by L. T. Kelly
He scrubbed his palms over his weary face. “For as long as I can remember. I think it must have started when my dad died. You know how he died, right?” He nodded toward her.
“Only how the press says it happened. A drug overdose in a Hollywood hotel room, surrounded by prostitutes?”
“Yeah, well, I know as much as you do. She refused to talk about him. I only know what I do about him from what the press has said. Until I met Al, anyway.”
Katie raised a brow. “And what’s he told you?”
“Too much about my father’s death doesn’t fit. Al spent years trying to get the police to investigate it further, but the cops liked how it looked. A rock star at the top of his game getting high and sleeping with whores.” He barked out a laugh. “You know why I didn’t date more than one girl through high school?”
Katie shook her head.
“Because my mother told me, from the age I was old enough to know what sex is, that I’m destined to be a womanizer, just like my father. She said it to me relentlessly.”
“I know this might come over as a rude question, Evan. But how many women have you slept with?”
“Including you?”
“Yes.”
“Two.”
Katie sucked in a sharp breath. “Wow, she really did fuck you up.”
“I spent a lot of time with Alex during high school, so at least, I had his mom and dad to look up to. I sort of invited myself into their family.”
“Sounds like a smart idea. Why is she all up in your face now?”
“She went bat-shit crazy when I told her I was taking the band to England to record an album when my trust fund got released to me. I didn’t even find out about it until I turned eighteen. She’d been passed out drunk, surrounded with papers, when I got home. Naturally, I went to pick them up, and I read them. Basically, all song royalties and the money he’d had stashed in bank accounts had been put in trust and would be given to me when I turned twenty-one.” He laughed sarcastically. “Even the fucking mansion she lives in belongs to me. I always wondered why she stayed in it, even when we were broke. In a way, I can understand why she hated me so much. I had millions of dollars, and we were eating peanut butter out of a can for dinner. Obviously, it got me thinking why my dad would do something like that. Al was executor of my father’s will. He sent her support checks from a separate account once per month. They weren’t small checks either, but I only found that out when I questioned him about it.”
“So what was she doing with the money?”
“Drinking it. She had a few jobs, too, but when she’d turn up late and drunk, or not at all, she’d get fired. Jared’s mother, Grace Peterson, even paid her medical bills—still does, as far as I know. I figure people around here think my dad left her to fend for herself and bring up a child with nothing, only to become my hero come age twenty-one when it all got gifted to me. But, that wasn’t what happened. Now, she’s no longer getting those checks, and she’s on my back for money, which I’ve been giving her.”
“And I guess she’s drinking that, too? That’s why you don’t want to keep feeding her habit?”
“Precisely. I had my lawyer draw up a letter, telling her the checks will stop if she doesn’t get clean.”
“Smart move.”
“Oh, you think so? She’s going to lose her shit when she gets it.”
Katie shrugged. “In the long run, you’re doing the right thing by her. You have to know that.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to deal with the fallout from it.” Evan put his head into his hands thinking about how mad his mother would be.
“You know I’ll be here for you, whatever you need, babe.” She walked around the table and rubbed his bicep, getting him to sit upright. She straddled him and pulled him into a hug.
Her heat warmed him, shoving his troubles to the back of his mind. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, babe. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m cream-crackered.”
He drew in his brows and moved his head back to look up at her. “Cream-crackered?”
“Yeah, you know, it’s cockney rhyming slang for knackered?”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
She giggled and swatted him on the shoulder. “Bloody yanks. Take me to bed, babe. That’s what it means.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” He grinned. How can this woman switch my mood so easily? he thought as he pressed his lips to hers.
She yelped when he lifted her. Her legs immediately wrapped around his waist. She rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her across the apartment to his bedroom walking straight past the bed and into the bathroom.
“As stunning as you look in that dress, I want you to take it off now.”
“How about you take it off?” She narrowed her eyes in defiance.
