Satisfying Secrets Read online

  SATISFYING

  SECRETS

  K.W. HALL

  Copyright © 2022 K.W. Hall

  All rights reserved.

  Editor: Liz Long, Blue Fire Media

  Cover Designer: Rose Miller

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locations, or events is entirely coincidental.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ABOUT SATISFYING SECRETS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  EPILOGUE

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ABOUT SATISFYING SECRETS

  W

  hen Lena’s traveling nurse contract takes her back to Nashville, she’s also back under the scrutinizing eyes of her Uncle Conrad, the man who raised her. But Lena’s forbidden secrets won’t be denied–especially her fascination with the stunning stranger across her balcony. The one man too dangerous to touch.

  Jake's the go-to operator for Conrad’s private contracting firm and that makes Lena off-limits. But he’s dreamt of her for ten years, and now she's at his doorstep, offering more than he’d ever anticipated.

  Will the passion burning between Lena and Jake survive their secrets coming to light?

  If you would like deleted scenes from SATISFYING SECRETS please click here

  or go to www.kwhallnovels.com

  This book is dedicated to my husband, Zach.

  Without you my dreams wouldn’t be possible.

  Chapter One

  Lena

  H

  e was even more breathtaking up close. Definitely taller. And his eyes weren’t brown, but a dark blue that put the ocean to shame. I couldn’t see their true color because of the distance between us last night.

  He didn’t know I’d been watching him, did he?

  No. It wasn’t possible.

  I’d been discreet, for the most part. Although, last night’s escapade had gone longer than planned. Had he seen me? I’d turned off most of the lights before I’d started.

  What is he doing here?

  Fantasy and reality don’t mix.

  “Lena, how long are you in town for?” Conrad asked.

  I tore my not-so-subtle gaze away the man in the corner of the dining room. “Ten more weeks. My contract is for twelve total.”

  “You’ve been in town for two weeks?” Conrad asked.

  Had he wanted a call? I’d told him the dates I’d be in the city. It wasn’t a surprise drop-in. But I’d also not reached out since I’d arrived. His text last night had guilted me into a fancy dress and this absurdly long dinner.

  My only saving grace was the stranger at the bar.

  I couldn’t believe it was him. I’d done a triple-take when I’d spotted him. How did he know Conrad?

  Why was Conrad staring at me? Oh, shoot–he was waiting for an explanation of why I’d not told him about my arrival.

  “Work’s been busy. The start of a contract is always hectic,” I said. Mostly true, but not the reason I never called him.

  Conrad nodded, seeming to accept my vague answer.

  I flicked my eyes back to my secret nighttime indulgence.

  No. Oh, no. Why is he walking this way?

  I searched the rest of the restaurant. Conrad said the entire room was his company, AMN, a private contracting firm he created a decade ago for delicate overseas operations. Most of the people that filled the room fell into two categories: male gladiators in suits or men who’d never seen daylight because they were hunched over a computer. Whoever this man was, he fell into the former category for sure.

  Don’t stare. Focus on your wine.

  No, that’s almost gone. Don’t stare at the empty glass.

  Pay attention to what Conrad is saying.

  Wait… is he heading directly for Conrad?

  “Sir, is this the new hire for the field position?” my mysterious man asked.

  No, he’s not yours.

  “No, Caldwell. This is Lena, my niece.”

  Caldwell grinned and held out a massive calloused hand. “I heard you were coming to town. Was Nashville on your wish list of cities?”

  One hundred percent nope.

  I begged my agency for any other city, but nothing was available that paid nearly as well. And the money was an exuberant amount, enough to make the proximity to Conrad worth the twelve weeks of possible interaction.

  “Um, it was up there. Happy to be where I’m needed,” I said.

  Caldwell’s eyes narrowed. Damn, he had the sexiest blue eyes I’d ever seen. It wasn’t fair to have such perfectly-colored irises with all of that dark hair.

  “I’m sure you’re in high demand,” he said.

  How much does this man know about me? Does he know that I know his body a little too well?

  “There’s always a shortage of nurses in Nashville. How are you adapting to the hospital?” Conrad asked. He was prying. Conrad didn’t do pleasant conversation. If he was asking a question, then it was to make a point for his argument. But what was his agenda this time–improving my worth ethic, making me more resilient, scrubbing the last bits of joy from my day?

  All fit the list of previous tirades I’d heard from him throughout childhood.

  “It’s fast-paced, but nothing I haven’t seen before.” Safe answer. Nothing for him to pick apart.

  “Excellent. I need to make another round of introductions.” Conrad disappeared behind a table, not waiting for my reply.

  I dropped my aching shoulders a few degrees when his back turned. The last thing I needed was a comment on my poor posture, but I could only stand like an invisible soldier for so long before my neck screamed for some slack.

