Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Gage
I step into her apartment, and I’m instantly blown away by how it reflects Katie’s taste.
The walls are painted white. It’s a blank canvas for everything else in the space.
A large white sectional sits in the middle of the living room. It’s crowded with pink and light blue pillows. A dark blue blanket is folded neatly over one arm.
The coffee table is square and painted gray.
A small dining table sits in the corner, covered by a bright blue tablecloth.
I scan the walls to find pictures of Katie’s family. I spot her parents in one. They’re standing in Times Square, smiling at the camera. I have no doubt that Katie was behind the lens.
Eldred is in another picture with his wife. At one time, I considered Katie’s brother my friend but that bond was broken when I left his sister.
I spot a square silver frame containing a photograph of a baby.
“That’s Arleth.” Katie drops her keys and purse on the coffee table. “She’s my friend’s baby.”
“Olivia’s baby,” I say quietly.
“Olivia and Alexander’s baby,” she corrects me. “Before you ask, that’s my friend Tilly and her husband. He’s a policeman.”
I gaze at the frame next to the photo of Arleth. It’s an image of a tall dark-haired man and a pretty brunette woman. The background is this room and the window that overlooks the tree-lined street below.
Katie has built a life here. She has put down roots and started a business.
“I can make coffee,” she says, starting toward a small kitchen. “No cream or sugar for you, right?”
A wave of nostalgia hits me.
“You remember?”
The emotion in my voice turns her back around to look at me. “I remember, but you had it like that at Palla on Fifth.”
I move to take a seat on the sofa. I had no idea how fucking surreal it would be to see her apartment.
I stare down at the red tulips in a vase on the table.
Katie loved fresh flowers when we were together. I’d buy them once a month and she’d care for them as if they were the most important things in the world. She’d keep them until the petals were dropping and the water was murky.
The sound of movement in the kitchen stops. Quick taps of her heels against the hardwood floor follows.
“Here’s some pizza.” She shoves a plate at me. “It’s too much for just me.”
I look down at the two slices of pepperoni pizza. It’s a small offering, but I take it with a shaky hand. “Thank you, Katie.”
She settles onto the sofa next to me, balancing a plate with one slice on her thighs. “The coffee is brewing. One cup and you’ll go home, right?”
I want to stay. I want to fucking stay and put my head in her lap while she reads poetry to me and then I want to make love to her.
“One cup and I’ll take off,” I answer with a smile.
“Eat.” She points at the plate in my hand. “I heated yours in the microwave. I know how much you hate cold pizza.”
I hate that this moment has to end.
I take a bite of the lukewarm pizza. I chew, not giving a shit that it tastes horrible.
I’m inside the apartment of the woman I love, sharing a meal with her.
This is more than I could have dreamed of.
This is everything.
It’s the best night of my life in more than five years.
“I had too much to drink.” Katie presses her index fingers into her temples. “I’m going to have a massive headache tomorrow morning.”
She’s sobering up, slowly.
She had one cup of coffee and half of another. I got her the refill adding a splash of cream to it.
The cool rush of evening air flooding the room through the open window is helping clear her head.
I know I should say goodnight, but I’m not ready to leave.
There are a million things I want to say to her, but now is not the time.
“Why don’t you live in London?”
“London?” The surprise in my tone is evident. The question feels like it blindly came at me from left field.
“Your daughter lives in London.” She crosses her legs. “Why don’t you live there?”
I’m not welcome there. I was arrested during my only trip to London. I attempted to see my daughter. The police were called. Dylan’s associate there secured my release with the caveat that I would board a plane back to the United States.
“It’s a complicated situation,” I say with a shake of my head. “I’ve hired an attorney here. He’s working with a lawyer there. I’m hoping they can get me more time with Kristin.”
It’s not a direct answer, but it’s enough to appease her for now.
Her head bobs up and down. “You miss her, don’t you?”
“Every moment of every day.”
“I hope you get to see her soon,” she offers on a sigh.
“Me too.”
Sipping from the coffee cup, she watches me intently.
Once the mug is back on the table, her fingers drift to her bottom lip. “I did come to Tin Anchor tonight to talk about that kiss.”
“Do you regret kissing me?” I ask even though I know she’s likely going to lie and say she does.
I wouldn’t be sitting on her sofa, drinking coffee if that were true.
She takes a deep breath. “What do you think?”
She’s opening a door that I’ve been waiting for. I lean closer, inching my hand across my thigh until it brushes against her leg. “I think you liked the kiss more than you want to admit.”
Her gaze drops to my hand. “Why would you think that?”
I thicken under the fabric of my jeans. Being this close to her is bordering on unbearable. The kiss only stoked the longing that’s been inside of me since I walked out of her life five years ago.
I squeeze her thigh. “You kissed me like you wanted me.”
She turns to look at me, her hazel eyes filled with the same need I feel. “I used to want you.”
My hand inches higher. “You want me now.”
“I don’t think I do,” she says under her breath. “I think the martinis are clouding my judgment. I’m confused.”
I run a fingertip against the soft skin of her inner thigh. “You’re not confused.”
She leans closer, her sweet breath skirting over my cheek. “You think you still know me.”
“I know your body,” I bite out between clenched teeth.
I’m so fucking hard. I want more. Jesus, I want to open her dress, pull down her panties and taste her sweet pussy.
I have craved that taste every day for the last five years.
“I’m not the same woman I was back then.” Her gaze drops to my hand again, but she makes no move to stop me. “You don’t know my body the way you used to.”
My fingers slide up until I can feel the lace of her panties brush against them. “Is that a challenge?”
The softest moan escapes her, just as her eyelids flutter shut.
I move in, gliding my lips along her jawline. “I’m going to kiss you again, Katie.”
With a nod, her lips part, her legs fall open, and my mouth is on hers.