Once More (Mercy Heart #1) (14 page)

Chapter 20

An unfamiliar noise jolted Katelyn from her slumber, but just as quickly, she identified the sound as Clem’s snoring next to her.  Shaking her head with a smile, she slipped out of the bed, stopping in the bathroom before putting on a robe and heading for the kitchen.  She started the coffee but was interrupted by a knock at the door.  She peeked through the window and saw Liam and Sawyer on her front steps.  They knew she had been out with Marc the night before, and if she didn’t answer the door, they might think she’d spent the night with him.  Breathing in deep, she adjusted her robe and opened the door.

“Good morning, gentlemen.  What brings you by this morning?”

“Good morning, love,” Liam said as he slipped past her into her house.  Sawyer shook his head and gave her an apologetic grin before she regretfully stepped out of the way so he could enter as well.

“We are taking a little road trip today to Eureka Springs and thought you might want to join us,” Sawyer said.

“Yes, please do join us. You’ve been in a dreadful mood lately and you need to just get past it.”  Liam eyed her thoughtfully.  “Though, at the moment, you don’t appear to be in a dreadful mood.  You are downright glowing.  What has put a spring in your step, love?  If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you have gotten laid, but surely that isn’t the case since you went out with Marc last night.  Or is it the case?  Did you get freaky with Captain Buttoned-Up?”  Her expression must have given her away because Liam didn’t wait for her answer.  “You did!  You slept with Marc!”

“Try again, Sherlock.”

Three heads turned towards the doorway where a smiling Clem was leaning, looking absolutely delectable in only his tuxedo pants from last night, unbuttoned and laying dangerously low on his hips.  In the light of day, his body was magnificent, with broad shoulders and a light smattering of hair across his muscular chest that trailed down the center of a set of washboard abs that should be considered illegal.  Liam sat speechless, his mouth agape before Sawyer reached up and shut it for him.  With an irritated cough, Sawyer spoke first.

“Obviously, you aren’t interested in a road trip today.  We’ll just get out of your hair.”  He started towards the door, but Liam still hadn’t moved.  “Liam!”

“What?  Right, get out of your chest hair.  I mean, hair!  The hair on your head.  Get out of your hair.  See you later, you two.”  Obviously flustered, Liam hurried after Sawyer, shutting the front door behind them, but not before Katelyn and Clem heard Sawyer giving him an earful. 

Crossing the kitchen, Katelyn grabbed two coffee mugs from the cabinet and started to pour them both a cup.  Her movements were stilled as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, sneaking a hand in under her robe.  Finding her bare underneath, his breath hitched at his good fortune.  “Do you always answer the door in just your robe?  If I didn’t know Liam, I might be a little jealous.”  He trailed kisses up the column of her throat, whispering in her ear.  “I was disappointed to wake up alone this morning.  I was hoping for a repeat performance of last night.” 

Without turning around, Katelyn enjoyed the feel of his lips on her neck, but a mischievous smile played across her face. “Really?  So soon?”

In confusion, he jerked back.  “Is something wrong?”  Considering for the first time that the activities from the previous evening had occurred after all that time had passed, he leaned in close and whispered, “Was last night too much for you, baby?”

Turning, she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him lightly with a naughty grin.  “Nope, not at all.  I just thought maybe we could hit the showers first.  It’s always been a fantasy of mine.”  With a wink, she slinked away, leaving him standing in the kitchen for the briefest of moments contemplating any number of fantasies he looked forward to trying with her before he shucked his pants and chased after her. 

When he entered the bathroom, Katelyn was already in the shower, water cascading down the curves of her body.  He froze in his tracks, watching her soap up and wondering what the hell he could have possibly done to deserve this gorgeous goddess waiting for him to join her.  He opened the shower door and stepped in.  She smiled shyly at him, with a look that made him feel like the king of the whole damn world.  Running his hands down her torso and back up, he pulled her close to him and kissed her like his next breath depended on it.  She melted into his body, and he took the opportunity, sliding his muscular thighs between her legs.  Moaning, he cupped her behind in his hands and effortlessly lifted her up, leveraging her against the wall.  She instinctively wrapped her legs around his body and slid down onto his shaft until he was seated deep inside of her.  Their lips never left each other as he pumped in and out of her.  The delicious friction brought on her climax swiftly, bringing him over the peak as well.   It still felt unreal that he had her back, and he relished the feeling of holding her so close. 

Breaking their kiss, she grinned.  “Mmm…that definitely lived up to the fantasy.”

Smirking, he set her down.  “I am reserving judgment until we try it a dozen more times, at least.”

