HERO (The Complete Series) Read online

  “Well,” he answered, “All eyes were already on you, in admiration, so it was a distraction. I wouldn’t worry about it though. People understand what you’ve been through. And it may have saved you from the rush of journalists who have been waiting to get a piece of you.”

  All of a sudden the memory of what the Mayor had said flooded back to me. It was those kids’ parents who died in the fire. I felt like all of the blood drained out of my head, and my heart sank.

  “Are you all right?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”

  “Those people that died,” I replied. “I didn’t realize that it was actually them. Could I have saved them somehow? Everything happened so fast, I…”

  “Listen, Kate,” Matt said with a firm yet gentle tone. He leaned forward, looking into my eyes and putting his hand on my forearm, squeezing gently to get his point across. “It was not your fault. You saved their son. There was nothing else you could have done in the short time that we all had. You saved their son and I know they would be so relieved to know that he has his whole life ahead of him, because of you.”

  I wanted to reply, but I didn’t have any words. We just looked at each other. The moment was too intense. There was a primal magnetism between us, and there was almost no resisting it, until it was unbearably uncomfortable. I turned my head and closed my eyes, confused.

  “There’s something I should tell you Kate,” Matt started. “I think you should know that…”

  Matt’s voice trailed off as the doctor walked in.

  “So, young lady,” he started. “You don’t have a concussion, but you’re still suffering from the aftereffects of the smoke inhalation. I’m going to release you now, but you need to take it easy for at least two to three days. Understood?”

  “Yes, Doctor,” I answered.

  “It’s great to help nurse a hero back to health,” he joked, “but I don’t want to see you in the emergency room again.”

  As he walked off, Matt said quietly to me, “I’m going to make sure that you follow his advice, except for the award ceremony tomorrow. The chief would give me hell if you don’t show up, and that’s because the Mayor would give him hell. I’ll wait outside while you get dressed. I’ll take you home. ”

  * * *

  When we left the hospital, it was just after five PM. Matt supported my arm firmly, holding most of my body weight, as he was so strong. As we walked outside, he took me to his car, which was one of the top Maserati models and I don’t think I had seen one like it for a while. Not since I left.

  “Nice car,” I said as he opened the passenger door and helped me in.

  “Yeah, thanks,” he answered. “This one’s my favorite.”

  He walked around to the driver’s side and got in quickly, then asked, “Are you hungry? We should get you something to eat.”

  “I’d love to,” I said. “But I’m sure Richard or George will make me something when I get home.”

  “Come on,” he persisted. “I could use the company. Besides, you won’t say no once you know where I’d like to take you for dinner.”

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “Because I’d like to take you to my favorite restaurant,” he offered. “It’s a quaint little traditional Italian family restaurant called Sabatini’s.”

  “No,” I said in disbelief. “Not the Sabatini’s at Fifth and Main? That’s where I worked for at least a year.”

  “So that explains it!” he answered with enthusiasm. “That’s why you’re so familiar. I thought I knew you from somewhere else, possibly through a family friend. But now I realize that’s where I’ve seen you before.”

  “But I would’ve remembered you too,” I said. “How come I don’t remember you?”

  “Well,” he started. “That place is so busy, I’d be surprised if you remember any of your customers. I go in there every Friday, like clockwork. Sometimes I pop in for takeout.”

  “That’s why I never saw you, I guess,” I answered. “I was off Fridays. Okay, sure, I don’t mind stopping there for dinner before you take me home.”

  It was a short drive there, and Matt was such a gentleman. He insisted on coming around to my side and helping me out of the car as I stood up. He held me firmly around my shoulder, protecting me to ensure I was supported as we walked. I leaned gently on him as we strolled in, feeling safe. As we entered the restaurant, several of the hostesses and waiters rushed over to hug and congratulate me for saving the Holstein boy. They greeted Matt politely as several of them seemed to know him. We were seated at what he said was his usual table.

  “So how are you feeling?” Matt asked. “Any dizziness?”

