Lost

By Jodi Kae

The last thing Derek expected to find on the dirt road to his cabin, is an unconscious, beaten and bloody woman. Trying to keep her safe and help her regain her memory, takes him on a different life course than expected.
Lost is an erotic suspense novel, an intense non-traditional love story that will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Romance version is also available.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jodi Kae
• Release date: Jul 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370135561

Jodi Kae

I reside in Southern Utah with my amazing husband, and a house full of daughters. My reading obsession started about eleven years ago when my youngest daughter was three. My four girls and I would gather in one bedroom and I would read to them until they fell asleep. We started with books by Dr. Seuss and worked our way up through teen books like Book of a Thousand Days, Harry Potter, The Lightning Thief, and Eragon. This is kind of funny considering that I hated to read before that. I even cheated my way through high school when it came to reading books or writing reports. About five years ago, I started reading more for myself and that is where the true obsession began. I have a massive list of favorite authors and I am always looking for a new release. Let’s just say I spent a lot of time in Barnes and Noble. Then my amazing husband bought me an e-reader and technology became my best friend. I am truly excited to begin this new adventure and I hope I can take you on a wild ride with me. It is never too late to follow your heart. Or so my fortune cookie said, “your most memorable dream will come true.” I haven’t won the lottery, so these books are the next best things. Jodi Kae

Book preview

Warning

This book contains material not suitable for readers under the age of 18.  Scenes of violence, graphic language, erotic content, and other aspects that some may find disturbing are included.  If you would like to read the toned down version of this same story, you will want to purchase the romance version.

Reader discretion is advised.

Contents 

Title page

Copyright

Warning

Chapter One - Freedom

Chapter Two - Heal

Chapter Three - Revelation

Chapter Four - Starved

Chapter Five - Awakening

Chapter Six – Shame

Chapter Seven - Console

Chapter Eight - Panic

Chapter Nine - Redemption

Chapter Ten - Enlighten

Chapter Eleven - Frantic

Chapter Twelve - Protection

Chapter Thirteen - Committed

Chapter Fourteen - Distraction

Chapter Fifteen - Rejuvenation

Chapter Sixteen - Hope

Chapter Seventeen - Escape

Chapter Eighteen - Diversion

Chapter Nineteen - Salvation

Chapter Twenty - Transformation

Chapter Twenty-one - Conception

Chapter Twenty-two - Sacrifice

Chapter Twenty-three - Desperation

Chapter Twenty-four - Elimination

Chapter Twenty-five - Control

Chapter Twenty-six - Revenge

Chapter Twenty-seven - Closure

Chapter Twenty-eight - Breathe

Chapter Twenty-nine - Enrapture

Epilogue

Chapter one

Freedom: 

*the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants.  *absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government.  *the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity.  *the state of not being imprisoned.  *the state of being unrestricted and able to move easily.  * unrestricted use of something.  *the state of not being subject to or affected by something undesirable.

~Derek~

The open road brings me peace, just a long stretch of smooth asphalt to keep me company.  Cruising through the mountain pass, my Harley’s quiet hum is music to my ears until I reach my sanctuary in the hills.  Coming home always brings a sense of peace to my soul, even though I’m alone here with nothing but the crickets and wildlife to keep me company; I prefer it that way.  I come here to get away from the rat race I live in, but If Shana needs to reach me, she has my satellite phone.

I haven’t taken a vacation since starting Mason PI six years ago, and after the last case, my secretary demanded I take one or she was going to quit.  Shana has worked for me for five years; she is an angel sent from above.  After ten secretaries storming out calling me every name in the book, I’d just about given up.  She claims to tolerate me because I’m just like her papa who was also a PI.  He was shot and killed during an investigation, and she thinks it’s her duty to keep the same from happening to me. 

I was only twenty-three when my own parents were murdered in their home.  The scene was made to look like a random robbery, although only a few pieces of jewelry and some antiques were missing.  The police said my parents came home from the country club surprising the robbers; no witness was their motto.  They were bound, gagged, and shot execution-style in their bedroom.  After two years of no leads and the case getting colder by the minute, I decided to go hunting myself, which led to Mason PI.  With the help of my friend Jax, who is an agent with the FBI, we were able to put two thugs away for life without the possibility of parole.  My dad’s business partner who ordered their murder only received twenty-five to life with the possibility of parole; granted he will die in prison of old age before he ever sees that day.

