Page 11

Kane watched her open the door like she was about to face her executioner. Irritation rippled through him, but he made sure to keep his face expressionless. Talk about an ego sting. The woman he was obsessed with didn’t even want to talk to him. She’d be happier to pretend they’d never spent the night together and move on as if they were strangers.

He studied her in the porch light. She hadn’t changed yet, but her hair was loose, the caramel strands tousled and soft. He remembered how he’d fisted her hair, a tangle of silk against his palm.

White tapered pants snugly hugged her curves. He remembered grasping her hips and lifting her over his body, then slowly lowering her to sink deeply inside her warm, clinging heat.

The silk t-shirt was patterned with yellow and white daisies. The V-neck plunged low in the front, emphasizing the golden tanned skin. He remembered cupping those lush breasts, watching as her nipples hardened and flushed a strawberry red, begging for his tongue.

Those hazel eyes were known to change with her mood, from a misty blue to a brown-green, and every shade in between, accented by thick lashes. He remembered the way her pupils dilated when she was on the edge of orgasm; the yearning intensity in those mysterious depths burning only for him and what he could give her.

Now, they were cool and narrowed in defense. Her aura pricked with edginess. Kane refused to acknowledge the hurt flaring inside at her dismissal. He needed to cling to the facts he’d gathered all these months while he bided his time. Over and over, his research always circled back to one thing.

She wanted him, too. She was just scared shitless.

“Can I come in or would you like to do this for your neighbors’ entertainment?”

Without a word, she swung the screen door open.

Kane walked in. It was the first time he was inside her house. He looked about, greedy for more information, noting the elegance and warmth amidst the classic southern beach vibe. Personal accents showed off the things she loved.

Artwork. Canvases of beach photography. Modern watercolors swirled with a free, heavy hand. Black and white photographs of her and Aspen in childhood and through the years. A framed wedding photo of her parents.

Curated knickknacks. Delicately blown glass figurines. Driftwood sculptures. Seashell-encrusted mirrors. Sea glass in colorful bowls.

Comfort. Oversized pillows, thick crocheted blankets, and coffee table books highlighting fashion and jewelry.

The décor matched her—he could easily picture Sierra in this space.

She stood a few feet away, watching him. Kane decided to wait her out, until the silence between them stretched with awareness. “Well?”

she finally said.

He crossed his arms in front of his chest. Regarded her with a lazy deliberation he knew affected her.

“Don’t you think it’s time to tell our truths?”

Her eyes widened.

“Haven’t we done that? I thought we both agreed to move forward in our separate lives.”

“No, you did. I just decided to wait until I felt you were ready to stop hiding.”

She shook her head.

“You’re delusional. I’m not hiding from anything or anyone. Especially you. I’ve been living my life, and from what I’ve heard, so have you.”

He deliberately pushed. “Meaning?”

“Are you kidding? You’re dating every woman in OBX. You’re certainly not brooding and carrying some torch for me so stop playing the role of victim.”

Satisfaction unfurled. Good, she was jealous. Still dialed in to his activities even if she pretended she didn’t care. It was time to finally start with a clean slate.

“When we first met, the only thing I wanted to do was reconnect. I wasn’t the one pretending that night meant nothing. And after that amazing performance where you pretty much laughed in my face and said you barely remembered me except for a few orgasms. How do you think that made me feel, Sierra?”

The anguish that flashed in those beautiful eyes finally eased his own.

“I thought it was best not to relive the past,”

she said stiffly.

“For you, not me. Hell, you treated me like I had the fucking plague. Brick thinks I asked you out and was rejected. I guarantee Aspen believes you think I’m an arrogant jerk. Anyone around us jokes about how we can’t seem to be in the same room together without keeping our distance. If you didn’t mean to draw attention to us, your plan backfired.”

He watched the emotions flicker across her heart-shaped face. Kane sensed he needed to go hard in this confrontation or it would be too easy for her to hide behind neat rationalizations. But he wanted the truth.

She reached up to push her hair back. He noticed her hand trembled.

