The bastards who’d kidnapped her thought beating her and threatening to cut her face had broken her. That’s what everyone thought. The truth was that the pain opened up emotional links. When the rush of their emotions crashed into her it opened up a pathway for their thoughts. Nothing like picking up a new fucked up talent while in a room full of psychos. The last thing she’d ever wanted was to be inside of their minds.
Caitlin heard the crunch of feet on the gravel and knew right away it wasn’t Rain or her husband. Caitlin fought back a smile when the hot waves of lust rolled through the air. Crazy as some might find it, she’d missed being stalked by Justin. Her inner muscles clenched as his lust caressed her skin. Then the other emotion hit like ice water; Justin pitied her. He wanted her, but he refused to do anything about it.
Wrapping herself in anger helped keep the pain under control. “Why are you here?” she asked without turning around.
There was a long pause and Caitlin fought the urge to latch onto the thoughts he was projecting. This new talent was something Justin knew nothing about. Her new telepathic abilities far exceeded what Ivy or Rain could do. When she put effort into it, Caitlin could read most people’s thoughts. With some people it was more complicated because it was like their thoughts were being pushed into her mind. For some reason most of the Draksel men projected their thoughts, and she had to shield herself from them at times.
“I came to see you,” he said almost too quietly.
“I’m aware of that,” she said coldly and finally turned to give him her most disdainful stare. “What I want to know is why you came to see me.”
“You won’t answer my calls,” he said with a shrug.
The calls he referred to were the dozen or more apologies she didn’t want to hear. No matter how many times she told Justin she didn’t blame him for what had happened, he never listened and never let go of his guilt. The worst part was that he kept apologizing for dragging her into his world. He was apologizing for being part of her life. Some messages even promised he wouldn’t call again after they talked.
That wasn’t what she wanted or needed. She needed her Justin back.
He stood patiently waiting for her to reply. His icy blue eyes were rimmed with dark circles, evidence of his lack of sleep. In many ways, he looked just like the man who’d pursued her relentlessly for more than three years. Dressed in a charcoal grey dress shirt and slacks, he looked out of place on a farm. His dark brown hair was neatly styled, and his face was clean shaven. He was the epitome of the perfectly controlled gentlemen, but she’d seen beneath the surface. That part of him was what she desperately wanted back.
“So, you just came out here to take charge? What are you planning to do? Toss me over your shoulder and force me to talk to you?” No matter what her tone was like, her body and mind were practically begging him to do just that. More than anything, she wanted to go back to what they’d had before she’d been kidnapped. She was tired of him being gentle with her and tired of him acting like she’d break. At first that might have been what she needed but not anymore. Mostly, she was afraid he was trying to find a way to let her go.
Caitlin fought the urge to manipulate Justin’s emotions. Rain had helped her learn to harness her empath abilities so well she could make others feel things. Well, not completely. What she could do was enhance what they already felt. “Well?” she asked impatiently. “Are you going to answer me?”
“I’m not going to force you to do anything,” he said. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. You know I’ve been worried about you.”
“And you feel sorry for me,” she added before turning away.
“I failed you,” he admitted and truly believed what he said.
“How?” she demanded without looking at Justin.
“I should have protected you. Hell, I never should have allowed you to be put in that situation to begin with. Just knowing me nearly got you killed.”
A cold sadness wrapped around Caitlin. Maybe she would have been angrier if she didn’t know how much he believed what he said. His guilt was almost suffocating, and that’s when she realized she needed to end this back and forth they kept having.
“I can’t do this. Justin,” she said in a weary voice. “I can’t fix you. Right now, I’m having enough trouble dealing with what happened to me without having to deal with how it impacted your life.”
“I’m not asking you to do that,” he said.
Caitlin blew out a frustrated breath and set the egg basket on the ground. She refused to look at Justin. Looking at him would make it even harder to have this conversation, and it was past time to have it. “I know you aren’t asking me to fix you. The reason you’re here is to check on me and end our relationship, or whatever it is we have. You think I’m weak and damaged.”
“That’s not true,” he said from right behind her. The heat from his body warmed her, and she longed to lean back into him.
“I didn’t tell you everything that happened while I was tied to the chair, did I?” She turned and saw Justin flinch. Reaching out to his thoughts, she felt how much he wanted to avoid hearing about what had happened. Justin was afraid that knowing would make it worse. “I can read the thoughts you’re projecting right now.”
Justin looked shocked and then angry. “How long have you been reading my mind?”
“I don’t do it often,” Caitlin admitted. “At first I had to work hard to avoid reading your thoughts. Now, my control is much better. Say it.”
“Say what?” he asked.
“Tell me what an intrusion it is. Get pissed off. Do something!” she shouted.
“I was just surprised and a little mad that you didn’t tell me before. Christ! I didn’t come to argue. I just want to see you.”
“Now what?” she asked.
“Can I take you for breakfast?” he asked nervously. “I mean if you’re okay going out. I don’t want to pressure you.”
Why did I ask that? I need to let her go before I cause her more pain.
