Lost (Book 6 of the Forbidden Series)

12

When she had heard Zeke’s voice, Kat had thought she had heard things. It was not possible that he was standing outside the door here in Alabama. Yet she had to see with her own eyes, and there he was. Restrained and brawling and looking as good as the first day they met in his torn jeans and worn leather jacket. His long hair pulled back in a man bun but falling out during his scuffle with the security guards. His jaw shadowed by a day’s growth.

Her heart had skipped a beat at the very sight of him. She had not ever expected to see Zeke again let alone to have him drive three hours out of the way and sneak his way backstage to see her. Now that he was here Kat couldn’t wait to get some time alone with him. To find out what he had been up to while they were apart. She had slipped him a secret invitation to her room hoping that his being here meant that he was at this moment as single as she was. Standing less than a foot away from him, Kat had felt her body ache for his touch, memories of the way Zeke had made her feel flooding her mind.

She had to resist her urge to kiss him then. It had been a long time, and it was wise to take things slowly until she felt out the situation. After he had left, she shut the door and turned to face the guys who were all quietly watching her waiting for her to explain. “Perhaps you should tell us in more depth what happened while you were gone,” Troy suggested.

“Like starting with who Zeke is and how exactly he knows you.” Travis prompted.

Kat took a deep breath she didn’t have to explain herself to anyone, but she knew them all well enough to know they were not going to let it go until she answered their questions to their satisfaction.

“I stayed at this low rent motel and stopped in for a few drinks at the local bar, feeling sorry for myself, which I was doing a lot of at that time. I drank way too much and passed out in the parking lot. Zeke took me back to my room instead of leaving me out there. Like a gentleman, he put me to bed and left. I have that confirmed by the girl in the room next to mine. She was very nosy. The next day he asked to buy me lunch. I thought after what he had done for me I owed it to him to at least give him lunch. I had never intended to stay.” She explained offering them all a sheepish grin. “But he was fun and easy to talk to, Zeke made me laugh after months of crying. Before I knew it, lunch had turned in to drinks and drinks had turned in to more. One night became two, and two became a week. He was just so vibrant, so exciting; he made me feel alive again.”

“What is he like twelve?” Sam asked.

Kat frowned. “Why do people keep saying that? You guys had no problem with the age difference between David and me.”

“Kat honey that was different. David was older than you. He was a grown man.” Troy tried to explain their objection.

“So is Zeke.” She pointed out. “I see, so it’s acceptable for a man to date a much younger woman but not for a woman to date a younger man?”

“He’s got to be your kids’ age. Doesn’t that bug you? The boy should be playing Tonka trucks with Dane. Besides even if his age wasn’t an issue have you read what is written on the back of his jacket?” Travis asked placing his bass on the couch and standing up. “The guy is a Fiend because only Fiends, or people who are suicidal, wear those colours. He’s a gangbanger.” Travis stressed.

“That doesn’t make him a bad guy,” Kat argued.

“What are you talking about? Being a bad guy is like a prerequisite to joining. Wanted: gangbanger, must be bad guy.” Sam mocked.

“I think I know him better then you guys do,” Kat argued.

“You knew the guy a week, ten months ago. How well could you possibly know him?” Troy asked.

She was furious that they were all ganging up on her. “It was almost two weeks, and I got to know him very well thank you. He is not a bad man.”

“He’s in a violent gang,” Troy stressed.

“Doing bad things does not make one a bad man. If that were true, then every man I know is a bad man.” She growled pointing at Sam. “You cheat on your wife with groupies. That’s bad; does it make you a bad man?”

“Cheating is a far cry from murder and armed robbery.” Sam snapped jumping to his own defence.

“You have no proof he has done either. You are judging him based on a jacket. How closed minded is that?” Kat snarled, stepping forward and pointed a warning finger at him.

“And you are refusing to see him for what he is because he has a pretty face and knows how to f**k you. How naïve is that? You think David would be happy that you turned yourself into some dumb biker w***e?” Sam snapped back.

Kat slapped Sam across the face so hard her hand stung afterward. His head snapped to the side, and his hand came up covering his stinging cheek. “How dare you speak to me like that?” She hissed, her whole body vibrating with anger. “How dare you!” She growled, her rage boiling over. “You have no idea what I have lost. You have never loved anyone the way I loved that man. Don’t you dare use David against me!” Kat screamed and stormed out of the room furious.

