TWENTY-EIGHT
Kayne threaded his fingers through Jess’s as they stepped out of Maddy’s room two nights later. Instead of tugging her toward the stairs that led to the master bedroom, he headed toward the far end of the house.
“Where are we going?”
“You asked about my artwork, I want to show you some of it.”
She giggled. “You need a better pickup line than that, if you’re trying to get me back to your place to look at your etchings, sir.”
Kayne came to grinding halt, giving her a heated look. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. “I wouldn’t ask,” he said softly, seductively. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deep before letting it slowly out. “I’d just scoop you up and carry you off to my cave, where I would strip you bare and love you with my hands and mouth before I buried myself deep inside you.”
Jess’s nipples puckered, and her sex clenched at the thought of it. She eyed their surroundings, wondering what he might do.
Kayne caught her chin, turned her face to him, and kissed her softly. “Drawings first.”
Jess reluctantly fell into step beside him, excited to see his art work, but slightly disappointed that he’d had the willpower not to take her right then and there. But when they stepped into an unused study, she was glad he had.
He pressed the wall switch, and soft light filled the room. He’d turned the room into a studio. Since Jess rarely came to this part of the house, she’d had no idea. The loveseat and chairs had been moved against the interior wall, and his drawing table and chair sat near the balcony doors with a thick black artist’s portfolio lying atop it.
He picked up the portfolio and led Jess over to the couch. “Sit please,” he said, before sitting down next to her and setting the portfolio on the coffee table in front of them.
Kayne shifted his body so he could see Jess better. “I’ve been drawing a long as I can remember. When I was little, Nina would shove a coloring book at me to keep me busy while she was entertaining her johns. The summer we moved to America, the man who’d brought us here put me in a summer program, figuring I’d learn English quicker if I was around other children my age. That’s where I discovered I loved to draw. By the time I went to live with Ben and Luann, I’d become good enough to get paid for it.” It was how he’d made sure there was food in the house when Nina couldn’t be bothered to do so.
Jess captured his hand and entwined her fingers with his, pulling it into her lap.
Kayne reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t want your pity, baby. I just want to share these with you.” He pointed to the folio.
“Okay,” she whispered, clinging to his hand with both of hers.
Kayne watched the gentle rain streak down the exterior glass doors for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. “You know, Pop was a youth pastor, but I’m not sure if I told you that he was pretty much the sole provider for a wife and six kids, including me when I first moved in. I figured it wouldn’t be long before they decided they couldn’t keep me, so I started spending all my time down on the boardwalk, doing caricature sketches for money.”
Kayne watched the lightning flash in the distance, feeling restless. “I’d been living there for several months when I overheard Ben and Luann talking finances one night. I’d gotten up to get a drink of water and stopped just out of sight, when I heard what they were talking about. I wanted to know what they were going to do with me. I don’t know how long I stood there, but not once did they say ‘Hey we need to get rid of that troublesome Russian kid.’ I’d known money was tight for them, but I could tell by the conversation something had happened. Mama was pregnant and they were trying to rebudget their lives.
“Ben said he was going to try and pick up some construction jobs, and Luanne argued that he’d never be home for us kids. She said, ‘Your sons need you, especially Kayne.’” Kayne flashed Jess a self-deprecating smile. “That’s when I finally got it. I was part of their family, and whatever happened, it was us standing together against the world. So I slipped back into the bedroom I shared with three brothers and pulled out my hidden stash of money. I marched back into that kitchen and placed nearly two-thousand dollars on the table in front of them.” Kayne shook his head and chuckled. “Of course, I had to do some fast talking to explain how I'd legally earned it.”
Kayne smiled, remembering how scared he’d been standing up to Ben. Not from fear of being hurt but of being rejected. “Pop and I argued for nearly an hour. He refused to take the money, and I refused to continue living there if I couldn’t help out. Finally, I threw up my hands and shouted, ‘I thought this was my family too, I should get to help take care of them!’ and that finally swayed Pop. He realized that I needed to be needed.” He looked at Jess, hoping she understood what he was trying to say. He needed to be needed here too.
