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Kami leaned forward to put her empty plate on the coffee table, but Rayce had it in his hand before she was halfway there.
“I’ve got it.” Then he was standing and cleaning up. When she moved to help, he glared at her. “I said I’ve got it. Sit and relax.”
She wasn’t sure she knew how, especially with Rayce right there sharing the space with her.
Her body hadn’t been relaxed since he’d picked her up with that easy strength of his. As an athlete, Kami’s body wasn’t light. Muscles weighed a lot, and she stood at a smidge over five foot ten.
Sometimes she wondered if, in a run-in with a moose, she’d be the one left standing. Yet he’d picked her up and carried her with no visible effort. The other day, he’d hauled her out of the water, carried her to the cabin.
It shouldn’t be a turn on.
It totally was.
As if he needed any help in that department. The man was walking sex appeal. Strong shoulders tapering to narrow hips, muscles everywhere straining at his clothing. Add all of that to a face made to make women drool. And charm oozing out of his pores.
Not fair.
Especially when she was laid up, looked like a bruised-up hag, and spent all her time dwelling in pity-party land.
Now he was doing her dishes.
A nice guy. One who didn’t want her. Hadn’t wanted her. Did he now?
Did it matter?
Kami softly thumped her head back against the pillow. Not hard enough to rattle her brain any more than she already had but hopefully enough to knock some sense into her.
Time to try to take things as they came, one step at a time. Forget the past and try imagining a future where she was whole. And pleasant. That made her smile. At least she hadn’t completely lost her sense of humor. Carolina would like that.
Rayce rinsed the sink and turned to face her. “What’s got you smiling?”
Did it happen so infrequently that he had to ask? She needed to change if it was true. Instead of telling him her thoughts, Kami shrugged. “Following instructions to relax and realizing I’m not sure how.”
Rayce laughed and shook his head as he walked over with another ice pack. He sat at the end of the couch, lifted her feet gently, and put them in his lap, propped the pillow back under her knee. Her body thrilled to the contact—he was only touching her feet, for crying out loud. How long had it been since a man had touched her even that intimately?
A long time. And not all of it could be blamed on grief. Or the career. Other than a few interludes, she’d turned off that part of her. Not enough time or energy. But in truth, not enough confidence. Too much risk.
Wimp.
So instead of pulling back or retreating, she kept her feet where they were and tried again to relax.
Rayce’s hands didn’t stay still. Almost absent-mindedly, they moved over her toes, her arches, up over her ankles and her calves. Over and over again. A soft, gentle touch that soothed and incited at the same time.
Relax. Right.
“You scared me the other night.”
It took a moment for his soft words to register. Her ill-fated canoe trip. “Yeah. Me too.”
“Can you tell me what happened? If I yell, go ahead and kick me with your good leg.”
The leg he was rubbing with such gentleness. Kicking him wasn’t what was on her mind. “Nothing much. I was pissed at the world and needed to be away from people for a bit. Got caught up in the scenery and when I turned to come back home, it was pitch dark and I was a whole lot farther from town than I thought.”
No answer, just patience. And a foot rub. Was there anything better?
“I knew I’d screwed up, could hear you and your family’s warnings ringing in my head. Didn’t even have my cell phone. I tried to keep close to where I thought the shoreline lay but ended up a little too up close and personal with one of the outcroppings.”
The fear jittered back through her and she took a slow breath to keep her voice steady. “I didn’t even realize the canoe was leaking for a long time. By then, I’d spotted some light, so I had a goal.”
“And, you’ve always liked to have a goal.” His humor was as gentle as his touch.
“It helped. I think I kissed the piling when I finally reached the dock. Hugged it too.” Admit the rest? Might as well. “I’d been completely focused on reaching the dock, hadn’t even thought of paddling the canoe right up onto land.” She shook her head. “Stupid, but I got consumed by the goal.” Which had happened more often in her life than she was comfortable admitting. “Couldn’t see past it to the obvious answer.”
Her hands fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “I tried to climb up, couldn’t keep my balance and tipped the canoe. If you hadn’t arrived, I’d be dead. Don’t think I ever thanked you. So, thanks.”
The shaking in her voice betrayed every nerve she had, every fear she’d lived that night.
Rayce’s hands were suddenly on her waist, lifting her until she sat on his lap. Before she had time to register that, he had her wrapped in his strong arms with her head cradled into his neck. The hands that had so gently rubbed her feet did the same to her entire body, offering comfort.
“I’m so glad I was there, Kami.” The shakiness of his voice brought tears to her eyes, and she breathed deeply to keep them back. No more tears.
Instead, she reached around him and squeezed back, held on to the strength he offered. Pity party officially over. Someone would have cared if she’d died.
It was silly because she’d known it before, but knowing it was true—really true—helped melt away some of the pain she’d been carrying around for years.
Someone cared. Someone other than Carolina. It made her want to cheer. To live.
And in that instant, the contact changed.
Sure, the comfort was still there, but something stronger simmered. Kami became aware of the places their bodies touched, places they didn’t. Places she wanted them to touch.
