Simply Sinful (Simply 1)

“Then don’t let him win. Don’t let him make you think you aren’t safe.” He drew her into his arms. His warmth enveloped her; his strength supported her. “Because you are.”

* * *

Kane didn’t know how long he held her. Only that at some point, they lay down on the bed until her breathing steadied and relaxed. The first time he tried to untangle their legs, she resisted. He must have dozed off because the sun now shone through the window where moonlight had been.

He called Reid from the kitchen. His boss answered on the first ring. “Meeting’s on,” Kane told him. “Noon today.” Kane didn’t like it, but he had no choice.

He’d given up all leverage where Kayla was concerned. She’d cut him loose and he hadn’t argued. Even if the phone call hadn’t interrupted them last night, he wouldn’t have fought her. She’d given him his freedom, something he’d had anyway, but for some reason, she thought he needed her permission to walk away.

She’d been clear on that point. She didn’t want anything from him. Though it was exactly what he needed to rid himself of any unwanted guilt, the thought rankled. Why the hell didn’t she want more? And why the hell did he care?

“Hey, McDermott. You wake me up to breathe into the phone, or you want to discuss backup?” Reid’s voice brought him back to the present.

Focus. A little after noon today, he’d have that ability back and more time than he knew what to do with.

“Yeah, boss.” Kane gave details about Kayla’s phone conversation. “The meeting is at the same place the department sprung for dinner at the other night. It’s crowded at lunchtime, so I’d just have some well-dressed undercover cops drop in for a meal and make sure I’m in the booth behind them.”

“No deal. If he followed her the night you two did the town, he’ll spot you in a second.”

The captain was right, but damned if he could just send Kayla off on her own. “Either I’m there, or the meeting’s off.”

Reid should have come down hard on him for asserting authority. He didn’t. His harsh laugh echoed in his ear. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were after my job, McDermott.”

“I’d rather rot than sit behind a desk,” Kane muttered.

Reid laughed again. “Okay, just keep out of sight. Make sure she hands over the books and opts out of the partnership. He takes them; we move in. That’s it.”

“I’ll coach her. She won’t even breathe at the wrong time.”

“Yeah, I trust you to be on top of things. Are you ready to end this?” Reid asked.

Kane knew the older man meant more than the case. He’d switched into paternal mode. Reid didn’t do it often, but Kane appreciated the attempt. Too bad he didn’t have an answer that would satisfy either one of them right now.

* * *

Kayla fished through her closet for the third time. Silk blouses, linen slacks, and sensible pumps. Had she really expected the contents to change just because she had? Even during the days she’d worked nine-to-five as an accountant, wearing corporate suits and stuffy blouses, she hadn’t altered her wardrobe on weekends or days off. She was lucky she owned even one pair of jeans, considering she’d had no desire to wear them.

Until Kane.

There was no way she wanted to walk out of this house looking like the woman he’d met three days earlier. Not when she felt so different inside. Raiding Catherine’s closet was the only solution. A few trips to her sister’s room and she’d made her decision. She pulled a pair of black thigh high boots over tight leggings, then eased another of Cat’s V-necked tops, this one a light pink, over her head. Cleavage she was used to hiding was visible. Enough to be presentable not classless.

Glancing in the mirror, she ran her fingers through her hair, when she caught sight of Kane standing guard in the doorway.

“Ready for action. How do I look?” She turned toward him.

His scowl spoke for him. “This isn’t a date. What the hell do you think you’re doing, dressing like that?”

She recognized his roar. She’d gotten to him on some level that made him uncomfortable. Mission accomplished, she thought, and smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment. So you like it?” She smoothed the fitted top over her hips.

“Damn right I like it. You look great.” His smoky gaze lit on hers.

Her grin widened. “Thank you, Kane,” she said with a deliberate lilt to her voice.

The tension eased and he smiled back. “So the files were right. You are a quick learner.”

“I’m the best.”

“I know that,” he muttered. “Now take it off.”