A Man of Service A John Wick Fanfic

Chapter 7

T/W – adult situations, swearing, mafia references

Kate guessed it was around mid-morning when she felt the sunlight on her face as it streamed in through the sheer curtains. She woke as she fell asleep, resting on a pillow placed in John's lap. He must have pulled the blanket over her that lay on the back of the sofa sometime during the night, and placed his hand tenderly on her shoulder. Peeking upwards, his head was tilted backwards against the back of the sofa and his breathing was long and slow.

For some reason, she felt like crying but was fearful of waking him up. She blinked quickly, battling back the tears that were forming in her eyes. How could she care for him so much in such a short time? Being a band singer, she had come across dozens of men. Including Anthony. They brought her flowers, jewelry, candy, offers of vacations, beach houses, condominiums, cars. She turned them all down, Anthony too at first and now all she wanted to have was John. All of him, his pain and baggage included.

Maybe, she thought, he was too damaged by life to be able to reach out and take someone's hand, especially after he lost Helen. But then what was she doing here, feeling his chest rise and fall with each breath, his hand protectively on her shoulder?

When they had reached the room last night, it was John who closed and locked the door, immediately taking her by the waist and pulling her closer to him. It was his lips that touched hers, sweetly at first, then with emotions that she almost couldn't process. Loneliness, loss, pain, regret, need. After the long, fiery kiss, he rested his forehead on hers and silently closed his eyes, eventually leading her over the sofa where they stayed.

It never crossed her mind that she was a substitute for Helen. He was too broken by her loss to try to relive it. No, she was in a different part of his heart. Whether that part could love again was anyone's guess.

Kate felt him stir and take a deep breath as he lifted his head. After a large yawn he said just over a whisper, "Morning, Kate. Did you sleep okay?"

"Perfect. How about you? Isn't your neck sore?" she asked as she sat up.

"No, it's fine. You'd be surprised the idiotic positions I've fallen asleep in," he answered easily, leaning over to kiss her.

"Morning," she whispered in response.

After an affectionate smile, John said, "I'm starving. How about some breakfast? Do you have time?"

"I do, but what about your job at the publishing house restoring antique books? Or are you on vacation?"

"I have time off," he answered quickly.

Kate smiled. "I'm glad."

"Me, too."

John ordered room service for breakfast while Kate was in the bathroom. When he heard the shower start, he hesitantly walked to the door and put his hand on the knob. How wonderful it would be to see the warm water flow over Kate's lovely body, then step in the shower and join her. His hand began to twist the knob, then suddenly stopped.

He couldn't do that to her. He cared for her too much to draw her into his life. There was no future in it now that he had pledged to serve. He would be an indentured servant the rest of his life and there wasn't much he could do about it. That he was unable to kill Winston didn't leave his thoughts but being with Kate seemed to ease all his uncertainties. The only thing he knew is that his feelings for her were strong and steady since he saw her for the first time; that he wanted her desperately was always with him.

John knew he was playing with fire every time he was with her and feared one night he would just lose all sensibility and consume her. His will power had never been tested like this but he mustn't give in. No matter what. He knew he loved her that much but just couldn't let her go completely. He had let go of too much in his life. This, with Kate, he was going to hold onto as long as he could. At least until she eventually found out who he really was.