Jess nodded. Whether because she heard what he was saying or to encourage him to continue, Kayne wasn’t sure.
He pulled his hand free and wrapped his arm around her, wanting her closer. “Somewhere long after Mama had gone to bed, Pop and I finally negotiated a compromise: As long as school and grades remained first and foremost, I could continue selling my artwork. But I had to put half in savings for college. At the time, I couldn’t imagine going to college, but I agreed because he said I could use the other half as I saw fit.” Kayne had kept a few dollars of spending money for himself or for something special for one of his siblings from time to time, but everything else had gone into savings or to his family.
“So why didn’t you become an artist?” Jess asked softly.
“I wanted to save the world.” Kayne laughed, the sound far more bitter than he’d intended. “I couldn’t even save my own kids.”
Jess’s heart broke for Kayne. She hated that the strong, vibrant man next to her felt that he’d failed his first family.
She watched as Kayne opened his portfolio. The first sheet was a half-finished sketch of Kayne’s parents with their children. “Oh my God, this is incredible!”
“That’s for their anniversary next month, if I can get it done in time,” Kayne said, before he carefully flipped it over to reveal the next image.
He showed her dozens of pieces. Some were simple little black and white drawings, others portrait size done in color. Every one exquisitely detailed images of shadow and light, capturing the subject perfectly. There were pictures of his siblings and their children, of Jess and their kids, and pictures of Nikolai and Natalia with Oksana.
“Did you do these from pictures?” Jess studied what she could only describe as a candid shot of herself, but she had no memory of anyone taking her picture the day of the snowball fight.
Kayne shook his head. “No, everything I draw is from live subject or memory.”
When Jess moved to reveal the last sketch, Kayne put his hand down on hers. “Don't, please.”
“It's okay, Kayne.” Jess realized the picture must be another drawing of Oksana. It wasn't as if Jess didn't realize how lovely she'd been, or how much the images spoke of Kayne's affection for her. And if the image of a beautifully pregnant Oksana had made her more than a little jealous, that was her problem, not his.
Kayne searched her face for a long moment, then very reluctantly let her lift his hand out of the way.
Jess gasped. The picture wasn't of Oksana, but the woman was stunningly beautiful and gloriously naked, revealing the full curve of her breasts with their rosy pale nipples aroused, a narrow waist, and gently rounded stomach that flared into hourglass hips. She was lying in bed, a riot of curls cascading around her heart-shaped face. Her eyes were hooded, her cheeks flushed with latent desire, her swollen lips spread slightly in a seductive smile. In short, she looked like someone who'd been well loved.
“This is how you see me?” Jess whispered, hardly able to believe his perception.
His voice was laced with frustration when he said, “No. You are far lovelier than anything I could ever capture on paper. No matter how hard I try.”
Even if it were a lie, she loved him for it. Jess shifted until she could cup his face in her hands and kissed him gently. Then again more passionately as she pushed him back against the couch.
***
Holy Shit! He liked this aggressive side of her.
Within minutes, they were both naked. Kayne shoved the coffee table out of the way and took her down to the thick-carpeted floor. He came to rest atop her and kissed her deeply. He pressed a knee between hers, nudging her open, and then settled between her thighs, bringing his erection in contact with her clitoris. God, he wanted to be inside her, but it seemed she was having none of that.
Jess pushed at his shoulder. “Over.”
He rolled onto his back, taking her with him. There was no hesitation anymore, she simply spread her thighs to accommodate his hips, then planted her hands and shoved up off his chest until she straddled him. She gave him a seductive smile as she reached down, took his turgid shaft in hand, and gave it several firm strokes. He loved the confident way she touched him, with just the right amount of pressure to drive him insane.
Kayne reached up and cupped her breasts, relishing in the sound of her shuddering gasp. “So sensitive, baby.”
