Katherine sat anxiously on the bed as she listened the sounds of Leem taking a shower. He hadn't bothered to close the door. In fact, he had risen out of bed butt naked, stretched and sauntered in there like it was no big thing. He was completely unashamed. Was that a male thing or a Leem thing? She couldn't help but wonder if what they had engaged in was something he did all the time. For some reason, she saw red. She didn't like the idea of anyone else touching him.
She covered her face with her hands as it flamed. What he had done to her last night! Just the thought of his large, rough hands on her flesh and the animalistic way in which he possessed her caused her insides to go mushy. She had never felt anything like that. Of course, she had satisfied herself countless times, but it wasn't the same as coming while a thick, rigid cock ruthlessly plundered her body. She groaned into her hands.
"Mm, what's that sound for?" Leem asked as he stepped out of the bathroom.
Kat peaked between her fingers. Her throat made a gargling sound as she was confronted with the sight of him. The previous night he'd been cast in shadows, lit only by the moonlight, and she thought he was gorgeous then. This Leem, swathed in a too-small towel which hung precariously from his hips, made her heart stop. Broad, muscular shoulders topped a torso that narrowed towards a trim waist. Every inch her eyes touched was raw, corded muscle. A fine dusting of hair trailed down his chest with just a faint line that disappeared beneath the edge of his towel. Her eyes flicked farther below to his solid legs. Lord, those were just as powerful as the rest of him. Her face burned as she realized he was aware of her appraisal. She tore her gaze away as her face flushed again.
His muscles bulge out of the corner of her eyes as he crossed his arms. "What's that look for, Kat?"
She swallowed and looked back up at him. "N-nothing."
His eyes squinted as he gazed down. "Are you feelin' awkward this morning?"
She shook her head even as she knew she lied through her teeth. "No!"
He laughed and squatted. She dropped her head and averted her stare again as his towel parted. She felt a finger gently lift her chin until their eyes met.
"Kat, life's too short for the kind of struggles you've got goin' on in here," His fingers dropped and drummed lightly on her chest. "I enjoyed last night. You have no idea how much. It was . . . very, very good."
She licked her lips nervously. "Me too."
His eyes flitted over her mouth. "I would have you again right now if I could."
Her belly clenched. How did he manage to be so sweet and yet so intense at the same time? He placed his hands either side of her hips, raised himself up and kissed her hungrily. She grasped his shoulders to stop from falling backwards. He tasted slightly minty. All too quickly, the kiss ended and he breathed heavily against her mouth.
"Sorry," he muttered. "I should get dressed. Fil will come to collect us shortly."
She nodded. He didn't immediately move away though.
"Kat, what we did . . . it was fuckin' stupid. I was stupid," he mumbled.
Her heart panged at his words. "O-oh . . ."
"I mean, I'm not in the position to offer you anything. I can't be your boyfriend."
Katherine felt a crease form between her brows. A cold sensation prickled her skin. Why did this feel like a rejection? They hadn't made any promises to each other.
"I don't want you to be my boyfriend!" She retorted. "I don't want anything from you!"
He nodded once slowly. His eyes held hers for several moments.
"When I say it was stupid," he murmured. "It doesn't mean I regret it or that I wish things weren't different, though."
Her pulse fluttered. She would come to regret what they had done, she was certain of it in that moment. She didn't know Leem that well, but she took a little more of him into her heart every second. She had always thought she liked more complicated men, creatures who played their cards close to their chest, but was coming to appreciate his unassuming honesty. She'd be gutted when she finally had to say goodbye to him. She sighed silently. At least she knew where she stood (which at this point was on a train platform with him ready to give her a 'it-was-nice-to-meet-you' hug and send her on her way).
"I think I'll shower too, if that's alright?" She finally spoke.
He kissed the end of her nose and stood up again, catching the towel as it slipped. He winked.
"Pity that, you should have joined me."
"Kat, Fil's checked out the lobby. He thinks it's safe but if they're watching, they will know almost right away that we've caught on to them."
Katherine swallowed. Her heart was pounding so furiously she was sure its beat echoed up the stairwell. All manner of scenarios raced through her mind. The plan was to just stroll right through the lobby and jump into a covert delivery van parked outside the front entrance. Simple enough, but what would happen if the people who had tampered with their car decided to act? She could be walking into a death trap.
Leem rubbed her arms through her thin jacket. "It'll be alright, okay? My brother and Mr. Holmes are both in there, they're both armed. I'm armed."
He flicked open his jacket to reveal a gun in his waistband. "I know how to use this."
Katherine covered her mouth as the most inappropriate thought danced through her mind like a drunk party goer. Leem both frowned and attempted not to smile at the same time.
"Kat, you dirty girl," he whispered. "This dangerous shite turns you on, doesn't it?"
She glanced away. She was beginning to wonder what was wrong with her as well.
"Sorry," she replied softly.
"Don't be sorry," he said gruffly. "Just, try ta focus, please, for my sake as much as yer own."
He looked through the window of the stairwell door. His head dipped once in acknowledgment at someone.
"Alright, Fil has given the signal and it looks like the sliding door on the delivery van is open. I want you to casually walk towards the entrance but as soon as you are through the doors, haul ass into the van, you hear me? I'll be right beside you. Fil and Sherlock will follow. Don't stop for anything and don't let the driver wait for us if we aren't immediately behind you, okay?"
