I She swallowed hard. I dont keep any around. Its fattening, and I have to draw the line somewhere, I mean theres only so much indulgence a person can take and
Tell me about it, he muttered. Kane reached out and eased the box from her hands. Her breathing now came in shallow, uneven gasps. He wasnt doing too well himself, but damned if hed let desire rule his head.
Time to end this game before it got out of control, Kane thought. Relax, sweetheart. He touched her reddened cheek with his palm. She tipped her head into the cradle of his hand. Such an innocent gesture. One that nearly sent him soaring out of control.
He inhaled hard and fast. You look flushed. Is your head okay? Maybe your blood sugar dropped. Have a seat and Ill make you something to drink. He wrapped an arm around her waist and led her to the nearest chair. It had been too long since shed taken any kind of break.
Having changed the subject, he exhaled. His breathing came easier, but not much, considering her soft curves now molded against himand he was strung tighter than ever.
The next move was hers. Kane was counting on it. She had no choice but to take his cue and move onunless she wanted to end up tangled between the sheets. And though they both wanted, they each had their own agenda as well. Shed let it go, he told himself again.
She stopped short of sitting down. Im not thirsty anymore. I think Ill just go to bed, instead. He released his next breath in a whoosh of air. Shed accepted his boundaries. He wouldnt be getting any sleep tonight, but at least he was back in control.
She stepped backward, tilting her head until she looked him in the eye. Ready?
For? he asked warily.
Bed. Arent you going to join me?
He muttered a curse. Where this woman was concerned, control was a goddamn illusion. What made him think he had any power or control over a situation where Kayla Luck was involved?
Just one more reason he had to put this case, and her, behind him as fast as possible. But he had to get through the night first. Ill take the couch. He crossed his arms and waited for her next shot.
Kayla shot him an amused glance, aware that Kane was edgy and uncomfortable. And it was thanks to herand the idea of sleeping with her. Amazing.
When in her life had she had the ability to put a man like Kane on the spot? When had she ever made any man feel awkward? Maybe it was an ability shed always had but never had the courage to explore before. With Kane, she felt secure enough. Comfortable enough. She liked that feeling.
Almost as much as she liked him. A smile formed on her lips. Go ahead, sleep on the couch. But I should tell you, its lumpy and uncomfortable. You wont get much sleep out there.
What makes you think Ill get any sleep in there, with you? He gestured toward the hallway and her bedroom.
Because Im tired, still injured, like you said. She slicked her hair behind her ear. And besides, I dont recall inviting you to do anything else besides sleep.
His eyes darkened under lowered lids. You invite a man into your bed, sweetheart, you better be prepared for anything. Need echoed in his voice.
Her knees went weak and her insides turned to jelly. Another second and her mind would follow. Then lust would take over and shed lose everything. Reaching out, Kayla grasped his hand, intertwining their fingers together. His skin felt rough and warm against her palm, his hand felt right in hers.
Shed grown up feeling as if she had to fight for everything that mattered, from her mothers attention to accepting the adult shed become. Even a business shed legitimately inherited had turned into a struggle she might not win. Nothing had come easily, some things not at all.
But Kane, her love for this man, mattered more than anything else ever had. Shed fight for it, so that when the end came, shed have no regrets. None shed have any control over, anyway. She tugged lightly on his hand.
Dont do this. His voice held a ragged warning.
She refused to listen. Ive got used to sleeping in your arms, Kane. Is that so much to ask?
CHAPTER TEN
THE CLOCK ON THE nightstand read midnight. Kane glanced at the woman lying beside him. Her even breathing told him she was asleep. Damned if he could say the same. How could he when lying beside Kayla, breathing in her scent and sharing body heat had begun to feel familiar? To feel right?
Add to that the fact that she wanted him, too, and nothing was stopping him from waking her up by easing himself inside her. Nothing except his own damn sense of right and wrong. Control was no longer an issue. Kaylas feelings were. As soon as this case ended, he was history. So why hurt her more than he already had?
Rolling to the side, he levered himself to a sitting position. The bedsprings creaked beneath his weight as he stood. Kayla didnt move.
He walked to the window and rolled open the blinds. A full moon lit the night sky and its glow streamed into the room.
Kane? The rustle of sheets followed the sound of her voice.
He turned. I didnt mean to wake you. Or maybe he had. Hed begun to hate being alone with only his thoughts for company.
