Fallen for You (20 page)

Chapter 16

Kate and Neil agreed to keep their communication to phone calls and texts for the next few days. She knew that Neil wasn’t happy about the situation, but he respected her decision. She was worried that if Neil came over, he could become Roger’s next target. It had been five days since Roger had asked her to hold onto his airline ticket and money. She knew that the time was rapidly approaching when Roger would need his stuff since he would be traveling to Germany. She had managed to avoid him entirely for a couple of days, which was quite a feat. The times when she saw him on the way to campus gave her a perfect excuse not to hang out or talk.

She had been trying to think of a good excuse to return his things. What would sound benign and innocent? She finally came up with her plan and decided to execute it after work when she got home. He would most likely have his front door open. As she bound up the stairs, he opened his door as if he was Pavlov’s dog and she was ringing his bell.

“Hey, Kate, what are you doing tonight?” he asked.

“I have studying to do, but I was hoping you could come over for a minute.”

“I can come over right now,” he said a little too eagerly.

“Good,” she replied. Roger followed her inside her apartment. She didn’t shut the door behind him. She walked into the kitchen and opened the freezer, taking out the Ziploc bag containing his belongings. She strolled back over to him and extended her hand which held his things. “Listen, I want to give back your airline ticket, money, and other items. I don’t feel comfortable keeping this much cash in my apartment. If we were robbed, I wouldn’t be able to replace it,” Kate said.

She looked at him intently, unwilling to back down. This was her chance to take back some control.

“Oh, I’m sure that won’t happen,” he said.

Kate kept her hand extended. “Also, the police can’t charge you with a crime you didn’t commit. You really don’t have anything to worry about,” she said.

Roger reluctantly took back his stuff. He looked defeated.

“I guess you’re right, Kate. I just overreacted when the police questioned me. I’m sure you can understand. I couldn’t believe that they thought I would do anything to hurt Rose. I loved her very much. I was planning on asking her to marry me since she was pregnant with my child,” he stated with very little emotion.

Kate’s heart sank. She held back tears for Rose and her unborn child. She was conscious of her facial expression and did everything in her power to soften it. But she couldn’t bring herself to believe him, even though she pretended that she did.

“I’m so sorry that you have to go through this terrible situation. I can’t imagine what a huge loss this is for you. I know how much you loved her,” she said, hoping her acting was good enough.

“Thanks,” said Roger.

“Well, I probably should eat dinner and get to studying. I have a big exam to prepare for. I hope you have a wonderful time visiting Jacob. I bet he will be very excited to see you.”

“I’m sure we’ll see each other before I leave. I was hoping that we could hang out and talk over a glass of wine. It would be good to have a friend to talk to about Rose,” he said with a hopeful expression.

If she didn’t believe that he was the killer she would have consoled him, made some tea, been there for him.

“Oh, I’m sure we will see each other. I’m just super busy right now. It’s difficult going to school full-time and working,” she said, managing a weak smile.

Roger nodded. He looked like a beaten man as she walked him toward the door. She wouldn’t give in to what he wanted. They said good night and she closed her door.

***

Roger crossed over to his apartment. He was very frustrated that Kate wasn’t following his plan.
Why the hell isn’t this working out the way that he wanted it to? Didn’t she realize how much he wanted her?
He was going to have to tell her soon. Before his trip seemed like an appropriate time. She needed to know that he had feelings for her. She must be holding back because she thought he was grieving over Rose. That made sense. He was due to leave in less than a week. He decided that he would tell her how he felt about her. He’d make her listen and understand.

Chapter 17

It was Thursday. Kate and Neil had made plans to meet at his place for lunch. Neil had scheduled a three-hour break from the office. He picked up takeout and set the scene for their afternoon tryst.

Kate knocked on the beautiful oak door. She had been eager to see Neil all day. Going to her classes had practically been a waste of time. It was hard to concentrate when she knew she was going to see him.

