Adoring Her (The Heiress #3)

by Michelle Dare

  “Now, baby,” I commanded against her lips. “Let go.”

  Within a breath, she was trembling under me as her orgasm took over. That was the only cue I needed to pump into her harder, faster, finding my release. I tensed as it flowed from me, my dick throbbing, while her walls clenched and released me.

  Once I had nothing left in me and she was sated, I rolled to my side and brought her with me, all the while staying inside of her. She nuzzled into my neck, draping an arm over my waist. I inhaled, pulling her scent into me. Apples. She always smelled of sweet apples.

  “God, I missed you,” I confessed.

  She nodded against me, but remained quiet. I didn’t think anything of it until I felt her body shake. Pulling back, I used my finger to lift her chin. Tears had begun running down her cheeks.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Her breathing was shaky. “I missed you.”

  I shook my head. “There’s more to it than that. I’ve been gone longer than one night for work before. What’s really going on?” I knew there was more. She couldn’t hide from me. Over the time we’ve been together I’ve learned to read her. There was something she wasn’t telling me, and my body went rigid with warning. My stomach clenched as a knot formed in my gut. My hand went to the nape of her neck and traveled down her back in a soothing stroke.

  “I wish you would have been here.” She paused to suck in another breath. “I know I said I handled it, but once I got home from the vet with Ace, I fell apart. I don’t know what happened, or why all of the sudden everything slammed into me. Aubrey stayed last night. She didn’t want me to be alone. She wasn’t fazed at all. I feel like such a wuss. She was fine, while I fell apart.”

  “No, you aren’t a wuss. Not by a long shot. Not many people would have been able to do what you did. You took care of that asshole and protected yourself and Aubrey. You did what you needed to do. Don’t downplay that.”

  She raised her head and her eyes widened. “I could have been shot, Radek! He could have fucking killed me, or Aubrey, or the dogs! I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  My voice became stern. “You were thinking that you had to defend yourself. It’s that simple. You have a gun and you used it without killing him. Although, no one would have blamed you if you did, but that’s beside the point.”

  “I know I come off as this tough bitch, but sometimes I feel anything but. I never want to go through that again.”

  “You won’t have to. I’ll be here. Every day for as long as you’ll have me. I’m not going anywhere, baby.”

  I pulled her back into my neck and brushed my hand through her hair. I was afraid that was going to happen, but wasn’t going to voice it. She needed to think I believed in her ability to protect herself. In reality, I fully did, but the thought of harm coming to her made my chest constrict. She could and did protect herself.

  Her falling apart was just as I expected. I only wished I had been here last night to hold and comfort her. At least Aubrey was with her and she didn’t spend the night alone. That was something I wouldn’t have to worry about anymore. I would be here for her. Anywhere she went, I was going with her. Was I being overprotective? Probably. But her privacy had been breached, and her safe space, her home, was broken into. I wasn’t letting that shit happen again. She should feel safe in her home, alone or not. This was where she slept, where she relaxed, and let her guard down. If by some miracle that motherfucker showed up here again, I wouldn’t hesitate putting a bullet between his eyes.

  I needed to up the effort of getting Lily trained. Sure, she was still a puppy, but she had already learned basic commands, and I’m sure she could start to learn more. Tomorrow I would research local trainers to help with it. I knew dogs, but not training to that level. She would grow to be a great companion, but I also wanted her to be more. I was going to take Ace to classes, too. I knew he could defend Kasi, but maybe I could refine his skills, so to speak. They could both learn command words and hand signals; learn to bite on command and release. That was for me to do tomorrow, though. The remainder of today I was going to spend with Kasi. My dick started to harden at the thought of having sex again. Not the time. Fucking thing really did have a mind of its own.

  I felt her relax against me. Looking down, I watched the steady rise and fall of her chest. Her hand that had been gripping my waist tight was now relaxed. I wondered how much sleep she had gotten the night before. It would have been a good time for me to take a nap. I had Kasi in my arms and knew she was okay. Well, physically anyway. If needed, we would find someone for her to talk to. I didn’t want her carrying this fear around with her. I would have to wait and see how she was.

