They’d spent much of the night exploring each other from head to toe.There were areas of her body that, if touched or kissed, made her gasp.Other areas made her moan.And one or two even made her scream.He grinned at the thought.She had screamed in delight many times during the night, and he couldn’t wait for a repeat performance.Yup, he definitely was a lucky man.
An hour later, he returned to find his brother exactly where he left him.Brian tossed him the towel.“Your lady friend hasn’t come out yet.She too ...ahem...worn out to join us?”
He growled.“Watch it, asshole.”
Brian leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on another one.“So, tell me about this mystery woman Uncle Dan rented the cottage to.”
Wiping the sweat off his face, KC shrugged.“No mystery.Maura was in an abusive relationship.When she’d had enough, she took off running.She’s afraid the jerk will come after her, so she keeps a low profile.Uncle D.felt sorry for her and decided to rent her the house.”
“Uh-huh.”
He didn’t like the skeptical response.“Come on.You know Dan.Always bringing home strays.”
Tilting his head, Brian conceded ...a little.“Of course, but this is the first time you ever became involved with one of those strays.”
His eyes narrowed.It wasn’t like his brother to stick his nose in any relationship either of his siblings got involved in.“I won’t deny I’m attracted to her, but I’ve only known her less than a week.Who knows where this is headed?For now, I’m enjoying myself, and so is she.No harm, no foul.So back off.”
Brian held up one hand as a sign he was doing as requested.“Okay, bro.I just don’t want you getting involved in someone else’s troubles.”
“She left those troubles behind her.”
The door behind him opened, and they both turned to see Maura emerge from the house, oblivious to their conversation.KC grinned at her rumpled state, but she looked rested and incredibly sexy.She had thrown on a pair of black sweatpants and a gray T-shirt.Even though he could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra, KC knew Brian would never embarrass her by mentioning it or indicating that he was aware of the fact.He had grown up learning the same gentlemanly traits KC had.
When Maura noticed KC wasn’t alone, her gait and smile faltered.Both men stood, and he took care of the introductions.“Brian, this is Maura Jennings.Maura, this is my brother Brian.He’s a detective with the State Bureau of Investigations out of Elizabeth City and lives about forty minutes away in Camden.”
At the mention of his career, Maura paled slightly but quickly recovered.KC may not have noticed, but Brian definitely did, and it piqued his curiosity about the woman even more.
Studying her with the eye of an experienced detective, he stepped forward and held out his hand.“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She cleared her throat and shook his hand after a moment’s hesitation.“It’s nice to meet you, too.”He noticed her swallow hard under his gaze, and she tugged her hand from his.Struggling to smile, she turned to KC.“I’m going to make some coffee—do you want some?”
Wanting to look around inside without either of them there, Brian spoke up.“Why don’t I make it?You two sit and relax.”He pointed at a paper bag sitting on the table, which he’d brought with him earlier.“I picked up some bagels and scallion cream cheese for breakfast.I’ll bring out plates and utensils too.”
He made a beeline for the door, not waiting for either to turn him down.Inside the cottage, he quickly set the coffeemaker, gathered some plates, knives, and napkins, and placed them on a serving tray.He glanced around the kitchen as the coffee brewed, not seeing what he was looking for.
He moved on silent feet back into the living room.Spotting a small purse on the back of the couch, he glanced toward the porch.Making sure KC and Maura couldn’t see him, he quickly opened the purse and found her wallet.“Moriah Jensen” was the name on the Illinois driver’s license next to a picture of Maura.
Huh?Now, why is she using an alias?Probably for nothing good.
Memorizing her date of birth, Brian put the wallet back in the purse and left it exactly how he found it.Returning to the kitchen, he poured two cups of coffee and set them on the tray with milk and sugar.
Putting on an air of nonchalance, he picked up the tray and headed for the porch door.
Chapter14
Panic assailed Moriah as she watched Brian enter the cottage.
Oh, God,a state investigator!A cop!
What were the fucking odds KC’s brother would be in law enforcement?This could get very ugly, very quickly, if she didn’t get herself under control.She couldn’t do anything that would raise suspicion, which meant she had to act as normal as possible and do everything in her power to appear unflustered.
Pretend he’s a stockbroker,she told herself.Yeah, right.Good, fucking luck with that.
KC reached out, took her arm, and pulled out a chair for her.A shiver traveled up her spine as he whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful this morning.”
Moriah wasn’t sure if the trembling she felt was a reaction to KC or fear.“Th-thanks.”
His eyes narrowed as he inspected her face.“Everything okay?”
