The woman Kate had been helping walked out of her dressing room. She had several outfits draped over her arm.
“How did those outfits work out for you?” Kate asked with a smile, trying to continue to act as normal as possible.
“I want to get all of these,” the woman said, handing the clothes to Kate.
“Great. I’m sure they’ll be a wonderful addition to your wardrobe.”
The woman cocked her head slightly. “Are you all right? I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation you two young ladies were having.”
Kate suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Having a private conversation on the sales floor had been unprofessional. She was embarrassed.
“Well, honestly, I feel as though I’m in danger from a man who’s obsessed with finding me,” Kate explained, walking the woman to the register.
As Kate began ringing up the woman’s purchases, the customer said, “I once knew a woman who was stalked by an ex-boyfriend who’d become obsessed with her. I don’t want to frighten you, but things didn’t end well, dear. She did everything in her power to hide from him, but he found her anyway. You need to be very careful. I think the advice you’re getting from your friends is very good. Do whatever you have to do to keep him away from you.”
Kate’s heart was racing. She knew this woman was right. Roger was stalking her and wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. She was done scanning the clothes and totaled the sale. The woman handed over her credit card before Kate could ask for it.
“Thank you. I can’t believe he almost found me. Just his voice…”
The woman smiled. “Your fear is meant to protect you, dear. Use it. Your life’s more important than any job.”
Kate looked at her credit card before handing it back to her. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Nelson, for your concern. I really appreciate what you’ve said. As much as I hate to do it, I’m going to quit my job.”
Kate walked around from behind the counter and handed Mrs. Nelson her shopping bag.
“That’s a wise decision. It’s not likely he’s going to give up easily. Good luck, dear,” she said, taking her shopping bag. Then she turned and walked away.
“Thank you,” Kate called out after her.
CHAPTER SIX
Kate
It was dark outside when Kate pulled into the parking garage. She took a moment to reflect upon the events of the day. She hadn’t stopped shaking after hearing Roger’s voice. She wondered if Rose had felt this kind of fear when he killed her. Had he knocked her out before he killed her? Who knows what he did to her.
Before leaving the store, she had one of the guys from security scan the parking lot for Roger’s white Range Rover, as she needed to make sure he wasn’t there waiting for her in the parking lot. After telling the human resources manager she had to quit immediately, she left, feeling totally unhinged. The manager had been very understanding, acknowledging her safety was more important than the job.
She was grateful her co-worker, Stacy, was really sharp and had a good sixth sense, thinking so quickly on her feet. Evidently Roger was doing a thorough search for her. It seemed like he knew she was working there by his line of questioning. Stacy said the right things to not raise his suspicions, but if he’d talked to anyone else, it might’ve gone differently.
She couldn’t wait to go upstairs and be with Neil. She exited her car and ran to the elevator. When the doors opened, a man was preparing to step outside and head to his car. His presence startled her and she jumped back a little. The man realized this as he spoke to her. “Are you okay, miss? I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just been a long day.”
They exchanged places as he got off and she got on the elevator. Now the sight of strangers was freaking her out. She actually thought of running for a moment at the sight of an unknown man. She needed to get a hold of herself.
She couldn’t wait to be in Neil’s arms. The elevator seemed to move at such a slow pace it caused her anxiety to rise even faster, if that was possible. She couldn’t believe a sociopath who was fixated on her was controlling her life. She knew deep down Roger was capable of the unthinkable, that the police didn’t have the wrong suspect. How was she ever going to feel safe again if they didn’t put him away?
The elevator opened and she hurried to the front door. She wanted to get inside as soon as possible. She tried to put the key in the door, but her hands were shaking and she ended up dropping her keys. She tried again, and couldn’t get the lock to turn. She was a mess. Neil heard her commotion and opened the door before she could try for a third time.
He took a good look at her and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Kate’s mouth couldn’t seem to form words.
“Shit, Kate. What is it?”
She entered their apartment and put her purse on the island. Neil closed the door behind her.
“Roger…Roger found me,” she said.
“Roger found you?” he asked with alarm in his eyes.
“Well, he didn’t see me, but he came to my department and asked Stacy about me. She told him I did work there up until last week when I quit abruptly. It was like he knew I was there. I don’t know how. He just seemed so confident when he talked to her. I think that’s why she confirmed what he thought and then said I quit.”
“Thank God he didn’t see you. I can’t imagine the fear you must’ve felt knowing he was so close to finding you,” Neil said, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close to his muscular frame. She melted into him, breathing in his scent, which always calmed her. Neil rubbed his hands up and down her back. He held her for a long time. She finally felt safe after having been consumed by fear.
“Baby, sit down. I picked up some Thai food on the way home, so I’ll bring it out to you. Just relax.”
Kate did as she was told. She sat on the sofa and waited for her handsome man to bring her a glass of wine and dinner, wondering what she’d done to deserve someone like him. She knew she needed to thank his mom for raising such a kind, considerate, and thoughtful man. She made a mental note to do that at Thanksgiving when she’d finally meet his family.
Neil brought her a glass of Moscato. It was her favorite and he kept it on hand. He was heating up the Thai food and had set their places at the island.
