by Anna Hackett
Kinsey nodded. “I’ll get you a pillow and blanket.”
He stared after her in confusion as she disappeared into her bedroom. But every instinct in Smith, everything he’d ever seen of Kinsey, told him she was the real deal. How could no one take care of a woman like Kinsey? She was everything that deserved to be protected.
Heading back into the living room, Smith kicked his boots off. He was running on fumes after days of little sleep. He needed some rest so he could stay alert.
How the hell he was going to sleep, knowing Kinsey was sprawled in that pretty bed only one room away, he had no idea.
He shoved some pillows off the couch and dropped down. He pulled out his SIG Sauer and set it on the coffee table. Then he gripped the back of his shirt and pulled it over his head.
“Here you—” Kinsey halted in the doorway. “Oh.”
He looked up and saw her staring at his chest. It took all his willpower not to surge up and reach for her.
But he had reasons to stop that kiss back at the base. She’d had a terrible experience and she was vulnerable. He wasn’t going to take advantage of that.
And on top of that, he had his own personal reasons to avoid relationships. He was a loner at heart, and he couldn’t give Kinsey what she needed.
After a moment, she appeared to come unstuck. “There you go.” She dropped the pillow and blanket on the couch. “Um, I’ll…” She backed up. “I’m tired. I’ll…”
“Night, Kinsey.”
She nodded. “Good night, Smith.” She turned and hurried down the hall.
Smith rose and slipped his boots back on. After a quick trip to the SUV to get his bag, he came back in, ensuring the locks were secured. He circled the room to check the locks before flicking off the lights. He looked out the window, scanning the parking lot and street. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Moving back to the couch, he dropped down and stretched out. It was too short for his long frame, but when he went hunting with his dad, they roughed it, and as a SEAL, he’d slept in some pretty awful conditions. This was plush by comparison.
He shoved the pillow under his head, and stared at the ceiling. He heard Kinsey moving around, and then her light clicked off.
Exhaustion tugged at him, and it wasn’t long before Smith dozed off.
He woke to a whimper and a cry.
He knifed up, already reaching for his gun. He rushed into Kinsey’s bedroom.
In the faint light coming through the window, he saw her sitting on the bed, sheets twisted around her body.
“Kinsey?”
She blinked. “Sorry. Bad dream. I don’t even remember it.” She pushed her hair back. Even in the shadows, his gaze went to the thick, sexy mass. “I’m sorry I woke you.”
A cloud of tangled gold framed her face, which was softened by sleep. He liked her fresh-faced. Her skin glowed and didn’t really need makeup. He thought she looked just as gorgeous without it.
She pushed the sheet back, and that’s when he realized she was only wearing a tiny tank and even tinier shorts that left her slender legs bare. His cock twitched. Hell.
But he also saw she was shivering.
He frowned. The room wasn’t cold. He tucked his SIG in the back of his jeans, and sat on the edge of her bed.
Smith reached for her and she was already moving. As he pulled her into his chest, she burrowed against him. He rested his cheek on the top of her head. She fit so well against him.
They sat there for a while before she pulled back.
“God. I keep plastering myself against you.” In the faint light, he saw that her cheeks had gone pink. “You’ve made it clear you aren’t…um…interested in me…so…. I’m sorry. I don’t want you to feel awkward.”
Smith stilled. “You think I’m not attracted to you?”
She looked away. “I’ve kissed you twice, and you pushed me away each time. I’ve gotten the message, so I don’t want you to think I’m—”
Damn. He realized just how she’d taken him pushing her away. He’d been telling himself he was protecting them both from a mistake, but he’d been hurting Kinsey in the process.
He cupped her jaw and forced her gaze to his. “Look at me.”
That gorgeous face turned up to his, confusion scrunching her brow.
“You’ve had a really bad few days.”
She nodded.
“You’ve been hurt. You’re vulnerable. I won’t take advantage of that.”
She nodded again, still looking confused.
