Simply Sinful (Simply 1)
Kane glanced over her sister’s head to meet Kayla’s gaze. “Is she going to be this tough for the rest of my life?” he asked, a grin edging his mouth.
She wanted to kiss him. She wanted him to leave before he could hurt her even more. Her hands squeezed into fists at her sides. “Probably.”
Catherine grabbed her shoulder bag. She shot a glance at Kayla before zeroing in on Kane. “You think this is tough, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
“Goodbye, Catherine.” Kayla urged her sister out with her tone of voice.
“I’m going. But you do realize this is getting to be a habit. Him showing up, you kicking me out, him showing up…” Despite Catherine’s warning, laughter tinged her voice. Even the tougher Luck sister had a soft spot for Kane
McDermott. It didn’t bode well for Kayla.
Catherine eased past Kane, slipping beneath his arm and out the door, still muttering aloud the entire time.
“She means well,” Kayla said.
“I know. Do you stick up for me the same way when I’m out of earshot?” he asked.
She licked her dry lips, barely able to speak now that they were alone. “A bad habit of mine.”
“What is?”
“Sticking up for people I lo…” No. She couldn’t lay her heart out for him to trample once more. “What do you want from me, Kane? I made my statement, the captain’s filled me in on all I need to know, and we said our goodbyes.” She nearly choked on the word.
“Well, that’s the thing. We didn’t—say our goodbyes, that is.”
“I don’t like games.”
“Believe me, sweetheart, this is no game. Think back. You said goodbye; I didn’t.”
“Is that why you came back? To make sure I knew the score? I’m not stupid, Detective.”
His gaze darkened. “I never thought you were.”
She knew that. Kane, of all people, had given her intelligence due respect. Lashing out was the only way she knew to protect herself from what was to come. She just wished she knew exactly what that was.
“I just don’t need the word spelled out to know you aren’t coming back, that I shouldn’t expect anything from you in the future.” Her breath caught in her throat, and she had to pause for air until the ability to speak without showcasing her emotions returned. She’d never felt more fragile. “We already covered everything important.”
“Not quite everything.” He stepped toward her, determined, sexy, and sure. Just as he had been the first time, when her life had changed forever.
He grasped her hand and held on tight. He might as well have gripped her heart in his fist. “Did you ever think I didn’t say goodbye because I didn’t mean it?” he asked.
Frustration filled her. She’d had enough of double-talk, word games, and drawing out the inevitable pain. “Just like you didn’t say I love you because you don’t?” She regretted the impulsive, straight-talking words the minute they left her mouth, but once spoken, the truth lay between them.
She tried to jerk her hand free, but he held on with an iron grip. Ignoring his heat was impossible. As always, it elicited an answering liquid warmth inside of her.
She resented the easy hold he had over her, the way he could make her react despite her better judgment. She sighed. “Look, I accepted your limitations, Kane. Now accept mine. You know how I feel about you, so please respect me enough to…”
“Explain?”
“I have a pretty good handle on the whys. I’d rather you just left me alone. It’s better for both of us. I know for sure you feel the same way.”
“That’s what I thought. What I kept telling myself, even as I walked out your front door. But it’s not true. I’m a better man with you by my side…and I’d like to think the reverse is true.”
His sheepish grin gave rise to spiraling hope deep inside her. Foolish hope. But he had come back. And that was more than she’d ever thought possible.
“And even if you’re better off without me, I’m selfish enough to ask you to stay with me anyway.”
Kayla’s heartbeat tripled and she could barely catch her breath. Kane had never spoken beyond the present before, and that was promising. But many other words had been spoken, too.