  I sipped the final drop of wine from my glass and waited for Caldwell to join Conrad on the tour of obligatory discussions of foreign policy and military strategy.

  But Caldwell didn’t move toward the gaggle of suits. Instead, his eyes swung to mine.

  Oh, no. Does he recognize me from last night?

  “Do you want another drink?” he asked.

  His gruff words almost made me jump. In the sea of people, he’d leaned closer, and his presence overwhelmed my senses.

  My body reacted by slanting toward him on its own accord.

  Do not do that!

  I glanced down at my empty glass. I needed every ounce of alcohol to make it through this dinner. Conrad had me tense, but Caldwell’s unexpected presence fried what remained of my nerves.

  “Uh, yes. But you don’t have to go with me, Mr. Caldwell. I know you have other obligations in the room.”

  Good, Lena. Keep your distance. He is something to admire from afar, at night, with the lights out.

  I almost groaned at the thought of what things he did in the dark that I couldn’t see from my balcony.

  “Please, call me Jake,” he said and took my empty glass before placing it on a passing server’s tray.

  “I’m not sure if Conrad would prefer I call you Jake.”
>
  Conrad was the ultimate stiff ex-military professional. I’m surprised he didn’t demand to be called by his full retired credentials.

  Bleh.

  Jake leaned a touch closer. I felt his breath on the shell of my ear when he whispered, “It can be our secret.”

  I bit my tongue so hard I could taste copper.

  Good Lena would not say a word. But Heathen Lena hadn’t had her nightly fill of Jake watch tonight, and she was not under control.

  “I like a good secret, Jake.”

  I lifted my eyes to meet his stare.

  I might have imagined a flash of intrigue on his face, but then it disappeared too quickly to be sure.

  “Do you have a lot of secrets, Lena?”

  A few, but I’ll never tell you.

  “Not as many as I’m sure you do,” I said.

  Jake’s eyes darkened. His hand tensed on the tumbler of whiskey.

  What does he think I’m referring to?

  “With work. I mean, you don’t have a career in your field and not know how to keep national secrets, right?”

  “You have a point. I’m excellent at keeping secrets.” His breath sent chills down my neck. “Any you want to share?”

  Like the one about you?

  You’ll have to torture it out of me first.

  “I… need another drink.” I searched for the bar.

  Jake’s presence was too unsettling.

  Am I delusional or is this conversation actually happening?

  “What do you want?” Jake asked.

  You, me, a locked door, and a few hours.

  “Huh?” I said.

  “The bartender will ask what you want to drink, and unless you want whatever I say, I’ll need an order.”

  “I… don’t know what I like. I mean, when it comes to wine, anything is good.”

  “You don’t know what you like? That’s unfortunate.” A ghost of a smile spread over his lips. “I bet I might know what you’ll like if you want to give it a try.”

  Are we still talking about wine?

  My cheeks must’ve been on fire, and not from the glass of red earlier.

  “I–”

  “Caldwell, get over here! Jordy has a model for the new mission profile,” a man yelled from a few feet away.

  “Sure thing, Craig,” Jake said before turning to me. “Sorry, I have to go answer them before they start drawing diagrams on napkins.”

  His words broke the strange spell between us.

  “No. It’s okay. Responsibilities. It’s a work thing. I get it. Go do your work.”

  I’m better off watching you from a distance anyways.

  I turned and headed for the bar. Far away from Jake, and all that was forbidden. The last thing I needed was another man in my life full of secrets and obligations.

  ****

  Jake

  Had I maneuvered Craig out of his seat so I could sit next to Conrad?

  Absolutely, but it was because Conrad sat across from Lena, and I needed to know what had just happened between us.

  Lena was certainly not the woman I remembered from ten years ago.

  “Where are you staying while you’re in town, Lena?” I asked.

  Was that too obvious?

  Please do not say Conrad’s place, for the love of God.

  Lena’s fork clattered onto her full plate. The clank could be heard over the music by all the tables around us according to the quick side-glances she received.

  Okay, not as discreet as I planned.

  Lena quickly reached for her full glass of wine.

  Did her hand just shake?

  Is she nervous? Or did I scare her?

  Shit. I need to back off.

  Lena looked terrified when she set her glass back on the table.

  “I’m renting a condo near downtown. It’s close to the hospital.”

  “Oh yeah, which one?”

  “Um… Broadwest.”

  No fucking way.

  “That’s a good spot. I should know. That’s where I live,” I said.

  Lena stared down at her food. Not a single glance back at me.

  Ouch. I thought we had something there for a minute. Guess not.

  “Small world, huh,” Lena said.

  “If you need anything, my place is 3003,” I said.

  Dude, you have to stop before Conrad strangles you on top of this table.

  Lena’s eyes flashed to her uncle. If I wasn’t mistaken, she was anxious, a full ball of tension with her gaze bouncing from her plate to Conrad back to the table.

