Lost (Book 6 of the Forbidden Series)

5

Zeke walked out of the precinct early the next morning after Seth paid his fine. Furious he went to the impound lot to get his bike and walked around it inspecting it for any damage. “You should have followed me.” Seth mocked as Zeke got onto his bike.

“Like I knew there would be a dead end.” He snapped. “Stupid pigs ain’t got no sense of humour. Locking me up for making them feed a little speed to their ride.”

“Well, you missed out on a bitching party.” Seth teased.

“Hey, is that girl still at the motel?” Zeke asked hopefully.

Seth shrugged and revved his engine. “Don’t know I ain’t been by there.”

Zeke cussed and kick-started his bike. “I’ll catch up with you later.” He said pulling out onto the road. Hopefully, Kat hadn’t left. He wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to make it up to her. Two months without contact and they decided to bring him in last night. His luck couldn’t have been more rotten.

Most of his job involved a lot of waiting, to keep up appearances he did like all the others and filled his time with whiskey and woman. Usually, women that affiliated themselves with the gang but when Kat walked into that bar how could he pass her up. If he hadn’t chased after her, one of the other men would have. Besides, it wasn’t like she intended to stick around forever.

Still, it would be a shame to waste what little time he had with her. She was incredible. Wild and crazy in bed the very memory made him hard once more. He gave the engine more gas and sped through the streets headed for the motel. He was only two blocks away when he spotted Kat’s car speeding down the road in the direction he had just come from.

Zeke dropped his foot to the asphalt for balance and spun out his tires turning his bike a hundred and eighty degrees on the spot. Turned around he revved the engine and tore off after her. She drove fast, but Zeke’s bike was faster as he managed to catch up. He was right behind her trying to flag her down in the mirror. When she wouldn’t stop, he zipped into the next lane and pulled up alongside the driver’s door, waving his hand for her to pull over and talk to him.

Kat glared at him and sped up leaving him behind. She had no intention of stopping for him. Zeke fed the engine more gas and ripped down the road pulling out in front of Kat and hit his brakes. She slammed on her brakes, and he heard her tires screeching as she came to a hard stop, her front bumper coming within inches of his rear tire.

Zeke dismounted his bike as Kat stepped out of her car. She was dressed in black leather pants and a light blue silk halter top. She looked gorgeous even when she was furious. Kat removed her sunglasses and stormed over to him. “Are you trying to get yourself killed? I could have run you over.” She snapped.

“If you would have stopped then I wouldn’t have had to do that.” He argued.

“I should have run you over.” She snipped bitterly.

“Please don’t be that way. Why are you leaving you said you were staying a few more days?” He said trying to reach out for her.

Kat pulled away with annoyance. “And you said you were coming back last night but never did. I don’t like being stood up.”

“I didn’t stand you up.”

“Oh, I supposed you showed up, and I just didn’t notice you?” She growled putting her glasses back on. “I don’t care. You obviously had something more important to do. Have a nice life, Zeke.” She said walking back to the driver’s door.

“I wanted to be there, really I did, and I would have if I could have.” He swore, chasing after her and closing her door before she could get inside. “Come on just hear me out.” The traffic building up behind Kat’s car began to honk and slowly go around them, the odd driver rolling down their window to cuss them out. Zeke flipped them the bird and focused on Kat.

She planted her hands on her hips and stared up at him impatiently. “This better be good, and I swear if you say secrets I will run you over.” She growled.

Zeke smiled, she was cute when she was mad. “Ok look, I was on my way back to get you, I swear. I was speeding, and the police started hassling me. Long story short one thing led to another, things blew up, got out of hand, and I spent the night in a holding cell. Believe me, nothing else on earth would have kept me from you last night. I just got out and came straight over.” He said hoping his half-ass confession would appease her.

“You spent the night in jail?” She asked her tone still angry.

“Yes.”

“Because you were speeding?”

“Well, actually I believe the charges were reckless driving and resisting arrest.” He admitted. Zeke offered her an apologetic smile.

Kat smiled. “So, what you are saying is that you were stupid and that is why you couldn’t make our date?” She opened her car door to get inside. “Good-bye Zeke.”

