Katie glanced up from behind the lens of her camera and paused. She’d been taking candid shots of Vance while he worked. Curled in the overstuffed chair in the corner of his office, wearing one of his soft green Army T-shirts, she listened to the sudden quiet. The rain had finally stopped. She hadn’t left the loft the entire day. Vance sat at his desk, typing away on his book, and Katie sighed in contentment. Being in love and great sex had a mellowing effect, and it felt wonderful.
After another adventurous shower, this time with pulsating showerheads, Vance had brought food up from the main house to make sure Katie didn’t starve, but mainly to keep up her strength for more physical activity of the horizontal type. Katie had never been a big fan of wrestling until she’d discovered Vance’s version…now it was her new favorite sport.
Katie’s hand trembled as she fiddled with the lens on her camera. Her complicated, messy life had taken a sudden detour, and it felt weird and exhilarating, knowing she wouldn’t have to go it alone, because Vance would be with her. By her side. Her rock. He didn’t say those exact words, but he did declare his love for her—numerous times—and she was thinking maybe that meant he wasn’t going anywhere.
The tapping from the keyboard stopped. “What’s with the Mona Lisa smile?” he asked.
“Hmmm? Just happy, I guess.” Vance wore a clean pair of jeans and T-shirt, making her shiver, knowing she had an intimate knowledge of what lay beneath his everyday clothes.
“Glad to hear it. I’m done here.” He closed his laptop. “You want to catch a movie? Bowl? Hit the bars?”
“You bored with me already?”
“If it were up to me, I’d keep you under lock and key and never let you leave my room. But since it’s my fault you haven’t gotten out much…” He shrugged his strong shoulders.
“Well, I could use some fresh air. How about we take a walk and then grill some steaks? We can eat in your beautiful outdoor space, and you can build a fire in the fireplace,” she said, excitement coursing through her.
A slow smile curved his firm lips. “So, you don’t want to be seen in public with me, is that it?”
Katie sprang from her seat and wrapped her arms around the back of his shoulders, nipping his ear with her teeth. “No. I don’t want to share you with anybody. Like all your adoring fans. I want you all to myself for one more night,” she purred.
Stroking her arms, he said, “You got it…and me for as long as you want.”
* * *
Katie enjoyed a glass of red wine while Vance cleared their trays from dinner. He had expertly grilled steaks and fresh corn on the cob, and she had thrown together another salad…without avocados or grapefruit. The clouds had cleared, and a few faint stars were starting to appear. Vance had lit a fire to stave off the cool night air. Earlier, they had walked the perimeter of his property, which had taken a little over an hour. The pungent smell of damp earth and fresh new blooms had permeated the air after the cleansing rain. Vance had pointed out the various tenant properties his family owned, and he even showed her where his dad lived. Katie still banked on a reconciliation to bring the two back together, but in order for that to come about, Vance would need to open up to her. Maybe by talking about it, he’d find answers, along with some peace.
“You get enough to eat?” Vance asked, topping off her wine.
“Plenty. Thank you. You grilled the steaks to perfection. So multitalented.”
“Thank you…for not putting avocados or grapefruit in the salad. Not sure I could’ve kept it down tonight.”
Katie squinted at him. “Such a baby. How can you not like avocados and grapefruit? Do you eat guacamole?”
“Nope. And I don’t drink grapefruit juice.”
“Anything else I need to be aware of?”
“Yeah…I do eat California cupcakes,” he growled, wrapping his hand around her neck and pulling her in for one of his hot, demanding kisses, his body’s heat warming her against the cool night. Her palm cupped the razor stubble covering his jaw. A flare of rightness filled her chest. A perfect ending to their perfect day.
Sucking in a breath, she pulled back. Her heart swelled, growing tighter against her chest until it pained her rib cage. The evening breeze rustled her hair, and Vance gently brushed a few strands from her face. Katie took a moment to revel in his loving gaze. Then her stomach flipped, full of nerves. She might be detonating a bomb by bringing up the topic of his dad and the bad blood between them. The idea of opening old wounds that might cause him any pain made her uneasy. But if any hope remained of building a bridge to close the gap, she needed to know what had triggered the animosity. Loving him the way she did, it felt only natural to want to help mend those fences.
