Lost (Book 6 of the Forbidden Series)

16

Zeke watched Kat through the party as she made great efforts to stay on Keith’s arm. He couldn’t decide if it was to convince him that she belonged with this man or to convince herself she had moved on. He kept his distance for the most part which seemed to be what Kat preferred. He decided it was best to get his bearings and feel out the situation.

Zeke looked around the large extravagant estate and had to admit to himself he felt greatly disadvantaged. He was certainly out of his element. Kat’s daughter Layla, however, had gone out of her way to play hostess to him and to make him feel welcomed even when everyone else simply stared. She was beautiful, friendly and surprisingly at ease with him. She had the same stunning green eyes as her mother and the flawless ivory skin. Her long hair was flame red and tumbled down her back like liquid fire, Zeke found himself wondering if Kat’s looked likewise before she had turned it blonde.

Layla had shown him around the property and made introductions to many of their guests. He had some trouble keeping them all straight, but from what he gathered they were all friends and family of various generations. He did, however, recognize a few of the guests. Three of the men from Kat’s band which he had altercations with back in Alabama, who appeared less than happy to see him again.

He recognized a few of the other men from media hype. If he knew the rumours correctly, they were a father, brother, and son each famous in their rights as was her daughter. Zeke would have been glad to have met them all on any other day but they were speaking with the men from Kat’s band, and their expressions left something to be desired.

Eventually, Layla introduced him to her husband and children. Two dark haired little scamps that looked very much like their father; a man Zeke recalled from the motel in Tennessee. He had been the young biker that had come to retrieve Kat in the first place. He looked much different today in his fine designer outfit then he had in his faded jeans and leather biker jacket that day. He would be hard press to say it was the same man if he had not known for sure.

“Zeke this is my husband, Alexander,” Layla said introducing them.

“We have met,” Zeke said shaking Alexander’s hand. “All through last time you looked more like me.”

Alexander grinned and patted his daughter’s head. “I find around here it is better to blend in. It just makes things easier than to show up looking the way you do.” He said looking around at all the guest. “Because then you end up the buzz of the party.”

“I can just imagine what’s being said,” Zeke said ignoring everyone’s gossiping.

“I don’t think you do. These people can make your life a misery if they don’t approve of you.”

“Alexander.” His wife scolded. “These people are my family.”

“Am sorry darling, but you know how they can be.”

“I take it they didn’t approve of you?” Zeke asked finding an unexpected ally in Alexander.

“Not one bit. I was poor, I was a biker, and I was a hustler. They thought Layla could do better then me. She probably could.” Alexander said gazing lovingly at his beautiful wife. “But for some unknown reason she fell in love with me, and I thank god every day that she did.”

“Eventually they came to accept him,” Layla said lacing her arm around his waist.

“Grudgingly,” Alexander added. “But Dane’s pretty cool about it all. So, the buzz around the party is that you’re FBI?”

Zeke nodded. “Yep, narcotics division. I was undercover when we met. We just made a rather large drug ring bust.”

“I’m sorry man, last time I saw you I have to admit; I thought the worst about you,” Alexander admitted.

Zeke laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment. You were supposed to. I wouldn’t have been doing my job right if you had liked me.”

Alexander grinned. “I don’t know; Kat seemed to like you well enough.” He pointed out.

Zeke went quiet for a moment and looked over his shoulder at Kat who was now talking to a young dark-haired woman and cuddling a small baby. She looked so beautiful his heart ached for her to look at him with that smile once again. “Yeah well, she’s another story altogether.” He said perhaps more wistfully then he had intended.

“May I pry and ask exactly why you have shown up here today?” Layla asked suspiciously.

Zeke studied the young woman wondering what to tell her. “I just needed to speak with her about a few things that happened in Tennessee while she was there. She was in the midst of many of the men we were investigating. It makes her a witness, and my superiors wanted to know if she had any useful information pertinent to the trial. They felt given our history that she would be more willing to open up to me than to another agent.”

“Oh dear, will she have to testify?” Layla gasped with concern.

“Well that all depends on what she tells me, we’re not entirely sure what she does and doesn’t know. If she has nothing applicable to the case, then we can probably spare her the stress of a trial. But I have to have some private time with her to interview her to decide.” He lied and she bought it hook, line, and sinker.

“Of course.” Layla agreed as her daughter tugged on her arm impatiently. “I’m sorry will you excuse me. Hannah wants to go open her gifts.” She excused herself and followed her daughter over to where Kat was.

Alexander came to stand at Zeke’s side and smirked not believing his clever excuse. “You’re here to get the girl.” He said calling Zeke’s bluff.

