With Vengeance

by Brooklyn Ann

  All rational thought shattered when Klement’s fingers slid down her belly and seized the waistband of her pajama pants. Pulling them down, and her panties as well, he sank to a sitting position, kissing her stomach and hip bones. Then he lowered his head between her legs. When his tongue flicked across her clit, Kat nearly stumbled from the electric pleasure. He licked and kissed and sucked until she was slick, wet, and whimpering.

  Before her knees gave out, he scooped her up and placed her on the bed. Kat watched, transfixed as he pulled down his pants. His cock stood hard and enormous, with a beauty all of its own. She couldn’t wait to feel it inside her again.

  Climbing onto the bed, he cupped her face and kissed her senseless before easing her down on her stomach. Straddling her hips, he kissed and caressed her everywhere until yet again she was begging.

  At last he gave her what she wanted and worked his cock inside her with torturous slowness. She gasped at every hot inch. His fingers brushed aside her hair and stroked her cheek, that tenderness countering his hard, deep thrusts. Kat turned her head slightly to kiss his knuckles. His index finger stroked her lips. Her tongue darted out and licked the tip.

  Klement growled against her neck, and slowly he guided his finger into her mouth. Something about it felt decadent and naughty. Kat sucked the digit like she had sucked his cock earlier, arching her hips to echo the rhythm of him moving inside her.

  His breath hissed through his teeth, making her feel wicked. Oh he liked that, did he? Her tongue laved his finger as she sucked on him harder. She felt his cock spasm inside her, and his thrusts became more savage.

  Wow. The penetration felt deeper and more intense at this angle. Almost unbearable. Even still, Kat shifted beneath Klement and spread her legs wider, taking him deeper.

  The sensation was overpowering, making her throb in that deep, hidden place. It would almost hurt if it didn’t feel so good. She moaned around his finger. She couldn’t possibly take more, but her body told her otherwise, begging for him to go deeper, harder.

  Klement’s cock pulsed against her G-spot, his finger thrusting into her mouth, making her take him deeper that way as well. Dark pleasure tingeing her vision, Kat obliged, sucking harder, tightening her pussy around him. She could feel every inch of him scalding her from the inside, claiming her, owning her.

  Pain and pleasure mingled within her, coursing through her body. Her climax roared through her, and she spasmed around Klement with such intensity that she bucked against him. Her pleasure crested higher, until she thought she’d die if she took any more. And as much as she tried to hold back, loud cries erupted from her.

  Klement was merciless. He withdrew his finger but his hand wrapped around her jaw, silencing her. His other hand gripped hers tightly, pinning it to the mattress. And since she knew he was only trying to keep her quiet so they weren’t discovered, the feeling of him holding her down, overpowering her, made her come harder.

  Just as the waves of pleasure began to subside, Klement bit her neck and a low groan escaped his throat. She felt his cock pulse inside her, and a second orgasm burst over her, washed through her, making her tremble and her vision shatter into a billion particles of light.

  Klement’s delicious weight settled upon her back, their bodies heaving together as they caught their breath. He uncovered her mouth and brushed her hair to the side to trail light kisses on her cheek and down her neck, making her tremble anew. Then, slowly, he rose from the bed and grabbed a towel from the laundry basket to clean up.

  Rolling onto her back, Kat watched with rapt fascination as he wiped his still-hard cock. She blushed when he met her gaze. That blush deepened when he came back to the bed and gently wiped down her damp center and the insides of her thighs.

  Tossing the towel on the floor with his other dirty clothes, he gave her a concerned look. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No, not at all.” She caressed his bare chest, awed that he cared so much about how she felt.

  He still looked worried. “It was just that…well, you were getting kinda loud and I didn’t want to wake up the guys.”

  “Actually, it was kinda hot.” She shivered with the memory of their lovemaking. Never before had she felt so completely taken. “I never knew I was this kinky.”

  “Me neither.” He cupped her cheek and lowered his head to kiss her lightly. “Still, you’re so small. If I’m ever hurting you…”

  She smirked. “I’ll bite.”

