Son of a bitch, Kane cursed silently. Even from the next room he could sense Rebecca’s discomfort. They’d all set her up. And no one had said anything to him about it, probably because they knew he would tell them all to fuck off and leave her the hell alone.
“So it’s all set. He’s picking you up here ...”
“Tonight?”
He couldn’t see her face, but Kane could imagine her expression based on the hint of panic in her voice. Surely she knew he could hear every word. And damn it, she wouldn’t tell them no. She wouldn’t tell them she already had plans, because then she’d have to admit she was spending time with him, and she would never put him on the spot like that.
“Yes!” Lexi said excitedly. “You already look stunning, by the way. But maybe we can do up your hair a little...”
“Maybe add a touch of makeup, you know, play up those pretty eyes a bit...”
“She can’t.” Kane’s deep voice from the doorway startled them, Rebecca most of all. She must have jumped two inches from the seat of her chair.
“And why not?” Taryn asked, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her eyes.
“Because,” Kane said, his voice low and deep. “She’s coming to the cabin with me tonight.”
The game in the other room suddenly sounded deafeningly loud as all conversations ceased at Kane’s unexpected declaration. They couldn’t have been more stunned if Kane had suddenly announced he was taking up embroidery and preferred men sexually. Well, everyone except Taryn, that was. Kane caught the hint of a smirk across her lips and realized he’d just been had every bit as much as Rebecca. He would deal with her later.
Rebecca did look at him then, her eyes questioning.
“Becca?” Aidan said, easing his way past Kane. “Is this true?”
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“Of course it’s true,” Kane boomed. “Does anyone here have a problem with that?”
“I might.” Aidan said bravely, his face hardening. “She didn’t mention any such plans to me.”
Kane’s upper lip curled back slightly in the hint of a snarl. “Doesn’t sound like you mentioned yours to her, either. She’s a grown woman capable of making her own decisions and living her own life. Why don’t you start treating her like one?”
Aidan’s jaw clenched, the strain of restraint etched across his features. “Becca? Is this what you want?”
*
She looked at Kane again. At his exquisitely carved features. His burning blue eyes. He was giving her a chance here, opening the door for her. He knew that if she spoke in front of everyone Aidan would have to accept it. Once again, he was coming to her rescue.
Kane gave her a slight nod of encouragement, and a wave of strength washed over her. His strength. She took a deep breath before answering.
“Yes, Aidan, it is.”
––––––––
“Son of a bitch,” Aidan said later, as angry as Rebecca had ever seen him. “I can’t believe you’re really going through with this. I get it, Rebecca. Message received loud and clear. I’ll back off. Just don’t do this.”
Rebecca threw a few more things into her overnight bag, hoping he didn’t see her hands trembling. She couldn’t believe it either.
What had Kane been thinking? She knew he didn’t want to advertise the fact that they’d been spending time together, and she respected that. They were both very private people to begin with; two grown adults with a lot in common that enjoyed each other’s company, but others would inevitably get the wrong impression.
She’d already heard murmurings, whispered conjectures about the two of them, but it wasn’t like that. Not that she wouldn’t be willing, but Kane’s interest was one of friendship and companionship as well as a mutual desire to be left alone, not romance. And despite the images of what it could be like with him – based on the vivid images that invaded her dreams nearly every night now – she refused to jeopardize his friendship. Kane meant way too much to her to throw all that away on some overactive hormones.
This whole impulsive trip to his cabin confused the hell out of her. Where had that come from? Okay, she got that he was standing up for her, but this seemed a little extreme. Why not just tell them they were going to spend a quiet evening together, which would have been the truth?
She wished she’d had a chance to talk to him about it, but after his big announcement he’d shoo’ed her and Aiden out of there – presumably to stem the certain inquisition that would follow – insisting that she really needed to get back and pack if they were going to make it to the cabin before dark.
Knowing Kane, she thought she had a pretty good idea of the answer. A movie, a dinner – it wasn’t enough. They’d think that Kane was just protecting her – which he was – and still feel the need to hound her. But a couple of days alone together in his remote cabin? That would shut them up, at least for a while. No one would dare try to fix her up if they thought Kane was seriously interested in her that way.