His tongue explored her, teased her, excited her. He tasted of coffee and some exotic flavor that left her hungry for more. She kissed him back with an enthusiasm that probably should have embarrassed her, but as she figured this was a one time thing, why not go for it.

The kiss went on and on until various parts of her body began complaining that they, too, wanted some of that. Her breasts ached and between her legs she felt a distinct longing.

Finally he raised his head and looked at her. Passion darkened his eyes to the color of storm clouds, which was something she’d never been able to think before. The wanting tightened his features and made him look predatory.

“You want to have sex with me!” she announced, so pleased she nearly kissed him again.

He muttered something under his breath and carried her back to the chair on the living room.

“We’re not having sex,” he told her.

“Oh, I know. I don’t know you and that would make it tacky, but you were interested. Plus, you held me for a long time without breaking a sweat. So you must work out.”

He shook his head. “I’ve never understood why anyone would want to bang his head against a wall, but now I get it.”

She ignored that. “Kane?”

He glanced at her.

Her breath caught. It was still there—the need. Men had offered to take her to bed before, but they’d never needed her. Not sexually.

“Wow. I’m not imagining it. You are so incredibly sweet. Thank you.”

“I’m not sweet. I’m a cold son of a bitch.”

Oh, please. She smiled. “You’ve made my whole day. Guys don’t ever want me. Not really.”

He looked her up and down in a blatantly sexual way. She supposed that to be a fully realized woman, she should be insulted, but in truth, it was thrilling.

“Trust me—guys want you. You’re just not paying attention.”

“No, they don’t. I’m the warm, caring type who takes in strays. I give them a home—well, not literally. I mean they don’t come live with me. But I rescue them. You know, patch them up, give them support, care about them and then they leave. But they never…you know.”

“Wanted to sleep with you?” he asked bluntly.

She winced. “Not usually. Which is fine. Some are just friends, but others…” She shrugged. “It’s kind of the way my life goes.”

She could deal with that—it was her destiny to fix the guys and send them on their way. But sometimes she wished they would see her as something other than a good friend. There had been a couple she’d wanted to stick around.

“Just so we’re clear,” he said. “I don’t need rescuing.”

She wasn’t sure she believed him, but she was willing to let it go for now. Mostly because the wanting thing was so incredible.

“You’re so good-looking and powerful,” she said with a sigh. “Not my type at all, not that I’m complaining.”

“Good to know,” he said dryly.

“You could kiss me again. I wouldn’t mind.”

“While that’s a pretty irresistible invitation, I’ll find you something to eat instead.”

She was kind of hungry. “But you do still want me, right? That hasn’t faded.”

He looked into her eyes and she felt the pull of his need. Her insides got all hot and quivery.

“Wow,” she breathed as he turned away. “You’re good.”

“I live to serve.”

He crossed to the kitchen where she heard him opening cupboard doors. She glanced at the mother cat licking her babies.

“I think you’re going to be really happy here,” she whispered. “Kane is nice and gentle. He’ll be a good owner.”

Or he would be, once she convinced him that he wanted to keep the mother cat and her kittens. He was at heart, she believed, a decent man. With her need to rescue, she didn’t find decent very often.

There was a knock on the door.

“I’ll get that,” she said as she slid to the edge of the chair and prepared to stand on one leg.

“This is my place and I’ll get it,” he told her as he walked across the hardwood floor. “Sit. Stay.”

“You kiss too good for me to be scared of you,” she told him.

He ignored her and opened the door. “Yes?”

“I’m Marina Nelson. I’m here to see my sister.” She thrust a bag into his arms. “There are more in the car.”

Willow twisted in her seat and waved. “You came.”

“Of course I came. You said you’d fallen and broken your ankle.”

“I called Marina because I knew she was home this morning,” Willow said to Kane, “Julie’s at work. Are you going to step aside so she can come in?”

“I haven’t decided.”

“You could push past him,” Willow told her sister.

Marina shook her head. “He looks burly.”

Willow opened her mouth to say that he wasn’t all that tough and that he was an amazing kisser, then she thought better of it. It was really the sort of information she needed to keep to herself.