Smith hauled her closer and the scent of her hair hit him. Strawberries. She smelled like strawberries. So damn sweet.
He tipped her face up and pressed his lips to hers. He kissed her. Deep, but slow, careful not to hurt her still-bruised face.
She made a sound, and just like before, she ignited. She shifted, straddling him and wrapping her arms around his neck.
Shit. As she deepened the kiss and ground her hips against his throbbing cock, he let out a groan. He bumped his hips, making sure she felt just how hard he was. His hardness against her softness.
She went still and her gaze met his.
“Think we can do away with the fucked-up notion that I don’t want you?”
“But—”
“I’m a loner, Kinsey. I suck at relationships. I’m selfish, and prefer my own company.”
Her face softened. “Smith—”
“No.” He shook his head. “The fact that I’m attracted to you changes nothing. You deserve a man who can give you what you need.”
Her gaze narrowed. “I get to say what I need, Smith.”
“Kinsey—”
She shook her head. “No. I grew up with people telling me I deserved nothing. And you are a good man. One of the best I know.”
Fuck. Did she really think that? He twisted, pressing her onto the bed. He leaned over her and she undulated against him one more time. He gritted his teeth and cupped her cheek.
“I want you, Kinsey. But you and me…it’s not going to happen.”
She looked like he’d hit her, and it was an arrow to his gut.
“It’s for the best,” he said.
“Sure. Okay.” She shoved at him and he rolled off her.
“I want us to be friends,” he said.
She winced.
Shit. That sounded lame. “We’re both tired, and you’re healing, and your apartment isn’t secure.” He wanted to touch her, but she wrapped her arms around herself, not meeting his gaze. “Your security needs to be my priority right now.”
“Okay, Smith.” Her voice was flat.
“Now, get some sleep. I’m close by, and no one is getting to you. Understand?” He rose to his feet.
“Understood.” Those big, blue eyes bored into him.
And because he was a selfish bastard and couldn’t stop himself, he leaned down and rubbed his thumb over her lips. “Sweet dreams, sunshine.”
Chapter Six
Kinsey woke slowly, taking her time to shake off sleep. She snuggled into her pillow. It always took her forever to wake up in the morning, and fight off the grogginess. She envied people who leaped out of bed early, fresh as a daisy.
She always felt like a wilted blossom, left out in the hot sun and trodden on.
Blinking, she finally dragged herself out of her bed and stumbled toward the bathroom. She needed coffee. Sweet, sweet coffee.
She lifted her head and caught her reflection in the mirror. The sight of her face scared off a lot of the fog. Eek. The bruising was turning some interesting colors, but thankfully they were fading. She closed her eyes, fighting off the cascade of memories.
You’re safe now, Kinsey. You aren’t a prisoner.
Carefully, she washed her face, grabbed her cotton-candy-pink robe off the door—a gift from her sister—and headed out to the kitchen. Now, she really needed coffee. A gallon of it.
When she reached the end of the hall, she spied the long, jeans-clad legs stretched out on the couch. Kinsey froze.
/> She took another two steps.
Smith, wearing only jeans that she could see were undone, was still asleep. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. She pulled in a short breath. He was so ripped, that body all strength and power. He had a wide chest, huge, muscular arms, and God, so many abs. There was an intriguing smattering of hair across his chest. She let her gaze run down his long legs—like she could stop herself—all the way to his bare feet.
She sucked in a breath. One of his feet was made of metal. She blinked. She hadn’t known that Smith had a prosthetic. He’d never let on. He always moved with power and an athletic grace she admired. Looking at the sleek lines of the prosthetic, she knew it had to be one of Ty’s creations. Her gaze switched to Smith’s other foot. She’d never thought much about feet before, but his were long and well-shaped, and somehow it felt incredibly intimate to be looking at his feet—both flesh and metal.
He was so breathtaking. And he was attracted to her. Her heart hit against her ribs. And he’d said that they were never going to happen.
