King of Pain (Lords of Las Vegas #5)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Kate

Luke comes out of the motel office, flashing a grin and waving a key. I wave back from my seat in the car.

We are at a rundown motel, with peeling paint and a sign that’s got several bulbs out, not that I’m a stranger to places like this. Like I said, my mom was a bum magnet, and I sincerely mean she dated guys on the edge of death or jail. There were a few good ones, of course. But none of them ever lasted long.

Luke slides in the car and drives around the corner to our room. He hands me the key. “I’ll be back in an hour. Lock the door behind me and I’ll give one quick knock to let you know it’s me.”

“Wait. What? Where are you going?” Fear tightens my chest. I don’t want to be alone now. Even if three deranged criminals weren’t chasing us, I have no idea where I am or how to get back to my life.

“Walmart,” he answers.

“I can come with you,” I say in a rush, grabbing his arm again. I’ve got no money, no phone…

His eyes slide down my body. “I’m in blood-stained clothes and I still look more normal than you.”

“Oh,” my face likely turns seven shades of red, because, yeah, I look like I’ve been dragged through a sewer. My clothing options are a bathrobe or a tiny dress. I’ve got dirt-covered knees and bruised arms and at this point, I’m guessing my hair is an actual nest.

And I’ve been lusting after a guy while in a ratty used bathrobe and men’s flip flops. Pathetic. “Right.” He winks, taking my fingers in his and gently removing them from his arm. “You can get away with a lot of fashion faux pas at Walmart but…”

“Yeah,” I take a breath. “I could wait in the car.”

“Kate,” he starts. “I’m going to leave the car in the Walmart parking lot and walk back.”

“But,” I furrow my brow. “How will we leave town?”

“That is a problem for when we wake up. What I don’t want is for a stolen car to lead anyone straight to our motel room.”

I nod. That makes sense.

“So, I go in and wait for you?”

“Feel free to take a shower, close your eyes.”

I nod, a shower sounds amazing. But I still don’t get out of the car. “Are you leaving me here?” I can’t keep the tremble of fear out of my voice.

“No,” he reaches for my face, holding my cheek in his palm, looking me in the eyes as he tilts my face up to his. “I’m not leaving you.”

I appreciate that small act of chivalry. The fact that he was nice enough to treat me this kindly after he rescued me. I know he’s the man who protected me last night. Maybe it’s the tiredness, but I suddenly don’t trust that he’s not ditching me.

Why would he stay?

And what happens to me if he goes?

“Please don’t leave me,” I feel my breath catch around the words. “I don’t know where I am or who is coming. I’m?—”

“Love,” he leans over then, his lips brushing across my temple. The kiss is light and really comforting. “Remember last night when I promised you that I wouldn’t let you go to Vincent’s bed? And then I promised to take you with me?”

“Yeah.”

“I promise to come back. Okay?”

“Okay.” My eyes mist with tears. He presses the room key into my hand.

“It’s going to take me a bit since I’ll have to walk back. Try not to worry.”

“Okay.” I rub a tired hand down my face, trying to hide the fact I’m about to cry. I know I’m being stupid, but I squeeze his hand even tighter like I’m not going to let go. I nip at my lip leaning forward.

His eyes in the morning light are gray and absolutely gorgeous. Like mesmerizing. “Kate. I’m coming back for you.”

“Promise?” I know he already promised. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired and I don’t know where I am. I don’t have any money or a phone or even clothes. I…” I stop when his thumb strokes over my cheek.

“I promise.” And then he kisses me on the lips. It’s the lightest brush of his mouth but the whole world freezes. He leans back but I’m still leaning way out, my body craning toward his, waiting for another taste.

I finally pull myself together, settling myself back in my seat. “Thank you,” I whisper.

“Now get inside. I’ll leave as soon as I know you’ve deadbolted the door.”

With a nod I finally let go of his hand, pushing open the car door.

No one is out, it’s still ridiculously early, which is a good thing because I look awful. I slide the key into the lock and the door swings open.

Stepping into the dark interior, I close the door and bolt it behind me. Peeking through the curtain, I watch the Fit back out of the parking spot and drive away.

What will I do if he doesn’t come back?

Swallowing down a lump, I head into the bathroom as I try to decide. I look in the mirror to see dark circles under my eyes. My hair isn’t as bad as I thought. I take several deep breaths as I think.

If Luke doesn’t come back, I’ll go to the front desk and call Mark. He’s had the same number for the last fifteen years. And he’s the only man I’ve ever been able to rely on. He’d come get me, I’m sure of it.

I could hole up at a Vegas hotel while I start my internship. Vincent and Vigo picked me up at my shithole apartment so I don’t think I can go back there. Which totally sucks. It was so hard to find a place that cheap, but it’s a problem for later.

These thoughts help calm me as I start the shower. The towels are the size of postage stamps and tiles are missing from the wall, but the tub is clean.

I stick my hand under the spray, the water is even hot.

