“Sweet tea, please. One day, I’d like to finish it.”
She shot him a look and handed him the pint of noodles. Safe across the granite countertop, she poured two glasses, took out a fork, and slid them over. His green eyes heated but he nodded his thanks and began to eat. Sierra watched in silence for a few moments. “If I let you finish it, what should I expect?”
He choked, placing the carton down quickly and drinking some tea. Kane shook his head and stared at her. “Woman, are you trying to kill me?”
Feeling bold, she gave a half shrug. “You’re the one doing the chasing. Showing up at my house, declaring it’s only a matter of time before you catch me. I’m simply asking what would happen next. Or is it the game that gives you the adrenaline rush? Just like closing one of your big deals?”
It was a fair question, but his menacing frown said he didn’t like it. “Do you think this is a game?” he asked softly.
“I don’t know.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I don’t know you enough to make that call.”
“Because you wouldn’t give me a chance. You ran.” He paused. “You denied me.”
A shiver squeezed through her. He was right, but she hated thinking of herself as a coward. “We don’t have to make this complicated. If we want to put some ghosts to rest, we can go into my bedroom right now. Maybe a few good orgasms will break the spell and we can both move on with our lives. No one has to know.”
He shook his head. “God, you’re such a flirt.”
Her jaw dropped. “Nothing I said was even close to flirty!”
“You’re so damn direct and bold, you can annihilate a man with one blast of that sharp tongue. It’s the hottest type of flirting imaginable.”
Was it wrong to feel a rush of satisfaction that this man seemed to know her? Oh, sure, she knew how to be soft and approachable around men. She loved the give and take; the dance of male and female that pulsed with possibilities. But few knew the woman behind the façade. Her ex-husband, he told her she was too intimidating, and that she’d do better if she was less edgy. Sierra hadn’t thought to question his opinion. Instead, she spent too much time trying to mold herself into the perfect wife, so she could have the perfect life.
When that had all blown up, she’d finally said fuck it. But all her dates made her nervous. She worried she’d come on too strong, too fast and scare any potential relationships away. She got in her head and couldn’t seem to pull out. Until this moment, she hadn’t even realized she’d been policing herself or trying to be someone she wasn’t.
Not with Kane.
He didn’t seem the least intimidated or turned off.
He looked exactly the opposite, jaw clenched, green eyes roving over her body with every dirty thought boldly crossing his face. Every part of her trembled to step forward and give in. Let him drag her to bed so this tormenting tension could break and either split her apart…or put her back together.
“Sierra?”
She tilted her head, waiting.
“I think you want me to push. Sex is easier to pigeonhole us, because we both know once I get you naked, you won’t be leaving that bedroom for a damn long time.”
Her mouth went dry. He continued.
“But I’m playing for bigger stakes. I want to take you out on a date. I want to help you plan the engagement party and stand beside you while we celebrate the two people we love. I want to tell the world the truth—that four years ago I fell hard and I haven’t stopped dreaming about you. That’s so much more than a few orgasms.”
She had no spit left. Sierra cleared her throat, body tight with tension. “That’s a lot to process.”
The wolf retreated. His lip quirked and his face gentled. “It is.”
She faced him from across the counter and over lo mein noodles. “You want a relationship with me. Not just sex?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever been involved with someone long-term, Kane? Said I love you? Compromised and given up things you wanted for that other person? Put someone else first over your career?”
Direct hit. He jerked back as if slapped. Triumph mingled with regret at the truth on his face. This man had never thought of anyone but himself. He’d been in jail. He’d hurt people. Both Brick and Aspen knew very little of his past. Kane Masterson was a mystery. And though the connection was always there, Sierra was terrified he was full of words but no action.
“No. You’re right. I haven’t done any of those things.”
Disappointment hit, but she didn’t flinch. At least, he was being honest. She needed all of the ammunition to keep her heart safe. Sierra nodded. “I thought so.”
“But it’s only for one reason, Sierra.” His gaze crashed into hers, lit with a fire that stole her breath. The silence pulsed around them, stretching, as if knowing his next words would change everything.
