Page 15 of Keeping Katie

Instead of answering, I change the subject. “How was your night?”

Her gaze flicks to me, then back to the shots of espresso she’s pouring. “Good. You?”

“Do anything fun?”

She slides the drink to me.

“I wouldn’t really call cock fun.” Her eyes bulge. “Oh my God, I just said cock. I meant caulk. Cau-aalk,” she enunciates. “The white stuff that comes out of the long tube.” Her cheeks turn bright red, and she ducks her head, trying to hide behind her hands. “Holy espresso beans.”

I laugh, letting it roll up from my stomach. Jesus, she’s so cute when she’s embarrassed.

“It’s okay, Little one. I’m glad it was caulk you were playing with and not the other thing. That would have seriously displeased me.”

She peers at me between her fingers and sighs. “Can we start over? Good morning, Grady.”

I wink at her. “Morning, lass. I’ll just head to my table while you pick a pastry.”

When I turn around, she blows out a deep breath, and I chuckle but don’t say anything else.

The morning passes as usual, and when I leave, I scribble another note to leave with a hundred-dollar bill.

Eat. Bed by nine. Drink your water. Be a good girl. Looking forward to seeing you tonight.

“What do I need to know about her?” I lean back against my chair and wait for Chloe’s answer. I want to know everything. Katie’s favorite color. Favorite food. Favorite movie. What scares her. Is she into being dominated? Does she know anything about the lifestyle we all live? Any and every detail, no matter how minor, I want it. I’m tired of waiting to learn things little by little.

“Who?” Chloe asks as she sets plates and silverware on Declan’s enormous dining table.

Bash barks out a laugh, and she grins so wide it’s gotta be painful. She knows exactly who. She’s being a brat on purpose. A spankable offense, if you ask me. Instead, her husband is practically cheering her on. He’s so damn obsessed with Chloe that she could pretty much do anything, and he’d give her a high-five.

“Little girl, don’t fuck with me. You know exactly who.” I cross my arms over my chest and scowl at her. It only makes her smile even more.

“It’s bad to curse in front of us. We’re impressionable, you know. And we’re not allowed to cuss, so you shouldn’t either,” she says, putting her hands on her hips and giving me a mock scowl.

“Jesus Christ,” I mutter. “Chloe, I just need a little help. What’s something she likes? What would make her relax a bit around me?”

I’m practically to the point of pleading, but Katie’s going to be here in a few hours. Even though I’ve seen her for five days straight, I still hardly know anything about her. I’ve never reacted to a woman this way. Never felt this connection that’s drawing me to her like a magnet. She’s meant to be mine. I feel it down to my bones.

Chloe sighs and plops down in a chair next to me. “She loves to read. She’s a bit of an introvert, so reading is how she decompresses when she wants to unwind. Um, let me think… Oh, I know. Chocolate. She loves really good chocolate. Her dad used to ship in a special kind from Belgium every year for her birthday.”

“She was close to her dad?” I ask.

Her face falls, and she bites her lip before she drops her shoulders. “Yeah. Her parents are both gone. They passed away several years apart from different illnesses.”

A tightness settles in my chest to the point of pain. Making a fist, I rub the spot between my ribs. I did know about her parents passing. I was able to find that information easily on the internet.

“So she’s all alone?”

Her bottom lip trembles as she nods. “I think so. Gosh, I feel so bad. I stayed in touch with her after I quit Twisted Bean, but I should have done more. She doesn’t have any brothers or sisters, and I don’t think she has time for many friends. Shit. I’m a horrible person.”

Bash goes from amused to protective in a flash, pulling her up into his arms.

I rise, too, and reach out to stroke Chloe’s hair. Bash glares at me, but I ignore him. The bastard is so fucking territorial with her, it’s sickening.

“You’re not a horrible person,” I reassure her. “Life gets busy, and it’s not like you did anything intentionally. Besides, you’re trying to be her friend now.”

Chloe slides her arms around Bash’s waist and nods. “She’s always been so sweet. I never met her dad, but her mom was wonderful when she was well. Katie never complained once about having to pick up extra shifts when her mom was sick or about taking care of her as her health declined.”

In other words, Katie isn’t used to being put first by herself or anyone else. Shame. She deserves to be spoiled rotten.

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