Zeke studied Alexander and realized there was no sense in lying to this man. “I promised not to make a scene and to be discreet. The lie seems like a perfectly plausible cover story.”

“Oh, it is.” Alexander agreed. “For someone that had not borne witness to the looks you two shared in Tennessee.”

“What look would that be?” Zeke asked.

“The same look I give my wife. You know she’s out of your league?” Alexander pointed out.

“Maybe so but that’s not going to stop me from reaching for the stars.”

Alexander laughed. “You know what, she doesn’t belong with that guy.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Come with me,” Alexander said heading into the house. Zeke looked at all the other guest and deciding he did not wish to be left behind, so he followed Alexander inside. Alexander led Zeke through the halls and the main rooms for entertaining. Alexander took him through a swinging door into what seemed to be a more private section of the mansion. The antique furniture and fine art had been replaced by beautiful well lived on furniture, a grand piano, and many family pictures all over the wall as well as a large wedding picture above the stone fireplace. Kat was so young in that extravagant white dress. A dark-haired man in an incredible tux held her in his arms. Their eyes were closed as they kissed each other but it was impossible not to see the love between them.

This was her husband, Zeke realized, the man she had been grieving, and the one who held her heart. Zeke felt a sense of hopelessness fill him. She would never look at him the way she did this man. “Why are you showing me this?” Zeke asked feeling as if he had already lost the battle.

“To show you what you’re up against,” Alexander said. “You think that man she’s seeing is a challenge. Or those guys out there will be a problem? They are nothing compared to him.” Alexander said pointing to the picture. “This is your problem. He is your biggest obstacle. She’s loved that man literally all her life, and you have to compete with that. Don’t even waste your energy on that stuffed shirt out there. You have to convince Kat that she can love both David’s memory and still love you. Otherwise, you have already lost, and you might as well go home.” He said patting Zeke on the back. “Just a piece of advice from one underdog to another.”

Zeke didn’t have the first clue how to accomplish such a thing. Give him guns and brass knuckles over matters of the heart any day. He had no problems making women want him but coaxing love was so much harder. “How do you make a woman like this love you?”

Alexander laughed again. “I’m going to tell you a secret. They are part of the upper crust of society here in New York; there is no doubt about that. Money can buy you a lot of respect and influence. And as much as they enjoy that lifestyle, they are all wild and crazy at heart. It’s why they’re rock stars. They crave thrills if you only knew how many scandals this family have all accumulated between them.” Alexander laughed again. “No way would she ever be happy with someone like Farewell. He would only stifle her.”

“That’s what I figured. I don’t think a guy like that would know how to handle a woman like Kat.” Zeke said pausing and thinking about all her friends and family. “What do you think about my age?” He asked. “Do you think her family will accept it?”

“I don’t think age is a big deal for them. David here was twenty years older than Kat. Hell, her brother is fifteen years older than his wife. I can’t see it being a real issue.”

Maybe not a real issue but something told Zeke her disapproving family might use any excuse to get rid of him. So, what if they disliked him as Kat had once said, all that mattered was that she liked him. Could it still be that simple? Of course, family approval would help. “Any advice on how to get her family to like me?”

“God if you figure that one out let me know.” Alexander chuckled. Zeke liked him; he had a feeling that he and Alexander would get along just fine. “Let’s get back to the party,” Alexander suggested leading Zeke back through the house and out to the yard.

Alexander and Zeke headed over to the drink table and got themselves a few rums and coke while Alexander assured Zeke he’d see the true nature of the crowd once the kids turned in for the night. Zeke was surprised that the party guest would spend the night, but Alexander explained that such parties were common and since most of the guest often came in from out of town they all stayed over since the mansion had so many unoccupied rooms.

A few hours later the parents put the youngsters down for the evening in the far wing where it would be quiet. Like Alexander predicted the tone of the party had drastically changed. The guests had switched from fruity drinks to hard liquor. The pool became a popular congregation spot with water fights and some of the younger men tossing their girlfriends into the pool. There were guys in swim trunks and girls in bikinis. A large sound system had been pointed out the patio doors and turned up loud enough to keep the party feeling like a nightclub. Zeke finally realized why they had chosen an estate so far away from others. So, they would not be receiving noise violation complaints.

Zeke wandered the party looking for Kat. He was wondering how her stuffy politician boyfriend liked such a wild party. He eventually found her sitting on the edge of the stone rail of her patio. She had changed into a maroon coloured bikini with a short white wrap-around skirt tied carelessly around her hips. She was still talking to Farewell who had not loosened up as much as everyone else, but he had removed his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his perfectly ironed dress shirt.

