First Class Justice (First Class Novels) (16 page)

Mark exited the bathroom, steam pouring out behind him, with
a towel wrapped low on his hips.

“You look lovely,” he smiled.

“Thank you for getting my stuff for me,” she replied.

Katy picked up her backpack and her purse and stepped away
from the bed.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Going home.”

“NO!” he yelled. “You can’t leave!”

Katy was surprised by his response. “Why?”

“Because I’ve made plans,” he said.

“What? When did you
make plans
?”

“Just now. I’ve planned out the whole day. Don’t you want to
spend the day here? With me?”

More than anything!
“Well, I guess I could stay. I
don’t have to work today.”

Mark took the backpack from her shoulder and threw it in the
closet. He looked immensely pleased.

“Great!” he said. “Let me get dressed and we’ll start with
breakfast!”

*****

Mark held the chair for Katy as she slid in for breakfast.
The waiter laid the napkin across her lap and went to grab a pot of coffee.
Mark sat opposite and smiled.

“I have been here for a few days now and this is the first
time I have shared a meal with anyone. A very nice treat and I’m happy it’s with
you.”

Katy smiled and looked down at her menu. She had felt
conspicuously underdressed as they entered the restaurant, but Mark had tried
to make her feel more at ease by wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

“Who cares what we wear,” he’d said.

She looked at her surroundings. It was obviously a very
expensive hotel and an uppity restaurant but she was hungry so she pushed it
from her mind.

“What do you want Katy?” Mark asked her, his voice gentle.

The waiter returned and filled their cups with the hot
beverage and Katy took a sip.

“It all looks good,” she replied.

Mark looked down at his menu. “Sure does.”

They placed their order, Katy getting the egg white frittata
and Mark the muesli and sipped at their coffee.

“So I thought we’d start with the aquarium,” Mark said.

“For what?” Katy asked.

“To visit. I’ve never been there and it’s just down the
street.”

“Okay,” Katy grinned. “I’ve never been there either.”

“Great. It will be an adventure.”

“I’m not so sure that looking at fish in tanks would be
considered an
adventure
, but I’m sure we’ll enjoy it.”

Mark smiled. “Let’s see how the day ends up.”

Katy wasn’t sure what he meant, but the waiter arrived with
their food so she turned her attention to her plate.

*****

The day did in fact turn out to be an adventure. They started
at the aquarium and then moved to Pikes Market. They had a late lunch there and
loved watching the fish being thrown around.

They walked a few blocks east and found themselves at the
mall.

“Let’s go shopping,” Mark grinned.

“Why?” Katy wasn’t really interested.

“Let’s get you some clothes for dinner.”

“Dinner? Do I need clothes for dinner?”

“Yep. And besides, we’ll let Matt pay for it. I think he
owes you.”

“You bet your ass he does!” Katy grinned. “Fine! As long as
you’re sure Matt pays.”

“I’ll use the company credit card.”

Katy bought a stunning strapless dress in ruby red for
dinner. Of course she picked out matching heels and a clutch. She shooed Mark
away so she could also pick out some underwear; panties and a strapless bra.
Then, because she really was pretty pissed at Matt, she selected a killer
leather jacket, some new boots and a pair of jeans and three shirts.

Mark laughed when he saw the pile of clothes as the sales
clerk was ringing them all up. Mark handed over a black Amex and happily signed
the receipt when he saw that Katy was quite thrilled with her purchases. Then
she stopped in at another store to purchase a flat iron and a few other
essentials. If she was going to need a killer dress for dinner, she would need
some items to make sure she matched the dress.

“I think I can handle this one,” she said as Mark tried to
hand her the credit card.

With shopping bags in hand, they wandered back through the
streets of Seattle to the hotel. It had been a fun day. She was smiling as they
entered the Four Seasons and headed up to Mark’s room. Anticipation was
creeping in as to what Mark had planned for dinner. Only time would tell.

