Page 16

CHAPTER 16

Caitlyn (Cat)

I close my eyes and sink into the water as Turk’s cock fills me. Part of my head tenses against the memories, but the pleasure, the warmth, the comforting strokes of his palms on my hips and thighs soothe me. His words of encouragement, of connection fill me.

You’re mine, Cat. I’m yours.

Mine. Someone for me. Someone who wants me. Is it really possible?

He captures my hips in his broad palms. “Put your hands on my shoulders. You’ve been doing all the work. Let me help.”

He works my body, thrusting and lifting until that tight knot of need explodes and we both come crashing down.

With my head on his shoulder, he cradles me to him. Periodically he partially drains then warms the water surrounding us. All the while he strokes my back, my hips, my thighs, and whispers tender words of praise, kindness and a future together.

His phone pings, sending reality crashing down on us. I lean up. “Are you going to get that?”

“No. This is our sanctuary. We are not being bothered here. After we get out and dry off, I’ll check it in the other room.”

A few minutes later he climbs out first, then lifts me out and carefully dries every inch of me before tending to himself. I slip his T-shirt on, he wears his lounge pants. Together we cross to the kitchen.

“What can I get you to drink?” he asks.

“Juice?”

“Apple, orange or mango?”

‘Mango.” Handing me a bottle, he takes a swig of his own before leaning back against the opposite counter and opening his phone. I can tell by the grimace on his face it’s bad news. “Is it Tatum? Mel?”

“They’re fine.” Lifting his gaze to mine, he answers softly. “Missy’s dead. They found her in her car on the east side. She wasn’t alone. Baylor was with her. They appear to have died of an overdose. Slack probably paid them off with tainted drugs. They’ll know more after the autopsy.”

“He’s taking out witnesses and flunkies he doesn’t trust. Something he learned from my stepfather.”

“Probably.”

“Poor Missy.”

“This is not your fault. Missy came from money. She wanted for nothing. It was her choice to get into drugs and to pony up with a piece of shit like Baylor. YOU had nothing to do with her choices.

“She had options. Something you never had. I can’t imagine what it was like for you growing up like you did. Did your mom protect you at all? Oh god, did your stepfather abuse you too?”

“Not me. Mom. But not me. She’d intercede and then would pay the price. She tried to be a good mom in that respect. I learned early to stay quiet and hidden when he was home.”

It’s so embarrassing having him know all the dirty details of my life. “What now?”

“We keep waiting.”

“I really need something to do. I’m… I don’t sit around well. I’m at practice or at the diner helping out. I have nervous energy.”

“Can you cook?”

“Mel’s been teaching me. I can do some things.”

“I’m only good at breakfast and steaks. After that, it’s take out or box pizza.”

“I can help with that.”

“There isn’t a lot in my cupboards. Let’s make a list for a few days and order groceries to be delivered. We can make dinner together.”

“Mel taught me his secret cake recipe. I can make dessert.”

“Then we’ll get ice cream. I have the sports channel so we can find a hockey game and chill.”

Steak, baked potatoes, and salad isn’t what I’d call heavy duty cooking. But it was delicious and filling. Turk ordered enough food to last a week, as well as three quarts of ice cream and the supplies for the cake, of which he’s already had two slices.

“How do you stay in shape if you eat all this sweet stuff?” I ask.

“There’s a gym in the basement of this building. I usually work out either at night or in the morning. If it’s been a tough day, both. Clark and I usually run on the weekends or spar. I trained for hockey for years and it’s a habit I’ve never stopped.” He looks up at me. “When this is straightened out, we can work out together. The gaze he runs over me is filled with expectations of another kind of exercise.

“Tomorrow we can push the furniture to the side and do a workout up here.” His mischievous smile takes my breath away.

“Hmm, we do need to keep our stamina up.” I can’t believe this is me. Sexual innuendos? What has he done to me? I can’t even believe someone as hot and smart as him is into me. “Wait, your job. You have to go to work. I’m messing this up for you.”

He comes up behind where I’m wrapping up the leftover cake. Putting his hands on my hips he nuzzles my neck. “You are not messing anything up. You are perfect. My case load is light this week and no scheduled surgeries. My partner is handling it. He is totally capable of doing patient intake and assessment. He owes me. I covered for him when his wife had their baby.”

Two hours later he whispers near my ear. “Come on, babe. Time for bed. You’re exhausted.”

I rub my eyes and glance at the TV. “Did I fall asleep? Wha-what time is it?”

“Nine. You’ve been running on fumes for a long time. You need some quality sleep.”

“Any news?”

“Based on what you told Dad and the ‘diaries’, the DA has identified Slack as a person of interest in several homicides. They have not located him yet, but they’re still examining all his known businesses and properties.”

