His newest waitress, Jessie Kay, clearly knew what was going on before she ever reached his table.
She threw a menu at him and planted her palms right in front of him, leaning close. "Too bad for you Kenna isn't on that menu. You can't place an order for her, and I can't carry her over to your table."
Blunt. "Your point?"
"I know what your problem is. Kenna took off, and your wittle-boy feelings got huwt. Well, boo freaking hoo. You say you want to talk to her, but why don't you admit the truth? You really want to scold her. Well, go ahead. Scold her and lose her. You haven't cornered the market on fear of commitment, you know. Kenna is dealing with her own problems."
Damn. She was right.
She also wasn't done. "Sitting here sulking isn't going to do you any good. The only thing you're likely to get is a case of hemorrhoids. And maybe a side of fries. But I'll expect a hefty tip."
*
KENNA'S DAY HAD gone from bad to worse. First, she'd forced herself to leave Dane, telling herself she'd had half a night with him and that would have to be enough. If he didn't find her worthy of his bedroom, what hope did they have for a future?
Then this morning she'd realized the night had left her feeling sated and sore and reeling and desperate and happy and sad and hungry and humiliated and treasured and rejected at once. All the conflicting emotions were screwing with her mind--because she wanted him back.
Maybe they could make a relationship. So what if he found her lacking--
So what? Really? Have I no pride?
Lost in thought, she ended up screwing up most of her orders, even dropping plates and spilling drinks. When Mr. Calbert called her back to his office, she prepared herself for some cursing and name-calling. Only, he sat behind his desk and pulled at his collar. He was so sweaty his hair was plastered to his scalp.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Cutbacks," he shouted, then cleared his throat. He petted the telephone that wasn't ringing and said, "I have to make some cutbacks, and since you're one of my newer hires, I have to let you go."
What! One of his newer hires? "I've been here for over four years."
"Times are tough," he continued, practically wheezing now.
"I'll take a pay cut."
"That won't...that won't help."
He was lying to her. He had to be lying. She had heard nothing about cutbacks and business had been booming lately. "What's going on? Is this because I broke so many dishes today? I'll pay for them. Just take the money out of my check."
"No, no. Speaking of your check." He slid an envelope across the desk.
She sat there a moment, dumbfounded. "Mr. Calbert--"
"I'm sorry, Kenna," he interjected. "But you need to leave now."
She grabbed her check and numbly pushed to her feet. Was this day really happening or was this a nightmare? She was now without a job, a means of supporting her daughter. For no apparent reason! Trembling, she stepped out of the office. Jessie Kay and Brook Lynn stood by the soda fountain, watching the restaurant fill up fast as...Dane went from table to table with his checkbook in hand.
"He's giving donations to everyone for everything," Jessie Kay said, awed. "From Joey Middleton's orthodontic work to Jolene Shepherd's Sunday barbecue and tea. No one will be talking about anything else for months."
Why would he do that? For me?
She wanted to care, she did, but she was still too numb, hanging by the end of a very thin rope.
"Oh, Kenna. What's wrong?" Brook Lynn asked.
"I was fired," she said.
"What!" the girls demanded in unison.
"I will flat-out murder Calbert," Jessie Kay said, and stomped away before Kenna could stop her.
"What reason could he possibly have for letting you go?" Brook Lynn asked.
"Cutbacks."
"But..."
"I know."
Brook Lynn hugged her tight. "Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. You've got some free time now. You can go do everything on our fun list. Live a little. Finally. Jessie Kay and I will cover rent this month, and I'll catch up on the list later."
No, she had to find another job ASAP. She would not allow her friends to shell out more than their fair share. But now wasn't the time to mention that. "I love you."
"Love you, too."
She grabbed her purse and left the crowded restaurant before she broke down. The sun was high and glaring, summer creeping in.
"Kenna!" Dane raced up behind her. "You've made it too difficult to wait until we're alone, honey, so I'm doing this here and now. I know you're afraid I'll cut and bail on you, but I want you in my life--I need you in it. You make it better. Make me better. Give me another chance to prove it."
