Page 34 of A Storm of Nightmares

Malerie had a breakdown when I went missing while searching for her sister. She doesn’t talk about it, but Jess told me Malerie blamed herself for putting me in danger and was on the brink of suicide when the news of our escape got to her. If we had been missing for much longer, Malerie might not be standing here today. It hurts to think about that. There’s a special piece of my heart reserved for her because of how brave she was to come to me for help when her own parents told her to drop it. Had it not been for Malerie showing up at my door all those months ago, I don’t know if I would have ever found Betty.

After not one but two glasses of Chardonnay and saying a quick hello to everyone who came today, I make a beeline for the exit. I have had just about enough of people asking me how I’m doing. It’s been six months since my literal worst nightmare came true, but I survived. All I want to do is move on and forget I ever even heard the name Rick Baker. That’s hard to do when everyone keeps bringing it up, though. I get that people are curious, but I can’t relive my kidnapping every time someone asks me for details.

Thankfully, I escape the living room without anyone catching me. Just as I’m about to rush up the stairs to hide in our bedroom, the front door opens, and I’m left breathless. Betty and Dan walk in, arms hooked together, smiles on both of their faces.

“Hey, you two. What are you doing here?” I ask as I make my way to them.

Betty hugs me tightly. “Do you think I would miss my little sister’s twenty-first birthday?” She pulls back, and then it’s Dan’s turn to pull me into an embrace.

“You guys, it is not my birthday. For the love of God. Keith has lost his damn mind. You know I hate celebrating myself.” I give my sister sad puppy-dog eyes to accentuate my point. Maybe she’ll shut this party down for me.

“I may have had some help in planning this, Kat,” Betty admits with a giant grin, but it quickly turns into a frown. “It’s just that I’ve missed too much. I was not going to let another one of your birthdays go by without me.”

I wipe away the unwelcome tears that have started falling and take Betty’s hand. My poor sister has had a hard time adjusting to real life. Four years in captivity will do that, I guess. She was in a coma for just over a week and had to stay in the hospital for another week after waking up so the doctor could monitor her.

After being released, she and Dan got a small apartment together, and both started regular therapy sessions to help them cope. They’re an incredibly strong couple to have stayed together after sharing such intense trauma. Even after everything they’ve been through, they still make each other happy. Watching the two of them interact, you would never guess the demons that lie just under the surface.

“Well, thank you both for being here and putting me through hours of torture so you could enjoy my birthday. But I was actually making my escape when you walked in, so if you need me, I’ll be in my room.” I bolt up the stairs before Betty can protest, but I hear Dan stifling his laughter.

I feel bad leaving my own party when the guests are still here, but I can only take so much socializing before feeling my mind draining. I’ve always been an introvert, but being kidnapped and almost killed made it ten times worse. I can’t stand to be around people anymore. I plaster on a fake smile and try my best not to be rude, but I always feel that eerie chill creep up my spine telling me to be on high alert. I catch myself constantly looking over my shoulder whenever I leave the house. I’m a big ball of anxiety.

The only thing that calms me down lately is talking to Betty or being next to Keith. But seeing as how those two traitors are the ones who set this stupid surprise party up, I will have to wallow in solitude.

Chapter 23

The door creaks open, and I jolt upright. My eyes search the room, and I’m relieved to see that I’m at home and that it is only Keith coming in. I must have fallen asleep waiting for the party to end. I’m still in my little black dress and nude heels. I must have been exhausted; I don’t usually fall asleep before changing into pajamas.

Keith gives me a soft smile and closes the door behind him. “Everybody is gone, Kat. Betty and Dan are staying the night, though, since they got here late.” Keith proceeds to walk toward me, slowly peeling off his black and white checkered button-up to reveal his perfectly chiseled abs.

“Thank you for throwing me an amazing party,” I say with a smile, even though I don’t really mean it. He’s still very much in the doghouse for that horrific surprise, but I know he did it out of love, so I won’t fight with him about it.

“You’re such a shit liar. You’re lucky you’re extremely irresistible,” he says with a shake of his head and a soft chuckle.

I bite my lip with excitement as he crawls onto the bed and gently pushes me into a laying position again, climbing on top of me as soon as my back hits the mattress. Keith looks down the length of my body hungrily and then back up to my face. His eyes linger on mine, and I feel my heart flutter under his gaze.

“I love you so much, Kat. Every day since we left that warehouse, I thank God it all turned out the way it did. Every morning that I get to wake up to your smile and every night that I hold you in my arms reminds me of how lucky I am and how close I was to losing you before we even got a chance to be happy. I don’t ever want to breathe if you’re not there breathing the same air. I don’t want to laugh if you’re not beside me laughing too. I don’t want kids unless they’re brought into this world by you. Living means nothing if I can’t share my life with you.” Keith takes a deep breath, and I notice he’s shaking. He must be nervous, and it gives me butterflies. “I want to be your husband, Kat. I want forever with you. Will you marry me?”

Holy. Fucking. Shit.This is not at all how I expected my day to be ending. I think this makes up for Keith throwing me that party. Time stops, and I can hear his words replaying in my ears like sweet music. It’s my new favorite song.

Keith’s eyes search mine, and he’s starting to look very nervous. I realize time has, in fact, not stopped, and I’ve been lying here like a speechless idiot after his perfect proposal. I quickly nod my head, grab his face between my hands, and kiss him. When I pull away, I whisper, “Hell yes, I’ll marry you.”

Relief and pure ecstasy wash over his gorgeous face, and he leans down to kiss me while my hands feverishly run over his abs. Keith breaks away just long enough to rip my dress off me. So much for wearing that little number again. His eyes widen as he admires my body, clad in only my black bra and matching lace panties. “Fuck,” he mutters under his breath. He kisses me again with a ravaging force, and I feel my pulse quicken as desire pools between my legs.

Keith jumps off the bed to take off his pants and boxers, his desperate eyes drinking me in. I sit up and get onto my knees, hoping I look sexier than I feel while I move.

I slowly reach behind me and unclasp my bra. Keith hisses in appreciation but stays firmly put. Trailing my hands from my breasts, down the sides of my body, I hook my thumbs in the waistline of my underwear and pull them down, our eyes never breaking contact.

Before I can say “fuck me,” Keith pounces on the bed, throwing me onto my back again and ripping my panties off the rest of the way. He devours my mouth, leaving me breathless, and then moves his kisses lower until he reaches his desired location. I moan in pleasure as he takes his time, bringing me slowly over the edge until I can’t hold on anymore. As my climax floods me, Keith pushes into me, taking me even higher.

He makes passionate love to me all night, and I am entirely lost in arousal and pleasure. When we finally call it a night, and I snuggle into his chest, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I know at this moment, I’m exactly where I belong. I glance up at the love of my life and smile like a giddy schoolgirl. “I’m so happy you came to my motel room that night.”

Keith returns my smile and pulls me in closer. “Me too, baby.”

I spend the next several minutes, or maybe even hours, fantasizing about our wedding. Plans are already coming together in my mind. I drift into a peaceful sleep knowing my hardships are behind me. As long as I have this man, all is right in my world. I survived a terrible nightmare, but it’s over now, and all I have to do for the rest of my life is love and be loved by Keith.

Epilogue

“I feel numb,” I admit, staring straight ahead at the pale blue wall.

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