The pain hit her again. He couldn’t want her anywhere near as much as she wanted him. Or he’d take a chance on them. Kinsey would climb mountains or fight wars for a chance to be with Smith.
And he wanted to be friends.
She remembered every second of that moment on her bed. His mouth on hers. A glimpse at everything she wanted, only to have him pull it away again. Just like everything else she’d ever wanted in life.
Coffee. She really needed coffee.
Stumbling into the kitchen, she set to work. She’d just filled her coffee machine with water, when she heard a deep rumble.
“You’re awake.”
She glanced over her shoulder and watched him stalk into the small kitchen, somehow filling it completely with his presence. She blinked a few times.
“Kinsey?”
“Yeah?”
His lips quirked, and he rubbed a hand against his chest. “Sleep well?”
There was so much bare chest and she couldn’t look away. She wanted to touch him.
“Kinsey?”
“Um, yeah. I did. Sleep well.”
He smiled now, and the sight of it blinded her.
“Never would have picked you for a morning zombie,” he said.
She scowled. “I need coffee.” And I want you so badly it hurts.
“Is it ready?”
She shook her head and opened the cupboard. She reached for the packet of coffee beans, only to have it crumple in her hands.
Empty.
All that was left was an empty packet.
Dammit. “I’m out of coffee beans.” She swiveled. “There’s a great little coffee place just around the corner. They make a mean latte.” She eyed him. He probably drank his coffee black and thick, like tar.
Smith lifted his chin. “Get dressed.” His gaze skimmed over her face before drifting down her body.
Suddenly, Kinsey felt hot. She quickly pushed past him and escaped the kitchen. She took a few minutes to brush her teeth, then tame her hair, and dab on some makeup in the incredibly vain hope of hiding the bruises. She snorted. Yeah, and she might win the jackpot next time she stuck a coin in a slot machine.
Oh, well. She set her shoulders back. She was alive, and that was what was important.
Next, she slipped into her favorite jeans, and pulled on a long-sleeved, Caesars Palace T-shirt her sister had given her.
She was heading out to meet Smith when her phone rang. She snatched it up and saw it was her sister. “Hey, sis.”
“Did you fall off the face of the Earth, K? I left you a bunch of messages.”
Kinsey tucked the phone between her shoulder and ear, and slipped her shoes on. “Well, kind of.” In the briefest of terms, she relayed the story of her abduction.
There was silence.
“Kitty?”
“What the fuck!” Kitty exploded.
Kinsey held the phone away from her ear.
“You were kidnapped?” her sister screeched.
“I’m fine. I’m home. I’m one-hundred-percent okay.”
“You’ve always been damn cagey about that job of yours.” Kitty huffed out a breath. “You said it wasn’t dangerous.”
“I said it isn’t usually dangerous. Look, everything’s fine, I promise. My…workmates came to get me.” She saw movement and looked up to see Smith in the doorway, watching her. He’d pulled a flannel shirt on.
“I’m coming over,” Kitty said.
“No.”
“You shouldn’t be alone.”
“You just got off night shift, K, and you go on shift again tonight. You need some sleep.” Her sister had recently bought a sweet condo not too far from The Strip. She had a mortgage to pay. “And…I’m not alone.”
There was another pause. “Who’s there?”
She stared at Smith’s big form. “A friend from work.”
“A female friend or a male friend?”
“What’s that matter?” Kinsey said.
“Why does your voice sound funny?”
“It does not.”
Smith moved closer, the heat of him washing over her. He lifted a hand, one finger moving over the bruises on her cheek. Her breath hitched.
“Smith.” His name came out without her meaning it.
“Smith?” Kitty pounced. “That’s his name. What’s he look like?”
His fingers drifted up, rubbing her hair between his fingers.
“Kitty, we’re heading out for coffee. I’m okay. I’ll call you soon, I promise.”
Her sister sighed. “You always have to be so independent, don’t you? Okay. I love you, K.”