Zeke shut the door once more and leaned against it preventing her from opening it again. “Give me another chance.” He pleaded offering her what he hoped was his most charming smile. “Let me take you to a party. We’ll get crazy and then maybe make a little magic under the stars.” He suggested.

“You’re not as charming as you think you are.” Kat snipped placing her hands on his arm and pushing him aside. Kat opened the door and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I have been charmed by the best, and you fall short in that. Good-bye.” She shut her door, and Zeke stepped aside. Kat pulled out around his bike and drove off leaving him standing in the street surrounded by angry motorists.

Zeke watched with disappointment as the most exciting woman he had ever known drove out of his life. Sometimes his job sucked.

***

She had been driving for hours before Kat pulled over for a bite to eat. She had pulled in to a roadside diner and settled into a booth. It must have been around supper time since the place was full. The waitress came by, and Kat ordered a salad and a glass of water.

She sat quietly in the booth alone watching the other diners around her. There was a family with small kids where the parents were trying to coax their children into eating their vegetables. An elderly couple, who looked like they might have been fishing in the area that was talking and smiling lovingly at each other. There was a table filled with men laughing and drinking while they ate their burgers and fries, and at least three tables of younger couples enjoying each other’s company.

Kat looked across the table at the empty seat opposite from her. She suddenly felt very alone. She remembered how good it had felt to spend the day with Zeke in that diner laughing and talking about nothing at all. He had made her feel so good, even if for such a short time. It had been so long since Kat had felt anything but despair and sorrow. The brief reprieve had been like mercy from God.

The waitress returned to the table placing her order in front of her. Kat thanked the woman and picked up her fork. She took a bite of her salad thoughtfully. So, Zeke was stupid and had gotten himself arrested. It wasn’t like she hadn’t ever had to bail David out of a holding cell for acting like a fool. She distinctly remembered a huge bar fight where both he and her father had been locked up along with two other friends and a handful of other guys for wrecking up a nightclub.

Besides, it wasn’t like she wasn’t fully aware of what she was getting when she got involved with Zeke. He had all but admitted to having a record, and a man with a previous criminal record is likely to be arrested again. So, he had gone out and been an i***t, behaved like a fool and landed himself in jail for the night. It wasn’t wise or smart, but then again, he was a biker, not a genius. Just looking at him one could tell the man was born to get into trouble.

But despite that, he was sweet to her and funny. He entertained her and made her smile. Something no one had been able to do in so long. Kat had had fun with Zeke and had looked forward to seeing him again. Maybe she had overreacted. Zeke had not stood her up on purpose, and she did enjoy the time they shared. Kat took another bite of her salad wondering if she should go back.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed one of the men from the table next to hers watching her. Kat groaned as she took her next bite. She knew where this was going to go. Why did every man think they had a shot with her? Seriously what happened to the days when a man was a realist and knew when a woman was out of his league? Which she was.

Perhaps it was arrogant of her to feel superior to others, but the truth was Kat hadn’t been in the same league with the common man since she was fourteen and her figure came in. Then at twenty when she hit the top of the music charts the common man had zero chance at her. She was wealthy, classy, and famous. Kat knew legends; she knew movie stars and politicians. Hell, she performed at the Whitehouse for the last administration’s daughter’s sweet sixteen. Kat was top shelf goods and this man watching her was a no-collar redneck.

If she were honest with herself, as cute as Zeke was, Kat probably wouldn’t have given him the time of day had she not felt she owed him a debt of gratitude for his selfless protection when she was unable to protect herself. In a way, she was happy she had owed that debt, it had given Zeke the opportunity to give Kat a dose of his dynamic personality. However, this man was not Zeke nor was he attractive or chivalrous.

The man rose from his seat sipping his beer and walking over to her table. He dressed in jeans and a plaid farm shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a dirty green John Deere cap. He was scrawny and tall with dark hair and a short scruffy beard. He reached her table taking the seat across from her, offering Kat a yellow-toothed grin. “Howdy, are you passing through?”

“Yes,” she said flatly, “and I’m trying to eat.”

“My name is Gorge, and you are…?”

