Twelve days later
The longer Kathryn stayed away, the more she fell apart.
Jake was fine. She knew at least that much. And Art was going to prison, with or without her testimony. There was no chance he’d enjoy freedom anytime soon. If he’d pulled this in another state, he’d be looking at the death penalty. And the notebook he was so desperate to get? She couldn’t touch it. That a few scribbles could nearly cost Jake his life was too much.
Committed to moving past this all as quickly as possible, she perused the reservist job assignments. At least it kept her away from her phone. She’d shut it off when Jake’s texts started rolling in. And voice mails. And emails. Followed by everybody and their mother getting in on giving her advice.
I’m off the grid.
Well, except for the internet.
Frustrated, she skimmed through the reservist openings. The countries were blurring together. For nearly two weeks now, she’d moped around her condo in the worst sort of funk. Nothing would kick her into high gear like getting back into the action. At least, her mind could focus on something other than Jake.
Nursing. Her first love.
Overseas. Far away from sitting around in sweats and crying with her best friends Ben and Jerry. But if she was doing this, it had to be in a country she hadn’t been to yet.
In between saving lives, I can see the sights.
The list of endless countries needing nurses trailed on and on.
Afghanistan. Another listing in Afghanistan. Turkey. The UAE. Several countries in Asia. Even Italy. God, it’s like the need for nurses tripled since I left.
A knock at the door pulled her from her laptop. Same old knock. But this time, the face in the peephole brightened her day.
There was no use pretending. She was glad to see Delaney for more than one reason. She needed news, especially before saying good-bye to Colorado.
Cracking the door open ever so slowly, she playfully peered through it. “Hey, Detective.” Then she flung it wide for him to enter. “Just kidding. Come in.”
When Delaney didn’t bother going farther than a step in, she said, “I know I shouldn’t ask, but how’s Jake?”
“Jake? Uh, he’s actually the reason I’m here. Listen, we have a situation, and I need your help.”
Alarm creased her brow. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s hard to explain. But we need to go. Now.”
She looked down at the pink flannel pajamas she was wearing. Not exactly ready for prime time. “Sure, just let me change.”
Delaney shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. You can grab your purse, and a jacket if you like, but we’ve got to go.”
She grabbed her purse and her longest coat, fashion forward in an ensemble that screamed bag lady as she followed him to his car. He opened the passenger side door, letting her close it herself as he raced around to the driver’s side.
Seconds later, they were heading toward the freeway.
“Look,” she said, “you’re freaking me the fuck out, pardon my French. What the hell’s going on?”
“Please, Kathryn. This is hard for me too. Just . . . let me do what I need to do.”
“Do I need an attorney?”
“No.”
“For the love of God, Detective, throw me a bone?”
Delaney gave her an apologetic look. “I can’t. I wish I could. Please don’t worry. Just sit back. We’ll be there soon.”
* * *
After twenty minutes of simmering, Kathryn’s freak-out boiled over. As they rolled through the massive gates of Jake’s compound, she turned to Delaney. “Is something wrong with Jake?”
The detective stayed silent as he drove up the winding drive to the front of the house. He fiddled with his cell, and a garage door opened.
They got out together.
She was on his heels, racing through the corridor. At the foreboding door with the metal access panel, they stopped, and the detective just stood there.
“What are we waiting for?” she asked.
He gave her an embarrassed shrug. “I don’t actually know.”
Behind that door, Jake could be hurt. Or just needing her help. Shoving Delaney aside, she pressed her palm to the panel, not knowing what else to do.
Surprising even her, the door unlocked. She couldn’t wait for it to open all the way before squeezing in.
“Jake?” Whirling around to the detective, she caught him closing the door but remaining on the other side. “What are you doing?”
“Repaying a debt.” Raising his voice, Delaney shouted, “We’re even.”
The door shut.
“There you are,” an irritated voice boomed from the top of the stairs.
She looked up. Despite the scold in his glare, Jake looked better than ever. Gorgeous and brooding, he was the man she’d never stop loving.
“You know,” he said as he stalked down the stairs, “after being shot, surviving surgery, and coming back from the clutches of death for a second time, how is it possible that Nurse Kathryn Chase was nowhere around?”
His last step toward her was daunting. She took a small step back. Pocketing his hands, with his dark gaze bearing down on her, he waited for an answer.
But she didn’t have one. Fumbling for words, she had to look away. Seeing those hazel eyes again burned her tears free.
“You were in good hands,” she choked out. “The last thing you needed was a washed-up nurse.”
Jake stepped closer. “I see. You stayed away to avoid my exposure to second-rate health care. Of course. Makes sense.” Each word was ripe with sarcasm. “Who does that? Leaves someone on death’s door without a care in the world?”
The tsunami of tears was coming. She had no other options.
Run.
Kathryn raced for the door and opened it, but his large hand slammed it shut.