“I was giving you an easy out. This is gossip central around here. If anyone realized we knew each other beforehand, they’d dig and probe until they found the truth.”

He arched a brow.

“Why would that be bad?”

Her eyes widened.

“Are you kidding? We had a one-night stand and didn’t even know each other’s name. Even my sister doesn’t know and I tell her everything. I assumed it was better for us both to move on.”

“You assumed wrong. I have no shame about that night. Do you?”

Kane held his breath. If she denied it, something precious inside him would break.

The words trembled on her lips, but she couldn’t do it. “No.”

Relief loosened his muscles. He could work with the rest.

“One thing we agree on.”

He took in her defensive posture and sighed.

“Sierra, do you know how many times I thought of you over the years? I woke up that morning thinking we shared something special, but you were gone. It was as if I’d been punched in the gut. You left me without an explanation or a goodbye. You made me question our night together and if it was real.”

“I’m sorry.”

Regret edged her husky voice.

“I realized when I woke up that it was impossible for us. We were in two different places in our life. I was a mess and I was afraid if we tried to have a rational conversation over something that was…that was like what I experienced…it may ruin everything.”

“So, you didn’t just fuck me to get revenge on your ex?”

Temper snapped her chin up.

“No! Is that what you thought?”

He gave half a shrug, deliberately baiting her.

“How would I know? You disappeared twice. Avoid me at every gathering and refuse to speak to me in private. What am I supposed to think?”

Blistering heat shot from her eyes.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t know the rules. We agreed it was one night, and you sure as hell weren’t ready for some serious long-distance relationship. I did you a favor. I let you off the hook so we could both have the memory.”

“No. You ran for you—not me. I didn’t get a chance to make my choice. It wasn’t about a few great orgasms for me.”

“Me either!”

His voice was like a whiplash.

“Then what was it?”

“Magic!”

She spit out the word with a gorgeous feminine fury. Over the past months, he’d seen Sierra the ice queen, the professional businesswoman, and the supportive sister. But this was the woman he’d remembered—the wild, free spirit who took what she wanted without apology or fear.

Satisfaction gripped him. He took a few steps forward and closed the distance. The scent of wildflowers drifted from her skin. He locked down his attention before his body shut off his brain cells and he reached for her.

“About damn time you admitted it. Because it was magic. I’ve spent months trying to figure out why you refused to even acknowledge me or what we shared.”

A shuddering breath escaped her bubblegum pink lips. He tried not to think how those same lips had opened for the thrust of his tongue; how her taste still flooded his senses in his dreams. But that was too much for now. She was like the wild horses, and Kane had no desire to tame her. He just craved the idea of her coming to him on her own terms.

“Don’t you understand I’d never experienced anything like that night before? I didn’t know what to do with it, Kane. I had a life back here; one I needed to rebuild from scratch. You were on the quest to be a Manhattan billionaire and admitted relationships weren’t your thing. Did you want me to hang around for another rejection or false promises? Were we going to FaceTime each other a few days per week and have phone sex? What did you want from me?”

“A chance. I wanted a chance because losing you wrecked me, Sierra.”

She stared at him, obviously stunned. He didn’t give a shit. Finally, he was able to tell her his truth and he wasn’t about to worry about a hurt ego or hold back.

Her ragged whisper healed the rift.

“I didn’t know.”

“Now you do. So, what are we going to do about it?”

She blinked. Tilted her head.

“I said I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you, Kane.”

“Apology accepted.”

“Good.”

She wrapped her arms around herself in a hug, as if she was trying to draw strength.

“I’m glad we talked. We can move forward in a better way. It won’t be so awkward with everyone, and I don’t want you to worry about the engagement party. I can pull it together easily.”

Oh, she was cute. She actually thought they’d move on and neatly button up the past with this brief conversation. His lip quirked in humor. She really had no idea what he wanted. Guess it was time to be clearer.

“Are you saying you want to be friends?”

She took a step backward, as if even the thought panicked her.

“Umm, I think we can be friendly but it’s best not to get…close. I’m not sure being friends is a good idea.”

