Kate felt Richard’s arm tighten when her father’s voice started to rise.
“Then you disappeared. Once the baby was born, the staff refused to talk with us. They said you were emancipated, or some such nonsense and we were no longer responsible for you. I know we had no right to interfere in your life. We traced you to Nevada, but lost track after that. It wasn’t until Phyllis tossed a newspaper in my face and asked if the article was talking about you that I learned you were back in California.”
She remembered Phyllis, her father’s secretary, a crotchety old woman who had no qualms about telling her father what to do. Kate would have liked to have seen Phyllis lay into her dad. No doubt she did when a reporter could locate her when he could not.
“I’m sorry I disappointed you, Katie.”
His apology took her back to the little girl who once crawled up on to the big lap of her father and snuggled.
“Your mother and I want you back in our lives.”
Kate hated the tears that sprung to her eyes. She didn’t know how to feel. Part of her wanted to rush into his arms and make the years apart disappear. But the other part, the lonely part that needed a family during the difficult years wasn’t sure if the man sitting in front of her deserved her forgiveness.
“I don’t know,” she murmured.
Around the corner Joey’s voice called her out. “Mommy? Moooommy!”
“In here.”
Kate wiped away a fallen tear and watched her father when her son ran into the room.
Jack went perfectly still. He watched every move his grandson made before piling into her lap.
“Are we leaving?”
“In a few minutes.”
“Hey, are you crying? What’s wrong?”
She smiled, shook her head, and said, “No, something got in my eye.”
Good with that, Joey bounced up and regarded the stranger in the room. “Who are you?”
Jack glanced up at her, unsure of how to answer.
“This is Mr. Davis, Joey.” She wasn’t ready to introduce her son to a long lost grandfather. Perhaps the time for that would come, but not today.
Joey walked up and extended his hand to her dad. New tears swelled when she saw her father’s eyes gloss over.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Davis. My name is Joey.”
Jack took his hand and covered it with the second. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hey, my last name is Davis, too. Isn’t that strange?”
Jack nodded and sent him a brief smile. “Strange.”
Joey stood back and looked him up and down. He then turned to her and Richard. “So, are we going?”
“Why don’t you finish packing?” Richard stood. “And we’ll say goodbye to Mr. Davis.”
“Okay.” Joey ran to the stairs.
“Walk young man.” Kate yelled out.
Joey slid to a halt, smiled, and moved as if he were a cat stalking a mouse.
Jack chuckled. “Looks like you have your hands full.”
“Joey’s a great kid,” she told him as she stood.
“It seems you’re doing a fine job with him.”
It was the closest thing to a compliment as any from her father.
They walked Jack to the door. Kate held Richard’s hand with a vice grip.
“Can I visit you again? Elizabeth would love to meet Joey.”
“I don’t know,” she said honestly. She didn’t know anything right now. Having her father pop back into her life wasn’t expected. She needed time to think, to absorb his presence. Jack pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “I know the number.” Richard took the card from his hand and tucked it in his shirt pocket. “She’ll call when she’s ready,
Mr. Davis.” Both men sized each other up. “I understand the man who shot you is still a threat,” Jack said. “It’s one of the reasons why I’m staying here.”Jack stared at Richard and said, “Keep her safe. If there is anything I can do, let me know.”
“Nothing will happen to your daughter or grandson,” Richard spoke with absolute conviction.
With that, Jack turned and left.
Chapter Eleven
Kate walked back through the two-story, beachfront home after tucking Joey into bed. His poor little six-year-old eyes simply couldn’t stay open for a minute longer. He even forgot the ritualistic bedtime story in the rush to fall asleep.
The morning marine layer had burned off long before they made it to Richard’s house. The sun poured over the beach with a mild intensity, heating the air to a nice comfortable 79 degrees.
Richard now sat on the back balcony overlooking the vast ocean vista. Beautiful hues of orange and red streaked the sky with the setting sun, the sliding screen door ground along the track bringing her presence to his attention. His thoughtful expression swiftly morphed into an endearing smile. Kate felt her insides warm. How did he do that? With only a glance, her body turned into a big pile of goo.
In reality, she knew why he had that affect on her.
She was falling in love.
Every day by his side ate away at her independence. Oh, she knew she could make it on her own, but did she want to anymore?
“I took the liberty of pouring you a glass.”Richard held up a stemmed glass of white wine. “After today, I thought you could use it.”
He referred to the visit from her father. They hadn’t spoken of it…until now.
Kate took the glass from his hands and brought it to her lips. Sweet liquid trickled down her throat.
Richard patted the space next to him into which she quickly settled. She felt his lips touch the top of her head and his arm circle her shoulders.
“Feeling better?”
“Am I so obvious?”
Richard gave the swinging love seat a little push and set them into motion. “Seeing your father after all you’ve been through is bound to leave an impact.”
“I don’t know if I can trust him again, although he did sound so sincere.”
