Kate woke with a start, her heart pounding, her breaths coming short and fast. She was lying on her side, stretched out on the sofa. She could feel the solid warmth of Frank behind her. And for the first time she realized the heady pulse of arousal between her legs. The sensation of fullness in her breasts. The pleasant ache low in her belly as her womb contracted.
Around her the living room was dark. She could see into the kitchen where Frank had left the light on above the stove. She could hear rain hitting the roof. The hiss of heat coming through the furnace vents.
Snuggled behind her, Frank slept. His arm was around her. At some point during the night, he’d placed a pillow beneath her cheek and covered her with the afghan she’d draped over the back of the sofa. And for the first time in a long time, Kate felt completely safe and utterly content.
“You awake?”
She smiled at the sound of his voice. “Yeah.” She wanted to make eye contact with him, but for the life of her she couldn’t make herself turn around and face him.
“You cried out in your sleep,” he said.
“I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“It’s okay.” He was silent for a moment. “You called out my name.”
When she didn’t respond, he sat up, gently pulling her up with him so that they were sitting side by side. “Bad dream?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No,” she said, but she couldn’t look at him.
“I just figured if you’re calling out my name, it’s got to be bad.” He grinned.
Kate choked out a laugh, and it eased some of the tension inside her. It gave her the strength she needed to meet his gaze. His eyes were black in the darkness, and she got the uneasy sensation that he was looking right through her. She was keenly aware that her panties were damp against her skin. That her breasts were tingling.
“Are you okay with this?” he asked. Never taking his eyes from hers, he raised his hand and set his palm against her cheek. “With me being this close to you?”
“I’m okay.” But her heart was pounding so hard she was breathless.
“You’re shaking.”
“I think it’s a good kind of shaking.”
“You know I’d never hurt you, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she said, and the truth of that warmed her.
She could tell he wanted to say something. Probably something inappropriate judging from his expression. But she knew Frank was an astute man. He knew that this moment was profound. He knew they had arrived at a crossroads, and he wasn’t quite sure which direction to take.
His face was less than a foot from hers. His eyes searched her face, as if looking for some clue that would tell him what to do next. But Kate knew what he wanted to do. There was a small, reckless part of her that wanted him to. But in some small corner of her mind, she was terrified. Terrified that she wouldn’t be able to respond. That she wouldn’t feel anything. That she was cold inside, as she’d always believed.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you since the moment I laid eyes on you,” he said.
Kate smiled, but she felt her lips tremble. “I wanted to fire you the first time I saw you.”
They laughed together and she felt another notch of tension melt away.
“I wanted to do a hell of a lot more than kiss you,” he admitted. “I still do.”
Kate couldn’t speak. The urge to pull back and run was strong. But the need to heal herself, free herself, was stronger. Until this moment she hadn’t realized how desperately she wanted those things.
“Maybe we could start with something simple,” she whispered.
“Like this?” Leaning close, he brushed his mouth against hers. It was a tentative kiss, a feather touch of his mouth to hers, but every nerve ending in her body zinged on contact. All she could think was that she’d never felt anything so powerful in her life.
When he pulled back an instant later, his nostrils flared. “On second thought, I don’t think there’s going to be anything simple about this.”
“I’m good at complicated,” she said.
“You’re probably good at math, too.”
“A whiz.”
He kissed her again, and this time it wasn’t gentle. Kate tasted hunger on his mouth. She could feel that same hunger coursing through her body. But it was tempered by the uneasy sensation that she was in over her head. That she’d bitten off more than she could chew.
Frank didn’t give her a chance to think about it too long. His kisses were raw and urgent and demanding. Kate could do nothing but respond in kind. In some foggy corner of her mind it occurred to her that she didn’t know how to do this. But for the first time in her adult life, she trusted her instincts to guide her. She trusted Frank to show her.
Vaguely she was aware of her breaths rushing in and out of her lungs. The hard thump of her pulse in her ears. She could feel the heat of arousal barreling through her body, but this time she was not afraid and reveled in the wonder of it.
She was still wearing the turtleneck and jeans from earlier. She could feel Frank’s hands on her face, sliding to her waist. A tremor ripped through her when he brushed his fingertips over her breasts. Even through the fabric the sensation was powerful enough to take her breath.
Kate was not a sexual being. For eleven long years she’d known there were certain parts of her psyche that would never heal. She’d accepted the reality of that and learned to live with it. Until recently, she’d never even questioned it. Never missed it.
And then came Frank with his troubled eyes and quicksilver grin and he changed everything she’d ever believed about herself.
She cried out when his hands closed over her breasts. A small part of her wanted to retreat. She needed time to think, to get herself under control. But the stronger part of her rejoiced in the sensation of being touched so intimately and with such utter gentleness.
She wanted to touch him, too. She wanted to explore his body. Discover his secrets. Give him pleasure the same way he was pleasuring her. But it was too much too soon, and Kate couldn’t make herself do it.
“I want to touch your skin.”
