Chapter 52
—Reed—
I saw his arms around Kase, the blatant distress on her face and the leer on his, and my vision colored red. I lost it. Rage like I’d never felt before tore through my veins and propelled me across the room.
Him touching her was one thing, but holding her against her will while spitting threats was another.
I moved without thinking and had him disarmed on the floor before my next breath.
“I’m a cop, and if you ever fucking contact or touch Kasey again, so help me God, you’ll fucking regret it,” I hissed against his ear.
The red haze dissipated as I stood up and straightened out my suit, just in time to welcome two burly security guys into the fray.
After a curt exchange with them, one escorted us out while the other dealt with the womanizing asshole.
The crisp night air brought sharp clarity and chased away the last of my anger. Knowing that the man who had his hands on Kase would soon be tossed from the premises, I didn’t say a word until we’d slid into the backseat of our awaiting car and given instructions to Tomos to take us to the Grand Priestess Hotel.
“Who was he, Kasey?” I snapped, unintentionally harsh.
Her eyes flashed with anger as we passed under each streetlight. “He’s no one.”
“He’s someone.”
She turned to the window. “An ex I’d rather forget.”
I searched my brain for the name that fell from her lips the day I was at her bedside in the hospital. Nothing punched harder than another man’s name being the first thing on your girlfriend’s mind.
“Tyler,” I said flatly.
She puffed out a breath, clearly exasperated and still shook up. “That’s him.”
She twisted her fingers and refused to look at me, and my heart lurched when she murmured, “And there’s something else.”
I softened my tone to counter the weight in hers. “What is it, darlin’?”
“I had another memory come back.”
My hand found her thigh without thinking, and my fingers squeezed her flesh as if trying to anchor us. “In the club?”
Kase nodded. “It had to do with Tyler. When I woke from the coma and thought he and I were still together, I could only recall the good parts early in our relationship. Just before, when he spoke into my ear, it brought back a sharp and horrid memory, along with all the reasons why I dumped his ass.”
When she glanced my way and saw the questions in my expression, she added, “He was a narcissist. Controlling. And made me feel guilty for stuff I either had no control over or hadn’t done. He was good a twisting my words and the truth.”
My jaw ticked with underlying anger. “I’m even more glad I hit his face on the table now.”
“Same. But I wish the returning memory had been about you. I don’t care for or want anything to do with Tyler. I only care for and want you.”
My fingers relaxed, turning into smoothing motions up and down her thigh. “You’ve got me, babe. And while we can’t force your memory to return, I’m glad that one did. I’d never treat you like that, Kase,” I stated vehemently.
Her fingers laced with mine and squeezed. “I don’t need more memories of us to return, Reed.”
Fuck. That sounded ominous, and I didn’t know how to take it. “That’s uh... confusing.”
She smiled through the shadows. “I’m okay if old memories of us don’t return, because… I’m falling for you again with our new memories.”
I didn’t think I could love Kasey harder than I already did, but yet again she proved me wrong. Cupping her cheek, I pulled her into my kiss. Greedy for her taste, I couldn’t help the groan that escaped as her tongue immediately sought mine. Each swipe was the sweetest torment, leaving me agonizingly torn between sensually consuming her and recklessly devouring her.
My fingers tangled in her long hair as I ghosted them down her torso, giving in to the all-consuming need to touch every part of her body at once. I didn’t notice the car easing to the curb and stopping until Tomos cleared his throat.
My hand halted on Kasey’s hip, mere seconds away from unclipping her seatbelt and pulling her onto my lap.
“We’re here,” Tomos stated. “Grand Priestess Hotel, as promised.”
I coughed away the lingering arousal. “Thanks, Tomos.” With my hand reluctantly sliding from Kasey’s body, I switched my focus to her. “We’ll continue this in private.”
I exited and rounded the trunk, meeting Kasey as she slid from the car. The long split up one side of her dress revealed a dainty knee and long shapely legs as she set her high heels on the street. Anticipation over having my hands and mouth on her body in a matter of minutes made me an impatient man.
Kasey teetered on her heels as I quickly led her to the sidewalk. Tomos met us there and stood back a pace as I counted out a few bills from my wallet, folded them neatly, then shook his hand.
“Here’s the rest of what I owe you, plus extra tip. I appreciate all the help tonight.”
He smiled widely. “If you’re ever back in town and need a driver, let me know.”
“Without hesitation.”
“Thanks, Tomos. It was a great night,” Kase added.
Before she got chilled, I bid our chauffeur a final farewell, then took Kasey’s hand. I led her into the marbled lobby of the luxurious hotel and approached the receptionist who greeted me as if it wasn’t nearing midnight.
“Good evening, Sir. Ma’am. Do you have a booking?”
I nodded. “Gatlin.”
He barely glanced at the screen—obviously expecting our arrival—before handing over the keycard and giving us directions to the room.
“Do you have luggage you want brought up?” he asked, sharp eyes assessing our attire and lack of bags.
“It’s just us,” I replied.
Taking Kase’s hand in mine, I nodded at the receptionist, then led her to the elevator. I stabbed the up arrow, impatient for the elevator to arrive.
Kase shot me a dirty little smirk. Yeah, she knew she was about to be ravished. Internal demons urged me to stake my claim over her again, as needless as it was—Tyler is nothing to us both.
The elevator finally chimed, and the thick doors coasted open. Kase strode into it without needing to be propelled. She leaned against the bar across the side wall while I swiped our key card and stabbed the button for the top floor.
Her eyes never left mine as I boxed her in with my body. I balled my fists against the mirror either side of her head and ran the tip of my nose up her neck.
“I can’t wait to have my hands on you,” I rumbled against her ear.
Satisfaction roared through me when a shiver racked down her body. Her lips brushed my cheekbone in a long, deliberate sweep.
“You n’ me both,” she whispered.
My cheek glided against her smooth skin as I turned my head, bringing our lips close. Temptation lured my body closer. Hips pinning hers in place, I lowered my mouth to hers.
Her hands didn’t touch me, just like mine stayed balled and purposefully off her—as if we were saving the best for behind the closed door of our suite. I kissed her hard. A lust-laden growl gathered in my throat when Kase thrust her hips forward, seeking the friction.
Not here though. Not in the elevator that was about to deposit us at the penthouse.