Fallen for You (15 page)

***

Neil reheated their dinner in the microwave. They had worked up quite an appetite. He poured two glasses of wine. Kate was sitting on the barstool at the island watching him. Everything was happening so fast. She was trying to wrap her mind around it. Things with David had progressed at a snail’s pace. They were friends for a year before he even asked her out. He didn’t kiss her until they had been dating for a month. They were exclusive for three and a half years before having sex. This was a stark contrast to her relationship with Neil, who was aggressive and passionate. He knew what he wanted and expected to get it. He made no apologies for it either.

Neil placed her halibut in front of her. “It smells delicious,” she said taking a sip of wine. He set his plate next to hers and sat on the barstool.

“Well, George’s has never disappointed,” he said, raising his glass. “Here’s to life’s unexpected surprises.”

They clinked their glasses together. Neil could see that she was a million miles away. “Penny for your thoughts, my beauty.”

“I was just thinking about how fast things have happened between us. This is all so sudden. So unlike me. I’m feeling a little shaken. Like the earth has fallen away from beneath my feet.”

“I can understand that,” he replied. “I woke up Wednesday morning with the expectation that it was going to be business as usual. When Mac texted me, my interest was piqued. I had no idea that meeting you would turn my life upside down. But I like it. I feel more alive than I have in years.”

“Me, too,” she said, taking a bite of her fish. He picked up her hand and kissed it tenderly. He could sense what she was feeling.

“I know that you’re scared, sweetheart. So am I. There’s an intense chemistry between us that neither of us could predict. We can slow down if you want to. I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed.”

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. “Slowing down is good for me. We should take our time and get to know each other.” Even as she said this, she realized that the electricity between them was going to make it difficult to slow down. He oozed sexual magnetism from every pore. Everything about him excited her.

“So, how long have you and Mac been friends?”

“We’ve known each other since grade school. We were instant best friends. He’s been there for me through everything.”

She realized that he was referring to Elizabeth. They had each lost someone they loved; that created a powerful bond between them. They knew how the other felt. Neil’s statement about Mac lingered in the air while they finished their meal. Words were unnecessary. He cleared their plates and put them in the sink.

“He seemed like a really great guy when I met him,” she said finally.

“Yeah, he’s the best. He knew the moment he started talking to you that we would hit it off. Good thing he has a girlfriend, or he would have snagged you for himself. We’ve always liked the same type of woman.” He sat back down on the bar stool.

“Oh, really, and what type is that?” she asked, grinning.

“Beautiful, smart, sexy, classy,” he said running the back of his index finger along her cheek.

“You know just how to make a girl melt, don’t you?” she asked, placing a hand on his thigh.

“I aim to please, my beauty.”

He kissed her sweetly on the cheek.

“Would you like dessert now or do you want to wait a little while?” he asked.

“Actually, it’s getting late and I have class tomorrow. I really should be getting home.”

Neil pressed his lips together. He turned her barstool so that her body was facing his. He stood between her legs and placed his hands on her hips. “I was hoping that you would stay the night and play hooky with me tomorrow. I have something special planned for us,” he said nuzzling his nose against hers.

“Neil that sounds very inviting, but ... ”

He began kissing her. He didn’t want to hear her objection.

“You’re not playing fair,” she said, breaking away from his kiss.

“Playing fair isn’t in my nature. I play to win,” he responded, trailing kisses down her neck. Her breathing hitched. He pulled her off of the barstool, tilted her head back and engulfed her mouth with his, ravaging her. His hands roamed her body freely. She could feel her desire for him rising. The intensity of his kiss swept her off her feet.

“I’ll stay,” she whispered in his ear, biting his earlobe.
So much for slowing down.

***

Kate woke up feeling overheated. Neil had his arm and leg draped over her. She gently moved him off of her and got up to go to the bathroom. He rolled over. It was 5:48 a.m. She usually woke up about six. She felt a little guilty about playing hooky from school. At least she didn’t have to work today. In some ways, she was grateful to be able to avoid Mark for another day. But she was going to have to see him tomorrow. Well, she’d think about that then.

She went downstairs to get something to drink. The sun was coming up and the terrace was beginning to light up with the brilliant colors radiating from the sunrise. She decided to start some coffee and see what Neil had on hand for breakfast. She was famished. Looking through the fridge, she found eggs, pepper jack cheese, red bell pepper, and mushrooms. All excellent ingredients for an omelet. She took the ingredients out. She also found a loaf of sourdough bread in the bread basket.

Before starting breakfast, she decided to check her phone for messages. She had texted Charlie last night to let her know that she wasn’t coming home. She expected to have a text from Charlie, which she did.

