Ready-Made Bride

hadn’t told Kane about inviting the Lindens for dinner and had no idea how he’d react. Then again, she had no idea what to expect from him, never knew when something she said or did would set him off like a time bomb.

Sighing, she put Andrew’s project on the shelf next to her desk where she could see it every day. After checking on the pot roast, carrots and potatoes slow cooking in the crock pot for dinner, she sat at her desk with a glass of iced tea, ready to immerse herself in her new book and forget about her marriage problems for a few hours.

Around one-thirty she heard Kane enter the house. Her heart raced when his booted steps echoed down the hall and into the bedroom. She didn’t turn, though every feminine molecule within her affirmed his presence with a tingling sensation. The mattress springs squeaked as he sat on the edge of the bed behind her, then there were two thumps as he removed his boots.

She closed her eyes as the silence stretched between them. Is this what they had come to? she wondered painfully. Strangers whose only similar interest was Andrew? Dammit, she wanted to end the awful tension. She knew if she didn’t say or do something now he’d disappear to his workshop for the afternoon.

She whirled her swivel chair until she faced him. He glanced up, his expression unreadable, his eyes dark and shadowed, concealing his thoughts and emotions. If she reached out she could touch him. If she slid to her knees she’d be kneeling between his strong thighs. She did neither.

“How was work?” Stupid and inane, but other than demanding to know what he was hiding from, she couldn’t think of anything witty to say.

He slowly unbuttoned his blue chambray work shirt. “Same as yesterday.” His tone was flat and distant.

Manufacturing a smile, she forged on, determined to reach him. “I started a new book. It’s called Andrew’s Father Gets Married.”

The subject of her new book, which paralleled the new event in Andrew’s life, didn’t so much as cause a flicker of interest from Kane. “That’s great.”

As emotionless as he was about their conversation, they might as well have been discussing the weather. She wanted to hit him or throw something at him just to rouse some kind of solid emotion.

He shrugged out of his shirt, and her mouth went dry. Liquid desire settled low in her belly, stirring her senses to life.

She dragged her gaze up, meeting his. The heat simmering in the depths stunned her. Her pulse responded with a feathery flutter. “Would you like to read the first draft of my new book?”

A stricken look crossed his features, and his complexion went pale. He’d had the same reaction at the open house when she’d given him Andrew’s book to read.

“Kane?” She frowned, trying to understand her husband’s shifting moods. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” he said, his voice harsh.

He started to stand, but she wasn’t about to let him dismiss her so easily. Not this time. With a hand pressed to his chest, she pushed him onto the mattress. Boldly, she straddled his lap and framed his face in her hands, forcing him to confront their problem, and her, head on. He gripped her hips with his hands and attempted to jerk his head away. She held firm. A battle of wills ensued.

“Dammit, Kane, don’t lie to me!” Tell me what’s wrong, so I can help make it better.

His expression hardened.

“I can’t take much more of your silence, or the way you’re avoiding me.” I miss you. I want you. I ache for you. How can we be so close yet so far apart?

A shudder racked his body, and his gaze locked on hers in silent communication. I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt you.

I know, but whatever’s wrong, you can trust me.

Something within him crumbled, filling his eyes with anguish. I…can’t. Oh, God, I can’t! I don’t want to lose you.

You won’t. Ever. I promise. “I love you,” she whispered, the words feeling so perfect So right.

His lashes drifted closed. “No,” he groaned. Shaking his head, he dropped his hands from her hips and gathered her skirt in his fists.

Expecting him to shove her away, she tightened her knees at his waist. “Look at me.” The demand came out as a soft invocation.

He did, revealing green eyes stormy with denial. And a need that gave her the strength to lay herself bare. “I love you, Kane. More than I ever thought possible. I won’t let you ignore it.”

“I don’t deserve it.” His voice was low and tormented.

“You do. You deserve the love of a good woman, and I’m gonna be the one to give it to you, whether you want it or not.”

His body trembled. A flicker of trust brushed his features, the emotion honest and real. As brief as the glimpse was, it was all the sign she needed. She wanted to touch his heart, give him enough love to chase away whatever demons haunted him. Enough love that he’d tell her what caused him so much heartache.

Cradling his head in her hands, she lowered her mouth and sealed her vow with a breath-stealing kiss. His lips parted on a groan, and she slid her tongue past all barriers to tangle and mate with his. He was suffering, and her only thought was to comfort him in the only way she knew he’d accept.

Their mouths fused. His hands gripped her thighs then slid over her hips and waist and along her spine, pulling her so close the only thing separating them was their clothes. She wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling as though she was burning up from the inside out.

She wanted their clothes off and bare skin touching. She wanted him to ease the unbearable ache and loss of being without him. She wanted his love.

Breaking their kiss, she pressed her hands to his chest, feeling the heavy beat of his heart beneath her palms. Staring into eyes hazed with passion, she slowly peeled her camisole top over her head, then unclasped her bra and let both items fall to the floor. Her breasts swelled beneath his hot gaze.

She took his hands and cupped his palms over the firm mounds of flesh. “Make love to me, Kane.”

His hands shaped her while his thumbs scraped over her sensitive nipples. “I can’t resist you,” he said, his voice husky.

“I don’t want you to.” And to prove it, she pulled him down to the mattress with her, trusting him with her heart and body and hoping the action would prove he could trust her in return.

She loved him. The knowledge filled Kane with a sense of wonder, and doubt, too. He knew how fragile love could be, how easily that illusion of grandeur and happiness could be shattered. Cathy had loved him until she’d learned the truth.

He glanced at the woman snuggled against his chest, napping soundly after a very satisfying afternoon of making love. He cared for Megan, which was more than he’d believed he was capable of giving. No other woman had affected him on such a primitive, emotional level, yet he couldn’t bring himself to express his feelings. Fear and insecurities warred with trust.

Gently, he pulled the sheet over her bare shoulder. She sighed and twined her legs around his. Maybe she wouldn’t be shocked if he told her the truth, he thought. Maybe she wouldn’t reject him. His stomach knotted. It was the flip-side to those maybes, the possibility that she would look at him in disappointment and shame that made him hold back the truth.

God, when had his emotions for Megan become a snarl he couldn’t untangle? And why had she gone and complicated things by falling in love with him?

She stirred again, this time lifting her head to look at him. She looked sleepy, disheveled and thoroughly loved. By him. He grinned despite the troubling thoughts plaguing him. If they never had to leave this bedroom and deal with real life, his worries and concerns would be over. Eventually they’d have to get up, but for now he planned to enjoy the quiet, simple moment with his wife.

She propped her chin on the hand resting on his chest. “What are you smiling about?” she murmured.

He touched her flushed cheek, caressed a finger over the swollen lips he’d kissed so ardently. “You.”

She smiled, but a regretful sigh escaped her. “We have to get up.”

“Why?” he asked lazily.