“If it makes a difference, I think he was. He appeared rather lost when he saw you. When Joey came in, it seemed he would burst into tears. Men don’t normally do that.”
No, she knew they didn’t. She couldn’t ever remember a time her father cried. Today was the closest he’d even come to it.
“After all these years on my own, it’s difficult to think of them back in my life, in Joey’s.” She took another sip and continued, “I’ve been the only person in Joey’s life.” After her brush with violence, her thoughts often wavered to what would happen to her son if something happened to her. Maybe the time had come for forgiveness. For healing.
“You don’t have to be alone anymore.”
For a brief moment, Kate wondered if Richard referred to himself. She vanquished the thought as soon as it emerged. He spoke of her parents, not him.
“This is beautiful.” She changed the subject.
“More so, because you are here.”
“Careful, Richard, I’ll start thinking you want me here.”
He chuckled and asked, “What was the other reason?”
Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“The other reason. Today, with your dad, you told him that one of the reasons why you were staying at my brother’s was because of the threat. What was the other reason?”
He caught that did he? Kate set her glass down and turned her gaze to him. His laughing eyes sobered at the intensity of her stare.
She spread her hand on his chest and worked her way down his torso.
His eyes turned smoky right before she caught his lips to hers. His arm circled her waist drawing her closer. On a deep sigh, he opened his mouth and plunged.
Before he had a chance to deepen their kiss, Kate drew back. “Does that answer your question?”
“You want me for my body?” he teased.
Kate moved her hands over the bulge between his legs. “There is that.”
Richard pulled back and le
t her hands take charge. He folded his own hands behind his head while a wicked smile crested his face. “What else?”
Delicate fingers went from tracing the outline of his erection to his vast chest. When she moved to his muscular arms, she gave his biceps a little squeeze.
“For the muscle?” he asked.
“Your ability to protect,” she corrected.
“What else?”
He was enjoying their little game. The question was how far should she go? Was it only a game to him? Would he push her away when he finished playing?
Her hands traveled over his neck, fingers wound in his thick, dark hair.
“My mind? You want me for my mind?”
“Intellectual men are quite a turn on.”
“Hmmm…”
Kate dropped her hands to his shoulders and rested them there for a brief moment. On its own, her hand descended over his chest and rested above his thumping heart.
His eyes caught hers and locked.
Neither of them said a word.
Richard’s smirk slid into something much deeper. More powerful.
Kate’s heart pounded so hard she thought she heard it.
Richard covered her hand with his before crushing his lips to hers.
While his tongue swirled the inside of her mouth and his hands roamed her back, Kate wondered at his thoughts. What would he say if he knew he was wiggling his way into her heart? That she wanted a piece of his.
A full palm cupped her aching breast and squeezed.
She moaned into his lips. Her head fell back. He attacked her exposed neck and continued to travel south.
“We should move this upstairs.”
Breathless she moaned, “Your bedroom would be more...oh, God.” He found the spot behind her ear. His breath came in a panting gasp while he worked the sensitive spot that drove her wild with passion.“...private.”
“Come on.” Richard stood and grabbed both glasses of wine.
Once inside the house, he gave her the wine and closed the sliding door. After locking it, he went through a series of steps of setting the house alarm.
“What are you doing?’
“I’m setting the motion detectors on chime and alarms on all doors and windows except one.”
“Which one?”
He finished with the electronics and removed the glasses from her hands. “Let me show you.”
Kate walked behind him up the stairs to the second floor. Passing Joey’s room and Richard’s, she followed along to a second staircase she’d not noticed when he’d showed her through the house earlier.
The dimly lit narrow staircase had an extremely steep passageway. A small door with a tiny pane of glass sat at the end.
“Where are we going, the roof?”
“You’ll see.” Richard smiled over his shoulder.
It was the roof. Instead of asphalt shingles and stucco, a beautiful oasis awaited them. Richard had a virtual garden on his roof, complete with every potted plant imaginable and several trees granting privacy from lurking neighbors. In the middle of the mirage sat a large hot tub that could seat eight people without effort. Across from the tub sat a flat screen television covered by large black canvas. Over the entire rooftop, a covered balcony kept the direct sun from damaging all the plant life and property.
“It’s amazing.”
Richard went through a few motions of uncovering the television and turning it on.
Surprised, Kate asked, “We’re going to watch TV?”
“Do you want to watch TV?”
“Ah, well…I thought…” I thought we were going to make love she wanted to scream. Her body still hummed from the interlude downstairs.
Richard flipped on a separate box and his large flat screen held a grid of images, all of which showed different angles of the house.
They could see the welcome mat and porch light of the front door. The back door illuminated only by the setting sun. Both hallways in the house were visible as well as Joey’s bedroom door. Then the garage and the door they just came through flickered on the set.
“It isn’t as elaborate as Max’s, but my home is much smaller and easier to watch.”
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“One can never be too careful.”
It seemed a little overboard, but considering she was the one under fire, Kate was happy for the effort.
