No, of course he wasn’t. He was just making small talk. Idle conversation. Jeez, she really needed to get a grip here. What was it about this man that wreaked havoc upon each and every one of her senses?
She peeked up to find him watching her intently again. Kane saw too much, and he was as persistent as he was gorgeous. If she didn’t want to scare him off, she would have to do a better job of censoring herself. Honesty was a wonderful thing, but so was prudence.
Rebecca was not about to jeopardize her time with him by baring her soul. Despite having to be careful, she felt like she was able to be herself around him more so than anyone else. They might not know a lot about each other, but they had still connected on some level.
She had no interest in any one, present company excluded, of course. But she couldn’t tell him that. Such a confession was likely to have him leaving skid marks in his haste to run for the hills. That alone was enough to make her bury this compelling attraction to him and curb her tongue.
She chanced another glance. So solid. So confident. A core of strength. He didn’t worry about what other people thought. And he probably never second guessed anything.
*
She peeked up at him again; there was something unreadable in those expressive eyes of hers. What exactly was she thinking?
Their time together would be coming to an end soon. He hadn’t expected to enjoy himself as much as he had, or to spend quite as much time with her. Now that darkness was falling in earnest, he found himself wanting just a few more moments in her gentle presence, to enjoy the peace she brought with her. The only other time he felt this at ease was when he’d spent a couple of days up in his cabin, far removed from everyone and everything.
He refused to analyze just what it might mean - to be able to get that same feeling instantly just by being in a woman’s presence. Rebecca was special, yes, but she had that same calming effect on everyone, not just him. As far as she was concerned, he was probably just another charity case. The thought should have bothered him more than it did. As it was, he was just fine with it if it kept her close.
They sat for a while longer until the darkness was complete. Was she stalling, too, he wondered? Was she just as loathe to call an end to the evening?
Eventually he heard her heave a heavy sigh. “Well, I suppose I should be going. Aidan is expecting me.”
Kane sprung to his feet, ignoring the painful twinge in his hip, and offered her his hand. This time she didn’t hesitate to take it. Warmth rippled instantly through his arm and right into his belly.
“Can I give you a ride?” Kane offered, keeping her hand loosely in his. Rebecca could have pulled away easily. She didn’t.
“I’m supposed to meet Aidan at the Goddess.”
“I figured that.”
“I need to head back to Aidan’s and change.”
Kane regarded her. He’d assumed that as well. If she was declining the ride then she would have to come right out and say so.
“You’d have to drive all the way up the mountain and back again,” she said apologetically.
Eventually she would learn that he considered things from all angles before opening his mouth, but for her, he would be patient. “I don’t mind.”
For a moment he thought she would refuse, but then she surprised him with a smile and agreed. “Then I accept.”
Why hadn’t he parked farther away? That was the question he kept asking himself as they made their way around the front of the building toward the lot. Even at the slow pace he’d set, the walk to his truck went way too quickly. He told himself he only imagined that Rebecca seemed just as hesitant to release his hand as he opened the door for her, letting her fingers trail against his, preserving the contact for as long as possible.
When they arrived, he debated whether or not he should stay in his truck while she went in to change, but he gave in to his curiosity and followed her inside when she invited him. He would welcome anything that helped him understand her better. Not only that, but now he might have a more realistic backdrop for when his mind inevitably began conjuring pictures of her later this evening – where she was, what she was doing.
But only because he was concerned for her safety and well-being.
Aidan’s townhouse was very much like he expected. Large and spacious, professionally decorated. There was, perhaps, an exotic quality in some of the tapestries and fabrics that gave the place a decidedly rich feel. It was, in fact, the epitome of good taste.