They chatted. Inez and Brooklyn came in, and soon, a crowd of friends clustered around the table. Sierra stood up to stretch and make her way around the bar. One drink turned to two as she relaxed. It was good she’d come out. Another reminder she enjoyed her life.
After a quick stop to the restroom, Aspen intercepted. “Kane’s here.”
Sierra chuckled. “If I finally meet him, will you promise to stop talking about how great he is? You’re being a meddling matchmaker.”
Aspen threw up her hands. “Just looking out for you, sis. Inez may fight you for him, though.”
“Hos over bros, babe.”
Aspen cracked up. Hurrying over to Brick, she pulled at his arm and whispered something. Amused at the drama, Sierra waited patiently while Aspen pushed her forward.
“Kane, this is Sierra. Sierra, this is Brick’s friend, Kane. He’s visiting from New York and helps Brick out with some of the tours.”
Her gaze lifted and collided with familiar emerald green eyes.
Everything stilled. Her entire body froze in shock, trying to keep up with her spinning mind that kept repeating the same word over and over and over.
No, no, no, no…
Her hand jerked and the glass she was holding dropped, shattering on the floor.
Still, she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, as her sister’s voice repeated her name, and applause broke out in approval of breaking something in a bar.
It was him.
The man who’d haunted her dreams for the past four years. The man who’d stolen a piece of her heart and soul that one perfect rainy night. The man without a name.
That man was Kane Masterson.
Dear God, he was just as sexy and devastating as she remembered. Thick auburn hair that fell in a wave over his forehead. A lush mouth and chiseled jaw that was a work of art. His lean muscled body was clad in pressed khakis, a starched white shirt, and beautiful leather shoes. Broad shoulders and powerful thighs forced the fabric to yield and surrender, just like she’d done under his talented hands and fingers. His scent of spice and clove drifted to her nostrils and sparked erotic memories that she wasn’t ready to confront.
But God, his eyes. She was already drowning in the green-gold depths, framed by thick lashes. That gaze drilled deep and pinned her in place while she swayed on her feet, helpless underneath the intense male stare, as shocked as hers.
“Sierra?”
She shuddered. The low, gravelly voice raked across her ears. He’d never spoken her name. The raw intimacy of hearing it for the first time from his lips shot her into a total panic.
She wasn’t ready to confront her past in the middle of a crowded bar. Sierra jumped, realizing Aspen and Brick were both staring at her with concern.
“Umm, hi. Nice to meet you, Kane.”
The words flew from her mouth automatically. Something flashed in those beautiful eyes. Pain? Regret? Anger? She had no time to process. The voice inside screamed for her to flee.
Sierra forced her gaze away, turning toward her sister. She pressed a fisted hand to her trembling mouth. “Aspen, so sorry, I gotta go. I’ve got an…awful headache. Tell the girls I’ll see them later this week.”
“Wait, I’ll go home with you.”
“No!” She blinked, forcing a smile. “No, stay. I want you to stay. I just really need some sleep and alone time. Bye, Brick. Talk to you guys later.”
She shot out of the bar like Satan was trying to snatch her soul. Her drive was a blur, as the past and present crashed into each other and left a broken trail of memories behind.
By the time she arrived home, there was no more fight left.
Sierra pressed her back against the door. Slid down to the floor. Closed her eyes.
And remembered.
Chapter Three
