The Million Dollar Catch Bundle

by Susan Mallery

  “Where does he go?”

  “I don’t know. None of us do. It’s just what he’s always done. The thing is Marina can totally accept him and Julie will never forgive him. They’re definitive. People should be definitive.”

  He ran his fingers through her long blond hair. The cool strands were silky soft and damned erotic. “Why?”

  This time she chuckled. “Because it provides order. I’m the middle child, cursed with the ability to see all sides of things. It’s annoying for me and those around me.”

  He touched her chin, forcing her to look at him. Her eyes were the color of the Caribbean Sea. Even puffy, she was beautiful. Her full mouth called to him. Desire flared and he suddenly wanted her with an intensity that hit him like a gunshot.

  “Kane? Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Shaken, but fine.

  What was wrong with him? He’d had her for a night—that was enough. It was always enough. He needed to distract them both.

  “Did you like drawing the cartoons?” he asked.

  Instantly her eyes clouded. “Of course. It was fun and creative. Sometimes I didn’t like the pressure of the deadline. It was very much an every week thing. I was usually late, which isn’t good.”

  “Was it your dream? Did you grow up wanting to be a cartoonist?”

  Her eyes cleared as she smiled. “No. It was not my childhood fantasy.”

  “What was?”

  She pulled back and wiped her face with her hand. “I’m sorry to break down like this. You only wanted help with your cat and I’ve gotten your shirt wet.”

  She placed her fingertips on the damp fabric. Her touch burned him down to the bone.

  He ignored the need and instead focused on the woman. “You didn’t answer the question.”

  “I know. I just…it’s so small, you know? Julie’s doing big things and Marina’s going to save lives or maybe the planet. I’m not like that.”

  “Why do you have to be?”

  “I don’t, but if I’m not, do I still belong?”

  Her pain made him uncomfortable. He wanted to fix the problem, which he couldn’t. He barely understood it. Women and their feelings were a mystery he’d never wanted to solve…until today.

  “You’ll always be a part of your family,” he told her. “Maybe if you were doing what you wanted to do instead of what you thought you should, you wouldn’t care about being different.”

  She blinked at him. “That’s good. Do you read self-help books?”

  He grimaced. “No.”

  “I didn’t think so. You’re not the type. I want…” She drew in a breath and said, “I love plants. I love how they’re all so different. I love making them grow, especially the really tough ones. I love how they look and feel and smell and how they all have different personalities.”

  Personalities? Plants? He told himself to just go with it. This was Willow, after all.

  “Sometimes, when they change overnight, it’s like magic,” she said. “I want to open a nursery.”

  She paused, then seemed to fold in on herself, as if waiting for an attack. “Dumb, huh?”

  “It’s not dumb,” he told her. “Why couldn’t you?”

  “I don’t know anything about business. I didn’t go to college, I’ve never even worked in a nursery. It takes money to start a business.”

  “You could marry Todd. A million dollars is a lot of start-up capital.”

  That earned him a big smile. “Very funny.”

  She leaned back against the sofa, which trapped his arm behind her neck, but he wasn’t inclined to pull it back.

  “Okay, I’ll be serious. You get a job in a nursery and learn the business. You go to community college and take business classes.”

  She turned to look at him. “You make it sound simple.”

  “Why does it have to be hard? When I was in the hospital and the army recruiter stopped in to see me, I realized it was a way out. I couldn’t stay where I was—they’d only come after me again. I already had a fake birth certificate saying I was eighteen, so when I was released, I joined up. If it’s important, you do what you have to do. It doesn’t have to be hard. Willow, you got me to adopt a damn cat. Trust me, you can make a business work.”

  “You think?”

  “I know.”

  She smiled then, a warm, welcoming happy smile that made him want to strip her naked and take her in ways she didn’t know existed.

  Instead he leaned forward and handed her a cookie.

  Later, when Willow had left and he was alone with the cat, Kane glanced at the feline who seemed to be watching him with great interest.

  “Don’t get any ideas,” he told her. “I only called Willow because you needed your own space. It won’t happen again. I don’t like her. I don’t like anyone, including you.”

  The cat blinked slowly.

  “Just as soon as your kittens are older, I’m taking all of you to the pound. Just so you’re clear.”

  The cat blinked again and the sound of her purring filled the quiet room.

  Six

  Willow sorted through the beads on the table in front of her, chose one and picked up her glue gun. She carefully applied the bead to one of the candles she’d finished the previous night and did her best not to grin as Kane paced the length of her small kitchen.

  It took him all of three steps before he had to turn around and go the other way. She’d offered him a seat, but he seemed determined to stand during their conversation.

  She wouldn’t have minded if he didn’t look so…uncomfortable. Probably her place, she thought as she glanced around. It was pretty girly—all ruffles and ribbons on the curtains she’d made. There were plants everywhere, along with candles and dishes of potpourri. She had a small collection of china and crystal unicorns on a shelf in the living room. Her furniture there was white wicker with floral cushions.

  Definitely not Kane’s kind of place.

