Page 15

CHAPTER 15

Turk

“How does he contact you?”

“His man shows up on the assigned night and picks up the money at closing time at the diner. If there’s a change that’s when I find out. I never gave him a phone number.

“Wait, this week there was a note in my locker telling me I had to make my payment early because of the away game or the price would double.”

“Baylor,” Clark and I say at the same time. “And because of Baylor he will also have your number.”

“Check your phone. See if you have any messages.”

Cat pulls it from her backpack and glances at the screen. “It’s dead. I didn’t charge it.”

“Give me the cable and I’ll plug it in.” I turn back to the room. “Information is everything to these guys,” Clark says. “Because of Baylor, he’ll know that Tatum is her best friend. I’ll go get her.”

“No. I’m the wild card. I’ll take this one,” Mel cuts in. He stands and crosses to Cat. “Take a selfie of the two of us. And another with all of us. She’ll also recognize me from the game. Text her the photos and tell her I’m on my way and not to go with anyone else.”

“She’s at work. The coffee shop on Briar. You know the one,” Cat says.

“Clark, contact Leslie, tell her to pack a bag, she’s staying with you. Go pick her up.”

“What about the rest of the team? Would he…” Cat asks. “Baylor will have all their info?”

Dad chimes in. “I’m headed to the D.A.’s. Get them to Clark’s for now, and I’ll arrange for a safe house. You boys, arm up and stay sharp.”

I walk with Dad to the door. His words are meant to calm me. “It’s going to be alright son. I know who we can trust.”

“A lot of people to watch over. And I know she’s feeling guilty.”

“Right now, just take care of her. We’ll work the rest out.”

After he leaves, I shut the door and rearm the security system. Then text my partner explaining a family emergency. He’s going to have to cover my patients for a couple days. He replies not to worry.

I head back to the living room. Cat has her bag packed and is standing at the side of the couch. I should have guessed. At least she isn’t trying to slip away unnoticed. “Leaving?”

“Yes. I have to. I’ve brought this trouble on to all of you.”

“No, you were a victim.”

“He’ll come after me if I leave. I can lure him away.”

“That’s not how it works with guys like him. He’ll let you run. Let you think you got away or led him away. But in the end, he’ll have destroyed everyone you care about just to spite you. And then he’ll gloat over it in front of you. I’ll bet he deliberately let you see him with the hammer in his hand after he killed your parents. Knowing you’d question what you saw again and again, replaying it constantly. Psychological terror at its best.”

“Then what am I supposed to do? How do I keep the people I care about safe? I’ve selfishly put them in danger.”

“You aren’t selfish. My god, you could have been asking for handouts the whole time, you could have lied and cheated like he does. After everything he caused you, you tried to do it on your own. Worked your ass off, to keep ahead of him. You went to jail because of him. You were paying him money for something you didn’t owe him.

“I realize, you didn’t know who you could trust then. But now you do. Let’s put this bastard away. We do that by keeping you safe and letting him hang himself.”

She shakes her head from side to side. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you care?”

“Because you’re a good person.”

She shakes her head.

I go on. “Because I love watching you skate and play hockey the way you do. You play the game of my heart, with all of yours.

“Because I like you. I admire your spunk, your grit, the way you stand up for others, especially since I now know no one ever stood up for you. You put Baylor in his place more than once on behalf of the other women.

“I think you’re beautiful, inside and out. I’m attracted to you and want to get to know you. What I’ve learned just makes me want you more. You’re sexy as hell and honestly everything about you turns me on.”

“I’m plain. I don’t dress girlie. I’m taller than a lot of girls and lanky.”

“You are the perfect height for me. Your clear blue eyes couldn’t lie if you tried. They are windows to your heart. And it’s a good heart, Cat. I can tell the difference.

“Your long hair is a gorgeous shade of autumn gold.” I slip my fingers through her thick tresses loving the feel as the silken strands caress my skin. “I want to feel it slide all over my body.

“Those tempting, lush, full pink lips, have the most erotic fantasies filling my dreams. I’m not lying, more than once since I’ve met you, I’ve had to fly solo in my shower.

“I want you, Cat. Like I have never wanted a woman before. I can’t even remember anyone before you.”

“We-ah-could, if you want.”

“Cat, you don’t owe me. I don’t ever want sex between us to be a payment. Passion yes. Have you even had sex since the rape? Made love?”

“I did once in high school and a couple times with a guy I met when I was working in admin at the junior college. It was okay.”

“Okay as in you didn’t freak out because of the rape?”

She hesitates then nods.

“Okay is not what you deserve. I’ll bet they never even gave you an orgasm. Did they?”

“Uhm, I don’t think so.”

“Have you ever given yourself one?”

“I—ah think so. One of the girls in juvie talked about it a lot. Told us how to do it.”

“Umm.” Slowly I ease her into a loose embrace. When she relaxes against my chest I continue with a glimmer of hope. “Have you ever been in a whirlpool tub?”

She shakes her head.

“How about I make some herbal tea and we go relax in a nice warm tub. Just decompress for a little bit.”

“Shouldn’t we be doing something?”

“Staying safe is what we need to do. Resting and relaxing so that we’re ready when they need us. I’ll have my phone.”

Placing the tea mugs, my phone and the portable security monitor on the table near the tub, I fill it with water and a touch of the recommended lavender bubbles. She watches every move. Stripping out of my clothes, I step into the tub and hold my hand out to her.

I somewhat school my reaction as her gaze travels over my tattoo covered shoulder, bicep and lower to the one by my V. Her eyes widen at my erection.

