Mine, Not Hers (True Love Book 1) (23 page)

Katie

Finally
! It takes us forty minutes to get the car parked in the parking garage and get into the hotel. Colleen had to leave us twenty minutes ago to get ready. Melanie will put on her best act as Cynthia Berry so we can get a room key. If they ask her what her room number is, she’ll do her best southern drawl, drunk woman impression that I’ve seen for real so many times. I step away from the crowd, and stand by a pillar.

I definitely don’t want to be seen by anyone right now, especially by her or Jason. I watch as Melanie intentionally heads for the youngest male desk clerk. In no time at all, she suckers him into a new key. Amazing. She could have probably gotten him to open the penthouse for her if she squeezed her cleavage a bit more. She comes back to me, and she’s glowing.

“I haven’t had a guy look at me like that in so long, it makes me feel so young!”

“You are young, relatively speaking. And you’re adorable, why wouldn’t the guys notice?”

She blushes, and fake punches me.

“Let’s go, already.” She pulls me toward the elevators.

“OK, her room is 533, and Colleen and Tom’s room is 1116. Do you want me to walk with you to the room, then leave?”

I think for a second.

“No, it’s OK. This is between us, I feel guilty enough for how much I’ve involved you and Colleen already. I owe you both so much; I don’t even know how to express it. Thank you, Mel. You’re a great friend.”

She smiles and gives me a quick hug. The elevator stops on the fifth floor and the doors open. I look at her, take a deep breath and head out into the hallway. The doors close behind me, and I’m alone. It seems as if ninety percent of the hotel guests are all down in the lobby, and this floor seems especially desolate. I stand still for a few moments to see if I can hear anything. Nothing.

These hallways are long, and house a large number of rooms. I’m willing my feet to put one in front of the other. It gets harder and harder for my brain to obey that simple command the closer I get to her room. What if they're not there? Where will I even begin to look?

Jason

Oh God, she’s pointing the gun straight at me and her hands are shaking. She could fire it without intending. My thoughts are singular: Just get the gun, just get the gun.

“Hey, babe, why are you doing this? Where did this come from? I’m just concerned for your happiness. If you want to be together, we can be together. Please don’t hurt me.”

That seems to change something in her, the thought of hurting me.

“I don’t believe you, Jason. You just want out of this baby and us, don’t you? You just want to keep fucking that whore.”

Her eyes are wild. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then her soul is in trouble.

“No, of course not, babe, I’m thrilled! I can’t wait to be a dad for our baby. Maybe it’ll be a little girl and look just like you, beautiful.”

I inch a little closer, but she’s standing her ground. “No, Jason, you don’t think I’m beautiful, you don’t even want to fuck me. Fuck me, and show me I’m beautiful to you. Make love to my body with your baby growing inside me, then I’ll believe you.”

Just get the gun, just get the gun.

“Sure, anything for you. I want you, Cynthia.”

She melts; that’s exactly what she wanted to hear. She lowers the gun and gives me a huge, creepy smile.

“I
knew
it, Jason! I love you. You love me too, right?”

I nod. Just get the gun, just get the gun.

“Sure, babe, lets get on the bed.”

I close in on her, still slowly because I see her finger is still on the trigger even though she lowered the gun.

“Why don’t you take your clothes off, so I can see your beautiful body?”

She drops the gun to the floor, and grabs the bottom of her dress. I reach for the gun when her face is covered by her dress, and I hear a key swipe in the door. Completely naked, Cynthia hears it too, and tries to get the gun back. We both look up and see Katie walk through the door, eyes wide. From her point of view, all she sees is me wrestling on a bed with a naked woman. The look on her face is enough to bring me to my knees.

“Katie, no!”

She turns and runs, which is what I was hoping for so that the gun wouldn’t get turned on her. I stand up, pull the gun from the psycho’s hands and look at her.

“You are one sick bitch, you know that? I hope you rot in hell.”

I grab the house phone and dial 911. I keep the gun on her until the cops arrive. She is incoherent and speaking gibberish. They put a hotel robe around her body and arrest her. I give them my statement after they take her away. I let it all out. Everything. I tell them I had evidence, tell them everything she has told me about what she had been doing the last few years. I stay in the room, away from the mob scene in the lobby surely going on with police and a crazy woman being taken away. I need to be able to get out of here without the drama. The image of Katie’s tormented face is indelibly etched on my brain. The last thing I’ve ever wanted is to cause her pain in any way. I’ve dedicated my life to being her lover, her supporter, her protector and her friend. I feel like a failure.