His whisper came to her on a sigh. Raising her arms, he pulled the turtleneck over her head. Cool air rushed over her heated skin. She wore only her bra. Embarrassment nudged her, but Kate was too caught up in the moment to care.
Pulling back slightly, he gazed directly into her eyes as he unlatched the front closure and eased the scrap of lace from her shoulders. Kate shivered when his eyes dipped to her breasts. His jaw flexed. When he raised his eyes back to hers, they were dark with desire.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
A shudder moved through her when he brushed his palms over her nipples. The sensation raced through her body like electricity. She could feel her breasts swelling, her nipples puckering into tight buds. Low in her belly, her womb fluttered.
“Are you okay with this?” he whispered.
But Kate’s heart was beating so hard she couldn’t speak. He was looking at her strangely, and for an instant she felt awkward and foolish and light-years out of her league. But for the first time in her life she knew what it was to want with such desperation that she was willing to put her uncertainties and fears aside.
“I’m okay,” she said.
His gaze went smoky. Never taking his eyes from hers, he unsnapped his slacks and lowered the zipper. He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his boxers and tugged them down. She couldn’t bring herself to look. She was terrified she’d lose her nerve and stop. She did not want to stop.
Gently he took her hand and brought it to his mouth. He kissed her fingertips. Her knuckles. He ran his tongue over her palm. “Look at me.”
She stared at him an instant longer, then dropped her eyes. He was thickly built, with a long shaft that sent a pang of lust through her belly. Then he was lowering her hand, wrapping her fingers around the length of him. The skin was like velvet, but beneath the soft tip he was like steel, pulsing and hot to the touc
h.
A groan rumbled up from his throat. His breath quickened when she ran her fingertips over him, and he moved against her, sliding flesh against flesh. Abruptly he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and moved her hand away. He stood quickly and the next thing she was being swept into his arms.
“Matrone, what are you doing?” she whispered.
“Something both of us have wanted—” His words were interrupted when his shin thumped against the coffee table. “Ouch. Damn it.”
Kate giggled.
Frank grinned down at her. “That wasn’t supposed to be funny.”
“I always laugh at the wrong things.”
“One of a thousand things I like about you,” he said and kissed her.
The bedroom stood in shadows. Frank carried her to the bed and let her slide to her feet next to it. She hoped he didn’t notice the raw nerves slicing through her. She wore only her jeans now, and for several long seconds he stood there and looked at her as if she were a magnificent work of art and his eyes would never be able to take in every detail. Needing something to do with her hands, Kate reached out and began to unbutton his shirt. But her fingers were shaking so badly she couldn’t manage a single one.
He took her hands in his, kissed both her knuckles, and then began unbuttoning his shirt himself. He made short work of the buttons. The world tilted beneath her feet when his wide chest came into view. It was covered with a thatch of black hair. All she could think was male animal. He was leanly built, but it wasn’t for lack of muscle.
Kate felt overwhelmed. Intimidated by the power of his sexuality. She didn’t know what to do next. But all of those uncertainties were tempered by the power of her own need.
She jolted when he reached for the snap of her jeans and was immediately embarrassed by her reaction. “I’m not used to doing this. I’m not sure I know how. I don’t know what comes next. I mean, technically, I do, of course.” Kate never babbled, but she was now and she couldn’t seem to stop.
“You’re overthinking this.”
“I overthink everything.”
He smiled. “Another thing I love about you.” Lifting his finger, Frank set it gently against her lips. “Let me show you.”
Her senses lit up when he kissed her. He used his tongue this time. She could feel her body heating and flexing. Her fears and uncertainties melting away like ice beneath a blow-torch. His hands were gentle and sure as they unsnapped her jeans. Kate didn’t let herself think as she peeled them from her body and stepped out of them.
And then she stood before him, wearing nothing more than her panties, and she felt wonderful. Pulling back slightly, he stood naked before her. Arousal was like hot wax, burning between her legs. It was tortuous and sweet and like nothing she’d ever experienced in her life.
He kissed her mouth. Her temple. The point of her chin. Kate closed her eyes and let the pleasure rush over her, a waterfall of sensation that warmed her from the inside out. He trailed kisses down her throat, leaving a wet trail that cooled her heated flesh. She knew what he was going to do next and she braced. But the sensation of his mouth closing over her nipple was nothing like she’d imagined. The intensity wrenched a cry from her throat. Her back arched. Her arms went around his head. He suckled her hard, nipping at the sensitive bud with his teeth, first one breast and then the other. Need burgeoned, like a wildfire inside her, burning out of control.
He raised his head and kissed her hard on the mouth. Kate kissed him back hungrily now. He eased her onto the bed and lay down beside her. Her entire body quivered when he set his hand against her flat pelvis. Her legs opened as if of their own volition. The sight of his hand on her body shocked her, frightened her, thrilled her.
And Kate knew this moment would irrevocably change her. She knew Frank was going to break down barriers. That he was going to make her lose control.
“I’m going to touch you.”
He didn’t give her time to change her mind. He slid his hand over her mound and the crisp curls at her vee. Kate nearly came up off the bed when he slicked his finger over her, into her. She could feel her muscles clutching at him. Her hips moving to accept him. She closed her eyes and bright white stars exploded behind her lids.
