Simply Sinful (Simply Series Book 1)

by Carly Phillips

  His gravelly laugh sent chills racing through her.

  “Lady, I’m no dummy. My mother’s sick. She wants the crosswords your aunt used to do. The ones she bragged about. I’m sure they’ll keep a sick, old lady busy.”

  Kayla swallowed hard. “I have them.”

  “Tomorrow, noon. Ditch the boyfriend and be at The Silver Café,” he said and disconnected the call.

  “Not enough time,” Kane muttered.

  “I tried.”

  “I know.” He eased the cell out of her hand. Her fingers ached and she realized she’d been gripping her phone way too hard. Just like the fear that gripped her heart. But she could handle this. She had to handle this.

  “What else did he say?” Kane caught her shoulders with both hands.

  His touch steadied her. She forced even breaths into her lungs and replayed the conversation in her mind. “He knows about the crosswords, that my aunt was responsible for those. And he wants to meet tomorrow, at…at…” Realization dawned. “He’s been following me.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “He wants to meet at the restaurant you took me to. That’s not a coincidence. I’ve never been there before you. I didn’t even know the place existed. He said to ditch you and show up alone. How does he know about you? How long has this guy been watching me?” Her voice rose along with her hysteria.

  “Kayla.” Kane shook her gently. “Hey. He’s just trying to rattle you.”

  “Well, he’s done a good job.”

  “Then back out. No one would blame you, and I sure as hell would welcome it.”

  “You know I can’t.” She met his gaze.

  “Then don’t let him win. Don’t let him make you think you aren’t safe.” He drew her into his arms. His warmth enveloped her; his strength supported her. “Because you are.”

  * * *

  Kane didn’t know how long he held her. Only that at some point, they lay down on the bed until her breathing steadied and relaxed. The first time he tried to untangle their legs, she resisted. He must have dozed off because the sun now shone through the window where moonlight had been.

  He called Reid from the kitchen. His boss answered on the first ring. “Meeting’s on,” Kane told him. “Noon today.” Kane didn’t like it, but he had no choice.

  He’d given up all leverage where Kayla was concerned. She’d cut him loose and he hadn’t argued. Even if the phone call hadn’t interrupted them last night, he wouldn’t have fought her. She’d given him his freedom, something he’d had anyway, but for some reason, she thought he needed her permission to walk away.

  She’d been clear on that point. She didn’t want anything from him. Though it was exactly what he needed to rid himself of any unwanted guilt, the thought rankled. Why the hell didn’t she want more? And why the hell did he care?

  “Hey, McDermott. You wake me up to breathe into the phone, or you want to discuss backup?” Reid’s voice brought him back to the present.

  Focus. A little after noon today, he’d have that ability back and more time than he knew what to do with.

  “Yeah, boss.” Kane gave details about Kayla’s phone conversation. “The meeting is at the same place the department sprung for dinner at the other night. It’s crowded at lunchtime, so I’d just have some well-dressed undercover cops drop in for a meal and make sure I’m in the booth behind them.”

  “No deal. If he followed her the night you two did the town, he’ll spot you in a second.”

  The captain was right, but damned if he could just send Kayla off on her own. “Either I’m there, or the meeting’s off.”

  Reid should have come down hard on him for asserting authority. He didn’t. His harsh laugh echoed in his ear. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were after my job, McDermott.”

  “I’d rather rot than sit behind a desk,” Kane muttered.

  Reid laughed again. “Okay, just keep out of sight. Make sure she hands over the books and opts out of the partnership. He takes them; we move in. That’s it.”

  “I’ll coach her. She won’t even breathe at the wrong time.”

  “Yeah, I trust you to be on top of things. Are you ready to end this?” Reid asked.

  Kane knew the older man meant more than the case. He’d switched into paternal mode. Reid didn’t do it often, but Kane appreciated the attempt. Too bad he didn’t have an answer that would satisfy either one of them right now.