  “No, I’m good thanks,” I answered. “I’m famished, actually. Thanks for insisting on coming here.”

  “That’s great,” he replied. “See? Matt knows best. And do you know what you want to order?”

  “I think so,” I said. “One thing’s for sure. The chef makes a mean cannelloni formaggio on the à la carte menu. What’s your favorite dish?”

  “Cannelloni formaggio,” he said with a smile. “I order it almost every time I come here. It’s settled, then.” He called the server over and ordered for both of us, and added a bottle of expensive red wine, possibly the only one that the restaurant carried. And it made sense, because I vaguely remembered having to work on Friday night to cover one of the other staff. And I had served this same brand of wine to a well-dressed gentleman who sat in this part of the restaurant.

  “I think I remember now,” I said. “I mean I remember you. But you were so quiet. So reserved. You seemed like a completely different person.”

  “Yes,” he answered, and I could see his face sadden. “That was around the time that my father passed away. It was a tough time because he was a wonderful dad.”

  “Oh,” I hesitated. “I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what to say.

  “No, don’t be,” he answered. “There’s no way you could have known. And it’s all right. I had lost my mom just a month before that. It was hard. Really hard. But I’m done my grieving and I’m fine now.” He paused for a moment, thinking. “And what about you? Do you still have your parents?”

  I hesitated, then answered, “It’s complicated.”

  “And what does that mean?” he asked, as he poured us both some of the wine they brought over.

  “I’m still not comfortable talking about it,” I answered, then thought how selfish I was being, given what he just shared. “Yes, they’re still alive. We had a falling out almost 5 years ago and I ran away just before my freshman year at college. It was always about control with them. They thought their money could buy anything and anyone, including their own daughter.

  “I’m sorry you’re estranged from them,” he said softly. “You know, time does have a way of making us put things in perspective. Maybe they’ve realized how much they lost and have changed?”

  “I don’t think they have the capacity to change,” I said bluntly. I noticed a disappointed and sad look on his face, and then softened my tone. “I’m sure anything is possible, but I am not holding my hopes up. Where Mr. and Mrs. Samuel are concerned.”

  “So what if you parents were here in New York?” he asked intently. “What if they were at the press conference? What would you do then?”

  “I doubt they could be anywhere and keep a low profile,” I stated. “Everyone would know, and they’d make a point of making it all about them.” I didn’t want to think about them, let alone have a conversation on their likely behaviors. “Sorry Matt, can we change the subject?”

  “Sure,” he said, looking away.

  “So what were you going to tell me in the hospital,” I questioned.

  “What?” he asked, his mind clearly distant.

  “You were about to tell me something when the doctor walked in,” I reminded him.

  Just then, the server brought over our dinner. He looked relieved for this distraction from my question, so I knew I had to persist to get him to tell me. Admittedly, it m
ight have all just been in my head.

  “So what was it?” I pressed him. I needed to know.

  “It was nothing,” he answered. “No big deal. I just wanted to let you know that when you fainted, no one went back to your office to get your purse.”

  “Oh,” I answered. “I’m definitely getting used to having no worldly possessions. So what’s another loss?”

  “Well, you have me,” he said with a broad smile.

  Somehow, that didn’t help at that moment. I was quiet for the first few bites of dinner, and then he did his best to loosen me up. He started talking about what to expect the next night at the ceremony. He joked about some of the formalities and that made me relax as well. And I think I was on my second glass of wine as we started eating, so I was beginning to warm up. He joked and we laughed throughout dinner. He was very easy-going. I was enjoying his company, probably more than I should have.

  “Okay, Miss Kate Samuel,” he announced. “It’s time I take you home.”

  Within a few minutes of leaving the restaurant, we were parked in front of George’s house. It was a good thing that he took me to the door. I didn’t have any keys, or my phone for that matter. And George and Richard weren’t at home. Matt phoned their cell, but there was no answer. We waited in his car a few minutes, chatting as he kept joking to make me comfortable.