Back in his room, Katy took her bags and locked herself in
the bathroom while Mark changed into a suit in the bedroom. She was actually
excited as she curled her hair, did her makeup and slid into the incredibly
well-made and form-fitting dress. It came to just above her knees and had some
beading of the same color down the front to her waist. The fabric was gathered
over her breasts and showed enough cleavage to be sexy but not slutty. Katy was
pleased with her reflection as she slid on the black pumps and looked in the
mirror.

As she opened the door and stepped out into the bedroom,
Mark looked up from the chair and his mouth dropped open.

“Wow,” he whispered. “Katy you are absolutely gorgeous!”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she grinned.

Mark stood and Katy was equally impressed with him. He wore
a black suit and a pale lemon colored dress shirt and a yellow and grey striped
tie.

“You are looking pretty good yourself,” she said, openly
admiring him.

“Thanks. I don’t look as good as Matt in a suit, but I guess
it’s fine.”

“Oh, Matt’s got nothin’ on you,” she drawled.

“Well thank you Ms. Miles. Shall we go?”

“Where are we going?”

“Wait and see,” he winked.

Katy grabbed her new leather jacket and clutch and they rode
the elevator down to the lobby and out the front door. A taxi immediately
pulled up and the bellman held the door as they slipped inside. Mark gave the
driver an address and off they went, through the streets of Seattle on a
Saturday night. Katy felt a little like Cinderella, although she didn’t believe
in fairy tales anymore. Her life had not ever had the happy ending. But this
was exciting and new and she wanted to appreciate every moment.

Mark reached over and took her hand in his. She glanced over
at him but he was looking out the window. She liked the warmth of his fingers
over hers and closed her eyes. She would remember this night as something very
special.

*****

The cab came to a stop and Mark paid the driver and jumped
out. He ran around and opened the door for Katy before the valet had a chance.
Before her stood the Space Needle, all lit up and looking magnificent. Mark
took her hand in his and they walked inside. Mark gave the man behind the desk
his name and was handed a piece of paper. Katy wasn’t sure what was going on
because she had never been here before. It was all very exciting. She assumed
they were having dinner in the restaurant towering above them. She had heard
about how cool it was but spent little time in Seattle and had never had the
opportunity to do so. They walked to the elevator and Mark squeezed her hand as
they waited for the doors to open.

“This will be fun. Have you been up here before?” Mark
asked.

“Nope, this is my first time,” she grinned, trying to not to
squeal with delight.

“Good. I’m glad you’re first time is with me,” he winked.

The doors opened and they stepped inside. Katy watched out
of the windows as they started climbing higher and higher. It was thrilling.
The city sparkled at her feet and the view of the Puget Sound was incredible.
Mark squeezed her hand again as she sighed, a smile lighting up her face.

“Beautiful,” he whispered.

“Yes, it is.”

“I was talking about you.”

“Oh,” Katy said, turning to look at him. “Thank you.”

The lift came to a stop and the doors opened to a lobby
outside the restaurant. Mark handed the hostess the slip of paper and then they
went and sat and waited for their name to be called. There were several people
waiting and Katy smiled at the young couple next to them. They had only sat for
a minute or so when the hostess called Mark’s name.

“That was quick,” Katy grinned, as they followed her to their
table. It was next to the window and Katy couldn’t take her eyes of the view.
Spectacular didn’t even begin to describe it.

“I’m glad it’s a clear night. The view is better,” Mark
said, helping her out of her new leather jacket.

Katy slipped into her chair and Mark sat opposite her.

“Okay,” she said. “
This
is an adventure!” she
grinned.

The waiter arrived and handed them menus and Mark ordered a
bottle of red wine. Katy looked over the menu and couldn’t believe the prices.

“Hope you’re charging this to Matt, too,” she gasped.

“Katy, while it’s not something I ever talk about, you do
know that I am a partner with Matt in a very lucrative real estate company,
don’t you?”

“Well, yeah, but this is pretty spendy.”

