AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Cat
Cat wokeup to the soft tapping at her door and groaned. “I’m up Repo,” she grumbled.
“Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes, Honey. You still hungry?” he asked. He made no move to come into her room and for that, she was thankful. Cat still didn’t trust Repo and that had nothing to do with how he had been treating her and everything to do with her issues. Honestly, she didn’t trust anyone and that was fucked up.
“I’m starving,” she admitted. “I’ll come to the kitchen in a few minutes,” she said effectively dismissing him.
“Sounds good,” he said. She listened for his footsteps to walk away, fading down the hallway before she pulled the covers from her body and stood. She slipped back into the clothes she wore earlier and padded off to the bathroom to brush her teeth and pull her hair back into a braid. Cat checked her reflection in the mirror and studied her sunken eyes and gaunt cheekbones. She had seen better days and her reflection proved that everything she had been through over the past week was taking its toll on her.
“As good as it gets,” she mumbled to herself. Cat unlocked her bedroom door and made her way down the hallway to the kitchen to find Repo standing on the other side of the center island, setting the table for two.
“Wow,” she breathed. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.” She walked around the counter and stood at the head of the big farm table. Her stomach growled and she looked over the meal he made.
“Jambalaya,” he said. “It’s just something I found on television and always wanted to try. I guess you gave me an excuse to try something new.” He looked her up and down and smiled at her but she could tell that he was checking her out. She had found him looking her over a few times in the last few days and Cat had to admit—it was hot the way he watched her. Still, she knew enough to keep her distance because getting too close to him would be a mistake. Cat was a loner and for good reason. She could never let herself get close to someone again, not like she had Nat. She lost a sister the day Nat died and it hurt like hell, she’d never survive falling in love with someone and losing that person.
“Well, it smells wonderful,” she said, clearing the lump of emotion from her throat. Repo pulled her chair out for her and she smiled up at him as she slipped into it. “Thank you,” she said.
“Welcome,” he returned. “But, you might want to save your thanks until after you taste my jambalaya though. Remember this is the first time I’ve ever made it and I can’t promise it’s edible.”
Cat giggled, “I’m sure it’s fine she said.”
“Let’s find out,” he offered. He sat down next to her and he handed her a bowl of food. Her stomach rumbled again and he chuckled. “Dig in,” he said.
She didn’t need to be told twice she took a spoonful of jambalaya and shoved it into her mouth. She hummed around the spoonful of goodness and he smiled.
“Really?” he asked.
“So good,” she said, shoveling in another bite. “I think you’ve missed your calling, Repo.” He chuckled and took a bite of his food.
“Hey, that is pretty good,” he said. “Maybe I’m onto something here. You must inspire me to create new dishes.” Repo reached across the table and took her hand into his own and Cat looked down to where he joined their fingers and back up at him. She thought about pulling her hand free but the connection felt nice.
“Repo,” she whispered.
“Cat,” he returned. “Can’t we just have a nice night? I’d like to forget everything else and have a nice evening together. I’m not asking you for anything,” he promised.
She leaned into him and God he smelled good. “What if I’m offering you something?” she asked. Cat had never felt so unsure of herself. Hell, she wasn’t shy especially when it came to sex. Most of her clients wanted her to take control and call the shots. But, with Repo, she felt unsure and worried that she was overstepping and even misreading his intentions.
“I’m flattered, Cat,” he said, pulling his hand from hers. “But, that wouldn’t be smart.” She pushed her bowl back and stood from her chair.
“I see,” she whispered. “It’s because of who I am, right? I mean—who wants to fuck a whore?” Repo stood from his chair and reached out for her. She shrugged free from his hold. “Don’t,” she ordered.
“That’s not what I was saying, Cat. I’m not judging you. Hell, I’d never judge you because that would mean I’d have to take a long, hard look at my own life,” he said.
“What the hell does that mean, Repo? You keep sending me these crazy mixed signals and I’m so tired of trying to figure out what you want from me,” she whispered. She looked around his house, suddenly very aware of the fact that she was in his home and had nowhere to go but all she could think about was running.
“Don’t Cat,” he barked. “I can see it in your eyes,” he warned.
“See what?” she spat. “You think you know me, Repo but you don’t. Hell, you just met me a few days ago and whatever you think you know about me is probably just superficial. Nothing about me is real,” she insisted.
Repo pulled her against his body and sealed his mouth over hers. He licked and nipped at her lips until she parted them for him to slip his tongue in. She gasped when he grabbed a handful of her ass and squeezed and just when she thought she couldn’t possibly take anymore, she broke their kiss, leaving her panting for air.
“Fuck,” he spat. “Did that feel real, Cat? You are real and what I’m feeling is real but that doesn’t make this a good idea. Hell, it’s a fucking awful idea. I need to keep work and pleasure separated and right now—” he paused but she got the jest of what he was going to say next.
“I’m work,” she whispered. He gave a curt nod and she turned to run out of the kitchen. She couldn’t stand there anymore, not with the way he was looking at her with so much sympathy it made her want to cry for herself. Instead of running back to her room, she headed for the front door. Running was her go-to move and right now, the thought of staying in Repo’s house wasn’t one she could entertain. She needed to get her head straight and put her walls back in place before she had to face him again. Repo had started to chip away at her well-placed barriers and that was dangerous. She knew it but she still let him kiss her and so help her, if he wanted to kiss her again, she’d allow it. She was a masochist, a traitor to her own heart, and yeah—just plain stupid when it came to how she felt about the big, tattooed biker. The last thing she heard before she slammed the door behind her was Repo shouting her name and reminding her that they had a deal. Well, he could take their fucking deal and shove it up his ass. Fuck their deal and fuck him—she was going for a walk to clear her head and decide her next move.
* * *
She had walkedfor hours and still wasn’t sure what to do next. Her only real option was to go back to Repo’s house. Her few earthly belongings were at his place—her wallet and phone and box of things. She had to at least return to his house for her stuff but more than that, she had nowhere else to go, although she hated to admit it. She needed Repo and that pissed her off. She never wanted to rely on anyone—especially a man. It wasn’t who she was but all her shit finally hit the fan and here she was, fully dependent on a man she barely knew.