She pressed her forehead against her car door.
Dane's hands curled over her shoulders, big, strong and warm. Then he cursed and drew back, severing contact. "I know I've made a mess of things," he said, "but give me another chance, and I will make it up to you."
A tear burned a path down her cheek, her wall of numbness about to crack.
"I'm begging you to go easy on me, honey. I'm new to this. I'm going to make mistakes, a lot of mistakes, but I'm trying. I will keep trying. You are special to me."
A sob split her lips.
"Kenna?" He turned her around, frowning when he saw her tears. "Honey, what's wrong?"
She threw herself against his chest, wrapping her arms around him and crying against his neck. He held on tightly, as if afraid to let her go. She wasn't sure how long they stood like that, Dane whispering into her ear, telling her everything would be all right, that he would move heaven and earth to make it so.
When finally she quieted, he asked again what was wrong and she told him about the "cutbacks."
He smoothed the damp hair from her cheek. "Honey, you don't have to worry about money anymore. I--"
"No. No." She shook her head. "I'm not taking money from you."
His frown returned, darker than before. "So...I can date you, but not help you?"
"That's right." Up went her chin. "Otherwise I would feel like a hooker."
"Are you freaking kidding me? You're my girlfriend. A man wants his girlfriend happy. Wants to give her gifts."
"You can give me gifts," she allowed. "Within reason."
He was far from placated. "But no cash."
"Or checks."
Gritting his teeth, he said, "Well, I want to gift you with a day of fun. How about that?"
"No. I have to find another job."
"It can wait a single day."
She thought for a moment, sighed. "Fine. One day."
All of his anger and irritation drained in an instant, and that was all the warning she had. One moment he was standing in front of her, the next he was bending down and sticking his shoulder in her stomach, hefting her up.
"What are you doing?" she squeaked, banging on his back.
He stopped at his car and grabbed a bottle of Windex. "Are you thirsty? Because I am." He popped off the top and strode forward, walking down the busy street as if this was a normal day and he didn't have a redhead dangling over his shoulder.
"Don't you dare drink that," she called, laughing. "It's mine."
People stared, and for once, she didn't care.
"You want this sweet nectar," he said, "then you'll have to take it from me."
"Dane!"
He downed half the contents.
"Someone call Dr. Samuels," a voice shouted. "We got ourselves a bona fide emergency."
"Oh, dear sweet madness. Dane Michaelson's done gone and fried his brain, y'all," another lamented.
Kenna laughed all the harder.
CHAPTER TWELVE
NO ONE IN town would hire Kenna, and she couldn't figure out why. Every excuse was the same. Cutbacks, no new hires. She would have worried about money, but her boyfriend--so weird, calling him that--ensured her cabinets were filled, her portion of rent paid and Brook Lynn's car always gassed. Gifts, he said.
She did
n't like it, not one bit, but keeping Norrie fed, sheltered and everywhere she needed to be took priority over pride. But Kenna kept a mental tab in her head, determined to repay every cent to Dane. And she wasn't giving up hope. She had one more place in town to try before she had to branch out and look for work outside Strawberry Valley. Swat Team 8--we assassinate fleas, ticks, silverfish, cockroaches, bees, ants, mice and rats. She had an interview on Monday.
Though she had more free time than ever, she hadn't gone back to Dane's home in the city, and she hadn't invited him to spend the night at her house. As she'd told him, she was keeping him and Norrie separate. But for once, that restriction bothered her. More and more, she wanted the two to get to know each other, to like each other.
Was that wise, though? When things ended, Norrie's heart would break.
Not true, Kenna thought. Whether her relationship with Dane lasted or not, he would always be a part of Norrie's life. As her uncle. There would be no tearful goodbyes or asking for him when it was clear he'd never show up.
Finally, Kenna broke down and texted him.
I want 2 see U. SOON.
His reply was immediate.
Spend the weekend w/me at the Anderson ranch--Michaelson ranch now.
Me & Norrie??
