Chapter 7 #2
Play date? Totally not what she'd been expecting. In fact, distance was what she'd promised herself. Not doggie play dates.
"I think you're right about Hildie," he added. "Seeing her play today . . . she was happy." He cleared his throat. "She could use more time like that."
Damn it. How could she turn him down now? "Sure. A play date is fine."
His crooked grin glowed in the darkness. "I have a full day tomorrow," he said, his schedule seeming to dawn on him. "Morning or night work better for you?"
"Morning," she burst out. "Definitely morning."
"Great I'll come by around seven, is that too early?" Hell yes. This was her vacation. Seven was way too early. "Seven's fine."
Before she realized what he was doing, Devin stepped forward, put his hand on her hip, and kissed her cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Thanks, Kate."
That warm, deep voice near her ear made her insides swoon. "Uh huh," she barely croaked as he walked away.
"Doggie play dates at seven in the morning.
Who does that?" Kate grumbled to no one as she poured her second cup of coffee of the morning and then leaned against the kitchen counter.
Terry sat in front of her expectantly. Like he knew something grand was going to happen today and he couldn't wait.
"Better yet, who does that and then is forty minutes late? "
Terry cocked his head. So cute. Kate reached down and gave him some love. "You know what? If the date won't come to us, we'll go to the date."
As she opened the door to let Terry out and slip on her sneakers, her irritation grew. If he was snoozing away in bed after making her get up at seven—seven!—she was going to kill him.
As she biked down the road, a small voice urged her to turn back.
This was what she wanted after all. Distance.
Devin not showing up was a good thing, so why was she chasing him down?
Why was she being pulled toward his house?
The thought of seeing him again made her stomach turn like a fun house ride and it wasn't pleasant. And, yet, she kept pedaling.
By the time she arrived at his door, she was out of breath, sweating, and pissed off.
He'd gotten his truck back apparently because it was sitting in the driveway.
Which meant he was home. Kate knocked on the front door.
And waited. No answer. She marched around to the terrace and knocked at the back door, the pressure causing the door to open.
It hadn't been latched all the way. As the door swung open, a thread of concern wound down her back.
"Stay," she told Terry, not wanting him to invade Hildie's space on their first play date.
Weird that Hildie wasn't there, meeting them at the door. ..
"Devin?" she called, stepping inside.
With every empty room, Kate grew more worried. She paused at the bottom of the stairs, took a deep breath, and walked up. "Devin?"
Kate froze as the sound of a thud and a voice echoed down the hall.
Shit. What if he was in bed with someone, and here she was stalking him inside his own home.
What had she been thinking? She turned to go.
A voice, Devin's voice came again. No. That didn't sound like sex. That sounded like a bad dream.
Making a quick decision, Kate hurried down the hall. She paused at the threshold to the open bedroom. Heavy curtains made the room dark. The bed was at the far wall across from a large stone fireplace. Devin was on his back in boxer briefs, legs sprawled, one arm flung over his face.
He jerked, then muttered.
"Devin." Kate approached the bed slowly while everything in her wanted to turn tail and run. And where was Hildie? She was pretty sure if the dog was here, she'd be on top of the bed barking until Devin woke up. "Devin," she said louder and stronger.
"Don't—" he muttered, dreaming. "Damn it, don't go," he groaned, low and quiet. So raw.
Kate bit her lip, knowing she had to do something. "Devin," she said one more time as she walked up to the bed and nudged his thigh, hoping to wake him.
He was off the bed so fast, hand on her throat, twisting her body and slamming her down on the mattress before Kate could even blink.
Fear and adrenaline shot through her like lightning, and it took a moment to get her bearings.
Okay. He wasn't squeezing, thank goodness. His hand was splayed on her throat and collar bone, holding her down. His whole body holding her down. There was no way she could get him off; he was a heavy, hard wall of muscle.
His nose was nearly touching hers and he was breathing hard. But then so was she. She had no idea if he was awake and she was too afraid to speak up, too afraid to move. Tears stung her eyes. Bad mistake. Very bad mistake. Damn it, Hildie, where are you?
"It's okay," he whispered in a ragged tone, lowering his forehead to hers. "I know who you are. I know who you are." His words broke her heart. "I'm sorry."
Devin's other hand was gripping her thigh.
He removed it and slid to the side so his weight was no longer directly on top of her.
But he still hovered over her, his arms on either side of her.
He smoothed back her hair, brushed the tears that had leaked from the corners of her eyes, and let out a heavy exhale. "I'm sorry."
Her heart fucking hurt. Her hands went to his sides and around his back.
She needed a hug, needed to give comfort and be comforted.
As soon as he felt her hands on him, he fell onto his back and pulled her with him, holding on tight.
"I forgot to set my alarm," he tried to explain in the darkness, his voice a little shaky.
Kate shook her head. It was okay, but she couldn't seem to open her mouth. She just buried her head deeper into the crook of Devin's neck.