“Now, you're just being misbehaving. You know what that means, don’t you?”
She nodded in reply and bit her bottom lip, he guessed to disguise the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“Turn around.”
Katie spun immediately and placed her palms on the gray marble counter where the sink sat. She watched him move behind her in the mirror. Her pussy dripped with anticipation. He merely had to command her in that low voice, and she was turned on like a tap.
She watched his reflection as he stared down at her ass before smoothing his palm over it. Then he did something she didn’t expect. He knelt behind her.
“Pull your dress up around your waist.”
She complied, her hands shaking as she yanked the smooth silky material up over her thighs until it gathered around her middle.
“Stunning,” he hissed. “Open your legs wide.”
She shuffled her feet apart until they were as wide as they could go without her falling over.
She gasped when his hot tongue brushed against her throbbing clit through her panties. His hand caught her by surprise when a slap landed on her ass cheek.
“Now, I’m going to watch your pussy drip with pleasure as I spank you.”
The sensation of him roughly tugging down her panties made her quiver. Even if she didn’t want him to watch her pussy drip, she couldn’t help how he made her feel. She lifted one foot at a time and allowed him to pull off her panties. Being fully exposed to him and vulnerable in the way she stood didn’t make her drip, so much as fully flow.
His mouth planted on her once more, making her groan and her eyes roll back. She shifted farther forward, giving him better access to her clit, and another slap caused her ass cheek to burn with the sting of pleasure. Her groans sounded almost feral as another slap landed on her cheek, and his lapping tongue sped up over her sensitive nub. Her fingers gripped the slippery marble as she lost control and let go. Her body shook as the orgasm she’d been holding onto ripped through her.
He wasn’t done with her yet, though. He stood tall, hovering over her smaller frame. He shoved the dress farther up her back, pulled her into an upright position and slipped it over her head. He grabbed her breasts after he’d discarded her dress.
She studied his reflection as his stubble scraped her shoulder.
“You’re beautiful,” he breathed in her ear, watching her face as intently as she watched his.
“Not as beautiful as you are,” she said, unable to move yet, enjoying the spikes of electricity running through her chest from the way he ran his thumbs over her nipples.
“Get in the shower.”
She didn’t hesitate. She turned, sucking a breath in as her body brushed over his hot skin. She did what he’d told her to do and stepped in the large cubicle, watching him as he pulled off his jeans off and his erection sprang free.
He used his palm to press her against the tiles before he turned the shower on. He checked the water then tugged her wrist to pull her under the spray. He collected the shower gel from the shelf on the wall and poured it into his hand, lathering it up before reaching for her breasts and smoothing the soap o
ver them.
The heat of the water and the minty aroma of the soap combined deliciously with the warmth of his attentive touch. Katie groaned. She wanted him inside her, filling her up and making her whole again.
“Please, take me now,” she breathed, barely able to string together a coherent sentence.
“You’re very impatient,” he stated huskily, his eyes not leaving hers as his hands trailed down the front of her body.
She whimpered as he neared her sex then gasped as he reached it and ran his fingers through her folds. His jaw tensed, and the fire ignited in his eyes. He was holding out on her.
“Fuck me now,” she demanded, narrowing her eyes.
He growled, grabbing her hips and yanking her up until her legs found a home around his waist. He slammed her against the tiles, entering her drenched pussy with ease.
His solid, wet body brushed against hers as he drew back his hips then pushed inside her again. Her head dropped back, lost in ecstasy.
“Look at me.” His voice sounded strangled. “I want you to see what you do to me.”
She forced her head forward to look at his stunning, green gaze. Her lips searched for his. She needed him fully. He was hers, all hers. No other man could ever come close. His tongue thrashed against hers, and the vibration of his satisfied groans rushed through her and flowed straight to her sex. She couldn’t stop herself from tensing and pulsing around his cock as she came again.
