On the way home, Kylie burst out laughing in the solitude of her vehicle. She’d been with Destiny a full hour and never gotten around to that apology.
Her cell phone rang just as she pulled into the reserved parking space at her apartment. She fished it out of her purse and answered without checking the caller ID. “Hello?”
“Hey, Kylie. It’s Rick.”
“Oh! Uhm, hello.”
“You already said that.”
She managed a shaky smile, never mind that he couldn’t see it. “Yeah, I know I did. You’ll have to pardon me. I recently took a pretty nasty blow to the head.”
Rick’s deep laughter sent electric tingles right through her brain. So much for what was left of it after the accident. She grabbed her purse and climbed out of the car, holding the phone to her ear as she crossed the parking lot.
“What’s going on?”
“Does something have to be going on for me to call you?”
“No!” Why on earth would she get all flushed and embarrassed, when he wasn’t even here to see it happen? “You can call any time.”
“That’s good to know. Hey, this is really short notice, but I was hoping you’d have dinner here at the ranch with Lea and me tonight.”
“Oh.” She bit at her lip, inordinately pleased by his invitation. “Really?”
“No. I’m just kidding.”
She didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing. His low burst of laughter sent relief sweeping over her in a wave that left her weak. “Yes, really,” he said. “Why? Do you have plans?”
“Actually, I do.”
“Oh.” Surprise—and was that a little bit of disappointment she heard?
“I’m dining with a friend and his lovely little girl tonight. I’m afraid I’ll have to take a rain check.”
She could almost hear his smile. “Good one, Twinks! Slammed me with my own weapon, didn’t you?”
“I do have my moments.” She grinned.
“Lea is dancing on air after your visit yesterday.” His voice thickened, and he cleared his throat. “She’s six, Kylie, and that’s the first time she’s ever had a playmate in her room.”
“Well, Dayna tells me Eva Kate can’t wait to see Lea again. She’s making plans for a sleepover soon. How will you feel about that?”
“Scared to death!” Rick laughed, but she heard genuine nervousness in his voice. “She’s never been away from me overnight.”
“I’m not sure whether your concern is for Lea or for you.”
“It’s completely for me.” Rick’s laughter held a hint of panic. “Are you kidding? Lea will have a ball. I’m the one with all the doubts and uncertainties.”
“It’s a good thing, Rick. This is normal interaction between children. It’ll be good for her.”
“I know, and of course when she’s invited I will let her go. But her daddy may need a babysitter while she’s away.”
Kylie tugged at her lip again, not worried in the least about her mother’s abhorrence of the habit. “That’s OK…to be a little nervous, you know. And I just happen to know someone who might be willing to keep you company in Lea’s absence.”
“You do?” Rick lowered his voice, injecting a note of something that stole Kylie’s breath and increased her heartbeat to a dangerous level. “If it’s not you, don’t even bother. I’ll throw myself on the floor and kick my heels until I get the babysitter I want.”
She couldn’t help laughing. “Charming thought. But it’s possible I could be convinced to take on the job.”
Her apartment door was locked. She’d forgotten Shay was visiting their parents. Kylie fumbled for her keys, which she’d already dropped back into the bottomless depths of her hobo bag. Fortunately, they hadn’t settled too far just yet, and she was able to fish them out without dumping half her life on the sidewalk. She opened the door and let herself into the cool apartment. A quick flip of her wrist landed her purse on the coat tree in the entry. She crossed the room and dropped onto the sofa.
“Sorry, I was distracted for a second. Shay’s not here, and it took me a minute to find my house key.”
“Don’t change the subject, Twinks. How might I be able to talk you into babysitting a frightened daddy on his first evening alone in six years?”
She couldn’t stop smiling. She kicked off her sandals, stretched her feet out and laid back. “Well, I could tell you, but where’s the fun in that? Figure it out on your own.”
“Playing coy with me, are you?”
“Who, me?”
A loud knock on the door brought her to her feet with heart pounding. “Someone’s at my door, Rick. What time do you want me tonight?”
“I want you all the time. But maybe I can wait a few hours. Trina says dinner’s at six.”
She pretended she hadn’t heard what she thought he’d said, since she was probably dreaming anyway. “Perfect. See you then.”
Another barrage of loud pounding echoed through the room. She tossed the phone onto the coffee table and headed for the hall. “Hold on, I’m coming,” she called. In the entry, she stopped long enough to smooth her hair, swung the door open, and sucked in a startled breath. “Dylan!”
“Hey, Kylie. Long time no see.”
Eyes the color of dirty ice, framed by insanely long lashes. They watched, amusement in their murky depths, as her mouth dropped open in horrified shock. Black hair fell across a smooth, high forehead, and perfect white teeth gleamed when he smiled. Many women found that smile irresistible, on those occasions when he bothered to tone down the reptilian coldness of his eyes.
Kylie had gotten over that deadly attraction a long time ago.
