Page 29 of Fractured

“She’s inside, running around. She should be out in a bit.”

“Hey, I know this is probably bad timing since you’re in the middle of throwing this big bash and all, but would you mind if I asked you something?”

“Sure. Why so serious?”

“Well, you can tell me it’s none of my business, but I trust you, and I know Kat trusts you… so…”

“Spit it out, Nick. You and I both know you like her. What’s the deal?”

“I do like her. I’m not sure it’ll go anywhere, so I’m hesitant to start anything knowing we have to see each other so often at work. But I don’t think I can fight this anymore. I tried to ask her out and got shot down. But she’s been pretty flirty, so I’m wondering if she’s possibly just as nervous about trying this as I am. But, with her being out of work lately and saying she had to work some things out, I wasn’t sure what to make of any of it. I don’t want to push my luck and upset her.”

“Well…” Jake appears to hesitate, scratching the back of his neck like there’s something more he’s afraid to divulge.

“Well, what?”

“Okay, this is in the strictest confidence. I don’t gossip, and I don’t like sharing Kat’s business, but I think your heart is in the right place, so I’m going to share this with you. I think Kat’s nervous about entering any new relationship given her history. I’ve told you that before. But she went out with someone recently, and it didn’t end well.”

I’m filled with unease. “What do you mean it didn’t end well?” I say a little too assertively.

“Nothing like that. Well, I hope it was nothing like that. She doesn’t think she was assaulted, but there are a lot of questions about that night. Plus, she’s been having some odd things happen since she started taking the zolpidem I gave her. I feel like hell about it. I’m praying she wasn’t doing any of the weird shit I was doing. Anyway, she’s stopped taking those pills and is trying to get all of that sorted out.”

“Jake, can you come here a minute,” I hear Mel call from the back door. I look up to see her head sticking out of the doorway and wave.

“Gotta run. Keep this between us, okay?” Jake runs off toward the house, and I’m left taking in all he’s just told me. Jesus, this poor girl.If that guy laid a hand on her, I swear I’ll…reining in my temper, I try to refocus.

Taking a calming breath, I take a swig of my cold beer and consider Jake’s words.‘I’m praying she wasn’t doing any of the weird shit I was doing.’I try to recall some of the stories he shared. Hell, he said there was an incident where the guys were ribbing him about being out with them at a bar one night, and he didn’t remember anything. Does that mean he was out driving around like that? Could Kat-”

My reverie is disrupted by whistles and clapping. I look up to see everyone is facing the back door to Jake’s home, where Melanie’s emerged. She’s dressed in a full leather catsuit like the one Halle Berry wore when she played Cat Woman. Man, she looks incredible. She deserves the applause, not only for her outfit but the incredible event she’s planned. The DJ starts playing “Pump It” by the Black Eyed Peas, and the party feels as if it has suddenly jolted into overdrive.

Feeling a slap to my upper arm, I look up to see Huggie and the twins, Tate and Tanner. Don’t ask me which is which. One is dressed as an inflatable dinosaur, and the other is outfitted in full hunter regalia, multiple nerf guns hanging about his body. Huggie’s wearing horn-rimmed glasses and a black cape. Is he supposed to be Harry Potter? “Hey, man,” they greet, offering outstretched hands. “Nice to see you, Nick.”

“Hey, guys-” I’m suddenly stopped short, speechless. I stand in stunned silence as I take in the vision before me.Holy fuck.

Chapter Nine

Nick

Standing in this dark yard illuminated by Halloween lights, I look toward the back door of Jake and Melanie’s home, overcome. My mouth is dry as I gulp air into my lungs. She’s an absolute vision.

As the Black Eyed Peas continue to play, I watch as this stunning creature slinks out of the door and onto the deck, surveying the crowd. She moves with the grace of a feline as she descends the deck steps toward the ground below. It’s almost too much to absorb.

Katarina is dressed similarly to Melanie in a black cat costume, however, there’s no leather suit involved. She’s wearing a tight black top that clings to her curves and crosses her chest, leaving her shoulders bare. The sleeves are short, just barely caressing the tops of her arms. The bottoms are what one would describe as hot pants. They’re the most incredible black short shorts practically painted onto her thighs and perky ass, beckoning anyone with a pulse to admire her long limbs. She’s wearing sexy as fuck heels with long black laces that cross up her toned calves. There’s not a lot of flashy jewelry, just a little black furry headpiece shaped like a cat’s ears. But the showstopper is her hair. I’ve never seen it down, and it’s utterly mesmerizing. It’s long, dark, wavy, and flows down her back like a mane. Without the usual updo, her hair falls just above her waist. It’s hard to tell from this distance, but she appears to have a few strands that are dyed a deep purple.

I continue to admire her from my vantage point, knowing I should get myself together before it’s evident to everyone here, I’ve become hard just looking at her.Thinking I should have completed my costume wearing my athletic cup under my shorts now.I know I’m still standing next to the fire pit, but somehow, the heat doesn’t feel like it’s originating from the nearby flames. It’s all her.

As she reaches the ground level and greets her many admirers and friends, she looks like a supermodel descending a runway to greet her fans. Her smile is infectious, and her poise is addicting to watch. I note a change in music asButterflyby Crazy Town begins to play. In her usual style, she starts swinging her hips seductively as if she’s no longer in control of her own body. Watching this minx dance is better than any porn I’ve ever seen. I’m sure to embarrass myself if I don’t find a distraction.

Turning for the bar at the rear of the property, I ask if they have anything stronger than the beer I’ve been nursing. I know I can only have one as it’s a forty-minute drive home from here, but I need to shock my brain away from images of that sultry woman.

“Scotch?” the bartender asks. Throwing him a generous tip and a nod, he pours two fingers and slides it in my direction as I turn back toward the dance floor. I try to sweep the entire group and not just focus on her,but who the hell am I kidding?The song changes, and I watch as Melanie approaches Kat, sidling up to her as they dance together to Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris singing “Yeah!” I observe Nate saunter over to the two of them. He’s dressed like a gladiator and fits the part. Kat continues to sway between her friends, her arms swinging overhead, extending her profile. I watch as she throws her head back, arms up, back arched, long legs moving in sync to the music, and all I can think about is sneaking into Jake’s house for a fucking cold shower.

I take another sip of my scotch and look back up just in time to see Kat bend over in front of Melanie, who mimics spanking her to the music.Holy shit! I’m never going to make it out of this party without coming in my pants.

“Enjoying the show?” I practically leap from my spot in the grass as Jake interrupts.

“Hell, I might need a cold shower if they keep that up,” I tell him, embarrassed at watching his wife in such a way. “I promise I’m only referring to Kat.”

“Nah, I’m just ribbing you, man. You should be flattered.”

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