Chapter 11
Katherine tip-toed out of the guest bedroom and heaved a large sigh when the giant dog didn’t bark and wake Ollie. After a day of running and playing in the fresh air, he’d gone down fast and hard. A miracle in her book. She just hoped he’d stay asleep for the entire night.
Cody glanced up from where he sat on the couch. His laptop rested on his lap. “He asleep?”
“Out like a light. What are you doing?” She nodded toward the computer. “Catching up on work?”
“Looking at some notes your brother sent over.”
Intrigue pulled her to his side. “Is it okay if I look, or is that overstepping?”
“Not overstepping at all.” He slid over on the couch, making sure there was more than enough space for her.
She settled beside him and tucked her feet beneath her. She stared at the bright screen. “Anything new I should know about?”
He rubbed a hand over the scruff of his jaw.
“Not really. Since your attacker showed so much distaste for law enforcement, Owen pulled a few cases where the family of the criminal arrested wasn’t happy with the outcome.
Nothing stands out, but they made some calls and got nowhere.
He asked the local police department to do the same.
Someone might be targeting you even if the crime wasn’t handled by the sheriff’s department. ”
“Lucky me,” she said with a small snort. “None of this makes sense, though.” She flicked her wrist toward the screen.
“What do you mean?” He closed the lid and set the computer on the stand beside the sofa.
“Why go after me? Sure, I’ve got a lot of connections to law enforcement, but I’ve never worked for my dad.
Never been the one who’s made an arrest or even the decision to go after anyone.
” Anger rose as she spoke. She’d had enough shit tossed at her feet.
One more thing was enough to push her over the edge.
Cody rested a hand on her knee, grazing his thumb over the soft fabric of her yoga pants. “I get it, and I’m sorry you’ve been put in this situation. But most of the time logic isn’t the criminal’s strong suit. That’s why we catch them.”
Weighing his words, she tilted her head back and forth. “Okay, that makes sense. But it’s still bullshit.”
“Agreed. When you spoke with your boss, did he offer any insight?”
She recalled the conversation she’d had with Dr. Dempsy before she’d left her home earlier.
She hadn’t wasted any time letting him know what was going on so he could fill her shifts for the next few days.
“He was very supportive, but nothing came to mind for him either. He promised to look into it, though, as well as speak with some co-workers. He said he’d call if they came up with anything. ”
“And you still haven’t thought of anything you were involved with that could piss someone off? Nothing to put a target on your back?”
“Like what?” she asked, raising her hands in the air before letting them fall again.
She dropped one palm onto the top of his knuckles, craving the contact—still befuddled at how natural and easy it was to sit on his couch and hold hands.
“I mean, I took Lulu’s parking spot by accident at the grocery store and she wasn’t very happy, but I stopped by the diner later with cupcakes to smooth things over.
I don’t think she’d hire a hitman to come after me. ”
He huffed out a quick laugh and turned his palm over to lace their fingers “Glad to hear it. What about years ago? I’m pulling records of recently released prisoners in the county.
I can filter the search by years the prisoners entered the system.
Is there a timeframe that stands out where you found yourself in trouble? ”
Frustration rippled over her skin, and she pinched the bridge of her nose before letting her head fall back on the sofa.
She sunk into the soft cushion, the feel of Cody’s hand steady in hers.
“Not really. I mean, sure, after my mom died when I was in high school, I had a rebellious couple of months or so but nothing crazy. I drank, went to parties, things typical high school students did but I always steered clear of.”
“No run-ins with the law?” A wicked grin played on his lips when he asked.
“God, could you imagine? My dad showing up with a pair of handcuffs and throwing me in a cell? He would have killed me.” She chuckled at the thought.
“Nah, the few parties I attended left a bad taste in my mouth. I had a friend who was thrilled when I wanted a taste of excitement. She took me to a college party. Some house where her boyfriend lived. I knew right away it wasn’t my scene and got the hell out of there. ”
“Doesn’t surprise me,” he said, his thumb now grazing the back of her hand instead of her knee.
She pretended to be offended. “Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Means you always gave off good girl energy. I can’t see you falling in with the wrong crowd. At least not until now.”
She grinned. “And you’re the wrong crowd?”
He shrugged, amusement leaking from the lines in his face. “Most people in this town always thought so.”
Leaning forward, she caught his chin in between her thumb and index finger and forced his eyes to meet hers.
“They were wrong, and you’ve proven that time and time again.
Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like you aren’t an amazing man.
And if they do, let me know and I’ll kick their ass for you. ”
His grin matched hers. “Oh yeah? You’d get your hands dirty for me?”
“I’d do just about anything for you.”
His smile fell, and he swallowed hard. He closed the gap of space between them and pressed his lips to hers. A simple kiss, sweet and pure. “You’ve surprised the hell out of me, Katherine Milton.”
“Good. I plan to keep doing just that.” As much as she wanted to kiss him again, to feel his mouth on hers and see where the night could take them, she held back.
Things were moving at lightning speed. Not to mention her son had just fallen asleep in an unfamiliar room down the hall.
Chances of him waking and coming to look for her were too high to throw caution to the wind right now.
“The night’s still young. Want to watch a movie?” he asked, as if reading her mind.
“What about your work?”
“I’ll send it to one of your brothers. I can focus on you and annoy them at the same time.” He wiggled his eyebrows, mischief lighting the blue of his eyes.
She laughed and shook her head then winced.
