Page 58 of When He Fights
“Yeah.Yours and mine.You’re the beauty.You have all the grace.The delicacy.”
Ana shook her head.He was so wrong.
Kane pulled back his hand.Stared at it.Curled his powerful hand into a fist and turned it over.“I was always bigger than everyone else.Always rougher.I’ll break every damn thing in a store if I’m not careful.I’ll break everything in my life.”
Her hand flew out and curled around his fist.“You’re not a beast, Kane.”He should never see himself that way.It was certainly not how she saw him.
“Sure I am, sweetheart.I’m the beast who would rip apart the world to protect you.”
He was still crouched before her, one knee on the floor.She wanted to throw her arms around him.To hold tight.
“That’s the job, isn’t it?”Kane rumbled.
Her heart seemed to shrivel.
“Protecting you.Destroying anyone who comes after you.It’s the reason Gray wanted me in the first place.He’s always appreciated the way I fight dirty.”
Of course.She let go of his hand.He was protecting her because Gray had called Kane back into service.Because she was the current job.Kane wasn’t doing the protecting and defending bit because he was hung up on her.
Fucking and loving were two different things.
And that was fine.She didn’tstilllove him.She’d gotten over that roller coaster of emotion long ago.
“Ana?”
Her head turned away from him.Blindly, she stared at the harp strings.Then she scooted closer to the harp, nestling her shoulder beneath it.“It’s a lever harp.Thirty-six strings.Fifty-four inches tall.”A slow release of her breath.“You’ve probably felt the calluses on my fingertips from the harp strings.But, then again, I had calluses from my violin, too.”That was just part of the price to be paid in order to play.She’d had calluses on her fingers for as long as she could remember.
“Ana, did I say something wrong?”
No, he’d just said the truth.Instead of answering, she began to play.Slowly.Softly.Then hitting deeper notes.Going faster.
He rose.Moved to stand behind her.Between her and the drapes that she’d left open just a bit.She could feel his eyes on her.Watching her every move.Her fingers moved faster, the movements automatic for her as she closed her eyes and sank into the music.She didn’t usually have anyone watching her when she played the harp.Just her and the music.
But this time, it was different.The song was different.
She poured all of her emotions into the music.Pain and fear.
I almost died in that aquarium.The attacks just won’t stop.
Anger and betrayal.
Logan said he loved me, but he was a killer.Hiding his evil behind a smile.
Sorrow and…hope.
I wanted more.Wanted more from Kane.Wanted a real life and someone who would love me.
Love.
Something real.Something deep.Not just sex.Not fleeting.But for always.For?—
A roar of an engine reached her, growling over the notes of the harp.
Her fingers stumbled.The music clanged.
She glanced toward Kane, but he’d spun to face the window.Alarm flared, threatening to choke her.“Kane?”
She should relax.It was probably just some kids, driving hard and loud late at night or maybe someone with a souped up truck.
