Lost (Book 6 of the Forbidden Series)

15

It was Hannah’s fifth birthday, and friends and family filled the halls to celebrate. Kat had insisted her granddaughter’s party be held at her place this year for the large open space she had on the country estate. She had gone out of her way to spoil the sweet little thing with a petting zoo and pony rides, and one of those inflatable space room bouncing gyms. All the kids were having a blast, and the adults were mingling and sharing stories of rearing their children.

The party was a hit, and Kat had even invited Keith to introduce him to the people in her life since they would be all in one place. She had, of course, cleared it with Layla first, but her daughter had been so happy that she was dating again and such a respected man in City Hall she had practically insisted. Everyone was so excited to meet the man that had been wooing Kat for the last few weeks that it was the buzz of the party.

Hannah had taken Kat by the hand to the face painting table and insisted her grandma get the same butterfly painted on her cheek that she was getting on hers. Kat humoured her granddaughter and sat very still waiting for the picture to be painted on while Hannah clapped her little hands with excitement.

Kat then had to excuse herself for a few moments to see that the caterer was paid and that the birthday cake was brought out and set up on the table. Being a hostess for such a large party was so demanding of her time, but she did not mind the work. She loved her grandbaby and Hannah was worth the effort.

“There is a man at the door,” Rolland whispered to Kat as she oversaw the moving of the cake.

“Is it Keith?” She asked, he still had not arrived yet, she knew he was a busy man and would be by as soon as he could tear himself away from his pressing business.

“No Mrs. Kat, I do not believe he has an invitation,” Rolland stressed.

“Well then send him away,” Kat ordered with a dismissive wave of her hand.

“I tried.” Rolland frowned. “He got very belligerent and refused to leave without speaking to you.”

Curious Kat looked back at the cake. “Alright, I will deal with him. You make sure that everything goes smoothly here, and do not cut the cake without me.” She said heading back into the house. Kat made the long walk through the house saying hello in passing to her guests and making her way to the front door. She could not imagine who she had left off the invitation list.

Kat opened the front door and stepped outside. She almost stopped breathing when she saw him standing there. He had been pacing until she had come outside and when he heard her step out onto the stone steps Zeke turned to face her. He looked like sin incarnate standing there in his torn jeans and a fitted white t-shirt. His jacket was different; he no longer wore gang colours she noticed. His hair was still long, and he looked like he had maybe shaved the day before last. His skin was windblown, and she saw his bike on the cobblestone drive. He must have been driving all night.

“Hi.” He managed to say when he saw her.

Kat didn’t know what to say. “How did you find me? This address is unlisted.” She asked realizing she should have said hello.

Zeke cleared his throat and looked a little embarrassed. “I had a friend of mine do a favour for me and track you down.” He looked awkward. “I wanted to tell you something. Something I wanted to tell you hundreds of times and couldn’t until now…”

“You’re a cop.” She finished for him. He looked surprised when she admitted to knowing his secret. “I saw the news.” She explained.

“So, you know?”

“I do.”

Zeke stepped toward her and Kat stepped back. He paused at her retreat. “I know you weren’t expecting me, but I was hoping you, and I could talk. I would like the chance to…” He trailed off as a black Lincoln town car pulled up. He stared at the newly arrived car, and his handsome face took on a glare when the door opened, and Keith stepped out.

Keith was all smiles, and he held out his arms to Kat placing a chaste kiss to her cheek. “I am so sorry I am late darling, but the Mayor dropped a six-hundred-page brief on my desk this morning that simply demanded my attention.” He grinned at her playfully. “I love the butterfly.” Keith teased referring to her cheek. Kat touched her cheek she had completely forgotten about the face painting.

“I prefer the one on her back.” Zeke jumped in offering a smug smile. Kat stared at him in disbelief; she could not believe he had just said that.

“Excuse me?” Keith said confused by the strange man on her doorstep.

Kat shot Zeke a nasty glare. “Nothing,” she jumped in, “Keith this is Zeke…” She paused realizing she had never known his full name.

