually turned away, acting as if Austin was dismissed. Austin stood there for a moment in shock. The man had to be on some pretty intense drugs if he truly thought he could talk to his employer that way and still have a job. His job had been over no matter what, but seriously, what wa
s he thinking?
“Jack, you no longer work for this company. A guard is coming to escort you off the premises. You can gather your possession, and then you aren’t to step foot on any of the Anderson properties again. Do you understand?”
Austin’s voice was back under control. He was a professional and needed to remember that. He carefully watched as Jack turned back to him, his face a swollen red ball, fists clenched at his sides, stance threatening.
“I’ve worked for you for years. Years! And this is the way you pay me for it. You treat me like a common criminal? I’ll sue you for wrongful termination, take everything you’ve got, you pansy ass son of a b…”
“I’ve had enough, Jack. Follow me to the lockers, this conversation is over,” Austin interrupted. He was damned if he’d stand there and allow the thief to speak to him that way.
“You can go to hell!” Jack yelled and Austin heard his steps charging toward him. He quickly stepped to the side and turned. Jack had his fist raised and was bringing it downward toward his face.
Austin easily blocked the forward movement, stunning Jack. Then Austin threw a punch of his own, landing a solid right to the man’s jaw, making him stagger back. Jack shook his head, then looked up, rage consuming him as he charged forward again.
Austin stood still and waited, then sent a hard kick into Jack’s stomach, doubling him over as he threw up at Austin’s feet. He quickly jumped out of the way as Jack collapsed on the floor, groaning in pain and gasping for air.
“Are you kidding me, Jack? You couldn’t take this like a man and just walk out. I was trying to do this as easy as possible, but you had to charge me. Do you really want to go to jail on top of being fired?” Austin demanded.
“You’re the one who hit me. I’ll take you for all you have, you bastard. I’ll own everything, this building, your house, all of it,” he gasped.
“Go ahead and try. There are about twenty people standing around who saw the whole thing,” Austin snapped.
“I’ve got this now, boss. Jack, come with me,” his guard said as he grabbed Jack by the back of the shirt and yanked him up. The guard, Tommy, was intimidatingly huge. Even Jack didn’t look stupid enough to mess with him.