It annoyed Zeke to see Kat smiling and laughing focused completely on Farewell as he touched her hair and caressed her bare shoulder. The sight of another man touching Kat made his blood boil with jealousy, an emotion that Zeke had been suffering quite often these past few months. Zeke walked back to the poolside bar and poured himself another drink. He fumed at the sight of them as he downed his drink and poured another.

Zeke spotted a tall dark-haired man in blue swim trunks quietly sneaking up behind Kat from the patio below her. Kat’s bandmates were watching and snickering as he grew closer and reached up from the lower level of the patio. He grabbed Kat’s wrist, and Zeke could see the surprise in her face when he yanked her backwards. Kat screamed and fell backwards off the stone rail and into the arms of the man below. He caught her with ease, and she started to struggle as he took three long strides to the pool’s side. “Damien no!” She screamed as he threw her into the water, everyone poolside laughing at sibling antics.

Kat made a big splash, and when she resurfaced, she pushed her sloping wet hair out of her face and glared at him. “I’m going to kill you!” She snapped swimming to the edge of the pool and climbing out. She stomped over to her brother and before she could do anything he shoved her back into the water laughing.

Kat popped back up and glared at him, but she was soon vindicated when a short, thin dark-haired woman came up behind him and shoved him hard into the water. The laughter roared, and she leaned over the pool smiling at him when he came back up. “Sorry sweetheart I slipped.” She teased him. This must have been the young wife Alexander had been talking about.

Zeke walked over to the pool as Kat was pulling herself out of the water. He laughed at her and offered his hand for assistance. “You look like a drowned rat.” He teased.

“Is that so?” She said grinning wickedly. Kat took his hand, and then suddenly she pulled hard pushing her body away from the edge and back into the water. The force pulled Zeke into the pool with her. The water was cold, and it hit him like a shock to the system. He swam back up to the surface and took a big breath. Kat was treading water beside him and laughing. “Now who looks like a drowned rat?”

“So not cool.” He shivered. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes like everyone else.”

“Oh, you whine like an infant.” Kat teased. “I’m sure we can find you something to wear.” She said swimming toward the edge and climbing out. Zeke followed her lead and climbed out of the pool standing dripping wet beside her. Kat picked up a towel from the nearby rack and handed it to him then retrieved one for herself. Zeke saw her wave to an older hefty woman who was happy as a lark to come running. “Beth dear, will you please take Mr. Tucker here inside and find him a change of clothes. It would appear I have ruined the ones he is wearing.”

“Of course.” The woman said in a thick Italian accent. “Come along bambino let’s get you dry.” The old woman said taking his arm and grinning. She squeezed his arm through his jacket and winked up at him. “You’re a strapping youngster, aren’t you?”

Zeke looked back at Kat a little concerned that he may have to fend off the old woman. “Should I be worried?”

“Of course not.” Kat laughed. “Beth is happily married.” She smirked walking away and leaving him at the mercy of the old woman.

“Oh, don’t you mind bambino I do not bite. Let us find you something suitable to wear. I’m thinking swimming trunks.” The old woman said escorting Zeke through the house and up to the second level. The house was extraordinarily beautiful, a testament to Kat’s wealth. Beth opened the door to one of the bedrooms and threw open the closet doors while Zeke stood by and watched dripping on the fine Persian carpet beneath his boots. “What size do you wear?” She asked taking some male swim trunks out and laying them on the huge four post bed.

“Why are there so many?” He asked surprised by the array of male clothes in the closet and the incredible selection.

“For occasions just like this. The Thompson’s host so many parties that sometimes guest may need appropriate attire. Be it dressing for dinner or leaping into the pool.” She said holding up a long pair of dark red swim trunks. “Oh yes, this should fit. Would you like a pair of dry clothes to change in to later as well?” She asked handing the shorts to Zeke.

“If it’s not too much trouble ma’am.” He said with a grin.

Beth’s eyes seemed to sparkle, and she returned to the closet. “You fancy our Mrs. Kat, don’t you?” She asked searching the closet for a pair of jeans and a casual white dress shirt. It was a bit tidier then he was used to but as Alexander had pointed out blending in may prove useful.

“I’m simply here to interview her for-.”

“I’m old son not blind. I have cared for and raised better liars then you.” She said in a scolding tone. Suddenly Zeke felt like a little boy caught with his hands in the cookie jar.

