Page 16 of A Storm of Nightmares

Keith’s appearance is a shocking sight. Normally, I’m undone by his good looks. His piercing blue eyes and sharp jawline do awful things to me. But at this moment, I want to turn around and retreat to my room. His eyebrows are pulled together in frustration, his jaw tense, his hands balled up into tight fists at his sides. I exhale a little too loudly and he looks up from whatever was causing him so much stress. Immediately, his expression softens.

“You made lunch?” A small smile plays on his lips, and he walks toward me to examine the contents in my hands. Grabbing a plate without waiting for my answer, he sits back down at the table.

I join him and take a bite of my sandwich, letting my mind think about what to say next. I swallow slowly. “Did I hear you talking on the phone a moment ago?” I don’t know why I feel so nervous asking him. It’s not like I meant to overhear his conversation. Ok, I absolutely meant to listen in, but Keith doesn't know that.

Keith nods. “I have some news. But I don’t know if it’s good or bad yet. In fact, it may not even matter at all.” He puts his BLTCO down on his plate and turns ever so slightly so that he's facing me more directly. “I had one of my cop buddies run a quick background check on Roger. He couldn’t find anything, Kat. There’s no evidence of a Roger Baxton ever existing. That means it’s most likely a fake name. I have my friend double-checking that right now, but it doesn’t look good.”

“So, what then? If he uses a fake name, how are we going to find him? We need a game plan. This means he’s most likely guilty, right? What if I call his parents? I’ll have Malerie send me their contact info and then we can—”

“Hey, take a breath.” Keith puts his hands on my shoulders, his thumbs rubbing small circles on my skin. “If he uses a fake name, then yes, it makes him look guilty. Of what though, I’m not sure yet. It doesn’t mean he’s the guy who took Betty or Jess. We’ll keep digging. I really do hope this is the big break we need, though.” His hands fall from my shoulders after a reassuring squeeze, and we finish our meal talking about random things just to pass the time.

Chapter 9

I wake up greeted by Keith’s sweet cologne, and a smile spreads across my face. Ever since the first night here, when he woke me up from a nightmare in the middle of the night, he’s slept in bed right next to me. For some reason, he insists on sleeping in the guest room rather than in his master bedroom. I’d be fine sleeping on the cold, hard floor as long as I did it with his arms around me.

I open my eyes and turn in bed so that we’re face to face. I rub the tip of my nose on his and then place a swift peck on his lips. Keith smiles, his eyes still closed. “Good morning to you too,” he says.

It’s been a week since Keith brought me into the safety of his massive estate. He disarmed security at the gate, and it’s pretty much been a waiting game since.

In the meantime, we’ve been getting to know each other and sort of dating? I don’t know what to call it because we haven’t left the house hardly at all. And we haven’t talked about what we are. We each keep taking turns cooking for the other. We share stories of our childhoods, hopes and dreams for the future, anda lotof kisses. Keith has been nothing but a true gentleman. Yes, we sleep in the same bed every night, but that’s only because he feels bad about my nightmares. Keith hasn’t tried to push his luck by any means. And honestly, that only makes me want to sleep with him even more.

Every other guy I had dated in the past made it painfully obvious what they expected of me after such little time together. With Keith, it’s like I know he wants me, he surely isn’t shy about it, but he’s also extremely patient and sweet. He’s told me more than once that I’m worth waiting for. And even though it’s only been a week of whatever this is with Keith, I feel more ready now, with him, than I ever have before. My virginity is not something I want to give to a man I’ve only known for a week, though. No matter how he makes me feel. So, I guess it’s a waiting game in bed as well.

After returning my good-morning kiss, Keith peels the sheets off and slowly gets out of bed. In our short time together, I have learned that this man is not a morning person at all. He’s rather grumpy if he’s awake before eight. Thankfully, the sun didn’t jolt me from sleep until just after eight-thirty, so Keith should be his usual, cheerful self today.

Keith stretches his arms up and takes a deep breath. “Today is going to be a good day, Kat. I can just tell.” He looks down at me with bright eyes. “Although, every day I get to wake up next to you is a good day.”