“You’re thinking again,” he said, appearing wary.
She nodded. “I want to know something.”
He hesitated, his eyes narrowing. “Okay. What?”
“What caused the rift between you and your dad?”
Several beats passed, and Vance’s face clouded with memories as he scrubbed the nape of his neck with his hand. “It’s confession time, huh?”
“It won’t change the way I feel about you. Besides, you witnessed the pathetic baring of my soul.”
His expression turned militant in her favor. “That’s different. You did nothing wrong. You didn’t deserve the way your parents treated you.”
He didn’t know the half of it. The way they still treated her. Tonight was not about her. Tonight she wanted to be his support.
“What is it you think you’ve done that is so wrong…or bad?” she asked in a quiet voice.
He paused and then released a breath that seemed to rattle inside him. The strain and sadness behind his dark eyes broke her heart. Whatever his crime, he’d paid a steep price.
“I was a disrespectful, angry teenager, carrying a huge chip on my shoulder. And my dad was…being my dad in his tough, military way. After my mom died, he came down hard on me. Eric had already expressed his interest in joining the military, and my dad couldn’t have been more proud. Thinking I would never measure up, I decided to be the complete opposite, acting like I didn’t give a shit about life. I didn’t want anything to do with the Army, Navy, or Marines. I hated the military and let my dad know every chance I got.”
“What do you mean?”
He briefly closed his eyes as if closing off the pain. “Every day a new argument would escalate between us. I could never please him. Not that I tried very hard. But my dad only knew hard discipline as a way of communicating.” He must’ve noticed her wary expression. “Don’t look so shocked. He didn’t physically hurt me. But he’d make me clean the bathroom with a toothbrush if I left my dirty towels or clothes on the floor. One time he made me stand at attention for a full eight hours because I’d missed curfew. He’d waited up for me, and since I’d kept him awake, he decided to keep me awake.” Vance gave a self-deprecating smirk. “I never missed curfew again.”
A shiver ran down her spine, imagining the tough scenes between Vance and his dad. “I’m sorry you two were at such odds. Your dad tried to control you the only way he knew how.”
“Yeah, and then I retaliated.”
Katie’s heart seized. Her breath caught, waiting for him to continue but not wanting to cause him any more anguish.
Vance slouched against the sofa cushions, propped his feet on the teak coffee table, crossed his long legs, and closed his eyes. Despite his lazy position, his body tensed like a taut wire. Katie waited so long, she didn’t think he’d answer.
His words were low and measured. “I told my dad I hated him and that I could never respect a man who killed innocent children for the sake of democracy.” Katie gasped. His jaw tight, he slid her a sideways glance. “Yeah, it was that ugly. And I’ve regretted it ever since.”
“But your dad didn’t kill innocent children, did he?” she asked, not allowing the
horror of those pictures to form in her mind.
“Darlin’, war is hell. Don’t kid yourself. Innocent children die every day. No, he didn’t deliberately kill innocent people, but it happens. It’s happening today with air strikes, night raids, and drone attacks.” Tucking her legs beneath her on the seat cushions, she leaned toward him. She rested her hand on his hard chest, and he stiffened beneath her touch. “What I said had nothing to do with the way I felt about war and everything to do with hurting my dad. I wanted to cut him off at the knees. He took his responsibilities to his men very seriously and believed their missions were necessary in reaching peace.” He paused, his lips twisted in a smirk. “So, I said the most hateful thing a rebellious, angry teenager fighting against strict rules and regulations could come up with.”
“You were young. Lashing out. You didn’t mean what you said. Surely the general knows that now.”
