Page 89 of In Step

I’d whispered back, “Is this another first for your list?”

He’d nodded almost shyly. “Is that okay?”

I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. “I can’t wait.”

Back in the bedsit, I checked to see if he didn’t want to talk any more about what happened and received a very definite, “Hell no,” in reply. I wasn’t about to argue.

“You feed the other two cats and I’ll get Possum settled in the laundry for the night. We’ll save introductions till tomorrow.” He practically ran Possum’s cage to the back of the bedsit, watched from the couch by two sets of curious, gleaming eyes, and I couldn’t hold back the laugh.

“Excited, are we?”

He stuck his head out the door. “Like you wouldn’t believe. I feel like a coiled spring. You better be ready.” He disappeared. “Oh, and you’ll need to throw some kitty litter in a separate box for them.”

Bossy Kane was in charge and, hell, if my cock didn’t like the sound of that. I tumbled some cat biscuits into two bowls, put one and a fresh litter tray into the bathroom with Tank, and left the second for Bossy in the kitchen.

“I’m gonna have to return Tank to his owner a few days early,” Kane called from the laundry. “It’s getting a little crowded in here.”

“You’re telling me.” I chuckled. “I’m gonna take a quick shower.”

I stood under the hard spray and took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. Talk about an interesting night, and it wasn’t done with me yet. I was going to get fucked... by Kane... The thought sent shivers up my spine in the best possible way.

I got myself prepped as best I could, soaping up while reliving the evening’s crazy escapade. My heart might’ve beat out of my chest when Gerald appeared, but I wondered if that hadn’t been the best possible outcome in the end. The Kane that left that farm had a very different feel about him, and the wordexorcisedsprang to mind. Time would tell.

And working together, hearing Morgan call Kanefamily, and that inescapable sense of close friendship had warmed my heart in ways I wasn’t prepared for. Or rather, in ways I’d been ignoring. Because I already knew what I’d find—my growing feelings for Kane, for Painted Bay, and for the good people I’d come to know. Not to mention having my own family just a short plane trip away whenever I wanted. And since when had that ever rated in my life? Since Kane, that’s when.

What I didn’t know was what the fuck I was gonna do about it. I was gone from Painted Bay in a couple of weeks, with contracted job commitments I couldn’t just ditch, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Painted Bay wasn’t my life. Kane wasn’t my life. These peopleweren’tmy life.

But they could be.

I slammed my palm against the wet tiles, struggling with even the thought of losing a life I’d spent twenty-six years building. Ever since I’d left Wellington as an independent eighteen-year-old after three years of holding my family together—the only functioning adult in the house. I’d built a life I loved, or I had, and I couldn’t just throw it all away on the basis of six weeks with a guy I liked.

A guy I loved.The thought hit me like a freight train to the chest.

“Are you okay in there?” Kane knocked on the door, opened it a crack, and scooted Bossy inside. “Can I wash my face?”

“Sure, I won’t be long.”

He stood at the basin with his back to me and took his pills, his gaze flicking on and off me in the mirror. “You’re just too tempting in there.” He slid an arm through the glass door and ran it over my chest. I grabbed it and kissed his fingertips. “Don’t be long,” he said, pulling free and drying his arm. “I’ll be waiting.”

Now, there was an image I could get on board with. I needed to stop borrowing trouble and just enjoy the time I had. I shut off the water, then dried and wrapped a towel around my waist.

Kane was splayed out, naked, and stroking himself on top of the sheet with the heat pump on full. One look and my heart caught in my throat. He was lean, lickable, and gorgeous. And all mine... for now.

I pushed aside the sour thought that Kane was also nowout,and that when I left, he could date anyone he wanted. And I hated the idea. Hated it with everything I possessed.

Just enjoy what you have now.

A tube of lube and two condoms lay beside Kane on the sheets.

I raise a brow. “Two? Really?”

He shrugged and a flush crept up his throat, a few nerves showing through. “Just being careful.”

My heart squeezed. He was always so fucking careful with me. “I don’t need you to wear two, sweetheart. I’d really like both of us to actually feelsomething, yeah? But it’s up to you.”

He frowned and went still, working it through his head. Then finally he nodded and the smile returned. “Okay, you win.” He slid to the side of the bed, biting his lip in that alluring way he had. “You know, I was gonna take you over my couch in that fuck-me cat-burglar outfit you were wearing.”

I snorted and dropped my towel. “You want me to change back?”

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