Was it her velvety brown eyes? The way she blushed? When he’d embarrassed her, every bit of bare skin that he could see had gone pink, from the V of her blouse to the tips of her ears. He wondered if the rest of her turned that attractive color.
What would it be like to kiss those full lips?
As skittish as she seemed, he’d probably have better luck kissing the old lady on his other side. Kade grimaced at the thought.
Lightning lit the sky outside and Kelsey gasped as the plane dropped and shuddered. She turned from the window to face forward, her eyes scrunched tight, her face as pale as his mom’s lace tablecloth.
Over the intercom a man’s voice drawled, “This is your captain. Y’all sit tight with your seat belts fastened until we ride out this storm.”
Poor kid, Kade thought as he studied Kelsey.
He couldn’t stop himself. He eased an arm around her and pulled her head to his chest. She remained rigid, trembling. In a few moments, he felt her relax. A bit.
“Everything’ll be fine,” he whispered into her hair, and squeezed her cold fingers within his warm grasp.
His gut tightened at the smell of her and the feel of her soft body in his arms. Somehow he felt like he knew her. That he’d always known her.
The plane bounced and rattled amid the turbulence, and she pressed her face closer. Tears soaked his shirt, and he fought the urge to slip his fingers into her hair.
Why was she so terrified?
He moved his thumb over the back of her hand and noticed a band of pale flesh against her skin, where she must’ve worn a wedding ring. A broken engagement? A divorce?
The rest of the flight to Tucson was one of the roughest he’d taken. The thunderstorm raged and turbulence tossed the plane like a toy caught in a dust devil. But Kade found himself glad for the storm, glad for the excuse to hold the woman that he barely even knew.
Kelsey woke to a whisper in her ear. “We’re here, Kelsey. We made it.”
***
Disoriented, she blinked, then heat burned through her when she realized she had her head against the cowboy’s chest. When she pulled away from Kade, she couldn’t think of a thing to say.
How could she have let a stranger hold her to begin with? But it had helped calm the terror that churned inside her like an earthquake in the heart of San Francisco.
Davis had never held her. You’re being stupid, he would say. Get over it.
Not this man. Kade didn’t even know her, and yet he held her as though he truly cared.
“Such a sweet couple,” the wispy lady croaked from the other side of him. She reached across with her frail hand and patted his, still covering Kelsey’s. “You two remind me of my Wilbur and me. Sixty years of marriage and still dancing.” She gave a watery smile and eased herself up to enter the aisle.
Kade grinned and Kelsey wanted to drop through the floor of the plane.
She ducked and reached under the seat in front of her to grab the laptop bag. When she looked back, her eyes kept going up, traveling those long legs in snug Wranglers and, good lord, that very nice package... Her cheeks burned again at the turn of her thoughts.
He put on his cowboy hat and allowed her to go in front of him in the aisle. What did he think of her after that terrifying plane ride? Did he think she was some weepy woman who couldn’t take care of herself? Why did she care what he thought?
While she exited the plane onto the ramp, Kade strode at her side. “How long’ll you be here, Kelsey?”
The way he said her name sent shivers throughout her. A gentle drawl, a husky tone.
“Three weeks.” She chanced a look at him and saw his smile, a smile that caused something within her to burn. An ache, a wanting.
She didn’t tell him that she was considering moving to Tucson. Too many memories shrouded her in the Bay Area.
While they walked toward baggage claim she was surprised at the comfortable silence between her and the stranger. He had such an easy, relaxed presence that she found herself drawn to him even more, despite the pinging in her belly.
As he stood next to her at baggage claim, Kelsey tried not to think about the effect he was having on her. She was afraid he’d felt it, too, and that was dangerous territory she had no intention of exploring.
With relief, she saw her bright pink bags tumble down the slide to the conveyor. She snatched them one at a time and set them on the floor beside her. She turned to face Kade and saw him grabbing his own suitcase.
