by Marie Harte
Linda blushed becomingly, and her satisfaction spoke true. She wanted all of Dane’s attention centered on her.
Knowing the big guy could handle himself, Kitty smiled and waved, then left. Her walk back to her room should have been straightforward, but a subtle hum in the back of her brain confused her sense of direction, guiding her farther down the hallway, then left. Then right again. Baffled, Kitty stopped and found herself in a wing of the house she hadn’t visited before. Hadn’t been invited to visit, she corrected herself, and hastily backed out of the hallway. She backtracked and reached the last spot she recognized at the south-wing stairway.
Good Lord, but this place was huge.
“And who are you?” The voice came from the doorway of the study she’d just passed.
She turned around and stared at a man who no doubt knew his way around the ladies. Charm and appreciation emanated from a muscular man in his late thirties, maybe early forties. He had a nose that had been broken a few times and a square jaw. Dark hair had been cropped short around his blunt face, and his bright blue eyes had a shine of intelligence. The innate sense that he lived to brawl lingered over him like fine cologne. An alpha male through and through.
This man loved a challenge, and he more than liked what he saw in her. Lust spiked the air, and Kitty forced herself to smile back at him, pleased to note they stood the same height. He had the brawn of a weightlifter and fists the size of bricks, but she had speed and endurance on her side. Not to mention she’d empathically sap the fight out of him if he made a wrong move. She hoped.
Kitty cleared her throat. “Hello. I’m Kitty Johnson. Linda invited me and my boyfriend to stay the weekend.”
He cocked his head, and his curiosity beamed bright. “Oh right. You must be with the artist. Hanson, right?”
She nodded.
He walked to her, took her limp hand in his, and kissed the back of it. “Lucky guy.”
She chuckled and ignored the urge to rip her hand away. Kitty didn’t like being touched unless she extended the invitation. Except with Dane, and she still didn’t understand why he flipped her switch so easily. This man was easily a match for Dane’s dominance, yet she didn’t feel a smidge of sexual attraction for him. He looked like the type to get off on hurting women. Maybe she wasn’t her mother after all. Thank God.
“You’re sweet, Mister…?”
He didn’t let go of her hand. “Morley James. I do consulting work for Linda’s security team. She and I were supposed to meet tonight, but I’m thinking I might have my dates crossed. I know she was looking forward to meeting Hanson.”
The intimacy he projected suggested Morley and Linda had more going on than business. Kitty made a mental note to study him later. She vaguely recalled his name from the data Ian had given her, but nothing significant about Morley James came to mind, which told her to pay attention. This man had power. Nothing psychic that she could tell, but physical and charismatic energy streamed over him like a rainbow. And his connection to Linda should have been an open piece of information she already knew about.
She clasped his hand in hers and sent him a surge of trust, enough to lay a foundation should she need it later.
Unlike Linda, he reacted predictably. Finally, something going right for her on this stupid case.
His pupils dilated a fraction as he accepted the feeling. “How do you like the estate?” He let her go with noticeable reluctance.
“It’s beautiful. And big. I was looking for my room and must have gotten turned around.”
“Oh?”
“I have a slight headache. Between flying out here today, having dinner with the Linda Cavendish, and then seeing The Little Death, I—”
He frowned. “She let you see it?”
“She let Dane see it. I kind of tagged along for the ride.” Kitty sighed. “Dane can be really persuasive when he wants something.” Don’t I know it.
Morley nodded. “Linda told me a bit about him. And of course, I had him investigated thoroughly before he set foot in the place. You too.”
He smiled to take the sting out of his words, yet her mind raced with the fact that he’d already known what she looked like, who she was. He obviously liked to play games, and she upped her estimate of his danger another few rungs.
“Dane Hanson is a tough man. Surprising to see such artistic talent come out of a decorated US Marine like that.”