She turned back the covers on his side. Come back to bed.
Did she know what she was asking? His body churned with need. If he climbed back into that bed, it wouldnt be for sleeping.
She curled her legs beneath her. Ill tell you a bedtime story. Humor tinged her voice as she patted the sheets with one hand.
How could he resist an offer like that? He eased himself beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she settled against his side. What was your favorite? he asked. Sleeping Beauty? Cinderella? He named fairy tales hed only heard of thanks to the recent VCR releases advertised on TV. He sure as hell hadnt been on the receiving end of bedtime stories while growing up.
The Ugly Duckling, she murmured.
He tangled his fingers in the short strands of her hair. I should have known.
She yawned. The vibration caused his body to come alive. Whys that? she asked.
Because, like that duckling, you turned into a beautiful swan.
She shook her head.
Yes. He rolled onto his side so he could face her, then cupped her cheek in his hand. Youre beautiful.
No, Im
Yes, you are. Now say, Thank you, Kane.
Even in the muted light, he could see the blush stain her cheeks. Thank you, Kane.
He grinned. Call that lesson number one on how to accept a compliment.
I didnt know I needed lessons.
She did. Desperately. Shed made progress since theyd met, but she wasnt there yet. Maybe one day shed stop fumbling over the subject of her looks or her body. But he wouldnt be around to see itwhich meant someone else would.
Was that what he was doing? Kane wondered. Priming her for the day when the right guy came along? That was a thought worth blocking out and he knew just how to accomplish his goal.
Leaning over, he brushed a kiss over her lips. He wanted to tune out his thoughts and black out the future. He wanted a harsh, demanding kiss that wouldnt let him think or feel. Unfortunately for him, Kayla wasnt cooperating.
Was that what he was doing? Kane wondered. Priming her for the day when the right guy came along? That was a thought worth blocking out and he knew just how to accomplish his goal.
Leaning over, he brushed a kiss over her lips. He wanted to tune out his thoughts and black out the future. He wanted a harsh, demanding kiss that wouldnt let him think or feel. Unfortunately for him, Kayla wasnt cooperating.
She was kissing him, but setting her own pace and speed. The control issue had returned and it was all hers. Light kisses on his mouth and delicate whispers of her tongue over his lips let her tease, play and arouse. But worse, gave him time to think. About how much he wanted her, desired her and how great his need for this woman always seemed to be.
Her hands splayed against his chest. The warmth of her fingertips penetrated his skin. Heat of a different kind pounded inside him, insistent, demanding release.
Kane. Her lips moved against his.
He traced the line of her jaw with his tongue, ending by tugging on her delicate earlobe with his teeth. She moaned aloud and her fingertips curled into his chest.
Kane, no.
No?
No. Kayla lay back against her pillow, out of breath and obviously out of her mind. What other explanation could there be for stopping him, when she wanted him inside her more than she wanted her next breath? But she could handle not making love with Kane again-barely. What she couldnt handle was the regret he would feel after they made love because hed given in to emotion and lost his focus once more.
He exhaled a groan and rolled over to lie beside her. His muscular leg straddled hers, and through the cotton briefs, his rock-hard arousal pressed hot and heavy against her thigh.
Her stomach muscles clenched with desire while the dampness between her legs begged her to reconsider. She couldnt. She had too much respect for him to change her mind.
You said you wanted to keep your distance. She used his own words as a deliberate barrier between them. She hadnt meant to play the role of a tease, rather she was gambling for her future.
Guess I changed my mind.
Your hormones did. Your mind, your heart She tapped lightly against his chest. Those things havent changed.
Cant argue with reason.
Guess not, she whispered. Though shed wanted him to do just that. Still Kayla had known it wouldnt be easy.
He stretched an arm around her and she curled into him. Its okay, Kane.
What is?
I stopped before you did something you would regret, but you have to knowits not something I would regret.
Are you saying you changed your mind? His hands tangled in her hair. It was a habit of his, she realized, one she enjoyed. The erotic tugging against her scalp turned her on.
No doubt thats what he intended. No, I havent changed my mind. Im still respecting your original decision. But I want you to know something else. She paused, in the space of a heartbeat. I dont expect anything from you. When this is over, you can walk away without looking back. I wont stop you.
The ring of the telephone shattered the ensuing silence and spared him having to answer. She glanced from the digital clock to the phone. No one I know would call at this hour. The persistent ringing continued.