  He chuckled low before getting back into the bed and gathering her into his arms. Kat rested her head against his chest, listening to his heart, which was still pounding from their sensual exertions.

  “I wish we could stay like this forever,” she murmured.

  “Mmmm.” He kissed the top of her head.

  But, no. Things couldn’t last forever. “I suppose you’ll want me to go back to my room.”

  He held her tighter. “Not just yet. This feels nice.”

  It felt more than nice to Kat; it felt like heaven. The other guys she’d been with had been the types to roll over and start snoring after sex. And until tonight, she’d expected Klement to be no different. Granted, the last two times hadn’t left them much opportunity to bask in the post-coital glow, but who would have guessed he was a cuddler?

  I could definitely fall in love with this man.

  The thought caused a ripple of alarm to reverberate through Kat, but at her slight shiver Klement cuddled her closer, rubbing her back in soothing motions.

  They dozed together for a blissful eternity before Kat reluctantly disentangled herself from his embrace and rolled out of the bed. Klem mumbled in a pleading tone, reaching for her as she donned her pajamas. But though it hurt to leave him now, having him inevitably send her away later and on his own terms would be even more painful.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “That fucking cunt!”

  Richard slammed his fists into the steering wheel of his Kia and glared at Kat’s little green wagon parked in the studio lot. Somehow she’d gotten that piece of shit back on the road. All of his hard work and he’d only temporarily hindered her. Impotent rage roiled in his gut. It was all he could do not to charge into the building and bust her pretty lips.

  The sight of the car was like rubbing salt in an open wound. A wound that still throbbed after reading her post last night. Bleeding Vengeance was actually going to let her play on stage with them? Why couldn’t he catch a goddamned break?

  The post had featured a picture of her with her guitar, looking sexy as hell. He remembered when she and her bitch-friend Kinley went to a professional photographer to have those taken. They’d wanted the shots for promotion “in case they got another band together.” How he’d laughed.

  It wasn’t funny anymore.

  Cliff had to be fucking her. Why else would they let her in their band?

  He’d glared at the picture of the singer at the top of the post, looking like an arrogant sack of shit next to their limey drummer and faggot bassist. He couldn’t believe Cliff had ditched him. He’d really thought they could be friends, but then Cliff stopped coming into the club and wouldn’t return his calls. No, he’d likely been too busy screwing Kat, and from the look of things, fixing her car. The guy must be one hell of a pussy for her to have him wrapped around her finger like that. What kind of sorry excuse for a man ignored the credo of bros before hoes?

  “I’ll get you both,” he vowed, as he’d sworn at their pictures on the website last night. He’d logged in anonymously and called them both every rightfully deserved expletive he could think of, but that wasn’t nearly satisfying enough. Fingering his backstage pass for Thrashfest, he smiled, though it was more of a grimace. He would have his satisfaction at the concert. But for now he needed to get back to Idaho. The car was due back at the rental agency, and he needed to move a lot of product to be able to afford the next trip. Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford another rental to take him to Wisconsin.

  So, he’d have to take the bus. Flying was
out of the question due to a certain item he intended to bring.

  ***

  Kat sat on her bed, practicing the set list for Thrashfest when her phone rang. Her breath caught as she looked at the screen. Klement was calling her as IT Guy again. Had he figured out what he was going to do about his personal/ professional situation?

  “Hey IT Guy,” she answered with a tremulous voice.

  “Hey. Um…” Klement sounded even more nervous than she was. “I’m in Denver right now. Is there a chance we could meet in person? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

  Kat choked on a gasp. He’d just slipped up big-time. She’d never told him she was in Denver. However, that didn’t matter anymore she supposed. If he wanted to meet her in person, obviously he was ready to reveal his identity.

  She took a deep shuddering breath. “Okay. Where do you want to meet?”

  “I was thinking we could go to The Palace Arms, in the Brown Palace Hotel, and have dinner.”