Neil opened the door. He looked debonair in his black suit and grey tie. Drawing her to him, her body melted into his. “Hi, my beauty,” he whispered to her. “I’ve missed you so much these past few days.” He began kissing her hair and slowly made his way to her mouth. Once he found his target, he began kissing her with intense passion while his hands roamed her body. He moved her inside his apartment and shut the door while kissing her. He took her breath away.

He stopped for a brief moment to say, “Let’s go upstairs. I have a surprise for you.” She followed him upstairs to his master bathroom. It was lit with candles and he had drawn them a bath. He had added bath salts and bubbles to their bath, creating an idyllic setting.

“Oh, Neil, you’re so romantic. I love taking baths. I have a feeling I’m really going to love this bath in particular.”

“I hope so, my beauty. I just want you to relax and shut out everything in this world but you and me.”

“That’s an idea that I can completely embrace.”

Neil began undressing her. He started with the peach knit top that clung so nicely to her curves. He then unhooked her bra, freeing her beautiful breasts, and then slid her jeans and panties down her legs. In no time, he had her totally naked, just the way he liked it. Kate helped him take off his clothes and they entered the extra-large bathtub. Neil got in first, then Kate got in so she could lean against his body, her back lying on his chest. The aroma from the tub was familiar. It took her back to their shopping adventure in Seaport Village.

“Neil, you used the bath products from Sinfullicious, didn’t you?” she asked with a glint in her eyes.

“Yes, I did,” he said kissing her shoulder.

“I love that you are so thoughtful,” she said, holding onto his arms, which were wrapped around her.

“Well, I enjoy pleasing you. I want to make you happy.”

“Happy? You make me more than happy. I love that you are so attentive. You make me feel very special.”

“You are very special to me, Kate. I’m over the moon for you. You have captured me and I don’t want to be released,” he said turning her body over so that she now faced him. Her chest was pressed against his. “I know that everything has happened very rapidly. I just can’t help myself. I’ve fallen in love with you and…”

Kate put her fingers to his lips. “I’ve fallen in love with you too, Neil. I’ve tried to make sense of all of this over the last couple of days, but I’ve concluded that love doesn’t make sense. It just is.”

He kissed her reverently on the lips. “Sweetheart, I have something to ask you,” he said.

“Okay.”

“When you and Charlie move out, I want you to move in with me. I want us to live together. I know it is soon, but please don’t refuse me,” he said, looking adoringly into her eyes.

“I have found you very difficult to refuse since I helped you carry your packages out to your car and you pulled me close and whispered in my ear. You’ve pretty much had me since then.”

“So is that a yes?” he asked, his enthusiasm bubbling over.

“Yes, it is ba …”

She couldn’t finish because his tongue had enraptured her mouth. He kissed her like an addict in desperate need of his next fix. He pulled her out of the tub and wrapped a huge towel around them both to absorb the water. He dropped the towel to the floor, placed his hands on Kate’s waist and guided her to his bed. The whole time he kept his mouth covering hers. His velvet tongue stroking hers. His hand roamed down her hip to her sex. He slid his finger down to her clit, between her tender folds of flesh and found her wetness as his finger entered her.

“Oh, I love how your body is always ready for me.” With that, her knees bent and she fell on his bed. He got down on the floor and spread her apart. He began licking her clit in a circular motion. She groaned under his skillful tongue. He inserted two fingers in her. She propped herself up on her elbows so she could watch him between her legs. The image of his head bobbing between her thighs had been on her mind all day. His eyes were locked on hers as she felt the pleasure from the assault of his tongue mounting deep down within.

“Neil,” she began to say as her elbows gave way and she laid back.

“Baby, I’m going to take care of you, just let it all go. Come for me.” With his command she found her release, groaning loudly. “That’s the sound I like to hear. I want to hear you utter that sound every day.” She was pulsing around his fingers. He smoothly pulled them out and moved on top of her. His lips were glistening with her juice. He began rubbing his hardened tip against her, circling her clit. His kisses were sticky with the evidence of what he had just done to her. He sunk into her, letting out a hiss. “God, you feel so good. I love slipping in and out of you. Neil’s slow pace quickened. As he went faster, her breast began bouncing. “You turn me on so much.” She could feel him harden more. She knew he was ready to come. She squeezed him as hard as she could with her pelvic muscles. He yelled out as he exploded inside her. His pace slowed as he spilled into her. “Baby, what you do to me. Promise me again that you won’t ever make love anyone else. You are mine, always. Promise me.”