“Dinner’s ready, baby.”
Kate got up, took a drink from her glass, and went to sit on a bar stool. She wasn’t very hungry, but took a couple of bites anyway.
“So, I quit my job tonight. I’m no longer an employee of Nordstrom,” she said, feeling sad she’d been forced to quit a job she loved. “I hate that I can’t give a proper notice. It’s not the right way to do things, but I think they understood. HR was very accommodating about the whole thing.”
“I’m so relieved to hear you quit,” Neil said. “You’re not going back after today, right? Not for any reason?”
“I can’t go back. He could find me. I can’t even shop there. I don’t know how dedicated he is to finding me. He’ll probably keep checking there. He’s out of his mind.” Kate covered her mouth, thinking she might throw up. This close call with Roger made his obsession extremely real. She didn’t know what he’d do to her if her found her.
“I couldn’t agree with you more. You don’t have to worry about anything. I have no problem supporting both of us. You can just concentrate on school.”
“I appreciate that, Neil, but I really want to be able to pay my own bills. It’s not like we’re married. I don’t feel comfortable with you paying for everything for me. It’s just not right.”
“Well, I know we aren’t married, but I could see things going in that direction. Can’t you?” he asked, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Kate smiled. She wanted to jump into his arms and tell him over and over she would marry him, but she thought better of it. She didn’t want to scare him off. “Absolutely, but it’s really early to discuss a topic like marriage. We’ve only known each o
ther for a couple of months. Besides, do you really want to be tangled up in all of this craziness? Your life must’ve been so much simpler before you got involved with me,” she lamented.
She realized she felt unworthy of his love. Her life was so convoluted now because of Roger and she’d made Neil’s life complicated as well. How long would he put up with this?
“You haven’t messed anything up. You’ve brought me back to life. Now I have hope for a future including more than a successful career. You’re an angel sent from God who has caused me happiness I never expected to feel again. I’m grateful every day to have you in my life,” he said, putting his hand on her thigh.
“You’ve made me happy as well. I’m just so concerned for your safety. I’d be devastated if anything happened to you because of me,” she said, placing her hand on top of his.
“Nothing’s going to happen to me. You don’t have to worry.”
“I just need to find a job when I get back from my dad’s funeral.”
Neil caressed her hand with his thumb. “I have an idea.” He paused, waiting for her to look at him. “We need help with filing at the office. You could come in after class and work until six every day. If you want more hours, you could go in on Saturdays. I’m sure my assistant, Laura, could come up with a list of things for you to do. That way you won’t be working out in public where he might find you.”
“That’s a great idea. But do you think people in your office would feel weird about you having your girlfriend working for you?”
“Well, no one’s met you yet. They don’t need to know you’re my girlfriend if you’d prefer they don’t.”
“That’s true. No one needs to know. Can I start when I get back from my dad’s funeral?”
“That would be perfect.”
They finished eating in silence. Kate was relieved she could work for Neil. It would be good to be working out of the public eye. He’d just made her life easier again. The angst she’d been overwhelmed by now seemed a little less consuming. I love this man. He took their plates and put them in the sink, then returned, taking her hand and kissing it. She loved so much that he was affectionate all the time. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. He trailed kisses over her face until he reached her ear. He whispered to her how much he loved her and wanted her.
Kate looked up into his eyes. “Let’s go upstairs, baby,” she said. “I want to show you just how grateful I am to have you in my life.”
Neil grinned at her. He was even more handsome when he smiled, if that was possible.
His dark hair, hazel eyes, and strong jawline made her weak in the knees. She led him up the stairs, feeling strangely powerful because she was initiating sex for the first time. So far, he’d been the one to lead her up to the bedroom. She wanted to do everything she could to please him. As soon as they walked in their room, she closed the door behind them.
“Well, what do you have in mind, Miss Simmons?” he asked with a salacious smile.
“You’ll see,” she said coyly. She finished loosening his tie and then took it off. Next she concentrated on his shirt. Pulling the jacket off his broad shoulders, she placed it on the chair in the corner. Then she took off his belt and unzipped his pants. She realized his shoes should’ve been removed before the pants when she tried to take his pants off. Here she was trying to be seductive, but instead she was making a rookie mistake. She bent down and untied his shoes and took them off. Now she could return to the removal of his pants. Once his pants were off, she laid them over his jacket on the chair.
“You know, this really isn’t fair. I’m down to my boxers and socks and you’re completely clothed,” he said, beginning to lift her purple silk knit top over her head. “That’s better. We’re almost even.”
She giggled as she slipped off her shoes. Lastly, he removed her pants. Now they were facing each other, wearing only their underwear.
Kate regained control by pushing him onto the bed. “Ooh, I’m liking where this is heading,” he said, looking up at her.
She slid off his boxers to reveal her target. She kneeled down and wrapped her hand around his expanding shaft. He watched her closely as her mouth approached him with eagerness. She slid the tip of his hardened sheath into her mouth, causing Neil to moan loudly. She reveled in the sound of pleasing her man. Continuing to slide him in and out of her mouth, she held onto him tightly. She picked up speed and kept her eyes locked on his. His eyes were fixed on her, the passion in them intense.