  Conrad spoke first. “I’m sure Lena will be fine. She would hate to bother you while you’re at home.”

  Conrad had spoken of Lena throughout the years, only to close colleagues, and always with extreme caution. He had every right to be protective of Lena after everything they’d been through together. His comment had drawn a hard line in the sand–no invitations toward Lena.

  I’d known Conrad over twenty years. He was ruthless in the field. I was put under his command when I’d first enlisted, and learned quickly that he earned respect from men one way or another. For me, it was the way he stuck his neck out for his men, no matter if it meant consequences or denied promotions later in his career. Conrad Gray was all too happy to go head-to-head with someone. And it never ended well for the other man. Conrad played dirty to do what he thought was right.

  The man was my senior by at least twenty years, but I still wouldn’t want to piss him off. He was one scary dude, and Lena was his only family.

  Well, that settles that. Lena’s off-limits.

  Chapter Two

  Lena

  W

  hat was I doing walking to his door? He’d told me his condo number in case of emergency, not so I’d disturb him at seven o’clock at night asking to grill food. This was a horrible idea. I should turn around right now and make the food at my place.

  But he’s going to look so sexy in his tight jeans leaning over the grill, maybe getting a little sweaty from the flames…

  Oh my God. Stop it!

  I am not doing this to see him as anything but my neighbor. I am being friendly. Just asking if he wants to join me for some steaks and veggies. That’s harmless, right?

  Yes, this is harmless but the incessant gawking at him from your balcony every free moment into his apartment is not neighborly at all. Actually, it might be illegal. I’m pretty sure the things that I’d imagined during my creeping were wrong in all the ways.

  First, he worked for Conrad, a man I had fewer mixed feelings about, mainly just resentment, which was always quickly followed by guilt over said mixed feelings. Second, Conrad had explicitly stated “not to go near Jake.” Third, Heathen Lena was all on-board, a sign that this idea was going to go south pretty fast.

  I rounded the corner to his door.

  What am I going to say? Do I knock or use the doorbell?

  The bell felt a bit formal for a drop-by, and stupid to have in a condo. Okay then, just a quick knock or two and a breezy “Hey, I didn’t know if you’d be home, but…”

  I’m such a liar!

  Of course, I knew he’d be home. I saw him walking through his door, turning on the lights in his place, no food in hand.

  Oh, no, maybe he already ate? Maybe he’s coming home from a date.

  Oh, then I’m going to look like an overzealous idiot holding enough food to feed a large family while he’s thinking about another woman. A woman that oozed sex, unlike me in my workout clothes.

  Damn. I really should’ve changed for this.

  But he’d looked so defeated when he’d come through the door. It’d broken my heart. It’d had me stumbling out the door in under two seconds. If he’d been on a date, it’d gone badly. A complete train wreck if he had that aching nothingness plastered on his face.

  I smiled at the thought of him ending a date early.

  No! That’s Heathen Lena t
alking.

  I will not be the stalker, weirdo, slightly reclusive Lena. Tonight, I will be attractive and normal Good Lena.

  Oh, I should definitely turn around. Who was I kidding? He’d never see me as more than his boss’ niece across the apartment complex.

  The stalking had officially hit an all-time high after last week’s encounter. Now it was an obsession to look through my windows and wonder why he paced his balcony at three in the morning.

  I had a legitimate reason to be awake at that time. But he didn’t. By all accounts, he worked during the day, and was supposed to sleep at night. So why the epic amount of nocturnal activities–the restlessness, the blank staring into the sky, or the ground, for hours before sunrise?

  I’m turning around now. Right now.

  A buzzing in my pocket made me yelp and grab my hip where my phone was nestled into the waistband of my leggings.

  Please don’t be the hospital. I can’t tonight.

  Jamie’s wine-drunk face flashed on the screen and a pang of yearning hit me.

  I missed the days we’d spent in New Orleans, exploring the city, and drinking things that should never enter one’s body unless they wanted to die of alcohol poisoning.

  This was it, my saving grace, my voice of reason. The person that was going to talk me off the ledge before I made a fool of myself.

  I hit accept and whispered, “Hey Pumbaa, how’s my favorite warthog?”

  I knew it was strange, but she was the Pumbaa to my Timon. We’d thought about it a few years ago when we were in the trenches on a mass shooting in downtown New Orleans. We worked at the only level one trauma center. That night was shit–short-staffed, charge nurse quit, emergency room was chaos, the whole hospital was code black (over capacity by a hundred), but we’d gotten through it. We worked double shifts till we dropped.

  The Timon and Pumbaa thing was only funny because she did not, by any means, look like a warthog! Jamie was the most beautiful specimen alive–tanned olive skin with gorgeous green eyes and a pair of tits that made even God go, “damn, I did a superb job.”

  “Hi ya! Thinking about giving Chad the old heave-ho.”