I get my car from the valet, and speed home. I don’t know how she got to the hotel, I assume she was with the girls, but I hope she’ll be home when I get there. If she left as soon as she ran from the room, she would have plenty of time to make it back. The thought of losing her socks me in the gut. I feel like I can’t breathe. Please God, just let her listen to me.

Katie

I hear quiet mumbling as I put they key in. The electronic lock engages, and makes a loud click. I push open the door, and I blink, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Jason has one knee on the bed, kneeling over her, and she’s naked. They're moving around ferociously with each other. It’s all happening too fast, my brain can’t process what I’m seeing. I can’t tell if he has his pants on or off. My first instinct is to run.

I run down the hall as fast as I can, pausing only for a moment to vomit, then I keep running. I can’t wait for the elevator, so I head for the stairs to sprint the six floors up to Tom and Colleen’s room where Melanie is waiting for me. I can’t form a sentence to call or text her, I just have to keep moving. I feel as if my lungs will explode as I reach the eleventh floor. Thank God I remember the room number as I continue my sprint. I knock once on the door, ready to collapse, and Melanie opens it quickly.

“Oh my God! What happened?”

I fall on the bed, crying. Melanie looks like she wants to cry, too.

“Please, God, Katie, tell me what happened! Do I need to go down there? Please tell me!”

I try my best to catch my breath, as I roll onto my back to face her.

“She was naked, Mel! He was holding her arms! I didn’t have to look twice, I just ran.”

Melanie walks over and texts Colleen, who replies that she’ll be right up. When Colleen reaches the room, she opens the door and storms in.

“What the fuck did he do to you? He’s
dead
, Katie, dead!”

Colleen grabs her phone and dials his cell. No answer.

“Goddamn him! He’s not getting away with this, Katie. He’s been my friend for too long, I just can’t believe he would do this.”

Colleen storms into the bathroom and slams the door. A few minutes later she comes out with her hair in a ponytail, and she has put her jeans back on.

“Lets go home.”

She grabs her purse and keys, and motions for us to move. She sends Tom a quick text as we head down to the lobby. Fortunately, the hubbub from earlier in the garage is gone, and we find the car and get on the road. I feel like I have a frog in my throat. I can’t say a word. I’ve never fully understood, on a personal level, the word “devastated.” I get it now. That’s the only word that pops into my head: Devastated.

We get back to my house in record time. Of course, he’s not there. I don’t know what he did after I ran, I just remember hearing him calling my name. His voice sounded distressed, and I’m sure it was. It’s not everyday you get caught with a naked woman under you. My dreams, in a weird way, prepared me for this. I feel just like I did in my dreams when they were together and I watched. It’s the same feeling of heartbreak and loss.

Melanie and Colleen are standing and staring, waiting for me to say something. I don’t think either of them wants to be here when he gets home, Melanie, because she would defend me, and Colleen, because she’d kill him. I can tell they both want to be a good friend and stay, but it’s too awkward.

“You can both go. I need to speak to him alone if he shows up.” I can feel how puffy my face is from crying.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying. I’m sure he won’t want to see me either,” Colleen says with a snort.

“Me too, Kat. I’d be happy to stay,” says Melanie.

“No, please go. I’m going to pour a large glass of wine and wait for him to show up. We need to be alone.”

They both head for the door.

“OK,” Mel says, “but if you need me, I’m here in a flash. Understand?”

“Yes, I do. And thank you both. I don’t know what I would have done without your support. Colleen, I’m so sorry I ruined your weekend, and please tell Tom I’m sorry, too.”

“Don’t you worry about Mr. Tom, I’ll treat him right. I love you girl. I’ll call you first thing in the morning before we leave. If you need me to stay a few extra days, I’ll be happy to.”

I blow them a kiss, and they're gone. Now I wait.

Katie

I hear his car pull into the garage with a squeal. He must have been flying up the driveway. I’ve been home alone for nearly an hour now. I can’t stop seeing the scene play out in my mind.

My cellphone buzzes before he makes it into the house. I see it’s Colleen, sending me a text:
Call me right now!

Jason walks in just as I’m reading the text. He looks drawn and sad. He looks at my face, and begins to cry. Tears are pouring down his face and onto the floor. I try to keep it together but I can’t, my heart is broken. I start crying, too, and we’re stuck in our respective spots, weeping. My cell buzzes once more. It’s Colleen again:
Don’t speak to Jason until you call me! Now!