Troy glared at Sam. “That was uncalled for.”

***

Zeke had no trouble getting through security this time. Apparently, Kat had placed him on the list. It was kind of excitement he had never been on the list anywhere. He went inside feeling a little out of place. The hotel was pricey, and the guests were more than able to afford the accommodations. He stood out like a black cat in the snow in his worn torn clothes, in his jeans and leather while everyone else wore designer runway fashions.

He did his best to ignore the stares and the whispers. Everyone pointing out how he did not belong. Zeke had an overwhelming urge to do something shocking to spite all the gossipers, but he promised himself he would be on his best behaviour for Kat’s sake. He did not wish to embarrass her among her peers.

Zeke had all but walked through the hall doors when he overlooked the party filled with stagehands, roadies, groupies and other musicians. Suddenly he felt more at home. He now understood why Kat was so able to blend into wild parties despite her obvious class distinction. Apparently, the rumours were true rock stars threw wild parties.

Zeke started working his way through the party guests trying to find the drink table when he found himself ambushed by Kat’s band. Out of nowhere the three men grabbed Zeke and dragged him off to a corner of the room. Zeke struggled and freed himself as they reached the corner, but the three of them had him boxed in. The friendly looks they had earlier were now gone.

“Problem guys?” Zeke asked trying not to start something with the very men Kat called friends.

“Yeah, you,” Travis said poking Zeke hard in the chest. “We don’t like you.” Ah, understanding washed over Zeke. They took issue with his involvement with their friend. Perhaps it was his age. Perhaps it was his attire. Or perhaps they thought he was after her money. Any of which seemed like valid concerns.

“We know what you are.” Sam snarled. So, it was his attire. “And we don’t want you around Kat.”

“She’s had enough grief, and you are clearly nothing but trouble.” Troy chimed in.

“Look, boys, I ain’t here to start trouble. I just wanted to see Kat again. That’s all.” Zeke tried to explain. “Then she moves on and so do I. We got a good thing between us. An understanding.” He realized immediately that he had said the wrong thing when he saw the flash of rage in their eyes. He had unwittingly insulted the woman they all loved very much. “No wait, what I meant was…” he tried to explain before Travis grabbed him by the throat and pushed him against the wall.

“So, you think you can just use her you stinking piece of gutter trash?” Travis snapped preparing to punch him.

“No that’s not what I said,” Zeke said holding his hands up defensively. He didn’t want to have to fight these men. It would not end well for any of them.

“So, you’re saying we’re stupid?” Barked Sam.

“Oh, come on!” Zeke growled. Now they were looking for a reason to beat him down. These guys had already decided not to approve of him no matter what he said or did. He was fighting a losing battle. He very well might have to fight his way out of this spot.

“Drop him!” Ordered Kat, coming through the crowd. “If you strike him I swear to god I will make you pay dearly.”

Zeke grinned smugly at Travis and thanked his lucky stars Kat had intervened. He had not wanted his assaulting her friends to taint their time together. Zeke patted Travis on the chest and mocked him. “No hard feelings. The better man won.” He quickly moved past the three men to stand with Kat. “I was looking for you when the boys decided I needed to see the corner. It was a lovely corner, but now I think I am ready to see the rest of the hotel.” Zeke said with a mischievous grin.

Kat shot her bandmates a harsh glare and then escorted Zeke through the party. Once they were far enough away from the men, her good mood returned. “I must admit I am surprised to see you. I never really expected to see you again.”

“I never expected to see you on MTV. I looked up, and wow there you were looking so good. Imagine my surprise, a rockstar.” He grinned leaning against the table his gaze catching hers. “It looks like my first impressions of you had been right.”

Kat blushed with embarrassment. “Well, I wasn’t going to come out and admit it. I was there secretively.” She reminded him.

“I understand,” Zeke said he did. It had probably been best that nobody had known. It would have just caused so many problems had the truth been exposed. “Getting into your show is very hard. I paid a scalper five large to get through the door.”

She grinned. “Yeah, I heard tickets were going fast.”

“Why didn’t you come to Tennessee?” Zeke asked.

Kat shrugged. “We did, we went to Nashville. A few days ago.” She explained.

“And you never contacted me to say you were in town?” He asked feeling just a little hurt.

Kat leaned against the table and looked at the floor. “I just thought it best not too. It had been so long. I was sure you had probably moved on. You didn’t need me coming back and complicating things like Lisa had.”