Vance covered her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. A look of pain flashed across his face as he stared off into the distance. The dwindling sunlight colored the darkening sky a dusty purple rose. “I called him a murderer.” He cleared his throat as if he’d swallowed a lump of coal. “If you could’ve seen his face…” Katie gulped hard and tried to blink back the tears threatening to spill. She hated seeing him in this much pain. And she hated thinking how his words had hurt his father. Two hotheads saying hurtful things neither one meant. Words that pierced like a bayonet straight through the heart. Katie had firsthand knowledge of that pain.
“When I went off to UNC, I knew I wanted to become a writer, because I thought I had something to say. To impart my viewpoint to the world. A lot of bottled up anger. But the more I wrote, the more I realized my words were hollow and baseless. Until I wrote a letter to my dad, apologizing.”
“How did he respond?”
Vance raised his shoulders as if he held the weight of the world. “I never gave it to him. Instead, I started writing stories about war and heroes.”
“And twelve books later, you’re still trying to apologize.”
“Something like that.” His sad smile touched a nerve.
Katie had personal experience with trying to please a taskmaster of a father. She understood Vance’s pain, which made her sorry for him and his dad. Never measuring up to a parent’s standard played a real number on the psyche. And Katie hated seeing her tough pirate hurting.
“Maybe it’s time you spoke the words. I’d imagine your dad has mellowed over the years, and maybe he’s struggling with how to broach the subject.”
Vance rolled his head and faced her. “Maybe.” Suddenly, Katie was flat on her back, and sad, introspective Vance had disappeared and her lusty pirate had taken his place. He hovered over her. “Now, I’m thinking why the hell am I reliving depressing stories from the past when I could be making love to you outside in the open spring air, under the stars,” he growled, covering her mouth with his. He kissed her with an urgency and poignancy that hadn’t been present before. Katie understood. He needed reaffirming. She understood his desire to forget and lose himself. And she was more than happy to provide the comfort he sought.
“What do you need?” she asked. She would give him anything. Anything to erase the sadness, grief, and regret he’d revealed to her.
He stared down at her. Desire mixed with love poured from his expression. “I need you. Only you. When I look at you, everything else fades away, and my head clears. Does that make sense?” She nodded, and he stroked the side of her face with his finger. “You make everything bad in me disappear,” he whispered.
Katie wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug. “You’re not bad. You’re wonderful and kind and loving. And you make me whole. Just be with me. Stay with me.” She would do everything in her power to protect him and soothe him.
The love swirling in his eyes caused her breath to catch. “You’re so beautiful inside and out, and you’ve worked your way into my heart. You’re all I want, Kat.”
He kissed her with possessive hunger, and Katie returned the kiss, elated to know they shared the same feelings. She shifted beneath him and he trailed hot kisses down her throat, unbuttoning her pink linen blouse with his clever fingers. “So soft,” he murmured against the lacy edge of her bra before he flicked the front clasp open, the cool night air a direct contrast against his hot breath. A moan escaped her lips as he latched on to her nipple, causing her to squirm in pleasure beneath his hold. Weaving her fingers through his thick hair, she held him in place. She welcomed his hand as he unsnapped her jeans and started pushing them down past her hips.
“Here, let me…” Katie lifted her hips to help remove her jeans. “Wait. I need to kick off my shoes—”
“Kathyrn Ann McKnight! Wh-what are you doing? With him?”
Katie shrieked, grappling for her loose top, and Vance’s head jerked in the direction of Tad Poole’s voice.
Chapter 22
Dammit to hell in tarnation and back. What was Tad Putz doing on his property…again? Vance pulled Katie’s pants up, blocking Tad’s view with his back. Katie frantically buttoned her blouse with a look of pure panic on her face.
“Well?” Tad Patsy had the nerve to say.
“You okay, darlin’?” Vance murmured for Katie’s ears only. Her face had turned as red as the homegrown tomatoes they’d eaten with their salad earlier. Vance pecked her lips for reassurance. “It’s gonna be okay.” He pushed up and faced the turd who stood there with his scrawny chest puffed out, emphasizing his outrage. Tad gripped an official-looking folder in one of his hands. Vance narrowed his eyes. Tad returning when Vance had clearly warned him off was not a good sign, no matter how you dissected it.
