Sierra rang the bell and waited.
The shock on Kane’s face confirmed he hadn’t expected her to seek him out. She was the one always running. From him. From herself. From the past. From risk and messy emotions and uncertainty.
But it was time she faced her demons head-on and stopped being so damn afraid.
“Sierra.” Her name fell from his lips like a song, a prayer, and a plea all at once. A shudder coursed through her. “Come in.”
She stepped past him into the living room. God, he was beautiful. Russet hair mussed. Emerald green eyes filled with fierce hope as he stared back at her. Worn jeans hitched low on his hips. A simple cotton t-shirt molding his chest. Feet bare.
He was obviously a mess and she loved him like this. Vulnerable. Open. He was a man unafraid of his emotions yet he hid behind other walls. It was time they were real with each other.
“Thanks. I’ve been thinking a lot. And I’m ready to talk.”
“I’m glad. I missed you.” He stepped forward, then stopped. Cursed. “I just want to touch you. I’m sick about this whole thing and how we ended our conversation.”
“Me, too.” After time with her sister, Sierra was finally able to pull back and glimpse the whole picture. “I saw Benny.”
His body stiffened. “How did it go?”
She gave a half shrug and moved further into the room. “Not well. He tried to duck out on me. I pushed for answers. He finally told me the deal was confirmed and it wasn’t his fault.” Her lips curled without humor. “The legal notices will go out soon. He said he’d write me a referral as a landlord when I found a new place.”
Kane nodded. “Sounds about right. I’m sure after Benny sells, he’ll be out of here. Said he had a brother in Colorado and he’s tired of the beach.”
“Won’t be a loss.”
“Nope.”
“I got a lawyer.”
Sympathy shone in his green eyes. “It won’t help,” he said softly. “Stealth has deep pockets and there’s nothing to challenge about the deal.”
Sierra shrugged. “I know. I needed to do it for me.”
A proud smile curved his lips. “Good for you.”
“Is that something you’d also handle?”
He rubbed his chin, unease flickering over his face. “A prospective lawsuit? No, that’ll go to their lawyers. Once we sign the contracts, I’ll be the lead on the project until everyone’s assigned their role and things run smoothly.”
“What did Stealth offer?”
His voice was flat. “Everything. A full-time job with all the perks. Managing a small team where I get to do my own deals. Opportunities for growth and global development. A shitload of money and benefits.”
A ghost of a smile touched her lips. Was it wrong that she could be proud of him at the same time she resented his choice? He was a brilliant man, who loved so hard. Sierra wanted his success, but not at this cost. Not at the expense of Flirt. “I guess that’d be really hard to pass up. You’re very good at your job.”
“I am. It’s one of the only things in my life I always held confidence in,” he said, sounding thoughtful. “After the Global debacle, I knew it’d be difficult to find another opportunity like this.”
“You don’t like working for Duncan?”
Kane cocked his head. “Actually, I do. Not at first. Too much of a slow lane than what I was used to. But now? I respect the hell out of him and what he built. He wanted nothing to do with Stealth but figured I did.”
“Too bad medical office buildings weren’t as exciting as pricey hotels.”
The joke fell flat. They stared at one another in silence.
“It’s just business, right?” she said softly.
Kane closed the distance and cupped her cheeks, pressing his forehead to hers. “No. Just business doesn’t break your heart like this. Or make you question someone you love. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it.”