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Her pupils dilated, and her nostrils flared. She didn’t move away, just held his gaze. “Good.”

  He forced himself to remain where he was and not claim her on the most intimate of ways. Yes, he got it—this was purely lust, something between them on a molecular level. Then again, there was something else there, as well.

  “Why are you running away and from where? I know they’re not from Baltimore and am inclined to believe Vicki when she said California.”

  “I told you,” she said as he shifted into gear.

  He grunted. “You gave the skeleton version. There’s more to it. You have almost nothing if there’s a bag at all in your car. And, it’s one that has seen better days. It’s a rental; I know that much.” She lifted her chin defiantly. He gave her a smile. “No harm intended, Kendria. I was merely observing.”

  “Is there a hotel in town?”

  “Yes. Want me to drop you off?” He made the offer, despite not wanting to let her go.

  “Please. I think I could use a nap.”

  The image of her naked in the sheets had him choking the wheel until his knuckles turned white beneath their tan.

  “Sure thing.” His voice was so graveled even he had a hard time recognizing it. “I’ll know exactly where to find you.”

  Chapter Two

  Kendria stood beneath the pulsing spray of the shower and allowed herself to cry. Her frustration had crested and flowed over like lava from a spewing volcano.

  Why can’t he leave me alone? Even as she asked, she knew the answer. Joe wasn’t a man who would be letting things go. He hated to lose.

  “Not that I was ever his to begin with.” Didn’t matter. Joe had his own crazy world of thoughts. She turned her back and stepped into the water streams once more. A sound reached her, and it had her shaking her head. “I’m getting jumpy.”

  Wrapped in the large towel, she left the bathroom, and walked out to sit on the bed. Once there, she reached for her purse. A twinge in her arm reminded her of her injury and the fact she’d yet to attend to it. “Damn it.”

  She flipped through her wallet and checked out her money situation.

  “Thank God for being frugal.

  She left it sitting there and padded to her small suitcase. Two outfits. “This ain’t going to cut it.”

  Dressing in jeans, t-shirt, and her tennis shoes without socks this time, she went to the door and opened it. Her heart kicked up at the sight of the jacked up truck she’d first seen moments before she’d gotten her first look at Vance. Casting her gaze around, she searched for him among those in the parking lot.

  “Looking for me?”

  She gasped and barely bit back squeal. He leaned against the wall, a piece of grass in his mouth.

  “Come to deliver bad news?” He lifted a dark eyebrow. “About the car,” she amended.

  He grinned. “Yep. You’re stuck here.”

  She sent him a playful scowl, loving how he could make her forget anything but him. “Really?”

  “At least until I’m done with you.”

  Words that held a much deeper but not-so-subtle meaning. She propped herself against the doorframe, grateful it was her uninjured arm. “Sounds menacing.” He made her smile and relax. Feel safe. And desirable. All experiences she wanted more of.

  “Are you scared?”

  “Not even remotely.” And, those words had never been truer. With him, she hadn’t the slightest bit of fear. She leaned in closer, allowing his rich scent to fill her nostrils. “Are you?”

  He raked his gaze over her, sending more moisture to her needy pussy. The grin that kicked up his lips didn’t help.

  “Hell, no. Anticipatory.”

  She concurred. “So, what’s wrong with my car?”

  “Nothing much. I’ll have it up and running in a few days.”

  “So, you’re just telling me—”

  “You’re stuck. Come on.”

  She exited her room, purse in hand. “I could use some clothing. I don’t have enough to be here for a few days.”

  He stepped up close to her, lips brushing her ear. “I have a shirt you’d look perfect in. Maybe even two.”

  His warm breath gave her shivers. Her nipples drew tight, and she nearly tripped over her feet. He snaked an arm around her middle, bringing her back against him. More specifically his hard cock.

  “A shirt or two? No pants? Boxers?” She cast a teasing glance at him over her shoulder. “Are you a boxers or briefs man? Possibly commando?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough. I’m fine with you wearing nothing but my shirts. No panties at all.”