I hold up a finger to excuse myself, and head to the bathroom. I call her and she picks up instantly.

“Oh my God! What drama! When I got back to the hotel tonight, the cops were taking her out in handcuffs! She was babbling like crazy and looked demented. Has Jason said anything yet? Do you know what happened? I think what you saw, was not what you
think
you saw. Let him talk, OK? If you need me, I’m here for you.”

She hangs up without letting me speak. I walk back to the living room like a zombie. Jason is standing in the same spot.

“What happened?”

I watch at him intently and wait for an explanation. He looks relieved that he is going to be given a chance. He rushes to me and gives me a bear hug. I feel the wetness from his cheeks, and it breaks my heart. I start crying again.

“What did she do to you, honey?”

He squeezes me tighter, and begins to tell the story.

Katie

One year later

The drama has finally all come to an end. Jason and his private investigator spent weeks going over evidence that Jason could present against her. She was admitted to a psychiatric facility to “rest” while awaiting trial. She suffered a second breakdown and was deemed unfit to testify. Her parents pulled some strings and had her sent back to Massachusetts to recover.

Jason and I have never been closer, if that’s possible. Our relationship began with innocence. We’ve grown from this, both individually and as a couple. I’ve learned to listen to my inner voice more closely, and have realized that my intuition is stronger than normal. If I’m really focusing, I can sense when the world around me is trying to tell me something.

My dreams about Jason continue, but are different. Sienna helped me recognize certain signs when I dream about him now. I know when he’s anxious, happy, sad or even horny. Those dreams come often, and I don’t mind them.

Melanie decides to leave Chris. After my drama, she realized that her married life had died a long time ago. He agreed easily, like we were afraid he would, but it made it easier for her to move on. I know in the back of her mind she was hoping that he would fight for her to stay, but she knew in her heart that he wouldn’t and she was right. She’s content now to focus on her boys, but I can see how lonely she is. She’s a beautiful, sweet person who will find the love she deserves.

Jason

Colleen is impossible. She knows how important this trip is to me, and she’s taking her own sweet time getting here. We’re finally getting around to taking our trip to Paris. Colleen is coming for a “visit”, which is really a front for her to watch the kids until my mom can do it. It was also the perfect way to trick Katie, because she’s been focused for weeks on Colleen’s trip down.

I owe her and Melanie huge debts of gratitude for everything they did for Katie and me throughout this past year. It was hard on Katie having to see and hear all the evidence that we had against Cynthia. She handled it like a pro, though, and we’re closer than ever. She is my lifeblood and I need her near me.

Thank God. Colleen is finally here, and Katie is sprinting to the door. They hug, fall down and roll around. It does my heart good to see Katie this happy. Now that I think about it, maybe she’ll be disappointed she’s not spending the weekend with Colleen.

I head upstairs to grab my bag. She thinks I’m going out of town overnight. I used my larger suitcase and stuffed as much for her as I could. I’m going to take her shopping when we get there; I just want to make sure she has what she needs. We’re spending the night downtown tonight and taking the first flight out in the morning. I want to wine and dine her properly before we head out. I want us both as relaxed as we can be. We need it.

I see the two of them gabbing on the couch as I head downstairs. She is thrilled to have her friend here. They talk almost daily on the phone, and I can’t imagine what they could say to each other right now. Their friendship has grown the past year. Katie realizes that she needs more contact outside our little world, and she has had Melanie and Colleen there all along.

She’s taken a part-time job at the kids’ school as a fill-in nurse. It’s enough to keep her skills up and get out of the house. She’s also on their schedule so she doesn’t feel like she’s missing out on anything. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this happy or fulfilled. Last year was a wake-up call for her. The realization that a lunatic could have killed me struck her to the core. She has matured into an even more amazing woman.

She looks up, sees my bag, and her face drops. Even the thought of having Colleen around doesn't make it any easier for her when I leave. It’s like having to remove your right arm for a few days, continuing to try to function normally.

“Oh, yuck. The suitcase,” she says, with an exaggerated pout. They both stand up to say goodbye to me.

“Well, what if I told you I had a little surprise for you?”

Her eyes widen.

“After all, it
is
Valentine’s Day. Colleen has agreed to watch the kids while we go to an early dinner. After that, I’ll bring you back here and then head to the airport.”

Colleen is grinning bigger than she should be. Don’t give me up!

