Fueled by Lust: Cato (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Celeste Prater

  “Baby. Baby. What is it? It’s okay. I got you. Shhh. It’s okay.

  She pulled her head back to look at him and despite the tears blurring her vision, saw his sky-blue eyes tracking the parking lot for signs of danger. His jaw was clenched and working like he was chewing on gravel. She hadn’t realized he’d moved her over to a huge, black truck until he leaned over and opened the passenger door. He peeled her from his body and settled her on the soft bench seat. She felt him stroking her arms before he clasped her hands to his chest. He bent down and looked her directly in the eye. His voice was dangerous.

  “Tell me what’s wrong so I can fix this. What scared you?”

  Luna glanced to the vending machine and back to him. She couldn’t seem to calm enough for words to come out. She closed her eyes and willed herself to relax. After several deep breaths, she opened them and glanced back to the machine.

  “Bryan—at the diner. I don’t know if he saw me.”

  Cato shot up to his full height and a deep rumble poured from his throat as he glared in the direction she’d indicated. He glanced back to her and his eyes morphed from glittering evil to soft and comforting. He plucked her from the seat and she wrapped herself around him again. “Which is your room? Give me the key, baby.”

  Luna pointed then dug into her pocket and handed him the key card. With long, effortless strides, he was at her door and shoving himself inside. He set her down and grabbed the black duffle she’d swiped and threw it on the bed.

  “Hurry, get your things. If he knew where you worked, he’ll be here soon.” He pulled the dresser draws open and started stuffing her clothes into the duffel.

  Luna scrambled to the bathroom and started gathering as much as she could carry in her arms and threw it on the bed. She made two trips before she had it all. Quickly, she dug under the mattress and pulled her art supplies and journal out. Hesitating, she lifted the mattress again and retrieved his shirt. She handed them to him and blushed when he recognized the material dangling from his hand. She tried to ignore his grin and ran to the closet. She yanked everything off the hangers, wadded them in a ball, and shoved them into his arms. Dropping to the floor, she searched under the bed and pulled out a plastic sack filled with her precious figurines. She wrapped a few towels around it and carefully placed it inside the bag. She looked up to Cato.

  “My figurines. They’re very special to me.”

  He nodded and asked, “Is that everything, sweetness?”

  She glanced around the room one last time and nodded in agreement. Cato grabbed the handle of the duffle and pulled her close with his other arm. “Walk fast, baby.”

  Luna clung to his arm and tried to keep up with his long strides. He placed the duffel into the back of his truck and lifted her into the passenger seat. She struggled to put the seatbelt on as she watched him lope around to the driver’s side.

  Cato jumped in, reached over, and palmed the back of her neck. She gasped when he pulled her sideways and her shoulder pressed against the seat. Her head was almost in his lap. She looked up just as his face was bathed in bright light then quickly faded back to shadow.

  “Stay down,” he said ominously. “Does Bryan own a silver Lexus?”

  Luna whispered, “Yes,” and felt her stomach roll. She heard the growl of Cato’s truck when he turned the ignition and watched the stars moving across the windshield. Her breathing restarted when the motel sign came into sight and passed by the driver’s side window. She felt the truck sway to the left before the engine growled and picked up speed.

  “Can I get up now?” She felt strong fingers press lightly into her neck and stroke gently across her skin before he released her.

  “Yes, sweetness. We’re gone.”

  Luna lifted herself upright and turned to look at his profile. His eyes flicked several times between the rearview and side mirrors before he turned his head toward her. Her chest tightened at the look of hurt in his incredible blue eyes. Reaching out, he grasped her twisting fingers and squeezed lightly.

  “Why did you leave me, Luna?”

  Chapter 24

  Looking down at the broad hand covering her fingers, Luna tried to formulate a reasonable response for her actions without sounding like a petulant child. She opened her mouth several times but couldn’t seem to find the right words.

  “Look at me, sweetness.”

  Moving her gaze back up, she blinked a few times when he smiled at her. He was breathtaking.

  “I’m not mad, baby. You just scared the shit out of me, that’s all. You can tell me. How can I fix this?”

  Luna glanced out the back window. The further away they were from the motel, the stronger she felt. She leaned heavily against the seat. “I think you just did wonders at fixing it when you saved my ass back there. I can’t let him take me. I should’ve listened to you. It’s my fault.”

  Cato released her hand and white-knuckled the steering wheel. His jaw was doing the gravel chew again.

  “It’s not your fault. Never say that. He needs to leave you alone and I’m going to see to that, but I know you left because of something I said. What scared you so badly that you couldn’t talk to me about it?”

  Heaving out a sigh, Luna looked out the windshield so she wouldn’t have to see his look of disgust, or worse, pity. “It was my journal. I heard you tell your friend about it. It’s very personal and I was angry that you’d read it. Bryan found it once and he never let me hear the end of it. He said I was twisted and needed help.”

  “He’s an idiot. Yes. I found it, but I never opened it.”

  Luna shot him an incredulous look then frowned. “You never opened it?”

  “Never.”

  “Why not?”

  Cato glanced at her, his eyes serious and searching. “I had no right. You’d been violated enough. It would’ve been wrong.”