You.
Did he just want to be alone with her, or did he not want to spend time with Norrie?
I'd like 2 bring Norrie, she typed. Don't want 2 keep U 2 apart anymore.
Her trembling finger hovered over the send button. One minute...two...she pressed.
A long while ticked by, each second more agonizing than the last, before he responded.
All right.
That was it. All he had to say.
Dread unfurled inside her. That did not bode well, did it? But she made it the rest of the week without panicking or backing out. And then Friday finally arrived, and Dane was waiting at the door for them, the sight of him stealing her breath, as always.
"Uncle Dane!" Norrie called, running to him as if they'd been parted for years. She threw her arms around his legs, and he awkwardly patted her on top of the head before gently setting her away from him.
Kenna's dread magnified.
He took both of their bags, saying, "Come on. Let's go inside."
He led them through the living room and down the hall. The home was nothing like Kenna remembered. Gone were the pink carpets and too-white walls, the couch kids had walked on and the coffee table that had been covered with red plastic cups. Instead, the walls were different shades of blue, the couch soft, plush leather that looked as if it had never even been sat on, and the coffee table large and elaborate, with flowers spilling from a vase in the center.
"This is your room," he said to Norrie, placing her bag inside.
The little girl's excitement deflated. "It's so...ugly," she said.
"Norrie," Kenna chided.
"What? It is, and honesty is the best policy, right?"
"Right." The room was plain, that was all. The walls were white, the bed covers white, the dresser white.
Dane shifted from one foot to the other, every movement seeming to help him distance himself from her. "Did you bring your swimsuits?" he asked Kenna.
"I sure did," Norrie said, digging through her bag and withdrawing a one-piece with cupcakes all over it. She held it up, showing him. "Even though Jessie Kay says people pee in the water all the time and that when boys get in, it makes the water like tentacle tea."
Tentacle?
Dane barked out a laugh, then quieted and blinked in surprise. He whispered, "I think she means testicle."
Kenna gasped, horrified and, yes, amused. "I'm so going to murder that girl!"
"Do you guys want to swim?" he asked. "I promise I haven't peed in the water."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Norrie said, running and jumping on the bed.
"Get changed." Kenna shut her inside the room, to give her privacy.
Just like that, Dane relaxed. He pressed her against the wall to steal a soul-drugging kiss, dropping the other bag, his hands cupping her bottom and lifting her so that her softest part cradled his hardest.
"I've missed you." His husky voice caressed her.
Kenna nibbled on his chin. "I've missed you, too." So much. "What do you have planned for me this weekend?"
"Did you bring your cowgirl boots?"
"Yes."
"Then I've planned lots of riding activities."
She chuckled. "I didn't notice a stable full of horses."
"I will be your mount."
Hinges creaked, and Norrie made a gagging sound. "Oh, gross! Are you guys gonna make a baby?"
"What?" Dane jumped away from Kenna as if she'd just heated a thousand degrees. "No."
Can't be hurt. He's just playing by my rules.
Hate my rules.
Norrie flipped her hair over her shoulder, and in typical six-year-old fashion, completely lost interest in the subject. "Let's swim!"
They followed her outside in silence. The sun was shining in all its glory, the sky baby blue and cloudless. The pool was a figure eight and crystal clear, with a hot tub at one end. Kenna doused Norrie and herself in sunscreen--they burned as easily as toast--and helped the girl into a pair of floaties.
As Norrie jumped into the water without a qualm, Kenna sat beside Dane under a covered patio table. "May I ask you a personal question?" she said.
"Sure," he replied, though he appeared hesitant.
She kicked off her sandals and placed her feet in his lap. "What do you think of commitment so far? I mean, having to turn away all those buxom beauties because you've got a chubby, freckled redhead at home must be maddening."
Was that neediness in her tone? Ugh.
Maybe he hadn't heard it.
Yeah, and maybe Santa was real.
"You are not chubby," he said, rubbing her arches. "You are soft and warm and perfect, and I will be pissed if you ever insult yourself again."
