“Don’t—don’t ever,” she gasped, trying to think rationally and failing miserably, “do that again!”
“Why not?” he asked, his eyes gleaming, a satisfied smile plastered across his jaw. “Didn’t you enjoy it?”
“No!”
“Kaylie, don’t lie!”
She backed up, her cheeks flaming, her feet nearly stumbling over an ottoman. “You took me by s
urprise, that’s all.”
He cocked a disbelieving dark brow. “Maybe I should plan some more surprises.”
“Maybe you should go out and feed the cows or horses or chickens or whatever it is you’ve got here and leave me alone!”
One dark brow arched in skepticism. “Leave you alone. That, I’m afraid, will be hard to do.”
“Consider it a challenge!” she said, though she knew that being locked in close quarters with him would make it as difficult for her as it was for him.
He didn’t leave. Instead he crossed his arms over his chest. To her consternation, he actually grinned—that boyish and adorable grin that wormed its way straight through her cold facade. “We should declare a truce. You know, wave the white flag—try to be civil to each other instead of always lunging for the jugular.”
“In this situation?”
“It’ll make things easier.”
“For you!”
“For both of us,” he said softly. “Come on, give it a rest. You might just find that you’ll enjoy yourself.”
She swallowed hard. That was exactly what she was afraid of—enjoying herself. Why couldn’t she just hate him? It would be so much easier than fighting these lingering feelings that she couldn’t quite forget. “I—I don’t know.”
“I’ll be good,” he promised, but a gleam sparked in his eyes.
What would it hurt? She was tired of the constant battle, though she still bristled at the thought of his high-handed technique of kidnapping her. She had rights, rights he had no business ignoring. “You know, Zane, I’d like to trust you—to get along with you, I really would,” she admitted honestly, “but it’ll be hard.”
“Try,” he suggested. “I’ll be on my best behavior—charming and good-natured and…as fair as possible.”
She blew her bangs out of her eyes in frustration. Fair? Impossible. But there was something beguiling about his smile, something she couldn’t resist—something she had never been able to fight. “A truce, hmm?” she said, picking up a crystal paperweight and tossing it into the air only to catch it again. “Okay—on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“That as soon as we find out that Lee Johnston won’t be allowed out of the mental hospital, you release me.”
His mouth tightened imperceptibly, but he rounded the desk and extended his hand to her. “It’s a deal,” he said, wrapping strong fingers over hers.
“Deal,” she agreed, shaking his hand, then trying to retrieve her palm from his grasp.
But he didn’t let go. Instead he tugged slightly and, lowering his head, dropped a gentle kiss across her mouth. Soft as a whisper, his lips lingered against hers. Tenderness flooded her and she felt weak inside.
“I promise you,” he reassured, lifting his head and staring into her eyes, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Her throat clogged. “I—I don’t need a bodyguard.”
One side of his mouth twisted wryly. “I hope you’re right.” He scooped a felt Stetson from the brass tree near the door and sauntered out of the room.
She touched her lips with her fingertips. Her pulse was thundering, her knees weak. She sagged against the desk and ran trembling fingers through her hair. Oh, Kaylie, girl, you’re in a mess this time! You thought he was out of your system for good, but just one kiss and you melted inside.
She closed her eyes, squeezing them shut, forcing her breathing to slow, her heartbeat to quiet. This would never do. She had to think, be on her toes every minute. Or else she would end up falling in love with him again! “Oh, God,” she whispered, afraid of the pain and heartache.