Keeping Katie (15 page)

She nodded. Her aunt was right. But was this the kind of life she was looking for?

"I know but I'm just so scared," she confessed.

"Living your life in fear is no life at all."

"What should I do?"

"Honey, that is really up to you. Personally I think you should have a sit down and talk to those two men, get your feelings out on the table, and tell them about your past. Didn't you say the nightmares stopped while you were with them?"

"I don't know that for sure."

"Then find out, relax and enjoy the feeling of being in love. I know it's what your grandfather would have wanted." Her aunt took a deep breath. "Are you going to be alright?" She gave a nod. She had a lot of things to think over. Her aunt got up and gave her a kiss on the head.

She lay back, trying to examine her feelings, mulling over what her aunt had said.

Katie had never felt so good as when she was with Jack or Jordan. Maybe she was right. She should at least tell them the truth of her past, even if the thought of loving them terrified her.

With dismay Katie looked at the mountain of paper work the postman had delivered.

Who knew it would be this much work to sell a house. She read the agent's note then sighed with relief.

Just sign where I have marked, get a qualified professional to witness the signing as
well, then get a lawyer to look them over on your behalf them post them back.

"Everything alright?" Her aunt came in, carrying a cup of tea.

Not long after her aunt had left her last night, Katie had found the shirt she had borrowed from Jordan and put it on. The scent of Jordan was comforting and calming and she had fallen back into a dreamless sleep.

"Looks like it. I just have to sign all this then post it back and the house is sold."

"What a relief. With the housing market the way it is at the moment and interest rates so high, I'm surprised they sold the place so quickly."

"Australia is surviving the crisis better than some other parts of the globe."

"And how are you feeling this morning?"

"Better, thank you." Uncle Allen came into the kitchen as Katie took a sip of tea. The old retired plumber eased himself down into the chair, and Katie smiled at him.

Last night's nightmare had been so bad Katie had decided to test the dream theory.

If the key to a peaceful sleep was Jordan or Jack, then who was she to deny herself such pleasure? Secondly, it would give her aunt and uncle some peace from her night time screaming. But right now she needed a lawyer and the only one she knew at present was Jack. She picked up her cell phone and called him.

"Hello, kitten," he purred into the phone after answering on the second ring. His deep voice made her shiver with memories of their weekend.

"Hello, Jack. Do you have any free time tomorrow?"

"I'm a busy man but will always make time for you, kitten." He dropped his tone to a husky seductive one.

"Well, you may be disappointed. My visit is a professional one."

"I could never be disappointed with you. Come on in. After eleven is good then I can take you to lunch."

Katie gave a laugh, glancing across at her aunt who had a smile on her face. "Okay, after eleven." She flipped her phone shut.

"Got myself a lawyer." Katie had to stop herself from giggling, thinking of how many times he had 'gotten' her over the weekend.

"Sound more like he has you, love."

Katie smiled at her aunt before glancing across the table at her uncle who seemed oblivious to the exchange. "I think he cares for you very much."

"How do you know that?"

"Woman's instinct, my dear." Her aunt grinned. Katie's instincts must be totally out of whack then. Katie let it slide, getting up to give her aunt a hug. She wasn't about to correct her on the fact it was just fun and games. Nothing serious could happen between her and Jack or Jordan. Her heart couldn't take it.

"Thank you for everything, Aunt Penny."

"You're welcome, love."

~ * ~

Tuesday morning Katie went shopping for a new dress and chose a lemon yellow one with a wide flared skirt and trimmed in white cotton. It had long sleeves with cuffs. Katie always made sure her clothes covered her shoulder scars. She had brushed out her hair; it tumbled down her back and was secured by a matching yellow ribbon.

She knew Jack liked to see her hair free. It seemed a little crazy she would be dressing to please a man. It felt strange going through the front door of Henson and Henson instead of the back entrance. Jack's secretary was a middle-aged woman with dark brown hair pulled back in a severe bun. She looked very smart and business-like in a black and grey lady's suite. The woman greeted her with a smile.

