The cabbie pulled into traffic as Kade set his Stetson on his knee and studied the woman next to him. “I’m having breakfast at the Larson in the morning,” he said, trying to set her at ease. “Otherwise I’d head home tonight.”
Kelsey jumped as lightning split the sky, the crack of thunder not far behind.
“Scared of thunderstorms also?” Kade asked, hoping she’d need a shoulder to lean on.
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m just not used to them.”
He smiled. “If you’re frightened, you could hold my hand again.” She pursed her lips, and he felt desire burn in him. So soft, so inviting, those lips.
“Listen, Kade.” She hesitated. “You were kind to me on the plane. More than kind. But I don’t let strange men hold me.” She turned to the window, where he could see streetlights blurring in the rain.
“Kelsey,” he said. She turned back with obvious reluctance. “I have no doubt that you would’ve made it through that flight without me lending a shoulder. There’s nothing wrong with being insecure sometimes. We all are.”
Sighing, she stared at her lap, reaching for her ring finger as if to twist a band no longer there. She thrust her hands to her sides and looked at him. “Someone always told me how weak I was for my fear of flying. He even knew what happened.”
The cab lurched to a stop in front of the Larson, and before he had a chance to respond, to ask what kind of jackass would say something like that to her, she flung open her door and darted out to the curb and into the rain. He followed, banging his forehead on the door frame and uttering a curse that was sure to turn Kelsey’s pretty ears blue.
By the time he managed to get his bulk out of the cab, she’d stuffed bills in the cabbie’s hand and was hauling her suitcases through the impressive doors of the Tucson Larson. Kade shoved his fare at the driver, grabbed his own bag, and followed. He couldn’t help admire Kelsey’s curves and the toss of her head. In a matter of a few strides, he’d caught up to her at the registration desk.
She tapped her nails on the marble countertop in a nervous rhythm that reminded him of rain falling on the cab’s roof.
The clerk typed in a command and studied his computer. “Ah, yes.” He handed Kelsey a key card. “Room eleven-ten.”
Kade moved beside her. “Wait for me and I’ll help with your bags, darlin’.” He told the clerk, “Owen.”
Kelsey frowned. “I’m not your darlin’, cowboy. I can handle my own bags.” She walked toward the elevators, across the acres of industrial carpet. But he had no doubt his ruse would get the results he wanted—at least with the clerk.
“Wedding jitters,” Kade said to the young man, who gave a knowing grin.
“Hmm, let me see here, Mr. Owen. Good. The room next to your fiancee is available. Room eleven-oh-eight.”
***
“Come on, come on,” Kelsey muttered, tapping her foot, anxious for the elevator to arrive before Kade caught up. Something about him was starting to wear down her defenses and she couldn’t afford to let that happen with any man. No matter how kind and attentive he might be.
No such luck. The doors opened, and Kade darted in before they had a chance to close. It was a slow elevator, taking its sweet time to head up the eleven floors.
“Have dinner with me tonight.” He smiled and she noticed a dimple in one cheek.
Kelsey’s body heated. Why not? Why not spend one evening in the company of an attractive man?
She gritted her teeth in an effort to fight off her attraction to the cowboy. I’m not ready. I need more time.
“It’s just dinner between two new friends,” Kade said, as if reading her mind.
The elevator groaned to a stop and the doors opened. It’s only dinner, her thoughts echoed. What could happen?
Definitely not a good idea. There was no room for someone as handsome and charming as Kade Owen in her life.
“Thanks, but no.” She gathered her bags and stepped into the hall that had the same peculiar odor that all older hotels did. Like ancient carpet, mothballs, and freshly laundered linens. It didn’t surprise her that he followed. He was as tenacious as San Francisco fog.
“How about I make you a wager.” He hooked his thumb in his belt loop. “I’ll guess something personal about you, and if I’m right, you have dinner with me. If not, then I’ll eat by my lonesome.”
She sighed and stared up at the outdated popcorn ceiling, then shook her head and looked at Kade. “Okay.”
“If I’m right, you’re having dinner with me.”
Kelsey smiled despite herself. “Yeah, yeah.”
He took her hand, and that strange energy jolted her at his touch, sending vibrations straight to her toes. His hand was much larger than hers, his callused palm rough against her soft skin. She shivered at his mere touch.
“You’re afraid to have dinner with me,” he began, “ ‘cause you just went through a rough time. I’d say you’re divorced and your ex-husband was a real jackass. You deserve better, Kelsey.”
A chill pebbled her skin and she snatched her hand away. “How did you know?”
With one finger he pushed up the brim of his Stetson, and grinned. “I won the bet.”
Anger burned away the frost of her surprise. “How did you find that out?”
Kade gave a gentle smile that had the odd effect of relaxing her. “I noticed that you still have a line from where you wore a wedding ring, so it couldn’t have been too long ago. You talked about a real idiot who treated you poorly, and you shy away from me like a horse spooked by a rattlesnake.”
