Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

" A voiding danger is no longer safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold."

—Helen Keller

Noel

Fear shifting into terror into anger then rage. And finally, sadness and emptiness. I wasn't certain if the strangled emotions were considered stages of grief or anything else, but I did know they were as debilitating as they were uplifting.

Boy, wasn't I a strange combination of dichotomies. Somehow it fit the situation. So had the fact Kage had driven through a snowstorm toward Denver because he was determined to get me away from yet another horrific scene. While a few places had been harrowing, none were nearly as much as facing the man I'd met in a parking lot months before. Months.

Joel Baxter was just another evil man, perhaps more so that James had been since Joel had truly fit into society. When I'd called Zoe to let her know what had occurred, the shock of hearing Joel's profession as well as his name remained like a lump in my throat.

She'd worked alongside the man for almost two years.

That went to prove that evil existed in every shadowed corner of the world.

I'd felt the heat from Kage's constant checking on me every couple of miles, although I had to give him credit for driving safely down the mountainside.

I'd said nothing, not a single word. I'd done nothing more than keep my arm wrapped around Max's neck, the eighty-five-pound pup finding a way to curl in my lap in the front seat. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now we were walking into the Four Seasons hotel, a location I was certain didn't allow animals, but nothing was going to stop Kage. We were a bedraggled group, not taking the time to change. I had no clean clothes anyway. As he led us into the massive and stunning atrium-style lobby, I realized I had yet to stop shivering.

Nothing seemed real any longer and I wondered if and when it ever would.

Taking long strides, he became a man of power, wealth, and confidence as he headed toward the half dozen people standing behind the check-in area.

"Hello, sir," the girl said immediately, the bright smile on her face reminding me of frozen plastic. "Are you checking in?"

Maybe I was being a little harsh, but I had nothing left to give anyone inside of me. When he plopped down a black graphite American Express, something I hadn't even known he had, I could tell it had impressed the girl.

Especially since she'd given us a look as if we were homeless.

"I'd like a suite for three nights. Top floor and the one with the fireplace. Is it available?"

"Um, let me check, sir." As her fingers flew, I could tell Kage was impatient as usual, flipping the card over and over again on the smooth marble counter surface.

I snuggled a little bit closer, staring down at Max. My boy had been through a lot as well, coming through like a little trooper. What would I have done without the two boys?

"Yes, sir. It is available."

He shoved his card across the counter just as Max decided to jump onto the edge with his two paws, his tail wagging incessantly.

The girl's immediate look of horror clearly pissed Kage off and I'd learned that wasn't a good thing for anyone to do.

I adored him for that as well.

What was I saying? I adored the man through and through.

"I'm sorry, sir, but dogs aren't allowed in our guest rooms."

I had to bite back a laugh as he slowly leaned over the counter. He was so huge that I noticed true fear in her eyes. I was certain he was going to wrap his hand around her throat but instead of playing the brutality card, he used another.

And it shocked me almost as much.

"Perhaps you don't know who I am, Miss Jenaro. My name is Kage Bronson. Abbot Bronson was my grandfather, the man who helped provide the funding for this hotel many years ago. Now, since my grandfather's death, I've taken over his holdings and his empire. One part of his company that was very important to him was the continued funds he gave as gifts to various Denver locations for renovations or additions. I believe this hotel is scheduled for renovation next year. Now, I would hate to pull the fifty million dollars earmarked for the project from my company because my well-trained, loving dog was not allowed to stay in your fine establishment. However, I will leave that up to you. There are other five-star hotels in the area that I am certain will welcome us after surviving an attack in the middle of a snowstorm."

Even the sound of the man's voice was amazing, a huge turn-on. Through the entire soliloquy, he'd kept sweet and sexy smile on his face.

God, I hungered for him.

"I am so sorry. I'm entirely certain my manager wouldn't mind. After all, your family is a legend in this hotel. Let me get everything set up for you."