"You must be Katie. Jack said for you to go right in." Katie smiled and opened the door. He was on the phone when she entered, looking delectable in his tailored suite and white and silver flecked silk tie. The smile that lit his handsome face made her pulse start to race. He waved her in, motioning for her to take a seat, all the while his eyes taking in every detail. Did she really love Jack Cullen after just one week of knowing him? She pushed all the nonsense to the back of her mind. She had other things to deal with right now.

"The company has been in receivership for the last fourteen days. I haven't had a report of all their assets yet. I want it on my desk by next Monday." He was clearly frustrated with whomever he was talking to. "They can't refuse to cooperate. They have already filed for bankruptcy which makes them fair game. I don't care how, just get it done." He hung up the phone and looked her over.

"If you're busy, I can come back."

"Don't even think it, kitten. You are a ray of sunshine in this place. Come here." His tone was softer but still held a level of command. The heat of arousal flooded through her body at his words. She wanted to play his game but needed to get her documents signed first.

"Business before pleasure." She knew if he touched her, he would want to kiss her.

And if he kissed her, Katie would never get finished what she needed done. He gave a groan of protest and rose from his seat.

"You're a hard task master, kitten. What have you got?" He sidled around the desk.

"Just some basic paperwork from the sale of my grandfather's house. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind witnessing and looking them over."

"Sure, come make yourself comfortable. We'll get this done." He took the package from her hands then offered his hand to help her to her feet, re-seating them back down on the sofa in the corner of Jacks office.

~ * ~

Katie signed the last of the papers then slid them over to Jack. He added his own signature as witness.

"Everything looks fine here. You received a good price on your grandfather's house."

He gathered up the papers. "I'll get my secretary to post them back to the agent."

"Thanks, Jack, I appreciate your help."

"Jordan gets me to look over all his property purchase and sales too. It's no trouble.

This makes you financially independent, doesn't it?"

"I suppose it does. Don't worry, Jack, I'm not about to quit working for Jordan."

"It would devastate him if you did, kitten. I've never heard him go on so much about what a great job a new apprentice has done before. His last two hadn't worked out very well." She relaxed, not failing to note he was back in a playing mood.

"I saw the last kid he had. If his hair was any indication, I'm not surprised." Jack's chuckle sent a shiver down her spine.

"Come on, lunch." He stood up, taking Katie's file and writing a note to his secretary.

She rose and smoothed her skirt down, waiting for Jack. He came around his desk, pausing to regard her, his gaze roaming over her from head to toe.

"I think that outfit could do without one item." Katie gave him a puzzled look. "Take off your panties, kitten." His voice had dropped into his commanding tone he used.

Katie's eyes widened. She licked her lips, thinking about the prospect of walking around in a dress without underwear. Jack had a gleam in his eyes which told her he was determined to be obeyed. But Katie wasn't going to make it easy. She shook her head. Jack advanced with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

Jack never broke eye contact with her. A small thrill ran down Katie's spine. When she didn't comply, he repeated the command.

"Take your panties off, Katie." When he used her name, she knew he was serious.

"I think it's illegal to do that in public." Unable to look away from Jack's mesmerizing dark eyes, her mind turned towards complying.

"What are you afraid of? Take off your panties, no one will know but you and me."

"I'll take mine off if you take yours off," she challenged, raising her chin slightly.

Jack's lips quirked up into a smile. Her breath quickened when he came in close.

Katie stood her ground.

"Take them off or I will." Katie knew he would do just that. Taking a step back, she ran her hands up the inside of skirt then hooked her thumbs into her panties and slid them down her legs. She felt the heat rising in her cheeks as she bent, pulling them off from around her feet. She straitened up and held them out. Even she could smell her own musky arousal on them.

Jack took them from her hands, feeling them in his fingers, taking a deep breath of them before shoving them into his pocket. With one step, he had her in his arms, his mouth crashing down on hers, in a hard, punishing kiss. His tongue pushed past her lips into the depths of her mouth. He drank and sucked on her lips like a man starved.

