Sleeping With The Enemy (A Stranger's Touch) (7 page)

Kate didn’t stop running until she reached the airport terminal. The lines waiting to board the flight moved quickly due to the relatively small number of passengers traveling midweek. The flight on the other hand, seemed to go on forever.

When they finally touched down in Denver, Kate had gone back through every single detail of her relationship with Alex at least a dozen times. She couldn’t believe she’d been so foolish and naïve as to fall for his lies in the first place.

Ronnie was there waiting for her when she came through the gate. Together, they retrieved Kate’s bag and headed out into the crisp fall afternoon.

Ronnie actually waited until Kate sat beside her in the pickup truck before asking her first question.

“Okay, what’s going on with you? Is this about that Alex person? I thought you two were over?” She tossed Kate the same quizzical look she’d seen so many times in the past. Kate always caved in under the pressure of one of Ronnie’s looks.

“We are and I don’t know what you mean. Can’t I just want to see my friend occasionally? After all, it’s been months—since you and Brent’s wedding.”

“Honey, I love you and all, but you were never good at lying. I guess it’s all the cockeyed innocence. So, come on,
out with it. Tell me the truth.”

She would...eventually. Just not yet.

“There’s nothing to tell.” That much was at least true. There was nothing left between her and Alex to talk about.

“Uh huh. Okay, we’ll play it your way. But I will find out the truth, you know?”

Kate had to smile. Of course, Ronnie was right. She always knew exactly the right questions to ask to get Kate to confess everything.

“I know. But not yet, okay?” She glanced at her friend who smiled slowly then nodded. Ronnie knew her better than most of her friends. At the
University of Texas, they’d been like sisters, going out and partying, hanging out at clubs. Since college Kate had long since grown tired of such games. Meeting Alex—falling in love with him, she’d thought her single days were over.

You are such an idiot!

“What did you say?” Ronnie asked and Kate realized she’d spoken aloud.

Kate glanced over at Ronnie and saw her curiosity level kick up another notch. She must be giving away all sorts of signals by her silence, but she simply shook her head. She wasn’t ready to admit how stupid she’d behaved to her friend.

“Nothing. So how’s Brent doing these days? You guys pregnant yet?” Kate asked with a mischievous little grin.

Ronnie was a natural born mother. She’d wanted to have dozens of kids since she was five. All she ever talked about in school was how many and what number of each sex she wanted. When she and Brent started dating, Ronnie knew even before their second date he was the one. Brent on the other hand took a little persuading. But before he knew what hit him, he was in love and proposing marriage. They’d just recently been married and moved back to Ronnie’s hometown of
Denver.

“Maybe, well, if last night were any indication, then I’d swear by it.” She gave Kate a little wink. Ronnie was never shy about discussing her sex life with her friend.

Kate turned away, pretending to watch the passing scenery. She didn’t want to think about sex right now. It was amazing the difference one night made. Last night, she and Alex spent their first night in Austin together as husband and wife. This morning, she’d stumbled upon the truth.

“How’s Brent’s job? Is he still traveling a great deal?” Brent was VP of sales for a computer software giant. Which meant he ended up traveling over two hundred days
out of the year. Ronnie hated the absences, but she loved Brent and he loved his job.

“Yes
.” Ronnie made a face that made words unnecessary and Kate grinned. For the first time since she’d called Ronnie earlier, she was happy she’d made the trip.

“That bad, huh? I’m surprised you guys get any time alone for...” She pointed to Ronnie’s stomach.

“Well, we manage. He left this morning for New York. He’ll be gone most of the week. God, I miss him already,” she said with a little shake of her head. “But this will give us plenty of girl time. And you can tell me what’s bothering you.”

Kate shook her head in silence.

“How’s Robert doing? He called me a couple of days ago, you know.”

She turned to Ronnie in surprise. “He did? He didn’t mention it.” Kate wasn’t surprised. She and her father talked almost every single day. He would have been worried about her, no doubt, after the first day.

“Yeah, he was looking for you...” Ronnie added watching Kate’s telltale color creep across her face.

“Yes, I know. I was out of town on vacation.”

“Really, and now you’re
here
on vacation. That’s not like you, Katie. What about the store? You’d never leave the place to anyone else’s care—even Brandy’s for long.”

Kate decided she needed to change the subject before she started crying again. “Speaking of Dad, I should call and let him know I arrived okay. He’ll be worried.”

“I’d say he’s got plenty of reasons. His steadfast and dependable Katie is acting awfully mysterious lately.”

Kate chose to ignore Ronnie’s comment for now.

