Simply Sinful (Simply 1)

He stretched an arm around her and she curled into him. “It’s okay, Kane.”

“What is?”

“I stopped before you did something you would regret, but you have to know…it’s not something I would regret.”

“Are you saying you changed your mind?” His hands tangled in her hair. It was a habit of his, she realized, one she enjoyed. The erotic tugging against her scalp turned her on.

No doubt that’s what he intended. “No, I haven’t changed my mind. I’m still respecting your original decision. But I want you to know something else.” She paused, in the space of a heartbeat. “I don’t expect anything from you. When this is over, you can walk away without looking back. I won’t stop you.”

Her cell phone chime shattered the ensuing silence and spared him having to answer. She glanced from the digital clock she still kept around to the phone laying face down, as usual. “No one I know would call at this hour.” The persistent sound continued.

He clenched his jaw. “Answer it.”

She picked up the cell. “Hello?”

“I’m through playing games, lady.”

Her hand went to the bruises on her neck. “Is that what you were doing?”

Silence greeted her and she looked at Kane.

“Keep him talking,” he mouthed and edged closer.

“I…I have something you want,” she said into the phone.

“You ready to start up again?” the man asked, sounding relieved.

The question startled her. She hadn’t expected him to make that kind of suggestion. She avoided answering. “I’m ready to turn over whatever I have to…Who did you say you work for again?”

His gravelly laugh sent chills racing through her.

“Lady, I’m no dummy. My mother’s sick. She wants the crosswords your aunt used to do. The ones she bragged about. I’m sure they’ll keep a sick, old lady busy.”

Kayla swallowed hard. “I have them.”

“Tomorrow, noon. Ditch the boyfriend and be at The Silver Café,” he said and disconnected the call.

“Not enough time,” Kane muttered.

“I tried.”

“I know.” He eased the cell out of her hand. Her fingers ached and she realized she’d been gripping her phone way too hard. Just like the fear that gripped her heart. But she could handle this. She had to handle this.

“What else did he say?” Kane caught her shoulders with both hands.

His touch steadied her. She forced even breaths into her lungs and replayed the conversation in her mind. “He knows about the crosswords, that my aunt was responsible for those. And he wants to meet tomorrow, at…at…” Realization dawned. “He’s been following me.”

“What makes you think that?”

“He wants to meet at the restaurant you took me to. That’s not a coincidence. I’ve never been there before you. I didn’t even know the place existed. He said to ditch you and show up alone. How does he know about you? How long has this guy been watching me?” Her voice rose along with her hysteria.

“Kayla.” Kane shook her gently. “Hey. He’s just trying to rattle you.”

“Well, he’s done a good job.”

“Then back out. No one would blame you, and I sure as hell would welcome it.”

“You know I can’t.” She met his gaze.