Page 83 of Perfect Order
He freezes. “Love?”
I arch a brow at him. “If it was something less, do you think I’d be risking something as important as your respect by having this conversation?”
He storms over to the windows overlooking the Pacific. For a long while, nothing is said between us as he absorbs the information I’ve given him. I start to push off the couch to leave him to his thoughts when his words float over me. “I never would have imagined the two of you together, but there’s something about her that’s changed.”
I don’t reply because it’s unnecessary. We both know the trauma of losing her sister caused a catastrophic shift inside her. But he believes it’s Kylie he’s worrying over, whereas I know it’s my Leanne. I offer, “If anything, you’re likely noticing qualities in her that are more like her sister.”
“Maybe that’s it,” he muses. He keeps his back to me. “If she’s giving you a shot at her heart amid all of this, don’t let it go. No matter what.”
Something untwists inside me. “I won’t.”
“You’re a good man, Kane. From the first moment we met, I always thought you were too good to be around the likes of me.”
Startled, my head jerks up to find Beckett’s turned to face me. His foot is braced against the window. “What the hell makes you say that?”
“You were a damn hero, man. And I grew up a worthless piece of garbage.” Beckett’s eyes drop to his booted foot.
“Neither of those things are accurate,” I inform him forcefully. “Yeah, you grew up in shit, but that never stuck to you. And I’m not a hero.”
“Could have fooled me.” I go to interrupt, but his face morphs into a slow grin. “Captain fucking America and the Indie Princess. The press is going to have a field day with this.”
“Must you remind me?”
“Well, it’s better than the rumors going around about me,” he remarks cheerfully. He pushes off the window and slaps me on the shoulder as he passes me. But instead of letting my shoulder go, his hand clamps down until I meet his eyes. “I’m glad it’s you. Not just because she’ll be looked after, but because you’re one of the best men I know.”
And after completely astounding me with that remark, Beckett strides from the room to find the others occupying his enormous beachfront mansion.
As she finally lightly jumps over the final bundle of wires taped to the floor to land in front of me, I know there’s no way to fully protect her. She wouldn’t be the woman I fell for if there was. But today, I can do my best on our first date. I hold out my hand, palm up. She slips hers into it. And we both feel the surge of power. Tugging her closer, I whisper against her ear, “Let’s get out of here.”
Dropping my hand, Leanne wraps her arm around my waist, as comfortable as if we’ve been doing this together for years. Her words ring in my head.God, Kane, don’t make me fall in love with you.And after the hottest sex I’ve ever had, regardless of whether I actually touched her skin, I know we’re both already reached the same place.
We’re together, mind and soul. The last thing to join is our bodies.
I guide her down a hall that darkens almost to pitch-black midway through. Her breathing accelerates next to me, but I’m certain it’s not fear but the same anticipation coursing through me.
When we reach the darkest part of the hallway, where I’m certain the cameras will only be able to register two bodies, I whirl her around and push her until her back presses against the concrete. I knock off her hat and rip off her sunglasses. A breathless “What…” escapes her lips before I press my body against hers. There’s just enough light for me to capture the smile in her moonlit eyes as I lean my head forward.
As I get closer, I can feel the hot burst of air escaping her parted lips as she manages to whisper, “Kane.”
I rub my thumb over her jaw, back and forth. The setting sucks. I want to be able to absorb her into every one of my senses when I take her lips for the first time, but I won’t let this moment become fodder for some tabloid.
Instead of relying upon sight, I give her the pressure of my body, wrap her in my scent, and whisper her name as I brush my lips against her ear. “Leanne.” Then, I feel the satin of her skin against my lips as I drag them across her cheek before I fasten them to hers, capturing the moan she lets out as it slides down my throat.
My tongue slides past her lips, and I get my first taste of her. Mint and dark, like she’d just munched on a piece of chocolate before meeting me. I pull her tighter against me, even as her hand slides up my chest. Leanne grips me by the back of the neck, holding me in place as her lips devour mine. A nip, a soothing swipe of her tongue.
I eat at her lips, leaving no part of the plump flesh unbranded. We’ve been building toward this moment, this kiss, for longer than anyone has suspected. Even us. My hands trace the length of her body, finally settling on cupping the back of her head, the other arm banded around her waist as I fuse us together. Fucking hell. I need more.
Long moments together, I realize this was the biggest tactical mistake I’ve ever made. I never should have kissed her here when all I want to do is pull her beneath me and join our bodies together the way we’re both craving. Tearing my mouth from hers, I bury my lips against her shoulder and murmur her name.
“Why are you stopping?” Her voice sounds like she’s just run a marathon. And in some respects, we have. We are. We’re running to catch up with the emotions that are miles ahead of us.
Slowly, my hands drop down. Instead of running them over her body the way I’m almost desperate to, I find her hands, now desperately clenching my hips. I pull them away so I can lace our fingers together. I can’t help but open my mouth on the skin I’ve bared by nuzzling away her overshirt. My breath rasps against her skin when I declare, “Because we need to get out of here before I take you right now. That isn’t what I have planned for our first date.”
“It isn’t?” I’m thrilled her voice comes out a bit wild.
“Not for the date,” I inform her as I step back. Flicking on my flashlight through my pants, I spot her glasses and cap. Bending over to pick them up, I hand them to her. She quickly stuffs her hair beneath the hat and slides her shades back on.
I grab her hand and begin dragging her toward the light. She’s silent until we reach the street and I’m edging her to the SUV Mitch is guarding. He nods before quickly disappearing. Once we’re settled, she asks, “Then what’s our plan, Kane?”