My inheritance was my father’s investment firm, which I didn’t want.  It’s one of the top Fortune 500 companies in the world.  Many people might think I hit a gold mine, but I am not the business suit corporate type; sitting in a stuffy office with other suits is not my idea of a dream job.  My dad expected me to take over for him and was ready to train me to be his protégé, so I’m sure he turned over in his grave when I decided to sell most of my interest in the company to one of his other business partners.  It was the best for all parties involved.  His partner assured me that my dad’s employees would remain with the company and be taken care of.  The monthly residual checks from my retained interest in the firm are donated to different foundations, which are handled by my secretary Shana. 

With both my parents gone and no siblings to care for, I have put all my energy into building my cabin.  With a solar system and a private well, I have everything needed to retire up here someday.  At thirty-one, it won’t be soon.  Not because I need the money, but to keep myself from becoming a hermit. 

My inheritance is enough to set me up for life and any family I leave behind; which is not in the cards for me, the family that is.  I like my solitary life and only crave a woman’s company for one thing; unfortunately, dollar signs have them craving so much more than I’m willing to give.  They only seem to want more once they realize who I am; Google has definitely not done wonders for me.  Being the only heir to a multi-million dollar company tends to bring a lot of unwanted publicity.

Since I never planned to take a wife or have any children, I thought I could splurge on my private get-away.  Two hours into my scenic drive, my private road welcomes me home.  Turning off the winding, mountain, paved road onto an unkept dirt one is not what I’d normally do to my bike, but I haven’t been here in six months to maintain it, so I’ll just have to go slow. 

The sunset is amazing, at least what you can see through the trees anyway.  The temperature is cooling to a comfortable 60º, much better than the humid 80º in the concrete jungle where I earn a living.  Purchasing this mountain eight years ago was the best investment I’ve ever made. The two hundred and fifty acres provides me the privacy I crave. 

When I flip on the bike lights to show me the way through the thick evergreens up to my home, the beam highlights the dirt road up ahead, but what catches my attention is not normal for my neck of the woods.  What the hell!  Stopping my bike, I angle the headlight toward the small form.  From the looks of it, a wild animal was planning on a meal, and I may have interrupted.  Holding my breath, I listen for sounds to give anyone or anything away, but the forest is eerily quiet, like it’s trying to warn me that something is out there.  Hopping off, I grab my .45 from my shoulder holster and rush forward.  As I get closer, I see the crumpled and bloody body of a child lying two feet from the roadside.  The long dark hair covering her face is matted with dirt, leaves, and blood.  I reach down to touch a cold, bare shoulder and she moans.  Son of a bitch! 

Her body temperature is low, and she starts to shiver uncontrollably; I need to get her inside before hypothermia sets in.  As gently as I can, I pick her up and quickly move to my bike.  Trying not to move her too much, I hold her close to my body as I mount my Harley.  When I have to shift her a little so I can drive home, I glance down to see her mouth open on a silent scream.   Tears stream from her eyes to mix with the coagulating blood at her temple.  Considering the condition her body is in, I imagine that she’s in a lot of pain, but I had to move her.  It pisses me off that I’m adding to her anguish, and my blood boils at what has possibly happened to this girl.  I start up and head for home.

––––––––

~Unknown~

––––––––

The pounding in my head is excruciating.  Something thick and wet slides down my face with a faint drip to the hard surface below.  My arms feel weighed down, and no matter how hard I try to move, I can’t raise my hand to my face to wipe away the stickiness.  Where am I?  Who am I?  What happened to me that I feel this much pain?  With my face pressed to the cold, hard ground, my shallow breath sucks in the earthy smell of dirt; I must be outside.  Trying to open my eyes to take in my surroundings becomes another impossible feat.  I shiver uncontrollably when a chilled breeze flows over my skin, confirming my outside theory.  Am I on the verge of death?  Am I in Heaven?  I can’t see the bright light or any light for that matter.  Isn’t that what everyone waxes poetic about after a near-death experience?  I’m not really sure that is where I want to be if the pain I feel comes with that privilege.  I feel no peace.  All I feel is agony.