  “Presumptutious.”

  “Confident.” He walked beside her. “Do you eat pizza?”

  “Of course, who doesn’t eat pizza?”

  He shrugged. “Just asking first. Good, I have some in the truck.”

  Sure enough, a large box sat on the passenger seat. She lifted it and climbed up, favoring her arm as best she could without giving anything away. The seat beneath her was warm.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Garage. I have some more work to finish up. I just stopped to grab some food.” He hurried around and got the engine started.

  “Never eaten in a garage before.” She readjusted her grip on the box. “Don’t know if I’ve ever been in one.”

  “What about having your car fixed?”

  “Mostly I was driven around. Or used one of Joe’s cars. They were always maintained.”

  “Joe.” He frowned. “Tell me you’re not married.”

  She expelled a sharp breath. “God, no. That’s why I was…am running. He thinks I’m his. I disagree.”

  He slowed for a corner. “If he’s sending men, he must not listen to ‘no’ well.”

  “That’s putting it mildly. He hears what he wants to and doesn’t handle the word ‘no’ very well. Okay, not well at all.”

  “Is he abusive?”

  She fiddled with the box. “Not yet. At least not to me. Again, yet. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. I saw him use one his own men as a punching bag for daring to disagree with him. I liked—liked—him well enough. I have no desire to marry him. I can’t image what he’d be like as a husband. He went after a coworker for giving me a hug. Dale is happily married, and even if he wasn’t, Joe had no right.”

  Vance pulled into his shop and parked the truck. She watched him climb out and move around the hood of the vehicle. The man had swagger. No way to deny that.

  He opened her door and beckoned to her with one outstretched hand. She placed her palm in his, allowing him to assist her down before he swiped the box from her.

  She walked beside him to a door where she waited for him unlock it. The interior had a light on in the corner, and she lingered by the entrance as he shut off the alarm.

  “Come on, kitten.” He dragged a chair out from the desk and patted it.

  She approached. “That’s the second time you’ve called me that. Kitten?”

  He flashed a perfect grin. “Timid at times and hiding what I’m sure are razor sharp claws.”

  She took a seat and observed him as he withdrew two mugs from a cupboard then filled them from the water bottle stand before setting them in front of her.

  “Thank you, and I’m not sure about the claws.”

  His grin set free another flock of birds in her belly. “Don’t wait on my account; jump on in.”

  She flipped the lid back and groaned at the explosion of aroma that poured free, over her senses like a free fall ride at an amusement park. She reached for a piece, whimpering in ecstasy when the hot cheese met her tongue.

  He dragged a chair to her and sat. “I’m officially jealous of the way you’re staring at that pizza.”

  She sucked some sauce off her thumb after popping a piece of pepperoni. “Surprised you noticed me looking at anything with all your eye candy looking at us.”

  “You want to pose for me? I’d be more than happy to cover the walls with pics of you.”

&nbs
p; “I’ll pass, thanks.” She ate the rest of her slice.

  ҉

  Vance stared across the garage from beneath the hood of Kendria’s Impala. She slept on his couch, beneath his shirt—the one she’d put on earlier. He hadn’t figured her out yet. She was complex, his kitten. The top layer of her had him more intrigued than he’d been in many a day. Still, she had more than he’d peeled away thus far.

  The pizza had been consumed with laughter and increased sexual tension between them. She was a vibrant woman until she thought about the man named Joe.

  Staring back under the hood, he adjusted the last spark plug. The car, wherever she’d gotten it from, had been worse than he’d first assumed. Oil hadn’t been changed in so long it had seized up the motor. The battery had crapped out, and she had been lucky to avoid an accident, for the brake pads were non-existent.

  The outside had been covering up a wealth of internal issues. It now had new tires, brake pads, and he’d taken care of the rest of the things he could until the other items arrived. If she were leaving, he couldn’t in good conscience allow her to leave in a subpar vehicle.

  It is a Chevy, but I’ll look past that.