His cock in hand, Jess poised herself to take him in. “I want you to draw us. Just like this.”
Kayne watched as she opened for him, taking him in ever so slowly; inch by tantalizing inch. “Okay.” Christ, he’d grant her about anything at that moment.
She released a deep breath and sank completely onto him, taking him balls-deep. “With you buried inside me, just like this.”
Kayne closed his eyes, letting his head fall back. He wanted to howl from the pleasure of his shaft being so tightly fisted in her hot wetness. He fought the caveman within that demanded he drag his mate under him and take her fast and hard.
Jess panted. “I want it for my office.”
His eyes popped open. “Your office?”
She rose off of him, poising with just the tip of his cock inside her sleek folds as she waited for an answer. “Yes.”
Jess shifted away when he tried to arch up into her. He growled in frustration.
She taunted him with her body. “I’ll put it in that nook behind the door, so only I can see it.” She lowered herself, allowing a couple shallow strokes before she sank deep and stilled.
Kayne jackknifed into a sitting position and captured her lips for a soul-searing kiss. “Christ baby, you're killing me.” The slow fuck she was giving him was driving him batshit crazy, but he was determined to let her lead for as long as he could. And then she shifted, wrapping her legs around him so that he was seated as deeply as he could go, the tip of his erection kissing the entrance to her womb.
Slowly, she began to rock against him. Just enough movement to keep him achingly aroused, but not enough to take either of them over the edge. As he looked into her eyes, he realized this was what she wanted, this face-to-face intimacy that he often, unintentionally, overlooked because he was so goddamned hot for her. He wanted that, too, he realized. Kayne hoped she’d recognize the fire for her that burned in his soul and prayed to God he'd see it reflected in her.
And so they talked in hushed tones as they touched and caressed, whispering of dreams and desires, and oftentimes nonsense. Kayne held on by his teeth, and when he couldn't take it another second, he pulled her under him, covered her, and plunged deep, all control gone. He caught the back of her knees with his forearms, spreading her wide. Each drag and thrust threatening to send him over the edge, and he knew she was right there with him, could feel her muscles contracting around him, taking all of him.
Kayne shifted slightly, reaching between them to stroke her clit with his thumb, even as he whispered, “Come for me, baby.” She did, his name a benediction torn from her soul. He howled her name to the heavens as she took him with her.
Kayne collapsed onto his side, dragging Jess with him in a tangle of arms and legs, their bodies still joined. He sucked in gasping lungfuls of air as his heart beat a frantic tattoo against his ribs. Good God, it had been the most amazing orgasm he’d ever had.
“You okay?” He managed to press out between breaths.
He felt her nod against his chest, but whatever words she said were drowned out by the thunderstorm’s arrival.
Lightning flashed like a noontime sun, lights flickered, and thunder cracked and rolled. A split second later, the house plunged into darkness.
“The kids!” Jess cried, pushing at his shoulder. “They'll be looking for me.”
He disengaged their bodies and rolled away, letting her up. Jess pulled his T-shirt over her head, and he watched it fall nearly to her knees as he kicked into his jeans. He fastened them even as he began to walk, Jess sticking close to his side.
They made their way to the nursery, knowing Grace and Isabelle would be the most frightened, but when they got there all four children were waiting for them.
“Why are you all in here?” Jess asked.
“Izzy said she saw someone on the stairs.” Ash nervously pointed toward the now barricaded passage.
Kayne turned to his son. “What do you mean, saw someone?”
Isabelle ducked her head. “I saw the scary man, again.”
A cold chill ran down Kayne’s spine. “What scary man?”
Isabelle wrapped herself around his legs. “The one in the window.”
Kayne stroked Isabelle’s silky crown of curls. “Someone has been outside your window?” He felt Isabelle’s nod against his hip. Kayne wished he could see Jess better to gauge her reaction. Dammit, why the hell wasn’t the generator working?
Kayne shifted Isabelle to Jess’s side. “Wait here.”