Her fingers tentatively brushed her hands over the muscles in his back, and she breathed in deeply. All testosterone and sexy man. For a moment, Rayce’s body froze around her and she prepared herself to be pushed away. When he moved, though, his arms tightened around her and he buried his head into her shoulder.
A slight turn of her head would bring her lips into contact with his neck above the collar of his shirt. Was she misreading his touch? No.
Yes.
Maybe.
Time to find out. Kami leaned in and brushed her mouth over the exposed skin.
Every muscle under her hands tightened, and Rayce leaned away from her. Her own skin heated with embarrassment. He didn’t want her. Keeping her head down, she wondered if she could pretend it hadn’t happened. Or laugh it off as an accident. Anything but the truth.
As Rayce’s hands tightened, and he started to speak, Kami’s phone rang. She’d never heard a sweeter sound. Ever. Yanking herself backward, she twisted on the couch to grab her phone from the table and to turn her face away from him.
She’d have answered a call from Freaky Fan himself but she was relieved to see Sylvie’s number instead. “Bonjour.”
There was a moment’s hesitation before her friend responded. “What is wrong?”
Kami grabbed her cane and pushed to her feet, moving away quickly when Rayce’s hand moved to support her. She couldn’t handle his touch. As quickly as she could, she moved to the far side of the room. “Nothing at all. How are you?”
Another pause. Then a small chuckle. “He is there, is he not?”
Her skin flushed, making her glad she’d turned away. “Who?”
“He is. Your amour from the past. He is there and the two of you are alone. I will call you tomorrow.”
“No. Wait.”
Sylvie’s voice turned concerned. “You do not want to be alone with him?”
“That’s right. Hold on a second, Sylvie.” Kami turned to Rayce, who stood watching her, arms crossed over his chest, face implacable.
“I’m sorry, Rayce, I need to take this. I’ll see you later.” Then she turned her back to him, hoping he’d take the not-so-subtle hint and leave.
“Okay, Sylvie, go ahead and tell me.”
The dramatic sigh didn’t surprise her, but it did make her smile. “I do not like your subterfuge. You need to talk with your man, discuss the past and decide on your future. Running away or ignoring it won’t help.”
Kami didn’t respond. She could feel the weight of Rayce’s stare, knew he wasn’t preparing to leave. If she went into her bedroom and closed the door, would he go? Or would he think she was running away?
Which she would be.
“Fine. I will tell you the reason I called you, but then I’m hanging up and you will speak with him.”
Not if he’d left by then. How long could she fake a conversation after her friend hung up?
“Your stalker made contact once more. He is escalating, and the police are concerned, but they are no closer to finding him. Something about routing emails through various servers or something equally incomprehensible.”
“What did this one say?” The pause extended long enough to have Kami’s hands sweating and her heart pounding. “Sylvie, tell me.”
“Is your man still there? I want him to be there for you.”
“I’m fine, Sylvie. Tell me. Now.”
“He says he’s on his way.”
What? The lasagna churned in her stomach, and she gulped in deep breaths to keep it down. “His exact words?”
“Yes. And only that. I’m on my way with his usual sign off. I’m sorry, Kami, but I thought you’d want to know. Are you all right?”
Not even a little bit.
Rayce marched across the room and grabbed Kami’s arms. He eased her into a kitchen chair, then took the phone from her lifeless hand and yelled into it. “What the hell did you say to her?”
“Is she all right? Will you take care of her?”
As if she’d let him. “Yes. Tell me what you said.”
Kami blinked her glossy eyes, but her face was still pale as she reached for the phone. He easily evaded her and stepped out of reach, keeping his eyes on hers. “Tell me who the hell you are and what you said that scared the bones right out of her.”
That brought some spark back into her eyes, but not enough to have her surging to her feet and snatching back her phone.
“I am her friend. If Kami wishes to tell you more than that, it is up to her. As is the news I gave her.”
“Some friend.”
“Says the man who has ripped her into tiny pieces.”
Well. Hell. Is that how she described him?
“Take care of her. She needs someone there to be her friend. And, if you hurt her again, I will tear out your coeur and feed it to your blue mooses. Au revoir.”
And the wildcat hung up. The woman’s intensity continued to ripple through him long after he’d given Kami back the phone. “Was this the woman who called you at the job site and scared the crap out of you?”
Like Buzz Saw, Kami gave herself a full body shake and looked up at him. Unlike the dog, her eyes weren’t full of adoration and she wasn’t looking for a belly rub. Nope. Kami Rogers’ eyes were both wary and weary. Scared but trying so hard not to show it.
Instead of asking again, Rayce went to the stove and filled the kettle, turned it on, and dug out the hot chocolate mix. While he waited, he leaned forward, hands gripping the counter, and tried to decide on a game plan.
Demanding answers hadn’t worked. Neither had shouting. Or name-calling. He was pretty sure there’d been name-calling.
None of that. Not if he wanted to find an answer or two.
And certainly not if he wanted to be in the position of having her kiss him again. If she had. Had the brush of her lips been accidental or deliberate? He’d been shocked by the touch, so shocked, he’d frozen solid. Like a big, stupid popsicle.