“I know. He’s tough on the outside, but really sensitive on the inside.” Was he? The man certainly cared about his sister. And for all his bluster and supposed blackmail to help her, she had a feeling if she’d simply said no, he’d have assisted her anyway. Men like Dane were bred to help. Sure, he was bossy, but from what she’d read in Ian’s dossier on the man, Dane was a natural-born protector.
“Hmm.” Morley didn’t say more as they walked together back down the hallway. “Do you remember where she put you?”
“We’re in the guest house by the pool. I just hadn’t realized there’s more than one pool,” Kitty said, trying to sound self-conscious. What the hell had urged her past the guest house outside to that part of the house? She had a bad feeling she knew—The Little Death.
Morley laughed. “It takes some getting used to. The first time I set foot in this place, I felt sure I’d leave dirt marks with every footstep.”
“I’m not sure I could ever get used to it. My entire house fits in the downstairs of the guest suite.” She shook her head and smiled. “But Linda is so down-to-earth. I really like her.” Trust me, I’m a friend, she sent as hard as she could.
Morley nodded, and his eyes warmed. “Yeah, she’s a great lady.” He moved with her out a set of french doors and escorted her to the guest house. He took her hand in his again and kissed the back of it.
She felt his callused palms and noted the swollen knuckles holding her hand. Interesting. For a white-collar security guy, Morley James had the fists of a bare-knuckled fighter. What to make of that?
“Hope that headache eases, Kitty.” Morley stepped closer, his gaze darting down her chest and staying there. “And let me know if I can do anything to make your stay a more pleasant one.” He licked his lips, then let her go and walked away.
His desire and possession lingered after he’d turned to leave, which made her nervous, because he suddenly seemed more interested in claiming Kitty than he was about Linda. And how the hell would Morley’s attention make earning Linda’s trust any easier?
Chapter Nine
Dane cursed Kitty for the dozenth time. How could she leave him to this barracuda? The minute Kitty departed, Linda had been all over him like an octopus. He wanted to laugh at the odd circumstance of being harassed by a successful, beautiful woman. Normally, he’d show her who was boss, but he didn’t know how to handle Linda without pissing her off. He didn’t know enough about her to make a judgment call, so he decided to wait her out and see.
She angled closer to him on the couch as they watched the movie, and he inwardly groaned when she set her hand on his knee. Nothing about it felt too intimate, but he worried if he didn’t soon take charge, the woman would get the wrong impression. He really didn’t want Linda Cavendish’s hand between his legs. He didn’t want anyone but Kitty touching him there.
At the thought, he predictably hardened. Christ. That was all he needed. Linda to see him hot and bothered.
He crossed his ankle over his knee and subtly shook off her hand. Then he blocked her view of his crotch by angling his arm over his leg. He nodded to the screen. “Don’t let me miss the part where you enter the scene.”
At that, she glanced back at the film, apparently more concerned with her performance than his. He willed away his erection by thinking about his sister and McKay. Man, he still steamed about them, especially because he knew Kitty had indeed set them up.
Yet he couldn’t hold on to the idea she’d forced his sister to love the guy. Karen had been of her own mind since she’d turned sixteen. He’d done his best to help guide her whe
n their parents passed, but being away in the military took away a lot of his authority on the home front. Losing her would hurt, because Dane didn’t give his affections lightly.
He hadn’t given his heart to anyone in longer than he cared to think about. A high school sweetheart, then that one girl when he’d first joined the marines. But through the years, his girlfriends had become casual fuck buddies. Then he’d come upon the D/s scene and found his niche. There he had women he scened with, but no one special. They’d ultimately bored him. In bed or out, he didn’t seem to connect with the women he’d met. Yet with Kitty, he did.
He wanted to know more about her. He wanted to see her with her friends and hear her laugh. He wanted to see her dance for the whip or come while he shoved himself inside her and gave her a part of himself. Not since his idiot years in high school had he come inside a woman without protection. Fears of disease and pregnancy made him cautious…until Kitty.