“You look alike,” Kane said.

Willow sighed. Obviously he was going to be difficult. “All three of us do. It’s quite a gene pool. Are you going to let her in?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“If I leave now, I’ll only come back with reinforcements,” Marina told him.

“Right.”

He moved aside and Marina slipped past him. She rushed to the chair and hugged Willow.

“What on earth happened? What are you doing here? What did you do to your poor foot?” Marina sank onto the ottoman and leaned forward. “Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”

Kane took the single bag into the kitchen, then disappeared outside.

“So talk,” Marina said.

“I haven’t been able to forget about Todd,” Willow began. “I kept getting madder and madder. Or is it more mad? Anyway, when I woke up this morning, I just couldn’t stand it anymore.”

Marina looked at her. “Tell me you didn’t come over here to take him on.”

“That’s exactly what she did,” Kane said as he walked in with an armful of bags. “Are there more in the trunk?”

“No, just those in the backseat. Thanks.”

He grunted, then disappeared into the kitchen.

Willow watched him go, admiring the way his slacks tightened around his butt as he moved. She’d never been one of those women who admired men’s rears before, but then she’d never seen one this good.

“Willow,” Marina said impatiently.

“What? Oh, sorry. So I came over here to yell at Todd. He nearly broke up Julie and Ryan and I couldn’t stand thinking about that. I mean who does he think he is? Plus there’s the whole million dollar thing just hanging out there and he’s so self-centered and egotistical you just know he’s thinking we’re dying to meet him now that Julie’s engaged. I just want to beat him with a stick.”

“For someone who’s a vegetarian and so into being one with nature, you’re surprisingly violent,” Kane called from the kitchen.

“I’m not violent,” she yelled back. “I wasn’t the one flashing a gun around. Where is it, by the way?”

“Somewhere you can’t get it.”

Marina’s eyes widened. “He had a gun?”

“Yes, but don’t worry about it. So I came here and Kane answered the door and I guess he thought I was a serious threat because he tried to grab me.”

“What?”

“It’s his job. He’s in charge of security for all of Todd and Ryan’s companies. You have to be clear on that. He’s a little touchy about people thinking he’s only in charge of the house or something.”

“I’m not touchy.”

The words were a little garbled, as if he were speaking through clenched teeth.

She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “He really is. Who knew? Okay, so he tried to grab me, I ran and got through the house, but he caught up with me on the grounds. Then I tripped, and as I went down, I not only ripped off my ankle, I saw the cat there giving birth. So here we are.”

Marina covered her mouth, then dropped her hand to her lap. “I swear, I don’t know if I should laugh or shriek. Only you, Willow, only you.”

Kane walked out of the kitchen, holding a litter box in his hand. “Is this what I think it is?”

“Only if you think it’s a cat box,” Marina said, then turned back to her sister. “It’s completely disposable and biodegradable. Cool, huh?”

“Very. Thanks for that. Where do you think we should put it?”

Marina glanced around the living room. “Somewhere a little more private.”

Kane stared from the women to the litter box and back. What the hell had happened? When had he lost control of the situation, not to mention his life?

“I’ll go find a place,” Marina said. She stood and took the box from him, then smiled. “It’s kind of a lot to take in. You probably need a minute to recover.”

He watched her walk out of the living room and down the hallway. Great, Willow thought he needed rescuing and her sister was convinced he was an idiot.

“Is there a scooper?” Willow asked him. “You’ll want that by the box, along with some paper towels.

He started to ask for what, then stopped himself. Right—it was basically a cat’s bathroom. There would be deposits.

“She’ll know how to use it, right?” he asked as he jerked his head toward the cat.

“Oh, sure. We’ll just show her where it is.”

Marina returned without the litter box. “The bathroom off the second bedroom seems like a good bet. I put it there.” She walked to her sister, bent over and said in a low voice, “It doesn’t look like he has women here on a regular basis, so that’s something.”

He was equally outraged and admiring. “I’m standing right here.”

Willow smiled at him. “We know.”

