Page 47 of Waiting for Him (Trident Security #3)

Brushing past her, Carter strode into her kitchen as if he belonged there.

Plates , utensils, glasses, and napkins for two were set on her dinette table.

She stared daggers into his back as he busied himself at the oven.

Using her mitts, which she kept in the bottom drawer, he removed several aluminum containers and a foil-wrapped loaf of bread.

“ Make yourself at home, why don’t you?”

Transferring the food to the table, he gave her an impish grin, which caught her off guard. “ Thanks , but I already did. You can help by getting us something to drink. I brought beer and soda since I didn’t know what you preferred or had already.”

Kat snorted and headed to the refrigerator. “ What ? That wasn’t in your investigation of how to find me and break into my home?”

“ Watch your tone, Kitty - Kat . You’re in enough trouble with me at the moment, but again, we’ll discuss that after we eat. I’ll take a beer, please. Then sit because I’m starving, and I’m sure you are too. You’ve had a long day.”

“ How do you know?”

He shrugged and then tossed the mitts on the counter.

“ Because I’ve been watching you all morning.

The last thing you ate was a granola bar at six-thirty unless you snuck something in while I ran out to pick up our meal, which I doubt.

You still haven’t regained the weight you lost, and from what I can tell, you’ve lost even more.

You can’t go that long without fueling your body, little one.

And despite what advertising executives believe, most men like some meat on their women—it gives us something soft to hold on to. Now , sit . . . please.”

Gaping at him again, she put two beers on the table and sat in the chair he held out for her. She was so confused about why he was there as she watched him fill her plate and then his own. Once he seemed satisfied all was in order, he took the seat across from her.

“ Dig in.”

Like she’d noticed Benny had done every time they ate together, he waited until she picked up her fork and took the first bite of her lasagna.

Her eyes rolled back into her head as the flavors hit her taste buds.

“ Oh my God , this is heaven. Where did you get this?” She didn’t wait for his answer before shoving another forkful in her mouth.

Carter chuckled and then started on his own meal. “ Glad you like it. I found a little Italian deli about five miles from here called The Red Pepper .”

“ Wait a minute. I’ve eaten there before, and it’s never been this good.” Putting down her fork, she reached for a piece of garlic bread, offering him one, which he thanked her for.

“ The sign said, ‘ Under New Management ,’ so maybe they have a new chef.”

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes until Kat started feeling full, and her curiosity started getting the best of her. “ Okay , so tell me why you’re here.”

Picking up his napkin, he wiped his mouth and then took a sip of his beer. “ That was going to be my question to you. What the fuck are you doing here, Kat , when the love of your life is moping around Tampa , driving everyone bat-shit crazy?”

Her gaze fell to the table. “ I’m not the love of his life. Benny hates me. I almost got his parents killed. And Jake and Colleen and Murray and . . . and . . .”

She didn’t realize she was crying until he reached over and brushed away the tears on her cheek. Leaving the last of his meal, he stood and pushed her chair back from the table. Before she knew what he was doing, he’d picked her up in his arms and carried her to the couch.

Sitting again, he settled her on his lap and gently guided her head to rest on his shoulder.

The tender Dom held her while she sobbed until she slowly regained control.

“ He doesn’t hate you, little one, and I don’t know why you would think that.

I’ve known Boomer for many years, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen him depressed.

He wasn’t this bad when he was laid up in the hospital, and they weren’t sure if he’d lose his leg.

Now , why are you here instead of with him?

I know it’s not because you don’t love him.

Anyone can see how much he means to you.

So , talk to Master Carter , and we’ll see how to fix this.

And Rick is fine, by the way. He was discharged from the hospital the other day. ”

“ I know. I called the hospital every day. Before I left, I told the desk clerk I was his niece so I could check on him.” She took a shuddering breath. “ I can’t face him and Eileen . And I sure as hell can’t face Benny . This was all my fault. I should never have gone to him for help.”

He let out a low growl. “ It was not your fault. You weren’t the one working for the Russian mob and stealing money from them. And you sure as hell didn’t tell those bastards to go after Boomer’s folks. So , try again. Why are you here when you’re still wearing his collar?”

Her hand flew to her throat. She hadn’t been able to remove the simple collar Benny had placed around her neck. No matter what, her heart knew she would never love any man as much as she loved him. The collar was her last connection to him.

Instead of giving another lame explanation, she concentrated on Carter’s question this time, trying to find an honest answer.

“ I guess . . . he was so angry at the hospital, I was afraid he’d tell me to leave.

So , instead of giving him the chance, I left.

Deep down, I was hoping he would come after me, but . . . but he didn’t.”

“ Oh , Kitty - Kat . I am so going to make sure he spanks your ass for that. Do you know the reason why he didn’t come after you? The reason he’s been getting drunk almost every night at the club? Or why he’s turned down every sub who’s offered to help him forget you?”

Feeling more miserable by the second, her gaze fell to her lap, and she shook her head.

“ Because the first time you left him, it wasn’t your choice or fault.

But this time, Kat , you chose to leave.

You walked out on him when he needed you the most. He wasn’t angry with you .