“I don’t want to be friends, Sierra.”

He never got tired of saying her name. It dripped off his tongue like a rich, red wine with complex flavors. It played in his mind like a beautiful mantra and the missing piece of a puzzle he’d always wanted to solve.

“Oh. Okay, I’m glad we agree.”

She offered a tentative smile. Her shoulders relaxed.

“We’ll respect each other’s space but it’ll be less awkward when we’re together.”

“You misunderstand me. I have no intention of pretending anymore.”

He closed the distance one step at a time.

“What do you mean?”

she asked, retreating.

He flashed a grin and hoped it wasn’t as predatory as he felt.

“I don’t want to be friends. I don’t want to be polite strangers. I only want one thing.”

Her back bumped against the wall.

Kane stood a few inches away. He took in the rapid pulse point in her neck, the ragged sound of her breath, the stilled muscles as she waited for his next move.

Slowly, carefully, he reached out and trailed a finger down the curve of her cheek. Heat crackled between them, flushing her skin, whipping up the familiar tension he’d never found with another woman.

“I want you, Sierra Lourde. I want you back in my bed. I want you in my life. I want you to be mine, and I’m going to do whatever I need to get you there.”

Her hazel eyes flared with a longing she couldn’t hide, even as her voice stumbled over the words.

“That’s impossible. We can’t do this. It’s too late!”

A smile touched his lips. He moved his hand into her hair, twining the silky strands in a loose grip, lowering his mouth so close, he felt the uneven rush of her breath and watched her pupils dilate in arousal. He’d forgotten how perfect she felt in his arms, the soft weight of her, the flutter of thick lashes, the lushness of her mouth trembling right before he kissed her. Four years melted away, and it was once again only them together and the unending, seething heat of connection.

“No, sweetheart. It’s just the beginning.”

His mouth dipped, giving her plenty of time to push him away, allowing just enough space between their bodies so she didn’t feel trapped.

Sierra didn’t move; barely breathed.

His lips touched hers.

Paused. Waiting. Forcing her to be part of what was about to happen next.

A shudder wracked through her. A tiny moan escaped.

“Kane?”

His name ripped past his ears and his patience exploded. With one swift movement, his mouth took hers in a blistering kiss, unable to hold back years of wishing, dreaming, and wanting.

God, he’d wanted to be gentle. He intended to seduce and tease until she was ready, but the hunger stole his breath and he could only devour her whole, his tongue slipping past her lips to dive deep, to take and give and conquer. She gave back everything twofold, arms wrapped around his shoulders, plastering her chest to his, opening her mouth to anything and everything he craved.

He explored the slick, satin heat and gathered her taste, halfway drunk on sheer pleasure. He sunk his teeth into her plump lower lip, captured her moan, and angled his head to consume more. Over and over, he delved and retreated, teasing her into a delicious game. The bite of her nails against his scalp urged him on, taking the kiss to a possessive claiming to prove her words meant nothing against the sizzling chemistry.

Kane never wanted to stop but he knew this was only the first step in his plan.

Pushing too hard before she was ready could cause her to run.

And damned if he’d let her escape him again.

He eased off, breaking the kiss with obvious reluctance. Kane studied her face with a male triumph he couldn’t hide. Those beautiful eyes were hazy and lit with arousal, her mouth soft and gleaming with dampness, body clinging to his with a natural ease she couldn’t hide.

She blinked. Removed her arms from his shoulders. Regarded him with a growing unease as she began to realize he wasn’t about to be neatly dismissed.

Not after that kiss.

“You can’t deny what’s still between us, Sierra. You just proved we have unfinished business.”

His gaze raked over her still trembling body.

“And I’m not going anywhere until it’s settled.”

Sierra stared at the man who’d just taken her body to the same extreme heights years ago. How had this happened? How had things gotten out of control so quickly?

Because you haven’t gotten over him, the voice whispered. Maybe that’s why none of your dates ever worked out. You’ve been secretly waiting for Kane Masterson.