She took a deep breath and met his intense blue gaze. “It was nice of you to—to—well, help me make it through that flight.”
“Anytime.” In one swift movement, he gathered her two hefty suitcases along with his own and made it look like he was carrying a couple of hatboxes.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, hands on her hips.
“Helping you to your ride.” He managed a small bow and sounded quite gallant.
“I can carry my own bags,” she insisted to his retreating back.
“Is someone picking you up?” he asked as she trailed after him.
“I’m catching a cab.” The clean smell of rain hit her and thunder rumbled in the distance as they exited the terminal. An odd thrill tingled within her at the tension in the air. She loved thunderstorms—as long as she was safely on the ground.
Kade didn’t stop until he reached the short line of cabs and handed the driver her belongings while she stood under the awning. Rain rolled off his cowboy hat onto his shirt as he held the cab door open for her. “Where’re you headed?”
“Tucson Larson Hotel,” she replied as she dodged into the pounding rain and pushed her laptop case and purse into the cab’s backseat.
Wrinkling her nose at the smell of stale cigar smoke, she scooted over the cracked vinyl seat, to the far side that had fewer tears in it. She wiped raindrops from her face and pushed her damp hair behind her ears.
Kade leaned in the cab door. “I’m staying the night at the Larson, too. Mind if I get out of the rain and share your cab?”
He was already soaked from the storm and she hated to see him get any wetter. In fact, the thought gave her a little thrill. She nodded, then worried her lower lip with her teeth as he disappeared again and she felt the trunk of the cab being slammed shut.
As the cabdriver hopped into the front seat, Kade climbed in the backseat next to Kelsey. Her pulse picked up. Spending any time with a man who made her feel like taking a chance on romance was definitely not a good idea.
Chapter 2
The cabbie pulled into traffic as Kade set his Stetson on his knee and studied the woman next to him. “I’m having breakfast at the Larson in the morning,” he said, trying to set her at ease. “Otherwise I’d head home tonight.”
Kelsey jumped as lightning split the sky, the crack of thunder not far behind.
“Scared of thunderstorms also?” Kade asked, hoping she’d need a shoulder to lean on.
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m just not used to them.”
He smiled. “If you’re frightened, you could hold my hand again.” She pursed her lips, and he felt desire burn in him. So soft, so inviting, those lips.
“Listen, Kade.” She hesitated. “You were kind to me on the plane. More than kind. But I don’t let strange men hold me.” She turned to the window, where he could see streetlights blurring in the rain.
“Kelsey,” he said. She turned back with obvious reluctance. “I have no doubt that you would’ve made it through that flight without me lending a shoulder. There’s nothing wrong with being insecure sometimes. We all are.”
Sighing, she stared at her lap, reaching for her ring finger as if to twist a band no longer there. She thrust her hands to her sides and looked at him. “Someone always told me how weak I was for my fear of flying. He even knew what happened.”
The cab lurched to a stop in front of the Larson, and before he had a chance to respond, to ask what kind of jackass would say something like that to her, she flung open her do
or and darted out to the curb and into the rain. He followed, banging his forehead on the door frame and uttering a curse that was sure to turn Kelsey’s pretty ears blue.
By the time he managed to get his bulk out of the cab, she’d stuffed bills in the cabbie’s hand and was hauling her suitcases through the impressive doors of the Tucson Larson. Kade shoved his fare at the driver, grabbed his own bag, and followed. He couldn’t help admire Kelsey’s curves and the toss of her head. In a matter of a few strides, he’d caught up to her at the registration desk.
She tapped her nails on the marble countertop in a nervous rhythm that reminded him of rain falling on the cab’s roof.
The clerk typed in a command and studied his computer. “Ah, yes.” He handed Kelsey a key card. “Room eleven-ten.”
Kade moved beside her. “Wait for me and I’ll help with your bags, darlin’.” He told the clerk, “Owen.”