Her words faltered. She couldn't imagine leaving him behind. He grabbed her arms and gave her a little shake.
"Listen, Dr. Katherine Adams," he bit out. "I can't protect you, or my brother, or Mr. Holmes if I can't rely on you. I need to know that you are going to do as you're told."
She bristled. Do as she's told? She wasn't going to argue with him but she naturally balked at being commanded to do anything.
"Aarg, get that look off your face, Kat. I ain't asking you to make me a sandwich. Feel free ta tell me to fuck off later but this is important. I don't want anyone to get killed because you thought you knew better than the experts. I'm a goddamned expert, understand?"
"Yes sir, straight out to the awaiting chariot, sir!" She said with a salute.
He smiled and smacked her bottom. "Good girl."
"Oh, you-"
He didn't await her reply but shoved her out through the swinging door, following closely behind. She stumbled, hiked her bag up on her shoulder and strode as casually as she could straight towards the front entrance. The lobby was eerily quiet, the only thing she could hear was the squeak of the soles of her running shoes over the tiles. On the other side of the glass doors, she could see a maroon transit-type van with its sliding door wide open. It all seemed so simple, that is, until all hell broke loose.
She heard a loud bang and then the shattering of glass. The shock of the noise caused her steps to falter. She didn't even have time to look around before a large hand hit her squarely in the back and propelled her forwards.
"The van, Kat!"
The world erupted around her then. She did exactly what Leem commanded and ran. She didn't even have to push open the doors at the entrance. Several more deafening pops sounded and shattered the glass, scattering it across the lobby. She flinched as some of it rained down on her but threw herself forward. Her heart was in her throat. She held her breath, expecting to feel the impact of a bullet at any moment, but reached the van and dove inside. She scrambled to turn around and see what was happening. Almost immediately behind her, Sherlock and Fil hustled into the vehicle.
"Where's Leem?" She cried.
She couldn't see him, she tried to crawl forward but Sherlock grabbed her by the shoulder and shoved her backwards into the open cargo space.
"Get down!" He shouted.
She slunk back. Time seemed to drag out then as both Fil and Sherlock fired their guns. The driver shouted at them.
"We have to go! Shut the door!"
Fil rose up like a bear. "We ain't leavin' my brother behind!"
Katherine's eyes swelled with tears. Her stomach felt like she had been dropped off a cliff and was in free fall. The heavy clunk of the van's transmission shifting rattled the floor. The van lurched forward. Over and over she whispered, "No". Just when she thought they were going to leave Leem behind, he jumped through the open door.
"Let's go!"
Relief, more palpable than anything she'd ever felt, coursed through her system. The door slammed shut and the van peeled away. She kept her eyes fixed on Leem as he crawled in her direction.
"Kat" he wheezed. "Are you okay?"
She nodded emphatically as he scooted up next to her. That's when she noticed he pressed a hand to his outer thigh.
"Oh my God, Leem. Are you hurt?"
He winced. "A bit, I think."
That caught Fil's attention and he was next to his brother in an instant. "Show me."
Leem moved his hand from a dark, wet spot on his pants. Fil stuck his fingers into a rip in the center and tore a large hole in the fabric. The tear revealed an oozing wound that had sliced a ragged path about six inches and almost an inch deep along the surface of his skin. Katherine's breath hitched.
"Good Lord, you've been shot."
Leem chuckled. "Lucky number three. Just a graze."
"That's not funny!"
"It's not funny, Leem, ya twat. It's bleeding pretty bad. Lie down. Dr. Adams, hold 'is leg up, would you?"
Fil turned as Leem weakly acquiesced and collapsed backwards on the floor of the van. He kept blinking and rolling his eyes around as Katherine elevated his leg up onto her shoulder.
"I feel a bit sick," Leem murmured. "Tell that driver to stop swerving so damn much."
"We're driving straight," Fil muttered. "Driver, eh, driver! You got a med kit in this thing?"
"Under the passenger's seat," he replied.
Sherlock retrieved the kit and handed it to Fil. "Bind it tight to stop the bleeding."
Fil glowered at him with a fierceness Katherine hadn't witnessed before. "I've seen more bullet wounds than you've seen bullets, Mr. Holmes. I'll take care of my brother. You make sure that idiot behind the wheel gets us ta safety."
For once, Sherlock Holmes had nothing to say. He just pressed his lips together and returned to the front passenger's seat to co-pilot. Katherine was impressed with Fil then, as she was certain not many people could put Sherlock in his place.
Leem mumbled something then and Katherine noticed he looked rather pale. She stroked his arm. He was a bit clammy to the touch. His blinking slowed and he started looking sleepy.
"He's bled too much," she said anxiously.
Fil nodded and gave his brother a light slap and the cheek. "Leem! Leem, don't be stupid and die on me now, not from a flesh wound."
Katherine's hands quivered. He didn't look well at all. In fact, he wasn't even responding anymore. Fil bound his wound as securely as he could and pulled tight. It must have hurt because Leem roused temporarily.
"Aah! Don't let 'im stitch me," he panted. "He's shite at it."
With that last outburst, Leem passed out. Katherine looked up at Fil.
"He needs proper medical attention."
Fil's eyes were a bit large. He sucked in a breath.
"You're right," he lifted his head to bark at the men up front. "We need to get Leem to a hospital! Like, right now, or he's going to die."