Surrendering(33)

“So, you ready to hit the gym?”

“Ready. Just let me get my music.”

She grabbed her iPhone and headphones and headed down to the gym with Ren, making comfortable small talk the entire way.

___________





She’d been working hard for over an hour and a half now. She’d run five miles, deciding to forgo weight lifting in lieu of spending more time practicing her Jeet Kune Do. She hadn’t practiced much lately, and with the possibility of being in danger, she thought it’d be a good idea to practice.

She’d secretly been hoping Dev would make an appearance, but so far he was a no show. She missed him, and how stupid was that? It had only been a couple hours since she last saw him.

Thinking back to the other men she’d dated since high school, she could resolutely say that none of them affected her mind, body and soul the way Dev did. When they were in the same vicinity, desire fired like sparks through her body and all rational thought fled. Yes, he was the most handsome man she’d ever met, but she couldn’t understand her unreasonable attraction to him. It was completely out of her control and she was never out of control of anything in her life. Well…except her dreams.

She’d finished her workout and, true to goal, she was exhausted. She was looking forward to a shower and maybe a bite to eat before settling down for a bit to do some research, then hitting the hay. She wasn’t quite sure she knew how to get back to her room, but thought she’d muddle through. Eventually she’d find it. This place needed a map upon check-in. She was trying to remember how they got down here so she could retrace her steps when the door opened and in walked Dev.

Oh, wow. He was mouthwatering. Dressed in cream-colored slacks and a soft, black button-down shirt, he looked freshly showered.

“Hi.” Curse her for sounding breathless.

“Hi yourself. Did you have a good workout?” He walked across the gym toward her.

“I did.” She held her hand, palm facing him. “You probably don’t want to get too close, though. I’m sure I smell pretty rank at the moment.” Her face was probably red as a beet, too. Lovely.

“Oh, I doubt that. You always seem to smell good to me.” At his compliment, she felt herself blush. He ushered her out of the gym, starting their way back to her room. “Join me for dinner.”

“I don’t know, Dev. I have a lot of research to do.” Dinner together had become their ‘thing’, but was it smart to spend any more time than necessary with him? That would be a big fat N-O.

“Come on. You have to eat. We can’t break tradition now,” he winked.

“I don’t know—”

“Please, Kate. You can catch up your research tomorrow.”

Unable to say no, she agreed. “Okay…twist my arm.”

His winning smile zinged directly to her sex. Good god…she was in so much trouble.





Chapter 20





Kate





Kate tossed and turned, unable to let sleep take her. After dinner, they’d talked and even played a game of pool, which she’d won fair and square. He’d given her another soul-sucking kiss before telling her goodnight and once again, she’d been disappointed. She wanted his hands all over her. She wanted his cock pushing into her body. She wanted his mouth on her. She wanted him to take her completely. She wanted that in real life, not just in her dreams, and it was right in front of her for the taking. All she had to do was let herself have it.

She felt like one of those wishy-washy females she always made fun of. Kate was not flighty. She knew what she wanted—at least up until a few days ago. Now she felt like she’d been playing a very bad game of Atari, watching that tiny blip ping back and forth between two sides, the paddles too small to keep the stupid thing from slipping by.

Sleep with him, not sleep with him. Sleep with him. No. Ahhhh!!! If she slept with him, a broken heart was inevitable. She got emotionally attached. As much as she tried to convince herself otherwise, she just didn’t know if she could do casual. But other women did it, so why couldn’t she? She hoped to god they caught this kidnapper soon so she could just be on her way and then she’d be fine. She could then get Devon Fallinsworth back into her dreams where he belonged.

Exhaustion finally took her. She fell sleep hoping for another dreamless night, but it wasn’t meant to be. Instead, she dreamed of Sarah Hill. Sarah was tied down spread eagle to a steel table in what appeared to be a surgical room of some sort. Her feet and hands were bound. She was naked and appeared to be sleeping, but Kate knew better. She had an IV in her arm, with tubing that led to a bag filled with clear liquid. There were several naked vampires in the room with her. Oh my God. She was going to be sick. Who would do such a horrible thing to such a young, beautiful girl?