“Really now?” I closed the door behind me. “How naughty?”
Katherine climbed up on top of the bed and crooked her finger, inviting me to join her. “Very naughty.”
“Forget what I said about redecorating.”
My arm hung off the edge of the bed, my fingers just barely touching the carpet. I looked down at the familiar pattern. The blood red background and the combination of gold and black threads were woven into intricate designs.
I closed my eyes and licked my lips to moisten them. I felt Katherine leave the bed, our bed. I rolled over and watched her walk to the bathroom through the sheer red chiffon drapes that covered the canopy and hung between the ornately carved posts.
She returned a few seconds later.
“Here’s your water, sire.” Katherine separated the curtains and quietly crawled back onto the bed.
“I can’t move.” I was bone tired. Completely sated. We’d made love as if it were the last time we’d ever make love and I had the distinct feeling that Katherine was hydrating me in hopes of one more round.
“Did I break you?”
“How can you not be tired?”
“I guess I just got my second wind!” She lifted the water glass to her lips and took in several large gulps. Then she leaned over me and placed the glass on the nightstand, the tips of her breasts grazing my back.
“You should drink some water.” She paused for a second before leaning down and kissing the back of my neck. “It’s good for you.”
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” she said between kisses. Then she climbed on top of me, draping her body over mine. “Don’t mind me.”
“Doesn’t feel like nothing.” I lifted my hips up slightly off the bed in automatic response to the wet heat I felt rubbing up against my lower back.
“Why do real guys have to have refractory periods? In the romance novels they never have refractory periods.”
“Women shouldn’t read romance novels.”
“Why not?”
“It spoils them for real sex. Gives women all sorts of unrealistic expectations.”
“It does not! Romance novels are, well, romantic. They’re inspirational.” Katherine leaned down and nibbled on my ear.
“By inspirational do you mean sexually stimulating?”
“Uh-huh,” she whispered in my ear as she continued to rub herself against my body. “So, how long is yours?”
“My dick? You may find this hard to believe, but I’ve never actually measured it.”
“No!” laughed Katherine. She climbed off of me and stretched out, laying her head on the pillow next to mine. “Not your penis, silly, your refractory period.”
I slid my hand across the bed, reached between her thighs and separated her folds. “Aren’t you a greedy little girl?”
She arched her back and lifted her hips seeking out more friction. “When it comes to you, yes.”
I rolled onto my side, propped myself up on one elbow and continued to give her what she wanted. I circled her clit with my thumb, then I dipped two fingers inside of her pussy. She was sopping wet, ready for me again, wanting me still.
“I wish we could do this all day,” I whispered moving in and out, slowly, deliberatively, as I watched her climb. “Unfortunately, I’m gonna have to leave soon. Care to shower with me?”
“Don’t stop,” she gasped. “Please don’t stop.”
“You’re so close, so beautiful.”
“Wes, I—Oh, yes!” Katherine was stunning, completely unguarded, her passion for me raw and real. The orgasm washed over her. Watching it rocked me to the core.
I waited a moment while she came down then I kissed her softly on the mouth. “Was that yes in answer to my shower question?”
“Question? Were you talking?”
I playfully jabbed her in the side. “You’re supposed to hang on my every word!”
“You can’t expect me to track a conversation when you’re doing that!”
I poked her again for good measure.
“Stop it! I have to pee!”
“You’re just saying that.” I caught her wrists in my hands, pinned them over her head and straddled her waist.
Katherine looked at me steadily, raising one eyebrow.
“Oh, all right! Spoil my fun!” I shifted to move off of her.
The instant I did, she pounced, knocking me over. We both slid off the bed and onto the floor. Katherine landed on top of me but she didn’t maintain her position for long.
I quickly rolled over. “You little minx!”
She laughed. “Minx? Oh my God, did you really call me a minx?”
I couldn’t help myself, I laughed too. “I must be delirious.”
I felt light-headed, almost dizzy. We laid there, limbs tangled until the moment passed. Then I looked down into Katherine’s eyes. “I love you.”
I leaned over and softly kissed her on the mouth.
“I love you, too.”
“I can’t wait until Saturday.”
“What’s happening on Saturday?”
The sunlight that poured in through the slats in the window formed streaks across the floor. Katherine’s hair was fanned out so that the tips dipped into the light, giving the illusion of a halo behind her, surrounding her. I sat back up and looked steadily into her deep green eyes. “Katherine Lawson, this Saturday I’m going to marry you.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Charles, I’m on my way home.”
“How close are you?”
“About a mile away? Sorry, I should have called sooner.”
“It’s not a problem. I’ve roasted a pork tenderloin for dinner.”
“Is Katherine handy?”
“She just knocked off for the day. She’s been working like a fiend.”
“Working? On what?”
“I’ve been sworn to secrecy. She’s changing now, I think. She said something about taking a swim.”