The phone had rung before he’d been able to figure out if it was real or not. Now wasn’t the best time to ask. Or kiss her to find out her reaction.
The kettle boiled, and Rayce filled two mugs with the mix and some tiny marshmallows. According to his sister, Lil, the marshmallows turned it from good to fan-freaking-tastic.
After setting the mugs on the table, Rayce pulled over a chair and sat on the same side of the table as Kami. Thigh to thigh. Where she couldn’t avoid him.
Of course, Kami didn’t make it easy. She kept her head down but did deign to reach for the hot chocolate. Rather than taking a sip, she held the mug in her hands as if she were deep-down frozen. Or she was using it as a shield to keep him away.
“Assuming you’re not best buddies with a psychopath, I’m going to guess that your friend delivered some crappy news.” Kami didn’t need to lift her head for him to feel her eye roll. “You asked her what this one said, so I’m going to assume someone is threatening you by letters or emails.”
Her head whipped up, mouth slightly open, but she didn’t deny it, which made his stomach clench. He didn’t want to be right. “How serious are these threats?” Keeping his voice calm took an effort, but he managed it.
Head back down, she shrugged. “They’re not threats. Just creepy.”
“There’s no such thing as just creepy. You’ve told Dave? The police chief?” She nodded and he could have left it there. “What do the letters say?”
Her shoulders shrugged, but he waited her out. She lifted the mug and took a few small sips, licking the marshmallow from her lips. Probably an innocent move, but distracting as hell. After a few more sips and a few more licks, she sighed. “He says he’s going to take care of me.”
“What?” His voice was way too loud and hot chocolate sloshed over the edge of her mug. He took it out of her hands and set it on the table. It only took a second to grab a cloth to wipe up the drops she’d spilled on her hands and sweatshirt. It took a little longer to force his voice back into control.
When he sat, he took her hands in his. “Tell me.”
Her small breath of a laugh made him realize he’d demanded again when he’d promised he’d ask. Too late. “Bossy and persistent. How could I have forgotten? Sylvie’s my manager and she takes care of the website and the fan mail. Most of the mail is wonderful but some are, well, creepy.”
“Like this guy.”
She nodded. “It started out weird, but each email is worse.”
“What are they doing to catch him?”
Another shrug and she hadn’t looked up at him yet. “He’s sneaky. Never says anything to identify himself and he does something with his computer so it was impossible to tell where he was.”
“Was? You mean they know now?”
With her hands in his, he felt her body shudder. “Not really.”
“Tell me the rest, Kami. You know I’m going to keep pestering until I have the whole story.”
That got him an annoyed glance, which made him grin.
“Fine. He says the accident was a good thing because it means I’ll have more time to spend with him. He plans to take care of me and his latest message says he’s on his way here.”
Her words stunned him for a moment, as did the way she tried so hard to look defiant and keep her voice steady. She was trying to be nonchalant, but if the fear that ran through him at her words was anything to go by, she had to be scared to death.
Gripping her hands more securely, he blew out a breath. “That’s more than a little creepy. What did Dave say?”
“Not much. Stay aware of people around me, stay in public places. The usual.”
“How many people know you’re here in Bloo Moose?”
“Other than the people in Bloo Moose? No one. Well, except for Sylvie. And I guess the bankers and lawyers too.”
That stunned him almost as much as the words from the bastard threatening her. No one. She’d left everyone behind. Hadn’t she let anyone close?
And how much of that was his fault? Sylvie’s words implied a lot.
Unaware of his train of thought, Kami continued. “Which means he’s not really on his way, he’s just getting sick thrills from freaking me out. I can’t let him. I’m not going to.”
But she was. Not that he was going to say that out loud now that she was actually talking to him.
Kami pulled her hands away and picked up the hot chocolate, took a sip, separating herself from him and the conversation. Too bad. He’d finally made some progress, and he wasn’t giving ground. “You can’t stay here alone. You’ll have to move to a more secure location with more people around. And security. Lil’s good at all that computer security stuff. I’ll call her in the morning and get her opinion. We’ll make sure you’re never alone.”
“Stop.”
The word surprised him, and he looked down to find her shaking her head. “What?”
“You’re not in charge, here, Rayce, and I’m not moving.”
“Why not? You want this guy to find you?”
“This guy is probably in another part of the world getting his kicks, thinking of me running and hiding. I’ll take precautions but I’m not making any major changes.”
“That’s stupid and you’re not stupid.”
“That’s not what you said the other day.”
Rayce pushed out of the chair and paced the interior of the cabin for a few minutes. When he stopped, he stood on the far side of the table. “How can I help?”
Her lips lifted, and her small laugh was full of surprise. “A question instead of an order. Nice.”
If he was four, he would have stuck out his tongue at her. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and waited. The intimidation tactic didn’t work at all, but somehow it made Kami more relaxed and her smile widened. “It’s nothing to worry about. I’ll forward this latest information to Dave and he can connect to the FBI.”
“The FBI’s involved?”
She closed her eyes in reaction and he knew she hadn’t wanted him to know how bad it was. “Let them do their job, Rayce. They’ll tell me when it’s time to worry.”
Screw that.