Laughing, they finished their shower.  Clem, decked only in a towel, checked the front porch and found a bag that Stuart had left for him.  Back in the bedroom, Clem and Katelyn dressed for the day, in casual attire that was perfect for a visit to the farmer’s market. 

They grabbed lunch from a food truck and then, walking hand in hand, they browsed all of the booths.  The brothers who flirted with her on previous visits were subdued today, most likely due to the fact that Clem was sending out the vibes of a very possessive man, letting the other men know that Katelyn belonged to him.  As an independent woman, she knew she should have been furious, but she couldn’t deny that she enjoyed it. 

Back at Clem’s apartment, they worked together, slicing the vegetables and grilling some steaks for dinner.  Afterwards, they relaxed on his balcony, enjoying what remained of the warmth of the day.  Their conversations flowed easily as they talked about everything and nothing at all.  Her feet laid in his lap, which he alternately rubbed as they talked.

Clem’s phone vibrated regularly, but he ignored it until it beeped in a particular sequence.  Picking it up, he grinned and showed her the picture message he’d just received.  “This is my nephew, Landon.  He just turned four.”  The little boy with a sticky face in the picture had a smile that could brighten anyone’s day. 

Smiling, she looked up at Clem and was taken aback by the sheer adoration on his face.  “Do you spoil him rotten?” 

He nodded, grinning.  “Oh, absolutely.  He’s the coolest kid ever.  He’s so funny and brilliant.”  Looking down at the picture, he quietly confessed.  “I’d do anything for him.”

She reached out and caressed the hair at the nape of his neck.  “He’s very lucky to have an uncle like you.” 

Clem smiled up at her.  “I’d love for you to meet him.  He’d have you wrapped around his finger in nothing flat.” 

Quietly, she replied.  “I’d love that.  If he’s anything like his uncle, I’m sure he’s very charming.”

Studying her face for a moment, Clem paused, weighing the moment before he continued.  “Do you want children?”

Halting her motions, she was speechless for a beat.  She resumed playing with his hair and took a few more seconds to think.  “Honestly, I’ve never thought about it.  I do like kids.  I’ve just never allowed myself to imagine that I could have that white picket fence, two-point-five kids, and a slobbery mutt picture-perfect life.  How about you?”

“I’ve always thought it would be fun to have a big family.  Five kids, maybe?”

Shocked, she sat up straight.  “Five kids!?!”  She sat back and then nervously laughed.  “Well, I guess you have the resources to support a family that size.”

Chuckling, he agreed.  “I guess I do.” 

His cell phone rang, and when he checked the number, his shoulders slumped.  “This is one of my project managers.  I have to take it.”

She gestured for him to take the call.  She started to stand up, but he halted her motions, keeping her feet in his lap.

“This is Clem….Are we ready for Austin?...Fantastic.  How about Indianapolis?...Great.  I also have installations coming up in Portland and we’re almost ready to sign the contract in Memphis.  Do you have anything else for me?...Okay, keep up the good work.”

As Katelyn listened to his conversation, she heard him speak of all the work coming his way and she knew he’d be busy jet setting across the country for months at a time keeping his business going.  He hadn’t mentioned anything about trying to maintain a long distance relationship.  Even if they did try to make a go of it, did she want to spend more time alone than together?  Suddenly she felt exhausted, the weight of her emotions bringing her down.  When he hung up, she smiled weakly at him.  “It has been a really long day.”

With a question on his face, he looked at her.  “We can move this into the bedroom if you want.”

Looking away, she spoke quietly.  “I should probably head home.  I have to be at the office in the morning.”

Frustrated, he stood and walked to the railing.  Turning, he looked down at her.  “What’s going on?  I thought we were passed all of this.”

Standing, she slipped on her shoes and went to him, walking into his open arms.  He placed a kiss on the top of her head and hugged her tight.  She relished the feel of being in his arms, which only made her feel more somber as she thought about how hard it would be to not have this with him all of the time.  “I had a great night.  I love spending time with you.  I just need to get home and get ready for the week.”

Feeling his assessing gaze on her, she couldn’t meet his eyes.  He sighed heavily, and then walked her back inside.  Wordlessly they rode the elevator down together and he walked her to her car. 

Wrapping his arms around her, he didn’t want to let her go.  “Katelyn, I…”.  He had been planning on saying it all night, but with her abrupt change in attitude, he didn’t want to scare her away again.  She stared at him with her wide eyes, fear written all across her face.  Caressing her cheek, he softly asked, “Baby, what are you afraid of?”  A lone tear rolled down her cheek, but she shook her head and pursed her lips, refusing to answer. 

“I wish I could ease your fears.  You have to know how I feel about you.  I…I love you, angel.”