“Oh, fuck,” he growled speeding up his hips before he emptied himself inside her. He held her tight while she held on to him, her arms slung around his neck. Together, they enjoyed the burning afterglow before he set her back on her feet.
He grinned as he grabbed the soap again. “Turn around,” he ordered. She complied after offering him a lazy smile. His hands smoothed over her body, washing and adoring her at the same time. She flinched when he reached her sensitive sex.
“My turn.” She grabbed the soap and greedily rubbed it over his body. Leaning forward into the spray of water, she grabbed his cock and closed her mouth over his nipple.
“Angel, if you keep on like that, I’m going to have to make love to you again, and we’re both too tired for that.”
She sniggered with delight at how easy she found it to turn him on.
“Come on then, babe. Take me to bed.”
They dried off quickly and headed for the bedroom. He held her tight to his body all night, making her feel safe and secure. She’d made the right decision to come here. Giving him a second chance had been the right choice. No matter what happened, she’d make this work.
* * * *
Katie sipped her coffee at the breakfast bar and turned the page of the celebrity gossip magazine she’d picked up at the airport on the way over. Evan had woken her gently with a kiss, fully clothed and ready to attend a planned band meeting. She’d been too lonely in his huge, wooden bed to get back to sleep.
She’d wandered around the apartment when she’d gotten up. It had been done out lovely, all except for the room left empty for Jessica. He’d brought this place before he’d gone to London, but it had been left empty, awaiting his return.
Evan confessed that Alex’s sister, Catherine, had helped him furnish the apartment when he’d gotten back. She’d worked with the existing dark wood and rich red-brown colors and given the place a Mexican feel that worked beautifully.
Katie sighed, wondering when he’d get back. She hated sitting around, and was eager to get out and do something. She got off her seat and headed to pour her second cup of coffee. Her brows drew in when the doorbell rang then she recalled that Evan had left his keys behind in case she wanted to go anywhere. They were planning on getting another set of keys made for her later that day. She went to answer the door, excited to go to the mall to pick out furniture and other stuff to decorate the remaining empty room. Jessica would be so excited to look at the pictures Katie would take of her new bedroom in America.
A blond woman turned to face her as she opened the door. “Who the fuck are you?”
Katie sucked in a breath. Evan’s mother looked so different from the pictures of her youth. She appeared pale, except from her bulbous red nose, and she’d become painfully thin.
“I’m Katie, Evan’s girlfriend.” She stumbled over her words that marked the first time she’d ever called herself that. That wasn’t the only reason for the quiver in her voice. The woman’s eyes were flashing with anger. From Evan’s revelations the night before, Katie knew the reason. Lynn’s cackle made her squirm uncomfortably.
“He’s not here, so you’ll have to come back later.” Katie made to shut the door in the scary woman’s face but went flying back before she’d managed to close it the whole way.
Everything moved fast. She knew there was no way Lynn’s waiflike figure could have sent her flying. Lynn busied herself with trying to get past a tattooed man wearing a black vest, jeans and sunglasses. Lynn got in Katie’s face as soon as she did.
“I’ve got an idea. Are you following me, Toby?” Lynn’s eyes didn’t leave Katie’s, although it was clear she was talking to the man who’d accompanied her.
Toby didn’t answer. Lynn flinched before she reached up and grabbed a fistful of Katie’s hair.
Katie yelped and screamed, “Get the fuck off me!” She pushed Lynn backward sending her flying into Toby’s chest, but Lynn’s grip tightened on Katie’s hair, dragging her along with her.
“You're coming with us,” Lynn spat.
“I’m not going anywhere, crazy lady,” Katie seethed, trying desperately to unclasp Lynn’s spindly fingers from her hair. Lynn stepped behind her and pushed her toward the door. Toby had already headed out onto the veranda. Katie kicked at Lynn’s leg with bare feet. Toby reached behind him and pulled out a silvery pistol then pressed it to Katie’s nose.