Zeke nodded his head feeling sheepish. “Yes, I like her very much. Only she’s interested in the stuff shirt Farewell.”

“Oh yes. Mr. Farewell is a superb man of taste and class. He is a wonderful man that will treat our Mrs. Kat like a queen.” Her glowing opinion of the man didn’t make Zeke feel any better.

“Yeah, he’s a f*****g saint,” Zeke muttered with annoyance.

Beth suddenly slapped him in the side of the head and Zeke flinched a painful reminder of the afternoon he spent with Kat by the river. What was it with these women and hitting him in the head? “You watch your language boy. I will not tolerate cussing in my home.” Beth warned sternly.

“I thought this was Kat’s home?” Again, another slap. “Ouch!”

“Don’t get cocky. I whipped David in to shape, and I can do the same with you.” She warned. “Now get changed, the party is waiting.” Beth headed for the door to give him privacy to dress.

“Beth is it?” He called after her. She paused at the door and nodded. “In your opinion, I should just leave her alone?”

Beth smiled warmly, and at that moment she reminded him of his grandmother. “I never said that.” Then she left and closed the door behind her.

***

Kat returned to Keith’s side with the towel around her shoulders. Her hair was dripping wet. Keith seemed less than impressed as she returned to her spot on the rail. “I am sorry about that.” She apologized. “Damien can be such a child.”

Keith offered her a smile. “Yes, well they seem to be a rowdy bunch once the sun goes down.” He commented.

Kat offered him a winning smile. “What did you expect from a lineage of musicians?”

“It matters little,” Keith said taking her hand and kissing it. “You are well worth any scandal.” He said. What an odd thing to say, she thought. Did he expect that she or her family would embarrass him publicly? She supposed a man of politics had to have a certain reputation but why involve himself with her at all if he thought she or her family would be a liability? “It is that FBI agent that has me worried. I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

Was it so obvious? Kat had hoped that if she had kept her distance, Keith would not have noticed the tension between her and Zeke. However, she too had noticed Zeke watching her quite a bit throughout the afternoon. He was not shy about wearing his intentions out on his sleeve. He had promised not to interfere, to be discreet, but he was doing a terrible job when everyone at the party could see the desire in his eyes.

She offered a little laugh hoping to dismiss Keith’s misgivings. “Oh, darling, please. He is a star-struck child that is all.”

“And how did he know of that tattoo of yours I see on the small of your back?” Keith asked.

“The same way everyone else does… media.” She grinned, hoping her lie would pacify him.

Keith offered her a smile that told her he did not quite believe her but was not about to accuse her of being a liar. “Yes, that must be it.” It was the end of the matter neither one of them brought it up again. Kat tried to include Keith in their festivities, but eventually, he bowed out for the evening explaining he had an early morning and needed to get home. She could tell it was not his sort of scene, but he had attempted to enjoy himself.

Kat walked Keith to the front door and said good-bye. They had been out on many dates and Keith had not once tied to kiss her. But tonight, as they stood alone on the front porch his town car waiting for him, Keith leaned in to steal a kiss good-night. His thin lips lightly pressed against hers in a soft kiss and then he offered her a smile. “It is always my greatest pleasure darling. Until the next time. I will call you.” He promised.

Kat smiled and watched him walk to his car and get inside. Kat touched her fingers to her lips; she had felt nothing when Keith kissed her. There was no spark. No fire of any kind. She didn’t feel the same desire or longing she felt when Zeke kissed her. Could she have a future with a man if there was no passion? If there was no hunger?

Kat went back inside to return to her guests. She found Zeke was horsing around in the pool with her children and their friends. Even Damien and wife had joined in. Zeke had put Damien’s wife Eve up on his shoulders and sent her flying. She made a huge splash, and then Dane dunked Zeke under the water. She was amazed at how well he had fit in and how quickly. It had only been a few short hours since Beth had found Zeke a swimsuit and he had dived in with both feet winning over her guests one by one.

She leaned on the stone rail and watched them all enjoying themselves. Zeke had so much life in him. He was so young and vibrant. How could she ask him to waste his youth on her? “He is interesting.” A male voice said leaning against the rail beside her. Kat looked up at her father. Mike Sanchez had raised her after marrying her mother when Kat was only six. He had adopted her as his daughter when her birth father had abandoned her and her mother. He was one of the greatest men she knew.

Mike looked so much like Damien. His dark hair had turned salt and peppered with age and his face lined in some places. He was still handsome for his age. Unlike her brother though his eyes were dark and his complexion exposed his Spaniard heritage. “I must say I was a bit worried when Troy told me the man was a gangbanger, but Alexander explained to me that he is an undercover FBI agent?”

