“You’re the first person to see beyond the bimbo.”
He winced at her coarse put-down of herself.
“It’s one thing for me to run a charm school. Another for someone like me to take over what turns out to be an escort service or worse. I mean, look at me. The girl from the wrong side of the tracks, the girl they couldn’t vote most likely to do anything, because they believed she already had. Of course, she and her family are behind a prostitution ring,” she said with a brittle laugh.
Kane would like to go back in time. To beat the living daylights out of anyone who had even looked at her sideways. And if they had the nerve to put a finger on her body, or let her name pass through their lips…then he’d like to…
She reached upward. Her fingertips traced what had to be a scowl creasing his forehead, then she smiled. “Don’t look so fierce.” Her voice was lighter now. “I grew up hearing it. Words can’t hurt me anymore.”
Her steady green gaze zeroed in on his. She pinned him in place with a searing look. “But lack of faith in me, in my abilities, can. You can.”
He didn’t need an interpreter to understand. He’d just been suckered by the intelligent woman beneath the well-rounded curves. He’d been taken in by the best.
Kane shook his head. He had to admit, he was impressed. He’d never run into someone who could hold their own with him, let alone best him without much effort. He hated and respected her involvement with the case, all at the same time. Should he continue to fight her determination by opposing her plan, he’d be no better than the scum who came before him. Men who’d looked at the body and assumed Kayla was easy.
Kane knew better. She challenged him. She intrigued him. And though she’d not only enticed him but seduced him on many levels, Kayla Luck was far from easy. Caught in a trap of his own making, he had no choice but to support her, back her and make damn sure he did his job.
No mistakes. No distractions allowed.
HER SHOWER FINISHED, Kayla puttered around the bedroom. The sun had set and only the small light of a lamp illuminated the room. She fluffed her pillows, then sat down on the edge of the mattress. Alone.
Just outside the closed door, she heard Kane prowling around the kitchen. Though she lived with her sister and was used to the sounds of another person in the house, Kane’s presence lent a different feel. Anticipatory. Intimate.
She glanced at her nightwear choices laid out on the bed. On the one hand, the washed football jersey Kane had picked out for her the other day. On the other, a frilly negligee stolen from Catherine’s drawer.
Choices. How many times since she’d met Kane had fundamental decisions come down to two drastically different choices? To seduce or not to seduce. To…
The jarring ring of the doorbell startled her. She clipped her damp hair off her forehead, yanked on the lapels of her robe and started for the door.
She didn’t get far before Catherine’s voice sounded loud inside the house. “No lectures, Detective. I have a right to clean clothes.”
“Ever hear of a washing machine?” Kane asked.
“I’ll be out of your hair in less than five minutes.” Footsteps sounded in the hall and drew closer. “Make it ten. I want a visit with the prisoner.”
Kayla laughed aloud. A talk with her outspoken sister was exactly what she needed, too. Enforced confinement with Kane was getting to her, making her lose perspective. She only hoped a dialogue with a biased third party didn’t complicate things even more.
She opened the door at the same time Catherine pushed from the other side. Her sister stumbled in. “Well.” She paused in the doorway. “At least he doesn’t keep you locked in.”
The sarcasm was for Kane’s benefit, Kayla knew. Catherine had already given Kane the Luck seal of approval. Her sister just didn’t want the man to get overconfident and cocky. No chance of that, Kayla thought. Cat didn’t realize Mr. McDermott didn’t want or need to be a part of their little family.
“He couldn’t keep me locked in even if he wanted to.” She slid the bobby pin out of her hair. “Contingency.” Kayla grinned.
“See?” Catherine tilted her head and glanced over her shoulder. “I taught her well, McDermott. If you want her, you’ll have to work for it.”
Kayla grabbed her sister’s wrist and yanked her inside, slamming the door before Kane could reply. “Are you insane?”
“Just keeping him on his toes,” Catherine muttered. “Something you should be doing. I come here figuring I’m going to interrupt some hot sexual encounter and instead I find you in your bedroom, dressed in a ratty robe, and him on the other side of the house, slamming cabinets and muttering to himself.”
“So that’s why you rang the bell.”
“I can be discreet if I have to.” Cat flopped down on the bed. “Now tell me why I didn’t have to.” She laid her hand down on the mattress.
Kayla cringed as her sister’s fingers curled around the silk and lace garment she’d borrowed. “Hmm. Now things get interesting. I guess I jumped to conclusions. You don’t need my advice after all.”
“Wrong,” Kayla said. “Get up.”
Cat frowned. “Why? I’m comfortable.”
“Get up.”
Catherine rose and glanced down, then picked up the large shirt she’d sat on seconds before. Her eyes opened wide and she groaned. “Honey, you’ve owned this rag since we were teenagers. It’s fine for hanging around with your sister, but won’t do jack to seduce a man.”
A vision flooded Kayla’s mind…of wearing that same shirt when Kane kissed her, moved over her, then came as close to burying himself inside her as possible considering the physical barrier their clothing provided. Slick warmth trickled between her thighs at the memory. Then came another vision. That of Kane easing himself off her when he remembered she’d been injured and wasn’t ready, of him holding her throughout the night in comfort. This was a man who could make her both writhe in pleasure, and relax in contentment, in his arms. A potent combination.
“Earth to Kayla.” Catherine waved a hand in front of her eyes. “I don’t know where you were, but it’s obvious you’ve made the right choice.” She picked up the leopard print and black lace garment, dangling it from her fingertips.
Cat’s style, Kayla thought. Not hers. A smile formed on her lips. She felt it. She welcomed it. Things between herself and Kane were sensual, hot…and honest. She didn’t need sexy clothes to attract his attention. If she’d learned nothing else over the past few days, she’d learned to accept herself-her heart, her mind and her body.
She had Kane to thank for opening her eyes, for empowering her in ways she’d never been before. If she wanted to, she was perfectly capable of enticing him on her own-without the teddy. If she wanted to.
The issue in question wasn’t what she should wear to bed…but whether or not she ought to invite Kane to join her. By virtue of his silence, he’d conceded his end of the power struggle where the case was concerned. He would support her decision to participate in wrapping up the case on Charmed! Agreed against his better judgment because he believed in her. But he didn’t like it and was concerned about protecting her, about keeping the edge that made him effective as a cop.
She loved him too much to jeopardize his career…their future. She loved him. Heaven help her.
Despite all the planning and effort to remain in control where Kane was concerned, she’d failed miserably. She’d fallen in love with the loner detective, which meant she was without a safety net now.
Her entire future hinged on Kane’s past. And if things didn’t go well when she met with the man who’d attacked her, Kane would hold himself responsible, just as he did with his mother. In that case, she had no doubt he’d walk away without looking back.