Page 18 of Queen of Diamonds
“Kinsey,” Alex said. “I like that name.”
“How do you know so much about her?” Court glanced at Nate. “What’s he not telling us?”
That I felt a connection the moment our eyes met. That I slept with her.“Look, this woman came into Aces and Eights—”
Alex made a growling sound. “She came into the bar alone?”
And there was the protectiveness Kinsey would get from her brothers and would hate. Or so he thought. She’d been on her own, making her own decisions for a long time, and it was going to be an adjustment for her to have three very alpha males wanting to dictate her every move. That was the way the Gentrys rolled when it came to those important to them, and Kinsey would be. He doubted if she had a clue how much her life was about to change.
They would mean well, but they’d smother her if she let them. She was a strong-willed woman, though, and it was going to be interesting watching their relationship play out. If he was still alive to see it.
“I don’t like that smile on your face, Stevens,” Nate said.
So now he was Stevens. And he hadn’t realized he was smiling, but he tended to do that where she was concerned.
Court scowled. “I don’t either. You better not be messing around with our sister.”
“Christ, you three haven’t even met her yet, and already you’re making decisions for her.” Before this little meeting ended up in a brawl, he said, “She’s nervous about meeting you. Let me prepare her.” It was time to get out of Dodge. He stood. “I’ll call you and tell you where she’ll be. I won’t bother her at work, though, so it won’t be until tonight.”
He’d made it to the door when Nate said, “Fine, but I better not find out that you’re sleeping with her.”
That horse already left the barn.
Rand wasn’tsure what time Kinsey got off work, so a little before five, he parked outside her apartment. While he waited for her, he called Josh.
“Listen, something’s come up, and I’m going to be late getting to the bar.”
“No problem, dude.”
“It’s possible I might not get there at all, but I’ll keep in touch. If anything comes up, call me.”
“Got it covered, dude.”
“Thanks,dude,” he said, grinning. After he disconnected, he checked his e-mail while he waited. A little before six Kinsey pulled up next to him. He got out of his car and walked to her door. Her frown at seeing him wasn’t a surprise considering the way he’d left her last night.
“Rand?” she said after exiting her car.
Distracted by how sexy she looked in a crisp white blouse—unbuttoned just enough to show a tantalizing hint of cleavage—a black pencil skirt, black heels, and her hair pulled back in a low ponytail, he didn’t answer her. He needed his mouth on hers, and the urge to back her up against her car door almost—
“Why are you here, Rand?”
“Ah.” He blinked away the fantasy playing in his head. “Right. We need to talk.” He hated seeing her expression close up and the way her beautiful eyes blanked, especially knowing he was the reason for it. He’d as much as called her a liar when she’d claimed the Gentrys were her brothers.
“Can we go inside?”
She glanced from him to her apartment door as if debating her answer, then shrugged. “Okay.”
Rand followed her up the sidewalk but kept a few feet between them. If he was close enough to touch her, he doubted his hand would obey his command to stay at his side. The problem with being behind her was that he had an excellent view of her fine ass and his eyes were drawn to the sway of her hips as she walked ahead of him.
He’d suffered a loss that no parent should have to live through, and he’d shut down, going through his days like a programmed robot. But this woman had him wanting to feel human again. If he could have one wish, it would be to live the previous evening over again, to believe Kinsey when she’d said the Gentrys were her brothers.
Kinsey was mad at her heart for the way it had pounded against her chest when she’d seen Rand waiting for her. He’d hurt her when he’d walked out the way he had. She’d spent the day convincing herself that it didn’t matter because he meant nothing to her… Well, when she wasn’t avoiding Sebastian’s roving hands. He’d been a bigger pest than usual. It was becoming obvious that she needed to look for another job, and that only added to her sour mood.
She almost asked Rand if he wanted something to drink but then decided she wasn’t feeling all that cordial toward him. “Well?” she said, turning to face him. The sooner he told her whatever he came to say, the sooner he’d leave. Then she could get about the business of feeling sorry for herself.
He glanced into her living room. “Can we sit down?”
She sighed. “Okay.” Ever the gentleman, he waited until she was seated on the sofa before he took the chair next to her.