With Kitty, he didn’t want anything between them. No rubber, no keeping at a distance. He wanted to climb inside the woman’s head and hear her thoughts. To say nothing of keeping that body all to himself. Fuck, he was messed up.
“Dane?”
Damn. A little too much woolgathering. He smiled at Linda. “Is this where you come in?”
“No. I’m in the circus scene. See, Ralph walks away. The guys gather…” She continued to shape the film, and he liked her bits of background information that made the theatrical version fuller.
Too bad she’d been such a bitch about Kitty. He’d seen her dislike, and he wondered if the statue had affected her or if Kitty had somehow screwed up. Hell, he didn’t react to her empathy. Maybe Linda was the same way. Wouldn’t that just suck? They’d have to steal the thing and make a run for it. And after seeing her security, he didn’t like their odds.
Linda chatted about the movie some more, and he started to relax and enjoy the film. Until a man walked in like he owned the place and flipped on the lights. He stood a head shorter than Dane but had a massive chest and arms. The look in his eye promised swift retribution for anyone daring to screw with him. He sized Dane up in seconds, and in that instant, Dane knew not to turn his back on the guy.
“Morley! How wonderful. I didn’t think you were coming until tomorrow.”
Morley? Dane tried to remember where he’d heard the name before, but he didn’t recall anything from the information they’d been given on Linda. Not good.
Morley shrugged, and his suit jacket bulged at the strain. The suit looked like money, even though Morley himself had seen better days. He had the face of a boxer and the eyes of a survivor. Definitely trouble.
“What can I say? I just wanted to make sure everything went smoothly for your much anticipated guests.”
He looked like a mob wannabe, but Dane had the sense there was more to this guy than appearances. Not every man with muscle could back it up. Dane had tangled with his share of players. Morley didn’t appear to be one of them. Something about the way he held himself and the way he looked at Dane spoke of real danger.
“Dane, I’d like you to meet the head of my security, Morley James.”
Dane stood and held out his hand. “Mr. James.”
Morley shook his hand like a gentleman. Dane had expected a power play, a hard shake to test Dane’s manliness. Morley’s grace gave further dimension to his character.
“Dane Hanson.” The guy’s deep voice hinted at strength. “The artist Linda’s been so excited to meet. And I hear she showed you her favorite new collectible, The Little Death. She must really like you.”
Dane narrowed his eyes. “You heard she showed me The Little Death?”
“I met your girlfriend earlier. Poor woman got lost looking for the guest house.” He chuckled. “It’s easy enough to get turned around in this place.”
“Oh my. I hope you showed her where to go.” Linda stood as well, but she looked less than pleased. In fact, if Dane weren’t mistaken, she seemed a little jealous.
Uh-oh.
Morley nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I escorted her to the guest house and left her after she told me you were in here. And here you are, watching my favorite movie. You were terrific in this picture, Linda.”
She blushed, her anger forgotten in his praise. “You’re just saying that.”
“He’s right,” Dane agreed, trying to make points. “Hell, Linda. They make Madam X dolls of you. You totally stole the movie. You’re a collectible item yourself.”
Her genuine pleasure made her look years younger, showing a true beauty cosmetics and surgery couldn’t hide. He wished Kitty had been here to feel her out. Instead, the little faker had left him with the gropey she-devil while Kitty cozied up to some thug with meaty hands.
Dane stepped back. “I should probably leave you two to business and see how Kitty’s doing.”
Morley studied him. “She looked a little pale.” Dane turned to leave when Linda blocked his path.
She brushed her lips against his cheek. “Thank you so much for coming all the way out here, Dane. We’ll see you in the morning for breakfast, say nine?”
“Perfect.” It had already reached midnight, and he wanted to talk to Kitty about all they’d learned today. Just as soon as he got rid of the spyware in their room. No way he wanted them to hear what he planned to tell the “boss” when he got back.