  Not able to fall asleep quite as easily as I had hoped, I laid in bed thinking about what I could do with this newfound time I had. Even when I would be flying Kasi, I didn’t think of it as work. It was precious time I got to spend with the woman I loved, doing what I loved. That was what dreams were made of. I would travel with her wherever she went. I wondered if she’d get sick of me. I couldn’t image ever getting tired of her, but she had led a very independent life before me. Now here I was living with her, spending every moment with her. Would she feel smothered? I had to figure out a way to balance things to the point where she felt safe and protected, yet still comfortable enough to go out of the house on her own, if she wanted.

  Maybe I could surprise her with something to take her mind off of what happened. She could have used something good. The wheels were turning. A plan formed in my head. It was a good one too, at least I thought so. All I had to do was put it into motion. I hoped she loved it.

  I started working out the logistics in my head, planning every tiny detail, as I felt myself drift off to sleep. I really hoped I remembered it when I woke up. Mental note, on top of everything else, leave some paper and a pen in my nightstand drawer. Just in case.

  4

  A week had gone by, and she was still a little upset about what had happened, and rightfully so. She tried not to show it, but I knew her too well. Kasi liked to be tough and this was no different.

  The media caught wind of the break-in and were making a big deal out of it. “Stalker attacks Kasi Markson, but she fights back!” “Kasi Markson fends off would be assailant with the help of attack dogs.” The police had to assure our little community that the man was apprehended and was not a risk to the public. Apparently they were being flooded with calls worrying if they would be attacked as well.

  One afternoon, we were sitting in front of the television watching a movie, when someone buzzed the front gate. I told her to stay put and I would go check it out. I knew who it was. I invited them over.

  I looked at the monitor, and sure enough, it was them. Damn, they were being hounded by the paparazzi at the gate. Wonderful. Luckily, they could handle it. This wasn’t their first rodeo.

  “Who’s at the gate?” she called from the living room.

  “Mail truck. Must have a delivery.” I knew she was going to ask.

  “Did you order something?”

  “Yeah, the other day.” Hey, I could have. She didn’t say anything else, trusting me to tell her the truth.

  I waited a few minutes, then opened the front door, placed my finger over my lips to tell them to be quiet, and let them inside. Pointing to the living room, I took their bags and put them at the base of the stairs. Then I sat back and watched.

  The grand entryway in Kasi’s house flowed to the kitchen and through there to a living room. She sat on the end of the couch with her back to the kitchen, absorbed in the movie on the large screen television. I specifically had her sit there, but played it off like I wanted to rub her legs. Which I happily did, by the way. It also put her in the right spot to not see our guests come up behind her. I didn’t want them to scare her, just surprise her. They stopped a foot from the couch.

  He squared his shoulders and spoke in a disapproving tone. “What kind of shit are you watching?”

  Kasi swung her head around and saw h
er dad standing behind her. Kaleb Markson was a tall, intimidating man. He looked the same as the last time I had seen him, except maybe a little thinner. His blond hair was cut short and he was in good shape. He was not a small man. Not that I noticed other men’s shapes, but you get the point.

  “Dad! Karen! What are you doing here?” Kasi beamed as she ran around the couch to give them both a hug. Kaleb caught her and held her tight.

  “Your boyfriend invited us out to surprise you, and I thought it was a great idea. We haven’t been here in a while.” Kaleb paused and looked down, taking in her face. “You look good, kid.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” She hugged him again, leaning against his chest, but her eyes were on me. She mouthed, “Thank you.” I nodded in response. All I wanted was for her to be happy, especially after I knew she wasn’t completely back to her old self yet.

