Feeling awkward and stupid and like he was being taken, he bent over and patted the top of her head. She turned and rubbed her jaw against his fingers. He could feel the vibration of her purring.
He’d never been one for pets. As a kid, it was all he could do to feed himself. Plus caring about anything only made you a victim. In the army, there had always been guys who kept dogs around, but he wasn’t one of them.
He straightened. He could hear Willow and Marina talking in the living room, although he couldn’t hear the words, thank God. So now what? Where did he go? This was supposed to be his house, but he suddenly felt like he didn’t belong.
There was another knock on the door. Before he could say anything, Marina yelled that she was getting it. He walked into his living room in time to see an older version of Willow stepping into his house, along with a fiftysomething guy in a suit.
“Mom, you didn’t have to come,” Willow said. “I’m fine.”
Willow’s mother handed Marina a casserole, then rushed to Willow’s side. “You’re not fine. You hurt yourself. What was I supposed to do? Just let you lie here in pain?”
“Oh, Mom.”
The man approached Kane. “I’m Dr. David Greenberg, a friend of the family.”
“Kane Dennison.” They shook hands.
Dr. Greenberg moved over to the ottoman. “All right, Willow, let’s see what you’ve done.”
Willow’s mother moved back. Marina touched her arm. “This is Kane, Mom.”
The older woman smiled at him. “Hi. Naomi Nelson. She said you carried her here and saved her life.”
Willow had managed to make a number of phone calls and pass on a lot of information in the short time he’d been gone, he thought, not sure if he should punish her or be impressed.
“I don’t think she was all that near death,” he said.
“Mom, there are kittens,” Willow said. She pointed at the box.
“Oh, they’re just born.”
While Naomi went to coo over the kittens, Marina murmured something about putting the casserole in the refrigerator. Kane watched as the doctor examined Willow’s ankle.
“Does this hurt?” he asked as he manipulated her foot. “Does this?”
She answered his questions, then looked at Kane. He felt the impact of her gaze all the way down to his groin. Funny how Marina was similar in appearance, but nothing about her turned him on. Yet with Willow, all it took was a look.
Dr. Greenberg continued his exam for a couple more minutes, then patted her knee. “You’ll live. It’s a minor sprain. You have some swelling, which should go away in the next couple of days. Keep doing what you’re doing. Elevation and ice. You’ll be better in the morning.”
“It hurts,” Willow said with a soft whimper.
The doctor smiled. “I remember how badly you handle pain. You’re the one who cried before I ever gave you a shot when you were little.” He dug around in his case and handed her a sample pack of pills. “These will help. Take them now and then don’t even think about driving until tomorrow. You’re going to be out of it.”
She smiled. “You’ve been very good to me.”
“I know.” He stood, bent over and kissed her cheek. “Try not to be such a klutz.”
“I didn’t do this on purpose.”
“But you still do it.”
Naomi hurried over. “Thank you so much for coming.”
The doctor shrugged. “I’ve known them nearly all their lives. They’re like my girls, too. I’m going back to the office.”
“I’ll be there within the hour,” Naomi promised.
Both women fluttered around, bringing Willow water so she could take her pill, more ice, a snack. Kane stayed in the background, watching them move so easily through his place—as if they’d been here before. Or maybe that was the way of nurturers. They were comfortable wherever they went.
At last Marina left, leaving only Willow and her mother. Naomi beckoned him into the kitchen.
“Thank you for all your help,” she began. “I’m sorry we’ve all invaded you like this.”
“It’s fine,” he said, when what he was thinking was more along the lines of “you could be gone now.”
“I’ll just get her things and take her home.”
Kane eyed the woman. She was about five-five and in decent shape, but there was no way she could carry her daughter.
“I’ll do that,” he said, knowing it was the only way. “You can’t carry her inside.”
“Oh.” Naomi looked concerned. “I hadn’t thought about that. With her foot and all…Can she hop?”
“Not well. Don’t worry. I’ll get her home.”
“If you’re sure…” She glanced at her watch and he knew she was thinking she had to get back to work.
“Ask Willow if she’s comfortable with that arrangement,” he said.
Naomi nodded, then walked back into the living room. Kane followed her and watched as Willow and her mother spoke.
“I’ll be fine,” Willow said, glancing at him, her blue eyes bright with anticipation and humor.
He narrowed his gaze. What the hell was she planning now?
Naomi hugged her daughter, then walked over to him and held out her hand. “You’ve been very kind. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Not a problem.”
“Good luck with the cat and her kittens. They’re going to be a handful.”
As they wouldn’t still be here while they were growing up, he didn’t care.
Then she was gone and he was alone with Willow.
“Sorry about everyone coming by,” she said.
“No, you’re not. You invited them all. You wanted them to come.”
“Okay. Maybe. I had to be sure I wasn’t dying.”
“Sprained ankles are rarely fatal.”
“At least they brought food.” She smiled. “You like food.”
“How do you know?”
“You’re a guy. It’s a guy thing.”