I strip off my bathrobe and dress, plucking the contacts from my eyes. I can’t see distance without them, but I just can’t wear them anymore. At home I have glasses…

With a sigh, I step into the spray. The shampoo and conditioner are of terrible quality but they get the job done, and I get out a half hour later realizing that I feel way more human.

I wrap one of the towels around me, but it barely covers my ass, and I try to tuck one end into my cleavage.

If there is one asset I’ve always had, it’s boobs. The towel barely tucks around them.

I finger-comb my hair, knowing it’s not going to do me any favors later. I’m going to look even more like a sewer rat.

In an attempt to help, I go into the bathroom and break out the blow dryer.

My hair is mostly straight, but I’ve got a wave here or there that needs to be ironed out. Or diffused to be curly.

A noise makes me turn off the dryer.

Was that a knock?

Creeping across the room, I peek through the closed blind. Luke stands at the door, his face set in hard lines.

Relief makes me limp as I unlock the deadbolt and open the door, a wide smile on my face. I’m so happy to see him. I had a plan, but I’m so glad he’s back.

He blinks for one second, and then his eyes skate down my body, the tiny towel all that’s covering me.

I feel the flood of heat in my cheeks as he steps inside, two bags in his injured hand, three in the other. He kicks it closed and sets down the bags, locking the door again.

Then he turns to me, hooking my waist and pulling me up against his chest. “That’s quite the greeting, love.”

I grab his biceps, turning my face to the side. “Sorry. I didn’t have anything else to wear.”

But my embarrassment is rapidly evaporating, that ache starting to pulse between my legs again.

His nose brushes my neck, just below my ear. “No apology needed.”

“You came back.”

“I told you I would.”

I feel myself melting into him. I should put on clothes. “Did you um…bring me anything to wear?”

“This towel is working just fine,” he murmurs into my skin, the deep vibration of his voice humming through me.

“I…we…” I swallow down a lump. We’re both exhausted, we’re being chased. This is hardly the time for a hook up, but even thinking the words hook up has my nipples tightening and I know he feels it the way he smiles against my skin.

“I brought you clothes. And food too.” His hand at the small of my back runs down over my ass, brushing the bare skin at the back of my thigh. I gasp in a small breath, the touch of his fingers causing a shower of tingles to pulse through me.

He fans the fingers out, skating them back up under the towel, tracing my inner thigh.

It’s the most erotic thing a man has ever done to me, though to be fair, my experience is rather limited.

But how can a man’s fingertips on my skin be this amazing? My breath is coming out in these tiny gasps, my pulse rushing in my ears.

He stops just before he’s touching my sex, his fingers pressing into the softness of my skin.

I close my eyes, tipping my head further back like I’m giving him all the access he needs. Because I know that sex with Luke would just be amazing…

He places a tickling kiss just under my ear. “Since you were out on a date, I’m assuming there’s no boyfriend?”

“No. I don’t really…I mean I’m so busy…I…” I can’t even form a sentence as his tongue joins his lips, licking and kissing down the skin of my neck. “You?”

“We both know I’m not boyfriend material.”

No. He isn’t. My hips contract, pressing deeper into his pelvis as I shamelessly try to get him to bring his fingers just a little higher.

I can feel his cock pressing into me. Is it my imagination or is it large? Like really big?

Boyfriend material? Who cares?

Not me.

Is this the way I planned to lose my virginity? Nope. But I’m not sure I care. I’m tired of being the oldest virgin on Earth, and besides, this isn’t real life. This is some crazy alternate reality.

I ignore the voice that tells me I’m making the exact mistake I promised myself I wouldn’t ever commit.

His lips reach my collarbone, his tongue gliding along my skin. “You taste delicious, Kate.”

God, I want to taste him too. Like lick a path down his body until I’m swallowing him whole. I give myself a little shake.

I’ve never been like this. I stiffen away at the thought, and he lets me go. “Help yourself to the clothes and the food. I’m just going to take a quick shower.”

And then he’s gone, sauntering into the bathroom. Did I just dream that heated encounter?

The slick heat coating my thighs says no.

Shaking it off, I open up the bag that looks like clothes and find packs of T-shirts, underwear, and socks for him. How long does he think we’re going to be gone? In the second is stuff for me. A tiny little tank and shorts for sleeping, plus jeans, shirts, etc. There is even a pair of ballet flats and sneakers, both which look like they’ll fit.

Taking the pajamas off the hanger, I slip them on and open a third bag with toothbrushes, a hairbrush, and elastics.

Grabbing up the brush, I run it through my hair.

The last bag has food and I grab a power bar, ripping it open and taking a big bite. Dinner was hours ago, and I’ve been up all night.

Taking several more bites, I feel my brain start to work again as I crack open a water bottle and take a swig.

That’s when I turn and look at the bed.

The one bed.

How did I miss that detail in the last hour I’d been in the room?

The shower goes off and this time it’s Luke who comes out in a low-slung towel and nothing else.