  “You mean, like a date? I told you I was…” How had she worded it? “Um, involved with someone else.”

  “I don’t intend to interfere with that.”

  She covered her mouth as laughter bubbled up in her throat. It was a good bet, what with him and Klement being the same person. “The Palace Arms, huh? That sounds expensive.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m buying.”

  This time, she did laugh. “I didn’t know that tech support was so lucrative.”

  “It can be, but I have other things going on.”

  She couldn’t help but tease. “Like what?”

  “I’ll tell you tonight.” His voice sounded solemn. “How about seven?”

  She glanced over at the clock. They’d had an early day at the studio, and it was only three. Plenty of time to get dressed up. “Sounds good. I look forward to meeting you.”

  “I hope you still think so afterward. The reservation will be under K.B,” he said softly and hung up.

  K.B.? Klement Burke.

  Kat wondered if he was intentionally leaving clues.

  Kat left her room and glanced down the hall. Klement’s office door was open, but when she checked he wasn’t in there. Maybe he’d called her from his grow room? But she hadn’t heard the ventilation fans in the background.

  She found Roderick in the living room. “Have you seen Klement?”

  “He took off a bit ago for some meetings and errands. He said he won’t be back until late.”

  Kat bit back a smile. He was already getting ready to meet her. It was time for her to do the same.

  “Anything I can do for you, love?” the drummer asked.

  “No, I had a computer question, but it can wait.” Indeed, it could wait until dinner at the Palace Arms, along with a thousand other questions. Kat strode off, wondering what she was going to wear.

  After hours of searching, she settled on a royal blue slip dress and strappy silver heels. While showering and then applying her makeup, she agonized over how she was going to react when she came face to face with Klement. To pretend surprise or confess that she’d known for the past week? To be dishonest, or to confess her previous dishonesty? Her thoughts churned as the clock ticked with agonizing slowness. Unable to wait any longer, she took a Xanax and headed out at six.

  “Hey, where are you going all dressed up like that?” Cliff called behind her.

  “I’m, um, meeting someone,” she said over her shoulder and quickened her pace, hoping she wouldn’t trip on the three-inch heels.

  Klement’s Suburban remained in the driveway. He must have taken one of his other vehicles.

  Despite her anxiety, Kat couldn’t hold back a smile as her Subaru’s engine roared to life. No matter how tonight went, she’d love Klement forever for fixing her baby.

  She was so nervous that she made two wrong turns before she found the Brown Palace Hotel. Her jaw dropped as she stared at the giant brownstone building that looked more like a Disney castle than a hotel. Not wanting the valets to turn up their noses at her car, she parked in the lot across the street.

  Wiping sweaty hands on her skirt, she lifted her chin and tried to look like she belonged as she walked inside. The decor screamed wealth and looked like it came from Beauty and the Beast. Kat couldn’t help her relief that Klement was paying.

  On quaking legs, she approached the maître d’. “Reservation for K.B.,” she pronounced.

  The immaculately starched host nodded. “Your party has already arrived. Right this way.”

  Klement sat at a table drinking an iced tea. Kat’s heart stopped at the sight of him in a light blue dress shirt that brought out his eyes. His hair was pulled back, accentuating his fine-boned features, and Kat’s fists clenched in an effort to resist reaching across the table to stroke his cheek.

  “Hi, IT Guy,” she said, as she slid into the seat across from him.

  His eyebrow rose. “You don’t sound surprised.”

  Kat pulled a napkin from the table and twisted it in her lap. “I, um, found out about a week ago.”

  His frown deepened. “Then why didn’t you say anything?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me the truth in the first place?”

  The words came out sharper than she intended, and he inclined his head. “Point. But still, why—?”

  “No, you first,” she said firmly. Kinley would be proud of her for once refusing to back down.

  At first Klem looked like he was going to argue. Then he sighed. “All right. I’m one of those people who compartmentalizes everything. I’ve always been that way. I keep my tech work separate from my music, and my personal life—not that there’s been much of one—apart from those. I’d planned to keep it that way…” His blue eyes roved over her, bright and penetrating. “But now you’ve gotten into all three compartments.”