“I’m going to get the cat food,” he said and turned back to the kitchen.
“You haven’t fed her yet?” Willow sounded outraged.
He held in a groan. “Of course I fed the cat. I’m going to collect the food so you can have it.”
“I don’t eat cat food.”
She was doing this on purpose. He knew that. She thought baiting him was a fun, new game.
“It’s for the cat,” he said patiently.
“The cat’s not coming home with me. My building doesn’t allow pets, which is one of the reasons I rented there. That and the amazing backyard. I turned it into a garden and it’s so beautiful. But there are a lot of plants that would be poisonous to a kitten. Not that I wouldn’t love one. But I know better. If I rescue one cat, soon I’ll want to rescue them all. Then there are dogs and birds and it could really turn into a disaster.”
He rarely got headaches, but he could feel one coming on.
“I’m not keeping the cat.”
“You have to,” she told him. “The kittens are too young to be moved. They have to be warm and they need their mom. Oh, do you have a hot water bottle to put in the box, because that would be great.”
He could hear a strange buzzing in his ears. “Aren’t there rescue places?”
“Sure, but they’re already busy with real strays. This cat has a home, at least until the babies are older.”
“They don’t have a home here.”
She stared at him, wide-eyed. He knew he was being manipulated and knew he wasn’t going to give in.
“I don’t do cats,” he said firmly. “Not this one, not any one.”
“That’s so mean.”
She spoke softly. He barely heard the words, yet it was as if she’d slapped him. Her blue eyes darkened with disappointment and she seemed to shrink into the chair.
“All right,” she told him. “Just get the cat supplies together. I’ll figure out something.”
He’d led men into more dangerous parts of t
he world than most people knew about. He’d killed to stay alive and had been left for dead more than once. Yet never had he felt so out of his element than he did at this moment.
What the hell did he care what this woman thought of him? It was a damn cat. Let her take it.
He went into the kitchen and put the food into a grocery bag, then carried it into the living room. But when he glanced at Willow, he saw she’d fallen asleep.
Her head lay on the armrest, her long blond hair a contrast to the dark leather. One leg curled up under her while the other one was stretched out, ice still strapped to her injured ankle.
“Willow?”
She didn’t stir. In addition to being a wimp about pain, she was also a lightweight when it came to painkillers. No wonder the doctor had told her not to drive after taking it.
The room was silent, except for the quiet purring of the mother cat and loud thudding of his own heart.
Willow woke up and had no idea where she was. As if that had never happened to her before, she immediately sat up and thought about panicking. But before the adrenaline could really get pumping, she remembered the whole Kane-ankle-cat thing and decided she was probably still in his house.
A quick glance at the clock on the nightstand told her it was nearly midnight. Wow—that pill had knocked her out for hours. She sat up and looked around. A night-light from the bathroom allowed her to see the shapes of the furniture, including the bed she’d slept on. The guest room, she thought, noting the bed wasn’t huge and the furniture looked more neutral than masculine. Too bad. She really wouldn’t have minded waking up in his bed…with him.
Smiling at the thought, she looked down at herself and saw that except for her shoes, she was completely dressed. Kane had been a gentleman. Wasn’t that just her luck?
Willow sighed. She was never really like this about guys. But there was just something about Kane that got to her and made her want to be wild. Maybe because being around him felt safe. As if no matter what she did or how she acted, nothing bad would happen to her. He would be there, protecting her.
No one had ever been safe before.
She swung her feet over the side of the bed and stood carefully. While her ankle was still sore, it was a ton better. She could almost walk normally.
After visiting the bathroom—where she found a brand-new toothbrush and toothpaste conveniently waiting—she made use of the facilities, washed her face, brushed her teeth, then went in search of her host.
Kane was in the living room, reading. He glanced up as she entered.
“Sorry,” she said. “The pill knocked me out.”
“I noticed.”
“So, you, um, carried me to bed.”
“Yes.”
“I slept through that.”
“Apparently.”
“You kept my clothes on.”
“It seemed the polite thing to do.”
“Okay.”
One corner of his mouth twitched. “Should I have stripped you naked and taken you while you were unconscious?”
“Of course not. It’s just…”
He kissed her before. Hadn’t he meant it?
He stood and walked over to her. In less than a second, the humor was gone and he looked…predatory.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he told her. “You don’t know anything about me.”
It was true. The sensible part of her brain told her to quietly back away, retreat to the guest room and lock the door behind her. Only, he’d wanted her before. Really wanted her. The sensible part of her brain needed to remember how rare that was.
He reached up and fingered a strand of her hair. “Like silk,” he murmured.
And then it was back—the fire that had thrilled her so much. She felt the heat burn between them, drawing her closer, making her promises, tempting her into the path of possible destruction.
Three
“I don’t get it,” Willow said. “I’m not your type.”
“You said that before. How do you know?”
“I’m not anyone’s type.”
Kane shook his head. “I don’t believe that.”