“Zeke Tucker, FBI.” He introduced himself taking out his badge and flashing it.

Keith looked impressed and offered his hand in friendship. “It is a pleasure to meet one of our country’s fine law enforcement officers. What division are you?”

“Narcotics.”

“And how do you know Kat?”

Zeke opened his mouth to answer, but Kat spoke first. “We met on one of his jobs. He was kind enough to protect me from some bikers he was investigating.” She explained trying to leave out as much detail as possible.

“I see, that explains the attire are you still on the job?” Keith asked.

Zeke glared at him as if he thought Keith brainless. “No. I’m a bloody biker; I always dress like this.”

“But you said you were an agent?”

“I’m a field agent; we don’t have the same strict dress code. You just trying to blend in. Since I’m a biker that’s who I blend in with.” He snipped.

“Oh, my apologies,” Keith said looking awkward.

“Keith why don’t you go to the backyard and have some cake. Tell Rolland I said it was ok to begin without me. I will be longer than I originally thought dealing with Mr. Tucker.” She suggested offering Keith a confident smile. He looked Zeke over concerned for her safety should he leave her with Zeke. She had to admit his image gave off the wrong first impression. “I will be fine.” She promised.

“Alright.” Keith agreed, kissing her cheek once more and headed in through the front door.

Zeke was glaring after Keith as he disappeared inside Kat closed the door behind him and returned her attention to Zeke. “So that’s the type you’re in to? Stuffy old guys?” He said as the town car drove off.

His contempt annoyed her. How dare he judge her after leaving her the way he had. “Keith is not old; he is distinguished and refined.”

“He’s uptight and needs an enema.” Zeke shot back.

“You don’t have any right to judge the men I choose to date,” Kat warned him. “You have no idea what I want from the men in my life.”

“I’m sure you don’t want that,” Zeke said pointing at the door where Keith had disappeared.

“Keith suites me. We are similar; we enjoy the same things, the theatre and the opera…”

“So, this is because I don’t fit in at the country club?” He growled.

“No, it’s because you’re a kid and we don’t fit well. We have nothing in common.” She snapped, furious with him for making her so frustrated.

Her heart skipped a beat when Zeke wrapped an arm around Kat’s waist and pulled her against him. His mouth hovered over hers. “I recall us fitting together perfectly; I wasn’t such a kid then.”

Kat felt her body stir at the reminder of what he did to her. Kat could not deny that she desired Zeke terribly, but one could not build a future on lust. She placed her hands on his shoulders and tried to push him away from her. His hard muscles beneath her hands flexed as he fought to hold on to her. God, he had a magnificent body, she thought shamefully. “Let me go,” Kat demanded.

“You want me as badly as I want you,” Zeke whispered sending shivers through her.

“No, I don’t.” She breathed, hoping that she sounded more convincing then she thought she did. The horrible truth was he was right, and this arrogant man knew it.

His lips curved in a cocky smirk. “Those lush lips say no, but those gorgeous eyes scream oh god, yes, more!” He teased.

Kat felt her cheeks flush red with embarrassment. She felt so crazy in Zeke’s arms, and now he chose to use that madness against her. “You’re a jerk.” She growled.

“Maybe so but I know one thing about the way the world works. Jerks always get the girl.” He said kissing her.

Zeke’s lips captured Kat’s possessively, and she felt light headed. Kat pushed against him trying to fend him off, but when Zeke’s tongue slipped past her lips, she felt her resistance snap like a brittle twig. Kat’s arms twined around his neck, and she returned his kiss with unbridled desire. She was like an addict who had just had some wonderful drug thrust upon her. She could not fight the fire raging inside.

Zeke pushed her up against the front door. His hands roamed her body cupping her bottom and lifting her hard against him. “I have to have you.” He whispered reaching for the doorknob. “Where is your bedroom?”

“No!” Kat panicked slapping his hand away from the doorknob. She had a house full of guest, and they were everywhere. There would be no way she could slip Zeke past them unnoticed. “There are too many people.”