“Unobtainable,” Kat said outright.

“Oh, come on sweet thing don’t be that way.” He laughed refusing to take a hint.

“Don’t sweet thing me. Just let me eat in peace.”

He looked back at his friends who were now smirking, and he leaned forward to take her hand. “Why don’t you give me your number and-”

Kat pulled her hand out of his reach glaring at him; she was done dealing with this man politely. She stood up and did not bother to keep her voice down. She spoke loud and clear for the whole dinner to hear. “Listen, I’m not giving you my number, and I don’t want yours. Look at you and look at me, don’t you think I could do better?” She then took out money for her meal which she had been unable to finish and tossed it on the table to cover the bill. She then took out another twenty-dollar bill and tossed it at the obnoxious man harassing her. “Why don’t you go buy yourself a personality.” She then left the diner. Kat hated men like that; they shone a bad light on their entire s*x. Luckily, she knew there were good ones out there, or she would have given up on men altogether.

Kat returned to her car annoyed and still hungry. She sat in the parking lot trying to decide what she should do. She could keep going heading nowhere in particular, or she could turn around, accept that Zeke made a mistake, and have some more fun with the only man that had made her forget her troubles in months. The real question was would he forgive her tantrum or had he moved on to someone else?

***

Zeke slouched in his chair; his long legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. He chewed on the end of the toothpick that had come with his lousy bar burger watching Seth and Nick Usher shooting darts. Their girls seated at the table with him were on the verge of some cat fight over some tacky lipstick.

Zeke barely paid attention as he watched the game on the mounted twenty inches above the bar. His thoughts were lost in the memory of his night with Kat, of being caught up in her arms; her kiss, her body, her smell, and the way she tasted. The women around here weren’t like Kat. They weren’t as clean or as sheik as she had been. Kat wasn’t just some chick like the others, she was a lady, and around these parts that quality was rare, and for a real lady of class to be interested in a guy like him was even rarer.

The truth was Zeke had no idea why Kat had troubled herself with him at all. If he had to guess he would have assumed that he wasn’t exactly Kat’s usual type, but for some reason, she had seen fit to spend time with him. She had said she was running away from something. Said that she was single now when he had asked, despite the gold ring she still wore on her left hand. At the time he hadn’t asked about it. She had claimed to be single, and he had taken her at her word. Kat had probably suffered a bad break up and had gone off on a road trip to find herself only to find herself slumming for some excitement. It wouldn’t be the first time that old story played out.

Some guys found it offensive finding out that they were only being used. To these guys, Zeke only shook his head. What the hell did they expect when they were broke looking like trash and managed to bag the interest of a classy woman with money? Fools are what they were. Zeke knew better, he knew he was a slumdog, and he was ok with that. He took what came his way and enjoyed it while it lasted. He wasn’t foolish enough to ever believe he meant anything more than a good time. A good time that Kat had seemed desperately in need of.

Still, his time with Kat had ended far sooner than he would have liked. One night with that fierce little minx was hardly enough to sate his lust. Nick had won the dart game which meant Seth was buying the next round. They returned to the table, and Seth waved down a waitress ordering another round of drinks. Nick had begun telling some dirty joke about his girlfriend only to be nagged at by her when Seth looked past Zeke with interest.

“Hold up; your hot little blonde just walked through the door.” Seth grinned picking up his drink.

Zeke felt his body stiffen at the mention of Kat, was she here? He didn’t want to turn around and look; he would seem too eager to see her. He had to play it cool. “Is she looking over here?” He asked trying to keep the excitement out of his voice.

Seth looked very casually over Zeke’s shoulder. “No, she’s looking around though.” He said and then suddenly looked away. “Now she’s looking over here.” He grinned. “Do you think she came back to see you?”

“God, I hope so.” Zeke grinned lifting his beer to his lips taking a sip.

“Here she comes,” Seth said with a smirk. “You must be a hell of a lay.” He teased.

“That tends to happen when you’re hiding an anaconda in your pants.” Zeke snickered winking at Seth’s girlfriend.

“Yeah-yeah you’re a f*****g stud we get it. Here she comes stud.” Seth laughed.

