by M. C. Cerny
“Easy, Jacob. I think Eli is expressing concern for the team’s confidentiality. Katie is sort of a well-known lady here in New York so I think you can see where this is going.” Nick continued to drive north to a private airstrip, ignoring the rest of Eli’s directions.
“Well, my brother can mind his own fucking business in the front seat of the car, thank-you.”
“Point taken,” Eli murmured and dropped the subject. “Nick do you want me to drive? I mean because I can get us there much quicker.” Eli looked out the window, watching the traffic.
“Eli, I have it covered. Just get me the specs for London.” Nick concentrated on trying to not pull the car over to strangle the control freak next to him.
“Any idea where those emailed photos came from, Nick?” Jacob asked, poking his head up between the seats into the front of the SUV.
“Not yet. None of our current programs have been able to trace the point of origin, which is pretty darn frustrating.” Nick focused on driving the car and Jacob sat back, shaking his head and thoughtfully staring out the window. The rest of the ride was quiet as the group got to the airstrip. In silent efficiency, they loaded their gear onto the plane.
KATIE HUNG OUT IN THE apartment with Hauk following her around from room to room, leaning against her. She petted him and sat on the couch for a bit, attempting to watch TV until she remembered the last time she spent on it with Jacob. Uncomfortable, feeling hot and blushing, she got up and headed for the garden that Jacob kept on his rooftop. She sat outside in the afternoon sunshine, Hauk laying at her feet. Katie tried to block out Jacob’s presence for just a bit as she enjoyed the incredible view of her city from his penthouse. The week really had been overwhelming so far. The view of the busy city buzzed with energy that reminded her of Jacob. It would seem that, even though he was supposed to be miles away and across an ocean, she couldn’t escape him. She had no desire to try and do so anyway.
Several hours later, Jacob called her, the ringing of her phone waking her from her light slumber on his bed in the master bedroom. “Hey there.” Jacob left the terminal of the private airport, and he and Nick got into another SUV. Eli and Lulu took another vehicle.
“Hi. I just dozed off on the bed with Hauk. How was your flight?” Katie yawned and stood up, stretching. She felt the hair on the back of her neck raise up slightly. Looking around the darkened bedroom, she saw nothing out of the ordinary besides her being in an unfamiliar place. She scratched the back of her head, rubbing her finger over the scar covered by her long hair.
“Flight was boring and a little crowded for my taste. I’d rather be home right now.” Nick looked at Jacob sideways and, smiling, nodded as he got in on the driver’s side of the car.
“What time is it there?” She ushered Hauk towards the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door to take a peek at the food inside. It was oddly full for a bachelor, and filled with lots of fresh produce and organic take-out meals from a local market she often enjoyed during work hours. She smiled, wondering how he would know if, in fact, he knew she frequented there.
“Midnight. I’m going to do some work for a bit and then rest up for my meeting.”
“That’s Sunday, though.”
“Yes, but a good day to hash out any deals before the work week. You know us pushy Americans.”
“Well, you’ll be home soon. Hauk doesn’t seem to mind you missing…yet.” Katie shut the refrigerator door and ran her fingertip over the cool marble counter. “I’m thinking of getting dinner soon.”
“Nothing in the fridge to your liking? I had it stocked with some things I thought you might like,” Jacob told her.
“I know, that’s the weird part. It’s all food I like,” Katie stated.
“But?” Jacob queried. He worried that he was trying too hard.
“Can I leave Fort Knox for a bit?” If Katie wanted a breather from the loft already, he was definitely trying too hard.
“Of course.” Jacob laughed into the phone. He sobered quickly, thinking of the double meaning of Katie’s statement, a meaning she was fully unaware of. “I’ll be sure to turn off the lasers and sirens remotely.”
“Great. I’ll probably call Trevor after I take Hauk for a stroll.”
“Be careful. It’s not Brooklyn,” Jacob said. “Call Trevor if you do go.” Jacob figured that if she was with her friend, she wouldn’t be alone.
“Miss you,” Katie whispered shyly.