“He seems okay,” Marina continued. “But given your history with guys…”

“It’s true,” Willow said sadly. “Maybe he’s different.”

“Still standing here,” he announced.

“You could feed the cat,” Willow said. “You’ll probably be more comfortable in the kitchen while we’re talking about you behind your back.”

In a scary, twisted way, her words made sense. He retreated to the kitchen, all the while wondering what had happened. This morning everything about his life had been normal and pleasantly solitary. Somewhere along the way, he’d been invaded. There were people here—he didn’t do people.

He went through the bags. There was canned cat food, a bag of dry and three bowls. He filled one with water and the other with dry food. The mother cat rushed into the kitchen and fell on the food. When he dished up some canned, she abandoned the dry to feast on that.

While she ate, he checked out the rest of the bags. Marina had brought over bread, honey, several packages of frozen soup, bags of cookies, apples, pears, some girly soap and the latest issue of a celebrity gossip magazine. Did she think her sister was moving in?

He felt something brush against his leg. When he glanced down he saw the mother cat rubbing her leg against him. She looked up, purring.

Feeling awkward and stupid and like he was being taken, he bent over and patted the top of her head. She turned and rubbed her jaw against his fingers. He could feel the vibration of her purring.

He’d never been one for pets. As a kid, it was all he could do to feed himself. Plus caring about anything only made you a victim. In the army, there had always been guys who kept dogs around, but he wasn’t one of them.

He straightened. He could hear Willow and Marina talking in the living room, although he couldn’t hear the words, thank God. So now what? Where did he go? This was supposed to be his house, but he suddenly felt like he didn’t belong.

There was another knock on the door. Before he could say anything, Marina yelled that she was getting it. He walked into his living room in time to see an older version of Willow stepping into his house, along with a fiftysomething guy in a suit.

“Mom, you didn’t have to come,” Willow said. “I’m fine.”

Willow’s mother handed Marina a casserole, then rushed to Willow’s side. “You’re not fine. You hurt yourself. What was I supposed to do? Just let you lie here in pain?”

“Oh, Mom.”

The man approached Kane. “I’m Dr. David Greenberg, a friend of the family.”

“Kane Dennison.” They shook hands.

Dr. Greenberg moved over to the ottoman. “All right, Willow, let’s see what you’ve done.”

Willow’s mother moved back. Marina touched her arm. “This is Kane, Mom.”

The older woman smiled at him. “Hi. Naomi Nelson. She said you carried her here and saved her life.”

Willow had managed to make a number of phone calls and pass on a lot of information in the short time he’d been gone, he thought, not sure if he should punish her or be impressed.

“I don’t think she was all that near death,” he said.

“Mom, there are kittens,” Willow said. She pointed at the box.

“Oh, they’re just born.”

While Naomi went to coo over the kittens, Marina murmured something about putting the casserole in the refrigerator. Kane watched as the doctor examined Willow’s ankle.

“Does this hurt?” he asked as he manipulated her foot. “Does this?”

She answered his questions, then looked at Kane. He felt the impact of her gaze all the way down to his groin. Funny how Marina was similar in appearance, but nothing about her turned him on. Yet with Willow, all it took was a look.

Dr. Greenberg continued his exam for a couple more minutes, then patted her knee. “You’ll live. It’s a minor sprain. You have some swelling, which should go away in the next couple of days. Keep doing what you’re doing. Elevation and ice. You’ll be better in the morning.”

“It hurts,” Willow said with a soft whimper.

The doctor smiled. “I remember how badly you handle pain. You’re the one who cried before I ever gave you a shot when you were little.” He dug around in his case and handed her a sample pack of pills. “These will help. Take them now and then don’t even think about driving until tomorrow. You’re going to be out of it.”

She smiled. “You’ve been very good to me.”

“I know.” He stood, bent over and kissed her cheek. “Try not to be such a klutz.”

“I didn’t do this on purpose.”

“But you still do it.”

Naomi hurried over. “Thank you so much for coming.”

The doctor shrugged. “I’ve known them nearly all their lives. They’re like my girls, too. I’m going back to the office.”