  Backing away, he wiped off his hands and turned his attention back to the sleeping woman. He wanted her in his bed. Or against the wall, on the desk. A combination of them. Anywhere so long as the end result was him balls deep inside her pussy with her crying his name in passion. He adjusted his pants in a meager effort to relieve pressure on his cock.

  She stirred on the cushions, her expression morphing into something unpleasant. Her fingers clutching then splaying on the shirt covering her. When her mouth opened to emit louder cries, he approached, wanting to wake her from the nightmare.

  “Wake up, kitten.” He crouched beside her.

  “No!” She screamed and lurched back, eyes flying open. Fear swirled in their depths.

  “Easy, there.” He reached out to her, breathing easier when she grasped his hand. Her bruising grip couldn’t hide the tremors rocking her. “You’re safe. It was just a nightmare.”

  Her chest rose and fell with her attempt to obtain oxygen. He didn’t try to get her to loosen her grip on him; he could take it. Hopping on his haunches to resettle, he used his free hand to cradle the nape of her neck. He moved his thumb along the silken, damp skin there.

  “Deep breaths,” he advised. He demonstrated, waiting for her to follow his lead. “That’s right,” he encouraged.

  She released him and sat upright, his shirt falling to her lap. “Sorry. My nights have been sporadic, at best.”

  He flexed his grip on her neck when she began to move away, keeping her in place. “When was the last time you got a good solid night’s sleep?”

  “A few weeks.”

  She moved her arm and gasped before breathing hard.

  “What’s wrong?” When she shook her head, he scowled at her.

  “I have a fractured arm. I think.”

  He leaned back, blinking as shock smashed into him. “And what, you were just going to ignore it?”

  “Yes. It’s a fracture. It’s not broken. So, it’ll heal.”

  Was she kidding? “I’m taking you to the hospital.” He pushed to his feet. “No arguments.” She shook her head. He struggled to control the fury streaking through him. “Did he do this?”

  “What?”

  Vance realized how deep his voice had been. “Did he do this to you?”

  “No.” she grabbed his arm. “I promise. I was in such a hurry that I fell.” She gave him a smile. “I’ll get it looked at later.”

  “Fuck that. We’re going now.”

  She gave a vehement shake of her head. “I can’t.”

  “The fuck you can’t. You will. You need it checked out.”

  He berated himself the entire time he escorted her out of the garage and to the hospital’s emergency room. While she got checked out, he leaned against the wall and waited. A few people he knew said hi as they went by, but other than a brief reply, he maintained his vigil over Kendria.

  “She’ll be fine,” the doc said as she was finishing up.

  Kendria left to go to the bathroom, and he asked, “Was there evidence of abuse?”

  Dr. Davis shook her head. “Abuse?”

  “Bruising around the fracture. Other healing injuries?”

  “There’s a bruise deep, but I would have a hard time contradicting the claim of falling with one of direct trauma.” Her left hand went up. “Don’t ask me anymore. I’m not giving you more on her.”

  Vance understood she couldn’t, but damn it, he wanted to know. Kendria returned, her arm sporting a split now. He immediately stepped closer to Kendria. “How are you feeling?”

  Her smile did funny things to his gut.

  “Great. I told you I was fine.”

  “Come on,” he said, reaching out his hand, nearly preening when she took it. “We’re going home.”

  “I have a hotel room,” she said as they strode for the doors.

  “What a coincidence. I have rooms at my place.”

  At his truck, he slid her over the driver’s seat to the middle then climbed in after her.

  “I paid for a hotel,” she reminded him.

  “And, it will be there tomorrow.” He left the hospital lot and drove to his two-bedroom ranch. Once they’d parked in the garage, he hopped out.

  She joined him at his beckoning gesture. Her eyes held a tiny bit of humor. “How do you know I’m not a crazy psycho who will kill you in bed?”

  He winked as he trapped her between him and the truck. “Kitten, I have no doubt you will. But, believe me, I promise you will be experiencing something similar in bed.”

  Her tongue snuck out and wet her lips. “What if I said, fine, take me now?”