Zeke tried to relax; he didn’t want to seem like he was too excited. He smiled when he felt her arms come around him from behind; her hands covered his eyes. Kat whispered in his ear. “Guess who?”

He pretended to think and then rattled off some names. “Jen… Nancy… Bethany?” He said playfully.

“Who the hell is Bethany?” Kat asked a little annoyed.

Zeke looked up over his shoulder and smiled at her. He grabbed Kat by the arm and pulled her onto his lap ignoring her annoyance with him. “I don’t know I was just guessing.” He said with a cocky smile. “How far did you get before you missed me?”

Her mouth opened stunned by his arrogance. “I didn’t miss you. I reconsidered your plea for a second chance.” She said very matter of fact.

“Oh,” Zeke said humouring her, “I see. Well, then I guess I should go out of my way to show you just how right you were to do so.”

Kat smirked placing her hand on his chest. “You better not make me regret it.” She warned. “I am not in the habit of giving second chances.”

“I consider myself warned,” Zeke said thanking his lucky stars she had decided to come back to him. “Do you want to go to that party I was talking about?” He asked wondering just what sort of mood she was in. “We were just about to head out.”

“Yeah sure.” Kat agreed. “Just let me go check in first.” She said trying to stand up.

Zeke refused to release her hand, and he pulled her back down onto his lap, pinning her there by wrapping his arms around her. “You ain’t got a room yet?”

“Not yet, but if you let me go, I can go get one.” She said trying to break his hold on her.

“What for? We both know we’re gonna end up in the same bed at the end of the night anyway. Why don’t you come back to my room?” He offered. Zeke saw no reason for her to pay for a room when he was paid up through the month. If he had his way, she’d be in his bed the whole time anyway.

“You want me to stay with you?” Kat asked raising a questioning brow.

“Well, it would make creeping around with you easier. No reason to pay for two rooms.” Zeke said not sure what to say. He didn’t want her to read too much into the offer, but when she didn’t say anything, he felt awkward. “I mean it’s just for convenience sake and save some money…” He looked at his friends trying not to laugh at him, and he knew he was making a fool of himself.

Kat placed a finger over his lips to silence him, and he was thankful she had. “I get it. It’s a place to crash, not a marriage proposal.” She teased. He felt a little relieved that she had understood him despite his hopeless rambling.

“Well then if we’re all on the same page let’s ride,” Nick said putting his empty beer on the table. He grabbed his girlfriend’s hand and stood up.

Zeke lifted Kat to her feet and led her by the hand outside. They all climbed onto their bikes, and Kat hung back nervously. Zeke sat on his bike waiting for her, looking at Kat questioningly when she didn’t join him. “Come on baby, hop on.”

“I’ve never been on one of these things.” She confessed. He smiled with understanding; she was scared.

“It’s safe I promise. Just wrap your arms around me and hold on tight.”

“What if I fall off?”

“You won’t.” He assured her. “I’ll even drive like a little old lady until you feel comfortable.” He grinned. Reluctantly Kat climbed onto his backseat, and her arms came around Zeke’s waist. He could feel her hug tight to him when he kicked started his bike following Nick and Seth out of the parking lot. He was happy she was back, and he was going to make sure she was happy she had come back.

They drove out of town headed for the river. There was a huge five-day party out there with Fiends from all over Tennessee. They pulled in to the gravel parking lot lining the riverside. There were bikes everywhere and coolers filled with food and beer. Bonfires had been set and were blazing high into the night sky. Someone had brought out an old large portable radio, and it blared the local rock station.

Zeke brought his bike to a stop and slid off. Wrapping his arm around Kat’s waist, he lifted her off the bike placing her on her feet but keeping her close to him. He could see the unease in her face as she looked around. She was out of her element in this place. Zeke held Kat close, his arm around her waist. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “If you stay close to me you’ll be fine. You’re my mama, ain’t no one gonna mess with that.”

He kept his arm around her as they wandered through the party visibly staking his claim to her. So long as Zeke claimed Kat, the dogs might circle, but no one would step out of line. Heading for a bonfire, Zeke opened a cooler and got them both a drink. He then sat down on a fallen log with Kat seated in his lap. They talked and drank with others seated around the fire, witnessed one fight between two drunk men and a lover’s quarrel between Seth and Heather.

