His no frills, ex-military bachelor pad is exactly what I pictured except for the ancient appliances. The kitchen sink has likely been there since World War II.
“Hungry?” He opens the fridge, breaking into my thoughts.
I am, but one should never rack up favors. In my experience, they accrue too much interest.“Nothing fancy. Peanut butter and jelly is fine.”
As I sit, he turns with a knowing, half-smile. “You’ve got serious issues, Flygirl.”
“You have no idea.” My mumbling wakes up my inner Herman who adds his two cents.
“He’s astute. I like him.”
Shut up, no one asked you.
“How about hamburgers, frozen fries with leftover veggies?” There’s something about the deep timbre of Kade’s voice. When his quiet, intent gaze catches my attention, desire runs deep within my belly.
“Yeah. Sure.” Focusing on his linoleum, I turn away. What I really want to eat is not on the menu.
While I fantasize him and me between the sheets, he pours dog kibble for his circling pet. After, he sets art supplies in front of me.
Lust set aside, I dive in. My best view of the stalker? From above—right as he nailed me with a dart. So that’s where I start.
I’m still sketching when he takes the pencil from me.
“Let’s eat.” Standing directly behind me, his lips brush my ear. I can’t help remembering our kiss. Sex with him would be amazing. Also, no doubt, the worst mistake of my life.
His hand lingers for a moment longer. With a sigh, he places my plate down before taking the seat across from me.
As I bite into one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, his phone rings.
It’s not on speaker, yet I hear my father’s voice booming. “I will make your life a living hell. I can and I will. Not only you, but your family—your friends—everyone will suffer if my daughter is not brought to my hotel immediately.”
Swallowing hard, I hold out my hand. “Let me talk to him.”
Screen held at arm’s length, I count to ten while waiting for his tirade to end. “Father, stop. I’m fine. And before you ask, no—I’m not telling you where I’m staying. I’m not suicidal. I haven’t been since I was sixteen. You need to go home. Take everyone with you. If you do, the lawyer can stay. I swear if you keep threatening me, I’ll cut you from my life—this time, forever. Is that blunt enough for you?”
“You don’t know what you are saying. You were doing drugs again. We have to put you in rehab—”
“No. Go away. Seriously. I am hanging up now. Don’t call back. I don't want to hear a peep from Mother, my brothers, mysisters, the shrink you hired, or the President of the United States—in case you’ve got him on speed dial.”
I tap the red icon, then return Kade’s device. “I'm so, so sorry. I’ll make sure he doesn’t follow through on any of his threats.”
He chuckles. “He doesn’t scare me. I’ve dangled my feet from a helicopter while being shot at—only thing holding me up was my Marine buddies.”
I recall the bullet entering the 'copter, picturing the insurgents’ truck as this hero returned fire. “Glad you jumped in when you did.”
“Me too.” His eyes turn to me, now burning with desire. “I tried to find you, Flygirl. Wanted to thank you, but your unit had moved out. Back then, I never caught your name. Gotta say, I thought about you a lot.”
Like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, the table, the room, then everything vanishes. All at once, I’m in his arms. Mindless, we tear at each other’s clothes.
Lips latched onto his, I grip the back of his neck. His groan vibrates against my lips as his tongue claims mine.
I fumble for his fly and—
A shriek erupts outside. Half air raid siren, half banshee, it rattles the windows and kills the mood.
“Ah, shit.” Pulling up his jeans, he snatches his shirt from the ceiling fan. “I need to go.”
Chapter 17
