Oh the hell he did. Dropping his hand from Kenzie’s back, Brett approached the other man.
“Is there a problem?” The blood in his veins began a hot, furious throbbing. “Just what the hell makes you think it’s okay to talk to a lady that way?”
“Lady? Oh, Kenzie’s no lady, are you, baby? Tell him about that time—”
Instinct had Brett’s fist flying, but Kenzie grabbed his arm in record speed, barely stopping the punch. The man flinched and stepped back, looking completely shocked that someone would try and hit him.
“Stop,” she pleaded, her words ragged. Pained. “He’s not worth it, Brett. I promise.”
Shit. She’d probably saved his ass. He blinked, realizing how close he’d come to giving this guy the beat-down he deserved. It might’ve gotten him dishonorably discharged from the Navy too.
One glance at Kenzie’s white face and he realized his priorities needed to be her, not this piece of shit.
Taking a step toward the man, he said quietly, “You’re lucky, douche bag. Damn lucky I’m not adding to those ugly scars on your face.”
The man’s expression turned to one of fury, as he reached up and touched a scarred cheek.
There was already a growing audience of people watching them with a fascination that was a bit unnerving. With Kenzie still clutching his arm, her expression furtive, Brett backed away.
“Let’s get you home.” He gave a terse nod and led her outside the restaurant.
When they were far enough away from the building he gave her a sideways glance.
Her face was still pale and her eyes had an alarming vacantness that seemed completely uncommon from what he knew of her.
“Are you all right?”
“Fine.” The one word was devoid of emotion.
“The hell you are. Who was he?”
She gave a bitter laugh and a shake of her head. For a moment he figured she’d blow him off and give him some bullshit answer.
“Kenzie?”
“Charles Richland, otherwise known as the man who roughed me up and attempted to rape me about a decade ago.”
The truth knocked Brett sideways. He stumbled to a halt and caught her arm again, turning her to look at him.
“You’re serious?”
“Aye. People generally don’t encourage rape humor.” She gave a twisted smile, and for a moment there was a flicker of emotion in her eyes.
“Jesus.” He stopped and glanced back inside, almost wishing he’d punched the guy after all.
“If you don’t believe me, it’s fine. I’m quite used to it by now.”
What the hell kind of statement was that? “Why would I not believe you?”
“Why would you? Either way, you don’t really know me.”
Crap, and that was completely his fault. “Maybe not, but you’re not a complete stranger to me, and it’s obvious that guy’s a first class D-bag.”
“He is,” she agreed.
“And I know enough about you to realize you wouldn’t lie about something this serious.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Kenzie. Both what happened five minutes ago, and back then.”
She glanced up, seeming to search his face to see if he were being honest. She must’ve decided he was, because she relaxed a bit and nodded.
“Thank you. As I said, it was quite a while ago.”
“Still, I hope he nearly rotted while serving time.” He unlocked his truck and helped her in. “Though clearly if he’s out now he didn’t serve nearly enough.”
She climbed past him into the cab of the pickup. “He didn’t serve any.”
His vision went red. “How in the hell does that happen? Did he get some bullshit community service sentence or something?”
“He was found not guilty. Technically, that upstanding citizen you had the pleasure of running into just now has a pristine record.”
Brett’s teeth snapped together as he shut Kenzie’s door and moved around the truck to the passenger side.
Pristine record? Bullshit. If the man had gotten away with nearly raping a woman once, there was a good chance he’d succeeded after Kenzie.
Charles Richland. He’d have to remember that name and face.
Once he was settled behind the wheel, he hesitated before starting the ignition. Another thought began to creep in.
Kenzie had been almost skittish on their one date all those months ago. Seeming to fear being alone with him, and especially when he’d walked her out to the car. She’d almost gone into a panic.
Now he suspected the reason was because of the attack by that Richland guy.
“Are you waiting for something?”
He started the truck and shrugged. “Just lost in thought. Where are we going?”
She gave him directions so that he had a general idea of where to go. Driving down the highway, he murmured, “You seem to have bad luck with men.”
Kenzie gave a choked gasp of disbelief. “Really? You’re going to say that to me?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t,” he agreed. “It just started to sink in.”
“Aye, you should include yourself among that bloody list of men then.”
He didn’t even deflect that blow, because he deserved it. “I do, and I’m sorry.”
He felt her gaze on him. Hard. Questioning.
“I know it’s been over a half a year since that night, but are you going to tell me why, Brett? I thought we had a pretty good connection. I had fun. Silly me, but I thought you enjoyed yourself too—”
“I did enjoy myself.”
“You did,” she repeated hesitantly. “Then why did you drop me on my arse? When you were so persistent in getting me to go out with you in the first place? Was it because I didn’t sleep with you that night?”
How did he answer that? He’d been raised in a family where he was taught the truth was the easiest answer. Not always the most pleasant, but often the easiest. When you were honest, you didn’t have to keep track of the lies you told.
“Partly, yes.” He glanced over in time to see hurt flash across her face.
“I’ll give you credit for having the balls to admit it,” she muttered, looking away.