  Pulling her dad and Karen, his wife, to the couch, she sat in an adjacent chair and they caught up on everything. Phone calls were traded every couple of weeks between father and daughter, or an email here or there, but nothing compared to having the people you loved right in front of you. I knew she still worried about her dad. She found out he’d had a cancer scare when we first met. He decided not to tell her until he had a clean bill of health. Now she worried he was keeping more from her and always checked to make sure he was doing well. She worried as he did.

  I decided to give them some space and brought their bags up to one of the spare bedrooms. As I was walking to our bedroom, I heard Kasi’s soft steps coming up the stairs. I had planned on relaxing in the bedroom to give them time alone. They had a lot to catch up on. I knew her dad was really worried about her after everything that happened.

  She leaned a hip against the wall and crossed her arms. “Why did you disappear?”

  I pointed a thumb over my shoulder. “Just putting their bags away in the spare room.”

  “Well, come back down with me.” She extended her hand and I took it in mine. Any contact with her was better than none. If I had it my way, I’d be touching her in some way or another twenty-four seven.

  “It’s fine, baby. You go enjoy time with your family. I’ll be up here if you need me.”

  She pushed off the wall and pressed herself against me. Her eyes peered up into mine. “You’re my family, too.” I didn’t know why that sentence affected me as it did, but my chest tightened and my breathing faltered. To think that she considered me part of her family meant a lot. We only started living together recently. It also made me miss my mom. She was taken from the world far too soon. I wish she could have been around to meet Kasi. I knew she would have loved her.

  My mom had the most caring soul. She helped people whenever she could. Whether it was volunteering at the food bank or delivering meals on the side. She put everyone first. Always.

  Nodding, unable to speak from the emotion clogging my throat, I leaned down to feather a kiss across Kasi’s lips. We went back downstairs and walked through the kitchen. Kaleb and Karen were on the couch sharing a kiss.

  “Now, now,” Kasi clucked. “None of that under my roof. You should know better.”

  Karen blushed and her dad muttered, “Funny.”

  Kasi shrugged. “I thought so.”

  It was weird for me to sit down with her dad in a house we now shared. He knew we lived together. He had to know we were sleeping together. Ugh. I could only imagine what he truly thought of this.

  I also hoped he didn’t think I was there mooching off of her. Kasi and I talked and she knew my financial situation. She put up a hell of a fight and didn’t want me paying for anything, but I explained that I wasn’t looking for a sugar mama. Although, I’d be happy to let her pamper me with sex every now and then. Yes, my mind always went there. Don’t act surprised.

  I had a feeling she was going to forget to give me half of the bills to pay. That was something she’d do. My love was an alpha through and through. Too bad she met her match in me. I’d find a way around it. Like insisting on buying everything we needed and buying anything she wanted. Eventually she’d hand over the bills or at least take a check from me monthly. There was no way I was going to let her support me. That’s not why I wanted to live with her. Hell no.

  Tonight, I was taking them all out for dinner. I made a reservation at a nice restaurant twenty minutes away. Thanks to the place’s website, I found out they had a chef’s table in a private dining room, which was perfect for people being annoyed to no end by the media. Little did Kasi and Kaleb know, I gave my credit card over the phone and asked that they bring me the final receipt after it was paid for. No one would be able to pay, but me. It was the least I could do.

  In truth, I really liked Kasi’s dad. He only wanted what was best for his daughter. We had a long talk on the phone one day, while she was out with Ace. Kaleb called the house phone and I answered. The discussion went from the fact that I was now living with Kasi, which he knew, but had to throw in the, “If you hurt my daughter, I own a shotgun, a shovel, and have the means to hide the body” type of threat.

  We also discussed how Kasi was dealing with the psycho after her. I told him the security had been upgraded, and we had a new dog that would hopefully grow into a great protector. He asked me my reasoning for wanting to live with her. I stressed that it was because of my love for her and need to protect her. I told him I couldn’t stand spending a night apart from her, and even living separately, I spent a lot of time at her house. He was concerned about me being after her money, rightfully so, which I predicted he would be. I told him I’d email over a screenshot of my bank statement. His response was immediate that it wasn’t needed and he trusted me, but that I better never give him a reason to question that trust. Would I have actually sent him the screenshot? Hell yes, if it meant he knew just how serious I was about his daughter and not her money.