“Miss you, too. I’ll try to call later, but I’m headed into a late meeting with my team to prep for tomorrow. It could be awhile.”
“It’s okay. We’ve got everything under control here, and I can’t believe you’re working this late. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Be safe, Katie.”
“I will. You, too, Jacob.” Katie hung up and smiled. It was the first time in a long time that she was beginning to feel healed, just a little, inside and out.
Jacob was fixing and wiring computer parts, getting equipment ready for the surveillance detail. He still couldn’t understand why they were all out there babysitting Cosovo’s men, and why he couldn’t have instructed their guys via Skype to do this work? That’s why he spent years developing this software and hardware. He sent a text to one of their guys, Clint, to watch out for Katie leaving the penthouse. He was stationed at the lobby as a mock security guard ready to tail Katie for her protection, if needed. Jacob didn’t want anything to happen to her since he couldn’t be there.
Katie called Trevor and decided to have dinner with him in the Village. He planned to pick her up, but Katie knew it was only because he wanted to check out Jacob’s loft. Trevor insisted that he wanted to make sure she wasn’t harassed by anymore crazed photographers as she was leaving the building. The intercom buzzed. Katie let the doorman know that it was okay to send Trevor up.
The doors opened and Trevor walked out. “Katie, love! You should see the guy at the lobby desk downstairs, Oh Em Gee, he’s hot. Now spill the news.” He gave Katie kisses on her cheeks and hugged her affectionately.
“Not much to spill. Things are going well, and Jacob asked me to watch Hauk for the weekend while he’s away on business. So here we are, house-sitting.”
“My, my Katie, here we are indeed. Fancy digs that Mr. Reed has. This is a pretty exclusive neighborhood.”
“I guess so. Things have been such a whirlwind. I wish he was here now. It’s been hard to admit how rattled the mugging made me.”
“Now you’ve jumped into a hard core relationship, but that’s no surprise. Did you see the evil therapist yesterday?” Katie appreciated Trevor getting right to the heart of things.
“Oh, my god, yes, and what a pain in the butt that woman was. I tried telling her the sessions weren’t working out, but she was making me feel worse. At the end, she tried prescribing more medication that I don’t need. I threw the slip out and that was that. I might change my number if she calls again. She had a lot of nerve, and alluded that I might have other issues.”
“What? What issues? What a quack. I think you’re fine, just understandably shaken up. Who wouldn’t be after a violent mugging? I’ve got just the place we can go for dinner to lighten things up. They even have a show afterwards.” Katie laughed and put her arm around Trevor as she grabbed her purse.
She knelt down and rubbed Hauk between the ears. “Protect the fort, Hauk. I’ll be home in a little bit to let you out again. I miss your daddy, too.” Hauk barked once and went to go lay in the living room. “Please tell me this isn’t like the last show that had drag queens, one of which you tried dating?”
“There were good reasons it didn’t work out with Mitzy.”
“Was that his name?”
“Yes. He was way too jealous of Philomena. Now is that all you brought with you to wear? ‘Cause if you’re just wearing that, can I at least put your hair up?” Trevor asked playfully.
“No, Trevor. You are not inviting yourself to check out my sleeping accommodations and the rest of the room déco
r.” Katie pulled his arm towards the door.
“You are no fun, little girl,” Trevor pouted, following Katie’s lead.
“Oh, boy, this should be interesting.” Trevor and Katie left the apartment and headed out for the night. Trevor discretely nodded to her to check out the guy at the lobby desk. Trevor was right. He was hulking man with good looks. Shaking it off, she grabbed Trevor’s arm and they made their way to the dinner bar. She was completely unaware of the camera images being sent to Jacob’s phone from his building’s specially designed security system, indicating that Katie was going out for the evening. She also didn’t notice Clint exiting the lobby behind them.
Jacob’s phone beeped with a photo message and a text from Clint. He picked up his phone and checked out the image. Katie was leaving the apartment with her friend Trevor. He wanted to call her, but what could he say that wouldn’t sound like he was a deranged stalker? Jacob grunted and holstered his phone on his hip belt, going back to splicing wires and connecting equipment.