Kelsey frowned. “I’m not your darlin’, cowboy. I can handle my own bags.” She walked toward the elevators, across the acres of industrial carpet. But he had no doubt his ruse would get the results he wanted—at least with the clerk.
“Wedding jitters,” Kade said to the young man, who gave a knowing grin.
“Hmm, let me see here, Mr. Owen. Good. The room next to your fiancee is available. Room eleven-oh-eight.”
***
“Come on, come on,” Kelsey muttered, tapping her foot, anxious for the elevator to arrive before Kade caught up. Something about him was starting to wear down her defenses and she couldn’t afford to let that happen with any man. No matter how kind and attentive he might be.
No such luck. The doors opened, and Kade darted in before they had a chance to close. It was a slow elevator, taking its sweet time to head up the eleven floors.
“Have dinner with me tonight.” He smiled and she noticed a dimple in one cheek.
Kelsey’s body heated. Why not? Why not spend one evening in the company of an attractive man?
She gritted her teeth in an effort to fight off her attraction to the cowboy. I’m not ready. I need more time.
“It’s just dinner between two new friends,” Kade said, as if reading her mind.
The elevator groaned to a stop and the doors opened. It’s only dinner, her thoughts echoed. What could happen?
Definitely not a good idea. There was no room for someone as handsome and charming as Kade Owen in her life.
“Thanks, but no.” She gathered her bags and stepped into the hall that had the same peculiar odor that all older hotels did. Like ancient carpet, mothballs, and freshly laundered linens. It didn’t surprise her that he followed. He was as tenacious as San Francisco fog.
“How about I make you a wager.” He hooked his thumb in his belt loop. “I’ll guess something personal about you, and if I’m right, you have dinner with me. If not, then I’ll eat by my lonesome.”
She sighed and stared up at the outdated popcorn ceiling, then shook her head and looked at Kade. “Okay.”
“If I’m right, you’re having dinner with me.”
Kelsey smiled despite herself. “Yeah, yeah.”
He took her hand, and that strange energy jolted her at his touch, sending vibrations straight to her toes. His hand was much larger than hers, his callused palm rough against her soft skin. She shivered at his mere touch.
“You’re afraid to have dinner with me,” he began, “ ‘cause you just went through a rough time. I’d say you’re divorced and your ex-husband was a real jackass. You deserve better, Kelsey.”
A chill pebbled her skin and she snatched her hand away. “How did you know?”
With one finger he pushed up the brim of his Stetson, and grinned. “I won the bet.”
Anger burned away the frost of her surprise. “How did you find that out?”
Kade gave a gentle smile that had the odd effect of relaxing her. “I noticed that you still have a line from where you wore a wedding ring, so it couldn’t have been too long ago. You talked about a real idiot who treated you poorly, and you shy away from me like a horse spooked by a rattlesnake.”
She took a deep breath and gripped her laptop bag tighter. “You figured it out just from that?”
“Like I told you, I’m in law enforcement. Figuring out clues is part of what I do.” Kade’s expression took on a more serious look. “I’ll behave. Promise.”
“I must be out of my mind.” She shook her head and sighed. “All right. But it’s not a date.”
Kade strode to the start of the hallway, then stopped before the first door. “I’ll meet you in fifteen minutes. I’m starving. Those dang airplane peanuts just don’t tide me over.” He stuck a key card into room 1108 and was through the door before she had a chance to reply.
Slick. He even managed to get a room next to hers. She stood before her own door and groaned. Should she take her bags downstairs and demand another room?
Instinct told her that he wasn’t the type of man who would hurt or take advantage of her. With the exception of the mistake she’d made with the man she’d married, her instincts were usually right on. She could always change her mind and ask for a different room if she felt it necessary.
And since Kade was in law enforcement, he spent his time protecting people.
Maybe she should ask to see his badge.
Despite her many misgivings, fifteen minutes later Kelsey was ready. She’d managed to blow-dry the rain from her hair, curl a few wisps with the curling iron, and touch up her makeup. She’d changed out of her wrinkled blouse and skirt into a pink sundress and sandals.
