Page 94 of At the Edge of Surrender

He sent me a crooked grin.

Damn him. There was no stopping the fluttering that flitted in my stomach.

That spiral of energy that looped and weaved.

Tying me in knots of discord.

Maci took a big bite of her fajita, chewing as she garbled, “Whelp, tastes like we did a good job, Mr. Kane.”

“We sure did, thanks to you,” he said as he took a bite.

Warily, I turned my attention to the plate. Picking up the fajita mixture that was already wrapped in a tortilla, I brought it to my mouth.

Flavor exploded on my tongue.

All those scents I’d smelled amplified.

Onion and garlic and the perfect blend of spice against the melted cheese.

Dang, they really did do a good job.

“You like?” Kane asked.

I looked up to find him with some kind of arrogant tilt to his head. Like maybe he wasn’t referring to the food at all.

Rolling my eyes, I didn’t answer, I just took another bite, sure I didn’t do anything to hide the little moan that worked its way free at the taste. You know, considering the rough scrape of a laugh that lumbered out of him.

Then he picked up his phone that he’d set on the table next to his plate and waved it around a little as he turned his attention to Maci.

“So, my family has been blowing me up all day, asking when they get to meet you.”

“Who me?” Maci chirped around her food.

Protectiveness swelled, and I sent Kane a warning glance. He sent me one that promised he knew what he was doing.

“That’s right. Took everything I had to keep them from busting down the front door today, but they thought maybe you might like to go to a barbecue at one of my brothers’ houses this coming Sunday. The one who has the little boy.”

“You mean my new best friend?”

Something that sounded far too close to affection rippled out of him. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

“Do I even gotta give an answer? Duh.”

“Okay, sassy pants,” I reprimanded quietly, trying not to laugh.

Kane didn’t seem to see reason for restraint.

His bellowed.

Bouncing off the windows and walls.

Trembling over me in a warmth I shouldn’t feel.

“I thought you might like to, but figured I’d better check first.” Kane looked at me then. As if he were asking for my permission.

As if it mattered.

As ifImattered.

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