Kat patted her father’s hand and smiled at him. “Alexander is correct. Zeke is with the FBI. He just got off on the wrong foot with the guys is all.”

“Well, then I am relieved to hear that. I was afraid you might have gotten yourself mixed up with another one of those terrible guys like the one before David.” He said putting his arm around her. Kat remembered the man he was referring to and that guy had turned out to be a nightmare. An abusive drug addict who thought he could control her. David had rescued her from him, and it had only fueled a bitter rivalry between the two men.

“No, he is certainly nothing like that. Zeke is a good guy.” She promised.

“Everyone seems to like him well enough. He can party it would seem.”

“Well he just spent two and a half years blending in with bikers, so I suppose he would.”

“Kat darling why is he here?” She stared at her father unsure what to tell him. She had not thought about what excuse to give people when they asked. He stared down at her waiting. “You are sleeping with him, aren’t you?” She opened her mouth to answer and didn’t know what to say. Mike grinned and shook his head. “You have the same look in your eyes as you did when you were sneaking around with David. I was too naïve to know what it meant back then, but after two kids and my grandbabies I have come to recognize that look all too well.”

“It just happened.” She admitted.

“Well, my advice is, be careful what you are getting yourself in to.”

Kat smiled confidently up at her father. “Oh, come on, you don’t think I can handle a child?” She asked.

Mike looked at the pool and watched as Zeke climbed out of the water and reached for a towel. His magnificently sculpted body glistening wet and strong. “Boys have a way of becoming men when you’re not looking,” Mike said as he turned and walked away.

Kat felt the sudden need for his opinion. “What do you think of Keith?” She called after her father.

Mike paused and looked back at her. “He is a good man. He will be great… for the city.” Was all he said and he walked away.

She understood what he meant. Keith was a good man but not the man for her in his eyes. She had to admit he was a far cry from David but so was Zeke. She looked back to the pool and saw Zeke was watching her. His bright eyes were flashing with desire. Kat felt her frustrations grow. This man had no clue on how to be discreet. She needed to speak with him, but she was not about to approach him and give her guest more to talk about if they had not all already figured out his motives for being there.

Kat wandered inside and found Beth in the kitchen preparing herself a snack. She smiled at the old woman. “Beth, would you mind showing Mr. Tucker to my room. I need to speak with him privately.”

“Of course,” Beth said taking a bite of her sandwich. “I’ll send the bambino right up.”

“Thank you.” She said leaving the room and heading to the rear stairs that led up to the second story. She walked down the hall to the door which led to her bedroom and went inside. She let the door fall closed behind her as she walked across the room to the vanity. Kat draped the towel she had over the back of the chair and sat down. Her hair was matted from when Damien tossed her in the pool. Her brother could be so juvenile when he wanted to be.

Kat reached for the silver brush that lay on the white marble vanity top. She began to drag the brush through her long hair pulling out the tangles. It was not long before she heard a knock on the door. She called to the knocker to enter as she continued to brush her hair. She watched through the mirror as Zeke entered the room behind her. He looked so tempting in the low lamplight, the faint glow dancing over his muscular from. She had to remind herself she was cross with him.

Zeke came up behind her and watched her through the mirror. His lips curved in a brazen smile. “You summoned me?”

“Do you not understand the meaning of the word discreet?” She asked placing the brush on the vanity top.

“Whatever do you mean?” He asked softly, his hand reaching out and touching her hair. “I did as I promised, I didn’t interfere, and I didn’t say a word to him. I made no advances, nor did I act inappropriately at any time.”

“Perhaps not, but every one of my guests could read your intentions in your eyes all night.” She scolded. “That is hardly discreet.”

“I’m a man, and you are a beautiful woman. People can hardly hold you accountable for the thoughts that run through my mind.” He smirked antagonizing her further.

“And exactly what do you suppose I tell them all when they start asking me why the handsome FBI agent has come calling?” She asked.

“Tell them the same thing I have been telling them.”

Kat’s heart almost stopped. “What have you been telling them?” She demanded.

“What haven’t I been telling them?” Zeke teased suggestively.

Kat shot to her feet and faced him. “You wouldn’t dare.” She gasped not entirely sure. “You didn’t?”

Zeke looked like he was going to burst out laughing at her. “I told them you were a witness in Tennessee and that I had been sent up here because of our acquaintance to interview you and determine whether or not you knew anything pertinent to our case. I am here completely on official reasons, and you asked me not to bother you during your party and suggested I stay.” He said offering her a self-satisfied smile. “I’m not stupid darling. I know how to blend in and how to weave a believable web of lies. After all, I do it for a living.”