Her visitor didn’t wait for an invitation. He placed one large hand on each of her arms, moved her out of his way, and strode into her home as if he belonged there.
****
Dylan Barnes walked through the small living room, picking up a picture, moving a vase—making himself at home. When he noticed Gus, her porcelain Dalmatian, he shook his head and rolled his eyes.
Kylie seethed. The shock of seeing him on her doorstep had delayed her reaction, but anger rapidly replaced that initial response.
“Why are you here, Dylan? What do you want?”
He hiked one brow and sent her a familiar cocky grin as he stepped into her tiny kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “What? No beer?”
“I don’t drink, and you know it.”
“But I do, sugar. I thought you’d keep a couple of cold ones in case I dropped by.”
She slid onto one of the bar stools and braced her feet on a low ledge. The moment they found support, both feet began a rapid, nervous dance. Kylie felt the vibrations all the way through her body. She clasped her hands together on top of the bar and took a good look at the man she had once considered the love of her life.
“I haven’t seen you in two years,” she spat. “I thought, with any luck, I might never have to again.”
He smirked. “Aww, come on, sugar. Don’t be that way. I missed you.”
“Don’t call me sugar.”
“Touchy, touchy.” He chose an apple from a bowl on the table and tossed it in the air once before biting a sizable chunk from one side. He spoke while munching the fruit. “Come on, Ky, give me a chance.”
“I did that once, but once is all you get. Aren’t you supposed to be in prison?”
“Got out last week. Armed robbery of a convenience store doesn’t put a guy away for life, you know.” He shook a long, tapered finger her way. “And I redefined ‘good behavior’ for those legal blowhards—shaved a nice, big chunk of time off my sentence.”
Kylie swung her stool around to follow his movements as Dylan rounded the bar, wandered to the sofa and plopped down in the center of it. He propped his feet on her coffee table and crossed them at the ankle. Tossing the half-eaten apple onto the tabletop, he patted the cushion beside him. “Come on over here and welcome me back. You know you’re glad to see me.” He sent her a suggestive eyebrow dance.
Terror rocketed through her brain, but she shoved it into submission. Dylan fed on weakness. She couldn’t let him see any.
Pulling in a huge breath, she glared at the obnoxious man parked on her divan. “Dylan, get out. I’m not glad to see you, and I don’t want you here.” She hurried to the front door and opened it. “Go.”
“But I like your place, Ky. It’s downright cozy. A perfect little love nest.”
“Whether you like it or not doesn’t matter to me. Now, either you get up and leave, or I call the police.”
“And say what?” Dylan sat up and dropped his feet to the floor. “That your boyfriend is cluttering up your perfect little playhouse?”
His nasty sneer turned Kylie’s stomach, and a lightning bolt of fear sliced through her anger. Stay calm, Ky. Don’t let him see that you’re scared.
“You’re not my boyfriend. Those days are long gone, and I have no plans to resurrect them. So please, just go. Don’t make this ugly, OK?”
He stared at her for a long time, while she sent up a dozen desperate prayers. They didn’t seem to be working. She watched the familiar, angry wave of red start in his neck and rise rapidly over his face. God, please, do something before this gets out of hand.
Dylan stood, his movements slow and precise, never taking his wintry eyes off of Kylie’s face. As if in a horrible dream, she watched him cross the floor to where she stood, still holding the door open. He stopped only inches away. “I’m not going anywhere, Kylie. I think you know that.”
“Oh, you’re going somewhere all right.” The deep voice startled both of them.
Kylie gasped and spun around to the open door. “Rick! What are you—how did you know—?”
He spared her a brief glance, and held up a finger. She got the message: Shut up and wait a minute. OK, she could do that.
Dylan attempted a cocky swagger. “I’m going somewhere? Says who?” He raked an insolent gaze over Kylie’s trembling frame. “This guy thinks he knows you, sugar.”
Fury shadowed Rick’s handsome features. He grabbed a handful of Dylan’s shirt and hauled the startled man’s face close to his own. “Don’t ever think you can speak to Kylie like that.” A vigorous shake bounced Dylan’s head like a bobble doll. The smirk disappeared, to be replaced with blatant terror. “Do you hear me?” Rick growled.
“Yeah, yeah. I hear you. I hear you, man!”
Kylie’s shocked gaze flew to Rick’s face. What she saw there snatched her breath away. His nicely shaped lips, usually curved into a pleasant smile, were a straight, trembling gash, circled by skin so white it appeared bloodless. The blue eyes that held such dangerous depths for her emotions glowed like fiery orbs.
“Rick?” She placed a hand on his bicep, hard as stone beneath her trembling fingers. “Don’t do anything stupid. He’s not worth it.”
Rick’s tortured gaze met hers and held it, even as his fists maintained a firm grasp on Dylan’s shirt. She watched him struggle with the desire to inflict serious bodily harm. Finally he shoved Kylie’s wide-eyed visitor against the wall. Without releasing the material in his hands, he bent close enough to speak directly in the other man’s ear. Watching them, Kylie forgot to breathe. It looked like some violent parody of a romantic encounter—completely minus the romance.