“It’s true. I have the sad, painful romantic history to prove it. I’m the best friend, the one guys confide in.”
“I don’t confide in anyone,” he told her.
“You should. It’s very healthy. Sharing problems make them seem more manageable.”
“You know this how?”
“I read it in a magazine somewhere. You can learn a lot from magazines.”
His dark gaze never left her face. “Go back to bed. I’ll take you home in the morning.”
No! She didn’t want to be sent to bed like a child. “But then where will you sleep?”
“You’re in the guest room. I still have my own bed.”
“See, that was flirting. I was flirting. Wouldn’t it be nice if you just went with it?”
He moved so fast, he was like a human blur. One second he was several feet away and the next he was right in front of her, one hand on her waist, the other wrapped around her hair. He eased forward that last inch, so they were touching everywhere.
She had the feeling he was trying to intimidate her and it would have worked, except she couldn’t seem to be afraid of him.
“You won’t hurt me,” she whispered.
“Your faith is foolish and misplaced. You don’t know what I’ll do.”
He bent his head and claimed her with a hard, demanding kiss. He pushed into her mouth and stroked her tongue, then sucked on her lower lip.
She wrapped one arm around his neck and gave as good as she got, stealing into his mouth and dueling right back. She felt him stiffen with surprise. He pulled her hard against him and she went willingly. The hand holding her hair tightened, drawing her head back.
He broke the kiss and stared into her eyes.
“I am dark and dangerous and I don’t play the games you know,” he said. “I’m not anyone you want to get involved with. I’m not nice, I don’t call the next day and I’m never interested in more than a single night. You can’t fix me, reform me, heal me or change me. You are so far out of your league, you don’t know enough to run scared, but you should. Trust me on that.”
His words made her tremble.
“I can’t be afraid of you,” she told him again.
“Why the hell not?”
She smiled and rubbed her index finger against his lower lip. “I’ll agree that you’re tough and you probably scare other people, but Kane, you rescued me and kittens and you were nice to my mom and my sister and when you put me to bed, you didn’t even think about taking advantage of me. What’s not to like?”
He closed his eyes and groaned. She had a feeling the sound wasn’t about being turned on.
He opened his eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“You’re just about irresistible.”
She sighed. “That’s a new one. Can you say it again?”
He backed her up until she was trapped between him and the wall. She felt his body—and his arousal—pressing against her.
“I want you,” he said in a low growl. “I want you naked and begging and desperate. I want to bury myself inside of you until you forget who you are. But you’re a fool if you take me up on that. This is not a fun trip to the dark side. If you expect anything of me, you will be hurt. I’m going to walk away, Willow. I can walk away now or later. It’s your choice.”
She saw the truth reflected in his eyes. Once again the sensible part of her brain pointed out that the guest room was the best option. Only Willow had never met anyone like Kane before and she was unlikely to ever again. He claimed to be incredibly tough and maybe he was, but she had a feeling there was more to him than he wanted her to see.
Walk away? Not possible. Maybe he would hurt her, but maybe he wouldn’t. She was willing to take the risk. She had to. There was something about him that called to her.
Besides, the
guy could make her quiver with just a look.
“For a man so intent on insisting he doesn’t care, you’re going out of your way to warn me off,” she said. “Maybe you should stop talking and kiss me instead.”
“Willow.”
“See? You’re doing it again. I understand the rules, I’m willing to play by them and you’re still talking. You know what? I think it’s all an act. I don’t think you have any real intention of doing anything at all. I think—”
He grabbed her and kissed her. There were no preliminaries, just him wrapping his arms around her as he claimed her mouth with his own. He kissed her deeply, passionately, with no pause for breath or social niceties. He took, sweeping past her lips to stroke her tongue, circling her, claiming her. His possessive acts thrilled her and she freed her arms so she could hang on for the ride.
There was no fear, she thought as her body heated and her muscles lost their ability to support her. However much he threatened, he still held her gently. His hands moved up and down her back, exploring her, touching her, but there was nothing harsh about the contact.
She put her hands on his shoulders and leaned into him. His body supported hers. The combination of hard muscles and warmth thrilled her. She tilted her head and closed her lips around his tongue so she could suck.
He stiffened, then took a step back and stared at her. There was shock, pleasure and need in his eyes—an irresistible combination.
“I don’t scare easily,” she said with a shrug.
He shook his head, then bent down, gathered her in his arms and carried her down the hall.
They moved into a bedroom illuminated by a single lamp on a nightstand. Here the design was totally masculine with large pieces of dark furniture lining the walls. The bed could sleep twenty, and suited Kane completely.
He set her on the mattress and looked at her.
She felt the challenge of his gaze and refused to look away—even when he began unfastening the shirt he wore. When he’d removed that, he pulled off a T-shirt, exposing his bare chest.
Her breath caught. He was as muscled as she’d first thought, but there were also scars…dozens of them. Small irregular circles and long, jagged lines. Scars from surgeries and from wounds that made her ache inside.
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