"While you're at it, I want two bottles of champagne sent up along with four filets cooked perfectly rare along with all the accompaniments, a cheese and fruit platter, and a full bottle of Macallan scotch. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir. I'll make certain that happens."

I glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. "You do realize there is a chance the kitchen is closed. Right?"

"Then they will open it back up," he said gruffly as he turned around, rubbing his palms down my arms.

When I shivered this time, it was for an entirely different reason.

"Four filets?"

He shrugged, peering down at Max. "I kinda think our boy deserves to have two. Don't you? I mean for his heroic deeds and all."

"Our boy, huh?" It was the second time he'd made the statement, and in truth, I loved hearing it more than I should.

"Yep."

"I'm curious, big man. Do you always get what you want?"

His grin at that moment could light up the entire lobby. "Pretty much."

"I like that about you."

"I hope there's more you like."

"Oh," I whispered. "Much more."

"You're all set, Mr. Bronson and I apologize for my misstatement. We will be happy to accept your pup anytime you'd like to bring her."

"Him and his name is Max," Kage corrected as he grabbed the package of key cards just as Max slapped his paws on the counter once again.

This time as if on cue he issued a single low-throated growl. Yes, I should admonish him but it was all I could do to keep from bursting into laughter. The night was more than just surreal.

We'd fallen into another episode of the Twilight Zone.

"My God. This is incredible. I guess this is how the rich people live." I'd flitted around the massive hotel suite with Max in tow, admiring the three-sided view of the impressive city with the mountains in the background. Now I was standing in the bathroom that was the size of at least half my house.

I was trying to figure out the best way to describe the huge room with a picture window the length of a car. Between the marble and wood surfaces, the soft overhead LED lighting, the oversized bathroom surrounded on two sides by glass doors, the fluffy robes hanging for our use, and the collection of bath sheet sized towels, I was impressed.

But when Kage had put on the surround sound system of music that was being piped through unseen speakers in almost every wall, I was floored.

At least I'd changed into one of the fluffy robes, feeling a bit more like a princess than a pauper. I could honestly get used to this. Thankfully, I could still smile. Max looked up at me then huffed, strolling from the bathroom as if in disgust. Granted, the scent of the steak lingered in the suite, although it had taken the furry one about twenty seconds to down the two filets.

Somehow, I had the feeling he was ready for a long nap.

At least my baby didn't seem any worse for the wear. When the bastard had struck him down with a limb, I'd lunged in his direction, trying to claw out his eyes.

If only I'd been able to.

I was thankful Kage hadn't killed the man. Well, a small part of me anyway. With Zoe continuing to dig into what had happened with the wretched conviction, it was much better my hero hadn't taken a life right in front of the cops.

I noticed his reflection in the sparkling glass window as he walked into the room, holding a glass of champagne in one hand, a tumbler of scotch in the other. He took a few moments to take a deep breath, as if I didn't smell like some sewer rat given the chase and the rumble in the snow, before easing the glass around my arm.

As soon as I wrapped my fingers around it, our fingers touched and I was thankful the shots of electricity hadn't left.

"If I seem to remember correctly, you're a wealthy woman yourself. You've been on the New York Times bestseller list six times, the USA Today seven, and you've sold millions of copies of your books. I think you probably have a much larger bank account than you want anyone to know about."

"You really have been checking up on me."

"What did I tell you before? I make it my business." He wrapped his hand around the collar of my robe, pulling me onto my tiptoes. Suddenly, he produced a strawberry, twirling it into the air in front of me. "Still hungry, baby?"

I knew what he was doing, everything to keep my mind off what had occurred, and had almost occurred. While the surroundings could certainly help, he was the reason I was alive and eager to continue living.

"Maybe." But not for what he was trying to feed me.

"Open that perky mouth of yours."

I dutifully followed his command, taking my time in doing so. When he popped it into my mouth, his lust-filled eyes piercing mine, there were so many things I wanted to say to him, so many thank-yous but I knew he wouldn't accept them. He was that kind of man, full of humility and grace as much as he was domination and brawn.

