Kemper smirked. Apparently, Kit possessed high standards his brother didn’t share. Either that or her original thoughts on Kit and Kemper were correct. Kemper fell in love at first sight and Kit would never love anyone except himself. If her assumptions were accurate, then she imagined her past stung Kit much more than her history bothered Kemper.
Kit wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of mere strangers touching her. The one time they’d spoken of past relationships, he’d gone pale when she’d told him she was actually in love once.
“I didn’t stutter when I told you to leave,” Kit told her firmly. “I want you out of here before daybreak tomorrow. When I cut ties, I don’t like loose ends so make sure you take everything that belongs to you. Understand?”
He left his poolside chair and strolled toward the terrace doors, imitating a true cowboy’s walk, slow and steady. She followed him, the clickety-click from her high heels alerting everyone around to the obvious.
She wasn’t the kind of woman any man could easily shun.
Behind her, Kemper said, “Oh boy. This should be a barrel of laughs.”
To her left, Morgan lowered her magazine.
“Kit Keesling, let me ask you something,” Holly bellowed.
Kit froze with his hand on the doorknob. “I’m not interested in your questions and I?
??m unwilling to provide any answers to your inquiries. If you want money, you’ve had plenty at your disposal while you were here. You’re a smart gal. You should’ve saved for a rainy day.”
She’d done just that in the beginning and cherished her nest egg, but this disagreement wasn’t about the cash she’d tucked away. “I don’t care about material things and you know it, you arrogant ass.”
Kemper stood, easing his way around the patio. She caught his reflection in the glass and wondered why he acted so suspicious. Did he really think Kit could hurt her?
Hell. She wasn’t afraid of a cowboy, especially one with the last name Keesling.
“Did you ever ask me about my past?” she demanded.
“What difference does that make?” Kit asked, shooting her a glare as chilly as his icy blue—and quite beautiful—eyes.
“Well, did you?”
“No.”
“Exactly,” she said, holding her shoulders back and feeling quite satisfied that she’d just made her point. She hurried by him. “Then we have nothing left to talk about.”
As if the devil made him do it, he reached out and snatched her wrist. Once he secured his grip, he pulled her against him. His cold eyes were suddenly on fire, his anger as evident then as his fury had been the day a wild bull kicked him in the nuts.
She still shuddered when she thought about that horrid day. Kit had been so furious he’d taken a gun and used the black beast for target practice. Considering the bull was a prized Keesling possession, thank God Kit was a lousy shot.
“How many?” he demanded.
“How many what, Kit?” she asked, squirming away from him. With a hard jerk, she freed her arm, and he glared harder then, narrowing his eyes on her breasts until she felt certain her nipples spiked under the scrutiny.
Maybe that should’ve been her first clue. If arousal struck at that very moment, something was definitely the matter.
The Keesling men maintained a high sex drive which was part of the reason she initially stayed with them. She’d had instant chemistry with both men. She and Kit were certainly in tune with one another, but this was hardly the time or place to start acting all hot and bothered. Things weren’t looking too swell for the home team.
“How many men have you fucked?” Kit wasn’t about to let this go.
She blinked. How dare he embarrass her in front of his sister!
Kemper stood beside her then. “Don’t answer that.”
“I’m not going to,” she assured him firmly. “If you planned to issue job applications and interview applicants for your bed, then you should’ve handed over the paperwork before I experienced the pleasure of your company.”
“I think I should go,” Morgan said, finally standing.
“Sit down, Morgan,” Kit demanded, immediately redirecting his attention toward Holly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”