Richard reached over and turned on the Jacuzzi. Steam and bubbles erupted from the tub. The scent of chlorine grew evident in the air.
“Should I get my suit?” she quizzed.
With a tilt of the head he asked, “Do you think you’ll need it?”
His question sent a tingle straight to her sex and a smile to her face. Looking around the rooftop, Kate noticed the absolute privacy Richard had created. With the sun only a memory on the horizon and the glow of light from the TV set and hot tub she realized no one could see them.
They could make love outside and no one would know.
Thinking about it gave her a thrill.
After taking a sip of wine and setting the glass on the table, Kate reached around her waist and pulled her top from her chest.
“That’s my girl.”
Kate smiled and kicked off her sandals. Within seconds, she stood in only a bra and panties.
“Two can play at this game,” she told Richard who was inclined to watch with a heated stare instead of joining her.
“Oh, I don’t know…I’m thinking of pulling up a chair and kicking back.”
The heat that would normally flood her cheeks, instead heated her insides.
He wants a show? Well who am I to argue?
Turning so Richard had a view of her backside, Kate reached behind her and undid the clasp on her bra. Slowly she slipped her arms from the restraints, before tossing the undergarment at the happy voyeur.
He groaned but made good on his threat and satin the nearest chair.
With a chuckle, and more self-confidence than she knew she possessed, she walked over to the steps of the hot tub and placed one slender foot on the first step. Testing the water with a finger, she brought her hand back up and let the liquid drop onto her breast.
He still only watched.
Wanting him to do more than stare, Kate traced the edge of the silk panties with her thumbs before bending at the waist and methodically removing them. With a flick of the wrist, the panties followed her bra and ended up in Richard’s lap.
Climbing the steps fully naked, Kate heard his breath pull in. It sounded painful. She picked up one leg and stepped in, pausing briefly so he had the perfect view of the curls between her legs.
The soothing water settled at the level of her nipples when she leaned back and spread her arms along the back of the tub.
“Aren’t you coming?”
He lifted a brow at her pun. Within ten seconds, he stood by the tub naked and erect. Her gaze stayed on his sex. No matter how often she saw him, she was always impressed.
In the Jacuzzi, he covered her body with his and captured her lips. She moaned. Lips and teeth found her buoyant breast. He feasted on them as if they were a meal. Each sensation heightened by the warmth of the water and feel of the jets pulsing between her legs. A small tug and her body’s awareness skyrocketed. His hands traced her side before slipping between her legs. On impulse, she reached for him and stroked his length. His fingers plunged and circled causing desperation within seconds.
She wanted this to last, wanted his pleasure to soar to new heights. When he moved closer, Kate placed both hands on his chest and pushed him away. He moved his hands to her hips and questioned her with his eyes.
“Not yet.” Guiding him back to a circulating jets, he took over.
She removed his hands from her hips and placed each one to the sides of the tub.
“Keep them there.”
“Why?”
She traced her lips with her tongue. “You’ll see.”
Leaning back on her heels, she ran the length
of his body with her fingers. Hands circled his tight butt and lifted. Balancing his hips on her knees with little effort because of the weightlessness of the water, she had his penis protruding from the steam.
Her hands quickly covered him and began to move. His head leaned back but his eyes never left hers. She moved her head forward until she felt his heat against her cheek. Her tongue stroked his length, all the while their eyes locked. His breath held. Lips wrapped around his smooth tip. Once she buried it in her mouth, his breath escaped in one harsh roar. His head fell back, unable to hold itself up with the pleasure she knew she gave him.
His fingers clenched and his face grimaced as if he were in pain.
“Stop or I’ll lose it.”
Kate hummed and moved faster. Making it clear she had no intention of stopping until she was done.
Richard’s white knuckles clenched but he never moved his hands from the side of the hot tub.
His body tightened. She took him completely over and over until he pulsed into her in one hot and steady flow.
Her mouth went numb with his taste. As his body and his sex settled, she let him slip away. She licked her lips and savored his essence.
“Can I move my hands now?” he asked with a grin.
“Yes,” she whispered.
He moved in and pulled her close. “You are incredible. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.”
“You swallowed. I can’t tell you how sexy that is.” He nuzzled her neck. “No one has ever swallowed before.”
“Why is that such a turn on for men?”
He moved her to the steps on the inside of the tub. “It just is!”
Her bottom rested on the top step, her chest started to chill, and her nipples grew taut. After capturing one of her hands, he placed it on the side of the tub, as she had done.
“Two can play at this game.”
Oh please!
As if sensing her desire, he pushed her other hand to the edge. “Stay,” he commanded.
Richard kissed his way down her body. The stubble of his chin grazed her belly and had her knees falling apart in anticipation. Her frame floated to the surface giving him the access they both desired.
He grumbled a laugh. “Anxious are you?”
Moving lower, she felt his cool breath hovering above her.
Embracing the Wolf Page 10