Zeke looked around and spotted the garage. He took Kat by the hand and coaxed her to follow him. “Come on baby.” He said leading her toward the garage door. He pushed the door open and pulled her inside. Kat giggled as he scooped her off her feet. She felt shamelessly wicked sneaking off for a lover’s tryst. Zeke nibbled at her earlobe then throat and Kat felt herself melt against him. He placed her on the hood of her BMW pinning Kat to the metal, her hands in his long hair.

He kissed her wildly his hand moving up her thigh, pushing her pale-yellow skirt up and out of his way. Zeke grabbed hold of her panties and began to pull it down her legs. She should stop him, she knew this was wrong, but his touch felt right. His kiss fanned the fire inside her that threatened to consume her. When Zeke unzipped his jeans and freed his erection, Kat knew she was going nowhere. He pulled her legs over his shoulders and pushed into her.

Her head fell back against the car, and she moaned with satisfaction. Zeke thrust into her quick and with fierce need. He brought her to the edge and threatened to push her over. He leaned into her pushing deeper. Zeke pulled down the front of her dress and captured her n****e between his teeth. The sensation was incredible; Kat arched her back wanting more.

Zeke was accommodating. His hands and mouth worshiped her body while his hardness invaded her. She cried out as their climax consumed them both. Zeke held tight to Kat sitting her up and holding her close against him as their bodies rocked and trembled together. He kissed her face and stroked her hair. Kat clung to Zeke staring weakly up at him satisfied and mollified.

He stared at her with those blue eyes, and she felt all the old feelings flooding back. Kat had never been able to tell him no. Somehow this man had managed to get his way every time. She felt terrible that he had done it to her again and worse since she was at this time with another man.

Guilt-ridden Kat pushed Zeke away and slid off the car. She frantically set her dress right flattening out any wrinkles and checking her hair in the car window. She didn’t know what to do; she was torn between two men. Oh, why did Zeke have to come back now? “Why are you here?” Kat asked quietly unable to look at him. Ashamed by the way she had just behaved.

“You invited me,” Zeke said fixing his pants.

“As I recall you turned me down.” She reminded him. “You abandoned me in the hotel.”

“I had no choice,” Zeke said, his hand stroking her hair. “I had been under deep cover for over two years before I even met you. I couldn’t just leave, and I couldn’t tell you the truth. It would have put you at risk.”

She pulled away putting much-needed distance between them. “You could have told me something,” Kat said trying not to show how upset she was.

“What would you have had me tell you, my cover story perhaps? Would you have looked at me twice if I had told you I was a drug runner?” Zeke asked not following her.

Kat stared at him from the other side of the car. Her eyes raked over him; his long hair pulled carelessly back. His incredible body clad in jeans and leather. Did he always look this way, even when he was no longer undercover? Or had he dressed like this for her benefit, so she would feel like she was still speaking with the man she thought she had known? “Was anything you told me real?” She asked trying to keep the emotion out of her voice. “Or was everything a lie?”

“I never lied to you. I never told you anything unless I could be honest.” He said.

“So, this,” she said gesturing to his outfit, “this is you?”

He offered her a slick smile. “Yes, I am a biker. I’m just a biker with a badge. It is one of the reasons I blend in so well.” Zeke said crossing the garage to her. Kat backed away not wanting him to touch her. She needed to think, and she couldn’t do that if he touched her.

“You can’t be here.” She said shaking her head.

“I came all this way to be with you.”

She couldn’t believe him. “I’m with Keith now.” She reminded him.

“You should be with me, and you know it,” Zeke said coming closer and taking her hand. “That guy is never going to do it for you. He’s never going to get you. Do you think that stuffy suit is going to tolerate that wild streak you have? Or shoot tequila with you? Or that he is going to know how to light that fire inside you when he takes you to bed? You’re meant to be with me.”