“You listen to me, and you listen good.” Not even a hint remained of the playfulness she’d heard in Rick’s voice ten minutes earlier. “I’ve called the police. They should be outside waiting for you by now.”
Had she heard sirens? Vaguely, Kylie recalled their strident wail, but with this drama being enacted in her own living room, the sound hadn’t registered until now.
“If they’re not out there and you’re lucky enough to get away, consider that your one and only chance. Hear me, you sorry excuse for a human being, because if I ever find you near Kylie again, I won’t wait for the cops, and you won’t get a chance to walk away.”
Another vicious shake, and Dylan raised both hands in surrender. His face no longer bore any sign of a smirk, and not even a shadow of bravado. “Got it, dude.”
Rick motioned with his head for Kylie to step around them and out of the doorway. When she was safely inside, he released Dylan and stepped back. “Get out of my sight.”
Free of Rick’s iron hold, Dylan straightened his shirt, strutted a couple of steps and turned around. He opened his mouth, already feeling a return of his former arrogance, but turned tail and fled when Rick took a step in his direction.
Seconds later, she heard the police go into action. “CCPD! Freeze!” The strong voice rang out, sounding to Kylie like the peal of victory bells.
She and Rick stepped to the door and watched Dylan receive a nice, sturdy pair of bracelets and a brusque escort into the back of a police car. An officer trotted over to join them. “Are you all right, ma’am?”
“I’m fine. Thank you, officer.” She had stayed strong through the entire episode, but now tears stung the backs of her eyes, and her lips trembled.
Rick slid an arm around her. “It’s OK, sweetheart. Cry if you need to.”
She buried her head in his shoulder, embarrassed by the sudden wave of emotion. The bad stuff was over. Why lose it now?
The officer spoke to Rick, while Kylie kept her face hidden and thanked God Rick was there to stand between her and any kind of interrogation.
“I need to get Ms. Matthews’s statement, but I suppose it can wait. Will you bring her to the station in the morning?”
“Sure, Cal. Thanks for showing up so fast.”
“No problem, man.” Kylie peeked from her hiding place against Rick’s chest as the two men shook hands. “See you later.”
The officer walked away, and Rick gently urged Kylie back into her apartment. He eased her onto the sofa, and stepped into the kitchen, though she wanted nothing more than to take her own grasp on his shirt and never let go. He returned a moment later with a glass of water, placed it in her hand and sat down beside her.
She took a small sip, but too many questions demanded an answer. “How on earth—we just talked! I thought you were at the ranch.”
“Nope, I was a few blocks away. I’m running errands for Trina, since I coerced her into making a special dinner with so little notice.”
“But I don’t understand. How did you know what was going on?”
Rick’s gaze traveled the room, finally landing on her coffee table. He grinned, bent forward, and picked up her cell phone. “You really should make sure you hang up your phone when you finish talking, although I have to admit, I’m glad you didn’t this time.”
Kylie stared at the phone, trying to grasp what happened. “I didn’t hang up?” She shook her head, puzzled. “You didn’t hang up?”
“No, I was telling you to go ahead and answer the door, and I’d wait. You didn’t answer, and—” He swallowed hard, and a muscle in his jaw flexed before he went on. “I heard what was going on.”
Kylie shuddered. “Thank God! How did you get the police to respond so quickly?”
“Cal’s an old friend. I called in a favor, and he just happened to be close enough to get here fast.”
She shook her head. “So many coincidences.”
Rick pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I don’t believe in coincidence.”
“I don’t think I do either. Not anymore.”
He cupped her face in his hands and studied it. “Are you sure you’re OK? He didn’t hurt you?”
“He didn’t get a chance to touch me, but he would have. I’ve seen that look in his eyes before.” She shuddered. “I’m fine, Rick, thanks to you.”
“Don’t thank me, Kylie. Thank God. What if we hadn’t been on the phone?” Rick closed his eyes and gave a brief, hard shake of his head. “No. I can’t even think about it.”
“Neither can I.”
“Are you going to tell me who he is?”
Kylie laughed, even as tears streaked down her face. “No one. Dylan Barnes is no one—at least, that’s what he is to me.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, but I think I’m gonna need a little more than that.”
She managed a shaky smile and touched his lips with her finger. “I promise, I’ll tell you everything, but can it wait? I need—” Warmth crept into her cheeks at her brazen request. “I need you to hold me right now.”
Rick gathered her into his arms and pulled her tight against his chest. “I can do that for—for as long as it takes. And when you feel strong enough, I’ll just drive you out to the ranch with me, if you don’t mind.” He tightened his hold. “You’re not getting out of my sight for the rest of the day…maybe longer.”
Kylie closed her eyes and inhaled his cologne, mixed with the special man-smell that was uniquely Rick’s. She nestled closer and relaxed in the circle of his arms. “No problem. I’m right where I want to be.”