Visions of Jessica crying and Helen holding her made Katie’s gut wrench. She wanted to go home to her normal life with her little girl, right then and there.
“Keep your mouth shut, bitch, and you won’t get hurt.”
Chapter Nineteen
Evan pulled his sleek, new Cadillac coupe into the parking lot outside his apartment building. Alex sat beside him, rubbing his forehead.
“You should have gone home when I told you to,” Evan chuckled, looking at his hung-over friend.
“Shut up, boy wonder. I need coffee.”
“Come on. Let’s get inside, and I’ll make you one.”
They headed up the steps of the veranda. Evan’s gut turned. His apartment door lay wide open. His steps quickened, eager to get inside and discover what had happened. Alex trailed behind him, unaware that any danger might lie ahead.
“Katie,” Evan called out, stepping inside. He called her name again and again as he ran around the apartment.
He fled back to the entrance to find Alex standing there with a puzzled look on his face. “Where is she?”
“I have no clue,” Evan breathed, reaching for his cell phone. He dialed her number, knowing she kept her phone on for Jessica. The unmistakable vibration of it came from the kitchen. “Something bad has happened.”
“How did you figure that?” Alex frowned, having followed Evan into the kitchen.
“I just know it. Call Al. I’m calling the cops.”
“Whoa! What would anyone want with Katie?” Alex’s face was lined with confusion.
“To get to me.”
Evan called 911 and spoke to the dispatcher, who didn’t sound as concerned as Evan wanted her to.
“Listen, sir, as I’ve said, I’ll get someone out to you.”
“Do it fast,” he hissed and hung up before he could yell any more and wound up having to deal with it all by himself.
“What the bloody hell is going on, lad?” Al called out from the hallway.
“You got here fast.” Alex raised an eyebrow. Evan shot him a filthy look. How fast Al got here was the last thing on Evan’s mind. He just wanted Katie back.
“I was two blocks awa
y. Now, tell me what’s happened.”
“I think my crazy mother has taken Katie,” Evan told Al pointedly. There was no time to beat around the bush.
“You think she got that letter?” Al asked.
Evan pursed his lips and nodded.
Al shook his head. “Your mother is a skinny thing. I know Katie isn’t much bigger, but she’s healthy. I think you’ve got it wrong, lad. It could have been a fan, don’t you think? Or she could have just popped out.”
“What and left the door wide open?” he seethed, frustrated.
“Oh.” Al said, realization washing over his face.
“I knew she’d do something drastic when she got the letter. I’m placing my bets on her, but you could be right. I guess it could have been anyone.” Evan stared at her empty coffee cup, discarded by the coffee maker and bit his lip.
“Is there something you ain’t telling us?” Alex asked in a low voice.
Evan’s lips twitched with irritation. He’d been so embarrassed about his mother and the state she’d gotten herself into that he’d omitted the tattooed man from the story when he’d told Al. He’d gone to him for advice on what to do about Lynn, and Al had suggested the deal. To say that Al and Lynn had never gotten along was an understatement, so the man had kept his distance from the entire mess.
“She’s involved with some guy. That’s how she got into drugs. I’d hoped I’d scared him off.”
Alex slammed his fist into the breakfast bar. “Why didn’t you tell us, man?”
“You’ve seen her state, the state of the house. Hell, you’ve spent weeks making fun of me over it and over Katie. Did you think I wanted to give you more ammo to come at me with?”
Evan folded his arms across his chest and turned to look out of the window. Where the fuck are you, Katie?
“I’m sorry man. I’m so fucking sorry. I’ve been such an asshole,” Alex said gently behind him. “We’re going to find her and fix this shit.”
When Evan turned to face him and ask him how he planned on doing that, he’d gone.
“Where the hell is he going?”
“No idea, but I’m guessing to try to find her. I’ll wait here with you until the police come, lad. He’s probably headed up to her house. As stupid as your mother is, she wouldn’t take Katie back there.”