  “It’s getting late,” Matt said. “We can’t have you waiting out in the cold when you should be resting like the doctor said. I have a lot of room at my place and you can sleep there tonight. It beats waiting around for your friends to come back, and you really need your rest. Is that okay? I promise I’ll be a gentleman.”

  It may have been the wine or his being such good company because I simply said, “Okay sure.” After all, I didn’t have another option, and I was genuinely tired.

  We got to his building fairly quickly. He lived just about 15 blocks away from my old place.

  Homeless.

  He stopped, helped me out of the car, and handed his keys to the valet at his condo building. We walked up the red carpet of a luxurious entrance to his building, and the concierge greeted him by name. He instinctively pressed the button to call down the next elevator for him. We went up to what I think was the 20th floor and when we exited the elevator there was no lobby. He must have owned the entire floor because the elevator opened onto an all marble entryway.

  And what an impressive condo apartment it was. The expansive hallway was elegantly decorated in light colors and light grey granite flooring. As we walked in, there were large matching mosaics on the walls and the rooms on each side had gigantic rugs laid between elegant pieces of furniture. Straight ahead, about 40 feet away from the elevators were double staircases leading up two flights of stairs. We walked past the stairwell and beyond it another 40 or so feet were large floor-to-ceiling glass windows. They offered an outstanding view of the city. It was breathtaking just standing there. Outside was a large balcony and with a few well-manicured shrubs, sleek silver dome-shaped globe lights and classy deck furniture.

  “Wow, nice place,” I said quietly. In a way, it reminded me of my parents’ condo in Boston. I really didn’t want to think about them and spoil my good mood, made better by the wine, great conversation and the refreshing laughs I had enjoyed earlier with Matt.

  “Thanks,” he replied. “My mother decorated it before she passed and I never could bring myself to redo it to my taste. Well, let me show you your room. You must be exhausted by now.”

  He led me by the hand, and as he walked me up the stairwell to the second floor, I couldn’t help but feel completely attracted to him. He took me to a spacious room with a massive king-sized four poster bed, decorated in marigold and tan. It was enormous, but also cozy and welcoming.

  “There're some clothes in the closet that should fit you,” he continued. “It all belongs to my younger sister Sara. She’s at college in UCLA but stays with me whenever she’s in town.”

  “Thanks Matt,” I answered. “I can use a set of pajamas and maybe something to wear tomorrow night.”

  “Feel free to use anything you want,” he added. “Anything at all.” He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently. His touch was so warm, so inviting. I tilted my head and he cupped one side of my face with his hand. I closed my eye for a moment. It was just good to feel his touch.

  “Alright,” he said as he released my cheek. “I’ll let you settle in and get to bed. If you need anything, I’m just three doors down on the left. Night Kate.”

  “Night Matt,” I started.

  As he walked through to the door, I called out to him. “Matt, I just want to say thanks. I’ll call George again tomorrow morning and make arrangements to go back there during the day.”

  “No need to worry about that now,” he replied. “Everything will get sorted out. Sleep well.”

  As he left, I sat on one side of the bed and took my shoes off. I couldn’t help thinking how attracted I was to him, and wondering if he felt the same, if anything. He was such a gentleman. I was grateful he would help me this way. I had a quick shower in the attached bathroom, and then went to bed in one of his sister’s teeny-bopper-styled long pajama tees that met me just above my knees. It felt a bit like being over at a friend’s for a sleepover back years ago. Except I was alone. In Matt’s condo mansion. And he was a few doors down. I remember I had no underwear on, and why, and then the memory of the fire came flooding back again. I had nothing. Not even underwear.

  I drifted to sleep as my head hit the pillows thinking about him, and had wild, unsettling dreams about the fire, the press conference, and the Holstein’s faces in that framed photo, as my subconscious weaved them through every scene.