Relief washed over her. Kat much preferred people to think he was here on business then there for any other reason. “I would prefer if in the future you try not to draw attention to us.” She said walking over to her dresser to retrieve something to change in too. “Now tell me where are you staying?”

“Right here, baby,” Zeke said laying out on her bed with his hands behind his head.

Kat turned around surprised by his answer. He didn’t honestly think she was going to allow him to stay with all her guests in the house. “You most certainly are not.” She said storming over to the bed and pushing his legs off the bedding. “And get off the bed your trunks are still wet.”

“Sorry darling you are completely right, how inconsiderate of me,” Zeke said climbing out of bed. Zeke pushed off his trunks leaving himself nude before her and then lay back down in her bed. Shocked Kat covered her eyes and turned away, listening to Zeke laugh at her. “Oh, come on, now you’re shy?”

“You can’t stay.” She declared firmly.

“Come to bed sweetheart.” He said sweetly.

“Not with you in it I will not.” She snapped. “I always become witless around you, and that is a trend I intend to put an end to.”

“I see.” She heard him drawl in that sexy southern accent that made her quiver with delight. “That is not exactly fair sweetening. You did promise to give me the chance to change your mind about us.”

“You blackmailed me I hardly consider that fair.” She snapped morally.

Zeke laughed out loud once more. “I’m sorry I believe I read somewhere that you won your husband in a card game by blackmailing him with the threat of turning him into your enraged father.” She heard him pat the bed beside him. “Come now baby; you are not one to lecture me on moral scruples.”

Kat bit her lip. The biggest problem with being famous was that everyone knew everything about you with the click of a button or the turn of a page. She planted her hands on her hips defiantly. “I was young and stubborn.” She defended herself.

“Then I am in good company. Now come to bed sweetheart.” She hated to be made a hypocrite of. Fine, she had made a promise, and she would keep it. Kat opened her drawer to remove a nightgown and heard Zeke speak softly. “You won’t need that.” She could hear the smile in his silken voice.

Kat pushed the drawer shut and turned to face him. She hated to admit it, but the sight of him waiting excited and hard in her bed gave her shivers of desire. Why could this man manipulate her with such ease?

Kat reached for the knot of her wrap around skirt and began to unwrap the fabric. “Slowly darling.” Zeke purred. It excited Kat to have his eyes on her, watching her, undressing her. She slowly removed her skirt and dropped it to the floor then reached up around her neck to untie the top of her bikini. He gave a satisfied moan when her top hit the floor, and she slowly slid the bottom half down her legs stepping out of what was left of her bathing suit.

She slowly crossed to the bed and crawled onto the mattress. Kat seductively slinked up to Zeke hovered her lips over his to tease him. “Now what are you going to do with me?” He flashed her a wicked grin and rolled Kat beneath him. The look in his eyes told her she wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight.

Zeke’s mouth found hers in a fiery kiss. Like a firecracker exploding inside passion consumed her and Kat returned his hungry kiss. Her hands roamed his hard body. Soft silken flesh over hard corded muscle. Zeke was intoxicating, and Kat was helpless to his desire. She knew this was wrong. He was wrong for her, but nothing so wrong had ever felt so right.

His mouth moved down her throat as his hand slid over her knee and up over her thigh. She purred with satisfaction as Zeke laid a blazing path of feather light kisses between her breasts and down over her belly. A sensuous trial that led to the bud of her s*x and when she felt his hot mouth kiss her so intimately she sucked in a sharp breath of pleasure.

Her legs draped over Zeke’s broad shoulders he kissed and suckled at her damp folds. His tongue assaulted her so erotically Kat could barely breathe. Her fingers twined in his long hair trying to hold on to something real as her mind spun and her body quivered as he skillfully brought Kat to an earth-shattering climax.

Zeke sat back on his heels and taking Kat by the knees he pulled her down the bed until she straddled him and then pulled her into his lap. His arms wrapped around her waist. Kat settled down on Zeke’s jetting manhood and slid up and down frantically. In his arms, Kat became a creature of pure desire desperately seeking self-satisfaction. His hands flat against her back holding her against him Zeke’s lips claimed hers, and as if drawing the very breath from her body he consumed her.

Soon their bodies rocked and quivered as they reached satisfaction together and they fell limp on the bed beside one another. Zeke pulled Kat into his arms and kissed her forehead. “Isn’t this better than sending me away?” He whispered in her ear.

