Hired Gun #4 (3 page)

He had to give her credit; Nike wasn’t messing around. 

 “I find it interesting you know such minute details about my life but not the answer to the question you are seeking. Why is that?” Kataya asked, and a small smile flitted across her face. 

Not the smartest move. 

Her chair flung back and her head thudded loudly against the wall. Thorne was surprised to feel his heart lurch. 

Keep calm
, Nike whispered in his mind.
I’m not going to really hurt her. 

Kataya’s eyes darted toward him as if seeking help. He shrugged and leaned back in his chair. 

“I’m not going to tell you what you want to know. You can torture me or do whatever it is you want to do and it won’t change the outcome.” 

“So brave.” Nike was out of her chair in front of Kataya’s face in the blink of an eye. “And beautiful, too. Such a rare combination these days. Regardless, I don’t care about your bravery or even your looks for that matter. What I care about are answers.”

“If you’re so strong, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding them out on your own.” 

“Didn’t you ever wonder why you can’t read his thoughts?”

A shadow flickered across her face, but was gone in an instant. “Not really. I can’t read everyone. Lots of people have built up their own shields over their lifetimes.” 

“You couldn’t read mine either, could you?” Nike asked, staring down at Kataya. 

“I never tried. No offense, but the last time we were in the same room I was a little pre-occupied.” 

“Ah, yes. I remember that day well.” Nike leaned down, placed her fingers under Kataya’s chin, and raised her face. “Such a lovely surprise Thorne brought home to me. All you have to do is tell me what I want to know and we could all go back to the bedroom once again.” 

“I don’t think so.” 

“Sadly, I’m not surprised. Well that’s okay because Thorne knows how to keep me satisfied. Don’t you?”

“Oh yes, I know exactly how to unfreeze that icy snatch of yours.” Thorne rose to his feet, wondering if things were about to get a lot more interesting. 

I hate you.
Nike’s words ricocheted throughout his mind. 

You started this little game. 

Thorne walked up behind Nike, who was now standing between Kataya’s legs, and pressed his body to her back. One hand wandered from her waist up her ribcage, and with his other he slowly brushed Nike’s hair to the side, the whole time not taking his eyes off Kataya. When he lowered his mouth to the delicate hollow of Nike’s neck he felt her stiffen beneath his caress and the touch of his warm mouth, but it was only momentarily before her body relaxed. Goddesses had such a high sex drive. With a mere thought, Thorne dropped her dress and Nike stood before them as lovely as a statue. 

“You both disgust me,” Kataya said through clenched teeth. 

“Do we now?” Nike beckoned with her finger and Kataya rose to her feet. Thorne knew it was solely by Nike’s power and not the willingness of Kataya. He wasn’t quite sure how far Nike was willing to go, but he would stop her if she did anything Kataya didn’t want her to do. No matter how much he was turned on, he wouldn’t allow Nike to take advantage of the situation. 

They were so close that Nike’s bare tits were practically in Kataya’s face. While she was definitely pissed off,—there was no doubt about that—she was also aroused. Not really her fault. A goddess was pretty much impossible to turn down. Their sexual chemistry radiated unlike any humans. 

“You can touch me if you’d like,” Nike said, dropping her voice a couple of notches. 

“You wish.” Kataya glared at them both. “I’m not going to partake in any of your sick games today.” 

One of Thorne’s hands rested on the swell of Nike’s backside. He moved his hand slowly, testing her response. When he didn’t get admonished in his mind, he smiled. Oh yes, this was going to be fun. He moved his hand and placed it on the slight swell of Nike’s belly. His hand drifted lower, and her body sagged against him. There was nothing cold about this woman when it came to sex. 

Any lower and I’ll break your hand
.

Thorne bit back his laughter. 

Nike dropped her head toward Kataya, who closed her eyes and shook her head. “No.”

“Just one kiss between friends,” Nike said softly before her lips landed on Kataya’s. Thorne thought his cock was going to explode as he watched Kataya’s mouth part and allow the goddess to kiss her thoroughly. This day was turning out much better than it had started. 

Chapter 4

After a brief, intense kiss, Kataya pulled away. “Did you honestly think you could get me to talk by seducing me?” 