Leaning close, he kissed her breasts, laving the engorged nipples with his tongue. Kate grasped the sheets in her fists to keep herself from writhing. She’d never wanted this way before. The need was greedy and edgy and would not wait.
He kissed the valley between her breasts. Her belly quivered when he kissed her there. Kate knew what would happen next. Anticipation warred with a thousand uncertainties and a thousand more fears. Then he moved between her legs and set his mouth against her most intimate place, and she couldn’t think about anything except the pleasure.
Every nerve ending in her body exploded as he ran his tongue along her slit. He opened her slightly, and probed with his tongue, warm and wet and forbidden. Kate closed her eyes against the hot burst of sensation. She could feel her muscles trembling, powerful waves building low and deep. It was too much. It was not enough.
She wanted to cry out when the warmth of his mouth left her. She whispered his name as he kissed her belly, her breasts, and then he was kissing her mouth and she could taste the wetness of her body. She was keenly aware of his heated flesh against hers. The steel rod of his erection nudging her. He moved over her, keeping his weight off of her with his arms.
She looked into his eyes, and for the first time she realized this moment was as profound for him as it was for her. She saw the deep well of emotions in the depths of his gaze. The taut set of his jaw. The muscles corded at his neck. His arms quivered with restraint. He looked fierce, but his kiss was so gentle it brought tears to her eyes.
“Don’t you dare cry,” he whispered.
“I’m not.”
He gave her a small smile. “Has anyone ever told you you’re argumentative?”
“All the time.”
They laughed together. A tension releasing laugh that Kate desperately needed at that moment. Frank leaned close, rested his weight on his elbows and kissed her forehead.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
“Better than okay.” She smiled.
“Nervous?”
“Terrified.”
He looked at her as if she were a puzzle he hadn’t quite figured out.
“I’ve never done this before,” she blurted. “I mean . . . what happened . . . it just . . . ruined it for me.”
He raised his hand and smoothed the hair back from her face. “It’s okay.” He kissed her gently, then started to ease away.
Realizing he thought she wanted to stop, she reached out and touched the side of his face. “Don’t stop,” she said. “I want this. With you. I’m ready.”
She loved the way he was looking at her. As if she were the only person in the world. The only thing in his life that mattered. As if she were precious and rare and he would never get enough of her.
“Tell me what you want,” he whispered.
“I want to feel,” she said. “I want to feel you.”
He kissed her hard on the mouth. When his tongue probed she accepted him. Vaguely she was aware of him easing his legs between hers. Her knees opening as he settled on top of her. She could feel the tip of his penis against her thigh. Her skin felt feverish, hot where he touched her. She couldn’t seem to hold still.
Then his hands were on either side of her face, and he was staring down at her with an intensity that took her breath. She could feel him at her opening. The intimacy of the moment devastated her. She could feel her entire body shaking. Her heart bucking against her ribs.
He entered her with shattering slowness. Kate felt herself go rigid. She saw his expression go taut. He went into her deeply. Her body responded of its own volition and rose up to meet him. He began to move within her. Kate could feel the layers of control peeling away. Her body was not her own. She could feel herself thrusting up to meet him. She could hear herself crying
out his name. Tidal waves of pleasure built higher and higher with every long stroke.
It was as if he became a part of her, as vital and life giving as her heart. And she found herself wondering how she had survived so many years without this. Without Frank.
The orgasm crashed over her with a power that stunned. Her control left her in a rush. It was as if every nerve ending in her body exploded. Every emotion she’d ever felt burst from her heart. She closed her eyes against the intensity. She could feel herself contracting around him. His name on her lips. The pleasure going on and on until she thought she would burst.
Frank didn’t give her a reprieve. He brought her to peak a second time. No time to catch her breath. No time to think or regroup or gather her senses.
“Don’t fight it,” he whispered as he moved within her. “Let go.”
Kate didn’t know what he meant. The intensity of the sensations coursing through her was too much and brought tears to her eyes. She felt out of control. Physically. Emotionally. But for the first time in her life she didn’t care. She trusted Frank, she trusted her own heart, and she let physical sensations sweep her away.
TWENTY-SIX
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 12:38 A.M.
Bruton Ellis hadn’t slept for six days, and he was feeling every minute of it. He was exhausted, but every time he closed his eyes he saw that needle sinking into his arm, pumping death into his veins. He imagined his lungs freezing, his heart giving a final surge. And he woke with his stomach in knots, his body bathed in cold sweat.
The jail was quiet at this hour, but he’d long since grown used to the silence. What he hadn’t grown accustomed to was the fear. It crawled inside him like maggots on roadkill, burgeoning and festering until he thought he would scream.
He was lying in his bunk staring at the ceiling when the jangle of keys drew his attention. His heart leapt in his chest because he’d never given up hope that Mr. Corporate Executive would come for him and straighten things out. But when the door swung open Mr. Corporate Executive wasn’t there. Just one of the jailers. A mean son of a bitch by the name of Skye.