  He pressed against her. Dipping his head, he inhaled deeply, moving along her exposed skin along her collar and neck. “I’m just a man, kitten.” He flicked his tongue across her skin, unsure why he was torturing himself. “As much as I want you, and it’s obvious I do, when I take you”—another swipe of his tongue—“I want you well rested before I remove your clothing, inch by tempting inch, to lick you”—another lingering drag—“from head to toe until I spread your legs.”

  Vance’s pants were in danger of slicing off his cock’s circulation. She gripped his waistband, nails scoring his sides, adding to the pressure in his jeans and the need clawing at him.

  “Then, once—and only once—I satisfy my thirst for the cream from your pussy will I slid my cock between those lips and fuck you.”

  Her lips trembled as her breaths shortened in length and increased in speed. Her pupils had nearly consumed the richness of her irises. Nostrils flared in time with the panting breaths.

  He skimmed the whorl of her ear with his teeth. “And fuck you.”

  The mewl that slipped free almost broke through his resolve.

  “Tonight, you sleep.” He went to step back, and her grip tightened.

  “Why are you doing this? Helping me?”

  “Because I have a little—okay, younger—sister, and I’d like to believe, if she were in need, someone would assist her.”

  “Including offering to fuck her?”

  Vance growled. “Not listening to that.”

  Her swift kiss surprised him. “I could be a younger sister, you know, and my brothers would be hoping like you.”

  “No way.”

  “What? I can’t have brothers?”

  “Kitten, you’re running from a man who scares you. No way you have brothers, older or younger. Not with their salt, though. If that was my sister, she wouldn’t be scared. I may be in prison, but no way my sister is living in fear.”

  “She’s lucky to have you as her brother. Where is she?”

  He kissed the tip of her nose before guiding her to the door. “John Hopkins.”

  “Working or a patient?” He heard the hope in her question.

  “Working. She’s in pediatrics.”

&nbs
p; “That’s awesome.”

  “Pretty proud of her.” Inside, he led her to the bedroom and pointed through to the bathroom. “There’s a toothbrush and toothpaste in there.” He moved to his bureau and withdrew a t-shirt. “Clean shirt, and the sheets are clean. Sleep well, kitten.”

  He walked to the door and paused, gripping the frame. His decision to leave her there alone warred with him.

  “Vance?” Her voice wove around him like the most decadent temptation in the world.

  “Yes?”

  “Are you sleeping elsewhere? Instead of sharing your bed with me?”

  Chapter Three

  It had to be the overwhelming haze created by her exhaustion, lingering pain, and the mere fact this man made her think crazy. It’s my only excuse for the question even formulating in my mind. Much less for allowing it to escape.

  He stood in the doorway, the arm up to the frame, flexed, showcasing his strength. She wanted him with a fervor she’d yet to experience with a man.

  Lust? Of course, she wasn’t foolish enough to believe it was anything other than a primal reaction. But, she also couldn’t ignore how he’d helped and treated her.

  He peered over his shoulder, burning her with the heat of his hazel gaze. There was more than heat there. His gaze was more effective than a brand pressed to her flesh. Her heart skipped a few beats before settling in a rhythm, not a slow one, but at least a consistent one.

  “You’re exhausted. Recovering from a fractured arm. The last thing you need is me in bed with you.” His words were so low and graveled they were difficult to decipher.

  She refused to give up. Licking her lips, she loved the way his eyes tracked the movement. “I think it’s the first thing I need.” She reached out to him, allowing her uncertainty to drip into her gaze, wriggling her fingers.

  “I have to close up the house. Get under the blankets.”

  Only once he strode away did she release the breath she’d been holding. Swiftly, she took care of everything and burrowed beneath the crisp, cool sheets, wearing one of his shirts that hung down to her mid-thighs. His scent of outdoors filled her senses.

  He paused in the doorway before striding through toward the bathroom. Hitting a switch, he submerged the room in darkness. Seconds later, a crack of light speared the inky blackness.