  Chapter 8

  I woke up to my own shrill screams from a horrible nightmare that seemed to take over my entire being. The sheets were twisted and crumpled in my hands and my body was drenched; I was shivering from a cold sweat, and my hair was matted down to the sides of my face. Just then, Matt rushed into the bedroom with a worried look on his face.

  “What happened? Is everything alright?” he asked as he walked over to the side of the bed.

  “Sorry for waking you,” I replied, and sat up. “It was just a bad dream.”

  “Hold on,” Matt said. He quickly left the room and came back a few moments later with a robe and a glass of water. He placed the water on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. He wrapped the robe around me, keeping his arms resting on my shoulders as if to give me some emotional support. The robe was warm, and his touch was comforting. He had on a loose white t-shirt and cotton pajama pants. I leaned forward and he pulled me into his chest and held me, warming me with his embrace as my head came to rest on his shoulder.

  “It’s ok. Kate,” he said reassuringly.

  “It felt so, so real,” I answered. “In the dream, I kept seeing their faces in the same bedroom I helped their son from. They were screaming to me, to save them too. And I reached out my hands for them to hold on, but they were too far away.”

  “It’s ok,” he said softly, stroking my back and drawing me closer to warm me up. He turned his face to me and kissed my hair softly. ”You’re safe. You’re safe now. The nightmares are normal after the kind of trauma you went through. It’ll get better. They’ll pass, I promise.”

  His body heat radiated to my chilled, sweat-soaked body. It felt so warm, so inviting. As he kissed my cheek I couldn’t resist that magnetism drawing me to him since we first met. And he smelled so good. I lifted my head, turned toward him and kissed his neck. My heart began to race. I was hot with a raw desire for him. He slid his hands up, cupped my face and kissed my lips softly. Every nerve in my body seemed to respond in synchronicity. He moved one hand to my waist, pulling me even closer as his tongue pushed the seam of my lips and parted my mouth. I responded and matched his tongue, my longing for him growing and making my clit throb.

  I let out a low moan into his kiss, the desire overtaking any coherent thought that m
ight have been taking place in my head. That moan may have driven him over the edge as well because he took hold of my waist and lifted me onto his lap in one strong motion. His ripped body was burning hot through his clothes and I could feel his rock-hard erection on my ass cheek. Without coming out of his kiss, I contorted my right leg and straddled him. He grabbed my hips and pulled me closer, his own hips rocking gently and leaving me feeling a desperate need for more. I was out of control. All I wanted was to feel him between my legs, ravishing me and filling me with his manhood.

  In one fluid movement, he leaned forward and laid me on the bed with one arm while the other hand reached down to my leg and lifted my pajama top out of the way. I grabbed at his waist and wildly pulled his pants down, to feel his erection on me. He pulled my hands away and lifted them above my head. He pulled his mouth out of the kiss, panting heavily.

  “God, you’re so beautiful. Let me please you, Kate. Let me help you forget.”

  He tugged at my top and pulled it up past my breasts. When his tongue touched one of my hardened nipples, every part of my body pulsated. I let out a loud moan as he licked and sucked one nipple while stroking the other.

  “I want you inside me, Matt,” I said in a rhythmic purr. “I need you now.”

  His tongue traveled down my abdomen, heightening my desire for him to fuck me hard. He held himself up with one arm and reached his other hand down to my trembling, soaking wet pussy. He circled my clit with his thumb while his two fingers teased and tantalized me as they slid inside with prowess. My hips complied, rocking back and forth on his talented hand. I surrendered to his touch and yearned for him to enter me and drive me to unbridled ecstasy. The waves of pleasure took control of every inch of me, and my body shuddered in anticipation of the coming climax.

  As my mind temporarily re-entered my body, it hit me that no one had ever made me this excited, this ravenous. It was a primitive, carnal, untamed need that had to be met, no matter what. I was still longing to feel him inside me when his lips reached my swollen clit. He licked my mound with intensified speed, his tongue tracing my grooves and flicking the tip as his fingers still danced wildly inside my channel.