She took a deep breath and gripped her laptop bag tighter. “You figured it out just from that?”
“Like I told you, I’m in law enforcement. Figuring out clues is part of what I do.” Kade’s expression took on a more serious look. “I’ll behave. Promise.”
“I must be out of my mind.” She shook her head and sighed. “All right. But it’s not a date.”
Kade strode to the start of the hallway, then stopped before the first door. “I’ll meet you in fifteen minutes. I’m starving. Those dang airplane peanuts just don’t tide me over.” He stuck a key card into room 1108 and was through the door before she had a chance to reply.
Slick. He even managed to get a room next to hers. She stood before her own door and groaned. Should she take her bags downstairs and demand another room?
Instinct told her that he wasn’t the type of man who would hurt or take advantage of her. With the exception of the mistake she’d made with the man she’d married, her instincts were usually right on. She could always change her mind and ask for a different room if she felt it necessary.
And since Kade was in law enforcement, he spent his time protecting people.
Maybe she should ask to see his badge.
Despite her many misgivings, fifteen minutes later Kelsey was ready. She’d managed to blow-dry the rain from her hair, curl a few wisps with the curling iron, and touch up her makeup. She’d changed out of her wrinkled blouse and skirt into a pink sundress and sandals.
When she was dressed, she dabbed honeysuckle perfume at her wrists and throat. Like the color pink, the scent made her feel feminine. Davis had hated her perfume and hated her in pink.
She wore pink and the honeysuckle perfume as often as possible.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Before she opened it, she took a deep breath and checked the peephole. It was Kade, and if that skewed image of him held true, he definitely looked too handsome for his own good.
When she swung open the door, she saw that he looked incredible in his black cowboy hat, his white teeth flashing against his deep tan, his navy shirt enhancing the disturbing blue of his eyes.
“Beautiful.” Kade’s gaze ran the length of her, and she blushed. “Do you like Mexican food? They serve the best enchiladas north of the border in one of the restaurants downstairs.”
She smiled despite the melting sensation in her bones. “Love it.”
As he escorted her to the restaurant, she was intensely aware of him. What was it about him that sent jolts of hunger through her every time they touched?
When the hostess showed them to a corner table, Kelsey was surprised Kade pulled out her chair and helped her seat herself at the table before taking his own seat. Davis had never done those small gentlemanly things. She’d never considered it necessary, but she found the gesture touching coming from Kade. He then took off his hat and set it on the chair beside him.
Her stomach twisted. She hadn’t been on a date since college.
No. This wasn’t a date. Just dinner with a man she’d never see again.
When Kelsey finished studying the menu, she saw Kade watching her. He gave her a slow, sexy smile that made her heart stop, and she almost forgot to breathe. To her relief, the waiter arrived to take their order.
“You ought to try one of their margaritas,” Kade said. “They’re wicked.”
She nodded. “Frozen with salt on the rim.”
“Gracias.” The waiter hurried away with their orders.
The restaurant had the perfect atmosphere for a casual evening out. Mexican hats, serapes, and decorated gourds plastered the walls, the floor a dark Saltillo tile. Mariachi music played in the background, and Kelsey found herself tapping her toe to the beat.
“You live in San Francisco?” Kade asked, drawing her attention back to him.
Kelsey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “All my life. What about you?”
“I’m an Arizona native.” He shrugged. “A rare breed. Most folks you meet around these parts are from anywhere but here.”
The waiter returned, placing a basket of chips, pots of salsa, and large margaritas in front of each of them.
“Goodness. It’s enormous.” She sipped her drink and smiled. “Delicious.”
He took a swallow of his. “One of these things equals two and a half regular ones. It’ll knock you on your a— butt if you’re not careful.”
Kelsey grinned, partly at his avoidance of the word “ass,” obviously to be polite to a female. She dipped a corn chip in salsa. “Were you on a business trip?”
Kade nodded before he put a handful of chips on his plate. “And visiting my sister and her kids. I don’t get to see them much, so I try to get out there at least once a year.”
As soon as she bit into the corn chip, she knew it was a mistake. Her mouth flamed and her eyes watered. She grabbed her margarita and drank it, trying to cool the burning sensation.
“Careful,” he said. “You’ll be dancing on the tabletops if you drink that too fast.”
Kelsey set down the drink and tried ice water instead, but her mouth still felt like it was on fire.
“Should’ve warned you about that salsa. Chips with salt might help.”
She fanned her warm face as she ate a plain chip with no salsa. “I’ve had hot sauce before, but nothing like that.”
It wasn’t long before the waiter arrived with their combo plates of enchiladas, tacos, refried beans, and Spanish rice. Everything tasted fabulous, but there was so much food that Kelsey was able to eat only half of what was on her plate.