Kat relaxed after a few drinks, her body was not so tense, and she laughed out loud with everyone else. Zeke was surprised how well she fit in for a lady from the right side of the tracks. She laughed at all the dirty jokes and even had some they had not heard of. Zeke had almost fallen over from shock when he heard those dirty words come from that pretty mouth. She was so fun and charismatic; everyone loved her; Zeke’s new girl had become the talk of the party. Guest had begun to gravitate in their direction to check out the new addition.

Jimmy Oak had brought out his guitar and had sat down around the fire rocking out singing their favourite songs. Kat scowled shaking her head as he played a popular song. “You’re butchering it.” She complained. “FX does not play it that way.” She said.

“I’m the musician here. I think I know how it’s played.” Jimmy argued.

“Well, you’re doing it wrong.” She insisted. “If you’re going to play it, play it right.”

“And I suppose you think you can do better?” Jimmy snapped handing Kat his guitar. “Go on sweetheart, show us how it’s done or shut your pretty little mouth.” Jimmy was a big guy with some girth and muscle behind him. An otherwise scary looking fellow but he didn’t seem to intimidate Kat at all.

Kat glared at him as she stood up from Zeke’s lap, taking the guitar she sat down on the log beside Zeke. She quickly checked the tune of the strings and tightened or loosened them as needed. “It helps if the instrument is tuned properly.” She complained then she began to play the song Jimmy had been attempting; only her version was much better. She played it like a pro. Like she had been playing that one song all her life, and she sang along with everyone else. The girl had an amazing set of pipes. She played the whole song with a big finish and with a satisfied smile on her pretty face she offered the guitar back to Jimmy. “If you’re going to play it, play it right.”

“Wow, you can play,” Jimmy commented, looking surprisingly pleased to have been shown up.

“You’re not bad,” Kat said. “You just got to hammer down the notes and get the timing right. It’s all about the feel of the music.” She said placing the guitar back in Jimmy’s hands.

Zeke stood up and took Kat by the hand. They wandered away from the group. He was tired of sharing her with everyone. They walked back toward his bike and Kat shivered as they got farther from the fires. “Are you cold?” He asked.

“A little,” Kat admitted.

Zeke shrugged off his jacket and helped her put it on. She smiled thanking him. The jacket was far too big for her tiny frame the sleeves were so long they covered her hands. She had to push the cuffs back to hold her beer. Zeke leaned against his bike pulling Kat close against him, using his body to keep her warm. “You play well.” He said with a smile. “I’m impressed. You’re just full of surprises.”

“I play a little.” She said lifting her drink to her lips.

“A little? That was more than just a little skill. Who taught you to play?” He asked curious about the mysterious woman in his arms.

“A few people. I had a couple of different teachers, and they were all very good.” She said vaguely.

“They must have been.” Zeke agreed, wondering what other interesting secrets she had hidden away. “What other secrets do you have?” He asked.

Kat smirked at him and shook her head. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.” She teased putting an end to his inquiries. If there was one thing, Zeke couldn’t do it was tell this woman any of his secrets.

Zeke hugged Kat tight and laughed; he adored this crazy woman. “What do you say we get out of here and head back to the motel? I’ve had enough of all these guys gawking at you.”

“Jealous much?” She mocked.

“Insanely,” Zeke said pulling Kat closer so she could feel how aroused he had become around her. “Besides I can think of some other things to do that are far more entertaining.”

“Really?” She purred, her green eyes smiling up at him from under those gorgeous long lashes. He wasn’t entirely sure he could wait to get her back to the motel.

Zeke climbed onto his bike and waited for her to toss the empty bottle in her hand and join him. “Come on sweet thing let’s get out of here before I lose my cool and take you to the bushes.” He warned.

“Don’t you say the sweetest things?” Kat teased not taking his threat seriously, but she did not hesitate to climb onto the back of his bike this time. Her arms came around him, and the engine revved. Zeke fed the engine some gas and tore off heading back to the road.