She didn’t move. His body was too close. Too hot.
Her forehead fell on the cold steel in front of her. “Let me go, Jake.”
“Okay.” The word was soft but pained. “Answer one question, and you can take whatever car you want. Was it a lie?”
“What?” she asked, avoiding the only question that would set her free.
“All of it. Everything you said. Letting me think you were in love with me.”
She suffered silently, unable to speak. It seemed to bring him closer.
His low growl poured over her. “Answer me.”
She sobbed through her words. “Jake, you don’t owe me anything. You deserve a second chance.”
His stern voice softened. “What do you mean?”
“I mean Chelsea. She still loves you. You can have your old life back, pick up where you left off. I won’t be in your way.”
His breath on her hair made her tremble. “Turn around,” he said, but she couldn’t move. “Please,” he whispered.
She never stood a chance. His demands were her weakness.
Turning around, she kept her eyes down, staring at his body. His shirt looked too soft to hold the body of a man so strong. Beneath it was a fresh wound. One she hadn’t had a hand in fixing. A scar she didn’t own.
Her eyes shut tight, and she collapsed back against the door.
“Kathryn, I need you to look at me when I say this. Afterward, if you still want to leave, I won’t stop you.”
Her breathing stuttered, and she finally looked up, sobbing as she met his gaze, which looked as desperate as she felt.
“I will never take Chelsea back, and that has nothing to do with you. She abandoned me, killed our love long before I returned. And she has nothing to do with us. You stood by me, a stranger. The whole world had given up on me except you. You saved me, and for that, I owe you my life. But I could never owe you my love. My heart is a gift, not a debt. In case you have a doubt in that stubborn, selfless, crazy head of yours, I’m madly in love with you. If you don’t love me, then you’re free to leave. But if you do, then I need to hear you say it—right here and right now—because I am never letting you go. Kathryn, do you love me?”
Weeping, she whispered, “Yes. I’m sorry. I wanted—”
“Shh. It doesn’t matter. You’re here now.”
He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her hard before pulling her into a tight hug. A mistake he quickly remedied by releasing her, his wince making her gasp.
“Oh my God, you’re still hurt.”
Smiling, he stroked a few silky strands from her face. “It’s fine. Just recovering from a shot to the chest. Barely noticeable, compared to the unbearable pain of almost losing the love of my life.” He kissed her lips again, and again, and again. “Now, how about you stop running away from me, kitten?”
She worked her body under his arm, helping him back up the stairs to the bedroom. “Agreed. How about you stop getting shot, soldier?”
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am,” he said, grinning.
She eased him up the stairs and into bed. Tucking several pillows behind him, she urged him to lie back.
When she was just about to snuggle in next to him, he said, “Oh, I don’t think so.”
His serious insistence took her by surprise, but she understood.
“Of course. You need your rest.”
He snagged her hand. “The only way you’re getting in this bed is stripped naked.”
Smiling, she obeyed. Teasing him, she undressed with slow, deliberate movements.
With a moan, he relaxed back into the soft pile of pillows. “That’s it.”
Nothing shouted sexy like peeling off a thick wool coat hiding pink flannel pajamas. But her man wanted her clothes off, and she was rocking the shit out of this striptease.
Like a showgirl!
In no time, she was buck naked and beaming. She’d never been so happy to shed her clothes in her life. He flipped the corner of the comforter over in invitation, and she scooched in for a kiss, careful of his stitches.
He snatched an elegant gift bag off the nightstand, dangling it before her face. “These are for you.”
Inside were two wrapped gifts, one much bigger than the other. She started with the largest, shredding the wrapping in a frenzy of unexpected joy. She propped open the glossy black box. Inside was an eight-piece sleek vibrator set that put her wand neck massager to shame. Some of the pieces were a mystery, but her tingling lady parts were all in.
She recognized the symbol on the label. “Bluetooth?”
“I’m not going to be back to a hundred percent for a month or so. And there’s no way you’re suffering beside me.” He touched the screen of his cell phone and the biggest object in the box shook, vibrating loudly before shutting off. “With a swipe of my finger, your pleasure is in the palm of my hand.”
She sighed with a shy smile. “So, I just sit back, relax, and let you do all the work?”
“Only if you know what’s good for you.” His eyes turned dark, sexy, and sadistic.
Her fingers skimmed across the silicone treasures. Some of the pieces were small, maybe travel-sized. She picked one up, barely bigger than her finger. It was smooth, but not terribly slender. A pretty purple gem sparkled on the end.
“What’s this for?”
“Let’s just say that I might need to take it easy, but I’m showing you no mercy. I’m taking all of you, kitten. That’s what I call the start button.”
Biting her lip, it dawned on her she’d been admiring the ornately beautiful pull tab of a butt plug. Her skin warmed at the thought.