But she didn’t expect the text she read after Charlie’s.

Roger Wilkins: where r you? i am worried sick. pls call me. roger

She stood there frozen, staring at her phone. How in the hell did he know that she wasn’t home? What makes him think that she would have to check in with him? She was so engrossed with her thoughts, she barely heard Neil as he approached. She looked up at him with disbelief in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, worried by the expression on her face.

“I just read an unsettling text.”

“Did that Mark have the nerve to text you?”

“No, it’s from my apartment building manager, Roger.”

“What? Why would Roger be texting you? Has he ever texted you before?”

“No. Never. His text said that he is worried that I didn’t come home.”

“Are you two good friends or something?”

“Not really. He lives right across from us, and his door is always open. He talks to me every day when I come home. I’m beginning to feel like he is monitoring me. When he saw me with the flowers you sent me he questioned me about them. He was waiting for me when I came home from our date on Friday night. I saw him last night, too, when I got home. It seems like he’s just always there, waiting for me. I thought he was just being friendly, but this goes way beyond friendly.”

Neil was annoyed. He didn’t like that this guy was observing his girl. He had seen this before in stalker cases. He had seen pictures of victims that stalkers had been obsessed with. Victims they claimed to love, but eventually killed out of their own confused passion and immense desire to control and possess. Under no circumstances was he going to let his beautiful mermaid be anyone’s victim. “It sounds like I need to meet this guy. I don’t like that he is so interested in you,” he said sharply.

“Neither do I. He’s creeping me out. Do you think I should text him back?”

“Yes, you’re going to have to text him to lower his defenses. If he’s obsessed with you, then he could become dangerous. We’ll have to make it a point to spend some time at your place this week. I’m sure I can discourage him,” he said, placing his hands around her shoulders.

He wanted to lighten her mood. He had a surprise planned of her. “You are looking mighty fetching this morning, my beauty.” She had slipped on his white shirt before going downstairs. He was wearing nothing but his silky black boxers. She gazed at his muscular form. He probably only had 5 percent body fat. He was beyond exquisite with muscles defined that she didn’t even know existed. He had a gleam in his eye as he looked down at her. She smiled up at him. She could see his desire for her mounting in his boxers.

“Thank you. You are looking quite fine yourself,” she said, putting her hands on his bare chest. “I hope that you are hungry.”

“Oh, I’m hungry my beauty,” he said with a lascivious smile. “But it’s too early for food. You’re the only sustenance that I want or need,” he said, pulling her close, her body melding with his. He took her cell phone out of her hands and placed it on the counter. “We can talk more about this later. Right now I just want to take you upstairs and forget all about communicating with the outside world. The only communication that I want is with you.” He took her hand and led her upstairs.

***

Kate had started breakfast before texting Roger. Her fingers shook as she pressed the buttons on her cell phone to text him back. Careful wording was critical for this text. She realized that setting him off could be a mistake of epic proportion. The hair on the back of her neck stood up when she pushed the send button. Goosebumps appeared on her arms. Her heart was pounding ferociously as if it would burst through her chest and land on the granite countertop. How was she going to handle him?
This was obviously more than a crush.
News stories about stalking victims flooded her mind. All of a sudden, she looked down and realized that she was beginning to burn the omelets. She turned the heat down on the stove.

Her phone lit up in response to her text.

Roger Wilkins: glad u r ok. where r u?

Kate decided the best thing to do was lie. She didn’t want him to know her business.

Kate Simmons: at my mom’s. she is sick.

Roger Wilkins: hope she feels better. when r u coming home?

Kate Simmons: tonight. see you then. gotta go.

Her heart had jumped up into her throat and she began shaking. She didn’t understand why he was so interested in her. She had not flirted with him or given him any reason to think that she liked him.

Neil was making a phone call from his office. It was mid-morning. They had spent a couple of hours “communicating” in bed and had fallen back asleep. “What is Roger’s last name?” he called to her.

“Wilkins,” she yelled back, wondering who he was talking to.

“Get me everything on Roger Wilkins. … Good.” He ended his call and came into the great room. “Did you text him back?”

“Yes. He had the nerve to ask me where I am. I told him that I had stayed at my mom’s house.”

“Wow, he is really nosy. I don’t want you to worry. Trust me, I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he said, pulling her close.

“Breakfast is ready,” she said, nuzzling his neck.

“It smells amazing. I am famished from all of our ‘communicating,’” he said with a devilish smile.

“Well, I must say that you are an expert communicator,” she said, blushing.