The throbbing at my temple dominates every one of my senses, so when I feel the light touch of a calloused hand on my shoulder, electric shock races through my body.  I am not alone.  I didn’t even hear the approach of footsteps, but the rumble of a deep voice reaches my ears.  Before I have a chance to beg for help, a large hand slips under my neck and one under my knees, lifting me from my hell on the ground.  At least I thought that was hell until my bones, my muscles, and even my skin protested the movement.  I open my mouth to scream out from the pain, except nothing comes out.  When tears slide down my face, I am furious for being so vulnerable.  Then I feel nothing.

––––––––

~Derek~

––––––––

My cabin is nestled in a thick mass of trees that anyone would miss if they didn’t know what to look for.  Having a perimeter fence with no trespassing signs usually stops trespassers, although, sometimes a determined hunter gets through.  It’s the high-tech security system and cameras that prevent anyone from breaching my private domain. 

If the person or people who dumped her body decide to come back and claim their victim, they will have a hell of a time finding her.

With some slight maneuvering, I manage to free one hand to punch in the security code, and my door pops open.  Slipping inside and kicking the door closed, I carefully move up the stairs to my room. 

My unconscious bundle doesn’t make a sound as I lay her on the chaise lounge in the corner.  When I stand back to get a better look, I’m shocked to see that this is no child but a very petite woman.  She has several cuts on her face, including a gash at her temple.  Her entire body doesn’t appear to have a spot unmarred by bruises.  She is covered in dirt and blood, which will increase her risk for infection if not cleaned and disinfected. 

Rushing to the adjoining bathroom and starting the bath, I quickly search for supplies.  Unfortunately, I’ve never had a woman here, so I only have supplies that I use.  No fruity smelling soaps or lotions, just Suave shampoo, and Dial soap will have to do.  I quickly move into the bedroom to gather the small woman into my arms, hoping she remains unconscious through what I will have to do.  If the damage to her body is any indication of how much pain she will be in while I clean and doctor her wounds, she will want to be oblivious.  She whimpers with the slight movement, but when I look down, I see that she is still out cold.  I carry her into the bathroom, kneel down on one knee by the tub and rest her small body on my leg.  Undressing her from her remaining shredded tank top and cotton shorts, only to realize there is nothing on underneath, sends my pulse into overdrive.  I curse my good and my bad luck at the same time while slowly lowering her into the warm water.  A small sigh escapes her lips; however, she remains unaware.  Washing away the grime from her body is the worst torture I could’ve put myself through.  I feel depraved as I notice her creamy skin under the cuts and bruises that mar her body.  She is a temptation I didn’t need.  Her breasts are high and firm, and the absence of hair between her thighs does nothing to calm my raging hormones.  Cursing myself ten times to Sunday, I finish cleaning her long, dark hair and lift her out of the tub.  As gently as possible, I carry her into the bedroom and lay her on some towels to wrap her up.  Pulling back the covers, I shift her body to the center and cover her with the comforter, tucking the thick blanket around her small frame.  It doesn’t escape my attention that now she smells like me, and that just feels right.  I need to get my hormones in check because the last thing she needs is to wake up to a strange man drooling all over her.

––––––––

~Unknown~

––––––––

Excruciating pain in my ribs jerks me awake as calloused hands scoop me up again.  Too afraid to open my eyes, and not entirely sure I can, I let oblivion claim me once more.  I dream of warm water and soft caresses that lap over my tired, sore body.  A picture flashes in my mind of a white sandy beach stretching out behind a beautiful cottage.  The beach and its warmth sinking into my bones remind me of basking in the sun and the heat that comes with it.  Where it is? I don’t know or can’t remember, but all too soon the warmth is gone, and I want to cry out for more.  I can’t seem to make any sound come out of my mouth to ask for anything.  When will this pain end?  What have I done to deserve this kind of fate?

––––––––

~Derek~

––––––––

Running a disinfectant-soaked cotton ball over all the scratches covering her body leaves very little untouched.  Even marred by cuts and bruises, it’s still the softest skin I’ve ever touched.  As my fingers glide the cotton over the bottom of her breasts, I choke back a groan.  My mouth waters with a craving to run my tongue all over her berry-colored nipples.  What the hell is wrong with me?  This vulnerable woman is under my care, and all I can think about is molesting her while she sleeps. A vision of sliding my hand between her thighs while she begs me for more has my cock rising to the occasion.  I truly am demented and must have lost my mind.  After covering the worst cuts with gauze and medical tape, I slip one of my t-shirts gently over her body.  Seeing her in my clothes does something indescribable to me; some age-old primitive reaction I’ve never felt for any other woman on the planet.  Mine, whispers from my lips, but I have no idea where that came from.  Needing to clear my mind away from this woman, I cover her back up with the bedding and quietly move to the door.  Taking one last look, I turn off the overhead light, leaving only the soft glow from the bedside lamp and step out.