Zeke couldn’t resist a moment longer he reached out, and his knuckles grazed her cheek drawing her gaze up to meet his. “You would have been a welcomed complication.” Silence hung between them. Zeke moved closer to Kat until his arm touched hers. “So, I see you have been busy since you left.” He said looking around. “This must take a lot of work?”

“You have no idea.” She laughed. “It’s a lot harder than people think it is. So, what have you been up to these past few months?” She asked.

Zeke offered her a winning smile. If only he had something he could actually tell her. But what could he do? Say ‘hay good news I’ve been promoted in a drug smuggling ring, and now I make more money and have some power.’ Yeah, that wouldn’t raise any warning bells in her mind. She’d have him tossed from this hotel and have him thrown in jail. Zeke didn’t need to try and explain himself to the local police.

“You know the usual. Driving too fast, drinking too much, and causing trouble.” He offered instead of the truth.

Kat shook her head with amusement. “You aspire to so much.” She teased.

“Well fun is fun,” Zeke said, his eyes raking over her. Kat looked so good; his body stirred and ached to touch her. Kat was so close, and yet the small distance between them felt like a canyon. “So, you have been out there for what is it now, ten months?” He said playfully. “Has a wealthy Mr. Right come along yet?” Zeke asked, curious as to her present availability.

Kat smiled up at him wickedly. “No.”

“What about a Mr. Wrong, or Mr. Right-now?” He asked leadingly.

“No.” She purred. “What about you?”

He looked thoughtfully. “Well, I am not into guys…”

Kat laughed and smiled; he loved it when she smiled at him. “You know what I mean.”

He did, she wanted to know if any woman was waiting back in Bartlett for him. “No, no one.” He assured her staring into her incredible green eyes. He could see the hunger in those beautiful depths. A hunger that rivalled the one eating away at him that very moment. He cleared his throat and looked around at all the guest; he then looked back at Kat trying very hard to be discreet. “Do you want to get out of here?” Zeke asked quietly.

“In the worst way.” She grinned. Zeke had the urge to throw her over his shoulder and run out of the room in search of a bed, but he figured he could do things with more tact given where he was. Zeke took Kat’s hand in his and quickly navigated the party. Pushing through people to get to the doors. Once they were in the hallway, he looked back and forth. Should they take the stairs or the elevator, but Kat chose him. She dragged Zeke toward the elevators frantically pressing the button.

The doors opened, and they went inside. “What floor are you on?” He asked.

“Six,” Kat answered pushing the button. Six floors up, it might as well had been a mile away. She was less than a foot away from him, and he wanted so badly to touch her.

Zeke grabbed Kat and pushed her up against the wall. His mouth captured hers in an electrifying kiss. He felt a jolt of desire rip through him, and he couldn’t control himself. Zeke wanted her so badly. He wanted to get inside her and lose himself. Kat’s arms came around him, and she held him tight. His mouth moved down her ivory throat kissing and nipping at her tender neck.

“Zeke, we can’t, not here.” She said breathlessly her hands pressed flat against his back pulling him hard against her. “The camera.” She said looking up at the corner of the elevator. “It will end up all over the media by morning.”

Zeke looked up at the corner she was referring to and saw the security camera she was worried about. He pulled off his bandana and tossed it over the lens effectively blinding the camera. “Problem solved.” He grinned kissing her again. She still tasted so sweet. Her scent flooded his senses and drove him mad with desire. His hands slid over her shoulders and down her soft arms as his tongue plundered her mouth. She returned his kiss with such hunger he thought he would die if he didn’t take her. His hand cupped her breast, and she sighed against his lips. “Oh god, I missed you.”

The elevator doors opened, and he released Kat. He needed desperately to get her to her suite. He pulled her off the elevator then remembered his bandana. Zeke let go of Kat’s hand and quickly jumped back into the elevator before the doors closed and grabbed his bandana off the camera then returned to her side. Zeke stuffed the fabric into his jacket pocket and looked both ways down the long hall. “This way.” She said leading him to the right and down to the room that was hers.

He looked her over and realized she had no pockets on that dress; he wondered where she was keeping her key. Kat reached down the front of her dress and pulled out the key card. Zeke grinned wickedly and tried to peek down the front of her dress. “What else are you hiding in there?”