“Baby…this feels great…but I really want to be inside of you. Come here.”
Kate released Neil and climbed on top of him. He slid her panties off and unhooked her bra. She straddled him, beginning to grind her wet slit against his girth. She rubbed him against her clit. He had his hands on her hips and he maneuvered himself to penetrate her hot core.
“Kate,” he growled, thrusting himself inside of her. He panted. “I want you to lick your finger and rub your clit.”
She did as he asked. As she rubbed herself, she could feel her desire for him building deep inside. She kept moving up and down on his shaft while circling her own clit. Neil watched as her breasts bounced with each movement. Then he sat up and began sucking one of her nipples. It immediately responded to the warm caresses of his tongue. Once it was a tight rosy bud, he moved to the other nipple and lightly bit at it. This was her undoing. She screamed. Her orgasm was intense, lasting longer than any she could remember.
“I love to hear you come. It’s such a turn-on when I make you scream like that,” Neil said.
Kate began moving up and down Neil’s hardened shaft with intense speed. In less than a minute, he came, calling out her name as he did. She lay on top of him and kissed his neck. She didn’t move for a long while, pressing her body against his. She needed to stay connected to him in the most primal way.
***
As Kate got ready for bed, her exhaustion from the overwhelming events of the day set in. Being stalked and almost found by a madman seemed surreal. Had she really quit her job? She hated that Roger had taken away not only her livelihood, but also her feeling of safety too. But what else could she do? He’d made it clear when he took her to lunch that he wanted her. He’d shown what lengths he was willing to go to by tracking her down at Nordstrom.
She finished brushing her teeth and got into bed. Neil was waiting for her.
“Come here, baby,” he said with his arms open wide. “Let me hold you.”
She scooted toward him and rested her head upon his chest.
“It’s going to be all right. Things will look better in the morning.”
“I know you’re right. I love you so much.”
“I love you too. You’re the most important person in my life. You’re my precious girl and I never want to be without you,” he said, stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers.
When Neil looked at Kate with such intensity, she knew his claims of how important she was to him were true. This gave her more peace than she’d known in a long time. “I don’t know what I would do without your love and support,” she said. “Especially right now.”
Neil kissed her lovingly on the lips. “You’re never going to find out what it will be like without me. I’m all yours, baby. There’s nothing you can do to get rid of me. Now try to get some sleep.”
Kate closed her eyes and drifted off in a matter of minutes. Neil had calmed her and assured her she was safe and protected with him.
***
Neil
Neil stayed with Kate until she fell asleep, watching her for a few moments while she slumbered. He lightly traced the curves of her face and then gently kissed her on the forehead. He couldn’t believe he’d found someone he could spend the rest of his life with, someone he could adore and cherish. She was his dream come true, and he was grateful to get a second chance at love. Losing Elizabeth had been so devastating. He was determined to make sure nothing happened to his beautiful Kate. He wasn’t about to let Roger hurt her or
take her away from him. He needed to do something. Waiting for Roger to do something wasn’t his style.
He got out of bed carefully so he wouldn’t disturb her. He then went downstairs to his office to call the security company his firm had worked with before. He wanted to hire someone to protect Kate when she returned from Minnesota. He found the card of the owner, Paul Atkins. Paul was a former Navy Seal and he only hired people with military training. Paul and his men would be able to keep Kate safe when she wasn’t with him. He figured Roger had killed his best friend Rick, but it was probably because Rick had been taken by surprise. Roger’s element of surprise had been blown when they figured out he was a killer.
Dialing, he hoped Paul would pick up.
“Paul Atkins.”
“Paul, Neil Statton here. I’m in need of your services.”
“What’s going on?”
“I need bodyguards for my girlfriend. She’s being stalked by a man under investigation for murder.”
“Shit. That’s serious.”
“Yeah. I’ll email you the background check on Roger Wilkins. Kate is going out of town, but I want guards lined up to start the beginning of next week.”
“Not a problem. This is what we do.”
“Paul, she’s everything to me. I want your best guys. I don’t care how much it costs.”
“I hear you. Consider it done. I’ll be in touch after I read his background check.”
“Great. Thanks.”
They ended the call. He’d discuss the logistics of protecting Kate after Paul knew more about Roger. Now he just needed to figure out how he was going to tell her. She most likely wouldn’t want security following her around. But he would insist and help her understand it was necessary. She would listen to reason. She had to.
***
Kate
Suddenly, at four o’clock in the morning, Kate woke up. A disturbing dream about being watched by someone with glowing eyes sent chills throughout her body. She could feel an evil presence in the dream, but she couldn’t make out a man’s face. All she knew was she needed to get away from those eyes. But every turn she made to run away, the eyes followed her. Escape seemed futile no matter how hard she’d tried. She felt shaky as she got up to go to the bathroom. When she returned to bed, she moved close to Neil’s body. His warmth made her feel safe again, and she finally drifted back to sleep.
Taken by You (Killer Next Door #2) Page 5
