Chapter Ten
Two hours later, Katie walked to Chad’s door. Dang it, she didn’t have a key to his place and hoped he was home. Shopping had been just what she needed: a girl’s day out. The things they’d talked about made sense, and she planned on putting on the shirt and skirt she’d bought. The thought of not being with Chad twisted her in two. She loved him and wanted to try.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Chad stepped up behind her.
Her hands tightened on the handles of her shopping bags, twisting them tighter at the angry way Chad had spoken. “I went shopping with Erin.” As soon as Chad opened the door, Katie stepped inside, sitting most of the bags on the floor. A plan formed in her mind, and taking one of the bags, she headed to the bathroom without another word. Chad grunted as she walked past.
He knocked on the door. Hell, he didn’t knock. He pounded. “So you thought you’d leave and not tell me where you’d gone?”
Quickly shimmying into the skirt and shirt she’d bought earlier in the day, she straightened and took one last glance in the mirror. It was now or never if she planned to go through with this. Never before had she had the urge to wear something so short it barely covered her ass. The shirt wasn’t much better, only covering her breasts and nothing else. Erin had told her it would look great on her and would drive Chad crazy. It was time to do something for herself for a change—to wear something she normally wouldn’t. To look good because she wanted to. Maybe she should have put up more of a fight back at the store and gotten something a bit more her style. “Chad, I’m an adult. I will come and go as I please. I don’t have to tell you everything I do. And if you think so, then you’ve lost your mind.” Katie picked up her Very Cherry lipstick, reapplying a small coat and pressing her lips together.
“Have you forgotten Kaden’s after you?”
“I thought I’d go find him.” Katie snorted and put down the lipstick. “Yes, I know he’s out there. I’m a big girl and can handle this.” She stepped into the hallway.
“I should spank your ass red...” His words cut off as he took in her outfit with a hungry glance.
Every part of her body heated under Chad’s intense gaze. But she didn’t feel over-exposed as he looked her over once more. She felt sexy.
Her knees shook as he took a step towards her. “You wouldn’t dare spank me.”
“Wouldn’t I?” His voice dropped to a sexy growl as he took the last step closer and pulled her into his arms.
Katie trembled when his lips touched her ear. There was no denying her body ached for him. He didn’t even need to touch her. All he had to do was speak, and she went weak in the knees. As if to prove that he’d spank her, his hand made light contact with her butt. Katie began to protest. Anger built deep within her for a moment.
“What do––“
“I told you, and I should spank you some more for not listening.”
She bit down the smartass comeback that wanted to roll off her tongue at his words. She knew he’d do it, too.
“What, no comeback?” Chad pulled back to glance into her eyes. “When did you buy these?”
“When I went shopping with Erin.” She wondered if he really approved. He hadn’t said one way or the other. She glanced down and saw the bulge in his pants.
There was no way he could deny his need. “Do you even know how sexy you look right now?”
“I’ve never felt sexy before, but with you, I always do.” She moistened her now-dry lips. It might not have been the smartest thing to do, as Chad’s attention followed the movement. Her nipples pressed painfully against the shirt. Moisture pooled deep in her core as she burned for his touch to quench the ache between her legs. Katie had only been with three other men, and none of them had affected her on this level. Whenever Chad was around, she was wet for him.
“Good. You should always feel that way, because you are.”
His lips were a breath away. All either of them had to do was move a fraction of an inch and they’d touch. Chad brushed his lips against hers, so soft and slow that she thought for sure it might be a dream until he did it again. His tongue traced her mouth in a silent plea to open to him, and she was helpless to resist as she parted her mouth and allowed him access.
A moan came from his throat as he continued to eat from her mouth. Katie slipped her arms around his neck. She needed, and wanted, to be closer to him. His hands cupped her ass, and he lifted her into his arms. Without breaking the kiss, he walked a short distance and placed her on the edge of the bathroom sink. The contrast of the cool countertop felt great against her heated skin. Anticipation gnawed at her for what he would do next. Katie knew he’d keep her waiting, wanting and wondering.
