His casual tone contradicted the hard gaze that pierced and shredded her defenses. She jerked back, then raised her chin. “I panicked.”
“Understood. But you ran away. Again. Why?”
She practically squirmed with discomfort but tried to answer honestly. “I thought it was best for both of us to forget. Neither of us believed we’d ever see each other again. I didn’t want any awkwardness, especially since Aspen and Brick are together. I had no idea what your reaction was going to be, so I ran.”
He tilted his head, considering. She tried not to study his beautiful face and remember how many times throughout the night she’d kissed that full mouth, ran her fingers through his hair, caressed his rough cheeks. “You get points for honesty.”
Temper stirred. “This isn’t a game, and I’m not being judged by you. You agreed to the rules. No names. Just one night. Don’t try to pretend there was any more than that between us.”
Her words must’ve hit a hot spot. Kane rose from the chair in one graceful movement, and stood inches before her. Face tight, he stared back with challenge. “Is that what you believe? That our night was just about great sex and no more? Is that why you fled like a bat out of a hell, afraid to face me in the morning?”
In that moment, Sierra realized the shattering truth.
He cared.
The passion weaved within his words proved he hadn’t forgotten her either. Kane was trying to push her to admit the real reason she’d run—because she was scared of what they’d found together.
Off balance, Sierra knew there were two roads to choose.
She could confess the truth, and open herself to a mess of vulnerabilities. If Kane knew how hard she fell that night, he’d want more. More time in his company would encourage her to fall harder, faster, leading to a relationship with the same type of challenges.
He lived and worked in New York. He was dedicated to his career. He was already the local playboy in town, so obviously he enjoyed being with a wide variety of women.
Sierra finally had her life together. She wasn’t about to blow it up and take a chance at a broken heart with a man who was dangerous. She deserved someone safe and true and easy. Someone who didn’t scare the living hell out of her.
Which led to path number two. She could convince Kane right now that night wasn’t important. Just a fun time to blow off steam while she visited her sister in New York. That she hadn’t given him a second thought until he showed up.
It would create the proper distance between them to get her through until he went back home.
Sierra didn’t need long to make her choice, even as an inner voice branded her a coward.
She forced a tinkling laugh and shook her head. “Don’t take it the wrong way, Kane. The sex was amazing. I got off so many times I should’ve left a thank you note, but I didn’t think it was necessary.” Sierra met his eyes and used all her willpower to tamp down on any shred of raw emotion threatening to reveal the truth. “Honestly? Seeing you drop into my real life freaked me out a bit.” She shrugged. “No big deal. Kind of glad we’re getting this straightened out now. Sorry I was rude.”
Sierra allowed him to hold her gaze for a long moment, probing, assessing. Sweat broke out on her brow but she didn’t move, didn’t blink.
He took a step back. “I see.”
Sierra pushed harder for the close. “You understand, right? I have a reputation in this town, and I don’t want it ruined by gossip. Especially since you’ve stirred up some chatter around here.” Another forced laugh. “Every woman I talk to is dying to get in your pants. Much better for me to claim ignorance and not ruin your vacay.”
She hated every ugly word uttered but it worked. Distaste flickered over his features along with a hardening that made her heart ache. He turned with a derisive snort. “Got it. I won’t say anything. We’ll pretend it never happened.”
Each step as he walked away was like a slap.
“I’m sorry, Kane.”
The words spilled out softly, her own private apology for soiling a memory that had been precious to both of them. She hadn’t expected him to hear but his retort was the final blow.
“I’m not. It’s exactly what I needed to hear. See you around.”
She jumped as the car door slammed.
Then he left.
Sierra let herself inside with shaky hands. Her gut lurched but her brain reminded her it was the right choice. It was much simpler this way.
The familiar silence closed around her. She ignored the emptiness and reveled in the safety.
It was done.