“Well, good communication is very important, my beauty.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” she said, laughing.

She handed him a plate with an omelet and toast on it. He motioned that they should eat on the terrace. She had poured them each a cup of coffee. They carried their food and coffee out to eat in the warmth of the day. His view of the Pacific Ocean was spectacular. The sky was so clear Kate felt like she could see forever.

“Why did you want Roger’s last name?”

“I’m having Jack from the office do a background check on him. I want to know more about this guy who is so interested in my girl.”

“Mitch, Charlie’s boyfriend already did a background check on him. Nothing unusual came up.” She took a bite of her omelet. It was good.

“Well, I have access to sources that the average person doesn’t have,” he said, spreading butter on his toast.

“Sounds intriguing, Neil. Did you do a background check on me?” she asked.

“Of course not, baby. I didn’t want to use a computer to check you out. I wanted to use these bad boys,” he said, showing her his hands. They both laughed.

“Ah, well you seem to have done an explicit background and frontground check on me,” she said, winking and smiling.

“Well, trust me, I’m not done yet. I need to gather much more intelligence on you,” he said, kissing her on the neck. Shivers ran down her spine. She felt happy, something that she hadn’t felt in a long time. They continued eating breakfast and enjoying each other’s company. When they were done, they brought their plates into the kitchen.

“So, what’s this surprise that you have planned?” she asked, her eyes lit with anticipation.

“Follow me. It’s downstairs in my storage unit next to the garage,” he said, taking her hand. Kate followed Neil to the garage. Her interest was piqued. She couldn’t wait to see what this sexy man had planned for her. This was shaping up to be an interesting day. They walked through the hallway to the storage units. Neil took out his key and unlocked the door. He opened it, revealing two kayaks and paddles.

“When you told me you kayaked, I bought these thinking we could do it together,” he said, looking as excited as child on Christmas morning. Kate stood there, staring at the kayaks. The last time she had been on one — she shuddered at the thought. How was she going to get out of this without telling Neil about that terrible day? He’d most likely think that she was crazy and never want to see her again. She started to back away from the kayaks and Neil.

A puzzled look came over his face. “Baby, what’s wrong? I thought this would make you happy. You said that you kayaked.”

“I used to, but not anymore.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Can we go back upstairs?”

“Sure, but I need you to tell me what’s going on. Why are you so upset? I’m at a loss here. Don’t shut me out again.”

“I’ll explain upstairs.” Their elevator ride was silent. Neil’s furrowed brow indicated that he was racking his brain in an effort to figure out how this had gone sideways. She needed to give him an explanation. They re-entered his apartment and sat down on the sectional facing each other.

He took her hand. He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “You can trust me,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m here for you. I want more than just to be inside your beautiful body. I want you to let me inside of your heart.”

Kate looked into his big gorgeous eyes. “It’s hard to explain. Only my family and very closest friends know. It’s just so painful …” She stopped herself in mid-sentence. He stroked the back of her hair with his hand, waiting patiently.

“Kate, we’ve both been through hard times. That’s part of being a human. No one makes it through life unscathed. Please let me in. Tell me why you are so upset.” He kissed her softly on the lips.

“I’m just afraid that telling you is going to ruin everything,” she said, sighing heavily.

“That’s impossible. Can’t you tell that I am crazy about you? There is nothing that you can say that is going to change that. Just tell me. I need you to tell me,” he pleaded, a little frustration seeping into his tone.

“Well, David’s mom blamed me for his death and wouldn’t let me attend his funeral.” She stopped for a moment, feeling the tears well up.

“Oh, that was so unfair of her,” he said tenderly.

“Well, that day, the day that he was going to be lowered into the ground, I took my kayak out. David and I went kayaking every chance we could. It made me feel close to him to kayak. But I kept paddling further and further out. I was a mess, crying and yelling at God for taking David away from me. I paddled for what seemed like hours. When I was in the middle of nowhere, and certain that no one would find me, I decided that I was going to join David. I didn’t want to live in a world where he no longer existed — especially when it was my fault that he was dead.”

Tears spilled out of her eyes. It was way too soon to be telling him this, but here she was sitting on his lap, sharing her darkest secret.

“Please go on. What happened next?” he asked, his eyes soft and gentle.

“I was resigned to die out in the ocean. Then I saw a fin emerge from the water. It was off in the distance. I thought it might be a shark at first, but it wasn’t. It was a dolphin. David and I always talked about how seeing a dolphin out in the wild was a good omen, a lucky sign, at least it was to us. The dolphin swam right up to the kayak. It stuck its head out of the water and started making noises. In that moment, it felt like David had sent the dolphin to me to tell me not to give up.”

