Page 21 of The Reluctant Flirt (Outer Banks #2)

Kane sat in the sunroom, cradling a mug of coffee. Sunrise had just exploded over the skyline, and the beginning of the day was either giving the world a shred of hope or dread.

Right now, he was experiencing both.

His thoughts triggered to last night. There had been no more games or holding back. No more fear or lies. Kane finally knew exactly what it was like to offer the entirety of his soul to another, and wait for judgment.

Sierra had not only listened, but understood.

She loved him.

His eyes closed as raw emotion surged within. He was a stranger to love. Had not believed it existed until she walked in that bar and changed his life. It’d been a long road to find each other again, but after all this time, Kane claimed the woman he loved.

He couldn’t lose her now.

The light patter of paws rose to his ears. Mo sat on his haunches, regarding him through lazy slitted eyes.

“Sorry, buddy. Am I in your spot?”

Whiskers twitched.

“Your breakfast is out and I cleaned your litter box. That has to count for something.”

His giant head cocked. He lifted his paw and began licking it, as if telling Kane he didn’t give a shit.

“Fine. You’ll have to get used to me staying overnight, though. I don’t care if you want to come in the bed later to sleep, but you need to respect our privacy when things are—heated.”

Mo licked the other paw.

Kane sighed.

“I cannot believe I’m talking to a cat like Dr. Doolittle.”

Mo finished his grooming and leapt through the air. Kane braced, still training himself not to show fear from those sharp claws, and waited as Mo landed on his lap. He kneaded his legs, circling. Then settled in his crotch, where it was most warm.

And dangerous.

Kane breathed quietly. One wrong move and his balls would be in big trouble. It took a few moments but Kane finally relaxed, enjoying the cat’s solid warmth in a strange type of comfort. Maybe he was getting to be an animal lover after all. Mo was…kinda cool.

Kane drank his coffee and tried to come up with the perfect way to tell Sierra that she was losing her business. He should’ve told her last night, but no way was his brain working after she jumped into his arms.

It was the last piece of truth he needed to share. Once they worked through the problem together, nothing would ever keep them apart again.

He settled into the quiet of the morning and waited for her to wake up.

Sierra climbed out of bed, donned a short, silky robe, and walked to the kitchen. It was ridiculously early, especially after all the hours of lovemaking, but something had roused her. The house was quiet and not even Mo circled her feet, looking for breakfast.

She made herself a cup of coffee from the Keurig and went to look for her two favorite men.

Her footsteps led to the sunroom, and she paused before the French doors, taking in the scene before her.

Mo sat on Kane’s lap, sleeping soundly. Kane held his own coffee, his gaze trained on the view outside, obviously lost in thought. Her heart leapt as she stared at him, and a deep-seated knowing lodged within her chest.

She loved him. She was no longer afraid of the future, as long as they were together. The future was bright and shiny before her, because last night had exorcised the demons. They’d spent hours talking and sharing, until only their bodies could show how much they felt, reaching for each other over and over.

Last night was even more beautiful than their first. Because this time, neither of them held back any secrets.

This time, they’d called out each other’s names in the dark and the light.

Kane’s head swiveled around and caught her gaze.

“I didn’t hear you come in.”

She smiled and walked close, leaning down to kiss his rough cheek.

“I was enjoying the view.”

His fingers curled against Mo’s orange fur.

“Yeah, we were having a moment. Of course, one screw up and I’ll be celibate.”

Sierra laughed and touched his broad shoulder.

“You were deep in thought. Where did you go?”

He blinked, giving her that lopsided smile. But his eyes were filled with shadows.

“I was thinking about your store and how we’re similar in how we see the world. Your shoes aren’t just sexy—they tell me about a piece of you. I love seeing how beautiful things can become a way to not only express yourself, but dream.”

Sierra stared at him. His pain made him poetic in a way that touched her deeply. It was rare a man viewed fashion with such respect. Curiosity urged her to question him further. He seemed slightly melancholic.

“Was there anything specific that made you appreciate good clothes?”

“When I was in the city, I was fascinated by the men that went to work every morning. The power suits and silk ties. The smart leather shoes. They held briefcases and spoke commands into their earbuds while they rushed through the crowded streets. God, I was so impressed. They looked important and…worthy. Like they belonged in every way I couldn’t.”

He released a hard breath.

“Somehow, I got it in my head if I dressed a certain way, I’d fool them all. I became obsessed with how I presented myself. I studied male fashion, and with each new crisp dress shirt or Italian loafers, I got closer to believing I was worthy. Cologne hid the memory of garbage. The swish of silk or fine cotton masked the scars. A bold watch told people you were someone to pay attention to. My college was the street and studying every man that intrigued me.”

