alone with Kayla. Either way he needed all the luck he could get.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE ICE HAD BEGUN TO HELP her head. Even the nausea was no longer as bad. And then Kane spoke. “I’m taking you home.”
His deep voice-still sexy to her ears-penetrated the remaining fuzziness in her brain. Kayla’s stomach revolted at the thought. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
Catherine grabbed for the nearest garbage pail, gaining a smile from Kayla despite how lousy she felt. “I don’t think that’s necessary.” She turned on Kane. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” Although her talk with Captain Reid had been enlightening, she still didn’t know enough.
Apparently Kane’s superior knew nothing about Kane and Kayla’s late-night activities. Unlike other men, he hadn’t been quick to brag that he’d scored with Kayla Luck. She wondered what that meant other than the fact that he didn’t want to jeopardize his career.
The captain had questioned her about her business and clientele but was less than forthcoming about the reasons behind the police interest. He said he’d leave the divulging to his best detective. She suppressed a cynical laugh. Kane was good all right, at more things than just his job.
He crouched down until they were eye level. Razor stubble covered his cheeks, adding to the dangerous edge she’d only imagined before. The musky scent of his skin mixed with subtle aftershave heightened her awareness and put her senses into overdrive.
He bore no resemblance to the salesman who’d wined and dined her the day before, yet he was still the same man who intrigued her on a primal level. A man she didn’t know. Yesterday’s clean-cut appearance had obviously been another lie for her benefit. She had the distinct impression she now faced the real Kane McDermott.
She cradled her head in her hands and glared at him.
“You might not like me much right now. Hell, I’m not too thrilled with myself. But you aren’t going home alone. It isn’t safe.”
“I agree,” Catherine said. She folded her arms over her chest and waited.
“Would you please find something to do?” Kane muttered. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Catherine glanced at her sister. Kayla didn’t like it, but she and Kane had unfinished business. “It’s okay.” With a nod, her sister headed for the back room.
“She always act like your mother?” he asked.
“Only when I’m being threatened.”
“And that’s what you think I’m doing?”
“I don’t know that any more than I know who you really are. Last night was obviously a setup.” She ignored the hurt the knowledge brought. “You’re investigating me and my business. What for?”
His deep inhale warned her she wouldn’t like what came next. “Prostitution.”
Her hand moved of its own volition, cracking across his roughened cheek. Tears quickly followed. She swiped at them with her sleeve but he’d seen anyway. He didn’t flinch, but in his eyes she viewed the same glimmer of emotion she’d caught last night. He masked it just as fast.
He was good at hiding his feelings and even better at hiding himself.
She swallowed over the painful lump in her throat that threatened to grow larger. Not only had he treated her like a hooker, but he’d
“Last night had nothing to do with the investigation.”
Kayla folded her arms across her chest and remained silent. Her mama had another expression she’d ingrained into her girls: Give a man enough rope and he’d hang himself with it.
“The date, the setup, the dinner…those were part of the job,” he admitted. “What came after wasn’t.” The subtle darkening of his eyes spoke of sexual heat and need. The softening of his features hinted at something more. “By the time we finished dinner, I knew you were innocent,” he said.
Kayla inhaled. Mama was wrong in this case. Kane wasn’t hanging himself. He’d taken a step toward redemption, not further condemnation. Yet how could she believe his words when everything that came before had been based on a lie?
She’d given her body to him in ways that bespoke trust. She could have given her heart. He’d repaid her faith with the deepest violation she could imagine. But she still sensed an innate decency. One she wanted to believe in.
“Do you always offer money to the women you sleep with?” she asked.
Silence greeted her. Apparently she trod on sacred ground. “How reassuring,” she said dryly. “My sister will take me home.”
“Not unless you want her in the line of fire.”
“There’s no danger.” Kayla swept her hand in the air, gesturing to the expanse of the room. Her head pounded in time to the motion. She winced but continued. “Look around you. No valuables, no merchandise…nothing. The guy didn’t find what he was looking for. He won’t be back.” Despite the pounding pain, she put all her energy into convincing him so he and his lies would disappear.
He shrugged. “Depends. Is that why you don’t have an alarm system here? There’s nothing anyone would want?”
She nodded, then regretted the jerky motion. She gripped the armrests of the chair until the dizziness and pounding subsided.
He placed a firm hand on her thigh. He might have meant to steady her, but his touch did more than reassure, it aroused-aroused buried feelings as well as sexual need.
“Do you have a burglar alarm at home?” he asked.
She cleared her throat. It still hurt to speak. “Don’t need one. The guy probably thought he’d get money, then he was interrupted. He won’t bother me again.”
“I disagree and if I’m right and your sister gets hurt, will you be able to live with yourself?”
He’d hit her weakness and obviously knew it. Kayla wouldn’t risk Catherine’s life just to get Kane McDermott out of hers. “You’re slime, you know that, Detective? You want to act as my personal home safety system? Fine. Park your car in the driveway and have a blast. Just remember to turn on the heater. I don’t want your death on my conscience.”
“Careful, Kayla,” he said in that husky voice that caused an erotic tingling deep inside. “I might begin to think you care.”
“Fat chance.”
“Same with me hanging out in my car. The paramedics said you vetoed the hospital so you need someone to watch over you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And you’re offering your services?” The thought of spending any time with this man who pulled her mind, her heart and her body in opposing directions was impossible.
She didn’t trust her response to him, yet she trusted him to keep her safe. The contradiction wasn’t lost on her. It was just one of many. “No way are you staying with me.”
“You won’t put your sister at risk, which leaves you alone. What if the guy shows up again? You were no match for him the first time. What makes you think you’ll do a better job injured?”
“Like I said, you’re slime, McDermott.”
“I never argued the point, Ms. Luck.”
Kayla saw Captain Reid approach. “I’m through here. Feeling better?” he asked.
“If I don’t move,” she said wryly.
He turned to Kane. “Remember what I said. Call if things turn serious-and enjoy your time off.” The older man walked out into the cold afternoon.
“Time off?”
“Looking after you,” Kane said. “And before you argue, remember I already won this argument. I’ll go square things with Catherine.”