Once he hit the interstate, he sped up and felt Kat’s grip tighten around him. She rested her head against his back as they rode back to the city. Zeke had many women on the back of his bike in the past, but none that felt as satisfying as having Kat holding on to him. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he didn’t deserve a girl like her. That she was above his station in life and he was reaching too high. The satisfaction of momentarily having the gold that made it all the sweeter.

They reached the city limits, and the motel was only another few minutes away. Zeke sped up and steered off the road taking a shortcut across a field toward a gas station and ripped around the corner, frightening Kat because her grip tightened once more as they took the sharp corner. He ripped down the street, and once they reached the diner, he turned in to the motel parking lot and slid into his designated stall. Zeke dropped the kickstand and cut the engine.

Kat hit him in the shoulder as he got off his bike. “You promised to drive safely.” She complained her hands still trembling.

Zeke smirked helping her off the bike. “You’re safe. I got you here in one piece.” He pointed out. “Don’t worry baby, I’ve been riding since I was a kid, I can drive like you can play that guitar.” He said taking her hand in his. It was so silken and dainty in his large callused hand. Kat was tiny, perhaps five-foot-five and trim. She made him feel like a giant. Like he could break her with little effort and should be handled with care. “Now what do you say we go upstairs and I sooth that temper of yours.” He drawled escorting her up the rickety wooden steps leading to the second level of the motel.

“How do you intend to do that?” She asked with a coy grin.

They reached the top of the steps and Zeke drew Kat into his arms. His mouth captured hers in a slow tender kiss. She tasted so sweet, smelled so good and so clean. Her soft body against his made his whole body stir and ache with need. Without breaking their tantalizing kiss, he backed Kat up toward his door. “You drive me nuts.” He groaned against her full lips.

Kat wrapped her arms around his neck as she ground her hips against him. “I can’t wait to get you out of those clothes.” She purred.

Zeke pulled out his key and unlocked the door, his mouth crushing against hers in a demanding kiss. They stumbled inside, and the door closed shut behind them. “Zeke!” A female voice cried out startling them both. He broke off his kiss and looked over to his bed where he saw something that greatly aggravated him.

A young dark-haired woman was seated on his bed. Her hair was cropped short, and she wore a short jean skirt, knee-high leather boots with a matching leather jacket over a white cut off t-shirt. She had a half-eaten box of pizza and a bottle of whiskey. She had been watching television and waiting for him to return.

Zeke recognized her right away and was furious to see her. Lisa Yammin had been his girl some months ago until she had run off with another man. She had hopped on the back of her lover’s bike and headed out of state as far as he had known. She had a lot of gall coming back. “Get your hands off my man, bitch.” Lisa snapped getting off the bed and coming to shove Kat.

“Excuse me?” Kat snapped confused by the situation.

Zeke stepped between them shielding Kat from Lisa’s rage. Lisa was a nasty scraper with no qualms about shanking someone with the switchblade she kept in her pocket. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you even get in?” He demanded.

“I came to see you,” Lisa said. “I picked the lock, so I didn’t have to wait outside.” She explained. “Only to find you with some cougar trash.” She hissed looking around him.

“Trash?” Kat snapped. “Have you looked in a mirror lately?” It turned out that Kat herself was a scrapper as she sidestepped around Zeke and confronted Lisa. “You listen here-”

Zeke pushed Kat behind him once more not wanting her to get too close to Lisa. Lisa then tried to go around him to attack Kat, but Zeke picked her up and threw her back on the bed. “You’re not welcome here Lisa.” He snapped waving a warning finger at her.

“But baby…” She pleaded.

“Don’t baby me. You made your choice when you took off. You think I’m some sucker to sit here waiting on you while you’re whoring your way around central America?” He barked.

“I know you’re mad but if you give me a chance I’ll make it all up to you.” She purred standing up and pressing herself against him in an attempt to seduce him. “I know what you like.” She said, her hand sliding down the front of his jeans.

He scoffed and pushed her hand away. Grabbing Lisa by her jacket, Zeke hauled her to the door, opened it up, and tossed Lisa out into the night. “Why would I waste my time on you when I have so clearly traded up?”

