Catherine turned to Kane. I dont know what the hells going on between you two, but if you hurt my sister, Ill make you wish youd never heard the name Luck.
I believe it, Kane muttered.
I cant believe youre letting him run you off, Kayla said.
Catherine leaned close, her voice low. I looked into his eyes. The mans fallen hard. He just doesnt know it yet. Hell take care of you.
Catherine leaned close, her voice low. I looked into his eyes. The mans fallen hard. He just doesnt know it yet. Hell take care of you.
I dont need him
Yes, you do. Youre not wearing more fashionable clothes for my benefit, youre doing it for his. Because you finally trust someone enough to let the real you out. Catherine gave her a quick hug. You know where to reach me.
Kayla squeezed her back. She loved her concern as much as she loved her sister-even if she was seeing things between herself and Kane that didnt exist. In Kane, Kayla had imagined a depth of caring and a need for love in a man who had none. Catherine had obviously been fooled as well. But her sister meant well. They were family and, in Kaylas eyes, that meant everything. Not that a loner like Kane would understand or even care. She glanced over. He stood off to the side, his rigid body language ensuring no one could mistake him for anything but the loner he was.
Despite everything, a huge part of her still wanted to teach him the meaning of belonging. She stifled a harsh laugh, knowing how little he desired from Kayla Luck.
She waited until her sister disappeared around the stacks. How did you find me?
Instinct. You were either here or with your sister. Both happened to be true.
Kayla latched on to his mention of Catherine. Cat deserves to know whats going on, Kane. Keeping her in the dark isnt your decision to make.
No, he agreed. Its yours. The more she knows, the more danger shell be in. I have enough trouble keeping tabs on you. I dont need to add her to my list.
He took two steps closer. Her personal corner of the library was small. Kanes presence made it seem even smaller. She inhaled for courage and smelled his masculine scent. Her body reacted, recalling more intimate times between them.
Her brain reminded her shed been intimate. Hed been far away. You can take me off that short list of yours, Detective. I dont want any more from you than you want from me.
In that case, sweetheart, were in big trouble.
Her eyes widened. Her lips parted and her breath caught in a noticeable hitch. Kane wanted her more than ever before. He prayed for restraint. Give me the books, he said, grasping for a distraction.
She shook her head. I want to work on turning them into a complete list.
So you brought them here.
I can concentrate better here.
Away from you. He didnt have to hear the words to know she meant them. Which was no excuse for reckless action. His relief at finding her unharmed warred with his fury at her lack of concern. You made yourself a walking target.
This is a public library.
Kane glanced around the secluded area. Hed walked down three flights of an empty stairwell and wandered around numerous cubicles and stacks before finding the right one. Looks pretty damn private to me. And you came here alone, our only evidence could easily have been grabbed.
She cringed.
Not that I dont think you can decipher these, but I want them in a safe place. Ive got a friend at the precinct whos more a bookworm than a cop. Hell cull the information in no time.
Fine. Theyre yours. She shoved the books at him hitting him hard in the stomach.
He stifled a grunt.
She grabbed for an oversize bag on the floor. Im out of here.
She took two steps. Kane grasped her by the wrist, pulling her against him. He couldnt let her dictate their next course of action. She had no business on the streets alone, but that wasnt the only reason he wouldnt let her go.
Her silken hair smelled of lemons, her skin fragrant and fresh. He didnt just want to keep her alive. He needed to keep her alive.
Because thats the way she made him feel.
Let me go, Kane.
I cant.
You already got what you wanted from me.
You dont believe that.
Ive found a foil packet that says otherwise.
What the hell are you talking about? He tensed, unsure of what she meant.
Dont like being caught? she taunted. Then you shouldnt have left your clothes in a pile and I wouldnt have been so quick to help out with the laundry.
Son of a bitch. His breath rushed out in a hiss. Youre telling me you left the safety of the house, you risked your life because
Because I want to control my life. She squared her shoulders. Besides I dont want your pity, and thats what you gave me earlier. I came on to you and you didnt want me, but you were too much of a gentleman to admit it and make things more difficult, so you
Back up. You think I dont want you? The thought was absurd beyond belief. Hed never wanted a woman as badly as he wanted Kayla, never let a female get inside and mess with his head before, and that was telling. She was getting to him, a little at a time, taking control and leaving him with none.
