Page 20 of Coveting Catherine

“Absolutely.” Kassie smiled.

“Come here,” he crooked his finger, and Kassie let go of Chase and walked straight into Leo's arms. He held her tightly as he looked at his buddy. Chase raised his bottle of beer in salute before taking a sip.

“You can move in whenever you're ready,” Kassie softly replied.

“How are you holding up? I know you talked to Catherine today,” Leo asked her in his bossy big brother tone.

“I lost my best friend. I don't believe she'll ever forgive me,” Kassie's voice faltered.

Leo held Kassie tighter, feeling the same. Ever since he lost Catherine and, by extension, her family, he dreamed of having a home. Without knowing it, Kassie gifted him more than a house. She gave him a family. The only people missing were Catherine and Melody. He knew they belonged here too. It was time to discover what Catherine didn't want him to know and what bothered him about Ash.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Leo stared out the window of his new office. The stormy day fit his mood. Sticky notes covered his desk. Making a timeline of the FUBAR mission and everything that occurred after, Leo pondered if he missed the catalyst that sent the team in a vicious spiral. Leo turned and scribbled Ragu’s name and the mission he compromised by doing drugs. No. Something else happened before the missions and he bet it involved Ash.

The roll of thunder sent Leo’s mind in another direction. He smiled as he recalled the memory of him and Catherine on the run with sick, little Emma and sweet Melody. Dirty FBI agents threatened Kassie and Emma. In order to keep them safe, Leo separated the injured Kassie and Emma to get them out of the hospital safely. What he thought of as a separation of a couple of days, turned into months. Kassie’s sister unintentionally involved her in the web of James Stanton, dirty FBI agents, and the team uncovered the illegal drug and human trafficking dealings. With Emma sick, they experienced never-ending days and long nights. It also gave him time with Catherine after four years of living in pain at losing her. He closed his eyes and let his mind take him back to the moment he believed they had a second chance at a fresh start.

Leo closed the bedroom door to where the girls slept. They stayed on the run for the last two months, and his respect for Kassie grew tremendously. The little girl, Emma, continued to suffer from her illness, and they visited the hospital several times. Michael called in a favor of having a pacemaker placed in the little girl's stomach for a condition called gastroparesis. Leo shook his head at how the poor little girl continued to vomit nonstop, making her tiny body double over in pain.

The water continued to run, indicating Catherine still showered while he got the girls ready for bed. He checked the locks and windows as he waited for her to finish. For the last few months, she avoided discussing anything concerning Ash or her brother, Olaf. Yet she softened a bit around him and every now and again when he managed to get her to relax. Emma's condition wore on Catherine since she held the medical expertise and motherly instincts. Michael flew out to help with the munchkin while keeping tabs on everything going on in Seattle. Progress in the case seemed stalled, and he knew his time with Catherine lessoned with each passing day. He hoped she’d allow him to still be part of her life.

The tension between them felt like an invisible rubber band. Some days, it was taut and firm. Other days, Catherine kept her distance, and he caught her watching him from the corner of his eye. Catherine Mitchel wasn't as immune to him as she let on. Today, she bent over the dishwasher right into his groin. He fought the urge to wrap his hands around her waist and pull her to him. She immediately reddened and made an excuse to check on the girls. Now with the pacemaker, the times between episodes shortened. Both girls fell asleep around eight in the evening. They completed everything earlier than usual that evening, leaving them time alone. Plating the late dinner, he made for the two of them, he set it on the worn coffee table just as he heard her come out of the master bath and into her bedroom.

The door opened, and she sighed as she inhaled the smell of the steak and roasted potatoes.

“I'm starving. It smells heavenly.” Catherine wore a set of warm pajamas he picked up at the store and a pair of penguin slippers covered her feet.

“Perfect timing. I made fresh tea. You guessed correctly. The jaunt in the park put the girls right out. The fresh air did them good. Emma's getting color back in her cheeks, and I think she's gained some weight.” Leo handed Catherine a napkin.

“Yes, Michael says she's doing great. She's gained three pounds, and the nausea is minimal. Kassie and I talked about it today. Did Chase say anything to you about how it's going with her? I'm worried she'll try again after her failed attempt to leave the mountain. I wish she trusted him enough to tell him everything.” Catherine popped a piece of the juicy steak in her mouth, and an appreciative hum came from her.

“Chase is making progress. She's a stubborn one, for sure. On another note, your mom and her sister enjoyed their time together. Taco assured her you're safe, and she sent back her love.” Leo took a bite of steak and thoughtfully chewed. He wondered if he could've prevented Olaf's death, if he and Catherine would be sitting in their own home with two precious little girls tucked safely in bed and enjoying a nice meal.

“I'm glad to hear it. Mom missed her sister. I wish she didn’t earn it like this, but at least she's safe,” Catherine answered.

They ate the rest of the meal in silence as they stayed lost in their own thoughts.

When they finished, Catherine grabbed the dishes and headed to the kitchen. Following her lead, Leo grabbed the glasses and helped load the dishwasher. As Catherine rinsed the plate off, he stood behind her and placed everything in the dishwasher. They worked in silence, yet Catherine's arm brushed against him every now and again, sending electricity running down his spine. Her derriere shifted slightly into him as she put effort into scrubbing the broiling pan. His cock jumped, and he turned to hide the evidence of his desire for her.

A flush covered her face as she attempted to act like nothing happened. The longer they remained together, his penis acted on its own every time he neared her.

“Thank you, the steak was delicious,” she whispered.

“You're welcome. Are you tired? You didn't get much sleep.” Leo stood behind her and rubbed the tight muscles around her neck and back.

The kneading elicited a long moan from Catherine as she leaned further into his chest. “God, Leo, you have magic hands,” she sighed.

He didn't respond, refusing to break the spell slowly weaving around them. He never imagined an opportunity to touch her like this again, and he resolved to relish every minute of it.

Catherine turned her body to face him, and her fingers slipped into the belt loops of his jeans. Her emerald eyes darkened as she slowly licked her lips. Her gaze made its way from his chin to his eyes. The desire he felt, mirrored in her face.

Leo's hand wound around the back of her neck and into the long, silky strands. The freshly shampooed hair wafted to his nose. It smelled citrusy, and he chuckled as the scent fit her perfectly. It smelled nice and fresh with a bit of a bite. He tugged the thick mass, and his mouth lowered to meet hers. He heard the soft intake of breath as his lips covered hers. She tasted like the rosemary and butter from the steak. Leo nipped her lip to gain more access. One taste of her wasn't enough. His tongue melded with hers as she leaned into his chest. Her hands moved along the muscles of his waist and gripped his sides. His grip on her hair tightened as he pulled her body closer. A whimper escaped her mouth as she felt his hardness grind into her belly.

Leo slid his hands to her ass, and in one swift movement, she sat situated at his waist with her legs wrapped around him. The kisses became feverish as he clamped down on her bottom and pushed her against the kitchen wall. Catherine's hands roamed his shoulders and neck before she cupped the sides of his face. Leo broke the contact to spread kisses down her neck and bit her ear, causing her to shiver. He smelled her arousal as their bodies seemed to pick up where they left off all those years ago. He needed to feel her, to see her.

When he raised his head, Catherine's eyes remained closed as if she savored every minute. He carried her to the island in the middle of the kitchen and sat her down.

“I want to see you, all of you. I need to taste you, Kit Kat,” His voice came out husky from need and desire.

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