Zeke was quickly becoming a terrible obsession. “You make me insane the way we act so crazy in bed.”

Zeke snickered. “The feeling is mutual.” He assured her.

“This is crazy.” She snapped, annoyed with herself and sat up. “I don’t know anything about you. You’re a stranger.”

Zeke sat up propping his back up against the headboard. “Alright then what would you like to know?” He asked.

Was he going to tell her whatever she wanted to know? Kat climbed out of bed and walked over to her closet. Removing a black silk housecoat, she slipped it on and tied the belt shut. Kat sat down at her vanity, the chair facing the bed as she watched him lounging comfortably.

“Is your name Zeke? Or was that just your cover?” It was a valid question she didn’t even know this man’s real name.

“No.” He confessed. “My given name is William Tucker, but I prefer Zeke it suits me better.” He was right Kat couldn’t picture him as a William. The name was far too proper for a man like Zeke.

“So, what do I call you? William? Bill?”

“Just call me Zeke.” Zeke held out his arms to her with a come-hither smile. “Come back to me sweetening.” Without thinking she rose to her feet and took her place on the bed beside him. He put his arm around Kat and held her tight.

She went quiet wondering what to ask next. There was so much she wanted to know and didn’t know where to start. Kat asked whatever question came to mind and as promised Zeke candidly answered every question she presented him with. She was surprised greatly to find out he was from a small town in Mississippi, or that he was the youngest of nine kids. “Your father was a sheriff?”

“Yep.” He said twirling a lock of her hair around his finger. “So are three of my brothers. One joined the army and became MP. Josh joined the NCIS. Shaun and Dean moved into the city and became detectives.”

“And you joined the FBI.” She finished. “So, you’re all in some form of law enforcement. I guess it runs it the family.”

“I guess so. My Grandpa and his dad were sheriffs too.” Zeke said.

“So, you always knew what you wanted to do?”

“No.” Zeke chuckled surprising her. “Actually, the last thing I wanted to be was a cop.”

Kat found that hard to believe when it ran so strongly in his family. “Really?” Kat said propping herself up on her elbow and staring at him. “What did you want to be?”

“I don’t know. I had never thought that far ahead. You have no idea what it is like to be a cop’s kid or a cop’s sibling, and then to be both. It was stifling. Both my older sister and I ended up rebelling as a result.”

Kat’s eyes opened wide. “There was a girl in all that?”

Zeke laughed at her awed expression. “Yep, eight boys and a girl.” He told her. “I suppose you can imagine how hard things were for her having a cop for a father and seven older brothers to make her life difficult and chase away her friends and boyfriends. Not to mention one annoying little brother to tag along and break her stuff. She hated it at home.” He explained.

“Oh, that sounds aggravating.”

“She thought so. Like me, she rebelled. At sixteen I bought myself my first bike and joined a sad would-be gang. Real petty stuff, but enough to anger my father and get myself arrested often and tossed in the county lockup. Mostly courtesy of my brothers as a lesson.”

“So, this gang thing you do, it’s not so far from the truth for you?” She asked trying to understand where he came from. It certainly explained how he fit in so well with the Fiends.

“I might have some personal experience to draw from.” He said innocently.

“So, then what made you change your mind about being a cop?” She asked.

“My sister Lizzy,” Zeke said the smile fading from his face. “Like I said she rebelled too. She ran off to the city and hooked up with this really bad guy. He would smack her around, but she wouldn’t leave him. Always made excuses. It turned out he was a drug dealer. One night he took her with him to this house to make a sale. Well, the deal went bad. The buyer decided they didn’t want to pay. So, they brutally killed him and Lizzy. She was only twenty at the time.”

What a horrible story, she felt her heart ache for his loss. “I am sorry.”

“It was standing over her grave as they lowered her into the ground; that made me decided to change my ways and become a narcotics cop. I wanted to spend my life doing whatever I could to take people like the ones that had done that to her off the streets.” He said with sadness in his voice. “Then I joined the FBI.”

“Did they ever catch the guys?” She asked.

“Yeah, they’re doing two consecutive life sentences without the chance for parole.” Zeke smiled. “But enough sad talk.” He said pulling her back into his arms. “There must be something else you want to talk about?”

Well, there had been one other question that had been weighing on her mind that she had not asked as of yet. “Do you have a family?”

“Yeah, I just told you about them,” Zeke said softly.

“No that’s not what I meant.”

Zeke was quiet for a moment, and then he spoke. “You mean, is there a woman and children waiting on me somewhere?” That was exactly what she meant. “There was once.”