“I’ll be there within the hour,” Naomi promised.

Both women fluttered around, bringing Willow water so she could take her pill, more ice, a snack. Kane stayed in the background, watching them move so easily through his place—as if they’d been here before. Or maybe that was the way of nurturers. They were comfortable wherever they went.

At last Marina left, leaving only Willow and her mother. Naomi beckoned him into the kitchen.

“Thank you for all your help,” she began. “I’m sorry we’ve all invaded you like this.”

“It’s fine,” he said, when what he was thinking was more along the lines of “you could be gone now.”

“I’ll just get her things and take her home.”

Kane eyed the woman. She was about five-five and in decent shape, but there was no way she could carry her daughter.

“I’ll do that,” he said, knowing it was the only way. “You can’t carry her inside.”

“Oh.” Naomi looked concerned. “I hadn’t thought about that. With her foot and all…Can she hop?”

“Not well. Don’t worry. I’ll get her home.”

“If you’re sure…” She glanced at her watch and he knew she was thinking she had to get back to work.

“Ask Willow if she’s comfortable with that arrangement,” he said.

Naomi nodded, then walked back into the living room. Kane followed her and watched as Willow and her mother spoke.

“I’ll be fine,” Willow said, glancing at him, her blue eyes bright with anticipation and humor.

He narrowed his gaze. What the hell was she planning now?

Naomi hugged her daughter, then walked over to him and held out her hand. “You’ve been very kind. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Not a problem.”

“Good luck with the cat and her kittens. They’re going to be a handful.”

As they wouldn’t still be here while they were growing up, he didn’t care.

Then she was gone and he was alone with Willow.

“Sorry about everyone coming by,” she said.

“No, you’re not. You invited them all. You wanted them to come.”

“Okay. Maybe. I had to be sure I wasn’t dying.”

“Sprained ankles are rarely fatal.”

“At least they brought food.” She smiled. “You like food.”

“How do you know?”

“You’re a guy. It’s a guy thing.”

“I’m going to get the cat food,” he said and turned back to the kitchen.

“You haven’t fed her yet?” Willow sounded outraged.

He held in a groan. “Of course I fed the cat. I’m going to collect the food so you can have it.”

“I don’t eat cat food.”

She was doing this on purpose. He knew that. She thought baiting him was a fun, new game.

“It’s for the cat,” he said patiently.

“The cat’s not coming home with me. My building doesn’t allow pets, which is one of the reasons I rented there. That and the amazing backyard. I turned it into a garden and it’s so beautiful. But there are a lot of plants that would be poisonous to a kitten. Not that I wouldn’t love one. But I know better. If I rescue one cat, soon I’ll want to rescue them all. Then there are dogs and birds and it could really turn into a disaster.”

He rarely got headaches, but he could feel one coming on.

“I’m not keeping the cat.”

“You have to,” she told him. “The kittens are too young to be moved. They have to be warm and they need their mom. Oh, do you have a hot water bottle to put in the box, because that would be great.”

He could hear a strange buzzing in his ears. “Aren’t there rescue places?”

“Sure, but they’re already busy with real strays. This cat has a home, at least until the babies are older.”

“They don’t have a home here.”

She stared at him, wide-eyed. He knew he was being manipulated and knew he wasn’t going to give in.

“I don’t do cats,” he said firmly. “Not this one, not any one.”

“That’s so mean.”

She spoke softly. He barely heard the words, yet it was as if she’d slapped him. Her blue eyes darkened with disappointment and she seemed to shrink into the chair.

“All right,” she told him. “Just get the cat supplies together. I’ll figure out something.”

He’d led men into more dangerous parts of the world than most people knew about. He’d killed to stay alive and had been left for dead more than once. Yet never had he felt so out of his element than he did at this moment.

What the hell did he care what this woman thought of him? It was a damn cat. Let her take it.

He went into the kitchen and put the food into a grocery bag, then carried it into the living room. But when he glanced at Willow, he saw she’d fallen asleep.

