“Lovelyn?”
I jumped and dropped the tracker back into my bag then peeked at the man approaching. Someone far less welcome than Kane whose neck I wanted to snap and kiss in equal measure.
Lyle Francis moved in on me.
Four months ago, Lyle had asked me out on a date. I’d accepted, and for a few weeks, we’d been seeing each other, to the point he introduced me to an acquaintance as his girlfriend. It was a label I hadn’t approved.
Lyle gave me the ick.
On the surface, he was a good-looking man. A few inches taller than me, well built from the fitness he needed to maintain as a cop. He wore his blond hair in a tidy wedge, and there was an air of polish about him that spoke of respectability. He was dependable.
He also had soft hands, and when he’d kissed me, I’d got caught up on that stupid detail.
I wasn’t attracted to him at all.
If we’d continued dating, the next natural step would have been us sleeping together, and I couldn’t stomach it. Lyle waspolite, nonthreatening, and I’d liked the sense of protection he gave by being around. But there was zero spark. I’d blamed my hormones, but there was nothing to be done.
I’d ended things over a drink in a bar down the road from the police HQ. He’d been disappointed or even annoyed but had let me walk away without too much of a fuss. I’d avoided him since.
Until now.
Then I spotted something even stranger. Over his shoulder, Kane emerged from the next building over, the solicitors’. Mila had mentioned going there, but I’d never expected her brother to be with her.
He smirked at me in that infuriating way that went straight to my core, then took in Lyle.
Lyle cupped my shoulder. “I’m so glad I bumped into you.
I inched back so his fingers fell away. “Oh? How are you, Lyle?”
“Better for seeing you.” He indicated with his head to the building. “Arriving or leaving?”
“Leaving.”
“Good timing. I was just thinking about an early dinner. Care to join me?”
I opened my mouth to refuse, but my words dried up as Kane arrived at my side. One big hand curled around the back of my neck, warm, possessive, and with absolutely no right to be there. Yet I didn’t move or shake him off like I did Lyle. In fact, I had to fight to keep the ripple of heat from my face.
“Hey, baby,” he purred.
Who the hell did he think he was? I clamped my jaw shut and glowered, though I couldn’t vouch for the expression that actually showed on my face.
Lyle jumped his gaze between us. Kane was half a foot taller than him. He towered over most people on the street. Then therewas his size, the muscles I’d dreamed about. Even in a close-fitting black jacket, his powerful form was obvious.
An unpleasant twist formed on Lyle’s lips. “Who’s this, Lovelyn?”
“No one who’ll waste time with ye.” Kane regarded me, effectively dismissing Lyle. “Ready to go?”
I had an easy out. I could tell Lyle yes, I’d go with him for a meal. Except I really didn’t want to encourage him and I needed a moment to tell Kane off. For unknown reasons, I didn’t want to do that publicly.
I gave Lyle a quick and apologetic smile. “Enjoy your dinner.”
Then I let Kane lead me away. The second we were around the corner, he removed his hand. A pity, because I’d wanted to throw him off.
“What was that?” I demanded. “Baby? Really?”
“What should I have gone with, flower girl? Darling? Sweetheart?”
“Why were you going with anything at all?”