"Scary," she said with a mock tremor, trying to act nonchalant.
"And what do you mean, turning away all those buxom beauties?" he continued. "Apparently you haven't gotten the memo. I am the Ice Man. Rude, honest to the point of brutal and emotionally unavailable. Women aren't exactly throwing themselves at me." A pause. "Anymore."
"People think you're rude?"
"Don't think it, know it."
"But you're one of the nicest guys I know."
He tickled the bottom of her foot and she almost jolted out of her chair. "Oh, honey," he said, "do I have you fooled."
They talked and laughed for hours while Norrie played in the water. When it came time for lunch, they ate grilled cheeses picnic-style, and Norrie practically fell asleep in her plate. Probably a good thing. She hadn't had the chance to notice how Dane had done his best to avoid her.
At Kenna's request, he carried the girl to bed, but he held her away from his too-stiff body. Trying not to lose heart--the two just needed to spend more time together, that was all--Kenna dressed her daughter in dry pajamas and tucked her in, then followed Dane to the master suite.
"I get to stay in your bedroom this time," she said with a sharper edge than she'd intended.
He paused to look back at her and frown, before leading her into the massive en suite and turning on the water.
Why frown? For the first time, the silence between them was awkward.
"You know," she said in an effort to break it, "I feel like we're growing apart." She traced a fingertip down his stomach. "You should probably show me more reasons for us to stay together."
He'd frozen for the first part of her speech, but hugged her when she finished, shuddering against her. "Don't scare me like that."
This strong man feared losing her that badly? "I don't understand you," she admitted. "What do I bring to the table?"
"Are you seriously asking that after the way you wrung me dry the last time we were together?"
"Besides sex. Which you can get from anyone."
"
Not like that."
"Dane."
He cupped her cheeks, saying, "Kenna, I am carefree with you. I can laugh and tease. I can relax and enjoy. Do you know how rare that is? I trust you. Have never met anyone with a heart as big as yours. Now, why are we still talking? I've got some reasons to give you."
He stripped away his clothes, proving he was already hard, then stripped away hers. The moment she was naked, she was on him, kissing him, giving him all that she was...all that she would ever be.
He backed up until they were under the spray of warm water. But she didn't feel the wetness for long. He kept going, pressing her up against the tiled wall. The cold made her gasp.
"I've wanted you too long, honey. This is going to be fast, and I apologize in advance."
*
DANE WAS ON fire for the woman. Had been since the moment she'd arrived looking so gorgeous in a summer dress he'd gifted her with, a pretty pink thing with lace. She wrapped her legs around his waist, an invitation to the sweetest pleasure of his life. He positioned himself and thrust hard, deep. Her moan was music to his ears. The feel of her, so tight, so wet without any real foreplay, was heady, drugging. He moved in her and she moaned again, a sound of rapture. She clutched and clawed at his back, and he loved it, the last of his control shredding. He became an animal, pounding in and out, and all she could do was take it. But she did, she took it and begged him for more.
He kissed her roughly, raw with passion. She consumed him--her sounds, her scents, her touch, her taste. Her nipples were hard, deliciously abrading his chest. The friction...so good.
He reached between them, pinched one then the other, then slid his fingers between her legs. One press, and she screamed his name, clenching around him.
He followed her straight over the edge.
He wasn't sure how much time passed before he lifted his head. Her eyes were closed, her lips red and kiss-swollen. Her cheeks were flushed, and her skin damp.
He gave her a soft kiss and her lashes fluttered open. Her pupils were huge, her irises glassy. "That was for me," he said. "Now let's take care of you."
*
HOURS...AND HOURS...LATER, Kenna snuggled deeper into Dane's embrace. She was ninety percent sure she'd never walk again, and one hundred percent sure she didn't care. She was moving into his bed forever. The sheets had been made from clouds, surely.
The barest hint of moonlight streamed in through the window, but it didn't reach them. Darkness surrounded them in a safe haven. They'd just finished making love for the third time. Apparently taking care of her involved multiple positions.