18
Carter heard Max before he saw him. The idiot was shouting something about leaving him the fuck alone. There was scuffling and a yelp. Carter strode into Max’s sitting room, past a furious-looking Paul, to find Max draped across his couch, looking three sheets to the wind, with a busted nose and a right eye that was closing up nicely.
“Fuck’s sake,” Carter muttered.
“Carter!” Max called with a wide, blitzed, drunken smile. “Check this out!” He proceeded to lift his shirt to show several large bruises and a cut along his rib.
Carter’s head snapped toward Paul and Cam, the latter of whom was sitting in a corner of the room with a joint in his hand and a whore on his lap. “Where the fuck were you when all this went down?”
Paul held his hands up and shook his head. “Don’t bring it here, man,” he warned. “The idiot left us, told us to stay where we were. I did my best!”
“No doubt,” Carter conceded. “Were the cops involved?”
Paul shook his head. “The fuckers hauled ass before they made an entrance.”
Carter walked over to Max, who had shut up and mellowed while he watched his friend Al spark a smoke and hand it to him. Max moaned when he inhaled and blew out the smoke but flinched and grimaced when he tried to move. The bastards had sure given him a beating.
“How many were there?” Carter asked Paul.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “There were two when I got there, but there could have been more.”
Yeah, no shit. Max looked like he’d been set upon by the entire National Guard.
Laura, Max’s latest toy, still in her club outfit, appeared from the kitchen with a bowl of water and a towel. She gave Carter a tight smile before she kneeled at Max’s side and began trying to clean him up. “Trying” being the operative word, as Max swatted her away while mumbling expletives.
“Stop it, O’Hare,” she snapped, “before I put you on your ass for real!”
Max grinned at her, cigarette dangling from his bloodied lips, and winked with his good eye. “You know you make me hard when ya talk that way.”
Laura rolled her eyes and continued to dab at Max’s mangled face.
“We need to get your dumb ass to the hospital,” Carter said. Laura unfastened Max’s shirt and the full extent of what had been done to him could be seen by all. Carter’s teeth clenched when Max jumped as Laura ran the towel across his ribs.
“I’m fine,” Max answered. “Besides, the hospital asks questions.”
“Max,” Carter argued. “If we just take—”
“I’m not going,” Max said in a tone that demanded compliance. “The docs will call the fuzz. I don’t need them on my case. Not that they’d find shit. The fuckers took my coke.”
Carter ran a hand across his jaw and exhaled in frustration. “How much?”
“Enough.” Max eyed him curiously. “I thought you were at the bar. Paul said something about you disappearing.”
Carter avoided Max’s stare and grabbed for the cigarettes in his back pocket. “Yeah,” he muttered. “I went for a walk.”
Max snorted and winced all at the same time. “A walk, huh? And what’s her name?”
Ignoring his question, Carter opened his lighter. He shook his head, watching Max flail when Laura tried to put an ice pack on his face. “The fuck were you thinking?”
“Don’t worry,” Max soothed with a drunken wave of his hand. “I’ll get that coke back. I swear to God, I will. You’ve got my back, right?”
Carter sighed and took a long pull from his smoke. “Sure, Max.”
He lifted from his seat and pulled his cell from his jeans pocket when he felt it vibrate: a text. Peaches.
I’m home and fine.
Carter smiled. He allowed his index finger to linger along his bottom lip, remembering the feel of her mouth on his, and the sensation of having her in his arms. He knew there were parts of himself—unknown, unexplored, and dormant parts—that whispered certain words in an attempt to label what it was he was feeling for her. So far, he’d dismissed them swiftly and fervently and simply continued to lust after her body and mind. He didn’t want a goddamn label, he just wanted his Peaches in as many ways as she would allow.
He glanced at his bruised friend, fighting the ball of unease and anxiety that swelled in his stomach at the thought of being arrested because of Max’s stupidity. At this rate, Carter would be back in Kill before Christmas.
The text message from his girl shone bright and clear. He thought of the feel of her under his hands, the way her body moved against his, the promises they made.
No, Carter thought. He couldn’t allow himself to be put back inside. He would not lose his Peaches.
* * *
The skies in DC were gray and stormy, the weather as gloomy as the faces of the two women walking through the vast graveyard. Kat walked slowly with her mother’s arm tucked through her own while they ambled to the headstone that had changed very little in sixteen years. Her mother tightened her hold when the plot came into view.
Kat clasped her palm over her mother’s. “You okay?”
