She always act like your mother? he asked.
Only when Im being threatened.
And thats what you think Im doing?
I dont know that any more than I know who you really are. Last night was obviously a setup. She ignored the hurt the knowledge brought. Youre investigating me and my business. What for?
His deep inhale warned her she wouldnt like what came next. Prostitution.
Her hand moved of its own volition, cracking across his roughened cheek. Tears quickly followed. She swiped at them with her sleeve but hed seen anyway. He didnt flinch, but in his eyes she viewed the same glimmer of emotion shed caught last night. He masked it just as fast.
He was good at hiding his feelings and even better at hiding himself.
She swallowed over the painful lump in her throat that threatened to grow larger. Not only had he treated her like a hooker, but hed thought she was one, too. I didnt know detectives were into such hands-on investigation.
Last night had nothing to do with the investigation.
Kayla folded her arms across her chest and remained silent. Her mama had another expression shed ingrained into her girls: Give a man enough rope and hed hang himself with it.
The date, the setup, the dinnerthose were part of the job, he admitted. What came after wasnt. The subtle darkening of his eyes spoke of sexual heat and need. The softening of his features hinted at something more. By the time we finished dinner, I knew you were innocent, he said.
Kayla inhaled. Mama was wrong in this case. Kane wasnt hanging himself. Hed taken a step toward redemption, not further condemnation. Yet how could she believe his words when everything that came before had been based on a lie?
Shed given her body to him in ways that bespoke trust. She could have given her heart. Hed repaid her faith with the deepest violation she could imagine. But she still sensed an innate decency. One she wanted to believe in.
Do you always offer money to the women you sleep with? she asked.
Silence greeted her. Apparently she trod on sacred ground. How reassuring, she said dryly. My sister will take me home.
Not unless you want her in the line of fire.
Theres no danger. Kayla swept her hand in the air, gesturing to the expanse of the room. Her head pounded in time to the motion. She winced but continued. Look around you. No valuables, no merchandisenothing. The guy didnt find what he was looking for. He wont be back. Despite the pounding pain, she put all her energy into convincing him so he and his lies would disappear.
He shrugged. Depends. Is that why you dont have an alarm system here? Theres nothing anyone would want?
She nodded, then regretted the jerky motion. She gripped the armrests of the chair until the dizziness and pounding subsided.
He placed a firm hand on her thigh. He might have meant to steady her, but his touch did more than reassure, it aroused-aroused buried feelings as well as sexual need.
Do you have a burglar alarm at home? he asked.
She cleared her throat. It still hurt to speak. Dont need one. The guy probably thought hed get money, then he was interrupted. He wont bother me again.
I disagree and if Im right and your sister gets hurt, will you be able to live with yourself?
Hed hit her weakness and obviously knew it. Kayla wouldnt risk Catherines life just to get Kane McDermott out of hers. Youre slime, you know that, Detective? You want to act as my personal home safety system? Fine. Park your car in the driveway and have a blast. Just remember to turn on the heater. I dont want your death on my conscience.
Careful, Kayla, he said in that husky voice that caused an erotic tingling deep inside. I might begin to think you care.
Fat chance.
Same with me hanging out in my car. The paramedics said you vetoed the hospital so you need someone to watch over you.
She narrowed her eyes. And youre offering your services? The thought of spending any time with this man who pulled her mind, her heart and her body in opposing directions was impossible.
She didnt trust her response to him, yet she trusted him to keep her safe. The contradiction wasnt lost on her. It was just one of many. No way are you staying with me.
You wont put your sister at risk, which leaves you alone. What if the guy shows up again? You were no match for him the first time. What makes you think youll do a better job injured?
Like I said, youre slime, McDermott.
I never argued the point, Ms. Luck.
Kayla saw Captain Reid approach. Im through here. Feeling better? he asked.
If I dont move, she said wryly.
He turned to Kane. Remember what I said. Call if things turn serious-and enjoy your time off. The older man walked out into the cold afternoon.
Time off?
Looking after you, Kane said. And before you argue, remember I already won this argument. Ill go square things with Catherine.
She opened her mouth and shut it again. He might have played on every weakness she possessed at the moment, but he was right. Catherine wouldnt leave her for the night unless she knew she had protection. Kayla wouldnt be comfortable alone in the first floor of the old two-family house in which they lived. She loved the many windows because they let in light, but they left her vulnerable. Besides, she could barely lift her head.
Like it or not, she needed Kane.