Lulu, who was getting ready to go undercover, was dressed in a seedy outfit that reminded him of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. “Oooh, trouble at home?” Lulu applied a garish red lipstick that clashed against her pale complexion and red hair.
“Yes. No. Does Julian know you’re wearing that for the Op?”
“We’re not speaking right now so I can do as I please. I’ve got a Russian diplomat and Mexican cartel lord to meet this evening.” She applied another coat of mascara.
“That’s if Eli lets you take the assignment.” Jacob shook his head, wondering if Julian and Lulu were really meant to be together. Only Nick, who looked visibly disgusted, saw Lulu’s outfit and walked back out of the hotel room that they were all temporarily occupying.
“Oh, he will. I’m the best shot you chumps have at getting Baron and his Mexican connection to Cosovo.”
Jacob hoped Katie was okay and decided to text her later to check in. No sense in looking like the crazy stalker boyfriend on a supposed business trip. The last thing he wanted to do was be so far away and have to referee between the trio of Lulu, Nick, and Julian.
Trevor took Katie to a small dinner bar in the Village that catered to the wild and different. The show after the dinner consisted of people splashing each other with colored paint and painting a canvased wall with their bodies. Somewhere in the creative process, glitter was tossed and the lights were turned off so patrons could see the “glow-in-the-dark art”. Katie and Trevor laughed and had a great time.
Trevor hailed a taxi, and he made sure Katie got back to Jacob’s building before heading back to his own place. Clint, who remained in the shadows, swore that Jacob would owe him after having to fend off the advances of two men he hadn’t expected, and because he had to watch some rave light drag show. He was glad to leave the Village and head back to the lobby where, hopefully, his charge would stay put the rest of the weekend.
Jacob was bone weary after having been awake for the last 72 hours, and he felt bad about getting back so late from his trip. Katie had been very understanding and accommodating, which made him feel terribly guilty because of the secrets he still kept from her. He’d spent hours in London, which he felt was a wasted trip, before they had to fly to Munich to follow a lead on Cosovo, delaying his return a few days. Good thing he could run the company remotely, and there was another small tech conference abroad that he could use as a cover. Just for publicity, he bought a small start-up company that he could dissolve into one of his R&D divisions. One consolation he had is that he knew she was safe at his place.
Jacob took the elevator up to his loft, wondering if Katie would still be awake and waiting for him. It was after 2:00am and Katie had to work the next day. He imagined her sleeping in his bed, under the covers, her head resting on one of his pillows with her hair fanned out. Would she be wearing anything under the covers? Jacob clenched his fists. Of course she would be wearing something, but he liked thinking of sliding into the warm bed and waking her slowly; perhaps even sliding between her legs and pleasuring her awake. He shut his eyes as the elevator dinged his arrival to the top floor. He needed to get control of himself. Being away on missions filled him with an old adrenaline rush, and the last thing he needed to do was get lost in it with Katie before he could take her to The Farm and explain everything to her. He needed to make her understand.
The doors opened to an apartment that was basking in the nighttime glow of the lights from other buildings. Stars peeked out through the clouded sky and the moon, only partially visible, was reflecting off the glass and stainless steel appliances in his kitchen. He noticed apples in one of his crystal bowls on the counter. It must have been Katie’s touch. He picked up one of the fragrant red New York Empire apples. He breathed in the scent; sweet and crisp, just like Katie. Feeling hungry, he bit into it. Juice and fibered pulp filled his mouth, the sweet juice sliding down his throat. He finished the apple in a few bites. Hauk must have been with Katie because his old military pup would have joined him by now. He tossed his jacket over a barstool in the kitchen and put his laptop on the counter. Walking around the apartment, he used a remote to shut the blinds, casting the rooms into further darkness.