“Charles, I want to ask you something.”
“What is it, sir?”
“It’s just me, Charles, Wes. Okay?”
There was a long pause. “Okay.”
“I want you to be my best man.”
For a minute I thought that I lost him.
“You there?”
“I’m here.”
“We’ve always been best mates, Charles. I’m not exactly sure how things got so sideways between us. I want things to be the way they were.”
“Are you firing me?”
“No. What I’m saying is that I miss having you as a friend.”
“You’re asking me to be your best man?”
“Who else would I ask?”
“Eric?”
I sighed. “Does this mean you’re saying no?”
“No. I mean, I’d be delighted, Wes.”
The car came to a stop and I stepped out and headed for the door.
Charles greeted me with a silver tray in his hand containing two crystal tumblers. They were both filled with scotch. He handed me one, then raised the other.
“To you and Katherine.”
We both drained our glasses. Before I could set mine down, Charles slapped me on the back. “You’re getting married!”
“And I’m going to be a father,” I added.
He pulled on his earlobe, a sure sign that he had something to say.
“Spit it out.”
“It’s just so fast.”
“It’s just so right,” I countered. “Let’s tell Katherine. Where is she?”
“In the pool. I’m supposed to tell you that the conservatory is off limits. We’ll need to go another route.”
“Why is the conservatory off limits?”
The pool house jutted out from the main house. On three sides it was lined with sliding French doors so that in the summer it could be almost completely open. The roof was made of sliding panels that were easily retracted. It was connected to the house by a large bathroom and changing area that you could reach
from either the conservatory, my father’s studio, or a hallway that ran the length of the house. We took the hallway.
I knocked before entering the changing area. It was empty. The door leading to the pool had been left slightly ajar and we proceeded toward it, following the sensual sounds of jazz that could be heard playing inside.
The air inside the room was warm and humid. Condensation covered the tall glass windows. The lights were dim. The pool itself, softly lit from below.
Katherine was standing on the springboard. She made a confident three-step approach. Unaware of her audience, on the third step, she swung her arms forward and up over her head, lifting her right knee, leaping up from the board, and pushing off with her left leg. She sprang into the air, completely nude.
For a moment I was mesmerized. The reflection of the water below and lighting from above gave her already-glowing skin an even more profound luminescence. She looked absolutely glorious. I watched, rooted in place.
She entered the water hands first and her body followed in one smooth straight line, her toned legs extending out behind her. As the tips of her toes disappeared under the water I heard Charles whisper, “Good Lord.”
I turned to find him facing the wall. “Sorry, Wes.”
I watched Katherine glide through the crystal clear water. As her head broke through the surface I called to her. “Hello, cutie.”
“Wes!” She quickly crossed her arms over her bare breasts.
“Charles and I have news!”
“I apologize,” said Charles. “I didn’t realize.”
I approached the edge of the pool. “He didn’t see a thing. Just a blur before you plunged into the water. I, on the other hand, have already seen your goodies. Come on out, love.”
I picked up the robe that she’d left on one of the chairs and met her at the stairs
Her eyes narrowed. “What’s the news?” Katherine climbed up the stairs and stepped out of the pool, water sheeting off her body.
“I’m going to be the breast man. I mean best man.”
Katherine turned bright red. “Best man?”
I helped her into her robe, then leaned down to kiss her. “Yeah! I missed you today.”
“Missed you too,” she murmured as her lips met mine in a soft kiss.
“You can turn around, Charles.”
“Dinner will be ready in an hour. Shall I serve in the dining room?” he asked.
Katherine placed her hand at the base of her lower back and winced.
“Is your back bothering you?” I asked her.
She shrugged. “Too much sitting today. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.”
“But I am worried. I can’t help it.”
Katherine frowned. “It’s just a little back pain. Stop fussing.” She picked up a towel and began to dry her hair.
I shoved my hands into the pockets of my slacks and resisted the urge to press the issue. The look of concern must have been plainly evident.
“Are you going to be like this through my entire pregnancy?”
“Probably.”
“I’m going to go get dressed.” Katherine walked away, eyes downcast. Something wasn’t right.
“I thought she’d be more enthusiastic,” I said to Charles as soon as we were alone. “Maybe she’s just tired?”
“You’d talked about it, right?”
“What?”
“Having a best man and maid of honor?”
“No. I just figured…bollocks!”
“Katherine doesn’t really know anyone here, Wes. Her friends and family are all back in the States.”
“There’s her mum.” I suggested weakly.
Charles shook his head. “She’s going back tomorrow. I didn’t catch the details, but when I saw Mrs. Lawson to the door, I got the distinct impression that she thought she’d be seeing me in San Diego in a few weeks.”
“In San Diego?”
We started to make our way toward the front of the house.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why are you moving so fast, Wes? Is it because you’re hoping to tie this up all neat and tidy for the child’s sake?”