“Wow,” Neil said, nuzzling her neck. “Thank God for dolphins. Then what happened?”

“I realized that what I was doing was irrational and that I would be hurting a lot of people, just like people were hurting over losing David. So I turned the kayak around and started paddling. But I was so far out and I was exhausted from my physical exertion and my emotional state. I hadn’t brought my phone, so I had no way to communicate with anyone. I paddled until my arms felt like jelly, but I was still really far from shore.” She took in a deep breath. He was still holding her and she felt safe in his arms.

“Off in the distance, I saw the Coast Guard. They were heading toward me. A fisherman had seen me from his boat and thought it was strange that I was so far out so he radioed them. The Coast Guard rescued me. I was sunburned and dehydrated. The paramedics took me to the hospital and my mom was called. She was really distraught, but she didn’t want to talk about the specifics of what happened. She just kept telling me over and over how selfish I was for doing such a stupid thing.” She felt exhausted talking about this. She put her head on his shoulder. He just kept holding her.

“I haven’t gone kayaking since. My mom got rid of my kayak while I was in the hospital. I stayed in the psychiatric wing for a few days. They wanted to make sure that I was stable. That’s where I met Dr. Cox. He has helped me over the last couple of years to process and grieve everything that has happened. I was seeing him once a week, but recently I have been able to cut back to every other week.”

Neither of them said anything for a long moment. He just held her, gently stroking her hair. Then he picked her up and placed her on the sectional so that he could look into her eyes. “Kate, you were struck with grief. It’s understandable that you did what you did. I’m just so grateful that you are okay. You have nothing to be ashamed of,” he said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Grief is a very powerful emotion and it affects everyone differently. Plus, you had the added guilt from David’s mother. She was wrong to blame you. What happened was an accident. It was completely out of your control. You have to believe that. It’s not your fault. Tell me that you believe that it’s not your fault.”

Kate looked down at her hands. In a soft voice she said, “It’s taken the last two and a half years meeting with Dr. Cox and working on myself for me to accept that it was an accident. But there is still a part of me that feels responsible. I don’t know if I will ever be able to shake that. I’ve realized that this has dramatically shaped my life. It seems that I have been frozen, just going through the motions of living to get by. That’s why I dropped out of college. I couldn’t handle everything. I also avoided men like the plague. It was way too much to even consider having someone in my life.”

Neil sat there stroking her hair. He stayed quiet for several moments. “Do you feel that you are ready to have someone in your life now?” he finally asked.

Kate looked into his vexed eyes. She smiled up at him through her lashes. “I wasn’t sure if I was ready until I met you.”

The look in his eyes suddenly blazed with intense desire. “That’s what I wanted to hear, my beauty.” He moved toward her on the sectional, his body covering hers like a blanket. His mouth devoured hers, his tongue stroking hers while his hand made its way to the apex of her thighs. He slipped his hand inside her panties and began rubbing the folds of tender flesh that he had become so acquainted with over the past couple of days. His finger made its way inside her. “Oh, you are so wet for me. I love how you feel. Tell me what you want.”

“I want you to make love to me right here, right now,” her voice was breathy and uneven.

“Your wish is my command,” he said as he slipped down to the floor and spread her legs apart. He smelled her first and made a guttural groaning sound. “You smell delicious.” Then his tongue was on her clit. Kate tried to squirm under the intensity of the pleasure, but his forearms were resting on her thighs, holding her legs open. His tongue was relentless, circling around her clit over and over and over. The pressure deep down was mounting as his magic tongue made her riper for his invasion. He inserted a finger into her. She let out a moan. “Neil,” she said with anguish in her voice.

“I know, baby. I’m right here and I’m all yours. Give me what I want,” he commanded, as he continued swirling his tongue around and around while his finger slid in and out.

With those words, Kate came hard and loud, stuttering his name. Her orgasm happened so suddenly and she was lost in the decadence of this man between her legs. She vaguely heard him open the drawer to the coffee table. He took out a foil packet, tore it open and unrolled it over himself.

Neil pulled her hips down toward the end of cushion. “Baby, I can’t wait. I need to be inside of you,” he said as filled her, stretching her. She let out a moan. “God! You feel so good. I want you so badly. Tell me what I want to hear,” he said as he slid in and out of her sweet slit.

“I’m all yours, Neil. I only want you,” Kate uttered staring intently into his eyes.

“Yeah. That’s right. You belong to me and I’m never letting you go. Tell me again that you are mine.”

“I’m yours, baby.”

Neil came hard, releasing every drop that he had stored up.