“It’s not in my nature to lie. I did want to sleep with you, Kenzie. When I came there that night, the only thoughts in my head were of finding you and ultimately getting you into my bed.”
She made a soft grunt of disgust and kept her gaze out the window.
“But then there was dinner and we connected on this deeper level. Then there was the tiny kiss that turned out to be so fucking hot. And you were just too sweet. Too vulnerable.” His voice roughened as he made the acknowledgment to himself and to her.
He’d sensed that about her before knowing why. Though he knew better than to call her out on it.
“Turn here, and it’ll be the last house on the right,” she instructed tersely. “And those aren’t words people usually associate with me. I’m not vulnerable.”
The hell she wasn’t. Clearly she hated the idea of being vulnerable, but she was. Maybe she hid it well, but her guard had come down that night, and then a few minutes ago inside the restaurant when Charles had taunted her.
He parked outside her house and sighed. “Regardless, Kenzie, I liked you a little too much. I couldn’t get involved with you and hurt you that way, because I don’t do permanent.”
She tilted her head, giving him a blistering look. “And you made the bloody assumption that I was looking for a husband and passed me by because of it?”
Maybe? Shit. He wasn’t even sure. When she climbed out of the car, he followed after her.
“I don’t know what I assumed, I only knew that you deserved more than a one-night stand.”
She turned around, nearly causing him to ram into her. “Maybe a one-night stand was what I was searching for.”
Once he acclimated to the temptation of her being so close, he focused on her words. They were almost convincing, but he was skilled enough at reading peopl
e to see past her bluff. But he’d play along if that’s what she wanted.
“Was it?”
Her cockiness vanished and she bit her lip. “No, but I’m not looking for anything serious yet, either. I want something in between.”
“And that’s why you went out with this clown tonight?”
Her chin came up. “Carl is a nice guy. He simply made a few bad choices tonight.”
“You think? I sure as shit wouldn’t tell you what to eat. Or bring you on what equates to a group date. Or—”
“You sure as shit have no place to judge.” Her eyes flashed a warning.
Carl had been kind of an asshole while serving in the Navy, and tonight Brett had realized he had only gotten worse. Yet here she was defending him.
Irritation slid through his veins and he took a step forward, bringing them even closer together.
“Maybe not, but I know you deserve better. I didn’t walk away so some other asshole could scoop you up.”
“Scoop me up? FYI, I’m not an ice cream cone. Step one in the asshole rehabilitation process is admitting you’re one—so kudos to you.” Her green eyes were sparkling with anger now, and another emotion he knew she wouldn’t want him to see.
There was a hint of awareness. Of heat that had nothing to do with anger. She was still attracted to him and probably hated herself for it.
He was out of line; there was no doubt about it. Still, he placed his hands on the door on either side of her body, lightly trapping her. He waited for the slightest hint of fear or unease in her eyes. If he saw it, he’d step back. There was none, only the slight hitch of her breathing and the flare of anticipation in her gaze.
“You’re right. I’m a complete asshole, because all I can think about right now is this.”
He dipped his head, claiming her mouth in a kiss that he had no right to take. It was the only place their bodies touched, their lips fused together as he braced himself against the door.
Needing more than that first, almost innocent kiss they’d shared, he teased the seam of her lips apart and slid his tongue inside to discover the taste of her.
She was as sweet as he’d imagined, and not for the first time he kicked himself for walking away. He deepened the kiss, all the while keeping in mind that he had to give her space to say no. To push him off her.
But right now she was making no move to do either. Instead she was kissing him back, almost tentatively. Her tongue meeting his in small, hesitant strokes.
Need coursed through his body, heavy and demanding, and he couldn’t help but release a small groan against her mouth.
It took a moment for him to register her hands on his shoulders, gently pushing him away.
“Enough,” she said raggedly.
Struggling to focus, he stared down at her. Her lips pink and moist, her gaze lowered beneath her lashes.
“Kenzie?”
“My roommate’s not here, I don’t have to work tonight. I could invite you inside and we’d have the house to ourselves.”
He moved a hand to cup her face, unable to resist touching the softness of her lips. Yet his gut clenched, because he knew where she was heading with this.
“You could, but you won’t.”
“I won’t. Because nothing’s changed in seven months. I’m still not that girl. Not the kind who sleeps with a guy right away.”
“And what if I said I’d wait until you were ready?”
She gave a disbelieving laugh. “You didn’t wait the first time before you ran out to find someone else. You’re hardly going to wait a second.” She fished her keys from her purse.
He latched onto one thing she’d said. “Hold on a moment. What makes you think I found someone else?”
She shrugged, shoving the key into the lock. “I saw you guys at Safeway, does it matter?”
What the hell? Safeway. He wracked his memory, but was coming up empty.
After pushing the door opened, she hesitated.
“At one point there was a real window of opportunity for something between us. But…it’s closed now.” Her gaze lifted to his once more, and her expression was resolute, if not a little sad. “Thanks for the ride.”
The door closed in his face a moment later. Brett stood there staring at the dark wood, a frown tugging at his mouth.