“I promise, Neil. I’m yours, always,” she said looking deeply into his eyes.

Chapter 18

It was early Friday morning. Kate’s alarm went off. She turned over, hit the snooze button, and smelled the delicious aroma of coffee brewing. Charlie was such a great roommate. She always got the coffee ready in the morning. Kate got up and headed to the kitchen. Charlie was already sitting with a cup of java, reading a file for work.

Charlie looked up as Kate entered the kitchen. “I really hate that we have to move out of our apartment,” Charlie lamented.

“I do too, but neither of us feels comfortable living here even though there is a possibility that Roger could be innocent,” Kate said. “He is too interested in our comings and goings. He opens his door practically every time one of us is leaving or getting home. There’s no way around it. It’s time to go,” she said directly.

“I know you’re right. When did you say that you are meeting with the owner of the apartment building? Mr. Quinn, right?”

“Right. I’m meeting him at Starbucks today at four. I’m leaving work early to meet with him. He wasn’t willing to do this over the phone. I know that you will be at work then, but it was the only time this week that he could meet with me. I really want to get our deposit back and explain to him what is going on and why we are moving. I hope that you don’t mind that I’m meeting him without you, Charlie.”

“Oh, it’s not a problem. I know you’ve got it under control. Thanks for taking care of this. I just want it over with as soon as possible. I think the townhouse that we found will work out very well, especially since we will have a garage. That will make me feel safer to be able to pull in and have the doors close behind me before I get out.”

“Actually, I have some exciting news. Neil asked me to move in with him yesterday and I said yes,” Kate said while putting sugar and creamer in her coffee.

“Wow! That is exciting, Kate. I know that I am going to sound like your mother, but are you sure that you’re ready for this? You haven’t known each other that long.”

“I know. This is going to sound crazy, but I know in my heart of hearts that he is the one for me. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. I’ve completely fallen in love with him and he has with me as well. He told me so yesterday.”

Charlie got up to hug Kate. “I’m so thrilled to finally see you happy again. You deserve to be with a great man. I really like Neil and I can see how you two go together.”

“Thanks, Charlie. Now you and Mitch can live in the townhouse together and move forward in your relationship.”

“You’re right. This is going to work out perfectly. But I’m going to miss seeing you every day.”

“Me, too. You have been there for me through everything. But we’ll always be tight. You’re my best friend.”

“Ditto.

“Well, I better get to work,” Charlie said.

“See you at later.” They gave each other another hug and Charlie headed out the door.

***

Mr. Quinn arrived promptly at 4 o’clock. He was dressed in a blue button-down shirt and khaki pants. The warm smile on his face was comforting.

“Mr. Quinn, thank you so much for meeting with me. I really appreciate it,” Kate said.

“Well, it sounded very urgent when we spoke on the phone. What can I do for you and your roommate?” he asked. Kate explained that Roger was a suspect in a murder investigation. She told Mr. Quinn about Roger being overly interested in her and how uncomfortable she and her roommate now felt living there. She said she was giving him notice and hoped that under the circumstances he would consider refunding their deposit.

“Wow, I have not heard a single thing about Rose’s murder or Roger being a suspect. I can understand how you and your roommate feel,” Mr. Quinn said. “In a normal situation, I wouldn’t let you break the lease, let alone refund your deposit. But, given these circumstances, I would be happy to do so as long as you leave the apartment as clean as when you moved in.”

“Then it’s settled. We will be moving out while Roger is in Germany. Also, we don’t want him to have our new address. We need you to send the deposit refund, not him.”

“That’s not a problem. I can take care of it.”