“Can you get me the list of the places they’ve considered? I can see if I know of others. Tell them to look under my mom’s maiden name, Price. My stepdad sometimes used her name. I know Slack has other properties too, but I’m not sure how many or where. There’s a deli near Goodell St. where he makes book.”

He lifts me from the couch and carries me bridal style to the bathroom. “Get ready for bed. I’ll let Dad know.” He slowly trails his gaze over me. “I left you a softer T-shirt on the counter.”

His eyes say I don’t need it. I study my reflection in the mirror. Do I dare? Can I really trust? Am I brave enough to take something for myself?

It’s Tatum’s brother for god’s sake. What would she think? Closing my eyes, I groan. I know exactly what she’d say. Get out of your damn head and go for it!

I’m snuggled on my side under the blankets when he walks in and goes to the bathroom. The T-shirt is under the pillow in case I chicken out. He leaves a small light on and pulls the door mostly closed. Pausing at the side of the bed in just a pair of boxers, he places a handgun, his phone and a remote security monitor on the bedside table and clears his throat. “I’ve checked all the doors three times and the security four. I can sleep on top the covers if you’d like, but for my own peace of mind I want to be in here with you.”

“Get under the covers, Turk.”

He lies on his side facing me. Reaching out he strokes my cheek. “I swear, I’ll protect you.”

“Turk, you’ve already done more for me than anyone.” I lay my palm on his shoulder and press him to his back then roll on top of him.

He does a quick inhale, then smiles. “You’re naked.”

“Hmm. Why aren’t you?”

“I can remedy that in about one second.” He rolls us to the side, shoves the boxers past his knees, kicks them the rest of the way off, then rolls to his back pulling me over him again. “Now that’s better.”

“Much,” I agree. Sitting on his strong thighs, I spread my palms over his bulging pecs. “My turn to explore.”

My personal experiences are limited to the three I told Turk about, but I’ve been exposed visually to a lot. At home where my stepfather and Slack would take women anywhere and however they chose, in the house or at the clubs they both operated. To them it was all about the power, the ultimate control.

Today, I learned from Turk that making love is an expression of tenderness and caring. Two different worlds.

Turk slides his palms behind his head and grins. “I’m all yours. Do as you please.”

As an athlete I know the work that goes into having a body as toned as his. And damn, he’s toned. Bulging biceps and thighs, washboard abs and that beautiful V. Leaning forward I lick the heart of his half-chest sleeve then lower to tease his nipple. His sharp inhale and the reflexive thrust of his hips tells me I’m on the right course. Sucking gently, I let my teeth gently graze his tender flesh.

“Fuck that feels good. You feel so good laying on top of me. We fit perfectly.”

Straddling his hips, I scoot farther down his body. Leaning on one forearm I skim his engorged cock with the palm of my hand. Damn, the man is impressive everywhere. Velvet soft, hard like a pipe, his body and his personality.

I slide my fingertip over the bead of precum and bring it to my lips, sucking his essence into my mouth.

He draws a ragged breath. “God damn, babe, you almost made me come doing that. You may have to give me a second to get my control back.” He studies me with a hint of concern. “Have you done this?”

I shake my head. “But I want to.”

Smiling, I lean down and run my tongue over his tip then around his hood. His body flexes and strains for control. Exactly like he made me feel. He groans and spears a hand in my hair while the other rests lightly on my shoulder. “Just need to touch you,” he croaks.

Taking him into my mouth, I swirl my tongue around him getting used to his flavor and girth. Palming his balls in my other hand, I feel his body tremble as I explore.

“Fuck, fuck. That’s it. So good. Gonna come, babe. Pull off.” But I don’t. I keep sucking, taking him deeper and harder. Enjoying his reaction. I realize he’s sharing his vulnerability with me. Suddenly I feel empowered. Equal. Sucking harder, I stroke with one hand while massaging his balls in the other. His body tenses and he cries out as he explodes for me. I swallow all that I can then take my time licking him clean.

He collapses into the mattress. Cupping the back of my head, he guides me up to lay on top of him. “Need you with me. Come here.”

A few moments later he rolls us to our sides facing each other. “You are magnificent. Beautiful. Smart. Strong. Everything I’ve ever longed for.” He kisses me reverently. “Mine and I’m yours.”

My heart thunders in my chest. This is a dream. It can’t be true. Someone like Turk is so above me. “I… you can’t…”

“Shh… Relax. I know I’m dumping a lot on you at once. I’m not the kind of guy who holds back. I know what I feel and what I want. YOU. I’ll give you time to catch up. For now, let me hold you.”

He does. All night long. Waking me up twice more to make love to me.