Passion(White Collared Part 4)(14)

Kate left Camille to finish packing and returned to her office. The widow had raised Kate’s darkest fear—Miles Joseph hadn’t killed Alyssa. What had been his motive? Had she known about Stephanie? Other than both of them being members of Benediction, there was no evidence to tie them together. With Miles Joseph dead, the police wouldn’t bother with any further investigation into the murder. For them, the case was closed.

Kate couldn’t help thinking that she was missing a part of the larger picture. She grabbed her briefcase, and as she left the firm, it occurred to her that she’d been so distracted by Camille Joseph that she had forgotten to speak with Lisa about the Reverend Pierce file, which was still in her possession. And Nick hadn’t come back to the office.

She revved the engine of her Harley and drove out of the parking garage into the dark night. Stopping at the light, she felt pulled in two directions, uncertain which way to turn. The magnetic pull of him was too tempting to resist. She had to see him. Had to know if what they shared was real.

No matter what Camille thought and regardless that she fantasized about being with them both, she wasn’t torn between the men. Her heart and head knew who she wanted.

She made a right toward the highway.

And hoped he was home.





Chapter Six

BY THE TIME Kate arrived at Jaxon’s a half an hour later, her teeth were chattering from the cold, and she couldn’t feel her nose. The temperature must have dropped ten degrees since she’d left her office. What had possessed her to come all this way without calling him first?

At the box at the gate, she pressed the buzzer and waited for a response. Surprisingly, the gate opened. Why hadn’t he asked who it was? Was he expecting someone?

She drove through, and as she pulled up to his house, she saw Jaxon on the porch, his hands fisted at his sides. She removed her helmet and got a better look at him. In the days since she’d seen him, he’d grown a short beard and mustache, which immediately made her think of how it would feel between her thighs. His hair was unkempt and he wore a ratty black Henley over jeans.

She got off her bike and ambled closer, catching his woodsy scent on the wind. “Were you expecting someone else?”

Glowering, he didn’t look happy to see her. “No. I heard the rattle of your bike’s engine through the intercom. What are you doing here?”

She stopped in her tracks, the collar growing heavy like an anchor around her neck. “I’m sorry. You said you needed time, and I should’ve respected that. I’ll go.” She sprinted toward her bike, cursing herself under her breath.

“Kate!” Jaxon ran up behind her, grabbed her by her arm, and spun her around. “Don’t go. You just caught me at a bad moment.” Distress in his eyes, he leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers. “Please stay.” His voice cracked, and so did her resistance.

She’d missed him so much, she physically ached. She had to force herself not to tip up her head and crash her mouth to his. In lieu of doing what she craved, she simply nodded.

He exhaled and dropped his shoulders as he took her hand and led her inside his house. His gaze bounced around as if he wasn’t sure where he wanted to take her. The living room? The bedroom? The playroom? Sensing his confusion, she tugged him toward the staircase. Letting go of his hand, she sat on the second step and patted the spot beside her. Since she didn’t know how long she’d be staying, she didn’t bother taking off her coat.

As if he had a headache, he radiated tension, deep frown lines creasing his forehead and around his eyes. She was at a loss as to what to say or do for him. If he’d only allow her to unzip him and take his magnificent cock into her mouth, she would suck the stress right out of him. That not being an option, she went for the more classic route. Small talk.

“So . . . how’ve you been?”

It sounded as bad as it had in her head.

His eyebrows rose and a bit of smile played on his face. “I’ve been better.”

Right. He’d lost his wife and now, through no fault of his own, his career. “I heard the board is going to remove you. I’m sure Nick would represent you in a lawsuit against them.”

His shoulder bumped into hers, the innocent touch sending a bolt of electricity down to her nipples.

Oblivious to the small fire he’d just lit, he spread his legs and settled his elbows on his knees. “It stung, don’t get me wrong, but it was the right thing to do not only for the business but for me as well. I didn’t grow up thinking about becoming a venture capitalist.”

“What did you want to be?”

“Truthfully? An attorney.” He smirked and she laughed, thinking how quickly small talk had turned into a deeper conversation. “I’ve changed my mind. Now I want to do something to help people. Maybe go back to school and become a social worker. The whole world knowing my sexual preferences makes it a little difficult.”