Sunrise Canyon (New Americana 1)

She paused and looked back, one hand resting on the doorknob. He stood where she’d left him, his expression unreadable. Without another word, Kira stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

The rain had slowed to a drizzle. Holding up the hem of her robe, she started for the house. She’d gone only a half-dozen steps when the security light came on. If anybody had been looking outside at this hour, they’d have seen her leaving Jake’s cabin in her nightclothes. Never mind. She’d done nothing to be ashamed of. But she was still worried about Jake.

Had that shattering kiss been his way of getting her to leave? But why else would he kiss her? Jake knew her all too well. Threats wouldn’t budge her, but one kiss from a half-undressed man in his bedroom would send her fleeing into the storm like the devil was chasing her.

A clever plan. But that didn’t mean the episode was over. He could still be in danger.

She paused in the glare of the security light, rain streaming off her hair and down her face. If anything were to happen because she’d left him alone too soon, she would never forgive herself.

Squaring her shoulders, she turned, walked back to the cabin and opened the door without knocking.

The lamp had been turned off, but with the security light shining through the drapes, Kira could see into the room. Jake was huddled on the edge of the bed, his head clenched in his hands, his body quivering.

She closed the door quietly and moved to his side. If he’d seen or heard her, he gave no sign of it. But when she laid her hands on his shoulders, she felt a shudder pass through him.

“Jake, I’m here,” she said.

He twisted his shoulders, shaking off her touch. “I can deal with this. Just leave me alone till it’s over.”

“No.” She reached behind him and turned down the bed. “Lie down and stretch out. You’ll feel better.” She pushed him sideways, toward the pillows. He was far stronger than she was, but he showed little will to resist as she laid him on his side and covered him with the sheet and the blankets. He straightened with a long sigh.

“Kira . . . ,” he said. “I’m sorry for this mess. Hearing about Wendy—I was primed. I thought I could take it, but everything went a little crazy.”

“Do you want to talk?” she asked.

“No.”

“Can I get you some water, maybe a Coke?” There was a mini fridge stocked with sodas under the TV stand.

“No.” He was still shaking beneath the covers.

In her rain-soaked robe, Kira was so cold, her teeth were chattering. She took a moment to peel the soggy garment off and drape it over a chair near the heater; then she blotted her wet hair with Jake’s discarded towel. Her cotton pajamas were slightly damp, but not too wet to wear. Not having anything else, she decided to keep them on.

What she decided to do next would take courage. But Jake needed it. Maybe she did, too.

Jake’s eyes were closed, but it was too soon for him to be asleep. After leaving her wet sneakers by the door, she walked around the double bed to the far side. She took a breath to gather her resolve. Then, lifting the blankets but leaving the top sheet over Jake, she slipped into bed beside him.

“Kira?” His voice was a mumble.

“I’m cold,” she said, and spooned against his back.

He flinched at the first contact through the sheet. “Lord almighty, you are cold.”

“I’ll be warm soon.” She snuggled closer. “Is this all right?”

“It’s . . . fine. It’s nice.”

With a little murmur, she laid an arm over him and nestled closer. He tensed like a wary animal being stroked for the first time. Then, little by little, his taut muscles relaxed. His breathing became deep and regular, and she knew he was sinking into sleep.

Kira cradled him against her through the sheet, feeling warm and surprisingly safe. This wasn’t about sex. They were both too raw, too vulnerable for that. This was about something deeper—something that might not even have a name.

Comfort, perhaps. But no, it was more than comfort.

Drifting, she closed her eyes.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Jake stirred and opened his eyes. The room was still dark, but Kira was already gone. He rolled onto his back and lay still, remembering her warmth and the sound of her breathing, like a silken whisper in his ear.