Nike grinned, and her clothes were instantly replaced. “Not really, but I thought it might be fun to try. And Thorne obviously enjoyed himself.” 

Thorne couldn’t hide his disappointment. Leave it to Nike to get him riled up for nothing. 

“I can see why he keeps you around,” Kataya said while wiping the edge of her lip. 

“Oh you have no idea of my worth, little witch.” And with that Nike disappeared. 

Bewildered, Kataya glanced around. “Where did she go?”

Thorne shrugged. “No idea. She’s made a habit of coming and going as she pleases.”

“She lives here?”

Thorne thought it over before answering. “She’s been shacking up for a few weeks because she needed a place to stay.”

Kataya frowned. “Yeah, right. I don’t think that woman ever wants for anything.” 

“It’s a delicate situation.” 

Kataya rose to her feet. 

Obviously when Nike had left she’d taken her magic with her. 

“I made a huge mistake by coming here. Please, just let me leave.” There was almost a touch of desperation in her voice. Thorne didn’t like hearing it. 

“Earlier you said you wanted to talk about what I’d said about soul mates?”

“Never mind.” She wearily rubbed the back of her neck. “Forget I mentioned it.” 

“It’s true you know. Even if neither one of us wants to believe it, that doesn’t make it any less of a reality.” 

Kataya didn’t react at all … at least not overtly. Turning on her heel, she walked over to the window and stared out at the vast city below them. “It can’t be true.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m married to another.” 

His entire body went tense. Thorne was silent for a few long beats. “Geoffrey?”

Somehow he’d managed to convince himself that Thanatos was nothing more than a job to her. He closed his eyes and his chest constricted as he waited for her reply. 

“Yes,” she said without turning. 

Just his freaking luck. “How long have you known him?” 

“A little over five years.”

Five years? Five years, and Thanatos was just now coming to light? This was worse than he had expected. 

When Thorne finally found his voice he asked, “Then why did you fuck me?”

“He told me to.” 

That fucking prick. “Did he tell you to enjoy it and come back for more?”

“No,” her voice was barely above a whisper. “He just wanted me to get to know you, and he said the only way to get to you was flat on my back.” 

“I’m no expert on relationships, but that doesn’t sound very healthy to me. I can tell you this, Kataya Clarke, if you were mine, it would be over my dead body that I would allow another man to touch you.” 

“Only another woman, I guess.” She turned toward him and her lower lip was trembling as if she was fighting back tears. “He’s good to me. It’s just this presidential race is so important to him so he’s been distant. For some reason he feels you are a threat. I’m not even sure why, you’re nothing but a thug.” 

Thorne wasn’t sure if he should feel insulted or not, but all he felt was disgust. Thanatos was using her and had been for years. True, in their realm sex was not something that was coveted the way humans did. Monogamy was quiet rare for their kind, but still … 

And Thorne knew Thanatos was seeking revenge for the family he had lost. He would stop at nothing until he reached the goal. Kataya was just a convenient means to an end. He was using her. What made Thorne sick to his stomach was the fact that he probably would have done the same thing in his shoes. 

“Why did you come here today, Kataya?” 

“I-I don’t know. It’s like I can’t stay away from you. The pull I feel for you, it’s not natural. After your comment about soul mates, I was up half of the night on the internet researching the subject, and I guess I was starting to believe you. It was the only logical explanation. I mean, why would I be obsessing over you when I’m married to a man who is about to become the most powerful man in the world? It’s absurd.” 

Thorne took two long strides forward. Gently, he touched her cheek and caressed her throat with his fingertips, enjoying the feel of her warm skin, the beat of her heart beneath his fingertips. If Thanatos got his way, they would all be dead and gone, at least from this existence. What if he didn’t find her again?

Kataya let out a sigh as his hand drifted lower, following the line of her collarbone. 

Jesus, he had to have her. At least one more time. He felt his fingertips tangle in her mass of hair as he kissed her fiercely. His hand slid down her back, pulling her even closer. He couldn’t get close enough. 

Thankfully, she didn’t resist the kiss. Instead, she molded her body into his like they belonged together. 