“I didn’t realize you had…tattoos.”

I stifle my chuckle at her candor. She needs to know that I’m under control. “Part of my self-expression during college.”

“I’ve always wanted one.”

“Once things are settled, we’ll get you one.”

I see the question in her look. She doesn’t know it yet, but once this is over, I’m not letting her go. I’ve waited a long time for the one . I won’t give up easily.

She drops the robe she’d changed into, takes my hand and steps into the frothing water. “Humm, this feels good.”

Fuck, she’s even more beautiful than I expected. Sleek, toned, defined. Her gorgeous breasts, with the rose-colored nipples will perfectly fill my palms.

Don’t go there. That’s not what she needs right now. She needs cuddling.

“Turn around so your back is to my chest. Then I’ll sit and help you, so you don’t slip.”

Once she’s reclined against my chest, I hand her the honey and chamomile tea. Hopefully it will help her relax.

“This feels so good.”

“It’s really nice after a massage. All the aches and pains, all the stresses, just seem to soak away. Have you taken advantage of the masseuse that Clark hired for the team?”

“Not yet.”

“Okay, we’re adding it to the top of the agenda for soon.”

My phone vibrates and I check the message. “Mel has Tatum and he’s taken her to his house where he has his own security.” A few minutes later Clark lets us know he has Leslie, Steph and Meagan. Teddie is in the country with her wife. She and the local authorities have been notified. They haven’t been able to find Missy.”

“Do you think Missy will be okay since she’s been working for them?”

I’m not surprised that even though Missy has been a bitch and a traitor, Cat is still worried about her. “Hopefully.”

I finish my tea and she hands me her empty cup. With nothing to hold she slowly relaxes into the curve of my body. She feels so good, so right, in my arms. This tub was a sexual fantasy of mine for years. I’m glad she’s the first and only woman I’ve shared this with. Once this is settled, hopefully she’ll help me really break it in.

Gently, I stroke a curved palm up and down her arm, then lock our fingers together. “You’re the first woman I’ve ever invited into my tub.”

“But not the first to your home.”

“I wish I could say differently, but I’ve had one guest. One time, if that makes you feel better. I told you I’m not a player. I’d been dating her on and off for a while and she showed up here one night. The evening didn’t end well, and I never saw her again. I ah, donated all the bedding and bought new, just so you know.”

Her husky laughter fills the room. “That bad, huh?”

“That bad.” Then I’m laughing with her.

“Turk, you know all about me. I didn’t expect that you’re a monk either.”

I add hot water then rest a palm on her thigh. She sighs, “I could really get used to this. It feels so good.”

Stroking my hand up and down her thigh I whisper near her ear. “I could give you something else that would feel even better and be more relaxing.”

She hesitates a moment. “Mmm, sounds good to me.”

I kiss a path along her shoulder to her earlobe and back while stroking my palm up and down her thigh. With each pass she opens a little farther in anticipation of my destination. She tenses briefly as I gently slide two fingers over her mons and cup her vulva before stroking back up. “Babe, I want you to tell me what you like, what feels good.” I stroke her again. “You like this?”

“Y-yes. Your hand is so warm. It feels good.”

“That’s what this is all about, making you feel good. Let me know if there’s anything you don’t like. Now relax against me and just enjoy.”

I stroke and pet until I feel her reaching for something more. She may not know, but her body realizes what it needs and wants. I’m pretty sure by her reaction she’s never had a real orgasm.

Searching out her little button, I circle and brush, giving it the attention it needs. She grips the sides of the tub and a sexy as fuck groan slips past her lips. My own need blossoms. Down boy, this is all for her .

Increasing the speed and force of my strokes I feel her orgasm growing. When she explodes, I catch her, kissing her neck and ear, soothing her tremors of release. “Beautiful. So beautiful, babe. You’re gorgeous when you come.”

“I was wrong, before. I’ve definitely never had an orgasm until now.”

“I’m glad I was your first,” I whisper in her ear. “Now relax and enjoy the afterglow.”

Adding more water, we both enjoy luxuriating in the warmth. After a few minutes, she wiggles her bum. I wonder if sitting on my boner is uncomfortable and try to shift. She trails her lush ass cheek after me. “You uncomfortable, babe?”

“A little.”

“Hold on, let me move.”

“No. Stay put. I’ve got this.” Sinking to her shoulders in the water she rolls until she’s facing me. Palming my shoulders she slides her body up mine until she’s sitting on my thighs. Her pert full breasts hover right in front of my lips.

“See something you’d like to sample?” she asks.

“Definitely. I’d love a nibble of that sweet little raspberry right in front of my mouth.”

Cupping the underside of her breast, she leans forward and feeds me the ripe little fruit. She is so damn sweet I’m going to die of sugar overload. Leaning back, she feeds me the other. Her impassioned moans spur me on as I suckle and lave.

“Damn, you couldn’t be any finer.” Grabbing her hips I grind her pussy down on my rod.

“I have an IUD and was tested when I came on the team.”

“I haven’t been with anyone in over a year, and I was just tested two months ago. But are you sure Cat?”

“Yes. I want the real thing. The way it’s supposed to be.”

“You take me, you’re the driver.”

Rising on her knees, I reach between us and align my cock with her entrance then let her take control. Her head rolls back on her shoulders and the sweetest pleasure moan escapes her throat as she lowers slowly onto me.

I almost come right then and there. “God damn, you feel so good. You are so perfect for me. We fit like we were made for each other.” Lifting her chin, I wait for her to meet my gaze. “You’re mine, Cat. You were meant for me. I’m yours. I’m not letting you go.”