After reading that thought, it was Caitlin’s turn to flinch. Overwhelmed by sadness, she just stared at him. The worst thing those scumbags had taken from her was Justin. She didn’t want this hesitant man who was afraid she’d break if he so much as touched her. She wanted her Justin. When he’d become her Justin she wasn’t sure, but he was. Her Justin believed she was strong and capable. Her Justin wasn’t afraid she’d break. No, he would show her how much he wanted her.
Caitlin knew she looked like a mess in her leggings and oversized shirt. She’d never stood next to Justin with anything lower than a two inch heel and she normally wore higher. Without the extra height, Justin had a good four inches on her. She grabbed his hair, yanked his head forward roughly and kissed him.
Her move startled Justin, but he quickly recovered and kissed her back. His tongue was tentative as he probed her mouth. It was like a first kiss between strangers, and it pissed her off. Caitlin jerked back.
“It’s okay, baby,” he crooned and stroked her hair back. “I’m sorry I scared you. I should have been gentler.”
Caitlin clenched her fists to resist the urge to punch him. “Stop fucking apologizing!” she said through gritted teeth.
“Just tell me what you want,” he said.
Rage bubbled up inside of her, warming her for the first time in months. “That is not how this works!” she shouted. “You don’t do what I tell you! You never do what I tell you!”
“Baby, calm down,” he said and reached for her. “Maybe you should lie down for a little while.”
Caitlin balled up her fist and took a swing at him. When her fist connected with Justin’s face, Caitlin was shocked. Her mouth dropped open as she watched the blood come from his nose. He was supposed to duck!
“Do you feel better now?” he asked and unbuttoned his shirt.
Caitlin swallowed hard and couldn’t take her eyes off of his muscular chest. Her entire body was alive as she waited to see what Justin would do. He slipped
out of the shirt and held it to his nose.
She hadn’t answered him, and he was waiting. The images flashing through his mind were clearly projected. He wanted to toss her over his shoulder and carry her back to the house. Rain wasn’t home, and he knew that. He wanted to head straight to her room, bend her over the bed and rip her leggings off. Then he wanted to fuck her hard. She felt him rein in those thoughts and lock them away because he wasn’t going to act on that desire. Guilt, his guilt washed over her.
“Just go,” she said and turned away.
He stood there for a long time, and she felt his struggle as he fought the instinct to dominate the situation. Caitlin hated him for fighting that instinct, and she hated herself for being too much of a coward to admit that she wanted him to dominate her.
“Go home, Justin,” she said.
“Don’t push me away, Caitlin,” he said desperately.
His thoughts were clear as if he’d spoken.
How will I live without her? She’s better off without me.
“I don’t have to push you,” she said and picked up the egg basket. “You’re not with me anymore. Today, you drove all the way out here to end things.” With that she walked away.
There were no tears as she left Justin standing there. She wasn’t sad, she was pissed. When he didn’t follow her, she got even more pissed.
Caitlin walked into the house, up to her room and grabbed her phone to call Tempest.
“Hello,” Tempest said in a distracted voice, meaning she was working or just out of therapy. Having survived her own kidnapping earlier in the year, Tempest got what Caitlin was going through better than most. Tempest was Justin’s distant cousin. Justin hadn’t realized he had any female cousins before meeting Tempest, hadn’t even realized it was possible. Tempest was a total badass who could move things with her mind. She and Caitlin had become good friends in a short period of time.
“Do you have time to talk?” Caitlin asked.
“Sure,” Tempest said. “Has anything exciting happened?”
“I take it you already knew the prick was coming to visit me,” Caitlin said. Of course Tempest knew. Tempest was with Justin’s cousin Aiden. Justin told Aiden everything and Aiden would have told Tempest.
“Things didn’t go well?” Tempest asked, sounding concerned.
Caitlin let out a humorless laugh. “You could say that. Justin came here all sweet as can be, acting like I might break if he touched me. I sent him away.”
“Oh, Caitlin,” Tempest said and sighed. “You know how much I care about you, but I think you’re being unfair to Justin. I get that you went through a lot, but so did he.”
“You’re right, and I keep saying I’ll be nicer. The thing is, he doesn’t want to talk about what either of us went through. He just wants to treat me like I’m made of glass, and I hate that. I want what we had before.”
“Did you tell him that?” Tempest asked.
“No,” Caitlin admitted. “Tempest, he came here to end things because he thinks I’ll be better off without him. I read his thoughts.”
“That makes sense,” Tempest said. “He feels guilty about what happened to you.”
“None of that was his fault,” Caitlin insisted. “How can he even think I’d blame him? How can that dumbass think I’d be better off without him?”
“His cousin kidnapped you,” Tempest said. “In Justin’s mind, that wouldn’t have happened if he’d stayed away from you. He’s right about one thing; Dominic wouldn’t have used you to get to Justin if Justin had stayed away from you. He’s just having trouble remembering all the good that’s come from you having him in your life.”
Caitlin dropped down onto her bed and sighed. “I’m glad he approached me, and I’m glad he stalked me. Things were just starting to work between us. Okay, I was still afraid I wouldn’t be able to control my empath abilities, but now I can. The whole thing about liking to be dominated makes no sense, but I do like that, even if I can’t seem to admit it to Justin.”