Hearing those words come from him lips took her breath away.  But she just wasn’t ready to put her heart out there.  She needed a little more time to figure it out.  “Clem, I…”

When she continued to hesitate, he saved her from herself.  “It’s okay, baby.  I understand you.  I love you, and nothing could change that.”

With a final kiss goodbye, she climbed inside and pulled away, leaving Clem standing in the garage with his hands in his pockets and a look of melancholy mixed with determination on his face. 

Chapter 21

Katelyn grabbed her coffee and headed out for the start of another workweek.  Climbing into her car with Clem front and center on her mind, she couldn’t help but close her eyes and smile at the memory of the wonderful weekend they’d had together.  Her smile faltered as she thought to herself how inevitable pain was coming her way when he left town.  She was happy that his company was so successful, but knowing he would be leaving for another project soon was breaking her heart into pieces.  Trying to distract herself, she looked down at her phone and saw she had received a few text messages.  Her pulse picked up when she realized the messages were from Clem.

** My bed was extremely lonely without you this morning, angel.  Meet me for lunch? **

** Or better yet, how about you call in sick and we’ll spend the day together in bed? **

Katelyn smiled, her insides clenching at the idea of more alone time with Clem.  Discipline won out, and she replied.

** I’m afraid I have meetings all day. You may have heard about the huge project we have going on. **

She couldn’t help but laugh out loud when his response came through seconds later.

** I’ve got a HUGE project for you right here.  It needs your immediate attention. **

Just as she began to answer, another message came through.  Assuming it was Clem, she was surprised to see it was from Marc.

** You left your wrap in my car.  Want to drop by and get it?  I’m working from home today. **

Marc’s home was just ahead.  It seemed strange that he would not be going into the office since he rarely missed work.  Katelyn hoped he wasn’t embarrassed about what happened at the party.  She hated to think that their relationship would be awkward from this point on.

** Sure.  I’ll be there in two minutes. **

Pulling into a parking spot in front of Marc’s home, Katelyn went up his front steps and rang the doorbell.  Standing there for a few moments, she checked her watch and started to leave when a gloved hand came from behind and held a cloth up to her face.  Recognition, followed quickly by fear, dawned on her.  Too late, she cursed herself for inhaling, and then just as rapidly, the effects of the inhalant took over, causing her to lose consciousness.

*    *     *    *

Clem stared at his phone, waiting for Katelyn to respond.  Fearing that she found his innuendo childish, he pulled into the parking garage and went directly to her office.  Margaret sat at her desk, scrutinizing the computer monitor through her bifocals and furiously tapping random keys on her keyboard. 

“Margaret, is Katelyn in yet?”  Clem walked past her to Katelyn’s office, but the light was still off, making it apparent that Katelyn hadn’t made it there.

“No, dear.  Katelyn texted and let me know that she was working from home today.  There must be something going around, because one of the ladies from the business office said Mr. Marc was under the weather and working from home today as well.”

Clem was out of the office and heading back to his car without hearing the end of Margaret’s sentence.   With dread, he called Stuart and interrupted his greeting.  “Stuart, check in with Katelyn’s security. “ 

“Already ahead of you, Clem.  Her phone dropped off the GPS map.”

“Where is the team tailing her?”

After a brief hesitation, Stuart exhaled.  “They lost her.”

Anger coursed through him.  No, this can’t be happening. 
I just got her back! 
Slamming his fist onto the roof of his car, his voice, despite being laced with pain, grew louder.   “How the hell did that happen?” 

“They followed her until she got close to the hospital, assuming she wasn’t going to make any more stops.  They-,“ Stuart hesitated for the briefest of moments. “They pulled into a drive-thru for some breakfast.” 

Clenching his jaw so tight, he could barely get the words out.  “Fire them.”

“Clem, let’s be reasonable –“.

“Reasonable?  I’d say I’m being pretty damn reasonable right now.  I’d like to do way worse than fire them, in the form of brutal torture.  I hired them to do a job, and they failed.  The woman I love is missing.  Fire. Them.”

“If she’s really missing, we need them to help us locate her.  Believe me, they feel awful about this.  They want to make it right.”

Clem leaned against his car, an internal battle with fear and rage wreaking havoc on his ability to remain upright.  With his head resting on his forearm, he breathed in and out to calm himself down, though his voice broke when he spoke.  “We’ve got to find her, Stuart.  I-I can’t lose her again.  I haven’t made up for all of the lost time yet.  I need her to know.  She has to know that I love her.”

“Clem, don’t go anywhere.  I have located her car.  I’m on my way to get you.  Stay put.  We will find her, I promise.”