“Oh, honey, that sounds wonderful. I’ve been so preoccupied with Coll coming down, I sort of forgot. Of course,
you
wouldn’t. You’re the greatest husband a woman could ask for. How long do I have to get ready?”

I don’t get women. She looks perfect right now, just as she is.

“What do you have to do? You’re beautiful.”

I kiss her on the cheek, and she blushes. I love that after all these years, I can still make her blush.

“Give me twenty.” She runs up the stairs. I take this opportunity to drag Colleen into the other room so I can give her our info.

“Jason, I haven’t had five minutes with you since all the craziness happened. I just want you to know that I never suspected you of cheating on Katie. Granted, I did have some brief doubts near the end, but I always knew in my heart you could never hurt her like that. I love you both.” She gives me a huge hug.

“Well, I know that if it weren’t for you and Melanie helping Katie through it all, it could have ended much differently. I won’t ever forget that. You helped save my marriage, and possibly my life. Katie is blessed to have you as a friend, and so am I.”

Here come the waterworks. She starts to cry and throws herself at me for another hug. Katie walks in and starts to laugh.

“What the hell? Why’d you make her cry?” She heads over to us, and joins in the hug. I feel like an idiot.

“Just reminiscing, you know her,” I say as I slowly back out of the circle. Katie laughs again.

“Don’t worry, Coll, we’ll have plenty of time for that later. Now, I’m off with my Prince Charming. We’ll be home before our carriage turns back into a pumpkin.”

She tosses a wave back at Colleen. We’re off. Katie is talking a mile a minute when we get in the car.

“Tom bought her a new car as a surprise. You know, he really is a great guy. I wish we could see both of them more, I know you guys would really become great friends.”

I’m thankful she’s chatty. It calms my nerves for the surprise tonight. I had the hotel send two-dozen roses, strawberries and champagne to our room before we arrive. I also dropped off a small Eiffel Tower statue. The restaurant I told her we’re going to is in the lobby, so she won’t be suspicious when we arrive.

“Here we are, sweetheart.”

We pull up in front, and I tell her to go inside so I can handle the valet. I need to give him our bag before she sees it. I meet her inside, and we head toward the restaurant. I checked in this afternoon, so I have our room key in my pocket.

“You know, honey, we’re early for our reservation. Why don’t we head up to the sixth floor? They have a piano bar up there. We can grab a drink first.”

She nods her head in approval. She’s enraptured by the beauty of the hotel. Dark paneling, lush oriental carpets and stunning chandeliers. We get into the elevator, I hit the floor number and we’re off. I’m really nervous. I pray she’s OK with being away from the kids for two weeks. I had to move heaven and earth to arrange the trip. It’s a tough time of year at the practice for me to be gone, but I know everything is in great hands. My colleagues can handle the work.

We arrive at our floor, and the doors open. No piano bar, just a hallway with doors.

“Are we on the right floor?” She’s still none the wiser.

“Well, maybe it’s down the hall.”

I grab her hand and we start walking. We stop at Room 625, and I grab my wallet. She's staring at me with the cutest expression on her face.

“What have you done, Jason Weber?”

I put my finger to my lips to indicate “I’m not telling,” and she smiles a giant smile. Ah, my reason for living. Our room is a corner suite and it’s big,
really
big. Must be a thousand square feet. The bathroom alone is massive. Everything is black marble, including a Jacuzzi tub big enough for our entire family. She walks to a little table set up by the bellhop. The roses, champagne and strawberries are there, along with my statue. She gasps when she sees it.

“Oh, Jason, how romantic! Champagne!”

She doesn’t get it yet. I point to a card that’s underneath the Eiffel Tower. She picks it up and reads it. Tears begin falling down her face. She throws down the card, and runs into my arms.

“Is it true? Are we going? Does Colleen know?” She slaps her head like she’s saying “duh” to herself.

“I can’t wait!”

She kisses me all over my face. I grab her waist and move her over to the king-sized bed. In between kisses I can’t help but whisper to her.

“Katie, baby, I love you. This is all for you. Everything in my world is all for you.”

We lie down on the bed and our kisses become intense. Our mouths are hot, desperate for each other.

“You deserve this, sweetheart. I put you through hell last year. I’ll never have enough lifetimes to apologize for that. I just hope that this trip can be like a second honeymoon for us. Start fresh, no one but you and me.”

She sits up and looks me straight in the face.