“I never asked how you started in such an industry?”

She leaned over and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing in comfort.

“I lied. My résumé was impressive and showed a degree I didn’t have. I learned how to bullshit and give them what they wanted to see. I grabbed an intern spot at a property firm, which was pure torture. Endless hours, little pay, and I was treated like shit. But damn, I loved it and I took that opportunity and made sure it was a stepping stone. Soon, I was offered a real position. I got a place—postage stamp but good enough—and got Derek out of my dad’s.”

The sheer grit and determination to transform his circumstances stunned her. No one would ever know what this man carried with him on a daily basis. How the love for his brother and need to be better drove him forward.

“I stayed there and soaked up all they could give. Then I got an offer from Global—specifically John, who told me the job was a ticket to my dreams.”

A humorless laugh escaped his lips.

“I forgot about the one lesson in life.”

“What?”

“There’s always a price to pay for what you want.”

A shiver bumped through her. Sierra held him tight as if to ward off the negative statement.

“These are pretty deep thoughts before two cups of coffee.”

He arched his neck back to meet her gaze.

“Sorry, I have no idea why I turned maudlin after the most beautiful night of my life.”

“Maybe you need a full stomach. I’ll cook breakfast.”

She tried to pull away but he tugged her hand, easing her beside him. Montgomery finally woke up enough to treat her to a few purrs and rubs before jumping down and disappearing. Sierra took her cat’s place and snuggled on Kane’s lap.

“I need to talk to you. I meant to tell you this last night but I got distracted.”

“Gonna blame it on me?”

she teased.

Sierra expected him to laugh, but his expression stayed serious. A frown creased her brow.

“What is it, Kane? Are you having regrets?”

The shock in his eyes eased her worry.

“Fuck, no. I’ve never been happier. Having you in my life is everything, and I love you.”

She settled back.

“Then anything else can be handled.”

“It’s about Flirt. I have some bad news.”

It took her a few moments to process.

“Wait—you have news about my store? Is this about Benny and the rumors the others were talking about at the party?”

Kane nodded. His hands rubbed her back, keeping her close.

“Yeah. My boss came to me about an opportunity at Stealth. It’s a bigger property company—similar to New York. They’re looking for property to build one of those fancy resorts, and found out Benny was in trouble with the bank. Seems he has a gambling problem.”

Sierra cursed and shook her head.

“Damn him. That’s where all our repair money went. I suspected something was up when he wouldn’t renew.”

“Benny got himself in trouble, and Stealth took the opportunity to close in.”

He paused, holding her hand.

“Sierra, they’re going to buy the property. Which means they’ll force you to close down Flirt.”

Shock kept her quiet until her brain clicked on. Then a stream of curse words exploded from her mouth.

“I’m getting sick of all these cookie cutter hotels taking over our town. But this makes no sense? Flirt is on a small piece of real estate. There’s not enough land to build anything else.”

Sympathy flickered over his carved features.

“Benny also owned acres of land behind the stores. He’s selling it for a huge price, and Stealth will clear all of that out to build.”

“Those bastards.”

She jumped up and began to furiously pace.

“I won’t let them. I’ll get a lawyer and fight. Join in with Carlos and Deanna and see if there’s anything we can use to slow down the process. Maybe wildlife restrictions?”

“Already cleared by the town—they kept it real quiet until ready to move. These bigger companies know how to avoid talk or ways to fight until it’s too late.”

“I can’t believe this. If only I’d known sooner! No wonder that damn coward has been ghosting us. How much time until this happens?”

Sierra knew it was bad when her gaze met his.

“The contracts are getting signed next week. Within the month it will be over. I’m sure they’ll give you some grace period to find another place. Look, I’ve been scouring all the available lots, and I’m thinking you can temporarily go next to Marco and Brick. There’s a small end store there that may fit your needs.”

She shook her head.

“No, it’s too out of the way. I need a place with foot traffic or I’m dead before I even open. I think—wait. What do you mean you’ve been looking? How long have you known about Stealth?”

A trickle of ice slipped down her spine. Her gaze narrowed at the guilty expression that settled on his face.

“A few weeks,”

he said carefully.

She blinked.

“You have to be kidding. That’s impossible.”

“Sierra, I’m sorry. You have no idea how torn I am about this whole fucked-up thing. When I went to Stealth, they asked me to present them with a list of available properties for this resort, which I did. Then I was told they settled on Sunrise—Benny’s real estate—and I couldn’t talk them out of it. I tried, I really did. I’ve spent the past few weeks looking at other opportunities or loopholes but the deal is tight. There’s no way to get out of it. Believe me, I tried.”