THIS PLACE IS A burglars dream, Kane muttered to himself. He paced the kitchen and small family area of the rented house. One step inside the unprotected home had cemented his decision to stay no matter how high the personal risk.
Hed waited outside the bedroom while Kayla changed into a T-shirt hed found in a drawer filled with satin and lace, scented with the tempting fragrance his body associated with Kayla Luck. Her full breasts and soft flesh were known to him now. Desire and arousal would be his companions as long as he remained in this house.
Apparently so would longing and misplaced dreams. Hed settled her into bed, a pastel, feminine mass of ruffles and pillows. A safe haven that like Kayla reminded him of warmth, home and a sharing of lives. Things he never had and never would.
She was a luxury he couldnt afford. They hadnt just shared quick and easy sex, the kind that left both parties unfulfilled after the initial peak subsided. With Kayla it was complicated, involved and made him inefficient in his job, the one area of life hed always been able to count on before.
He scrounged through the old wooden kitchen cabinets and found a can of soup. She needed something to eat and this was about all he was capable of making without turning her stomach even more. Hed check her again and then fix her a warm meal.
He entered her room and watched her in silence. Eyes closed, pale skin and blond hair falling over her cheek. She looked like an angel. His angel, he thought and stifled a curse. More softness he didnt need. Focus on the job, McDermott. He eased himself to sit beside her on the bed. The mattress shifted under his weight. She rolled toward him and moaned.
The sound twisted his gut. Are you in pain?
Is that a rhetorical question? Her eyes remained tightly closed, her arms wrapping the down comforter even more tightly around her body.
I cant give you anything except Tylenol.
Itooksome. Her teeth began to chatter. Can you turn up the heat?
I already did. Hed anticipated the chills. Once the aftermath of her ordeal hit and her adrenaline levels decreased, hed expected some reaction.
Notworking.
How about a cup of hot soup?
Cant sit up.
Kane muttered a prayer for strength and slid beneath the covers. She curled into his waiting warmth. Her soft curves molded against him and her satisfied sigh echoed in his ears. Two things hit at once. A hot, urgent desire to be inside her, and the need to protect her from further harm.
Reminding himself she needed his body heat and not him, he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair, the only advantage hed take under the circumstances. Better? he asked.
Much.
Silence settled around them, seeming to bounce off the walls of her room. A sense of contentment followed. Kane fought against it.
Without trying, she wove a spell he didnt understand, made him desire things he couldnt have. He inhaled her fragrant scent and felt himself being pulled deeper.
I need you. She spoke so softly he had to strain to hear.
Im here now. The only promise he was willing to make.
BRIGHT SUNLIGHT SHONE through the bedroom window. Kane groaned and squinted into the glare. Worse than a damn hangover, he muttered, rolling over and burying his face in his pillow.
As a cop used to undercover work, waking Kayla every two hours hadnt left him irritable and beat. Lying beside her, holding her and listening to her soft moans each time she moved did him in. The last check had been-he looked at his watch-an hour ago. Shed been light-headed but okay.
Kayla? He glanced over to find an empty bed and sat up fast. Throwing off the covers, he walked to the hallway bathroom. The sound of running water greeted him and he rolled his eyes at her foolishness. What made her think she could handle a shower alone?
He tried the doorknob and it turned. At least she hadnt locked herself inside. He opened it a sliver. You okay in there?
Not really. Her voice sounded weak.
Kane didnt wait for permission. He barged inside. The bathroom was compact and steam floated around him. The scent of lemons hovered in the air. He ripped aside the shower curtain to find Kayla sitting on the floor of the porcelain tub, her head between her legs.
He slammed his fist against the large faucet and shut the water that had been pelting her body. Can you lift your head?
Not by myself, she said, the words muffled.
What the hell did you think you were doing? He stepped barefoot into the wet tub, braced his hands beneath her arms and pulled her into a standing position.
Taking a shower.
I noticed. Droplets of water clung to her bare skin. He had a sudden desire to lick them off one by one. Instead he pushed her wet hair off her forehead so he could look into her eyes. He never got the chance.
She collapsed, unable to stand on her own. He swore and swung her into his arms, grabbing a towel before making his way back to the bedroom. Her wet skin soaked through the T-shirt and jeans hed kept on the night before-more as a physical barrier to temptation than for modestys sake. But barriers meant little when he had Kayla naked and needy in his arms. She clung to him, her head nestled on his shoulder and her wet body snug against him for warmth.