“I thought I made myself clear the last time you showed up uninvited. What part of ‘get off my land’ did you not understand?” Vance growled low.
“Katie wasn’t answering her phone. Naturally, I was concerned about her welfare. And rightly so, from what I just witnessed.” What a dickless wonder. A sound of distress or maybe rage came from Katie’s direction. Vance threw a glance over his shoulder, and Katie stood with arms crossed and lips pressed into a thin, angry line. Her expression did not look promising for Tad Pissant. Only too glad it wasn’t directed at him, Vance had a good mind to step aside and let Katie open up a can of whup-ass. He had no doubt she could take him down. But something about that folder he kept tapping against his thigh put him on alert. Tad was here to cause trouble. Vance would bet his priceless autographed basketball from UNC’s 2009 NCAA Championship team on it.
“What are you doing here?” Katie asked, stepping forward with purpose. “I don’t want you checking on me. I’ve got everything under control.”
“Is that what you’re calling it these days?” The jerk smirked.
Katie huffed. “Look, I’m sorry. Maybe this isn’t the best time, but I think it’s safe to say…we’re over.” She slashed the air with her hand. Vance watched as Tad bristled. He directed a burning glare first at Katie and then at him. “It’s not like I’m telling you anything new. You wanted the break for a reason, and you were right. We aren’t compatible. Let’s move on, shall we? Because…uh, I already have.”
“Man, he’s really done a number on you, hasn’t he?” Tad snarled, jerking his head in Vance’s direction.
“No. Vance and I are in love…but I don’t need to ex—”
“In love?” Tad gave a bark of laughter. “That’s rich. The only thing he’s in love with is himself and his career.”
Vance’s head buzzed with fury, and a cold anger tensed his shoulders. He could see this going south real fast, and he needed this asshole to shut his effin’ trap. Vance advanced on Tad, effectively blocking Katie’s view. “Look, slick. Katie has made her wants known. Why don’t you let it go and get on back in your car while you still can…on your own two legs.”
“You don’t scare me, Kerner. You want to know why?” Vance’s gaze flicke
d to the folder in Tad’s hand. “Yeah, that’s right. It’s all here in black and white. You want to tell your girlfriend, or should I?”
“Tell me what?” Katie pushed past Vance and glowered at Tad. Vance’s chest tightened, and queasiness scaled the walls of his esophagus. All the guilt and regret he’d been feeling since his first conversation with Walter McKnight was about to come crashing down on his head. Tad had revenge written all over his snotty, pasty face. And Vance would’ve liked nothing better than to coldcock him to shut him up.
“Tad, I don’t think this is the time or the place to bring—”
“Will someone please tell me what’s going on here? What is Tad talking about?” At the sight of the confusion in Katie’s eyes, Vance felt a surge of desperation low in his belly. He didn’t want to hurt Katie, and telling her about her dad and their deal would do that…or more.
“Look, Kat, I’ll tell you all about it inside. But first let me walk our guest to his car.” Except Vance said the word guest like he would’ve said serial killer.
“I don’t see the need for any more secrets,” Tad said. Katie’s head swiveled from Vance to Tad. “Looks like lover boy has gone behind your back and struck a deal with your dad…at your expense.”
“What do you mean? What deal?”
“Kerner here wants final approval of the screenplays, and he willingly agreed to Walter’s conditions to get it. And apparently, you were part of the negotiations. Am I explaining this clearly?” Tad wore a smug smile. Vance shot daggers at him, hoping they would pierce his insignificant heart.
“I don’t understand. Tad, what does any of this have to do with me?” Katie pressed a palm to her now-twitching eyebrow. A sure sign of stress. Anxious dread started to numb Vance’s limbs.
“Only everything. Walter told Vance you were off the job. He had no intention of using this property for the show. He ordered Kerner not to sign the contract and to keep you here and string you along any way he could. Kerner agreed in order to gain full approval of the screenplays. Looks like he figured a way to keep you occupied.” The only thing stopping Vance from plowing his fist in Tad’s face was Katie’s stricken expression.
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