Her dark eyes fixed on Kat with a hateful glare. “He’s my man. If you know what is best for you b***h you’d leave him alone.” Zeke slammed the door on Lisa, but he could still hear her screaming threats on the other side. He couldn’t believe the nerve she had to think she could just come back after six months and expect him to welcome her back with open arms.

Zeke turned around to face Kat, the previous mood broken; she stared at him with questioning eyes demanding an explanation. He cursed Lisa for ruining what had so far been a great night. “Crazy ex-girlfriend.” He explained simply.

“She doesn’t seem to think so.”

“That would be the crazy part.” Zeke pointed out. “She took off with another guy six months ago. I haven’t seen or heard from her since then, until tonight. For her to even think we were still an item she has to be out of her head. I’m not one for being cheated on.” He said picking up the pizza box and tossing it into the trash. “We were never terribly serious… well, I wasn’t. I suppose she wasn’t either since she left.” He said stretching out in a lounging position on the bed. Zeke patted the spot beside him for Kat to join him but she didn’t.

Kat stood by the door her arms crossed over her chest. “So, you’re not spoken for by anyone?”

He grinned and held out his hand for her. “I am completely free and clear.” He promised.

She looked around the room as if she were looking for evidence of other women, finding none Kat came to the bed a knelt beside him. “She seemed crazy should I be worried?”

“No.” He said taking her hand in his and pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. Lisa was a pain, but he couldn’t imagine her doing anything he couldn’t handle. He didn’t want to focus on Lisa; he wanted to return to the charming evening they had been enjoying.

***

Kat knelt on the bed beside Zeke trying to read his emotions. He had seemed mildly annoyed by the woman’s intrusion and once she was gone he seemed utterly indifferent to her having been there at all. From what she could tell this man took nothing seriously. He lived to indulge, and the only emotion she had ever seen him express was lust and the occasional possessiveness.

She was, however, relieved to hear that he did not have a girlfriend stashed away somewhere. It had never occurred to her to ask until she had seen that woman in his bed. It reminded her of how little she did know about this man. How old was he? Where was he from? Did he have a family somewhere? Why did he choose this sort of life? Did he have a troubled past? Or was he just a thrill seeker?

Kat longed for answers, but they had an unspoken understanding. No strings, no questions, no complication. It protected her identity which was, in this place, the most important thing. If her real identity were realized, media would swarm her and she would be hassled by fans. She had already come close to being recognized a few times. She did not need that sort of attention right now.

Kat was sure Zeke would not relish the attention he would receive if reporters found him in bed with her. The rebound man, his face would be plastered on every magazine and newsstand across the nation. Zeke didn’t strike her as the type that would appreciate that sort of attention. He seemed like a man that valued his privacy.

Zeke placed a kiss to the back of her hand, seduction in his bright eyes. “What’s wrong sweet thing?” He asked noticing she was preoccupied with her thoughts. “I already told you there is no one else, I swear.”

She sighed and lay down beside him. “It’s nothing.”

Zeke stroked her hair and gazed into her eyes. “Something is bothering you. You aren’t as into this as you were ten minutes ago.” He observed.

“That woman just made me realize I know nothing about you. Here I am carrying on like a horny teenager with a man I know nothing about.” Kat admitted. She didn’t want to bring the night down, but she could not seem to find the exciting spark she had felt before they had come into the room.

“I see,” Zeke said propping his head up on one arm. “I take it you’re not usually this free and rebellious?” He said running his free hand over her belly. He was right; she wasn’t. Kat had been with David since she was twenty years old, and before him, she had dated once or twice but never so recklessly like she was behaving with Zeke. She had just always expected to be with David. She had known it was only a matter of time and she had been patient. Her whole life had been about loving one man without abandonment. She had taken risks with him, but she had always been secure with David after all she knew everything there was to know about the man.

With Zeke she was reckless, out of control; Kat knew nothing about this man. She didn’t even know his full name or if Zeke was his name or just some biker moniker. She didn’t know if he had a dangerous history, or if he were safe. For all, she knew he could have AIDS or have killed a man. She didn’t know, and she had never asked. It was not like her to be so irresponsible. In truth, it was why she had enjoyed Zeke so much because she could be someone else and he wouldn’t criticize her or judge her for it.

