Chapter 15 #3
Kara smiled at him and marveled once more at how her life had turned out. She wouldn’t want to go back and experience what she had at Nolan’s hands for anything, because that had been terrifying and horrible, but she wasn’t unhappy with the fact that ordeal had led her to Arrow.
That old saying, about when one door shuts, another opens, was cheesy as hell but accurate in her case.
As usual, Arrow pulled into the garage and waited for the door to shut completely before getting out. Kara came around the front of the SUV and he took her hand, leading her into the house. He shut and locked the door and turned on the security system.
“You good? Hungry? Thirsty?”
“No, I’m great.”
“Want to watch TV? Read?”
“You have something else in mind?” Kara asked with a small smile.
“I don’t know. I was thinking you look tired and maybe should head to bed.”
Her smile grew. “I wouldn’t mind going to bed, but I’m not really that tired. Not yet. Got any ideas on what might help me sleep?”
“I might have one or two. Go ahead and get ready. I’ll meet you in there.”
Kara leaned forward and kissed Arrow. “I’m happy,” she declared. “So much so, it’s scary. I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall.”
“No shoes are falling. We’re going to live to be in our nineties and become the neighborhood grumps, but secretly loving when the kids ride their scooters in our driveway and come to sell us cookies and popcorn.”
Kara liked that. Way more than she should.
“Go, woman,” he teased, giving her a small push toward their room.
Kara looked over her shoulder at him and put a little more sway in her hips as she walked through the doorway.
She saw his gaze glued to her ass, and it made her shiver.
They were on the same page, sexually, and she couldn’t wait to see what he had in mind for them tonight.
He was constantly surprising her, and she loved every second.
For the first time in ages, Kara felt completely relaxed.
She wasn’t thinking about Nolan every second of the day or where he could be.
The anxiety that had buzzed in her veins for weeks was a dull hum now.
Manageable. She wasn’t ready to let down her guard completely, but so much time had gone by without any sign of Nolan, she was beginning to think that if he was still alive, he’d moved on by now.
Pushing her ex from her mind, Kara concentrated on getting ready for the evening ahead with the man she loved with all her heart and soul.
* * *
Nolan threw down his phone in disgust after sending a revoltingly sweet good-night text.
He was sick of the bitch he was pretending to like.
She was disgusting. And that dog of hers…
He shivered. He’d gut the thing if he could.
He hated it. There was a look in the mutt’s eyes when he focused on Nolan that said he could see right through his polished veneer.
Thankfully, his days here in Virginia were coming to an end. Soon, he’d make his move. He was watching Kara almost all the time. Knew where she lived, her routine, all of the people she had regular contact with. He also knew that fucking pilot’s schedule.
The biggest problem was, she didn’t leave her house very often.
And when she did, she was never alone. He wouldn’t be able to snatch her off the streets.
Didn’t want to break into the house she was hiding out in, because the possibility of leaving his DNA behind was strong.
Besides, the alarm sign in the yard told him that stealth was next to impossible and the cops would be on his tail within minutes.
No, he needed just a bit more time to find the perfect opportunity.
Then he’d finally teach her a lesson. Show her that she hadn’t won.
That no one bested Nolan Colins. Once that was done, he’d go west. Maybe to California.
There were tons of women out there he could bring to heel… then dispose of when he tired of them.
What Nolan loved most was the manipulation phase of a relationship. Letting a woman think she knew him so well—then showing her who he really was. Seeing the fear take over. Knowing he’d completely pulled the wool over her eyes.
His plan was slowly coming together. When he’d started schmoozing the bitch in Kara’s circle, his only plan was intel. But now he realized the woman was the key to getting to Kara herself. He’d use her to get back what belonged to him. If she got hurt in the process…
Nolan shrugged. He didn’t care. All he cared about was Kara.
The sound of sex in the motel room next to his was loud, but it didn’t irritate him.
He closed his eyes and palmed his dick, imagining the anonymous woman’s moans and shrieks were Kara’s.
That she was reacting to him punishing her for leaving.
It didn’t take long for him to orgasm, but he stayed where he was, come drying on his belly as he continued the fantasy in his head.
How he’d wrap his hands around her neck and watch the life drain from her eyes.
Soon. He’d have her again soon.
He couldn’t wait.