Only that was tough for him to accept.

As I chomped down on the strawberry, his eyes shimmered and I noticed for the first time there were flecks of various incredible colors framing his forest green irises. That only added to his sex appeal.

The moment he pulled his hand away, I took a sip of champagne and got as high on my tippy toes as possible, capturing his mouth for a change. As I shoved the last of the strawberry along with a splash of bubbly past his lips, I heard a distinct growl and it wasn't coming from my sleepy puppy.

With his drink still firmly planted in his hand, the big man managed to pull me off my feet, holding me so close I could feel his heartbeat.

The kiss was as full of passion as always but there was so much more to it, a closeness that was entirely different. I had no idea what had happened during his trip, nor did he offer anything. I think for the moment we were simply embracing the fact we were both alive.

And maybe a little head over heels.

At least that's what I hoped was happening.

He swept his tongue inside, taking his sweet time exploring every little crevice. I was so locked into the moment and the feel of being in his strong arms that I could have remained exactly like that for a long time.

But he wasn't having any of it, finally easing me to my feet. I almost sloshed champagne over the rim of the glass from the excitement surging through me.

The man had that strong of an effect on me.

We both knew there were things to talk about, more time needed at one of the precincts, but I was so grateful to be allowed to walk away from the carnage and horror that I felt like I'd arrived in heaven on earth.

It was strange to be standing in the middle of perhaps the most impressive bathroom I'd ever been in, drinking expensive liquor while enjoying a fabulous view. But with him, I could see doing almost anything.

After he took a swig of his scotch, he grinned as if telling me had something lurid on his mind. Without telling me, he took my hand into his, guiding me out of the space into a much larger one. Even the main bedroom, and there were three, had a fireplace, the crackling sound coming from fake logs but that didn't diminish the warmth or the dazzling effect.

He allowed me to enjoy taking a few more sips of my bubbly before taking the glass from my hand, placing both on one of the nightstands.

After that, he had a rather stern look on his face but also one that could melt the heart of an Eskimo. As he tugged on the belt of my robe, his nostrils flared. "I could have lost you."

"You didn't."

"I'll never put you in that position again."

"We can't hide from the darkness, Kage. We can only share in the joy of the light."

He lifted his head, a smile very slowly creeping across his face. "You are right."

As he unfastened the robe altogether, pulling the two sides apart, he issued another throatier growl.

"Thank you," I told him again.

"Baby. Thank you for saving me."

I knew how he meant it, what he was saying, but the words and the way he said them were still so touching, so beautiful I knew there would never be another man for me.

What that said about me I wasn't certain but at this point, I didn't care. If any man could be considered my destiny, Kage was that man.

Every action gentle and comforting, he rolled the material over my shoulders, allowing gravity to take it to the floor in a soft pile.

I'd seen his looks of hunger before but there was no doubt the man was going to devour me.

And I couldn't wait.

Still gentle, still treating me as if I was fragile, he eased me down to the soft sheets. The cover had already been pulled, the lights dim and candles lit that I hadn't noticed before. He was pulling out the stops to help me forget.

As he undressed, I was given a perfect view of his sculpted body. He was truly a blessing to every woman out there.

But as of this moment, he was mine.

All mine.

It was funny how I'd suddenly become the possessive one.

When he was finished, he peered down at me with his lust-filled eyes, shaking his head. "I'm a very lucky man."

"And don't you ever forget that." I shook my head, licking my lips at the same time from the sight of his pulsing purple cockhead and low-hanging balls. My mouth couldn't be watering any more than it was.

He lifted a single eyebrow before crawling onto the bed, immediately wrapping his arms around my legs, lifting them and my torso off the bed completely.

"It looks like someone needs a lesson in who owns who." His voice was barely audible, a primal sound of growls and groans as he dropped his head, immediately sucking on my clit.