She hadn’t bothered turning her phone on until then. She found several missed calls waiting already.

Kate
listened to the endless ringing on the other end and grew frightened. Robert never ventured too far from the phone these days. What if he’d become ill? What if...

“Kate? Kate where are you! Kate, please tell me where you are. Kate, we can straighten this whole thing out. I can explain everything. This is all just a misunderstanding. Just tell me where you are and I’ll come get you
.”

At the sound of Alex’s frantic voice, Kate slammed the phone shut and threw it on her lap as if it burned.

Alex was at her father’s house. Why? Why wouldn’t he just give up? Surely, he’d accomplished what he set out to do. She wanted to pick up the phone again and try to reach her father, but she couldn’t risk talking to Alex again. Her emotions were far too fragile right now. It would take nothing more than a single word from him for her to believe all of his lies again.

Please God...Give me the strength not to turn right around and go back to him.

Kate closed her eyes and fought to keep the panic from growing. Maybe there was an easy explanation. Maybe she’d simply dialed the wrong number. Maybe...

“Kate?” The gentle touch of Ronnie’s hand on her arm forced her to look at her friend. She realized Ronnie had pulled the truck off the road and was watching her closely.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re crying,” Ronnie answered in surprise. “You never cry.”

“I know.”

“Then tell me what’s going on. And don’t say ‘nothing’, because that’s a lie. Something’s brought you here beyond the need to catch up.”

Kate took one look at gentle understanding in Ronnie’s eyes and told her everything.

“I think I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.” And for the life of her, she wasn’t sure if her biggest mistake hadn’t been walking out on Alex.

Chapter
Seven

Kate stood beneath the warm spray of the shower for what seemed like hours and yet she couldn’t get warm. Her body was in shock.

As always, talking to Ronnie helped her to see things differently. Ronnie made her laugh. Nothing ever seemed quite so bad once she talked it over with her friend.

She followed the smell of Ronnie’s homemade enchiladas and found her friend leaning against the kitchen sink, sipping a margarita on the rocks.

“Here, you look like you could use one of these.” She handed Kate hers and poured another into a glass rimmed with salt.

“Thanks, I think this is exactly what I need.” Kate rarely drank. Her father’s illness made her overly conscious of the disease, but tonight she needed to forget.

“He called,” Ronnie told her quietly. She didn’t even have to ask who.

“What did he say,” Kate asked at last. Her voice still held out hope.

“Why don’t you call him back and find out?” Ronnie challenged, but Kate turned away from her friend’s compassion.

“I can’t. I can’t talk to him right now.”

Ronnie sighed and poured more mix into the blender. “He said he loved you. He said you were wrong. He said he never meant to hurt you and he’d stopped thinking about revenge the second he met you. He asked you to please just talk to him.”

Kate turned back to Ronnie once more. She forced herself to let go of the hope. He’d lied to her about everything. She’d never trust him again.

“I can’t.” Kate saw Ronnie dis
approval and added, “I can’t, Ronnie. And I don’t want to talk about it anymore tonight. I wish I could forget I ever behaved so recklessly.”

“All right.” Ronnie accepted her answer at last. “Well, I’d say you’re well on your way to that right now, wouldn’t you?” She pointed to the empty margarita glass in Kate’s hand and grinned. Kate laughed. Being with Ronnie was going to be the best medicine for her broken heart. Ronnie would help her forget about Alex for a little while.

“I’m getting the marriage annulled the second I get back to Austin, you know?” Kate told her three margaritas later, after they’d abandoned the enchiladas entirely. She and Ronnie made a fire in the outdoor fireplace and sat watching the stars.

“Sorry to be the one to burst your bubble kiddo, but from what you told me you’ve had sex with him—correction you’ve had lots and lots of sex with him,” she added with a giggle, which Kate found impossible not to join in as well. “So, I’m afraid you can kiss any hope of getting an annulment goodbye.”

“Lots and lots of great sex...no, make that unbelievable sex. Alex was unbelievable in bed,” Kate told Ronnie who actually looked a little jealous.

“So, what’s the problem then?” Ronnie asked and they both burst out laughing. “I mean, who cares why he married you if he’s unbelievable in bed. I’ll marry him!”

“I will miss making love to him, though. Dammit! Why did he have to be a jerk? Why couldn’t he just let it go?” Kate asked, pouring another margarita and spilling most of it, which Ronnie seemed to find extremely amusing. This was their third pitcher and Ronnie had barely touched the last one.

“Men; who can understand anything they do?”

“They’re all jerks,” Kate said.