Oh, she hated that he was the one to break off the kiss. With all her denials, Sierra had been the one to whimper and cling to him, obviously having no intention of stopping the embrace from going further. She pushed away the humiliating thought as he studied her and tried to gather her control.

“That can’t happen again.”

A smile touched his lips.

“But it will.”

Anger was a welcome distraction and she grabbed it with relief.

“Who do you think you are? Just because we spent one night together a lifetime ago doesn’t give you the right to anything, let alone declaring these ridiculous intentions like we’re trapped in one of Aspen’s romance novels.”

“Thought women liked an alpha male?”

“It’s not funny, and I always preferred the beta.”

“Good, because I’ve lost my edge and moved into beta territory.”

“Stop! You couldn’t be beta if you tried.”

“I can be anything you need,”

he growled, gaze lazily scorching over her body.

She tried to ignore the answering heat between her legs and the impulse to lean back into his embrace. Damn, he was like her kryptonite and she needed to find a cure.

“We can’t just begin a relationship because you declared it. We’re not the same people we were, Kane. Both of us have changed and grown and I don’t want to go back. It’s better to leave us in the past with a perfect memory. I’ve moved on and you need to do the same.”

“That’s what I thought. Until you proved me wrong.”

She shook her head.

“By what? Avoiding you? Refusing to drag back the past? Not staying that morning or trying to find you all those years ago?”

Sierra waited for the male temper from the sting of her words but once again, he surprised her. His wolfish grin confirmed she was about to be stripped of her last defenses.

“No. By naming your store Flirt.”

His gaze narrowed with intensity.

“You’ve been thinking about me all these years too, Sierra. So much that you made sure I was a part of the most important part of your life—your business. The store you told me you dreamed of having one day. You may not have known my name, so you chose the closest thing. You picked Flirt with me in mind. Didn’t you?”

It was too much. Forcing her to admit the shameful secret was like ripping the Band-Aid off a wound with no delicacy. She trembled under his stare, wishing she could deny it all and throw him out, refusing to speak with him again. She tried to rally and pretend.

“It doesn’t matter. The name fit the vibe and tone of the store I wanted. You’re reading too much into it.”

He bent over and pressed his lips to her ear. “Liar.”

She jerked away to hide her reaction.

“I’m not doing this with you—there’s no point. I refuse to be bullied, and you’ll need to accept what we had was in the past. Yes, it was special, but I have no interest in pursuing a future.”

“May I ask why?”

She gave him a hard stare.

“I heard about you being in jail. There’d be no other reason for you to be in this small beach town other than there’s nowhere else for you to go. You’re not here really by choice, Kane.”

She nibbled on her lip and asked the question that really mattered.

“Did you hurt people?”

He flinched. The flare of pain in his green eyes affected her; made her want to step in and soothe, allow him to explain, and make space for excuses for his mistakes. Still, his response was key, so she waited.

“Yes.”

His words broke something inside her. A confirmation that wiped away any excuses. If he hurt people before, how could she ever trust him not to do it to her? It was the perfect barrier to locking up her heart, because this man would annihilate her if she gave him a chance. Her spine stiffened.

“I can’t be involved with a man who thinks money and power are worth breaking the rules for.”

Regret tore through her even as she stayed true to her words.

His face turned to stone.

“Fair enough. I have no right to be irritated you didn’t come to me for an explanation because we never had the time to get to know one another.”

Sierra quirked a brow.

“You have an explanation or excuse for hurting people?”

“Does it matter? That conversation is one for later, once we build some trust and learn about each other. Right now, we have to start at the beginning. Create a new one that has a foundation.”

Her jaw unhinged.

“I just told you we are not getting involved!”

Kane grinned. The boyish mischief was intoxicating but Sierra figured he knew it.

“I understand you’re scared. I was too, but I’m not about to let a little fear keep me from the one woman I’ve never forgotten.”

Frozen to the ground at his unabashed arrogance, he took advantage by leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head.

“I’ll go slow. For now, let’s start with planning a kick ass engagement party.”

And while she stood silent, denials stuck in her throat, he let himself out.