Katie whimpered when he pulled up her skirt, his fingers sliding over the junction between her thighs. When his fingers dipped into her hot, wet heat, she moaned against his mouth. He found her clit, circling it gently before pressing down. Katie trembled and clung to his arms. He wrapped an arm tightly around her waist, supporting her before her knees buckled at his onslaught.

Just as quickly, he let her go, a wolfish smile over his face as he licked his fingers.

Acting as if nothing had happened, he took her hand and tugged her towards the door.

"Let's go."

"Bastard," she hissed at him for leaving her incredibly aroused and wanting.

Jack chuckled before whispering, "Think about how good it's going to be when you get to our place tonight."

"I could just take matters into my own hands."

"No, you won't. You're not allowed to touch yourself. I want you hot, wet and wanting for the rest of the day, got that?" He squeezed her hand as they headed for the elevator. Katie swallowed, not sure how she was going to bear being so horny all day.

"But I have to work here tonight."

"You're coming home with me when you're finished." Jack's tone gave no leeway to protest. A thrill ran down her spine at the prospect of what Jack would have in store for her.

~ * ~

"Tell me, kitten, how much more fun do you want?" She glanced up, clearly startled by his question. Jack had decided to drive her and their game to a new level, figuring she had responded well to all of his subtle pushing so far. Jack sensed something had changed in Katie since the weekend. Jack only hoped it was a growing fondness for both he and Jordan.

"What do you mean?"

"As much as I love these fun and games, eventually, they are going to have to end."

Katie blinked, a flicker of hurt crossed her face. She glanced down, trying to hide it.

"Oh." He watched as she pushed the food around on her plate. She probably thought he was trying to ditch her.

"Eventually, we are going to want more than fun and games."

"More?"

"Yes, more. I think Jordan made it clear neither of us want anything casual. I was thinking more about long term arrangement." The hurt was suddenly replaced by a look of panic.

Jack grabbed her hand and turned it over. He started to rub circles over her sensitive wrist with his thumb, trying to relax her. He felt her give a shudder. Jack could never remember a woman ever being so responsive and sensitive to his touch.

"You think you could handle two horny flat mates, kitten? Well, until you and Jordan have finished the dream home."

"Jack, I don't think..."

"Hear me out, I'm not asking for the full nine yards. I know you're not looking for happily ever after. Think of it as another step on this new life of yours, flat mates with fringe benefits." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, making her smile. Her tense body began to relax. "You won't have the hassle of coming and going all the time.

Your aunt and uncle are relatively close by. This would give you more freedom to explore whatever it is you want to do." He could see her mind at work, thinking over the possibilities.

"Do I get my own room?"

"If you insist."

"And a lock on the door?"

Jack gave a menacing laugh. "Now you're pushing it, kitten."

"I suppose you would expect me to cook." Amusement gleamed in her blue depths.

Jack chuckled.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to, kitten, but leaving the food up to us is like playing a game of Russian roulette. You never know what you're going to get, and it just may kill you."

Katie laughed. "Okay, I'll think about it."

"Good." It would be a great leap forward if he could get Katie under their roof. With lunch over, he kissed her good bye, reminding her of the night's pleasures to come.

He hoped this would give them both something to look forward too.

Katie was surprised to find Jack's office empty. She had left his to the last. Quickly, she plugged in the machine and set to work. With each passing minute, the anticipation of Jack's promise had her kept her constantly aroused.

She had discussed the offer Jack had made with her aunt. Afraid her aunt would be offended she was contemplating moving out, she had asked her aunt what she should do.

"This is your decision; you have to make the choice yourself. You can't rely on others to do your thinking and make the choices you should be making." Once again Aunt Penny was right. Making life choices was still new to Katie. With the help of her aunt and her two men, she was beginning to feel more empowered. She could make up her own mind and make her own choices. To hell with it, this was her life and she was going to live it.