“Hey Dane,” Morley said before he exited the room. “You were in the Corps, and you’re a big guy. Ever done any amateur fighting?”
A strange question to ask.
Apparently Linda thought so too. “Morley, really. As if Dane would ruin those wonderful hands hitting people.” She huffed. “He has a higher calling. Art to create.” She winked at Dane. “We’ll talk about that at breakfast too. I have an idea of what I’d like you to make for me.”
Not that he’d agreed he’d sculpt anything for her. But her aggression and tenacity had probably steamrolled over other sensitive artist types.
“We’ll talk,” he said, noncommittal. “And no, Morley. No amateur fighting.” Dane added with a hard smile, “But a lot of lethal hand-to-hand. Fight or die is more my style.” He nodded. “Night folks. I’ll see you in the a.m.”
Now it was time to work Kitty over and find out what exactly they had on Morley. Right before he slid inside her and made her come. He’d waited long enough. Time to start showing Miss Kitty how the game was really played.
Time to show her who’s in charge.
KITTY WAITED FOR what seemed like hours, using the time to distance herself from the man and focus on the mission. She finally felt like her old self when Dane joined her upstairs in the bedroom. She nearly leaped on him and demanded to know what had happened with Linda. If he’d met Morley, and if so, what he thought. Curiosity was killing her.
But Dane’s actions puzzled her. He ignored her and searched the room for something.
She frowned. “Dane?”
He found her cell phone and fiddled with it. After a moment, she realized what he intended.
“No.” She rushed him. “Don’t you dare tell my brother you—”
“It’s done. I texted him. Now he won’t bother us anymore. He left a ton of messages too.”
Had anyone left them a message? Or did he mean he’d run interference to mask the camera and listening devices?
“How much time?”
She sighed. “So you knocked them out.” No more Big Brother. But at least this way they wouldn’t know she and Dane were on to them. “Twelve hours, max. Unless you damaged the receptors and they have to replace the entire camera and bugs. What the hell happened down there?”
Dane sat on the bed and ran a hand through his hair. She wanted to do the same thing and feel that soft silk against her fingers. But duty called, and foolish thoughts were just that—foolish.
“After you pulled that chickenshit move and left me with Linda, I watched the movie.” He talked over her protest, “Yeah, yeah. I know. She suddenly had it in for you. I’m not psychic, and
I could feel it. Anyway, she put her hand on my knee. She leaned closer to talk. Shoved her breasts closer. Those telling signs she wanted me.”
“Weird. I had the impression she looked at you like a protégé, someone to mentor, not lust over.”
“What can I say? I’m sexy.”
“And you know it,” she quipped, annoyed and amused at his arrogance.
He frowned. “Yeah, well. Before she could literally grab me by the balls, Morley James walked in. I want to know why we have nothing on the guy.”
“Not nothing, but not a lot.” Kitty sighed. “I wanted to talk to Ian, but because our room is—was—bugged, and the cell isn’t secure, I couldn’t get more info on him. What we know is that Morley James had once visited her here. She has a thing for artists and fighters, because her father was a boxer. Morley did some amateur boxing in the past, but other than that, nothing flagged.” She frowned. “Although he and Linda are lovers.”
“Yeah?”
“And he’s also supposed to be her head of security. There’s no way Ian would have missed this on a recon. We have a problem.”
Dane nodded. “We do. He knows all about me, and he was asking if I’d ever done any amateur fighting. I got the impression he wanted to slam me face-first into the ground at Linda’s feet.”
“They’re definitely up to something.”
They remained silent for a moment until Dane asked, “What the hell did you think you were doing, playing detective in the house? Maybe I can buy you wanting me to soften up Linda. She sure as hell seemed to turn on you. But it was just stupid to look around the house without backup, knowing security would spot you.”
She flushed. “That’s not what happened. I’d planned to go out to the guest suite and wait for you. But something…compelled me away. It was weird.”
“Wait. Compelled you?”