Charles turned into the kitchen and I followed.
“That’s part of it. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t.”
He opened the oven door to check on the roast. “This isn’t the Dark Ages, Wesley.”
“I know. There are other considerations.”
“What other considerations?”
I opened one of the cupboards, pulled out a bottle of scotch and poured myself another glass.
“It’s complicated.”
“That’s what friends are for, Wes, to help you figure out the things that are complicated.”
He started to pull dishes from one of the cabinets.
“I wasn’t meant to survive that crash, Charles.”
He turned to face me, a pained look on his face. “You think something’s going to happen to you.”
I nodded. “I want to make sure they’re taken care of, both Katherine and the baby. I really want your support. You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a brother. And, with my folks gone, you’re really my only family.”
The expression on his face softened. Charles extended his hand and when I accepted it he tugged me into his awkward version of a hug.
“You have my support,” he said quietly. “You’ve always had my support.”
He released me and picked up the stack of dishes. “You better go check on your future bride. I’ll ring you upstairs when dinner’s ready,” he said before pushing through the door to the dining room.
I left the kitchen, went down the hall, then raced up the stairs. I took them two at a time and headed straight for the master bedroom. The shower was still running, but the door to the bathroom was closed so I knocked on it before opening it a crack.
“Can I come in?”
“It’s your house.”
Ouch. This wasn’t going to be easy.
“Am I going to have to sleep with Spike tonight?”
Katherine turned off the shower and stepped out. I set my drink down and grabbed one of the fluffy, white towels from the towel warmer.
“Why would you think that?”
“’Cause I think I screwed up?”
“I’ll deal.”
“I don’t want you to have to deal. I want to apologize. I made an assumption and I shouldn’t have. Despite the rift that I’d stupidly let form between Charles and me, he’s my oldest and dearest friend. He’s like family.”
“I understand. Really, I do. I don’t know why I’m upset. Maybe it’s because I’m feeling guilty. I lied to my mother, Wes. I never lie to my mother. It was the only way I could think of at the time to get her to go back to the States.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That we wanted to fly out and get married as soon as Mr. Riley cleared me. She should be boarding a plane any minute. She probably has half the wedding planned already. It’s going to break her heart when I tell her we’re already married.”
Suddenly I was studying my shoes. I had a suspicion. Why was I hedging? Why was I beating around the bush?
“This wasn’t the way you imagined it, is it? Getting married.”
“I love you, Wes.”
“I love you, too.” I reached for Katherine’s hand, then led her into the bedroom and over to the chaise. I sat in silence for a moment, trying to find the words to express something that even I didn’t fully understand.
“Are you feeling ashamed?”
Her question caught me completely off guard. “Ashamed? Of what?”
“Because I’m pregnant, with another man’s child no less.”
“No!”
“Is that why you’re rushing this?”
“I think what I’m feeling is protective. I’m afraid, Katherine. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You’re not going to lose me.”
“I wa
nt to believe that.”
“Something happened. There’s something you aren’t telling me.”
She was right. It wasn’t so much that I planned on keeping it from her. It was more that I’d hoped to save the discussion till later.
I leaned back on the chaise and released a ragged breath. “It’s Damien.”
“Oh, God.” She covered her mouth. “Is he…?”
“No, he’s not dead. At least I don’t think so. He extubated himself last night and escaped from the hospital. Katherine, I think he’s the one who started the fire.”
“It could have been an accident. You said yourself, it was an old building.”
I stood up, nervously ran my hand through my hair, and came clean. “I was interviewed by the fire brigade today. And someone from the police as well. The fire was started deliberately. They asked about any threats, anyone I thought might want to harm either one of us. I told them about Damien, about what’s been happening.”
“You told them everything?”
I shook my head. “I told them about the not-so-crazy-sounding stuff. That you broke it off with him and he’s had difficulty accepting it. That he came to the house and hit you, then showed up drunk, then appeared to be downright delirious, possibly hallucinating before he was hospitalized.”
“But there’s more to the story, Wes. There’s a lot more.”
“They wouldn’t believe me if I told them. And, honestly, I’m not sure it’s relevant. I’m not sure it’s important.”
“I can’t believe Damien would hurt me, hurt the baby.”
“The police are looking for him. He hurt some people at the hospital. Something’s gotten to him. I think it’s making him do things.”
“How?”
“By twisting his reality. Making him believe things, influencing him.”
“You really think he set the fire?”
“I do.”
“Now I’m afraid.”
I shook my head and swallowed. “That’s not even the scary part.”
Katherine stood up and came to me. “What’s the scary part?”
“If this thing can influence Damien, it could do the same to us. It could turn us against one another.”
“We’ll figure it out.” She said it with such confidence, such certainty.
“Oh, really? And just how do you know that?”
The Sacrifice: Forbidden, Book 1 Page 18