“How long has it been?” He asked quietly. Kat looked at him questioningly, not sure what he was asking. Zeke took her hand, his fingers gently rubbing the wedding ring she had forgotten to take off. She had worn it so long it hadn’t occurred to her to take it off. “You were married.” It wasn’t a question; he was making observations again. “I’m willing to bet it ended recently, and this is why you’re running away.” Kat pulled her hand away awkwardly trying to hide it. She did not want to talk about such a painful part of her life. “Did he cheat? Leave you for another woman?” He asked curiously obviously trying to figure out why she was on such a self-destructive path.

Kat was silent for a long time before she spoke, her voice filled with more emotion than she would have liked. “He died.” She admitted, her eyes tearing up.

Zeke’s expression changed, and his body tensed, clearly not expecting the answer she had given him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dredge up painful memories.” He apologized. She was trying hard not to cry when Zeke sat up and pulled her into his lap. His arms closed around her and held her near. It was different this time from the other times he had held her. There was nothing s****l in his touch, he simply held her tight and stroked her hair, and she found it impossible not to cry. The tears fell from her eyes like a flood dam breaking.

Her emotions overwhelmed her and Kat clung to Zeke like an anchor to life. She buried her face against his neck and let her tears fall. Zeke held her tight and rocked her back and forth, soothing her as if she were a child. He stroked her hair and her back and let her cry. Her tears soaked his shirt. Kat did not know how long she had been crying for, or how long they had been sitting like that; she cried until she had no more tears. Her eyes were dry, and her chest hurt from all the sobbing.

Zeke loosened his hold on her and removed his jacket from Kat. He tossed it to the floor and took her face between his hands. He kissed away her tears his lips brushing hers. He kissed her so sweetly; with such tenderness, Kat felt she was lost. Her hands came up pulling the bandana from his head and tossed it aside.

Zeke reached down and took hold of her shirt, lifting her arms he pulled her top off and threw it across the small room. Zeke’s mouth moved down her throat sending shivers through her body. She had not worn a bra with her halter top, and Kat found herself exposed to his lusty gaze, his mouth closed around her n****e. His hot mouth on her breast made her ache for more. She wanted what he offered, the relief from her pain, the distraction from herself. Kat pulled at his shirt until she had it off and tossed it aside. His flesh against hers felt like fire wherever they touched.

Zeke lay Kat back against the mattress and unzipped her pants. He kissed down her belly, and he pulled her pants off, dropped them to the floor making short work of her panties. He wasted no time shedding his jeans and then crawled between her legs. His mouth captured hers in a soft, gentle kiss. His hands caressed her body with care. Zeke moved slowly, his touch feather light adding a heightened sensation each time he touched her.

Kat felt his manhood pressed firmly against her opening and she longed to feel him inside her. To have him fill her so completely as he had the night before. She lifted her hips off the bed eager for him, but Zeke took his time. He kissed her, caressed her, and worshiped every inch of her body. His mouth and tongue kissing and tasting her until she thought she would go mad.

When she thought she could take no more, Zeke pressed inside her. Slowly entering her inch by inch until he was fully sheathed in her warm, welcoming body. Kat held tight to Zeke her fingers clawing at his back as he slowly withdrew and pushed back deep into her. Slow and steady he made love to Kat, his tender assault pushing her to the brink of pleasure and then shattering her control.

Her body shook with her climax and Zeke withdrew quickly coming outside her. Like the last time, he rose from the bed and retrieved a towel from the washroom then returned to her. He wiped away the evidence of his satisfaction and dropped the towel to the floor. He lay down on the bed beside her pulling the thin blanket up around them.

Zeke took Kat in his arms and held her against him. She looked up and saw his eyes were already closed; his breathing had become steady and shallow. He was falling asleep. Kat wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her head comfortably on his chest. What little she knew about Zeke she knew one thing; he might be a bad boy, but deep down on the inside he was a good a man. Perhaps that was all she needed to know.