  “Then why did you say that I was insane and had a vivid imagination?”

  Cato’s brows drew together in confusion and he glanced to the road. “I never said you were insane.” Suddenly his eyes widened and he glanced over to her. “No, baby. That wasn’t directed at you. Kallon and I were talking about something else. I was referring to you when I mentioned a vivid imagination. I saw the first two pictures in your sketch pad. The pride lion and the mountain peak view. They’re absolutely beautiful. Only someone with an excellent imagination could have drawn them so realistically. I felt like I was there. It was amazing.”

  Luna felt warmth suffuse her chest when she read nothing except honesty within his eyes. She gaped at him. “What planet are you from?”

  * * * *

  Cato felt the blood drain out of his face. This wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have while traveling down the road at seventy miles an hour. He swallowed hard and croaked out, “What do you mean?”

  Luna shook her head and continued to stare at him. “I don’t know of many people that wouldn’t have at least taken a peek.” She leaned back against the seat and looked down at her hands. “You’re different, Cato. I’m not used to that. I’m sorry that I made those assumptions. After everything you’ve done for me, I should’ve trusted you. There’s no excuse for what I did, but I’ve been wired that way for the last year. It wasn’t until I saw you in the parking lot that I realized I didn’t care whether you saw it or not. I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my life.”

  The relief saturating his body almost had him pulling to the side of the road so he could grab her up and kiss the shit out of her. She hadn’t heard him talking to Kallon about Insedivertus or the secret he was fearful of revealing. He had more time to plan how he’d tell her. Cassie and the Filia were still on Insedivertus since the Trejani was required to remain while the emperor was traveling. He’d use that time to solidify her trust. He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard his name.

  “What? Sorry.”

  “I asked you how you found me.”

  Cato snorted. “The same way Bryan obviously did. You applied for a new license.
”

  Luna heaved out a sigh. “I’d hoped he’d stopped looking for me by now. I needed it for the job at the diner, so I didn’t have a choice.” She reached out and touched his arm. “I’m glad you were looking, too.”

  He smiled and pressed has palm over her hand before glancing back to the road.

  “Hey, Cato?”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “Do you think we’re far away enough to chance stopping and getting something to eat? I was denied the pleasure of two blueberry muffins I’d had my eyes on all night.”

  Cato laughed and patted her hand. “Of course. We can stop anywhere you want. Just name it.”

  * * * *

  Donk greeted Luna like she’d been gone for years. They hadn’t fully stepped through the door before he leapt into her arms and started purring.

  Cato snorted. “You see? He disowned me the moment he realized you were gone. I used to get greetings like that.”

  Luna smiled and snuggled into the black fur. “Sorry. I bet he just wants to be cuddled. I can’t imagine you letting him wallow all over you or talking kitty to him. I’ve had cats all my life, so I know how to win them over.” She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Well, I had them until a year ago. Bryan wouldn’t allow one in the house and scared off any strays that followed me home.”

  Cato set the duffle on the kitchen bar and retrieved the cat food from under the sink. He poured a fresh bowl and watched as Luna set the contented cat down.

  “He didn’t let you do a lot of things, did he?”

  Luna shook her head and continued to stroke Donk’s fur as he devoured his food.

  “At first he did. As time went by, he became more demanding and particular. It was like a totally different guy was hidden inside and he finally let it loose. Everything became about him and I was just someone that needed to shut up and be happy with my lot in life. It sucked.” She gave Donk another pat and rose.

  When she looked up, he could see the sadness in her eyes. It tore at his heart to think what she’d been through. Cato nodded, grabbed the duffle, and headed down the hallway. It was close to midnight and he figured she was ready to drop where she stood. He glanced over his shoulder as she followed him down the corridor.

  “I’m sure it did or you wouldn’t have run like that.”

  As soon as the door to his room came in sight, he hesitated for a few beats then moved down to hers. He reached out for the doorknob and froze when she placed her hand on his bicep.

  “Cato?”

  He was afraid to look at her. “Yes?”

  “Can we watch TV for just a bit? I’m tired, but not enough to fall asleep yet. I’ll just stare at the ceiling and keep running this day through my mind until I drive myself crazy.”

  He closed his eyes briefly and nodded. “Sure. I feel the same way. I think I still have a pound of adrenaline keeping my eyes open.” He loved hearing her soft chuckle.

  She took the duffle from his hand and placed it by her door. “Same here.”

  He tried valiantly to keep his gaze over the top of her head as he followed her back down the hallway. Her pigtail was swaying back and forth and kept grazing across her rounded ass and it was making him stupid. He almost ran her down when she stopped at the kitchen bar.

  “If you have some, can I make hot chocolate?”

  He nodded like a moron and gestured to the second cabinet. “Sure. Like I said before, consider this house yours. I actually got some cocoa mix the other day. For some reason, I thought you might like it.” He felt he could stare all night at the beautiful smile she gifted him.

  “You want some?”

  “Definitely.” He felt his face flush and hurried toward the den so she wouldn’t see and he could figure out what the hell was wrong with him. “I’ll turn the TV on. Anything particular you want to watch?”

