Well see.
Captain Reid smacked his hand on the metal desk. No, youll see, McDermott. Just make sure you pay more attention to the lady than you do to the game.
Kane didnt take offense. The old mans gruff ways had kept Kane going too many times, when hed watched neighborhood friends overdose or go down on a bust. The older man had faith in a young kid even when no one else cared enough to bother. He knew Kanes sense of duty was strong.
After this one I dont want to see your sorry butt in here until the middle of next week.
A good weekend to you, too. Say hi to Marge.
Do it yourself, Reid grumbled. She says you dont come by often enough. He turned and strode back into his office.
Kane got his mind back on the case. He let the captains words about Kayla sink in. Doling out attention to Ms. Luck wouldnt be a hardship. In her silk top and pearl earrings she was a sexy woman who any guy would be lucky to claim as his own.
Except a cop whose job it was to take down a prostitution ringif it existed. Her place could be a front as his informant claimed. Maybe the sister knew more than Kayla, but according to his files, Catherine Luck had signed over ownership and was more concerned with her education than the school that paid for it.
He swiveled back and forth in his seat. He had a hard time believing the innocence in that green-eyed gaze wasnt real but an act for the customers benefit. His hands clenched into fists at the thought of Miss Kayla Luck.
Chemistry flared between them hot and strong. Unmistakable. Verbal seduction wouldnt be a problem tonight, but keeping his hands to himself just might be. He shook his head, trying to dislodge any thoughts caused more by emotion than common sense. Cash in exchange for sex, he reminded himself. Money up-front. Stick to the plan and the answers would follow.
And Kane always stuck to the plan. As a punk kid, hed followed a different code of conduct than the one he lived by now, but respecting the law on the street had kept him alive. As a cop, he walked on the other side. The rules were different but the reasoning the same. If he followed the rules, he kept his edge honed. Anything less and he didnt deserve his badge.
Kane closed his eyes and a vision of Kayla danced before them. Between a body made for a mans touch and a heart-shaped face that would test a saint, he had the distinct notion he needed that edge more than ever before.
ITS A BASEBALL GAME, not a formal banquet.
Its a date, not order-in Chinese food with your sister, Catherine countered. She threw a disgusted glance at Kaylas old sweatshirt and blue jeans. Are you trying to turn the man off before he gets to know how disgustingly smart you are?
Kayla thought back to his references about her classes and how smart women turned him on. He couldnt possibly know that much about her after such a brief meeting. It had to be a lucky guess. I dont want to look too eager, she said.
More like you dont want to look too easy. Her sister grabbed Kaylas hand. Head held high, Catherine led the way to her bedroom, a short distance down the hall from Kaylas own. With dramatic flair so opposite to Kaylas more subdued actions, Catherine flung open the closet door and began riffling through the clothes inside.
They wont fit, Kayla muttered.
Maybe we dont share the same bra size, but dont tell me you dont steal my clothes every once in a while.
Borrow.
Whats the difference? Catherine held up a yellow blouse, made a face and hung it back on the rack. I know I swipe yours. She came out of the small walk-in with a white turtleneck and a pale blue satin jacket. Here. Leave the jeans and try this. The jackets quilted, by the way. Its supposed to be chilly tonight.
Kayla glanced at the outfit, more casual than her usual Brooks-Brothers type look. Still, when she tried on the clothes, she had to admit she looked okay. Catherine made a show of walking around her twice, hands on her hips in a judgmental pose. Perfect. Better than all those trousers and silk blouses you wear. So stuffy-even Mama wouldnt have left the house like that.
Mama liked to dress her own way, Kayla said, thinking of the woman who had raised her girls alone. A woman with a heart of gold, but tarnished luck.
They hadnt had much money, but their mother had always made sure she looked her best before leaving the house. Unfortunately her best too often fell short. She looked like what she was: the checkout girl at the local supermarket, an aging woman still attempting to look younger than her years. Until Catherine had taken over clothes shopping, the Luck sisters had usually gone to school looking like miniclones of their beautiful, but flamboyant mother.
Men definitely took notice, Catherine said.
Too bad she never looked at them. Maybe things would have been different.
Maybe Mama wouldnt have died of overwork and a broken heart? Catherine shook her head. She chose her life.
She liked pining for Daddy, thats for sure. You ever wonder if Daddy pined back? Kayla asked.
She liked pining for Daddy, thats for sure. You ever wonder if Daddy pined back? Kayla asked.