Her head lay on the armrest, her long blond hair a contrast to the dark leather. One leg curled up under her while the other one was stretched out, ice still strapped to her injured ankle.

“Willow?”

She didn’t stir. In addition to being a wimp about pain, she was also a lightweight when it came to painkillers. No wonder the doctor had told her not to drive after taking it.

The room was silent, except for the quiet purring of the mother cat and loud thudding of his own heart.

Willow woke up and had no idea where she was. As if that had never happened to her before, she immediately sat up and thought about panicking. But before the adrenaline could really get pumping, she remembered the whole Kane-ankle-cat thing and decided she was probably still in his house.

A quick glance at the clock on the nightstand told her it was nearly midnight. Wow—that pill had knocked her out for hours. She sat up and looked around. A night-light from the bathroom allowed her to see the shapes of the furniture, including the bed she’d slept on. The guest room, she thought, noting the bed wasn’t huge and the furniture looked more neutral than masculine. Too bad. She really wouldn’t have minded waking up in his bed…with him.

Smiling at the thought, she looked down at herself and saw that except for her shoes, she was completely dressed. Kane had been a gentleman. Wasn’t that just her luck?

Willow sighed. She was never really like this about guys. But there was just something about Kane that got to her and made her want to be wild. Maybe because being around him felt safe. As if no matter what she did or how she acted, nothing bad would happen to her. He would be there, protecting her.

No one had ever been safe before.

She swung her feet over the side of the bed and stood carefully. While her ankle was still sore, it was a ton better. She could almost walk normally.

After visiting the bathroom—where she found a brand-new toothbrush and toothpaste conveniently waiting—she made use of the facilities, washed her face, brushed her teeth, then went in search of her host.

Kane was in the living room, reading. He glanced up as she entered.

“Sorry,” she said. “The pill knocked me out.”

“I noticed.”

“So, you, um, carried me to bed.”

“Yes.”

“I slept through that.”

“Apparently.”

“You kept my clothes on.”

“It seemed the polite thing to do.”

“Okay.”

One corner of his mouth twitched. “Should I have stripped you naked and taken you while you were unconscious?”

“Of course not. It’s just…”

He kissed her before. Hadn’t he meant it?

He stood and walked over to her. In less than a second, the humor was gone and he looked…predatory.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he told her. “You don’t know anything about me.”

It was true. The sensible part of her brain told her to quietly back away, retreat to the guest room and lock the door behind her. Only, he’d wanted her before. Really wanted her. The sensible part of her brain needed to remember how rare that was.

He reached up and fingered a strand of her hair. “Like silk,” he murmured.

And then it was back—the fire that had thrilled her so much. She felt the heat burn between them, drawing her closer, making her promises, tempting her into the path of possible destruction.

Three

“I don’t get it,” Willow said. “I’m not your type.”

“You said that before. How do you know?”

“I’m not anyone’s type.”

Kane shook his head. “I don’t believe that.”

“It’s true. I have the sad, painful romantic history to prove it. I’m the best friend, the one guys confide in.”

“I don’t confide in anyone,” he told her.

“You should. It’s very healthy. Sharing problems make them seem more manageable.”

“You know this how?”

“I read it in a magazine somewhere. You can learn a lot from magazines.”

His dark gaze never left her face. “Go back to bed. I’ll take you home in the morning.”

No! She didn’t want to be sent to bed like a child. “But then where will you sleep?”

“You’re in the guest room. I still have my own bed.”

“See, that was flirting. I was flirting. Wouldn’t it be nice if you just went with it?”

He moved so fast, he was like a human blur. One second he was several feet away and the next he was right in front of her, one hand on her waist, the other wrapped around her hair. He eased forward that last inch, so they were touching everywhere.

She had the feeling he was trying to intimidate her and it would have worked, except she couldn’t seem to be afraid of him.

“You won’t hurt me,” she whispered.

“Your faith is foolish and misplaced. You don’t know what I’ll do.”

He bent his head and claimed her with a hard, demanding kiss. He pushed into her mouth and stroked her tongue, then sucked on her lower lip.

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