  “I’ll be gone two nights,” he said as he glanced at a pot holder in the shape of a frog and grimaced. “I’m sure the cat will be fine, but if you could feed her—”

  “I’m happy to,” Willow told him, holding in her smile. “I’ll put out fresh food, change the litter, give her a little attention.” She paused and prepared to enjoy the moment. “This means you’ll be giving me a key.”

  “Yes.”

  “To your house.”

  “I know.”

  She picked up another bead. “It will be like we’re living together.”

  He turned and stared at her. “We’re not living together.”

  “I didn’t say we were.”

  “You implied it. You’re looking after the cat, that’s it. The cat you insisted I keep. I shouldn’t have the cat at all.”

  “But you do.”

  His mouth thinned. “You’re to take care of her and then leave. Don’t go through my stuff.”

  She pretended to be insulted. “Would I do that? Honestly, Kane, when have I violated your personal space?”

  “You want a list? I know you,” he growled. “You’ll snoop.”

  This was so much fun, she thought happily. He was just adorable when he was grumpy. “I promise I won’t.”

  “As if I believe that.”

  “Hey, I don’t lie. I won’t look around.”

  “I’ll know if you do.”

  He probably would. So what would he do? Put single hairs across drawers and sticky spy stuff on the inside of closets?

  “I gave my word,” she told him. “I meant it. Take whatever precautions make you happy, but there’s no need. I’ll respect your privacy.”

  He eyed her for a second, then put a key on the counter.

  She sighed. “This is so sudden. I thought you wanted to take things more slowly.”

  He gaze narrowed.

  She grinned. “I can’t help it. You’re just so easy.”

  “Thanks.”

  She turned off the glue gun, then stood. “I
don’t mean that in bad way. You’re just fun to bug.”

  “I’m ignoring you now.”

  “You can’t. It’s my apartment and I’m in charge. Besides, you’ll be interested in this.”

  She walked into the living room and picked up a catalog from the glass and wicker coffee table. “Look,” she said as she waved it. “This is for the spring semester at my local community college. I’m going to sign up for business classes. And I’ve been looking at getting a job in a nursery.” She paused for effect. “I have an interview on Thursday.”

  His tortured expression relaxed. “Good for you.”

  “Thanks. I never thought about just taking the steps. I guess they didn’t seem possible. But now they are and it’s all thanks to you.”

  “I only pointed you in the right direction.”

  “You don’t want to take credit?”

  “No.”

  “But then I’d owe you.”

  He stiffened.

  She grinned. “Am I bugging you? I don’t mean to.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Okay, a little, but in the nicest way possible. Admit it, Kane. You’ve never known anyone like me and I’m growing on you.”

  “Like mold.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I see you’re feeling better. Back in power and sassy.”

  “Sassy.” She liked the sound of that. It was fun and sexy. Is that how he saw her? She felt a little zing shoot through her.

  “Don’t read too much into that,” he grumbled.

  “Of course not. You don’t do relationships.” She tilted her head as she looked at him. “What about friends? Any of them hanging around?”

  “No.”

  “No significant other, no family, no friends.” Her good mood faded. “That’s about the saddest thing I’ve ever heard,” she murmured. Was it really possible that he didn’t love anyone—and no one loved him? Her heart began to ache.

  “Don’t go there,” he told her.

  “Where?”

  “Wherever it is you’re planning on going. I like my life.”

  “Don’t you ever want more?”

  “No.”

  He spoke flatly, as if trying to convince her, but she refused to believe him. What happened in the dark of night when he was alone? Didn’t he want a friend to share things with? Someone to care? To miss him when he was gone and welcome him home again?

  Without thinking, she crossed the few feet between them and hugged him. He pulled his arms free, but didn’t touch her. She felt his stiffness, his resistance to the embrace.

  “I don’t need this, Willow.”

  “Maybe I do. Just accept it and hug me back.”

  For a long time, she thought he was going to ignore her or push her away. But at last, she felt his arms embrace her.

  She stood holding him, breathing in his tempting, masculine scent, feeling his heat and his strength. He was the most dangerous man she’d ever known, yet she couldn’t be afraid of him. He still made her feel safe.

  Crazy talk, she told herself. She should ignore it. Except she felt a strong and deep connection to Kane. It was as if some part of him called to her.

  Was that real or just her burning desire to rescue the world? Not that he would believe he needed rescuing.

  She looked up and met his gaze. The sexual fire there stole her breath away. Wanting swept through her as she imagined being with him again. She became aware of all the places her body touched his and how much better that touching would be if they were both naked.

  “You want me,” she breathed.

  He immediately stepped back. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Was he kidding? “Of course it matters. It’s fabulous. Let’s go do it.”

  She grabbed his hand and tried to pull him toward the bedroom, but he didn’t budge. She spun back to face him.

  “What on earth is wrong with you?” she demanded.

  “I have rules for a reason.”

  “You’re stubborn and difficult and your rules are stupid.”

  “That’s only your opinion,” he told her.

  “But you want me,” she said. “You totally want me.”

  “Yes, I do. And I’m not going to do anything about it.”

  “Kane?” She was trying not to take this personally, but it was hard.