“I need you, Kataya.” His voice was hoarse. 

She nodded her head in agreement. Effortlessly he picked her up, her legs wrapped around his waist and he carried her down the hallway to his bedroom. 

He laid her back on the bed and stroked her lightly through the cotton underwear. As soon as he touched her between her thighs, her knees dropped to the side. Quiet noises came from her throat. Thorne watched her, enthralled by her beauty. 

Gently he hooked his fingers in her underwear and pulled them down. He wanted to take his time with her. Enjoy every second of it. So very unlike him. 

Thorne swept a hand down over her hip. Her skin was so smooth and silky. She was impatient and lifted her hips, moaning and begging him to enter her. 

Not so fast, not this time
. He wanted her to experience the depth of his feelings for her since he wasn’t very good at expressing himself with words. 

Once he’d removed the rest of her clothes, his forearms slid under her back, and with his hands gripping her shoulders he slowly drove himself into her inch by inch. Fuck, she felt so good. When he had finally buried himself completely, he withdrew ever so slowly, continuing to make slow, deep thrusts. It wasn’t long before she was crying out his name and digging her nails into his shoulders as she shuddered beneath him. All with simple, slow movements. 

Lifting his head, he eased himself onto his elbows; her face was flushed and her eyes were bright. For the first time, he knew without a doubt she was Laurie. It didn’t matter what her outer shell looked like, it was Laurie on the inside. 

His is what she was. 

Ever so slowly his lips trailed down her throat toward her breast. Her body arched as her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him in deeper. His thrusts became quicker, deeper, filled with the primal need only she could bring out in him. Her breathing came out in short gasps almost putting him over the edge, but he restrained himself. He didn’t want this moment to end. If the world disappeared around them right now, he’d die a happy man. 

His tongue ran around her outer ear, and he whispered her name but it came out as a strangled cry. 

Groaning, he fought to regain control, but there was none left in him. Frantically their bodies came together. He felt possessed by her. 

Hours later their sweat-soaked bodies laid entwined together. 

Yes, she was his. Now he just had to convince her of that fact. 

They must have dozed off, because when Thorne awoke he was alone. A sudden pang of loneliness washed over him. “Kataya,” he yelled out, as he threw off the sheets and swung his long legs off the side of the bed before stumbling into the hallway in search of her. 

“Kitchen,” she replied.

He could hear plates clinking together. Was she doing his dishes? 

“You could put some clothes on,” Nike said, as her eyes cast downward. 

“I thought I got rid of you.” Would he ever be rid of the goddess?

“Sadly, no. But I’ve been having a little chat with the witch.” 

“Call her by her name,” Thorne said brusquely. 

When Kataya turned and met his eyes, a faint smile touched her lips.

Thorne drew a relieved breath. Who knew what the two of them had been talking about. 

“You really should put on some clothes,” Kataya said, moistening her lips. “You’re rather distracting, and I can barely walk as it is.” 

Thorne grinned, and with a thought he was wearing long pajama pants and a T-shirt. 

Kataya bit the side of her mouth and smiled. “Not much better, but I guess it will have to do. Have a seat, we need to talk.”

Thorne raised a brow at Nike as he pulled back the chair. Of course, she gave nothing away. 

“I read your thoughts while you slept. I know what you guys think Geoffrey is, but you’re wrong. He’s just a normal man. I’ve seen him have moments of weakness just like the rest of us. There is nothing evil about him and he doesn’t have some grand plan to destroy the world from the inside out. He really doesn’t. He wants to help the American people. Haven’t you been following his campaign? He’s got great ideas and America could really use a leader like him.” 

Thorne and Nike exchanged a glance. 

I think she’s been brainwashed.
Nike’s words echoed in his head.
It’s not even worth trying to persuade her. She won’t believe you. 

Thorne knew Nike was correct and it made him frustrated. Anything that he could come up with would sound outlandish, and she’d probably try to have him committed. 

Thorne leaned forward. “What if your husband was the real Thanatos?”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “He’s not. That’s insane.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking pensive for a moment. “And we’re not technically married. I mean, I guess we are, but the paperwork is under another name. Camille Anderson, not Kataya Clarke.”