Kat slipped the key card into the lock and pushed the door open. She grabbed his jacket and forcefully dragged Zeke into the room with her. Kat dropped the key card and pulled his jacket off hastily. Kat was red hot and ready for him. Zeke pulled off his shirt and dropped it to the floor while her hands worked his belt free. His mouth ate at her as she eagerly undressed him. He loved the way her hands felt on his body. Like a starving man offered a slice of bread Zeke couldn’t get enough.

Zeke pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. The passion flaming between them threatening to burn them both alive. Zeke took hold of the zipper in the back of Kat’s dress and pulled it down letting her dress fall away. He took a step back to admire her naked beauty and felt himself grow impossibly hard. The black thong she wore was crazy sexy, and he watched as she pulled the black sticks from her silky mane, her long golden locks tumbling down her back and over her shoulders. Kat turned and walked toward the bed. Slowly lowering that silky thong and casting him a come-hither look over her shoulder.

She reached the large bed and tossed the thong at him playfully. Zeke caught it and grinned as he watched Kat crawl seductively across the bed. She was so wicked; he loved it. Zeke moved to the bed and crawled up behind her. His hands on her hips Zeke held Kat in place as he quickly entered her from behind. Her silken folds wrapped tightly around him, Zeke was in paradise, and when she rocked back against him, he thought he would lose his mind.

Zeke lost control; his will broke; he took her forcefully, with the urgency he felt deep inside. Fulfilling his need to have her, his need to conquer her, and make her need him as much as he did her. Ten months of bottled up frustration poured out of him as he knew he might never see her again after this night.

Zeke fell back on his knees, and Kat crawled onto his lap. Lowering herself down his rigid length. Her arms around him Kat kissed Zeke passionately. Her fingernails clawing at his back as he held her hips and guided her movements, grinding her down hard on top of him.

Zeke dipped his head and captured her breast in his mouth. Kat gasped with pleasure when he began to suckle the hard-peaked little n****e. He felt her tighten around him, her muscles clenching tightly as her climax washed over her and her body trembled. Zeke laid Kat back against the mattress and began relentlessly driving into her seeking his release and drawing sweet cries of ecstasy from his beautiful partner.

Her back arched and her nails dragged down his back as he made her his. He wanted so badly to ruin her for other men, to bind her to him. To make her love him the way she had made him love her, and when his release shattered him, Zeke collapsed breathlessly on the bed beside her feeling defeated.

Kat rolled over and cuddled up to him, her still warm body pressed against his. He closed his arms around her enjoying the way it felt to hold her again. “How long are you staying?” She asked running her hand over his chest.

“Until morning.” He said regretfully. “I got to get back. Besides I don’t think your friends like me all too much.”

“I like you that is all that matters,” Kat said sweetly. He wished that was true, but the facts were that when everyone in your life was against you, it made life extremely difficult. Zeke kissed Kat’s forehead and smiled down at her. “Why don’t you come with us?” She offered. “I have two more shows left on the tour, and then I head back to New York. We’ll be alone for as long as we want on my country estate. Lounging poolside, no one else for miles.” She said tempting him.

Zeke would very much have loved to lie poolside with her massaging sun lotion into Kat’s flawless ivory skin, making love to her under the sun; but the reality was that future was not possible. There was no way he could be out of state for too long. Soon Jared would lift the band and resume his dealing and Zeke needed to be there, ready and willing. Once again, his life got in the way of his having a life. He sighed inwardly; he had known the sacrifices he would have to make when he volunteered for this detail. It had never before bothered him. He had never regretted his choice until he met Kat.

“I can’t,” Zeke said regretfully.

“Why not?” Kat asked looking up at him.

“I just can’t be out of state that long.” He said hoping she wouldn’t press the issue. He didn’t want to lie to her, and he couldn’t go into details.

“Why not?” Kat demanded, sitting up and staring at him.

Zeke sat up and slipped off the bed. He picked up his pants and pulled them on. “It’s none of your business.” He said zipping his jeans up.

Kat stood up with the sheet wrapped around her luscious body. “Oh, I see, your damn secrets. You’re still keeping them. You know mine don’t you think it is time you tell me yours?”

“No,” Zeke said flatly. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to but he simply couldn’t.

Kat stared at Zeke long and hard clutching the sheet to her breast. “The guys think you’re a murder or a thief.” She said watching his reaction. His back stiffened as he wondered what she thought. He was used to such judgments, all his life people had assumed the worst about him, it was what made him so successful at what he did, but to think that Kat may think the same of him was hurtful. “Are you?” She asked quietly.