Dear merciful lord in heaven, the man is everything I’ve ever imagined. Like if I created a sex fantasy, he would be it.

He’s now sporting a five o’clock shadow on his strong, sexy jaw, His wet hair is pushed back from his face, curling slightly around his ears and softening the hard planes of his face the slightest bit.

His shoulders are ridiculously broad and the tattoos... I must have been in shock last night to have missed the sleeve of them on his shoulder and arm. My gaze travels down his torso. He’s cut muscle all the way down to where they disappear under the towel.

I would love to see what’s underneath. “Umm,” I start, swallowing a lump.

His eyes scan down me. “That looks adorable on you.”

I wince at the word adorable. I’ve always been pretty. Cute. Adorable. I’ve got nice legs and boobs.

And my features are pretty classic. They just come off more “girl next door” and less Hollywood starlet. Just this once, I’d like to be the kind of girl who oozes sex appeal. “Thanks but…” I point to the bed. “I just realized we’ve only got the one. Bed. One bed.”

He looks over at the bed and shrugs. “All right.”

“Well, it’s just…” Crap. I’m blushing again.

“It’s fine, love. I make an excellent pillow.” And then he crosses to the Walmart bag and bends down. I stare at him, my mouth agape, as he rummages through the bag one-handed.

He pulls out the package of underwear, trying to open it with the hand on his one good arm. He’s been using his injured arm all night. It must be killing him.

“Shit,” I mutter. Here he is, taking care of me, buying me clothes and I’m not helping him at all. “Give me that.”

I tear open the package and pull out the underwear, unrolling it, and pulling off a sticky tag.

Then I hold them out to him.

He quirks a brow. “You wouldn’t mind helping a guy into them, would you?”

My mouth drops open. I can see how it would be difficult with a hurt shoulder, but that would mean I’d have to bend down with my face right by his… “Sure. Yeah. No problem.”

I bend, holding the underwear open. He steps one leg in and then the other. He’s so close and the tent that’s forming in the towel is not helping me keep my focus. “Pull them up for me?”

“Yeah.” I start automatically, my hands sliding along the rough hair of his legs. God, his muscles feel so good. I end up slowing down just to savor the feel of him.

I get them up around his thighs, but my hands are pushing at the edges of the towel, and then, in slow motion, the towel just falls to the floor.

And there it is.

I’m staring at his bulging cock a few inches from my face.

I fall back, my butt landing on the floor, as a gasp falls from my lips.

“I know,” he winks down at me. “Impressive, right?”

“Ass,” I mutter, but honestly, it’s an amazing cock. Do they all look that good? Thick, long, a few bulging veins that just make it even more…

He reaches his good hand down for mine and I place my fingers in his, letting him pull me up.

“I’ll stay on my side of the bed,” his grin widens. “If you can stay on yours.” And then he lets go of my hand, pulling first one side of the underwear up and then the other up over his hips, trapping the monster in the black fabric. I have the most ridiculous urge to take that underwear back off.

Except it’s a terrible idea, and as I look over at the bed, a jaw-splitting yawn falls from my lips.

“It’s a deal,” I mutter, and start toward the bed and stop again. “Which side?”

“I’ll take the one by the door, sweetheart. Always.” His hand comes to the small of my back, “And if there’s trouble, you roll off the edge and hide. Understand?”

Those words make my chest tight. Is he sleeping next to the door to protect me? My ovaries practically explode as I turn back to look at him over my shoulder. My lips part as I try to think of how to say how much I appreciate all he’s done. Thank you is getting old. “Luke, I…”

His hand slides around my waist to my belly. He doesn’t pull me close, but his fingers spread out, covering my entire stomach. “Let’s get some sleep, sweetheart.”

I nod and then take a step forward, slipping from his grasp as I make my way around the bed and pull back the covers.

Sliding into the sheets, I sigh as my head hits the pillow. Then I lift my head up again. “I had one of the power bars and some water.” I sit up again. “You want one too?”

He’s still standing where I left him, in nothing but the black boxer briefs I just slid up his legs. His legs are in this wide stance, his shoulders broad. My mouth goes dry and I nearly regret not just closing my eyes.

How am I going to sleep next to him?

“A power bar would be great.”

Nodding, I get up from the bed and pad across the floor, back by him, to the bag of supplies. I open the water and hand it to him. Then I grab a bar and part the wrapper.

He takes a long swig of water, sets the open bottle on the nightstand, and grabs the power bar. “Thanks. Arm hurts like a bitch and my fingers are really weak this morning. Carrying the bags might have been a bad idea.”

“You likely have a bruised or pulled tendon,” I murmur. “I can check it if you want.”

“Later.” He gives me a long stare that somehow feels more intimate than sliding underwear up his legs or even having his junk in my face.

“Get in bed, love.”

“You sure you’re good?”

“I’m good.”

I nod and slip back into my spot on the bed. I close my eyes and despite thinking I might never fall asleep, my eyes blink shut, desperate to close.

Luke still stands in the center of the room, his eyes on me as I drift away.