. . he was frustrated at the situation.

And I’m sorry you misinterpreted his frustration as anger.

He loves you. But he’s hurting, thinking you don’t love him enough to stay with him. ”

Her tears started again, and she tried to wipe them away as fast as they rolled down her cheek.

“ Oh , God , w-what’ve I done? I do l-love him, and I’d never hurt him on purpose.

I was j-just scared. Everyone I’ve ever loved is gone and .

. . and the one person who’s still here, I pushed away. C - Carter , w-what am I going to do?”

Holding her head in his big, calloused hands, he forced her to look him in the eye. “ What you’re going to do is go dry your eyes while I clean up, and then we have a plane to board in . . .” He glanced at his black military watch. “ In a little over an hour.”

Her mind spun in five different directions. “ What ! What are you talking about? I can’t just get on a plane and leave. I have to work and . . . and . . .”

He lifted her from his lap until she stood on her own two feet and then rose from the couch. Grabbing her shoulders, he turned her toward her bedroom. “ I spoke to your boss. I told him you were leaving and to consider this your resignation.”

Kat put on the brakes so quickly that he almost tripped over her. “ When was this? And , holy shit, you can’t just tell my boss I quit. What if I didn’t want to go with you?”

“ Oh , you’re going with me, Kitty - Kat .

It was never a question. I explained the situation to Jeremy and Eva , and they’re happy for you.

They also said if it doesn’t work out, you will always have a job here.

But the choice is yours. You either check the bags I packed for you to see if I missed anything important, or I tan your hide and carry you out of here.

I suggest you don’t take option number two, because it’s a long flight, and you’ll want to be comfortable. Now , go wash up.”

He gave her a gentle shove toward the door, ignoring her sputtering and shock. She tried to glare at him over her shoulder, but he was already heading to her kitchen. Her mind racing, she hurried to her bedroom, and sure enough, there were her three duffel bags all packed.

Undoing the zippers, she searched through them and found he’d pretty much thought of everything she would need for now, including her migraine medication.

One bag had all her toiletries, while another was full of shirts, pants, shorts, and two pairs of her favorite shoes.

The last bag . . . oh, fuck a duck . . .

had her intimates—panties, bras, pajamas .

. . and, what the heck? Pulling out the lacy garment, she blushed while holding it up.

“ I figured you would need something for the club tonight, so I found a little boutique near the deli. The cute, blonde sales clerk was all too happy to help me pick something out.”

His appearance in her doorway had startled her for a moment before she recovered and gave him an unladylike snort. “ I’ll just bet she was. She probably offered to model it for you, too.”

As he leaned against the doorjamb, the corners of his mouth ticked upward. Kat examined the black lacy teddy, which left nothing to the imagination. “ Um . . . where’s the rest of it? I can’t walk around in just this.”

“ Why not?” Kat gaped at him while he grinned like the devil himself. “ Don’t panic, love, the bra and panties that go with it are in there too. That’s just the coverup.”

Snorting again, she shoved the lingerie back into the bag. “ You and I have different definitions of a coverup.”

Carter stepped over to the bed and grabbed all three bags by their handles. “ Did I forget anything? I cleaned out your fridge earlier so nothing would spoil, and I just took out the garbage. I told your boss you’d be back in a week or so to say goodbye and pack up the rest of your stuff.”

She ran to the bathroom, wet a washcloth, and wiped her face as fast as possible.

Finding him waiting at her front door, she glanced around for anything else she needed.

Her purse and the book she was currently reading were on her coffee table, and she snatched them up.

A quick check assured her that her phone was still on her hip.

“ I think we have everything I need for now. You’re so sure Benny and I will work this all out, aren’t you?

What if the damage is done and he doesn’t forgive me? ”

“ Then I kick his ass and keep you for myself.”

He held open the door for her, and she turned the lock on the inside knob before passing him.

With one hand, he gestured for her to walk around to the back of her cabin, where a rental car sat.

After opening the passenger door for her, he popped the trunk to store her bags and then climbed into the driver’s seat.

“ I think we’d kill each other if you kept me for yourself, not that I’d let myself be kept. You’re quite infuriating at times, you know?”

“ Ha ! I’ve been told that a time or two, Kitty - Kat .

” He started the car and put it in Drive .

“ Shit . I keep forgetting to ask. I was talking to Eileen when I checked on Rick , and I called you ‘ Kitty - Kat ’ to her. She said it was your father’s nickname for you.

I didn’t know, Kat , and if it bothers you, I can stop. Does it?”

Kat shook her head and turned to face him after putting her seatbelt on.

“ No , it doesn’t. The first time you said it, it threw me a little.

But then I realized how much I missed hearing it.

Just like when Benny calls me Kitten —no one else but him ever called me that.

As long as it’s said with the affection I know you mean, then I like it, and you can keep using it. It makes me feel special.”

“ Then I’m honored.” He pulled out of the long driveway onto the road leading to the highway. “ You are special, little one, and don’t you ever forget it. Now , let’s get you and your Dom back together, shall we? Before Ian finally breaks down and kicks his ass.”