Chad slowly untied the front of her shirt, keeping his eyes on her. Her breath hitched as he slipped it off and rolled her nipples into hard beads with his fingers. Love swelled in her chest and made it hard to breathe. The hungry way he stared at her sent a shiver across her body as he took one nipple into his mouth. He bit down then soothed it with his tongue. Katie’s head leaned back, her eyes closed as pleasure washed over her body and went straight to her clit.
Chad pulled her off the counter to stand in front of him. “As much as I love the skirt on you, it needs to go.” He didn’t give her any time to take her skirt off before he did it for her, taking her thong along with it. He flipped her around and leaned over her. His heat seeped into her skin.
“Place your hands on the counter and don’t move them.”
She did as instructed and his hands slid down to her thighs. Heat and electricity singed against her skin as his beefy hands roamed her body. With a man commanding her, she should be scared, not turned on. With Chad, however, everything was different. He wasn’t an asshole only looking out for himself. He didn’t do it to lift himself higher and take her down. She wasn’t sure why, with everything that had happened in her life, she liked being dominated, but with Chad, she did.
All day she had to be in charge, telling others what to do. It was nice once she walked through the bedroom door to have a man who knew what she needed and who could give her pleasure. Not only that, he knew when to push her to make her get over her fears without scaring her. She almost whimpered when he removed his fingers.
“You’ve been naughty. Do you know how much you scared the shit out of me, taking off the way you did?” His breath teased her hypersensitive skin.
“No, Sir. I’m sorry. I had to—” She jumped as his hand made contact with her ass. Pain rippled from the contact, but only for a split second, and then gave away to the most wonderful pleasure, she’d ever felt. It made her clit throb and ache more for his touch.
She could hear the rasping of clothes coming off, and she ground her ass into him as he blanketed her body once again. The feel of his hard length had moisture dripping from her. She swore all he’d have to do would be to breathe on her again, and she’d explode. Her breasts hung heavy, aching for his touch. The drawer to her left opened, and the sound of tearing filled the room. Chad had gotten out a condom and soon would be deep inside of her.
Chad pushed a finger into her sex, just for a moment, before the head of his cock replaced it. She moaned as he went in all the way to the hilt. She looked up into the mirror and their gazes connected. His green eyes had turned to an emerald with gold flecks. She read nothing but pure predator, and she was his prey, that much she knew. Katie loved when he got this wild during their lovemaking sessions.
“Don’t ever run again.” He pulled her flesh against him, wrapping an arm around her waist to anchor her.
Katie tried to turn away from the mirror, but she couldn’t, no matter how much her body tingled, and she wanted to close her eyes. The connection she felt with Chad was so deep that it went all the way to her soul. He sensed it, too. She could see it written all over his face. He’d been worried when she left, and not because he wanted control, but because he cared for her.
Chad bent over her body and planted both hands over hers as he slid almost all the way out. “You’re going to stay and let me keep you safe.”
“Good girl. Do you want to come?”
“Yes, Sir.” Her release built and holding it in wasn’t going to last much longer. Katie moaned as he slid deep into her folds again. Now that he’d bent over her body the angle offered a wicked sensation for her. Every thrust of his cock deep inside her intensified each pleasure point more than before. His breath fanned against her heated backside. She hadn’t even been looking for anyone, and here he’d been all this time right under her nose for the last four years. In the short time they’d spent together she’d grown to trust him, and dare she say, to love him. There wasn’t time for her to ponder it anymore as he brushed his cock against her spot, and she had to bite her bottom lip not to come.
“Come, Kitten, let me feel you unravel around me.” Chad kissed her back and sparks went straight to her clit. That was all she needed.
She couldn’t hold back, even if she tried, and she silently thanked him for letting her come. The force of her release had her head falling onto his shoulders, as her body bucked and the climax heightened. Vaguely, Katie heard him groan out his release and say her name. The sound of his voice saying her name sent a flash of heat through her and warmed her heart.
Chad released from her and they both got dressed.
Katie pulled out a chair and took a seat at the kitchen table. An envelope caught her eyes. Cold chills raced up her arms. She didn’t need to open it to know who had sent it. She’d gotten them before, and now here.