  He walked to the door. “I’ll be back on Thursday in the early evening.”

  He was leaving? Just like that? Nothing he did made sense to her. Didn’t any of this matter? Didn’t she matter?

  But she wasn’t going to ask that last question—her ego was still a little bruised from the cancellation of the syndication deal. Better to not go there until she was stronger.

  “You probably don’t want me waiting for you,” she said.

  “You’re right.”

  He was so solitary—it wasn’t good. “Don’t you ever want to come home to someone? To a bright house and a hot meal and a person who’s happy to see you?”

  Something flashed through his eyes. She couldn’t tell what it was, but if pressed, she would have said a combination of pain and longing.

  “I’m not interested in any of that,” he said and then he was gone.

  Willow stared after him. She might not know anything about being a lawyer or chemistry or even how to run a business, but she did know one thing.

  Kane had been lying.

  Thursday afternoon Willow pulled up in front of her apartment. She couldn’t stop grinning, which was a good thing. Her interview had been amazing. She and Beverly, the owner of the nursery, had talked about plants and gardening and their favorite ways of doing things for nearly two hours. At the end, Beverly had not only offered her the job, but had upped the starting salary by two dollars an hour, with a promise of more money to come.

  “You’re exactly who I’ve been looking for,” Beverly had told her. “I never thought I’d find you.”

  Words to make her do the happy dance, Willow thought as she climbed out of her car and walked toward her front door.

  But her good mood evaporated like mist in the sun when she saw a familiar motorcycle parked against the side of her building and saw a tall, lanky man standing nearby.

  Chuck was back.

  Funny how in the past those three little words had always made her heart beat faster and her spirit wonder if this time he finally wanted to stick around. Because Chuck was an unfortunate combination of a man who needed rescuing—like nearly all the other men in her life—and her father—a man who couldn’t stay in one place more than a few months.

  The combination made him a poor bet for a romantic relationship and therefore nearly irresistible to her.

  “Willow,” he said as she approached. “It’s been a long time. You look great.”

  “Chuck.”

  She looked at him, at the familiar too-long dark hair, the catlike green eyes, the sexy smile and braced herself for the emotional meltdown. Only there wasn’t one. She felt exactly…nothing.

  Willow came to a stop on the sidewalk. Wait a minute. This was Chuck—the one guy she most wanted to be with. The one she’d dreamed about, fantasized about, the one she’d wanted to have kids with.

  “You changed your locks,” he said, motioning to the door. “I couldn’t get inside.”

  “Yes, I did change them.” About six months ago, in a fit of self-preservation.

  “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

  She didn’t have all that much to say to him, but why not? If this new attitude continued, she could consider herself cured.

  “Sure.”

  She opened the door and led him inside. He looked around and grinned.

  “Just like I remember,” he said. “You’ve done it up so pretty.”

  Pretty? “You always said my place looked like a girls-only decorating catalog vomited on the place.”

  “Did I? I didn’t mean it. You have great taste, Willow.” He moved close and put his arm around her. “You’re looking good. Sexy.”

  Sexy?
Wait a minute. “Since when?” she demanded. “You said after that one time we did it you thought of me as your sister.”

  “Nah, that wasn’t me. I think you’re hot.”

  Hot? Her? It was the answer to all her prayers. She waited for the rush of relief, the bubble of happiness. Instead she found herself wondering what kind of dirt he was tracking in on her clean floor.

  She slipped free of his embrace and moved into the kitchen where she poured two glasses of iced tea.

  “I did it, Willow,” he said as he leaned against the counter. “I cleaned up my life, the way you always told me to. I moved to Tucson and got a job and saved my money. Whenever I wanted to do something stupid, I’d ask myself, ‘Would Willow do this?’ and then I’d listen to the answer. I won a bunch of money playing poker and I bought me a Jiffy Lube franchise. They’re a great company and I’m doing good. I’m saving for a house, too.”

  She didn’t know what to think. It was too much information all at once.

  “Good for you,” she said and meant it. She was glad he’d found what he wanted.

  “The thing is, I don’t want to go back to the way I was,” he told her, sounding painfully earnest. “I need you in my life, Willow. I’m a better man with you around. So I was thinking, you could come back with me. We’d live together for a while and if that went as good as I think it’s going to, we’ll get married. You want that, right? Marriage and some kids? I can give that to you now.”

  A year ago she would have been melting in a puddle of excitement. Having Chuck finally speak those words—although maybe not as romantically as she would have liked—would have meant everything to her. Now, she felt nothing.

  What was wrong with her? Sure, she’d sworn off the whole rescuing thing, but this was Chuck. Shouldn’t he have tested her resolve?

  “I wish you the best,” she said sincerely. “I’m so happy for you and proud of what you’ve done with your life, but I’m not interested in moving to Tucson.”

  He moved close and cupped her cheek. “Hey, Willow. It’s me.”

  Then he lowered his head and kissed her.

  She waited for the familiar rise of heat and longing, or at least a sense of revenge. After all, Chuck had slept with her and then told her he didn’t find her appealing in that way.