Mark chuckled. “I think I can afford dinner here. Don’t
worry about it.”

“Okay then. What’s the most expensive thing on here?” she
teased.

*****

Bite after bite, course after course, Katy was in heaven.
The food was delectable and the view incomparable to anything she had seen
before. And she very much enjoyed the company. Mark was articulate and funny
and the conversation flowed freely. She had missed sharing their evening meals
together. She’d missed their early morning runs. She’d just missed
him…terribly.

The waiter came to take their dessert order.

"What do you want, Katy?" Mark asked.

"You keep asking me that in that weird tone," she
frowned.

The waiter looked at Mark and retreated, leaving them alone.

"Because I want to know what you want," he
explained.

"I'm not sure I can eat another bite," she said.

"I'm not talking about dessert."

Katy looked at him, his eyes boring into hers.

"What do you want," he whispered.

Katy turned her head, unable to look at him.

"I can't have what I want." Her voice was almost
inaudible.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I've got."

"Katy, look at me," he pleaded.

A few seconds ticked by and Katy gradually turned her head
and looked into his eyes. He looked...sad?

"Why can't you have what you want?" he asked
again.

"Nobody is going to want me after...after what
happened."

She folded her arms across her chest, her body screaming
retreat. Mark had seen this defense mechanism before. He stood up and walked
around the table and slid into the chair next to her. Slowly, he untangled her
arms and pulled her hand away from her chest and intertwined her fingers in his.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

"Katy," he whispered. "
I
want
you."

Her body froze, her heart stopping. Her mouth opened and she
tried to breathe.

"You want me?"

"I do. I want every part of you; the good, bad, the
beautiful, the bruises, even that sailor mouth of yours," he chuckled,
"and everything else that comes with it."

Katy couldn't speak. She just looked straight ahead and
concentrated on breathing.

"When you told me about your dream it pierced my soul.
I can't understand how you could ever think that you disgust me. Have I done
something that has made you feel that way?"

Katy shook her head. "But you saw it. You saw me. You
saw what he did to me," she whispered.

"Yes. I saw what
he
did. That is not a
reflection on
you
. Nobody could ever think to blame
you
for what
happened. Nobody could think less of you for what happened. I couldn't. I
haven't. Never!"

Katy turned her head ever so slightly to see his eyes
pleading with her to believe that he spoke the truth.

"I want you. With me. Always. What do you want?"

“I have wanted you for a long time," she admitted,
although hesitantly. "But..."

"No buts," he interrupted. "I love you Katy.
I will love you forever." He lifted her hand and kissed it again.

"You do?"

"Never been surer of anything in my life," he
smiled.

Katy's body relaxed inch by inch and slowly turned to look
at him square on. She placed her hand on his cheek.

"I love you too."

Mark leaned in and kissed her lips, softly and slowly. It was
a sweet simple kiss, but one that melted her heart.

As he broke away and leaned back to gaze at her, he felt
something at his back.

"Ahem, I apologize sir," said the waiter.

Mark took a deep breath, smiled at Katy and then turned his
attention to the man standing at their table.

"So, can I get you dessert this evening?"

"Just the check, please," Mark grinned. "I
think we have some place to be."

*****

Holy shit!
she thought as they stepped into the
elevator. Mark held her hand tightly and she never wanted him to let go.
He
loves me!!

The smile wouldn't go away. She tried biting her lips but it
didn't work.
Holy shit!!
And she smiled again.

Not a word was spoken as they slipped into the backseat of
the cab. Mark told the driver they were headed to the Four Seasons and they
pulled away from the curb. Mark turned to her, a grin plastered across his
face. Apparently he couldn't stop smiling either.

It wasn't a very long ride and they pulled up in front of
the hotel. The bellman opened the door and they hurried through the lobby to
the elevator.

As they stepped inside, they heard a voice asking them to
hold the doors and Mark immediately threw his hand out to stop them from
closing. The elderly couple Katy had seen just the evening before stepped into
the lift and smiled at Mark.