He removes his sunglasses, his gray eyes smoky with gratitude and something else. “Thank you.”
His fingers touch mine as he takes the iced tea from me. I watch the workings of his throat as he tips his head back and drinks deeply from the flask. A flare of dangerous heat ignites in my belly. He’s sexy and rough and tormented, and I can’t seem to get enough of him.
“Mel and I are heading back to the house,” Ross says.
Kane lowers the flask, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Fine,” he says absently, his eyes never leaving mine.
“We’ll see you later,” Ross adds.
“Yeah.”
“Amy, are you coming with us?” Mel asks. “Or do you want to stay?”
Kane keeps his eyes on mine. I understand. It’s up to me.
An ache winds its way under my skin. This feels like it can only end in disaster. A part of me wishes I was strong enough to leave with Ross and Mel, that I would put protecting myself above all else, but a greater part of me wants to embrace the thrilling sensation of feeling more joyfully alive than I’ve feltin years.
“I’m staying,” I say finally.
I’m not going to think of my father and the repercussions of my decision. Not now, not when I want only to feel and not think.
“Kane.” It’s all Ross says, but the warning in his tone is unmistakable.
Without looking at Ross, Kane says dismissively, “Go.”
“See you guys later.” A smile lilts Mel’s words as she tugs on Ross’s arm.
I don’t notice their departure. My pulse is racing and I can’t tear my gaze away from all the promises in Kane’s eyes. The intimacy of this moment weaves its way between us.
“If you’re hungry,” I say huskily, “there are sandwiches in the backpack.”
“I’m not hungry for sandwiches.” His hands frame my face and his expression softens. “I can’t fight this attraction between us anymore. I don’t want to.”
“I don’t want to fight it either,” I whisper.
His eyes roam my face. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
His thumb brushes my cheek and then he lowers his head and kisses me. The softest touch at first, but then my lips part beneath his and he deepens the kiss, his mouth moving hungrily over mine.
Glorious color bursts inside me. And with it the revelation of the bland black-and-white version of my life I’ve been living. Only now do I realize how truly lonely I’ve been.
My hands slide up the muscles of Kane’s back, his sun-hot skin scorching my palms, igniting a fevered heat inside me. I’m falling so fast here and the plunge is both electrifying and terrifying.
This time, when Kane ends the kiss, there are no poison-soaked words hurled my way. Instead, there’s a gentleness in his eyes that makes me feel like I can’t breathe.
Kane links his fingers with mine. It’s the first time he’s touched my hand for the holding. Before, it’s always todrag me somewhere I don’t want to go or fix what he’s damaged. Holding his hand feels good. And in a weird, indefinable way, it feels right.
“You have no idea how much I want you,” he says, his voice hoarse.
“I want you too,” I murmur.
“It kills me to say this, but I can’t make love to you under these circumstances.”
“But—”
“No.” His tone is soft and unrelenting. “Not with you still my hostage.”