“There it is,” he said with a growl. “The blush I live for.”
It’s all she heard. Live.
The sweetness of his words pushed her to tears.
His hand cradled her face, softly stroking her cheek. “It’s all right. I’m here. I’m fine. And don’t forget there’s another gift waiting for you.”
After wiping her eyes, she pulled a big wad of tissue paper from the bag. Unwinding one lofty layer of tissue after another, she finally uncovered the tiny black velvet box.
“That’s my insurance policy,” he said, suddenly serious as he opened his hand expectantly.
She placed the box in his palm. “Insurance policy?”
He nodded, giving her a tender gaze. “That you’ll stay by my side.” With a sexy half smile, he whispered, “Breathe,” as he flipped open the box.
I can’t. Breathe. Or move. Or believe this amazing man is here. Safe and sound. And all mine.
The fancy diamond ring inside the box sparkled brilliantly, with a color unlike anything she’d ever seen. The twinkling was pure magic. As he slipped it on, it shone like honey in the sun. But then, the light hit it just right, and the color turned a brilliant strawberry blonde.
His dark voice melted her. “Marry me, kitten?”
She could only nod, diving into the sweetness of his kiss. His arms surrounded her, squeezing until an agonized grunt forced his lips away. She pulled back, tearing herself from his warmth.
With a giggle and a tender touch to his chest, she asked, “What should I get you? A bulletproof vest?”
With a shrug, he replied, “Couldn’t hurt.” He rested back on his pillow. “How about a prescription for sponge baths?”
She nodded, letting another kiss linger. “And a medical massage or two.”
His fingers walked across to the box of magic tricks. “Speaking of massages . . .” He pulled one of the vibrators from the pack. “You ran away. And your bad behavior just earned you my wicked wrath. Are you familiar with edging?”
Nervous but intrigued, she softly replied, “No.”
His lips curled up, and his eyes were positively sinister.
* * *
After a barrage of test drives, Kathryn had ridden the waves of every silicone toy through her valley of bliss, burning up Jake’s phone for nearly two hours.
Each time she neared a peak, he backed off, stopping her building orgasm cold until she calmed. Then, he’d nudge her again. He’d driven her out of her mind, edging her closer and closer to what became the biggest climax of her life.
Her exhausted body cuddled into his nude one, with her head lying on his chest. Lulled. Listening. The strong pounding of his heart drew hers closer with every beat.
When I think I couldn’t love him more, I hear his heart. And I do.
She was his, the kitten curled up in his arms. Where she’d always belonged.
Just as he was hers.
The toughest man, and the gentlest Master. A wounded soldier always ready to protect. And a Dom who’d fallen madly in love with her.
Eager to give more to the man she would marry, she trailed kisses steadily down his torso.
“Kathryn?”
“Hmm?” Her kisses ended on his thigh, letting her tongue slide up his shaft.
His body tensed. “Is there an insurance policy I don’t know about?”
Kissing the head of his cock, she looked up. “You’re at risk for blowing a stitch, not having a heart attack. You’re not allowed to exert yourself and stretch or strain your wound. But you can have sex. And Nurse Chase will make sure all your needs are met.” She licked again, lightly against his balls.
“Stop,” he said, a swift command that couldn’t stop her for long. Coaxing and sweet, she assured him. “I’ll be gentle. I promise.”
“Lies will get you punished,” he said, grabbing his phone and shooting her the cockiest grin. Something started buzzing, then stopped. It was the box. “Here’s how this goes, kitten. We’re doing a winner-takes-all round. A battle of wills.”
“And what exactly are we playing for?”
“Where we’re going on our honeymoon. The person who makes the other come first wins.”
She grabbed the box, checking his every advantage. “What are the rules of engagement? Can I use these on you?”
His naughty eyes met hers. “As long as you clear it with my nurse.”
Looking him over, she made her decision, grabbing two of the dirty little devils. “And what if we come together?”
He took the box from her, carefully analyzing his arsenal. “That’s easy.”
After making a few selections, he tossed the box aside and pulled her up for a long kiss.
Breathing slowly with a raised brow, he said, “Best two out of three.”
Let the games begin.
* * *
Thank you for reading FALLEN! I hope you loved meeting Jake and Kathryn. Get ready for the next installment in RISING!
* * *
Thank you for reading!
The Ruthless Billionaires Club is a series of interconnected standalone. Make sure you read the rest of the books in the series:
Ruthless Games (Ruthless Billionaires #1)
Ruthless Wars (Ruthless Billionaires #2)
Ruthless Love (Ruthless Billionaires #3)
Can’t get enough of Hot Alphas and Happily Ever Afters? Grab a billionaire binge read you won’t be able to put down:
SINS of the Syndicate SERIES PAGE
Wondering about Paco Robles and where you can find more of his world? Check out The Alex Drake Series.
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