He couldnt let it go on much longer, nor could he allow her to think she meant nothing to him.
He turned her around. She had no choice but to face him. Tilting her head with his hand, he forced her to look him in the eye. Shimmering moisture glistened in hers. Damn. His methods of protection backfired in more ways than one. Instead of shielding her, hed hurt her once again.
His gut twisted with regret and an unfamiliar sense of longing, of caring. He hadnt distanced himself from Kayla as planned, just the opposite, in fact. He was in way over his head.
Reaching into her pocket, she held a black foil packet aloft twirling it between her thumb and forefinger. I think the evidence speaks for itself.
Circumstantial, sweetheart. He grabbed her free hand, forcing her palm against the strong erection pulsing against the front of his jeans. Hard evidence says otherwise.
She sucked in a surprised gasp and Kane watched the play of emotions cross her face. Shock, pleasure and then, ultimately, disbelief. He didnt blame her for fighting the truth. He hadnt given her much of a reason to believe in him. But his body didnt lie and, right now, it strained against her hand.
She tilted her head to one side. Though she met his gaze with a steady one of her own, her eyes showed a range of feeling he wasnt ready to deal with. Wasnt that why hed left the condom in his pocket to begin with?
Chemistry, Kane. I read somewhere that men think with their Her hand curled around his erection.
He gritted his teeth against the combination of pleasure and agony she caused. Believe me, sweetheart, Im not doing much thinking right now.
A heated blush rose to her cheeks. Apparently his innocent Kayla wasnt as comfortable with this situation as she wanted him to believe.
Thats what I mean. So you want me.
You can feel that I do. His voice sounded rough even to his own ears.
Its not enough. She jerked her hand back to safety, but the evidence of her touch remained.
I know. And that was the notion that grounded him. She wanted more than sex. He had nothing more to give.
He plucked the condom out of her other hand. Hed believed that by not actually making love with her, he wouldnt be involved. That by giving her pleasure, he could remain detached. But feeling her wet and warm with his hands, knowing shed wanted him, had pulled him in. And when hed gotten out of the shower and thought something had happened to her
He shook his head. No matter what he felt, Kane knew his limitations. Its all I can do. He turned the foil packet around in his hands. The crinkling sound echoed in the otherwise silent library.
I know. She turned a too bright smile his way. Well, Detective, at least we both know where we stand.
Stalemate, Kane thought. In a war that was far from over.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE POLICE STATION was quiet. Kayla followed Kane inside and waited in the hall while he met with Captain Reid. She didnt need to be in the room while the two men talked strategy. Time alone would give her an opportunity to think and come up with a plan of her own. Between the phone call earlier and the lists hidden in the books, the police had an official case, if not specific suspects to go after. Kayla wanted specifics. With or without Kane McDermott, she wanted her life back.
With her headache beginning to ebb, came the ability to think more clearly. Whoever was behind the attack wanted the books and whatever money they thought she had in her possession. Kayla had read enough to know the bad guys were always willing to swap when they were desperate. She held the books, they held important information. By far, hers was more valuable, which gave her the upper hand.
Before she realized what she was doing, she rose to her feet and knocked twice on Captain Reids door. Without waiting for a response, she let herself inside. I have the answer.
I dont recall asking a question. Captain Reid rose to his feet from behind the metal desk in the corner.
Trade-off, she explained. You know whoever attacked me will call back and when he does, Ill offer him the books.
In exchange for? Captain Reid picked up on her earlier statement.
Information. I know my aunt was innocent and I want to prove it.
No.
At the sound of Kanes voice, Kayla turned. He leaned against an adjoining wall in a deceptively lazy stance. The muscles bunched beneath his shirt and his jaw was clenched hard. He glared from beneath hooded eyes. She didnt have to hear him speak to know he wasnt pleased with her suggestion.
As long as shes willing, McDermott, shes our best option. The older man gestured to the metal-frame chair. Have a seat.
At least Captain Reid hadnt shot down her idea immediately, despite what Kane wanted. Kayla lowered herself into the chair. I want my business and my family name cleared. She wanted to feel in control of both herself and her life once more.
Kane shook his head. Clearing you is my job, he reminded her. One he hadnt done a great job of accomplishing so far. But things were heating up and he was ready. No way hed allow Kayla to set herself up as a target. Use a drop or a police decoy.