  He heard her call out, “Nope. Just as long as it’s not an episode of Cops, then I’ll be good to go.”

  Cato laughed and felt his shoulders relax. She was so easy to get along with. He didn’t know why he’d gotten a case of nerves over a conversation about cocoa. Maybe it was the image he’d gotten of her puttering around in his kitchen and using his appliances that made him lose fifteen years off his age. Whatever it was, he was just happy she was back in the house.

  As he sunk into the couch, he flashed back to the moment he’d seen her round the corner of that dilapidated motel and scream his name. He’d been instantly thankful his gut had led him there first. As fast as she was hauling ass, she would have been long gone before he could’ve gotten to her. When she’d leapt into his arms, he’d wanted to shout to the sky. But her fear had immediately bled into his core and he couldn’t get her out of there fast enough. He still didn’t know how he’d stopped himself from getting out of the truck and smashing Bryan’s face in when the prick showed up just as he had gotten her in the truck.

  Cato shuddered and picked up the remote when he felt adrenaline trying to flood his body again. He needed to chill or she’d pick up on his angst. She was safe now and that was all that mattered. He flipped through a few channels and decided cable sucked this late at night, so he switched to Netflix and landed on a series he’d been thinking about watching. It might be a good training tool for some of the warriors while being entertaining at the same time. He looked up when Luna entered the den carrying two steaming mugs and grinning.

  “You picked out the best hot chocolate, ever! I’ve always wanted to try this brand, but it was too damn expensive.” She set the mugs on the coffee table and put her hands on her hips.

  “By the way, what in the hell do you do for a living? You’re not a drug dealer or a drug runner are you?” She frowned, then her eyes widened with excitement. “No, that can’t be it. You’re too nice. You’re a pro-football player, aren’t you? I follow college ball more, so I’m just guessing by the sheer size of you.”

  Cato chuckled and patted the couch next to him. “No to all three and I’m glad you think I’m nice. I’m part owner of a very lucrative nightclub and a dating service. Now, sit down. I found something you might like.”

  Luna tilted her head to the side and cocked an eyebrow. “The nightclub I can picture. The dating service? Not so much.”

  He patted the couch again. “I’ll tell you all about it one day. Now sit.” Cato raised his brow when she didn’t move.

  “Will you take me to your club sometime? I’d like to see it. That’s another thing I didn’t get to do. Why did you turn pale just now?”

  Cato swallowed hard. “I’d prefer you not go there.”

  “And why not?”

  “Because I’d get very jealous and act stupid.”

  Her laughter was infectious. “I promise I won’t dance with anyone else except you.”

  Cato couldn’t repress the growl that rumbled through his chest. “You definitely wouldn’t be dancing with the other guys.”

  Luna took a leisurely sip from her cocoa. He watched one side of her luscious lips lift in a teasing smile. “Cato. You’re sounding awfully possessive about a simple dance that’s not going to happen. I’ll let you scare them off if they ask me.”

  Cato knew he was acting like a fully mated male and couldn’t seem to stop himself. He looked down at the remote when he heard the soft crack of plastic and set it aside before he obliterated the thing. “I don’t want you looking at them,” he muttered.

  “Why on earth would you be concerned if I looked at—hey, what kind of club do you own?”

  He glanced up and saw her trying to suppress a grin, and immediately knew the little minx had figured it out, but was waiting for him to admit it.

  “Okay. You can quit laughing at me now. It’s a male revue club.”

  Luna pressed her lips together and walked around the coffee table. She sat next to him and propped her feet up and took another sip of her drink. “Hmmm, that’s very interesting. Is it called Heat Seekers by any chance?”

  He whipped his head in her direction. “How would you know
the name? Have you been there?” He wondered at the heat crawling up the back of his neck.

  She snorted. “Hell, Cato. I was barely able to leave the house. Can you imagine if I’d gone to a club? Bryan would’ve locked me in the bathroom permanently. Nah, the girls at work talked about it. They said the guys were gorgeous.”

  Cato realized he’d better slow his roll on the jealousy or she’d be lumping him in the Bryan category. He’d die before he’d let that happen. He forced his voice to be calm.

  “Oh. Okay.”

  He saw her flick her eyes to him and then look forward again.

  “Sooo.”

  Oh, shit. Here it comes.

  “Do you dance there, too?”

  “No. I barely go in there.” He saw her lip lift again. She obviously wasn’t done playing with him yet.

  “I’m surprised. I bet you’d look good up on the stage. Bad biker boy would definitely work for you. Leather pants, tight muscle shirt, and you already have the right boots. Yep. You’d make a killing.”

  He grinned at the compliment. “Thanks, but I’m more of a silent partner. I spend most of my time dealing with the dating service. Now are you going to watch what I found for us or am I about to get grilled on that place, too.”

  Luna chuckled and shoved him with her elbow. “I’m done. Now what did you find?”

  Relieved, he picked up the remote and flicked to the description of the show. “This guy’s a human lie detector. He can tell just by small expressions on someone’s face if they’re hiding something or what emotion they’re feeling. He helps solve mysteries.”

  “That sounds good. Okay, let’s do it.”