He made his way to the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt and taking off his belt. He stopped in the doorway so he could watch Katie sleeping in his bed. She slept in the middle, curled up and without a care in the world. She looked relaxed, breathing steady and hugging a pillow. Light from the far window cast shadows and illuminated her hair with rich tones of red in her dark locks. Hauk, who had lifted his head up when Jacob entered, gave a low woof before getting off the bed. He gave him a pet, then Hauk padded off to the living room, and Jacob proceeded to take his shirt and pants off. Feeling tired, he left his boxer briefs on and slipped into the bed. He gently moved in behind her, spooning her body with his larger frame. By moving his hand over her body under the covers, he could tell that she was wearing a tank top with lacey edging and matching shorts. He needed to think other thoughts beside lace, warmth, and the womanly body next to him. As much as he wanted to wake her up and have his way with her, it was still too soon. However, if she initiated things…well, then, that might be another case indeed.
Katie slept deeply. In her dreams, she felt coolness and then warmth. She snuggled deeper into the soft bedding. As she hovered on the border of consciousness, she felt a gentle hand massaging her waist and lower back. Warm lips nibbled on her shoulder and brushed the hair away from her neck, nuzzling her softly. Light from the far window eased its way into the room. Katie woke slowly, smiling in the comfort of Jacob’s warm embrace. She knew it was him right away and eased herself around to face him. He whispered in her ear how he missed her and she wrapped her arms around him.
“Welcome home, stranger.” Katie sighed and breathed in Jacob’s masculine scent.
He grunted a reply. She had no idea how much of a stranger he was to her. “I thought you promised to be naked and waiting,” Jacob teased, wrapping a tendril of her hair around his finger.
“I was, but I got tired of waiting. Now you have to wait until we go away.” Katie chuckled into Jacob’s chest and could feel him rumble with laughter.
“Tease. I’ll wait then.” Jacob kissed Katie’s brow and lay quietly with her.
“How was your trip?”
“Long and boring. I’m just glad to be home.” An understatement, for sure. Jacob thought back to Lulu and Nick squabbling like kids, and Julian refereeing. Those three really needed to figure themselves out, and soon, before they did irreparable damage to each other.
“We’re glad you’re back then. It doesn’t sound like you had any fun sitting in boardrooms making deals.”
“Do you have time for breakfast in the morning?” Jacob wanted to change the subject.
“Sadly, no. I have a meeting tomorrow morning at my office and then a full day. I’ll need to go back to Brooklyn tonight to get some things for the weekend, of course.”
“Oh, right. Dinner t
hen?” Jacob massaged Katie’s back while he held her.
“How can I say no to that? Do you mind a late dinner in Brooklyn?”
“Not at all. Do you have someplace in mind?”
“There’s a Cuban restaurant I really like not far from my apartment. We can walk over; the weather should be nice. Good Mojitos, if you like those.” Katie sleepily recalled Jacob enjoying the sake.
“Meh, I’ll take you to Cuba for a real one.” Jacob hugged her tight, making her squeak.
“No trips, fancy pants,” Katie murmured.
“More importantly, can I stay over?” Jacob asked, nuzzling her.
“I don’t know. Hauk might object.”
“I’ll bring him.” Katie quickly kissed him and he laughed. She’d turned the tables on him.
A few hours later, at 7:00am, Katie woke. She stretched and rolled over, realizing that she was alone and actually feeling refreshed from a good deep sleep without any nightmares. She sat up and saw that the curtains had been drawn closed, but morning light filtered through. It was a sunny day in New York, and Katie smiled and breathed deeply. Rich scents of coffee filled her nose; a café Americano, in fact. She would know that smell anywhere. Katie threw back the covers and quickly padded to the kitchen. She could see Jacob sitting at the kitchen island, reading the paper and sipping his own coffee. He looked amazingly refreshed for having less than four hours sleep. Hauk looked up and woofed, getting up and greeting Katie, who kneeled down and ruffled the dog behind his ears. She got up and hugged Jacob, who grabbed her and set her on his lap.
“How did you know?” Katie smiled and took the coffee cup he offered her.
“That you sleep like a bear, or that you need coffee first thing in the morning?”
“Ha! Both, I suppose.”
“I’m a very observant man, my dear, and I like to make you happy.” Jacob continued to make a show of reading the business section of the paper, keeping her on his lap.