“I love you, too, K. Bye.” Kinsey ended the call. “My sister.”
“I got that. You two are close?”
“Yeah. We can fight, but it’s always been the two of us against the world.” Kinsey grabbed the keys off her hall table and they headed out the door.
As they walked out onto the sidewalk, she watched Smith scan their surroundings. When they reached the street, he nudged her away from the street side of the sidewalk, placing himself between her and the road.
Her heart did a little flip-flop. He was taking care of her. Again.
He slung an arm across her shoulders. Oh. That felt nice. His body brushed against hers.
“Do you have siblings?” she asked.
“No. Only child. My parents divorced when I was young, they can’t stand each other.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“They’re better when they’re apart. I split my time between both of them.”
Kinsey nodded. He’d been lucky to have parents who wanted to spend time with him.
She tipped her face up. The sun was shining and she pulled in a deep breath. She smiled. It felt so good to feel the air on her face, and the sun on her skin.
She realized Smith was staring at her again, his gaze locked on her lips.
“What?” she asked.
“You seem to find pleasure in everything. Even the small things. Especially the small things.”
Growing up in a dirty trailer with a drunken dad and an angry mom, she’d had to find happiness in the small things.
“Life’s too short not to,” she said.
“Yeah.”
They reached the coffee shop. The tables outside were crowded, and as they moved inside the small space, Kinsey walked toward the counter, smiling. She ordered a skinny caramel latte and, as she suspected, Smith got a black Americano.
He paid and they waited for their drinks.
Kinsey spotted a stack of newspapers, and reached out to flick through one. She didn’t often read or watch the news. She found it so depressing.
She sensed someone move closer to them and glanced up. A tall, fit woman in tight leggings and a cropped sports top—that showed off a set of tight abs—was eyeing Smith like he was water, and she’d been lost in the desert for days.
Kinsey’s belly clenched. She’d never seen S
mith with a woman, but she’d heard Blair and Callie talk before. When Smith hooked up, it was with tall, built women.
Kinsey knew she wasn’t short, but she wasn’t ripped and athletic, either.
“Latte and Americano for Smith,” the barista called out. Smith grabbed the drinks, and when he turned, the woman made her move.
“Hey, there.” The woman grabbed his bicep.
He frowned and looked down at her.
Gah. Kinsey had no desire to watch this. The woman acted as if Kinsey wasn’t even there. She reached out and grabbed her drink out of Smith’s hand. Before he could say anything, she spun and headed for the door.
Turning her back on them, Kinsey headed outside and onto the sidewalk. She sipped her latte, and for the first time in a long time, even her first sip of coffee didn’t taste that good.
A man bumped into her and she lost her grip on the drink. It flew out of her hand, and hit the concrete, spilling everywhere.
“Hey,” she complained, looking up.
She stared into a hard face. He had olive skin, dark, curly hair and eyes so dark they looked black. He wrapped a hand around her arm and started dragging her down the sidewalk.
Fear spurted to life inside her. “Let me go.” This wasn’t happening again.
“Shut up and you won’t get hurt.”
Screw this. Kinsey dropped her weight. It sent the guy off balance, and he cursed in what sounded like Italian as they staggered.
Her attacker grabbed for her again, but she dodged. She kicked at him, aiming for between his legs. But he twisted at the last minute and her foot hit his thigh.
He growled, gripped her waist, and tossed her over his shoulder.
“Let me go, asshole!” She twisted violently, trying to break free.
Suddenly, there was a screech of tires and a white van pulled up at the curb.
She sucked in a breath. Oh, no.
Kinsey kept squirming, desperate to break free. Where the hell was Smith?
Annoyed with the woman who’d stopped him so she could flutter her eyelashes at him, Smith stomped out the door of the coffee shop.
He was also pissed that Kinsey had headed out without waiting for him. As he opened the door, he heard the screech of tires and Kinsey’s scream.