Kayne studied the chair wedged under the door handle to keep the door from being opened. “Who put the chair here?”
“I did,” Ash said proudly.
“Good job, kiddo. Smart thinking. Just don't forget to barricade both doors next time.” Kayne knew there wasn't anyone in the house, he'd set the alarm himself. However, he liked that Ash had kept a clear head and knew how to take care of his siblings.
“There isn't another chair in here, but I have my Maglite.” Ash sounded pleased with himself. Kayne was just about to ask him for it when the power kicked back on.
Kayne fought really hard not to laugh when he realized Ash was still standing near the hallway door holding the 4 D-cell flashlight like a baseball bat, ready to kick some boogeyman’s ass.
Kayne stepped into the empty, illuminated stairwell and activated the security screen. The alarm wasn't on. Son of a fucking bitch!
He quickly scrolled through the construction-blueprint style screens, scanning for anyone who didn't belong. The house was empty save for the six of them. He reactivated the alarm and searched all the door and window indicators. Everything appeared secure and activated.
“Okay, kiddos, no one in the house but us. Let’s get you back to bed.” One look at his children’s faces, and he knew their king-sized bed was about to get really crowded.
***
Kayne woke to the sound of a cell phone vibrating. It took him a moment to realize why he felt like a sardine. He was snuggled up with his wife and a bed full of children. Not only was the arm under Jess numb, but the one holding Gracie atop his chest had little feeling in it as well. Before he could figure out how to extract himself, Jess grabbed the phone and answered, “Hello?”
Kayne lay close enough that he could hear the sound of radio traffic through the phone, followed by muted silence while the dispatcher responded to the officer. Why the hell were they calling him in the middle of the night? He wasn’t the on-call officer.
“Hey, it’s Shay in dispatch. I need Kayne.”
“Sorry, he’s taken,” Jess mumbled.
Shay laughed. “You can keep him. I only need to borrow him for a call out.”
Even if Kayne had wanted to take the phone, he wasn't sure if he could. Seeing his dilemma, Jess held the phone so he could hear better.
“I’m not the one on call,” Kayne grumbled.
“I know, but he’s already tied up on an accident scene, and we have a report that the highway has washed out somewhere east of Little Green Valley.”
Kayne rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, biting back a sigh of frustration. “Isn't there someone else? I really don't want to leave my wife and kids alone tonight. They're all snuggled up in bed with us as it is.”
“Yeah, I wish I were there too.” She paused, laughed. “I mean in my own bed. It’s been a hellacious night—we must be getting close to a full moon. Anyway, Sgt. Balentine said you're the closest unit.”
“Go already,” Jess mumbled, but she snuggled deeper, sending pins and needles snaking up his arm.
He searched out her face in the darkness. “Are you sure, baby?”
“As long as you promise to hurry home, Pookie Bear, I'll miss you.” Jess batted her eyes at him adoringly.
“I'll check 10-8 in a few,” Kayne sighed, knowing he was going to have to figure out how to extricate himself from the sardine can of the bed. He did not want to leave them.
“Okay, Pookie Bear.” Shay chuckled before she hung up.
Kayne pinched Jess’s ass, satisfied when she yelped in surprise. “You're in so much trouble for that,” he growled.
“I guess you're really not much of a Pookie Bear, you're more of a Pookums? Or maybe a Snooky Poo?” Jess giggled when he cringed. “Sugar Kayne, Candy Kayne?”
“You're enjoying the fact that I'm a captive audience, aren't you?”
Jess nodded—the little witch.
Fifteen minutes later, Kayne climbed into his patrol car. “Eleven-three-eight, 10-8, en-route.”
***
Jess startled awake, disoriented, certain someone had shouted her name in warning. The hair on the back of her neck was standing on end, and a chill raked down her spine. She felt hunted. That was the only word for it. Hunted.
She lay motionless for a moment, orienting herself. The storm was still fussing outside, but that wasn’t what had her senses on alert. She looked toward the alarm clock on the opposite side of her bed, only to realize the power was out again.