  * * *

  Kayla fished through her closet for the third time. Silk blouses, linen slacks, and sensible pumps. Had she really expected the contents to change just because she had? Even during the days she’d worked nine-to-five as an accountant, wearing corporate suits and stuffy blouses, she hadn’t altered her wardrobe on weekends or days off. She was lucky she owned even one pair of jeans, considering she’d had no desire to wear them.

  Until Kane.

  There was no way she wanted to walk out of this house looking like the woman he’d met three days earlier. Not when she felt so different inside. Raiding Catherine’s closet was the only solution. A few trips to her sister’s room and she’d made her decision. She pulled a pair of black thigh high boots over tight leggings, then eased another of Cat’s V-necked tops, this one a light pink, over her head. Cleavage she was used to hiding was visible. Enough to be presentable not classless.

  Glancing in the mirror, she ran her fingers through her hair, when she caught sight of Kane standing guard in the doorway.

  “Ready for action. How do I look?” She turned toward him.

  His scowl spoke for him. “This isn’t a date. What the hell do you think you’re doing, dressing like that?”

  She recognized his roar. She’d gotten to him on some level that made him uncomfortable. Mission accomplished, she thought, and smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment. So you like it?” She smoothed the fitted top over her hips.

  “Damn right I like it. You look great.” His smoky gaze lit on hers.

  Her grin widened. “Thank you, Kane,” she said with a deliberate lilt to her voice.

  The tension eased and he smiled back. “So the files were right. You are a quick learner.”

  “I’m the best.”

  “I know that,” he muttered. “Now take it off.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You don’t want to arouse the guy; you want him in and out as fast as possible. You want to convince him you want out of the business, not that you’re looking to be hooked up with his next client.”

  “It’s an outfit most women wear every day.”

  “You’re not most women,” he muttered. “Now do this one thing for me. You don’t want that kind of reaction from the guy.”

  “I didn’t think.” Not about anyone’s reaction to her outfit but Kane’s, and she’d already gotten what she wanted.

  “That’s the point. You’re taking this whole meeting too damn lightly.”

  “If you’re talking about the clothes, I’ll change.” Kayla wasn’t one to argue with reason, no matter how bossy the command sounded.

  Besides, this was her golden opportunity. Her one chance to have Kane see he could be emotionally involved without harmful or, worse, fatal repercussions. Everything rode on this meeting turning out as planned. She would follow his advice, but she would also show him that she could stand on her own.

  “But if you’re talking about attitude, you ought to take a lesson. Will obsessing over the meeting change the outcome? You prepped me and I’m ready. I’ll be mic’d, and I know you’ll be as close as possible. I’ll be surrounded by protection.”

  “And you don’t move from your seat. Either he wants the books or he doesn’t. You got that?”

  “Considering you told me at least ten times, how could I forget? Relax, Kane. Take a lesson from me.” After her initial panic last night, she’d realized nothing would alter fate…whatever it held. Somehow, the knowledge eased her fear and helped her remain calm. “I can’t control the future,” she told him. “But I
can enjoy now.”

  He threaded his fingers through hers. The comfort she found in his touch amazed her, as did the strength of her feelings. She’d only known him a short time, but it was enough.

  “Is that what you’re doing?” he asked. “Enjoying now?”

  “What else?”

  “Changing before my eyes.” He tugged on her hand and she drew closer. Their bodies aligned until she felt his weight and heat pressed intimately against her. His arms wrapped around her waist, moving her into the V of his legs. His erection hardened and grew against her stomach. A harsh groan escaped his lips, telling her he was unbearably aroused.

  At that moment, she knew she could have one last time with him.

  His hips jerked forward, and she swallowed a moan. She licked her dry lips. “You tempt me, Kane.”

  “Only fair since you drive me out of my mind.” His lips lowered, capturing hers. This kiss wasn’t urgent and out of control; it wasn’t slow and determined with seduction as the result. His tongue delved and played inside her mouth, devouring, arousing…remembering for the future.

  Kayla had no doubt. In Kane’s mind, this was goodbye.

