“Phoenix,” he prompted, the name leaving a bad taste on his tongue.
Her lids blinked slowly over those brown eyes that now held more gold than anything. Eyes that he could stare into for an eternity. “Because he asked me.”
“He’s all wrong for you.”
The corners of her mouth twitched. “Yes. But it was nice to be asked, even if my brother did put him up to it.”
Kane frowned. “Why would he do such a thing?”
“Because he loves me, and he thinks it will make me happy.” There was a sadness in her voice that wasn’t there before, mixed in with the patient serenity that was such a part of her.
“What will make you happy, Rebecca?” he whispered against her ear, letting the moist heat of his breath skim over her skin. He felt her full body shiver acutely.
“You.” The word was less than a whisper, a mere puff of air against the cotton of his shirt. Perhaps she hadn’t really said anything, and he had imagined it simply because he wanted that to be her answer so badly.
The song ended all too soon. Any hopes he had of keeping her out there with him for another dance were dashed when the band announced that they were taking a short break but would be back soon.
“You are a wonderful dancer.” Rebecca’s hands slipped away from his neck. Her fingers rested lightly on his chest, but she might as well have laid a taser against him for the effect it had. Electrical shocks jumped from her fingertips through the fabric of his shirt and right under his skin. Her face tilted up once more as she began to step away; he had to fight the urge to crush her to him. He looked down into those big brown eyes, the golden sparkles fading away even as he watched and his heart clenched. She was leaving him, letting him go. Again.
“It was nice to see you again.”
And then Kane found himself alone.
Rebecca disappeared into the crowd. Eventually he realized he was still standing the same spot and forced himself to walk over to the bar where Jake and Ian were pretending they hadn’t just seen everything.
He searched for her, the need to know exactly where she was at all times a tangible thing. He spotted her. There, over in the corner. He couldn’t see her face; her head was bowed. Aidan was speaking to her, his hand on her shoulder. She nodded, she shook her head. Aidan pulled her into her arms. If Aidan hadn’t been her brother, if they hadn’t come up with this plan together, Kane was sure he would have killed him where he stood.
Phoenix – the tool – kept appearing. Along with several other men. Bringing her things. Attempting to engage her in conversation. She maintained her gentle, polite smile, but he noticed she refrained from touching any of them like she had him.
Someone else brought her a glass of wine. She accepted it graciously, but didn’t raise it to her lips. Kane shook his head. Rebecca didn’t like wine. She had a sweet tooth. He would have brought her something sweet and creamy. Something that tasted like those damn chocolate candies she was addicted to.
And that dress. Who had picked it out for her? She was a vision, no doubt about that, but Rebecca would have never chosen that for herself. No, she would have selected something much simpler, cleaner. Natural fabrics that caressed her skin. She would not consider herself worthy of silk.
He grinned to himself. Perhaps brushed cotton. Or his flannel. Yes, he decided that once he had her all to himself he would keep her clothed in his flannel shirts. And nothing else. On those rare occasions when he allowed her to wear anything at all. Naked and in his bed would be the preferred standard, though.
Kane forced himself to refocus on the task at hand. Now that he had accepted the truth and committed himself to the knowledge that he and Rebecca belonged together, nothing would detract him from his mission. He circled around the back of the room, watching. Waiting.
It was difficult to see her and know her unease and not do anything about it. No one seemed to know as much about her as he did. This party made her uncomfortable as hell. Oh, she was smiling and being nice to everyone – that’s just who she was. But he could see what no one else seemed to – that she wasn’t comfortable with all the attention. The lights, the noise, the incessant well-wishers – they were wearing her down.
He placed himself out on the balcony for just that reason. When she could manage to do so without hurting anyone’s feelings, she would slip out here, alone. And when she did he would be there, waiting.