The Contract (The Contract 1)

She strode to the door, paused, and looked back. “I like those times. They make the rest of the days easier to take.”

Then she walked out, leaving me stunned.RICHARD

KATHARINE WAS QUIET THE REST of the evening. The rain came and went, eventually easing off around midnight. Jenna sensed the turmoil in the air and tried to be discreet. At one point, she asked me if Katharine was all right.

“We, ah, had a disagreement,” I admitted. Couples argued; my response—it seemed probable.

“Because of what happened earlier?”

“Yes.” I didn’t tell her to which earlier occurrence it pertained. I let her think it was what happened with Penny.

“Do you want me to leave?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Don’t go to bed angry. Talk it out,” she encouraged. “I’ll head up soon and give you some privacy.”

Unsure how else to respond, I nodded. I had no idea what to say to Katharine, but as soon as Jenna went upstairs, she followed. I waited a while, shut off the TV, and joined her in my bedroom. She was already in bed, curled up and close to the edge. I got ready and slipped in behind her small, warm body. I hesitated, then reached over, tugging her back to my torso.

“Don’t be angry with me.”

“I’m not, just sad.” She sighed.

“I can’t change who I am.”

She rolled in the dark to face me. “I think in some ways you have changed.”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “Still, it doesn’t change how I feel about certain things—children and love are two of them.”

“Everything is black and white with you.”

“It has to be. It’s how I deal with life.”

“You miss so much.”

I trailed my finger down her cheek, touching the softness of her skin in the dark. A trace of dampness lingered, and I knew she’d been crying. It bothered me, thinking of her lying there, upset.

“Katharine,” I began.

“What?” she whispered.

“I know this got bigger and more complex. I know you’re a better person than I am, and it bothers you. I didn’t expect the Gavins to be part of our life outside the office. I hadn’t planned on meeting Penny and being fond of her. There isn’t anything we can do about that now except go with the flow. I can’t change my outlook because it’s what I believe. There is something you’re wrong about, however.”

“What is that?”

I cupped her cheek, bringing her face close to mine. “I don’t dislike you. Far from it. I regret every nasty word, every lousy fucking errand I sent you on, and every dirty job I got you to do. I think you’re incredibly brave to have agreed to do this with me, and the reasons you did it are astonishing to me. You are selfless and kind, and the fact you’ve become so important to me is a testament to how special you are.”

Hot tears ran down her face. I groaned, unable to handle more emotion today. “Jeez, woman.” I growled playfully. “I try to be nice and you cry. I give up. I’ll go back to being a jerk.”

She patted my hand. “No, it’s fine. I’ll stop.” She sniffed. “That was unexpected. That’s all.”

“I’m trying to apologize.”

She lifted her face, brushing her mouth to mine. “Accepted.”

I buried my hands in her hair, holding her close. I pressed my mouth to hers, wanting to taste her once more. She responded with a low sigh, her breath drifting over my face. Long moments passed as our lips moved together, tongues touched and teased. Desire built, slow and heavy, and my body hummed with need. With a moan, I drew back, staring down at her. Her lips were swollen, her breathing fast. I traced her bottom lip with my finger.

“Katharine,” I murmured in a husky voice as I ran my hand up her bare leg.

She lifted her head, and just as her mouth met mine, we heard it. A crack of unexpected thunder followed by a crash in the guest room and a loud yell.

I groaned, dropping my head to her shoulder. “Fucking Jenna, again.”

She huffed out a huge exhale of air. “Well, hell. I think she broke my damn lamp. I liked that lamp.”

I began to laugh at her rare colorful statement. I rolled off her, throwing an arm over my face. “Go see what your friend has done now.”

She slid out of bed, hesitating. The dim moonlight behind her highlighted her silhouette through her wispy nightgown. She had filled out a little, her body softening with curves. With her hair tumbled over her shoulders, her eyes wide with desire, she looked sexy. Sexy as hell, in fact.

“Go.” I growled. “If you don’t, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.”

Pivoting, she hurried to the door.

“Katharine,” I called.

She turned, her hand resting on the doorknob.

I gentled my voice. “If the lamp is broken, I’ll buy you a new one.”