"Oh, fuck. Oh, God." I swept my arms out, raking them up and down the soft material before clutching a single pillow and yanking it over my face where I allowed myself to scream into it.

I was shocked how incredible the sensations were as he pulled the bud deep inside his mouth. I wriggled and tossed my head back and forth, finally dragging the pillow away the moment he swirled his tongue around it a few times. He was such an expert at this, slowly swiping just the tip all the way down the length of my pussy.

I'd learned through spending time with him that nirvana was a real plateau, a special place few visited. I was letting go already, not only of my inhibitions but of the darkness that had crowded my psyche. While I'd gone through something else horrific, the fact he'd been in my life, coming to my rescue had been healing.

His gentle touches and husky voice along with his near desperate need for me were a reminder that I would never allow anyone to take away a portion of my life ever again.

This was true living, not because of the posh surroundings or expensive champagne but because the man providing so much pleasure would die for me.

Somehow, he was able to drive several fingers into my tight channel, pumping them in and out as if he had all the time in the world. I felt every sensation, every electric vibration as if for the first time.

It was a scintillating moment. I tugged and pulled at the sheets, moaning as if I was in pain. Oh, if this was pain it was truly delicious.

He licked fervently, pushing every button oh-so correctly. As he spread me even wider, driving his tongue inside in a sweet orchestration, I lost it. The climax was brutal, sweeping through me like a tidal wave.

I couldn't do anything but open my mouth, issuing a labored breath. He continued licking until I managed to fist his hair, doing my best to drag him up further on the bed. I needed the full weight of him. I needed the warmth.

There was nothing I wanted more than to have his cock buried deep inside.

He pressed kisses against one inner thigh then the other before trailing a series of them on my stomach and breasts. His eyes were locked onto mine as he continued the path, flicking his tongue back and forth across one nipple then the other.

As he kicked my legs apart using his knee, I rubbed my hands up his chest before digging my nails into his shoulders.

"My beautiful, bad girl. My forever."

My forever.

Hearing the words would have meant very little to me before but on this night, they meant everything. He allowed me to wrap my hand around his shaft, sliding the tip up and down my pussy. I was fully aware he wouldn't allow my teasing to last but I enjoyed the moment, the closeness, the heat.

And the building need.

I couldn't imagine being with anyone else ever again.

Somehow, I didn't think he'd allow that to happen. If it did by accident, God help the man who made that mistake.

When I finally positioned his cockhead against my swollen folds, I expected him to thrust his shaft deep inside in his usual possessive manner. As he gently pressed it into my tight channel, I was thrown as much by the tenderness as I was for the growing need for him to be rough and tumble.

But I sensed he wasn't ready for that, wanting me to remember softer times and that all men weren't violent and evil creatures.

Everything about the man and the moment was special, so much so we both remained in a euphoric state. The moment he was fully seated inside, I wrapped my legs around his thighs. Together, at that beautiful moment, we were as one. We moved together as a well-orchestrated machine, our breathing similar, our desires the same.

Neither one of us blinked as we made love to each other, enjoying the moment and the time shared, the alone time that I hoped would continue.

As before, time had no place inside this room and while I had no idea how long we were coupled together, as another climax rushed through me, I was pulled into pure ecstasy, doing everything I could not to scream. He sensed it, capturing my mouth all over again, daring me to do so into his mouth.

And I did.

The release left me tingling all over, enough so I was in a blurry state of mind, incapable of thinking. That was just fine by me.

He continued pushing me higher and higher, one orgasm leading to another, but I knew the moment when he couldn't hold back any longer. I always did.

There was something joyful about being able to squeeze my muscles around his cock, pulling him even deeper as he filled me with his seed.

When he threw his head back with a solid guttural roar, I was thrilled to the point of gushing.

We were so close, so much in tune with each other. The horrors had passed, our lives ahead of us and I could only pray that it would last well into the future.

Even though I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.