Hoping that fresh air will clear my head, I head outside to my bike to grab the supplies I picked up from the little store twenty miles back and move to the deck.  Popping open a beer, I relax back into the built-in swing and close my eyes.  My thoughts race to what I should do next.  Should I take her to the hospital or contact the police?  My gut instinct screams no.  It seems too suspicious that she ended up on my road in the middle of the mountains.  What if whoever dumped her there comes back with intentions to finish the job?  If they come back only to find her missing, will they search hospitals and police stations to reclaim their victim?  There are so many different scenarios playing out in my head that I decide to wait until she can tell me herself.

Chapter Two

Heal:

*to become sound or healthy again.  *alleviate a person’s distress or anguish.  *correct or put right an undesirable situation.

––––––––

~Unknown~

––––––––

Warm and comfortable, I stir half asleep.  The soft caress of silk crosses my legs as I try to roll over, but the pain in my ribs stops me quick.  My eyes feel as though they weigh a hundred pounds, however, prying them open anyway is necessary.  As my vision clears, the large soft bed in a dimly lit room starts my panic. 

Where the hell am I, who brought me here?  I try to remember but can’t even remember my own name.  Who am I? How did I get here? Where is here?  My heart races, and I feel as though it will jump right out of my chest.  Pushing off the silken covers, I try to sit up, but pain limits my movements.  What is wrong with me?  I try again by moving my legs, and although a little painful, they seem to work fine.  My head is still throbbing, so I reach up, and my fingers brush over a bandage at my temple.  Was I in a car accident?  Why can’t I remember what happened to me, or anything for that matter?  Looking around, my concern only grows when I realize that I am not in a hospital.  I slide my hands down my body to feel a soft cotton shirt that reaches my thighs.  Slowly, I pull the fabric up, moving my hands to my stomach and touch several bandages on my abdomen.  Gliding my hands along my body as far as they will reach, I find more gauze on my arms and upper thighs.  My hand slides under the shirt to move it above my breasts to check for damage there, too, and I freeze. 

Movement to my left catches my attention, so I slowly turn my head to stare into the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.  Heat races from my chest to my face and I’m sure it turns beet red.  Getting caught fondling myself in front of the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen is more than humiliating.  Please let there be a hole nearby so I can crawl inside and never come out.  He just stares at me, mouth open, probably at a loss for words, as am I. 

Slowly pulling the t-shirt back into place, I try to ask where I am, except only scratchy air comes out.  Pushing sound through my vocal chords feels like running my tongue over sandpaper, which I did once on a dare when I was a little girl.  My eyes fly open in shock at the memory, which probably makes me look like I am going to freak the hell out, which I might. 

The beautiful man puts his hands up in surrender as he slowly moves to the bedside.  I should be scared to death considering I feel like someone beat the shit out of me, but something in his eyes tells me I’m safe with him; which is crazy! I don’t know this man or even who I am for that matter.  However, someone took care to bandage me up, so I assume it was this man.  Please don’t let him turn out to be my abuser with a guilty conscience. 

He slowly leans down to reach the bedside table and picks up a glass of water.  Tucking his hand under my head, he lifts slightly to put the glass to my lips, all while his eyes search mine as if waiting for me to panic.  I sip slowly; holding back a wince at the pain swallowing causes, but feeling like I’ve just crawled out of the Sahara Desert keeps me drinking what I can.  He moves the glass away, but trying to tell him thank you proves impossible.  When he notices my struggle, he shakes his head.

––––––––

Sshhh, not yet. 

––––––––

Something in his face warns me not to argue.  Although he seems angry, it doesn’t feel as though it’s directed at me.  He leaves for just a minute and comes back with a spoon with white powder on it.  I hope it’s aspirin and not something else.  Duh... why would he spoon-feed me enough cocaine to kill me after he’d spent time bandaging me up?  He mixes a little water with it and leans down to place it on my tongue.  Drinking down the powder only hurts a little and tastes horrible, but I