  * * *

  She ordered a drink from the waiter, as planned. Kane breathed a sigh of relief. He’d heard her loud and clear through the mic she wore. Now he settled in to wait.

  Five after twelve, and the lunch crowd had all taken their seats, fellow cops with big appetites and good instincts. He’d still rather be inside himself rather than listening from the manager’s office just outside the dining-room entrance.

  “It’s time.” A male voice interrupted Kane’s train of thought.

  “Actually past time. I’ve been waiting since twelve, like you said.” The edge in Kayla’s voice was unmistakable. Relax, sweetheart.

  “Change of plans. I can’t stay long.”

  “Too bad,” Kayla said. “I…I just ordered a drink, and I was hoping you’d join me.”

  Perfect, Kane thought. Keep him talking and keep him in the restaurant.

  “Not that you don’t tempt me, honey. You do. Hell, with a body like yours you’d tempt a monk, but I’m in a rush, so…maybe some other time.”

  “That might be possible if I wanted to continue the business—which I don’t.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Like I told you on the phone, my mother’s sick and I want some of your aunt’s crossword books to keep her busy.”

  Damn. The guy suspected a trap. Kane hoped like hell Kayla stuck to the plan. “Give him what he wants,” he muttered.

  “You know, my aunt was really into these books. I’d hate to just give them to someone who didn’t appreciate them the way she did. I’m sure you understand.”

  Kane could practically see her batting those big, green eyes for effect…at the same guy who’d wrapped his arm around her neck without a second thought.

  He exhaled a groan. Though she was doing a great job of attempting to exonerate her aunt, and things seemed to be going smoothly, this whole mess couldn’t be over soon enough to suit him.

  “Your aunt liked to play games,” the man muttered. “And apparently it runs in the family. My mother’s not too sick to play them herself.”

  “Well, good. Just tell me how involved my aunt was in those games, and you can take the books back to your sick mother…with my best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

  “Not here. I’ve got a car waiting outside. You walk me to it, and I’ll tell you all about how much my mother and your aunt had in common.”

  Remember the plan, Kane thought. Hand him the books and sit tight. Given no choice, a smart middleman would take them and run. Kane had already promised Kayla they’d lean hard on this guy and anyone else he ratted out to discover the extent of her aunt’s involvement. She didn’t have to jeopardize her life for her aunt’s reputation.

  “I’m sure you can make the time for one drink.” Her voice was practically a purr by now. Only Kane recognized the hint of desperation and fear within.

  “Not a chance. Let’s go.”

  “Hand him the books,” Kane muttered through clenched teeth. Instead, he heard the slide of a chair against the floor.

  “Just let me grab my bag,” she murmured.

  Kane slammed his hand hard against the wall, ignoring the immediate swelling caused by the impact against concrete. Sweat began a steady trickle down his back.

  He wanted to run into the hall and tackle her to the ground to stop her. But then he’d blow the case for sure. There were strategically placed cops outside; she’d be fine.

  She’d be fine. Memories welled up inside him fast and furious.

  The guys had wanted to shoot hoops after school. Kane couldn’t because he had to get home to his mother. “One game, McDermott. Ten minutes. No big deal.” He’d never said yes before, but the guys were insistent. Ten minutes turned to thirty, then an hour passed. Kane hit the streets at a dead run. She’d be fine, he’d told himself. She’d be fine.

  “There’s the car. Now I’ll take the books.” The man’s voice snapped Kane out from the grip of old memories.

  “Fine. But I’m done. I have nothing to do with this end of the business. I want to be left alone.”

  That’s a girl. Too late for Kane’s peace of mind; she was out there with less coverage than before. But at least she was sticking to the rest of the rules he’d laid out while he was taping her mic in earlier.

  Now if the guy would just attempt a clean break, and if Kane’s people could move in, they’d be all set. If, if, if…Dammit, why couldn’t she have stayed inside?

  “That’s a dangerous proposition. Just ask your aunt…” The man’s laughter mixed with the hacking cough of a longtime smoker. “That’s right, you can’t and you want to know why? She never wanted to be involved and look what happened to her.”