I can feel my cheeks blushing. How does he always know what to say to get that reaction? I shake my head at him, but my smile is not going anywhere. “Oh, hush. You were perfectly grumpy just yesterday because we were up and out of bed at the horrific time of seven-fifteen.” I raise my eyebrow at him, an accusatory look on my face even though I’m holding back laughter.

“You’re right. I was robbed of sleep yesterday. I think I need extra shut-eye this morning to make up for it.” He plops himself right back in bed and feigns sleep.

“Oh, no way, mister. Get up. We have stuff to do today.” Even though I know full well that we, in fact, do not have anything to do today. I start to get out of bed, and Keith quickly opens his eyes, throws both arms around me in a giant bear hug, and pulls me back down onto the mattress. My back is pressed firmly against his chest, and I can barely move. We both break out in a fit of laughter as I struggle to get out of his grasp.

“What stuff do we have to do today? This is all I want.” He whispers into my ear, his breath hot on my skin. And just like that, I’m turned on. I don’t think he realizes the effect he has on me. He doesn’t even have to try, and I’m putty in his strong hands. When I don’t answer him because I literally can’t think straight, I feel his lips trailing soft kisses from my jaw to my shoulder and back up. He pulls away, “Kat?”

Get a grip!“Um, we have to check on your cop friend today. Maybe he found something that could lead us to who Roger really is?”

“My cop friend... I have you in my bed, and you’re thinking about another man, Miss Bowers?” My stomach drops at his serious tone. I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings. Oh my god. I’m such a ditz.

“I’m sorry, that’s not at all what I meant.” I can’t bring myself to turn and look him in the eyes. I don’t want to see any evidence of his hurt pride.

Before I know it, Keith releases me from his arms, turns me onto my back, and straddles me. His knees on either side of my hips and his hands on either side of my face. His eyes are heavy with a mix of humor and desire. A wide smile is on his face. “I’m only messing with you. This is your bed, your room. You can think about whomever you please. I just hope I’m the only man that takes up space in that beautiful head of yours.” He leans down and kisses me. It’s full of passion, and I have to fight with my subconscious not to rip off all his clothes.

Keith pulls away and gazes down at me. I’m left a panting mess beneath his body. He chuckles lightly and then lifts himself off me. Once again, he’s standing at the side of the bed. He puts his hands up as if to protect himself from me. “Alright, Kat, enough distractions. We have work to do. Apparently, I need to call my cop friend.” He winks at me and then leaves the room.

I’m sitting in bed, my mouth gaping and my head spinning. That man really knows how to get a girl hot and bothered. I shake my head to clear it of all my deliciously dirty thoughts. I force myself to get out of bed and make my way to the kitchen, where Keith will no doubt be making breakfast. My stomach growls just thinking about food. I’m absolutely famished.

Entering the spotless kitchen, I immediately see Keith and smile. He’s still in his slept-in black gym shorts and a white t-shirt that hangs wonderfully on his sculpted torso. His biceps are almost too big for the sleeves. He’s completely oblivious to my presence. He’s standing at the stove, with his back to me, flipping pancakes and bobbing his head to whatever song is stuck in it this morning. I have to stop and take a moment to admire the sight before me.

Before I start drooling, I decide to take a seat at the island and clear my throat to make my entry known. Keith startles, almost losing a pancake, and I cannot help the laughter that erupts from my mouth. He narrows his eyes at me, but hisI’m pretending to be mad at youglare doesn’t last long, and he joins me in laughing at his expense.

When he finally catches his breath, Keith plates our breakfast and takes a seat next to me at the island. “One of these days, you might catch me in quite a compromising situation. I need to put a bell on you, so you can’t sneak up on me anymore,” he jokes.

“A compromising situation, you say? Hmm. Well, now you’ve piqued my curiosity. Do spill,” I say before digging into my meal.

Keith eyes me wearily for a moment. “I’m used to being alone here in this giant house. I could walk around naked if I wanted to. Among other things. Old habits are hard to stop, Kat.” He shrugs and then gives me a playful smile.

I swallow hard. The thought of Keith cooking me a meal while naked invades my mind. “Other things?” I ask.

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