Page 60 of Waiting for Him
Her eyes narrowed, and she scoffed in disbelief. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He mimicked her stare, and she trembled as a chill went up her spine, knowing his countenance looked more lethal than hers. “Oh, yes, I would, little Kitty. One thing I don’t do is issue idle threats. Would you like me to prove it to you? I can guarantee you’ll regret it.”
Holy shit! He really would do it. Refusing to lower her gaze, like the good submissives she’d been reading about, she held her head high and stomped into her cabin. The aroma of garlic, tomatoes, and oregano assailed her nostrils as the door closed behind her. Her mouth watered, but she swallowed, not wanting him to know it smelled delicious.
Brushing past her, Carter strode into her kitchen as if he belonged there. Plates, utensils, glasses, and napkins for two were set on her dinette table. She stared daggers into his back as he busied himself at the oven. Using her mitts, which she kept in the bottom drawer, he removed several aluminum containers and a foil-wrapped loaf of bread.
“Make yourself at home, why don’t you?”
Transferring the food to the table, he gave her an impish grin, which caught her off guard. “Thanks, but I already did. You can help by getting us something to drink. I brought beer and soda since I didn’t know what you preferred or had already.”
Kat snorted and headed to the refrigerator. “What? That wasn’t in your investigation of how to find me and break into my home?”
“Watch your tone, Kitty-Kat. You’re in enough trouble with me at the moment, but again, we’ll discuss that after we eat. I’ll take a beer, please. Then sit because I’m starving, and I’m sure you are too. You’ve had a long day.”
“How do you know?”
He shrugged and then tossed the mitts on the counter. “Because I’ve been watching you all morning. The last thing you ate was a granola bar at six-thirty unless you snuck something in while I ran out to pick up our meal, which I doubt. You still haven’t regained the weight you lost, and from what I can tell, you’ve lost even more. You can’t go that long without fueling your body, little one. And despite what advertising executives believe, most men like some meat on their women—it gives us something soft to hold on to. Now, sit . . . please.”
Gaping at him again, she put two beers on the table and sat in the chair he held out for her. She was so confused about why he was there as she watched him fill her plate and then his own. Once he seemed satisfied all was in order, he took the seat across from her.
“Dig in.”
Like she’d noticed Benny had done every time they ate together, he waited until she picked up her fork and took the first bite of her lasagna. Her eyes rolled back into her head as the flavors hit her taste buds. “Oh my God, this is heaven. Where did you get this?” She didn’t wait for his answer before shoving another forkful in her mouth.
Carter chuckled and then started on his own meal. “Glad you like it. I found a little Italian deli about five miles from here called The Red Pepper.”
“Wait a minute. I’ve eaten there before, and it’s never been this good.” Putting down her fork, she reached for a piece of garlic bread, offering him one, which he thanked her for.
“The sign said, ‘Under New Management,’ so maybe they have a new chef.”
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes until Kat started feeling full, and her curiosity started getting the best of her. “Okay, so tell me why you’re here.”
Picking up his napkin, he wiped his mouth and then took a sip of his beer. “That was going to be my question to you. What the fuck are you doing here, Kat, when the love of your life is moping around Tampa, driving everyone bat-shit crazy?”
Her gaze fell to the table. “I’m not the love of his life. Benny hates me. I almost got his parents killed. And Jake and Colleen and Murray and . . . and . . .”
She didn’t realize she was crying until he reached over and brushed away the tears on her cheek. Leaving the last of his meal, he stood and pushed her chair back from the table. Before she knew what he was doing, he’d picked her up in his arms and carried her to the couch.
Sitting again, he settled her on his lap and gently guided her head to rest on his shoulder. The tender Dom held her while she sobbed until she slowly regained control. “He doesn’t hate you, little one, and I don’t know why you would think that. I’ve known Boomer for many years, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen him depressed. He wasn’t this bad when he was laid up in the hospital, and they weren’t sure if he’d lose his leg. Now, why are you here instead of with him? I know it’s not because you don’t love him. Anyone can see how much he means to you. So, talk to Master Carter, and we’ll see how to fix this. And Rick is fine, by the way. He was discharged from the hospital the other day.”
“I know. I called the hospital every day. Before I left, I told the desk clerk I was his niece so I could check on him.” She took a shuddering breath. “I can’t face him and Eileen. And I sure as hell can’t face Benny. This was all my fault. I should never have gone to him for help.”
He let out a low growl. “It was not your fault. You weren’t the one working for the Russian mob and stealing money from them. And you sure as hell didn’t tell those bastards to go after Boomer’s folks. So, try again. Why are you here when you’re still wearing his collar?”
Her hand flew to her throat. She hadn’t been able to remove the simple collar Benny had placed around her neck. No matter what, her heart knew she would never love any man as much as she loved him. The collar was her last connection to him.
Instead of giving another lame explanation, she concentrated on Carter’s question this time, trying to find an honest answer. “I guess . . . he was so angry at the hospital, I was afraid he’d tell me to leave. So, instead of giving him the chance, I left. Deep down, I was hoping he would come after me, but . . . but he didn’t.”
“Oh, Kitty-Kat. I am so going to make sure he spanks your ass for that. Do you know the reason why he didn’t come after you? The reason he’s been getting drunk almost every night at the club? Or why he’s turned down every sub who’s offered to help him forget you?”
Feeling more miserable by the second, her gaze fell to her lap, and she shook her head.
“Because the first time you left him, it wasn’t your choice or fault. But this time, Kat, you chose to leave. You walked out on him when he needed you the most. He wasn’t angry with you . . . he was frustrated at the situation. And I’m sorry you misinterpreted his frustration as anger. He loves you. But he’s hurting, thinking you don’t love him enough to stay with him.”
Her tears started again, and she tried to wipe them away as fast as they rolled down her cheek. “Oh, God, w-what’ve I done? I do l-love him, and I’d never hurt him on purpose. I was j-just scared. Everyone I’ve ever loved is gone and . . . and the one person who’s still here, I pushed away. C-Carter, w-what am I going to do?”
Holding her head in his big, calloused hands, he forced her to look him in the eye. “What you’re going to do is go dry your eyes while I clean up, and then we have a plane to board in . . .” He glanced at his black military watch. “In a little over an hour.”