Zeke turned to face her and clenched his jaw. He wanted so badly to tell her everything. He did not want her to believe the worst of him. To think him capable of such an act as murder. He was torn between his heart and his duty. “I’m no such thing.” He said.

“You have a gun.” Kat declared. “I’ve seen it.” She admitted.

How had she seen it? He had never carried it around her it had been hidden. He realized she must have been snooping through his room at some point to have seen it. “You went through my stuff?” He snapped angered by her invasion of his privacy.

“I had to you wouldn’t tell me anything,” Kat said trying to justify her intrusion. “Have you ever shot anyone?”

Zeke went quiet. He couldn’t decide whether to answer her or scream at her. “Only if they shot first.” He said finally.

“How did this happen?” Kat asked touching her fingers to the mangled scarred flesh of his shoulder where the butcher doctor had crudely patched him back up after that shoot out a few weeks back.

Zeke backed away from her touch and picked up his shirt. “They shot first.” He said bitterly pulling his shirt over his head. The look in her eyes bothered him. The question and uncertainty of his character. He couldn’t bear her believing the worst of him, but he couldn’t tell her the truth.

“Why won’t you let me in? Who are you?” Kat asked pleadingly.

“I’m the same man that took you to bed. The same man who danced with you under the stars, who kissed you during the fireworks. The man that sat beside you by the creek.” Zeke snapped, why couldn’t that be enough?

“Who is he?” She begged. “I know nothing about you. Do you have siblings? Are your parents alive? Do you have children somewhere? What do you do for a living? How do you survive? Do you have dreams?” Zeke picked up his jacket and stormed toward the door. Kat grabbed his sleeve and desperately tried to stop him from leaving. “Please talk to me. Tell me something. Tell me anything.”

Zeke stopped and took Kat’s hand trying to pry her off him. He looked into her green eyes which were now filled with tears. It broke his heart to know he was the cause of these tears. “I can’t, I wish I could but I can’t.”

“Why?”

“They’re wrong about me,” Zeke said wiping away the tear that slipped down her cheek. “Your friends, they’re wrong about me.” He promised her. He couldn’t tell her why. He looked at her beautiful eyes filled with tears, and he wished he had never come. That he had never seen her, it killed him to leave her so upset but if he didn’t leave he would compromise everything and tell her everything he was sure of it. There was too much at risk.

Zeke opened the door and left the room. Kat ran out into the hallway the sheet wrapped around her tight. She called after him in tears begging him to stay with her. Zeke quickly walked to the stairwell without looking back. He couldn’t; if he looked back, he would be lost to her. Zeke pushed open the door to the stairs and practically ran down the steps. Leaving Kat behind him, leaving both their hearts shattered on that hotel room floor.

***

Kat threw herself on the bed sobbing into her pillow. How had things gone so wrong so quickly? Zeke would have stayed if she had not pressed for answers. Now she was left alone frustrated and hurt. When had a relationship between a man and a woman get so complicated? She had not remembered it being this difficult with David.

It was so hard, every time she tried to get close to Zeke he pushed her away. He threw up walls and roadblocks, pulling away from her like a retreating soldier behind enemy lines. She had pushed too hard, and he had run off. She had at times thought of him, had wished there had been more between them. She had wished they could have been something more. How could that have been possible? It was clear how the man could have never committed to any form of serious relationship when he couldn’t even bring himself to tell her the smallest thing about himself.

It was painful, but it made her realize just how right her friends had been. Zeke was virtually a stranger. She had let herself be taken in by a man she knew nothing at all about because he had the ability to smile at her and make her forget herself. She had been an utter fool.

Kat hugged her pillow trying to pull herself together. She was too old to be crying into her pillow like some cast-off prom queen. She was Kat Thompson; she had so much to offer and so many prospects. She could have another man in a minute should she choose. It was not like Zeke was irreplaceable. The best thing was she was famous if she chose she could make any relationship as public as she liked and rub it in Zeke’s nose from the other side of the nation. Make it so that he couldn’t pass a newsstand or turn on a television without seeing something about her and her new man.

She had that power, and as good as her witness, she would show Zeke how good she was without him. Make him regret running off and leaving her behind heartbroken and crying. The hard thing was going to be facing her friends in the morning, admitting that they had been right about Zeke all along.