Her sister shook her head. I think one kid scared him to death, two made him worse than a coward.
Do you really have to sound sofull of hate? Kayla muttered.
I dont hate him. Actually I dont feel much about him at all. But truth is truth. Catherine pinned her with her steady gaze. I dont think all men are like him if thats what youre thinking.
Not in the love em and leave em department, Kayla agreed. But in the cant keep their hands to themselves department, men are all the same. After all, her parents had had Kayla and Catherine within one year of each other. If that wasnt a prime example of too much lovin, as her mother liked to call it, then she didnt know what was.
Catherine lowered herself onto her frilly white bedspread. You know, a guy not keeping his hands to himself can be nice.
For someone with Catherines confidence, maybe. Kayla joined her, staring at her fingers spread over her jean-clad legs. Are you going out tonight? Kayla asked.
You bet. Dancing at Shooters. She snapped her hands in the air. With Nick.
Nick had been Catherines best friend for years. Kayla suspected hed once been in love with her beautiful sister, too. But Cat wasnt interested and Nick had moved on, apparently content as Cats best friend. And Catherine was alone.
Kayla narrowed her eyes and took in her sisters miniskirt and tights, her stretch top that showed off delicate curves. Catherine didnt have Kaylas lush figure, but she attracted her own share of attention. Kayla admired her sister but she also knew she had her own share of insecurities. Cat covered them well but the truth was obvious. Both Luck sisters had been scarred by their childhood experiences.
Each Luck sister had reacted in a different way. Instead of becoming a social butterfly, Kayla had learned to push men away. Although she had a lingering desire for hearth, home and a white picket fence, she knew better than to believe shed find it or the perfect man to share her life with.
Catherine placed a sisterly hand over hers. Maybe youve never found the right guy. The one who will put you first.
You think he exists? Kayla asked but Kane immediately came to mind. He was the one man she didnt want to push away physically or turn off emotionally. He was the first guy who made her feel special, who made her want to take chances.
Catherine shrugged. I dont know. But if the light in your eyes is any indication, you do. And Id hate to see you lose that special someone out of fear.
She grinned. He was different and sexy and
And?
He listened, she said, somewhat embarrassed. He was interested, if Im not mistaken, but Ive been out of the game too long to know for sure.
Catherine shook her head. You dont need experience to know if he makes you feel special. This guy could be it.
Kayla had the sense that Kane was most definitely it. I dont really know him, Kayla reminded her sister.
But you want to. Catherine read her mind as she had so many times in the past. And just wait until he gets a look at you tonight. Walking back to the closet, Catherine reached inside and tossed something across the room.
Kayla stood before the full-length mirror behind the door. She spun around once more, shocked at the woman whose reflection she saw there. I dont even recognize myself, she said, as she added the finishing touch, a wide headband that would provide both warmth and style for the night ahead.
Thats because youve been so busy hiding behind conservative clothes and a job that involves geeks not hunks. Youve just forgotten theres a woman inside.
Was Catherine right? Of course she was. Between her old accounting job and now running her aunts business, Kayla had stifled her sense of self. Add to that her self-imposed lack of a love life and things seemed pretty pathetic about now.
Her sister placed her hands on Kaylas shoulders. At least this guy has brought my sexy sister out of her shell. Catherine grinned.
Hes a customer, Kayla said. As if that meant anything. As hed said, the customer thing was an excuse to let her say yes to a date without thinking too much. It was eerie how well Kane McDermott had understood her.
Since when do you date a customer?
She met Catherines gaze in the mirror. I dont, she admitted.
I know. And thats why I think you should go out and feel for once. Take things from there. Catherine plucked at the headband, straightening it to look suitably stylish. The clothes are just the trappings of freedom. The rest is up to you.
Catherine turned her toward the door to the bedroom and steered her into the hall. Ill drop you off at the restaurant. Its on my way and, besides, I want to get a look at this guy firsthand.
Checking him out, Mom?
Catherine shrugged. Weve always looked out for each other. No sense stopping now. She glanced at Kayla. You think about what I said. You might live to regret it if you dont.
Kayla took her sisters advice, all the way to the outside of the restaurant. Hed given her directions to it during their brief phone conversation and Catherine had given her a lift. Kane waited on the top step, his elbow resting on the brass railing. Irresistible in a black leather jacket, he could show her his charms anywhere, anyplace, anytime, she decided.