  “That’s about the nerdiest thing I’ve ever heard.” Though the last part had made her heart turn over. “Still, I suppose that makes sense. But I wish you’d told me when you auditioned me for the band.”

  A server approached the table, and Klement waved him away. “I know. I really should have, but…” He moved to run a hand through his hair, but since it was pulled back he dropped it to fiddle with his fork. “Some of my reason was habit, and some of it was because I wanted you to approach the job fresh and new with no preconceived bias. I’m not sure if you would have worked as hard if you’d known I was already familiar with your talent and that we already had a good rapport.”

  Kat glared at him. “I so would have.”

  “You can’t know that.” He fixed her with a narrow stare that made her squirm in her seat. “And maybe you would have, but what if you’d felt insecure about the bias? Face it, we really were friends before. What if you didn’t believe in your own talent because of that?”

  As usual, his logic was irrefutable. And it implied something else. “You agreed to hire me because you knew about my experience before Quinn even asked you to give me a chance.”

  He nodded. “I still would have auditioned you, but I admit that I wouldn’t have been so enthusiastic about it.”

  “Then why didn’t you tell me after you decided to keep me?” Kat spread her hands. Her original suspicion returned. “You weren’t using your IT Guy identity to spy on me, were you?”

  “Aside from seeing how you were doing, no,” Klement said sincerely. “As for not telling, you…I don’t know. It just seemed like it would be too awkward.” He paused and his head cocked to the side. “When exactly did you find out?”

  “My phone was dead and so I used Google Dialer. I heard you answer down the hall.” She couldn’t hold back a smile at the memory of that insane day.

  A surprised laugh escaped his lips. “That was you? The number looked so weird that I almost didn’t answer. I thought it was a telemarketer. Especially when there was silence on the line.”

  Kat nodded. “It shocked the hell out of me. I dropped my pills all over the floor when you knocked on my door.” Her shoulders sh
ook with laughter. The situation was funny now.

  Klem grinned and leaned forward. “I can imagine. So, why didn’t you confront me? Call me a two-faced son of a bitch?”

  “For a while I was too shocked to know what to think, much less what to say to you. I needed some time to think.” She didn’t tell him about her brief suspicion that he’d been her stalker. There was no point to upset him with something so wrong. “And I was going to confront you, but before I did I just wanted to…” She trailed off with a blush.

  “Wanted to what?” he prodded. He was so close that she could smell his aftershave. Subtle and delicious.

  The confession tore from her throat. “I was afraid you’d be angry at being caught out, and”—her face burned as she looked down at her lap—“I wanted a night with you first.”

  He laughed harder and shook his head. “That’s exactly why I waited until today to make my big confession. In case you got angry and I never got to hold you again.” His hands slid across the table, reaching for her. “Are you angry?”

  “I should be, but no.” Her fingers entwined with his. “Like Kinley said, it’s kinda like having both Bruce Wayne and Batman.”

  Klement’s eyes widened. “Kinley knows?”

  “Well, I had to talk to somebody. And you and Kinley are my only friends.” Her lips curved into a teasing smile. “I suppose I could have talked to my mom.” Honestly, she had wanted to, but she was always reluctant to pour her troubles on her mother.

  The threat of a parent silenced Klement for a moment. Then he recovered himself. “What did Kinley say?” He gestured to himself and his surroundings. “About all this?”

  Kat laughed. “At first she was all ‘what the fuck?’ but once she heard about Cliff’s and my creepy stalker, she was too freaked out to care much about your secret identity.”

  Klement’s smile dimmed. “After what she went through with Phil last year, I can understand that.”

  “Yeah, but she’s still going to give you all sorts of shit at Thrashfest. You know that, right?” A thought occurred to Kat. “And what was up with you flirting with me as IT Guy the other day? Were you trying to see if I’d cheat on you with…you?”