  “It wasn’t an accident.” The horror in Kayla’s voice caused Kane’s heart to twist into a tight knot.

  Kane shook his head, feeling her pain like his own. You were right all along about your aunt’s innocence, sweetheart. And Kane should have trusted her gut instinct as much as he trusted his own. Because he l…

  A car horn blared in the distance, and her attacker’s voice sounded next. “I didn’t say that, but if thinking it keeps you in line, I’m all for it. Now hand over the books.”

  “You killed Aunt Charlene.” Shock tinged Kayla’s voice.

  Dammit, hand over the books.

  “The books, lady.”

  “Ouch! Okay. You’re hurting me,! Here.”

  A loud, masculine grunt followed. Kane recalled Kayla nearly doubling him over with the same books and couldn’t suppress a half-laugh, half-groan at her unmitigated gall.

  Without warning, the sound of a lone gunshot rang out, shocking him as it echoed in his ears. Kane bolted for the door without looking back.

  Chapter Eleven

  “You don’t shoot when a civilian’s involved.” Kane’s shout reverberated through the air, stopping passersby on the street.

  “You do when there’s a safe shot,” the rookie retorted.

  “Didn’t you learn anything at the academy? There is no such thing, and I’ll make sure you have plenty of time to remember that while you’re walking the beat for the next month.”

  Kayla cringed from her perch on the curb where she’d fallen. Some trigger-happy cop had decided to take out the suspect when he’d tried to drag her into the car along with him. She supposed she should be grateful, but from the anger in Kane’s voice, she knew they’d both be paying for the foreseeable future. If Kane even stuck around that long, now that they had the guy in custody.

  The rookie had hit the man in the leg, and he’d dropped hard, his weight taking her down with him. Now he lay moaning in pain, surrounded by police.

  “And you.” Kane rounded the circle of cops, his attention now fully focused on her.

  The adrenaline rush from seeing him was much more potent than anything that had come before. His int
ense gaze settled on her face, and her heart rate kicked into high gear.

  “I thought I told you to stay put. To make sure you didn’t leave the restaurant. But following orders isn’t in your vocabulary, is it?” He loomed over her. Big, powerful, and sexy, despite his all-encompassing anger.

  Her fingertips curled around the curb, and the rough concrete bit into her skin. “Not when I’m stranded on my own and forced to improvise. He said move; I moved. I didn’t think…”

  His jaw clenched in a gesture she’d come to recognize, one that signaled the calm before the proverbial storm. “You’re damn right you didn’t think. You didn’t think he’d grab you, didn’t think he’d try to drag you into his car, didn’t think some rookie looking for a promotion would see his chance and fire.”

  She’d put herself in danger while he was powerless to stop it…just like with his mother. Kayla realized the foundation of his anger way too late to prevent the flood of emotion she’d inadvertently unleashed. The yelling came from deep concern, and fear of reliving his painful past.

  “I’m not hurt, Kane.”

  “But you had to push him,” he continued as if he hadn’t heard. He probably hadn’t. “You had to know about your aunt. You couldn’t trust me to do my job…” His voice trailed off and he paused, shaking his head. “It’s not like I gave you any damn reason to.”

  She trusted him, all right. With her life and with her heart. But he wouldn’t believe her any more than he’d want to hear the truth. Because Kane was only concerned with his job, not with emotions he hadn’t asked her to feel for him. This turn of events hadn’t helped. In fact, that rookie had probably shot her happy ending to hell and back.

  Kane had wanted a neat wrap-up, no problems, no proof that he’d let his feelings sway his judgment in any way. Life had just thrown the unexpected in his path. He’d have to deal with that, Kayla thought. The man had emotions and it was past time he got in touch with them.

  She quickly cataloged her body, and not finding any overt injuries, she levered herself to a standing position. Unexpected pain shot through her ankle when she put pressure on her foot. She forced what she hoped was an easy smile. “I’m fine.”