“Don’t look at that,” Chad said from her side. She hadn’t even noticed him standing there.
“Why?” Taking it in her hands, she let the contents slide out in front of her. With a gasp, her hand closed over her mouth. There were pictures of her and Chad, from last night and the first night they’d had sex. The pictures had to be taken from inside the bedroom. Her stomach rolled, the pounding in her heart raced higher, her hands shook and she swore she’d be sick.
Alex had been right. He should have done a background check on Chad. But no, she had insisted he was safe. These pictures showed a whole new side to him. Katie eased from the chair as she read the note. No man will ever touch you again.
“Katie, where are you going?” Chad asked. She heard him moving closer as she opened the door. Too late. He shut it, grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him. “Please let me go.”
“I told you not to open the envelope.”
Now she knew why. He’d been getting the package ready for her to find it. He’d done the dirty work for Kaden. It all made sense now, how her ex had found her. For four years her safety hadn’t been an issue, Kaden had to have planted him at the hospital. Then Kaden had more than likely paid him a lot of money to keep track of her, to more than likely do anything to get her guard down. She narrowed her eyes and tried to jerk her hand away, but he held firm.
“What, did you get some sick thrill out of chasing me for my ex? Was cuffing me to the bed part of the deal you got to fuck me as long as you turned me over to him?” She clenched her fist and blood boiled in her veins. She knew a can of mace sat in the front of her purse, but if she moved, he’d more than likely stop her before she could get to it.
“What are you talking about? You think I’m working for Kaden?”
“It’s pretty damn obvious you are.” She bit back.
Heat pooled, deep down, and damn it if this wasn’t the time for her body to react that way. He was the enemy, for fuck’s sake. Katie raised her leg and made contact with his groin. Chad went down, spitting out obscenities. This was her break. She turned and unlocked the door and made a run for her car.
****
His cell phone rang, and the caller’s information flashed on the dashboard. Alex. Great. Just what he needed. Sure, Chad had called him about the newest threat and needed to talk with him, but not now. He couldn’t afford to get distracted and lose Katie. She could walk right into a trap.
The phone rang again and with a curse, he pressed the button on the steering wheel to answer the phone. “This better be fucking important,” he snapped.
“I’ve got a safe house set up for you. Bring her up here, and the evidence, and I’ll take over from there.”
“I can’t do that right now. I’ve got a situation I’m trying to handle.”
“What’s going on?”
A black sports car cut him off, and if he hadn’t quickly steered his truck, he would have slammed into it. They’d passed the strip and were headed out to the desert where there was nothing for miles. Not good. The sports car pulled up alongside him and Chad glanced at the person driving the car. Kaden. The asshole was following Katie.
“Katie took off. For some reason she thinks I’m working for Kaden. I’m following her and he just cut me off and is on her bumper. I’ve got to go, and I’ll call you once she’s safe.” He didn’t wait for a reply before he hit the disconnect button on the steering wheel and sped up. The only cars on the road were theirs now as they passed the city limits.
If he could bump Kaden off the road enough to stall him, she’d see he wasn’t working for the prick and would let him help her get to safety. Pain had grabbed his chest when she’d accused him of being in on all that happened to her. He’d never know how she could think that after he’d saved her last night from one of his goons. If he’d been working for her ex, he wouldn’t have helped to get the man who’d been there scaring her. All he knew was he had to help her. He loved her and wouldn’t let anything happen to her. He had to talk to her and make her see he’d never do anything to hurt her.
Chad sped up a little, getting right behind Kaden’s bumper and gave it a little tap causing Kaden’s back end to fishtail to the left. Kaden over corrected, too close to Katie’s car, and slammed into her. Chad watched in horror as her car spun around twice before going into the ditch. Her screams pierced through squeals of her tires. He saw her being tossed around, and he prayed she’d been wearing a seat belt.
Shit. He shouldn’t have bumped Kaden’s car, but something had to be done to get Kaden out of the way. As Chad raced forward he watched the prick drive away from the scene. Chad’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. If anything happened to Katie, he’d never forgive himself. Worry laced his body at the thought she could be hurt inside the car. She was his everything. He’d do anything to keep her safe.