Page 27 of Too Lethal to Love

And now a vision of Kane in running shorts, sweat pouring down his shirtless torso as he circled the red barn, had another part of her body wet.

He rubbed his thigh. “Good thing my bones were in one piece when they were blown to hell.”

Pain flashed in his eyes as he scanned the street. Sometimes, like when he was talking about things that deepened his dimples so much they overflowed with joy, she forgot she wasn’t the only one who’d suffered and been left with scars.

Following his gaze, she studied the area around her parent’s place. Was her stalker lying in wait behind her neighbor’s giant blow-up reindeer? Or maybe Chavez took cover on the other side of the house behind Rita and Jerry’s life-size Santa village. Rita would have a fit if someone shot a hole in one of the jolly elves.

Kane reached into the back seat. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” She eyed the gift bag in his hands. “What are those?”

He smiled and winked as he pulled out two red tins. “One is something for us to enjoy. The other is to thank your parents for having me. They can open it when they get home.”

“That’s not necessary.” But damn, it was respectful and sweet.

He opened his door and slid his leg out. “Where I come from, it is.”

Oh no, there was that country boy charm her parents would love. Good thing they weren’t around to hear him compliment their Christmas lights and witness him acting all gentlemanly. They’d get excited she’d finally brought someone home and she didn’t want to disappoint them.

She twisted in her seat to follow his movements. With efficient strides, he walked around to her side of the truck and opened the door. Cold air whipped in, and she shivered. The temperature had dropped considerably since they’d left the liquor store.

He held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s get you inside before it snows.”

She took it and sniffed the air. “It sure smells like it’s going to snow but it’s not supposed to start until later.”

He cupped her elbow and guided her around the car. As they approached the steps, he dipped his head to her ear. “Ibet when this place is lit up at night and the snow is falling, it’s as sparkly as you are.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

“You should.”

He nudged the collar of her coat with his nose as he lifted his head. She could swear he sniffed her hair.

“Beth, is that you?”

Kane tensed as she spun to the familiar voice. She laid her hand on his arm. “Relax, it’s just my neighbor.”

She waved to the elderly woman peering at them from the edge of the porch next door. “Hi Rita. Merry Christmas.”

“Hi dear. Who’s that with you?”

“I’m Kane, Beth’s boyfriend.” He tipped his cowboy hat. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

Rita’s delighted laugh carried across the snow-crusted lawn. “The pleasure is all mine, handsome.”

Sweet Jesus, that man could charm the pants off anybody. Except her. Her pants needed to stay buttoned up tight.

“Do we really need to pretend we’re a couple in front of the neighbors?” Beth whispered.

“Yes.” He dropped a kiss to her forehead. “Nic’s buddies reported they didn’t find any bugs earlier, but that doesn’t mean someone won’t try and tap into your parents’ network.” He waved to Rita once more as he guided Beth up the steps. “It’s best if we make everyone in town believe I’m head over heels for you instead of here to protect your cute ass.”

She tilted her head as she punched the security code into a console. “Cute ass? That’s not very professional.”

“Stop making my job harder by arguing and let us inside. And once we’re in there, you don’t leave without me, or I’ll put you over my knee and make your cute ass as red as this door, darling.”

She snapped her head so hard her neck twinged. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” Kane didn’t wait for a response as he nudged Beth over the threshold. As he closed the door behind them, he blocked Gran’s nonsense about Beth being the one for him and chalked up the inappropriate conversation he’d initiated to simple lust. Taking in the layout of the house didn’t calm his throbbing need for a taste of Beth. Not when the place glittered as brightly as she did.

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