Eva nodded. “Seeing it again after so long is always the hardest part.” They walked across the path, closer to the grave. Kat always allowed her mother to speak first and, as Eva placed a deep red rose against the black marble, Kat turned away and left her to her private moment.
Wandering slowly down the path, Kat allowed her mind to travel back to New York.
Saturday had been a complete shock—her neighbor’s bachelorette party taking an unexpected but very exciting turn. A rush of warmth dissolved in her stomach when she remembered the sensation of Carter dancing, grinding, and touching her.
Words spoken and texts sent since the night in the club only confirmed that Kat wanted Carter in ways she’d been fighting since the day they met. She wanted to be with him. He was stripping her bare of everything she’d ever known, and she had to admit she liked it. It was scary, exhilarating, and dangerous, but she was eager to do what she could to be with him in any way possible.
The lines initially drawn between the two of them were now smudges, merging into the ground at Kat’s feet. Now more than ever, she was prepared to cross them, knowing deep within her heart that Carter would be waiting for her on the other side.
Streaks of soft tear lines were visible down Eva’s cheeks when Kat arrived back at her side.
“Are you all right?”
A look of contentment surrounded Eva’s eyes. “I am now,” she replied, walking away. “Take your time, Katherine.”
Kat looked at the gold lettering on the marble stating the date of his death. It seemed like only yesterday. She pulled her coat closer around herself and crouched down so she was eye level with his name.
“Hey, Daddy,” she whispered. “I’m sorry it’s been so long since my last visit. Life’s pretty crazy.” She smiled, mapping the D of his name with her index finger. “Work is good; my students are great.” She laughed lightly, proudly. “They really listen to me now, and it feels like I’m making a difference. Daddy, I …” Lifting her face toward the angry sky, she closed her eyes. “I think about what you said to me that night all the time, about making a difference, about giving back. And I need you to know that I’m trying so hard to do right by you.” She took a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you that I—I have feelings for … someone and I’m scared you’ll think badly of me.” Kat peered at her mother. “I know Mom will.”
Like a flipbook in her mind, Kat recalled all the comments and harsh looks her mother had sent over the past few months, every time her job was mentioned. “She doesn’t understand why I do what I do, and sometimes … sometimes, it makes me feel pulled. Trapped, as if I’m trying to do right by both of you, when I know I should be doing right for myself. That’s what you taught me, and … he makes me feel right. He’s made some mistakes, like we all have, but …” Kat’s hand gripped the top of the marble.
“But you have to know that he’s a good man. He’s taken some wrong turns in life and he can drive me absolutely crazy, but there is good there. I just know it.” Seeing her grandmother’s grave at the side of her father’s, she smiled.
“I know that wherever you are, you’re happy and looking out for me. I feel it in my heart every day.” Tears fell down her face. “I love you so much, Daddy, and I miss you. Please understand how I feel. I could fall so hard for him.”
As the words left Kat’s mouth—for one split second—the wind disappeared and the clouds parted above her, allowing a sliver of sun to shine through. The momentary warmth hit her back, making her body relax. And as she blinked at the sun she knew, deep in her soul, that her father had given her and Carter his blessing.
* * *
The plane ride from DC to Chicago had been comfortable and Kat smiled when Harrison met them at the airport terminal. Eva hugged him hard while he whispered lovingly into her hair. Kat had always been grateful for the infinite understanding that Harrison seemed to show in regard to her mother’s grief for her late husband. He seemed to know what she needed and when and never sounded wounded when she made the annual trip to Daniel’s graveside. Harrison and her father had been good friends for many years when he passed, and, although Kat’s mother had fought it, the two of them together made complete sense. Watching the two of them get reacquainted after three days apart, with kisses and small smiles, caused a small tug of yearning to occur in Kat’s chest. She wrapped her own arms around herself, trying to fool her body into thinking they belonged to a blue-eyed ex-con.
It didn’t work.
Harrison had arrived in Chicago the day before and had hired a car that the three of them piled into. Eva’s mother, whom Kat lovingly referred to as Nana Boo, always arranged a get-together at this time of year at her sprawling estate on the outskirts of Chicago. It was, she said, a way of celebrating the life of a man who had brought her daughter so much happiness, as well as a beautiful granddaughter.
As they drove through the city and out into the country, Kat pulled out her cell phone. It had been a few days since she’d heard from Carter. She couldn’t deny that she was missing him. A text from Austin came through as soon as she turned her cell phone back on.
Hope you enjoy Chicago. Text me to let me know you’re there safely. Sorry I couldn’t make it.