Who the hell was the woman she’d seen him with at Safeway?
Chapter Six
“Hey, how was your date the other night?”
Kenzie set the drink tray down at the counter and grimaced at Delonna’s question.
“Pretty bloody awful, actually.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me.” Delonna grabbed the empty glasses off it and pulled it behind the bar. “How does it get more awful than your last one?”
“Oh you know, ending up at a table full of Navy men, one being your date from seven months ago who disappeared off the face of the earth.”
“Wait, that Brett guy was there?”
“Aye.” Kenzie glanced around the pub, glad to see the dinner rush was mediocre at best. Even if it meant fewer tips, she needed a long lunch tonight to get some homework done for her online class.
“Crap. That’s awkward.”
“Mmm. To say the least.”
“I’m not sure I understand why you ended up with a bunch of Navy guys in the first place. Wasn’t this a first date with the personal trainer?”
“I’m not sure I understand either, and yes, it was a first date. The restaurant Carl picked was surprisingly crowded and we would’ve waited at least a half hour for a table. He saw some friends who invited us over, and, bam, horribly uncomfortable moment with Brett ensues.”
Delonna scowled. “Did you give him shit for being an asshole? Dump your beer on him or anything?”
“No. I simply got through the evening.” She glanced away, hoping her friend wouldn’t see the flush of embarrassment in her face.
No need to mention she’d climbed into his truck and then kissed him goodnight. It was one bad call after another.
And yet that kiss was hard to regret. It had been just as titillating as the first one. Actually quite a bit more. Especially when he’d pressed his tongue into her mouth, it was almost juvenile the pleasure she’d taken in it. She was nearing thirty and how a French kiss could be so seductive and stay in her mind for days now was mind-boggling.
Or maybe it wasn’t the kiss, but the man behind it. She suspected that had more to do with it. She’d been right to send him on his way, though. Everything she’d told him had been the truth. If he’d been hoping to get laid, then he would’ve been sorely disappointed.
As much as she sometimes wished she worked that way, her mind and heart wouldn’t allow her to simply jump into bed the minute her hormones begged for it.
“Did he apologize?”
Kenzie glanced up to see Delonna pulling her blonde hair back into a ponytail.
“Brett?”
“Brett and Carl both owed you one it sounds like.”
“Carl, somewhat. Brett, aye. He did.”
“Did he explain why he disappeared on you?”
“Said something about him not doing serious.”
“And he figured you were looking for a ring?” Delonna rolled her eyes. “Typical guy.”
“Who’s looking for a ring?” Aleck wandered out from the room at the back of the pub. His gaze skimmed the dining room before sliding back to Delonna and Kenzie. “Not one of you, I hope.”
Delonna gave a low laugh. “Bitch, please, I’m not getting married until I’m at least twenty-six.”
Kenzie smirked. At any other job, someone might’ve gotten fired, if not written up, for calling their boss a bitch, but for these two it was everyday banter.
“Twenty-six?” Aleck arched a brow. “That’d be in, what, ten years or so?”
“Right, because I just had my sweet sixteen last week.” Delonna swatted a towel at his arse as he walked by.
He laughed and deftly avoided the stinging slap. “Watch i
t, or I’ll have to properly discipline you.”
“Oh, you’re not offering to turn me over your knee are you, boss boy?” She batted her lashes. “Because, I gotta say, I’m kind of into that kind of thing.”
Kenzie glanced over at her brother just in time to see shock and a tiny bit of interest flicker in his eyes as he stared at Delonna, but then it was gone and he gave a small shake of his head.
“You are the epitome of trouble, Delonna.”
“So I’ve been told.”
When Aleck disappeared out onto the dining floor again, Kenzie turned to her friend.
“I swear you have some sick reverse sexual harassment thing going on here with him.”
“He likes it.”
“I have no doubt, actually. It’s probably a good thing you’re involved with someone or he’d be tempted to go after you.”
Delonna snorted and glanced off to where Aleck had disappeared. “He’s so busy chasing skirts he doesn’t even notice me.”
Kenzie gave a small grunt in reply. Delonna was safe from her brother for the time being. Not only was she a bit young for him, but he stayed away from taken women and Delonna had been in a relationship for the past year.
“Speaking of being involved with someone.” Delonna cleared her throat. “Did James and I keep you awake last night? We were a little loud.”
Oh yes, Kenzie had heard Delonna and her boyfriend being a bit noisy in bed on more than one occasion. But then that was likely the joy of having a roommate.
“Not last night. I was out like a light from exhaustion.”
“Okay, good. I always get worried…”
“No need to apologize, Delonna. You’re having fun and I have nothing against that.”
Delonna grinned. “Oh, James is most definitely fun. He does this thing with his beard—”
“And you can stop at fun!” Kenzie ran the words together, covering her ears with her hands. “I can’t unsee that shite in my head now, damn you.”
Delonna’s laughter followed her as Kenzie made her way back into the dining area. Her footsteps faltered at the sight of the vase of gorgeous flowers on an empty table and the card next to it.
Loch and Key: McLaughlins, Book 3 Page 6