He stiffened beside her. “Are you okay?”
“My neck’s a little sore. I’ve been so consumed with making sure Ollie was comfortable here, I ignored my own discomfort. Now that he’s asleep, it’s like my body’s decided it’s time to feel every last ounce of pain.”
“Then it’s up to me to take care of you. I’m sorry I didn’t think about how what you went through earlier would affect you for a few days. I won’t make that mistake again. Sit back, relax, and I’ll do whatever I can to make you feel better.”
“And how do you plan to do that?”
A sexy half-smile slid up the corner of his mouth. “I told you earlier. I have all kinds of tricks up my sleeve.”
Heat licked up her core. She could think of a few ways he could make her feel better, but she’d keep those ideas to herself.
Cody mentally kicked himself in the ass as he rummaged through his medicine cabinet for over-the-counter medicine for Katherine. Of course she was sore. She’d smashed her SUV into a guardrail earlier.
Grabbing what he needed, he strode out to the kitchen and filled a glass of water and carried everything to Katherine. “This should help with the soreness.”
She accepted his offering, swallowing the pills then taking a sip of water. “Thanks, but it’s really not too bad. I’m more stiff than anything.”
“I have a few ways to help with that, but let’s pick a movie first. What are you in the mood to watch?”
“As long as there are no superheroes and it’s not a cartoon, I’m down for anything.”
He snatched the remote from the end table and opened one of his streaming services until he found a comedy he’d been wanting to watch. “How about this? Something light to make us laugh.”
She grinned up at him. “Perfect.”
He queued up the movie. “I just need a couple more things.”
He popped into the kitchen and grabbed two bags of chips—potato and chocolate—and two bottles of water from the fridge. One beer was enough for him, but he’d ask if she wanted another. He made a pitstop in his office for a bottle of lotion and carried all his findings back to the living room.
Covering her mouth, Katherine smothered a laugh. “What did you find?”
He tossed the snacks onto the empty cushion then set the lotion and water on the coffee table.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d want something sweet or salty, so I brought both.
I know popcorn is more common for movies, but I was afraid the microwave would wake Ollie.
I got you water, but if you want something else I can get it, and the lotion is step two in helping with the soreness—as long as you’re okay with a little massage.
” He wiggled his fingers. “But if you aren’t comfortable with that, I can skip that part. ”
“Are you kidding? That sounds like heaven.” She opened the bag of chocolate chips, slipped a few morsels in her mouth, and closed her eyes on a small moan.
“When I told Ollie we were staying here I mentioned it’d be like a little vacation.
He was bummed you didn’t have a pool, but I think I got the best end of this deal. ”
His blood turned to molten lava as he watched her enjoy her sweets. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
She patted the cushion beside her. “Sit.”
Clearing the lust from his throat, he claimed the spot beside her then started the movie.
She shifted so there was space for him to sit behind her, her legs propped up on the couch. She swept her dark blond hair over one shoulder and exposed the long, slender column of her neck. Glancing behind her, she raised her brows and smirked. “Can’t back out now.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He scooted in so her body fit snug against him. “This okay?”
“Cozy,” she said.
As the movie started, he squirted a dab of lotion on his hands then moved his fingers into her stiff neck muscles. “Is this too hard?” He didn’t want to hurt her but wanted to apply enough pressure to help any lingering stiffness.
“Oh my God,” she moaned.
Oh Lord. He’d made a mistake. A giant freaking mistake. Between her soft skin beneath his hands and the tiny sounds she made as he worked his fingers around her neck and shoulders, he might not survive.
At least not without an icy shower.
“It’s been a long time since anyone’s given me a neck rub,” she said. “This feels amazing.”
“Glad I can help. Hopefully you’ll wake up feeling better in the morning.”
He moved his hands down the right side of her back, pressing the pads of his thumbs into her flesh.
His pulse thundered in his veins, and the minty smell of her shampoo drove him crazy.
He wanted to press his lips to the sensitive spot behind her ear, to kiss the side of her throat, but he resisted the urge.
She’d kissed him earlier, but if she’d wanted things to go further, she wouldn’t have pulled away. He understood and respected her need to take things slow. As much as he craved to devour every last inch of her right now, he’d hold back. Match whatever pace she took.
Even if it killed him.
The movie played on, but he had a hard time following along with the antics on the screen. He was too absorbed with every dip and curve he touched, the small mole at the side of her shoulder, and the way she melted further against him with each passing second.
The minutes flew by and her body went lax, her breathing heavy and even. Her head fell back and rested on his chest.
“Katherine?”
Nothing but a subtle snore answered him.
Indecision warred within him. The movie was close to finishing, and the hour grew late. He should wake her and tell her to go to bed. She needed a good night’s rest.
Sighing, she curled against him, her hand resting on his side.
He wrapped his arms around her, and everything in his world shifted to perfection. The feel of her body on his warmed him to his toes, but it was the fact she felt safe enough with him to fall asleep that squeezed his chest. He’d wait a little while longer to wake her.
Shifting to recline against the edge of the sofa, he grabbed the remote and switched the television to a sitcom he’d seen a hundred times. His mind zoned out as the familiar cadence of the show lulled him into a trance.
He held Katherine closer, loving the feel of her even breaths against him. He’d give it another hour then send her to bed. Until then, he’d settle back and enjoy the way they fit together—revel in the feel of her wrapped safely in his arms.