And he was coming for her.
For the past forty-eight hours, Sierra had been a nervous wreck. Barely able to keep up a façade at work, she spent the torturous hours prepped for a confrontation. Each time she got into her car, she expected to see him. She kept picking up her phone to check her notifications, positive he’d text or call. She walked by the window of Flirt a hundred times, peeking at the busy streets for a flash of his russet hair and broad shoulders.
But there was nothing.
Aspen asked a few times about her impression of Kane, but Sierra quickly shut her down. She agreed he was hot, but simply not her type. Aspen seemed to accept the answer with a bit of disappointment.
Lying to her sister hurt. Sierra thought about confessing the truth, but after her performance and further thought, it was best to keep up the ruse. Maybe she was overreacting. After all, it had been four years since their night together. Maybe he didn’t care that she disappeared the next morning. Maybe he’d been relieved, and Sierra was making this a huge deal in her head. Maybe Kane had laughed and shrugged the whole episode off.
Maybe he wouldn’t even pursue a further conversation. Her imagination was overtaking her.
She’d been hanging around a writer too long.
Sierra closed up Flirt and drove home. Her nerves slowly settled. There’d be no need for him to privately seek her out. Maybe next time Kane and her ran into each other, they’d have a moment to quietly acknowledge their past. He’d be going back to New York soon. Sierra dove headfirst into a Google search, greedy for information, and confirmed Kane had made all his dreams come true. Unfortunately, ambition came at a price. Sure, he made his millions and carved out a reputation, but her focus had lasered in on the small article pretty much buried on the Internet unless someone was really looking.
He'd been in jail.
The fact both shocked and concerned her. The man she remembered hadn’t struck her as a criminal, but with money and greed, anything was possible. There wasn’t much detail—just the facts the charges had eventually been dropped, and he’d quietly left Global Property Inc. The dates coincided with his appearance in OBX so Sierra figured he’d come to visit Brick and let the heat die down. Since Ziggy Tours had been struggling, he must’ve decided to stay and help his friend out before heading back.
No way would he be happy in a small beach town. Kane Masterson craved the fast-paced life. He was probably setting up his next moves to rebuild his career. He’d never be interested in picking up with her after all these years.
Finally calm, she pulled down her block and into her driveway.
Where he was waiting.
The breath exploded from her lungs in a rush. Sierra fought the impulse to close her eyes and stay safe in the locked car. Instead, she sensed going on offense was best. Cowering or hiding from this confrontation would prove she had feelings that went way beyond one night of sex.
Stiffening her spine, Sierra got out of the car and slowly walked to her front porch.
He lounged on her white rocker, one ankle crossed over his knee. Linen pants, a pink shirt, and Armani loafers screamed billionaire playboy vibes. Thick auburn strands blew in the wind, giving his hair that freshly out of bed look. The perfect amount of scruff hugged his jaw and mouth to keep him from looking too pretty. Her gaze went immediately to the small scar on his lip her fingers had once glossed over and traced. When she’d asked, he told her it was the result from a scuffle with his father. There were no words to offer, so she’d pressed her lips to the mark and then he’d tumbled her back to the mattress, spread her legs, and—
“Nice place you got here.”
The familiar, gravelly voice hit her body with an explosion of heat. She’d forgotten his ability to overwhelm anyone within a close distance. His aura practically crackled with sensuality, from those lazy green eyes, muscled body, and intense scrutiny. The spicy scent of him drifted to her nostrils in the summer breeze. Even though they were outside in daylight, she felt squeezed in; attuned to every slight movement or glance; her body already softening in welcome, remembering.
“Thanks. Nice of you to drop by without an invite.”
That lower lip quirked. “Figured you wouldn’t want to have this conversation in public, surrounded by friends. But if you’d rather wait, I can leave now.”
She ached to wrap her arms around herself in protection but the gesture screamed defense. “No, you’re right. Better to get it over with.”
One ginger brow arched. “You sound like my company is a dentist appointment. I think I prefer when you scream and beg for your orgasm.”
The scene slammed against her vision.
“You taste like a ripe peach,” he growled against her naked thigh. Green eyes glittered with lust as he stared up her body. “I can’t get enough.”
Vibrating with need, her voice came out ragged. “Oh, please.”
“Come against my mouth. Let go, beautiful.”
Heat flushed her face, and other more intimate places. The sharp words rushed out in a tumble. “Sorry, I didn’t realize one nameless night years ago gave you the right to show up on my porch.”
His eyes flashed with something that looked like pain, but it must’ve been a trick of the sun. His face reflected nothing but cool amusement. “Guess it doesn’t. But with Aspen and Brick spending all this time together, I figured a chat was needed.”
Sierra tried to hide her wariness. He made a good point. She’d keep things polite. “You’re right. Sorry, I was taken off guard. What do you want to talk about?”
“You pretended not to know me.”