“Jason Weber, you have nothing to apologize for. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to tell you that over the past year. You were the victim!
I
owe
you
the apology for
ever
thinking that you could harm me in any way. I’ll never forgive myself for that as long as I live. Let’s make a pact. Starting right now, no more apologies from either of us. Someone
else
hurt us both, and we had no control over it. You did your best to protect our family and me, and my love for you somehow got even stronger as a result. From this point on, this is the first day of the rest of our marriage.”

She is strong, sure of herself. She’s right. We’ve beaten ourselves up a lot over that nightmare, and it’s past time to move on.

“Deal. Should we shake on it?” I give her a big grin, and spit into my hand. She laughs, and, surprisingly, reciprocates. A big spit into her palm, and we shake on it. We both laugh again, and fall back down on the bed.

“That was a little gross.” She’s still laughing. “So are you going to feed me or is our honeymoon starting now?”

I stand up and collect the champagne and berries from the table. I set them on the nightstand, and start to take off my clothes.

“Oh, I’ll feed you, all right,”

She starts to laugh again.

“I just bet you will.”

I pop open the champagne, and pour two glasses. I raise mine to make a toast, and she mimics my action.

“Here’s to Katie Weber, my love, my friend, my soulmate. Now, get naked.”

I smile and clink my glass to hers. She sets her glass down and takes her clothes off like they're burning her skin.

“Done!” She shouts, and grabs her glass. She clinks hers to mine, and drains the contents. She tosses the glass over her shoulder onto the floor like she’s in a movie. “Get that gorgeous body over here!”

I do the same, and we dive under the covers. Her body feels amazing. So soft and warm, and she smells like heaven. Holding her naked body next to mine makes me hard as a rock. She responds herself.

“Whoa, is that all for me?” she giggles. “I’m flattered, sir.”

She reaches down and touches me, gently at first. She strokes my length slowly and lovingly, up and down, from the head to my balls. This is my own delightful torture. She bends down to place me in her mouth. Jesus Christ, it’s warm and wet, and her tongue is flicking the underside of my dick. I have to control my body if I want to make this last. She takes me as far in as she can, with just the right amount of pressure and sucking. I could come in two seconds if I wanted to. She makes me feel like the greatest man alive. I
know
I’m the luckiest.

I pull out of her mouth, and she groans.

“You taste so good, I want more.”

“Baby, if I give you any more, I’ll be done. You do that too well. I need this night to last.”

I pull back the covers, and walk over to turn up the heat in the room; I don’t want her getting cold. I take her hand and guide her over to the large double window. It’s already dark outside, and the window reveals our reflection. We’re naked, and she’s standing in front of me. Who cares if most of Michigan Avenue can see us if they look up? I certainly don’t give a shit.

I pull the large bench from the foot of the bed, lay a blanket over it and guide her down on her belly. We are both facing the window, and we can see ourselves clearly. I kneel behind her and begin to rub her body.  I start with her head and shoulders. She groans, and I feel the tension leave her body. That sound makes
my
tension rise but in a good way. My erection is pressing against her rear, and it’s all I can do to keep from ravaging her.

My hands move down to her lower back and hips. I massage her slowly, and it’s working. She can barely hold herself up as she relaxes. I move down to her legs, purposefully avoiding her ass. I’ll shoot my load quickly if I’m not careful. I feel her freshly shaven legs quiver beneath my touch. The room is warm, and she feels pliable.

I press my erection against her. She responds by grinding herself on me. Dear God. I look into the window at our reflection, and she has pure lust in her eyes. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I take the head of my dick, and gently caress the outside of her lips with it. I feel her heat and how wet and ready she is. She’s looking directly into my eyes and, slightly nods her head.

Moving slower than I ever have, I enter her. I want to feel every warm inch of her on my cock. I slide in all the way up to my sac. We hold each other’s gaze in the window, and I pause. She squeezes herself around me in the most intimate way possible. This is the greatest feeling in life. Who would have ever thought that my sweet little high-school girlfriend would be here with me now, all these years later, making love to me with this much passion. I can’t take the stillness anymore; I have to move. I see her expression shift to one of extraordinary pleasure. I have to close my eyes and focus or I’ll come, just looking at her.

This is a great angle. I can watch my dick slide in and out of her beautiful body. I place my hands on her ass, and guide her forward and back, setting the rhythm. She’s even wetter than before, and her warmth overtakes me. I forcefully ram myself into her, over and over while we hold our visual connection in the window. There’s something amazingly sexy about watching each other in a dark reflection.