“You were married?” Kat asked feeling her heart sinking with disappointment.

“No, we were never that serious. Back in my wilder days, when I was eighteen, I went and got my girlfriend pregnant. We’d only been dating a couple of months, and in truth, I didn’t like her all that much. Her daddy insisted we get married, but I wasn’t about to go and do that. He would have insisted at the end of a shotgun I’m sure had my daddy not been the sheriff.”

She could not believe what she was hearing. Was Zeke a dead-beat daddy? “What happened?” She asked surprised at how enthralled she found herself with his tale.

“Well, the truth was I wasn’t ready to act like a daddy, but my father whooped my butt good and forced me to live up to my responsibilities. Fran and I would bicker all the time, and she didn’t want me around our son. Then after I joined the FBI, she said it would be too hard on Paul to have me coming in and out of his life at random due to my type of work. She petitioned the courts and got sole custody; she kicked me out of their lives. Had an order that said it was harmful to my son, confusing to have a man he barely remembered coming around every once and awhile calling himself daddy. That having me around fulltime put them at jeopardy because of the nature of my job.” He said bitterly. “So, Paul is around ten now. Fran married some other guy, a banker I think, and my son calls him dad. As far as Paul knows he is.”

It was sad. “So, you never see your son?”

“I pop in once and awhile between ops. Fran and her husband thought it best to explain me away as Uncle William. I send her money for Paul and gifts for his birthday and Christmas but outside that we have no relationship.” He admitted.

“Will, you ever tell him who you are?” Kat asked staring up at him.

“I don’t know. Why ruin the life he has?” Zeke said shrugging. “I wasn’t there for him. I haven’t earned the right to be a part of his life.”

He was trying to be indifferent about the matter, but she could see the regret in his eyes. He had grown up and matured from the foolish teenage father he had been and learnt far too late what he had lost. “Have you ever thought of having another child?” She asked.

Zeke laughed. “My life is even less suited to rising a child now than it had been then. I’m afraid I’m not a family man.” He said kissing her softly. “Luckily your family is already grown. So, it all works out nicely.”

Kat had to agree with him there. Her family had been raised, and she was far too old to start over. A new baby did not interest her at this point in her life. She adored her grandchildren, but Kat did not wish to be rising a child at her age. Any man she decided to build a future with would need to both understand that and accept it. She needed someone who could be content with it being just the two of them. Someone who either already had children or was not interested in a family of his own. Zeke certainly seemed to fit the bill when it came to that matter.

Zeke fit the bill when it came to many things. He excited her, he kept her interested and made her laugh. She felt young and alive around him. She felt inspired and passionate like she had with David. And despite Zeke’s young age they seemed to want the same things. Neither was interested in a family. Zeke liked the idea of travel although often when he did it was for work and he never really had the opportunity to enjoy it. More importantly, they both seemed to greatly understand the value of making the most of each moment they had because time passed far too quickly and one could never get back what was lost.

Only being with Zeke presented all the same problems he had described previously. His career choice put both him and whomever he was with at risk. Not to mention each time he went undercover he could be gone for an indefinite amount of time. This last operation he had said took just under three years. She could not bear to be with a man she could have no contact with for only god knows how long worrying if he was alright or hurt, or unfaithful. Months and years apart could be damaging to relationships.

Kat wished they could stay like this. Caught up in each other and lost to the moment. In the early morning hours when he simply held her close, all the world felt right. She almost wished the real world would drift away and leave them alone in their paradise. How was it possible to want this man so much, to need the euphoria he offered?

When Kat was with him, she felt incredible, and when he was gone, she felt a longing for him. Zeke was becoming an addiction Kat needed to break herself of, but how did one deny themselves something that felt so right no matter how wrong they knew it to be?

“This feels right,” Zeke said softly, his head nuzzling hers. “Being here and holding you.” She made a soft sound agreeing with him. Kat had to admit she was glad he had stayed after all, that he had insisted on coming to bed with her. It had been a beautiful, perfect evening all around. “I thought of you, of this, every day you were gone.” He said.

“I admit I missed you too. I never thought I would see you again.” She said closing her eyes. She was getting tired.

“The moment my case was settled I knew I had to come to find you. How could I stay away when I found myself in love?”

Kat’s eyes flew open, had he just said what she thought he had? Had Zeke just professed his love for her? Kat turned her face up to his and looked him in the eyes. She saw it there in those blue pools all the emotion he was feeling. He had said love, and from the look in his eyes, he honestly thought he did love her. Kat didn’t know what to say; she had been caught completely off guard.