When she was dressed, she dabbed honeysuckle perfume at her wrists and throat. Like the color pink, the scent made her feel feminine. Davis had hated her perfume and hated her in pink.
She wore pink and the honeysuckle perfume as often as possible.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Before she opened it, she took a deep breath and checked the peephole. It was Kade, and if that skewed image of him held true, he definitely looked too handsome for his own good.
When she swung open the door, she saw that he looked incredible in his black cowboy hat, his white teeth flashing against his deep tan, his navy shirt enhancing the disturbing blue of his eyes.
“Beautiful.” Kade’s gaze ran the length of her, and she blushed. “Do you like Mexican food? They serve the best enchiladas north of the border in one of the restaurants downstairs.”
She smiled despite the melting sensation in her bones. “Love it.”
As he escorted her to the restaurant, she was intensely aware of him. What was it about him that sent jolts of hunger through her every time they touched?
When the hostess showed them to a corner table, Kelsey was surprised Kade pulled out her chair and helped her seat herself at the table before taking his own seat. Davis had never done those small gentlemanly things. She’d never considered it necessary, but she found the gesture touching coming from Kade. He then took off his hat and set it on the chair beside him.
Her stomach twisted. She hadn’t been on a date since college.
No. This wasn’t a date. Just dinner with a man she’d never see again.
When Kelsey finished studying the menu, she saw Kade watching her. He gave her a slow, sexy smile that made her heart stop, and she almost forgot to breathe. To her relief, the waiter arrived to take their order.
“You ought to try one of their margaritas,” Kade said. “They’re wicked.”
She nodded. “Frozen with salt on the rim.”
“Gracias.” The waiter hurried away with their orders.
The restaurant had the perfect atmosphere for a casual evening out. Mexican hats, serapes, and decorated gourds plastered the walls, the floor a dark Saltillo tile. Mariachi music played in the background, and Kelsey found herself tapping her toe to the beat.
“You live in San Francisco?” Kade asked, drawing her attention back to him.
Kelsey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “All my life. What about you?”
“I’m an Arizona native.” He shrugged. “A rare breed. Most folks you meet around these parts are from anywhere but here.”
The waiter returned, placing a basket of chips, pots of salsa, and large margaritas in front of each of them.
“Goodness. It’s enormous.” She sipped her drink and smiled. “Delicious.”
He took a swallow of his. “One of these things equals two and a half regular ones. It’ll knock you on your a— butt if you’re not careful.”
Kelsey grinned, partly at his avoidance of the word “ass,” obviously to be polite to a female. She dipped a corn chip in salsa. “Were you on a business trip?”
Kade nodded before he put a handful of chips on his plate. “And visiting my sister and her kids. I don’t get to see them much, so I try to get out there at least once a year.”
As soon as she bit into the corn chip, she knew it was a mistake. Her mouth flamed and her eyes watered. She grabbed her margarita and drank it, trying to cool the burning sensation.
“Careful,” he said. “You’ll be dancing on the tabletops if you drink that too fast.”
Kelsey set down the drink and tried ice water instead, but her mouth still felt like it was on fire.
“Should’ve warned you about that salsa. Chips with salt might help.”
She fanned her warm face as she ate a plain chip with no salsa. “I’ve had hot sauce before, but nothing like that.”
It wasn’t long before the waiter arrived with their combo plates of enchiladas, tacos, refried beans, and Spanish rice. Everything tasted fabulous, but there was so much food that Kelsey was able to eat only half of what was on her plate.
While they ate, she was surprised at how much she wanted to know about him. She purposely steered clear of personal topics, and was glad he didn’t press her. He answered questions about Tucson, the best tourist attractions, and those frequented by the locals. She didn’t bother to tell him she would be leaving Tucson in the morning.
In turn, he asked her about living in San Francisco. They talked about the areas he’d visited around the city, and she shared her favorite places.
Kade: Armed and Dangerous Page 2