While they ate, she was surprised at how much she wanted to know about him. She purposely steered clear of personal topics, and was glad he didn’t press her. He answered questions about Tucson, the best tourist attractions, and those frequented by the locals. She didn’t bother to tell him she would be leaving Tucson in the morning.
In turn, he asked her about living in San Francisco. They talked about the areas he’d visited around the city, and she shared her favorite places.
Kelsey enjoyed how Kade focused on her when they spoke, like he was intent on hearing every word. The way his eyes lit up when he laughed. The infectious grin that held a bit of the devil himself in it. She enjoyed being around him too much and had to remind herself that there was no room for a distraction or complication in her life like Kade Owen.
“I’d better get to bed.” She drained the enormous margarita and wondered at her reluctance to part with him. “I have an early appointment.”
He agreed and called for the check. When it was paid, she stood and realized that he’d been right—drinking the entire margarita had been a mistake. Her head spun, and when Kade laced his fingers with hers, she didn’t object—she was afraid she might fall. The feel of his hand sent tremors throughout her body, enhanced by the mellow, tipsy feeling the drink had given her.
On the elevator ride up to their floor, Kelsey’s legs wobbled and she found herself leaning too close to Kade. She knew she needed to put distance between them, but when they reached her room, he took the key card from her hand and opened the door.
“Can I come in?” he murmured. “Two minutes.”
“Okay.” Where did that come from? Her heart pounded out a staccato that she could almost bet he was able to hear.
“I want to see you again.” Kade flicked on a light as he drew Kelsey through the door, and it slammed shut behind her.
Her throat tightened and went as dry as the Arizona desert. “I—I...”
But her words vanished, her mind blank, as Kade took her face in his palms and captured her gaze with his.
“Kade, I—” But she no longer knew the meaning of up or down, and she melted against him, wanting him. His earthy scent intoxicated her, filling her senses, confusing her beyond the effects of the alcohol.
“Darlin’, what you do to me,” Kade said against her lips. “Let me taste you.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He brushed his lips over hers. Just a whisper kiss. The light touch of his lips and the feel of his fingers on her skin made her nipples ache. A wave of longing crested, then crashed within her soul.
She pressed herself closer to him and heard a soft moan.
Coming from her.
The tip of his tongue outlined her bottom lip, a feather caress that sent desire spiraling within. She parted her lips and his tongue met hers, a velvet softness that she savored like golden honey. “You taste so good,” he murmured.
Citrus from the margarita was still sweet on his tongue and she wrapped her arms around his neck as their kiss deepened. She smelled the light apple fragrance of his hair and slid her fingers into the soft strands, knocking his cowboy hat off.
With a jolt, Kelsey became aware of Kade’s erection against her belly. A voice inside her shouted, telling her she couldn’t go any further. Not with someone she barely knew. But her mind and body refused to listen.
As if he heard her thoughts, he let out a ragged breath and stepped back, leaving her feeling almost empty. Alone.
Kade traced one finger along her cheekbone and she shuddered with longing. “Say you’ll see me again.”
He looked so handsome, his chestnut hair in disarray, passion in his eyes.
“I—I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” It took all her willpower not to throw her arms around him and tell him to spend the night. She had never been with a man other than Davis in a sexual way, and it frightened her how much she wanted Kade.
Right here. Right now.
Kade caught both her hands in his. “Have breakfast with me.”
She shook her head. “I have a meeting, and then I’m going out of town.”
He brought her hands to his mouth and trailed his lips over her knuckles, sending shivers throughout her, those intense blue eyes never leaving hers. “How do I reach you?”
Trying to regain even a modicum of self-control, Kelsey freed her hands and absently rubbed the scar on her upper thigh through the material of her dress. “I’ll sleep on it. If I see you before I leave, I’ll let you know.”
“All right.” He kissed her again, a soft, lingering kiss. He smiled and caressed her cheek, then turned and slipped out the door.
And she was really alone then.
Dazed, Kelsey moved toward the bed and almost tripped over Kade’s cowboy hat. She picked it up, wondering if she should take it to him.
No. Tomorrow morning would be soon enough.
Kelsey ran a shaking hand through her hair. What had she just done? She’d experienced the most incredible kiss of her life—from a virtual stranger.
She sat on the edge of the bed, then flopped onto her back, Kade’s hat still cradled to her chest. She inhaled deeply, drinking in the intoxicating smell of him that clung to the felt Stetson. That masculine scent that made her ache for him.
What would it have been like to make love to Kade? The thought caused a thrill to skip around in her belly.
Kelsey closed her eyes, still holding Kade’s hat close to her chest. She imagined actually letting herself go and being with that tall, dark, sexy cowboy who managed to break through the ice of resistance coating her heart and soul since her divorce. She couldn’t let him all the way in, but it wouldn’t hurt to fantasize about him, right?
Heat filled her body and her cheeks flushed. No, that was ridiculous.
Still clutching Kade’s Stetson, she slipped into a restless sleep and dreamed of cowboys, mustangs, and the Arizona desert.