Kat pulled her hand away and moved as far away as she could. She was so torn, she wanted Zeke, but rationally she knew he was no good for her. She had a chance at a future with Keith. “I don’t even know you. I don’t know anything about you.” She reminded him.

“I am ready to answer every one of your questions. I have a ton of my own.” Zeke said following her. “I want to know everything about you. I want to know what it takes to be the man you need, and I want to be that man. Just give me a chance.” He begged.

Kat backed away walking around the trunk of the car. “I’m with Keith.” She stressed once more, trying to get a grip on her own emotions.

“You don’t want to be with him,” Zeke said firmly. “If you did you wouldn’t have done what you just did with me.” Kat glared at him, it made her furious, but he was right. She should have never let herself be alone with this man. Should have never allowed him to get to her. She had betrayed Keith’s trust in her for a few moments of gratification. “Admit it you need excitement.”

“There is a lot to be said for stability and security,” Kat told him. Zeke could not offer her either of those. He was young and reckless. The very nature of his job assured there could be no future between them.

Zeke chased Kat around the car and took her in his arms before she could escape him. “I drove four days through the rain to get here, don’t send me away.” He begged. “Give me a week, one week to change your mind about me.”

“But Keith…” She argued, she couldn’t risk something potentially good for something she knew would self-destruct.

She watched Zeke bite back his frustration and look around for a minute. He then looked her in the eyes once more. “We can be discreet; I won’t interfere with him so long as you honestly give me a chance.”

He was asking her to two-time Keith. She couldn’t believe he would ask her to do such a thing. “No, it’s not right.” She protested.

“Fine.” He said heading for the door. “Then let’s just go tell him now that I’ve already had you and set the matter right.”

Kat chased after him. Zeke walked fast, but she managed to head him off in the driveway. She took hold of his jacket and tried to pull him to a stop, but he simply dragged her along, hell-bent on fulfilling his threat. “Alright!” She snapped bringing him to a stop. Frustrated Kat stood up straight to her full height and pushed her hair back off her face. She was furious that he would blackmail her. “Fine, you have one week, but I feel you should know you are off to a bad start.”

Zeke flashed her a dazzling smile. “I will recover.”

The front door opened and they both diverted their attention to Layla who came out onto the front step. Her daughter looked questioningly back and forth between them. “Are you coming back?” She asked coming down the steps.

“Yes,” Kat assured her daughter breathlessly. “I will be there in a minute.”

Layla came to stand beside them her gaze raking over Zeke as he did her. Kat felt a stab of jealousy. “I’m sorry I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Layla.” Layla introduced herself offering Zeke a smile and her hand.

Zeke took Layla’s hand and shook it. “Zeke.” He introduced himself.

“How do you know my mother?” She asked.

“We met in Tennessee. I just drove up from there.”

“That’s a long drive,” Layla commented. “Why don’t you come and join the party. Have something to eat and drink.” Layla said extending a friendly invitation.

“He can’t.” Kat broke in answering for him. She did not want Zeke around the party; she did not wish to have to explain him to her guests.

Zeke grinned. “I would love to.” He said contradicting her.

Kat glared at him. “Don’t you have to go find a hotel room?” She stressed not wanting him to stay.

“I can do that later.” Zeke grinned.

“Wonderful, come on in we just cut the cake,” Layla said leading Zeke inside.

Kat groaned as she followed them into the house. This was going to be a long afternoon. Layla took Zeke through the house and out to the backyard showing him around and introducing him to their guests. Kat found Keith speaking with her parents near the pool. She came to stand by his side and accepted the small plate of cake he offered her while she watched her daughter show Zeke around.

“Is all well?” Keith asked.

“Yes fine.” She lied trying to look as collected as possible.

Keith stared at her and pointed at her cheek. “Your face paint is smudged.”

Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered Zeke’s hand touching her face, his lips kissing her. He had left evidence of their tryst by ruining her face paint. She covered her hand over the mangled painted butterfly. “Oh dear, maybe I should go get it fixed.” She said quickly walking away to prevent further questions. She didn’t know if she could juggle both these men.