Sierra’s brain seemed to short-circuit. The facts he was sharing were off. The past month had shown no indication Flirt was being considered. He hadn’t warned her. Hell, he was telling her this news like reporting a funeral instead of outrage.

“Kane. Why didn’t you tell me about this when you first found out?”

He winced. Scratched his head and rose from the chair, as if he didn’t want to get caught in a vulnerable position.

“I couldn’t. I was bound by the Stealth contract not to say anything. I shouldn’t even be telling you any of this right now, but you need to know the truth. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. But I honestly believe we can find something better. I’ll help you with everything—I swear.”

The words stuck in her throat but she forced them out.

“Who’s in charge of the deal, Kane?”

Silence.

He shifted his weight. Those green eyes flickered with regret. “Me.”

Her friend Inez had once done a cold plunge at a spa. She explained how it was like immediately numbing every inch of skin and cell; a full-body brain-freezing experience. A shock so traumatic, she thought she’d die if she had to stay in the water one extra second.

Sierra finally knew what it felt like.

The warmth and beauty of last night faded into nothing. Sierra thought over their time together. The building of trust. The slow climb toward intimacy. The sharing of souls that was a true game changer.

All that time, he’d been hired to demolish her store.

And he hadn’t even warned her.

Kane threw up his hands and spoke slow, as if he was trying to tame a wild animal.

“Sierra, I know this is a shock. I know you’re pissed and don’t blame you. I wanted to tell you immediately, but I spent the time trying to find a way to save Flirt. I made a spreadsheet of every other property in the area that has potential and we’ll go through them one by one. You can yell and scream at me, I deserve it. I’m sick that I even got this job but there was nothing I could do. I just need you to try and understand.”

Her eyes widened. Was he serious? Was this a joke? Did the man she love actually believe he had no other choice but to take the juicy deal to destroy Flirt?

And hadn’t even second-guessed she should be warned?

She’d dropped right into one of her sister’s fictional worlds, but this was a hostile, sci-fi revenge story. Not a romance.

Her voice sounded far away.

“I need to get some things straight. You’re employed right now with Duncan. But you were given an opportunity to—prove yourself with Stealth?”

“Exactly. Duncan, was the one who came to me after realizing I was being held back. If I close this deal, I move to a full-time position at Stealth. The pay is outstanding and so are the opportunities.”

“I see. But in order to get this, you need to close down three beloved stores in Duck. And this will occur within the month, no matter how we try to fight.”

“Yes.”

He moved forward but she jumped back. Frustration radiated from his figure, but he kept their distance.

“God, what do you want me to say? I know you’ll need some time to process. I know this sucks and sounds horrible—but Sierra, it doesn’t matter if I walked away from the deal. I already tried to stop it, and they clearly said if it’s not me, someone else will take over. The end will still be the same.”

“Except you wouldn’t have been the one to do it.”

Confusion shimmered in his green eyes.

“I was going to walk away, I swear. But I thought maybe if I stayed, I’d be able to push hard for some concessions. Ways to help you that someone else wouldn’t. Does that make sense?”

She looked at him while her heart crumbled slowly in her chest. What was left was numbness and grief twisted together.

She’d been so wrong. There was no trust between them. And he would always choose his career first.

Kane always chose the money. God, in a sick way, how could she blame him? He’d been trained his whole life to look after himself and his brother. Everything else had to be sacrificed.

Including her.

He just couldn’t see it. Kane was a master at rationalizing all of his actions in order to get everything he wanted.

Thankfully, her body and mind shut down for safety.

“I think you need to go.”

“Sierra, we need to talk—”

“No, Kane. I mean it. I need to be alone right now. It’s too…much.”

He muttered a curse. His hair was ruffled and mussed from the hours her fingers ran through the strands. Her inner thighs still burned from the sting of razor burn. Kane’s mouth firmed in a thin line as he regarded her.

“Okay. I’ll leave you alone to process. But then we need to talk this through and figure it out.”

Sierra turned from him, desperate for distance. “Sure.”

His words came out with implacable command.

“We will talk later.”

She heard him get dressed, sensing his hot stare behind her, but he finally left.

Dear God, what was she going to do?

Tears stung her eyes. Her emotions were raw from last night and the terrible truth he’d just shared. Maybe more sleep? She’d wake up a bit clearer and decide from there?

Sierra climbed back under the covers but the scent of clove and spice haunted her. Her head spun with endless questions and scenarios but everything led to one conclusion.

Kane had not chosen her.

Oh, he gave solid reasons of why he decided to remain on the deal. But the bottom line?

Work would always be more important than her.

And that was something that she may not be able to forgive. The one thing she needed more than anything.

The one thing Kane Masterson may never be able to give.

Sierra buried her face in the pillow and let herself cry.