“Absolutely
.” Ronnie got to her feet and swayed. “Okay, that’s it for me. I’m seeing two of you already. I’m going to bed. Stay. Finish off the pitcher. Hell, make more if you like.” She leaned down and kissed the top of Kate’s head, aiming for her cheek. “See you in the morning, Kiddo.”

“’Night, Ronnie.”

Kate was feeling more than a little tipsy, but not enough to face the empty bedroom alone. She finished off the third pitcher. It was such a beautiful night. Kate added more wood to the fire and made another batch of drinks.

To hell with Alex Bradshaw and his stupid plans for revenge. Maybe she’d do a little revenge of her own. Find someone close to him and then sleep with him, making sure Alex found out of course.

Kate lay back against the cushion of the double lounger and smiled to herself. The more she thought about it, the better she liked her plan. One of his coworkers or a close friend would do nicely. Maybe she’d arrange it so Alex caught them in the act. That would certainly teach him a thing or two.

She closed her eyes and settled into the fantasy. But it wasn’t some nameless stranger who appeared before her. Alex filled her with a need for fulfillment she hadn’t known existed before him.

Kate imagined his lips against her skin and moaned softly. Her hand drifted to her breast, stroking it before moving lower, down to the juncture of her legs. God, she wanted him. How could she still want to be with someone who hurt her so badly?

Her free hand moved to the buttons on her shirt. What did it hurt, here in the darkness, to admit the truth? She loved him; she wanted him. She would never let him hurt her again.

The buttons slipped free, first one, then two, then all of them. She hadn’t bothered with a bra. It was just her and Ronnie. The coolness of the night touched her bare skin. Kate shivered and caressed her nipple the way Alex did, feeling it harden beneath her touch. Her breath caught in a sigh as her fingers rubbed the spot he’d once stroked to make her his slave. It didn’t take long before she was writhing in pleasure, remembering the way it felt to have his body joined with hers. Kate cried out in pleasure before collapsing against the cushions once more, weak and unfulfilled.

She was crying. She’d cried each time they made love. Kate drifted off to sleep, exhausted from the physical release and the alcohol, wanting only to forget she’d ever let him touch her at all.

A tiny little whimper escaped as his lips caressed the rosy peak of her breast. She was dreaming. She must be. Alex was thousands of miles away in Texas. And yet he felt so real.

The minute his lips touched hers Kate knew this was no dream. He was real and he was here in
Colorado touching her? She opened her eyes and met the raw desire in his. How long had he watched her before? Kate tried to push him away, but he didn’t move. His lips moving across hers, his fingers stroked her breast where his lips once caressed. Her traitorous body responded to him with abandon.

She stopped resisting for the moment. His hold loosened at her surrender. Alex’s hands slipped over her body slowly, touching all of her, reaching past her anger and hurt. Kate trembled all over in response.

“I liked watching you touch yourself. You are incredibly sexy to watch. Even more sexy to touch.” Her breath caught at those words.

“No.” Kate was mortified he’d seen her weakness.

Shh,” he whispered into her mouth, leaning closer so their bodies touched. The friction of his sweater against her bare flesh was thrilling. She shuddered and moved closer.

“No Alex, no. You shouldn’t be here. Go away.” Her words died against his lips. He smiled at her surrender.

Alex stopped kissing her for the moment and watched her struggle with disappointment.

“I came for you, Kate. You won’t talk to me over the phone. I didn’t have any other choice. You won’t listen to me.”

“No.” She tried to push him away, but he didn’t let her go. He continued caressing her, until she moaned again and arched closer to his touch.

“Kate, we need to talk. Surely, you see that. Things can’t go on like this.” His words were like a cold rush of air against her heated skin.

“Things aren’t going on like this at all. I told you, it’s over. I don’t trust you anymore. I’m getting the marriage annulled,” she whispered and then gasped as his hands tightened around her and he hauled her up into his arms and carried her to her bed.

“You’ll never get this marriage annulled,” Alex told her before he lowered her slowly back against the bed, his lips meeting hers, matching the need growing inside of her. Since she’d left him in
Austin without any hope.

“Then I’ll get a divorce. Face it, Alex, this marriage is over.” Her body was already responding to his familiar touch. With each stroke, his hands and his lips showered her with love.

“There won’t be any divorce either,” he said against her lips as his hands continued to work magic.

“Deny you want this as much as I do?” he challenged. She couldn’t. She stopped trying.

“Please, Alex. Please, I can’t wait,” she said, begging him to enter her. But he took his time. He let her body relax while bringing her closer. Alex gripped her chin and forced her to look at him.

