“Thank you, Kane.”
He turned. “No problem.”
She lay propped back against the pillows. Soft hair fell around her face. A yearning gripped his insides hard.
“The steam made me weak,” she said.
“You don’t get out of that bed without my permission.” Finding her on the tub floor had taken years off his life.
A weary frown crossed her lips. “I need sleep.”
“First, you need to eat.”
“Looking out for me, catching me when I fall, cooking my meals…Careful, McDermott, or I might think you care for more than your case.”
He caught the teasing in her voice. “Fat chance.”
She met his gaze. “Same with me following orders.”
The words were stronger than her voice, but he accepted her warning. Once she felt better, Kane would have his hands full keeping her in line and out of harm’s way.”
His respect for her rose. She’d taken a beating, but she kept pulling herself up. Kayla was a fighter. He liked that about her. She could handle herself, but this wasn’t an ordinary situation. When she felt stronger, he’d question her about her aunt and uncle’s dealings.
Meanwhile, he wasn’t about to lighten the severity of her situation. “You take care of yourself or I’ll cuff you to the bed.” He gestured to the wrought-iron headboard behind her pillows.
She grinned. “First whipped cream, now bondage. Are you kinky, Detective?”
“Keep that up and you’ll find out.” The sudden banter and teasing caught him by surprise. So did the vision of her naked, shackled to the bed, eager to play.
Her eyes darkened. He wondered if she was considering the possibilities, then reminded himself he’d had his one night. He refused to take another.
Kane rose. Her fingers around his wrist stopped his escape. Warmth seeped into the places she touched.
“Running away?” she asked.
“Getting you food.” Before he drew her down onto the mattress and gave in to misplaced desires. Before he let himself drown in all she had to give.
She released her grip and struggled to a sitting position. “Okay.”
He raised a suspicious eyebrow.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“You gave in.”
“Don’t sound so surprised. I know what’s good for me.” She grinned. “Besides, we already established I’m easy.”
* * *
Kane disappeared into the hall and Kayla leaned back against the pillows with a groan. Sparring with him had sapped what little strength she had left. The dizziness was better, but Kane was right—she needed to eat. Food would give her the energy to get out of this bed, deal with her aunt and uncle’s legacy, and confront Kane, all on her terms.
Kane. What did he want from her? And what did she want from the tough cop? She closed her eyes until he returned.
“Lunch,” he said.
Standing in the doorway, he was the epitome of every fantasy she’d never allowed herself to have. A strong, capable, caring, sexy man…concerned about her.
She glanced at the mug in his hands, pushing herself to a sitting position. “Vegetable?”