Lightning flashed as she turned back to the window. In that brief moment of illumination, she saw a masked figure, clad in black, looming over the bed.
Jess gasped even as she stomped down the scream trying to escape her. Despite the mask, she knew it wasn't Kayne.
Someone was in their house.
“Who's there?” she demanded. Jess searched for the flashlight she knew would still be wrapped in Ash's hands or close by. Another flash lit the room as her hand closed around the handle, but the man was nowhere to be seen.
A scan of the room with the flashlight showed whoever had been there was gone. Jess picked up her cell phone and dialed.
“9-1-1, what is your emergency?” Jess recognized Hayden’s voice. She'd been a dispatcher back when Jess worked for the police department.
“I have an intruder.” Just saying the words out loud scared the hell out of her. She carefully climbed out of bed and tucked the cell phone between her ear and shoulder to free up her right hand. Without taking her eye off the bedroom door, she leaned down, placed her thumb on the biometric lock of the bedside gun safe, and felt the lock silently disengage.
Jess blindly reached in, grabbed the subcompact 9mm, and tucked it under her arm. Then she retrieved the ten-round magazine. She slid the magazine into the firearm and felt it click into place. Jess laid the flashlight on the edge of the bed for a moment, and chambered a round as quietly as possible, flinching when it sounded loudly in the silent room. Palming the loaded firearm in her right hand, the flashlight in her left, she cautiously made her way toward the bedroom door.
Jess used her forearm to slam the door shut and then threw the lock. Knowing the door wouldn't even slow down a determined person, she dragged a folding step-stool from the closet and wedged it under the door handle, barricading them in.
She scanned the flashlight over the kids, amazed they were still sleeping. Her heart stilled when she didn't see Gracie. But then Ash rolled over, and there she was. Somehow, the little sprite had made her way into his arms after Kayne left.
God, Jess wanted Kayne to come home.
***
“Eleven-three-eight, are you copying Payson PD's traffic?” Kayne’s dispatch asked.
Kayne picked up his microphone. “Negative.” Shay was really beginning to piss him off. Since checking on duty, he'd fielded two phone calls and a dozen messages via computer, and she'd managed to just out and out annoy him over the radio, even when she wasn't talking to him. No one should be so goddamned cheerful at 3 am.
On top of that, he'd been all the way to the top of the Mogollon Rim on Highway 260 and halfway back, with no signs of a washout. Sure, the heavy rainfall had displaced a few rocks along the side of the canyon passes, but that was normal, and there had been no reason to call him, or anyone else for that matter, out of bed.
“They’re responding to your 10-42. Your 1-0-1 reported an intruder.”
Son of a bitch! No reason to call him out of bed, unless it was to get him out of the house. Kayne's heart nearly jumped out of his chest. Jess had called in an intruder? Motherfucker!
“Copy, how long ago?”
“PD just called. Officers are enroute. They wanted to confirm your 10-20.”
Kayne flipped on his overhead lights. “I haven't been anywhere near the house,” he said, realizing they wanted his location to make sure he hadn't gone home for a minute, and Jess hadn’t realized it was him.
His location, however, was a problem. Even running code, with the heavy rain and low visibility, he was a good five to ten minutes away.
“I'm enroute, Code 3.” Kayne added sirens to the flashing lights. He prayed P.D. would get there quickly, because anything could happen in a moment, much less ten fucking minutes.
“Battalion One, I'm on scene of the PD's intruder call.”
Kayne glared at the in-car scanner when he heard Cody's voice. What the fuck? Why was Cody anywhere near their house at three in the morning, much less checking on scene like he was some sort of law enforcement officer?
Kayne had a funny feeling he knew exactly who the intruder was. If he was right, Cody had just crossed the line from nuisance to dangerous. Kayne listened as Rafe Chatham ordered Cody to stay out of the house and let the cops handle it. It was clear from Cody’s response that he had no intention of following that order.