“Kate, I know you love me, and I know you’re hurting,” he began, but she didn’t want to hear what was coming next. She could never trust anything Alex told her again.

“You don’t know anything. You certainly don’t know how I feel. You don’t know anything about me, and clearly, I don’t know anything about you either.”

“Yes, you do. You know I love you. You know I’d never hurt you.”

Kate started to laugh, but her laughter quickly died away into a soft little moan when Alex shifted her body further beneath his. His rolled over on his side, his hand sliding slowly down her body to her thigh and then up to stroke the soft curls. He cupped her, his fingers teasing her until she whimpered softly against his lips. He slipped one finger, followed by another inside her body, exploring her innermost warmth, caressing until Kate’s body exploded from his skillful touch.

He smiled into her eyes, wide with surprise and pleasure. “This seems to
be the only way I can get you to listen to me. Not that I’m complaining—I love touching you like this.”

His words both thrilled and filled her with shame at the same time. Why couldn’t she resist him? This was just a game to him. He wanted to have sex with her. It hadn’t been anything more than a physical attraction for him. She loved him. He’d lied to her.

His fingers continued to stroke her. “I admit I went to the bookstore that night to follow through with my plans of hurting your father, Kate. But after I met you, after I got to know you—after we made love—I knew it was over. I couldn’t do it.” Kate tried to look away, but his eyes held hers. “Do you believe me?”

“No! You’re lying, Alex, no...” Kate’s voice died into a whimper as Alex’s lips moved across hers before trailing kisses down her throat to her breasts. Bringing each nipple to arousal. She sucked in a ragged breath, bringing his eyes back to hers. Alex was smiling. He’d seen her expression before, a hundred times no doubt.

Stop him before it’s too late. Before you lose yourself to him forever.

But she didn’t want to stop Alex or herself. Alex’s gaze came back to hers once more. There were questions in them. Kate couldn’t answer them. She closed her eyes and let him remove the last of her clothes. His touch held remnants of his anger. He was still angry, but he wanted her more.

Alex undressed and took her back into his arms. He moved between her legs and thrust inside of her. Kate cried out his name with each stroke. He plunged deeper, harder, faster. Tension mingled with the pleasure forming within her. She tried to hold onto it a moment longer, but it shattered and then spiraled out of control.

Alex captured her cries against his mouth. His body grew tense as he continued to fill her. Her name coming from his lips sounded like a hoarse cry. Alex continued to drive deep into her, his body crashing against hers for a moment longer until his own powerful release sent her body convulsing out of control along with his.

His body collapsed against hers, their breathing coming in ragged gasps, filling the silent room. Reluctantly, Alex untangled himself from her and rolled over on his side, gathering her close.

* * * *

What was wrong with him? He’d come here tonight to talk to her—not make love.

He needed to make her listen instead; seeing her pleasure had been his undoing. He wanted her too much not to take her.

“Are you okay?” Alex forced the words out. Kate heaved a shuddering sigh and tried to push him away. He had no intention of letting her go. His body responded against hers.

This was so wrong. He knew in every part of his being, he was going to regret touching Kate like this for the rest of his life.

But that didn’t ease the need. His body swelled inside of hers once more, quickly filling her. She whimpered softly, pulling his mouth down to hers. Kate might not have expected the outcome of tonight, but she was certainly ready for him. He killed what was left of his conscience the second her lips met his.

She was warm and sexy—eager for him. He began to move inside of her once more. He wanted this to last all night, or at least until she came to her senses. She responded immediately. Her body rose to meet his, thrust for thrust. Her legs slipped around his waist more. Their bodies fit together perfectly.

“God, you feel good,” he whispered into her open mouth and felt her inner muscles tighten around him in reaction.

“Alex, this isn’t what I want. Please, this is wrong,” she told him even while her tongue stroked along his. He drove into her harder, moving in perfect rhythm to the thrusts of her tongue.

“Stop lying to yourself. You want this just as much as I do.” He wanted to be closer. Her body was all but meshed with his as it was, but it wasn’t enough. His arms circled her shoulders, drawing her against his body.

Her fingers stroked down his back and lower. Alex shuddered as her gentle stroking drove him closer to losing control.

“Don’t...Kate, no.” Her lips left his, their eyes met, locked. The tiny space separating them filled with tension. He continued thrusting against her, but his eyes never released hers. He watched her climax through the windows to her soul.

He too was close; he couldn’t hold back any longer. He drove into her once, twice then threw back his head and slipped over the edge along with Kate.