“That part makes perfect sense,” Tempest said.
“I’m glad someone gets it because I don’t."
“Caitlin, you come off as the dominatrix type. I’ll bet you’ve always been on top during sex. Justin dominates you in bed, and it gets you really hot. If my guess is right, every guy before Justin was a little afraid of you. You probably told everyone you liked being in charge but secretly wished for something different. Even knowing that, it makes you a little uncomfortable so you’re afraid to tell Justin how you feel.”
“You’re right,” Caitlin admitted.
“Of course I’m right,” Tempest said. “I’ve shopped for books with you.”
That made Caitlin laugh. Her choice in reading was on the risqué side.
“So what are you planning to do about it?” Tempest asked.
“Kidnap Justin,” Caitlin said.
Tempest laughed. “Can I help?”
“Help what?” Aiden called from the background. He’d obviously just walked in on the conversation.
“Caitlin’s going to kidnap Justin,” Tempest explained.
“About fucking time someone made a move,” Aiden said. “What can I do to help?”
Caitlin’s lips curled into a slow smile, and she felt the confidence she’d been missing for months returning. The only way to prove to Justin that she wouldn’t break was to show him how strong she was. That was the woman he’d stalked for three years, not someone who needed to be coddled. She had no problem tying him to a bed to get her point across.
Chapter Three
Brooding was the best word to describe what Justin had been doing for the past week. Leaving Caitlin had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. While he knew it was the right thing to do, he still regretted it. Living without Caitlin was hell on a good day, and he felt like he was abandoning her. That was a ridiculous thought because she was the one who broke things off. If she hadn’t, his good intentions to leave would have gone out the window.
Caitlin had suffered enough because of his obsession. The pain she’d gone through was his fault. When he thought of what had happened to Caitlin, he cringed. They’d never talked about what had happened to her, and he was ashamed to admit that he was glad they’d never talked about it. He’d seen the damage done to her body and watched the surgeon work on her fingers. Justin had made sure she had the best surgeon available.
He looked around the condo he was sharing with his brother, Isaiah. He still used his cousin Nathaniel’s house to see patients, but he’d decided to move out. The house was enormous and empty most of the time. After Nathaniel had moved to the small cottage on the property Justin just felt strange staying there, and it reminded him too much of Caitlin. The condo should be free of memories since Caitlin had never set foot in it. Still, she haunted him everywhere he went.
The doorbell pulled him from his morose thoughts. Figuring it was someone selling something, he walked over to send them away. That was one thing he missed about living at Nathaniel’s. Very few people rang the doorbell. Seeing Aiden at his front door was a surprise. They’d become close over the last few months, but Aiden was less willing to leave Tempest’s side as her pregnancy progressed. As a result, they hadn’t spent too much time together in the last few weeks.
“Is Tempest okay?” he asked.
“Tempest is in a mood today,” Aiden grumbled. “Mind if I hang out here?”
Justin shrugged. In truth, he was glad Aiden had stopped by. Aiden was dressed in his usual worn jeans and t‑shirt. Today he was also wearing a leather jacket, which was funny at this time of year.
“Suit yourself. Kind of warm for a jacket today,” Justin remarked.
Aiden looked away, not saying anything about the jacket. “How’d your trip to see Caitlin go?”
“She gave me a bloody nose.” There’d been a time when he would have grinned from ear to ear at that memory. That had been back when he would have given in to the temptation to yank off those hideous leggings Caitlin
had been wearing and either spank her or fuck her. Probably both. Now, he was too afraid of scaring her and acting like one of the monsters who’d hurt her. None of that mattered. He was doing what he should’ve done years ago and leaving her alone.
“What did you do about it?” Aiden asked.
“I left,” he said and headed into the kitchen.
“Why?” Aiden asked and followed him.
“She told me to leave,” Justin said over his shoulder in exasperation. “Seems pretty simple.”
Aiden looked annoyed. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Just when it seemed like you two were finally getting somewhere you screw it up. You don’t need to listen to her order to leave. What you need to do is take her home. Then you need to keep her in bed until she’s too sated to tell you to go away.”
Justin rummaged through the refrigerator, not sure what he was looking for. He just needed something to do. “Great idea, Aiden; I’ll kidnap Caitlin and recreate the nightmare she lived through. You know the nightmare I’m talking about, right? The one caused by our psycho cousin. Let’s traumatize her more because she hasn’t suffered enough already.” Justin slammed the refrigerator door shut and worked hard to get his emotions under control.
“You need to move past this more than she does.”
“You don’t get it,” Justin almost shouted as he spun around to face Aiden. “They fucking tortured Caitlin. It’s a miracle she can still use her hand, and that bastard’s initials will be on her for the rest of her life.”
Aiden raised an eyebrow at Justin’s out of character use of profanity.
“I don’t get it?” Aiden asked. “I had to track Tempest down after her serial killer ex‑boyfriend kidnapped her. He nearly raped her. Some nights, she still wakes up screaming. How the fuck can you think I don’t get it?”
The Vampire Will See You Now (Psy-Vamp Book 4) Page 2