  We took the Jeep to dinner. No way would Kasi have let me get a car service, even if I wanted this to be a special night out. I couldn’t see the four of us packing into one of her sports cars or my pickup. I drove, Kaleb rode shotgun, and Kasi and Karen sat in the back to catch up. Girl talk and all of that.

  At the bottom of the driveway, Kaleb asked me to stop outside the gates. With the Jeep in park, he rolled down the window to address the two paparazzi that were waiting. Before he could even get a word out, the cameras were on recording him and questions were being thrown his way.

  “Mr. Markson, any special reason you’re in Pennsylvania?” one photog asked.

  “Was it because you feared for your daughter’s safety?” another called out, barely letting the first finish asking his question.

  “I’ll answer one question from each of you. Are those your questions?”

  One nodded and asked again, “Is the reason you’re in Pennsylvania, because you were worried about Kasi’s safety?”

  “No, I fully trust Mr. Cole and our police force to help keep my daughter safe. Also, if you haven’t noticed, she’s got a very large dog that proved effective in guarding her and she has a gun. My daughter is quite capable of taking care of herself.” I knew Kaleb talking to the paparazzi had a two-fold meaning. One, maybe they would leave, since they finally got to speak to one of us. Kasi and I refused to talk to them anytime we left or came home. Two, it would tell any other crazy people out there, looking to break in, that she was well protected and armed.

  Then the other one asked, “How do you feel about Kasi and Radek splitting up and getting back together again?”

  Kaleb didn’t know the reason we broke up. He respected his daughter, and his main concern was for her well-being. Kasi kept it vague, only saying there was a misunderstanding between us. If she did decide to tell him why, she’d open up a whole can of shit that she wasn’t ready to divulge to her father. I doubted he was fine with that explanation, but he left it alone.

  “My daughter is old enough to handle her own affairs. She knows that if there’s anything she needs, I’m only a phone call or a plane ride away. Fathers want the
ir children happy, healthy, and safe. Radek makes her happy and I trust him with her life. Now, who’s going to protect Radek from her? I don’t know,” he chuckled

  They both thanked him for his time and surprisingly didn’t try to ask any follow-up questions. I thought maybe they were happy to finally have someone willing to stop and talk to them. Kaleb was no small fish to get a camera in front of.

  It wasn’t long before we were pulling up to the inn; the restaurant was located inside. I knew I made a good choice when Kasi remarked how pretty it was from the outside and so did Karen. Even Kaleb gave me a smile. Kasi, I knew very well, and she was happy eating anywhere, but I felt the need to impress her father, now more than ever.

  We parked the Jeep and stepped out onto red brick pavers, which made up the driveway and steps. The sun had started to set and small solar lights lined our path to the navy front door. The building was longer than it was tall, as if it was once a regular home that was converted into the inn that now stood. The two-story Colonial inn was all white with matching navy shutters on either side of the windows. There was a long porch with white pillars and beautiful arches in between each one. Wrought iron benches were spaced evenly on the porch and soft recessed lighting illuminated the white wooden porch.

  Walking inside, we entered into a large foyer with a curved staircase up to the second floor. At the base of the stairs was a large, cherrywood desk, where a woman sat behind it. She wore her dark hair up in a bun and a white blouse buttoned to the top. She stood when we approached, and gave a warm smile. Her black skirt hugged her hips, accentuating her willowy frame. She was attractive, but not my type. Too prim and proper for me. She asked if we were dining or would be spending the night. I told her dining, and she led us to a large wooden door off to our right, directing us to a podium and another hostess. After giving her my name, we were escorted to our right, through another door. I half wondered if I’d be able to find my way back out of this place at the end of the night.