She swallowed in resignation. Beth had thought it a nice idea to invite Austin to Chicago for the celebration. Kat hadn’t been convinced, and had been relieved when Austin had had to cancel because of work. Texting excuses that got her out of drinks and dinner with him was one thing. Seeing him face-to-face? She’d have much preferred Carter there. She glanced at her mother and imagined the shitstorm his presence would cause. She exhaled heavily and began to type out a text.
Just wanted to make sure you weren’t finding the work too hard.
She scoffed inwardly, knowing without doubt that Carter would be able to complete the work tied to a chair and blindfolded. Kat’s cheeks immediately warmed as that image flashed behind her eyelids; only, in this fantasy, he was naked. Her cell vibrated against her thigh. Kat’s heart responded by doing a weird flip-flop staccato beat.
I’m good. The work is fine. Boring doing it alone tho. Missing me, huh?
Kat smiled and shook her head at his arrogance. The fact that he was right was irrelevant.
Oh yes, Carter, missing you enormously (sarcasm) Just arrived in Chicago.
Thought you were in DC? You’re missing me. I can tell.
Kat snorted, garnering a curious look from her mother. “Who are you texting?” she asked. “Is it Austin?”
Kat’s smile disappeared. “Um, no. It’s just a friend.”
Eva nodded, still doubtful. “Well, I hope it’s not those … people from that prison, or that creature you spend time with in the library. I still can’t believe they allowed you to be alone with him when he’s so dangero—”
“Mom.”
Her mother sighed. “They should know to leave you alone this week.”
We were in DC for three days. Visiting my grandmother in Chicago. You may deny it, but I know you miss me hugely.
I miss you. There. Happy?
The ferocious speed of Kat’s pulse would say most definitely. She smiled wide, biting down on her lower lip.
It’s okay, Carter. I miss you, too.
I can still taste you on my tongue.
A moan slipped from Kat’s throat. The soft, teasing throb in her core became a furious pounding. The man was relentless. Kat allowed her mind to meander to dark, naughty places where she and Carter could do things she’d only ever read about.
Kat was no shrinking violet. She’d had four lovers with whom she’d enjoyed some decent sex. Nonetheless, whenever she thought about sex or variations of the act with Carter, Kat couldn’t help but think that he would blast her past sexual experiences out of the water. He was so commanding and passionate that Kat had no doubt he would be the exact same way in the bedroom.
She wanted him to command her, claim her, fuck her—
She placed a hand over her mouth, surprised by her shamelessly indecent thoughts.
Carter wanted her; he’d told her so. But was that all? Was it just about a hot, passionate fuck to him? Kat was desperate to find out. Law of averages suggested that men like Carter weren’t relationship material and were more than likely to run in the opposite direction at the sound of the word “monogamy.”
Kat blinked at her reflection in the window of the Lexus.
Was she truly thinking about a relationship with Carter?
As in, like, long-term?
Yes. Yes, she was.
Can I call you tomorrow, Carter?
Anytime.
“We’re here, Katherine.” Eva’s voice broke into Kat’s daydream, and she looked up to see that, sure enough, they were parked on the stone drive of Nana Boo’s estate.
The house was as beautiful and imposing as Kat remembered. A wide smile pulled her face when the huge oak front door opened, and Nana Boo appeared with her black-and-white dog, Reggie, pushing to get past her. Jumping from the car, Kat slapped her thighs and whistled. Reggie dashed toward her, barking happily and wagging his tail like a damn whip. He jumped up, tongue slobbering.
“Reggie!” Nana Boo chided. “Get down!”
The dog immediately obeyed with a sheepish glance toward his mistress. Kat laughed and hurried over to her grandmother, who threw her arms around her, squeezing tightly. She smelled of peppermint and lavender.
“Oh, my darling girl,” Nana said softly. Kat clutched tighter at her grandmother’s words.
Small, wrinkled hands cupped Kat’s face. Her grandmother’s sparkling green eyes emitted nothing but love and warmth, and Kat was instantly calmer, reassured. Nana Boo always had a way of making her feel better. It was a grandmother’s gift.
Eva hugged her mother hard before they all made their way into the house.
Nana Boo had organized food and drinks to be served the following evening for the thirty or so people invited. Ben would be there, along with his wife, Abby, and his mother and father, colleagues of her father and numerous members of several charities Kat’s father had contributed to or supported, as well as Beth and Adam.
Kat continued to suspect there was still something going on with her best friend and, despite Beth’s words to the contrary, a part of her worried she herself had done something very wrong to upset her.
She lifted her bags onto the bed of her childhood room and tried to ignore the uneasy foreboding sensation lurching in her stomach.