Chapter Two
He remembered her. How the hell had he remembered her?
Kenzie’s heart hammered in her chest and she cast a panicked look around the pub. They hadn’t even planned on coming here tonight, but Baxter’s had been dead so they’d left after an hour to come have drinks and shoot some pool.
While he clearly remembered who she was, it had taken a moment for her to remember who he was. Working as a waitress here, she saw many people come and go. Many faces that became familiar. So many regulars who’d become close friends.
But he’d lied. This man, Brett was his name if she remembered correctly, wasn’t a regular here. He’d only come in a handful of times that she knew of, and the two instances she could recall he’d made it a point to talk to her. Made his interest in her known.
Why had she been stupid enough to promise him dinner? It had been an impulsive response to his flirting when she’d been half-drunk at Sarah’s bachelorette party. She hadn’t for one moment thought he’d take her up on it.
It had been the night before he was going out on the ship for six months, he’d said. He’d been cute. Charming. Some kind of sexy Southern accent that had her pulse doing weird things, so she’d said yes. Had momentarily let down all the walls she had up around her heart, and said yes.
Who could’ve known he’d remember her? Taken her seriously even? But there was a stipulation. She only had to go out to dinner with him if she were still single.
From beneath her lashes, she ran a slow glance over him. While he’d called Aleck a giant, he certainly wasn’t far behind. Likely several inches over six feet, he towered over her five-foot-six frame. His body seemed to be all muscle. He wore jeans and a nice button-up black shirt that showed the wide, hard-looking chest beneath.
She lifted her gaze from his chest and glanced over his shaved head, the small amount of hair there hinting the shade was probably a dark blond. Her attention fell again, as if drawn by an invisible beam, to meet his eyes. He watched her with a pale blue gaze that was so intense it became a struggle to breathe normally.
Shite, but he was attractive. A little too sexy, too confident, and the effect was enough to put her at unease. She drew in an unsteady breath and offered a small shrug.
“Dinner sounds lovely and all, but I’m actually seeing someone.”
It wasn’t a total lie. She was seeing someone. His name was Benedict Cumberbatch and she saw him on her television once a week.
Brett stared at her through hooded eyes. She had the feeling he was scrutinizing her words for truth, but as far as he knew, why would she have a reason to lie? She very well could have a boyfriend as far as he knew.
“Bullshit.”
Her breath caught. “Excuse me?”
“I’m calling bullshit on you having a boyfriend.”
Bristling now, she straightened to her full height. “I find it a bit insulting that you’d doubt my relationship status.”
“This isn’t Facebook, and that’s not what I’m doubting. Look, Kenzie, I came in here tonight to see you. I’m not going to lie. Six months ago I thought you were cute. Funny. Sassy. You intrigued me and that doesn’t happen a lot.”
He shook his head and disappointment flickered in his eyes. Disappointment in her, she sensed. Guilt swept through her, and a hint of shame. This man served in the military and risked his life for his country. For the freedom she was fortunate enough to have, and she was treating him like a pesky fly she wished to swat away.
She could feel her ears warming and she bit the inside of her cheek as she tore her gaze from him.
What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she be like a normal girl and just flirt? He seemed like a decent guy, one who was blatantly interested in her. She’d even promised to have dinner with him, and yet she was pushing him away. She always pushed men away.
“Everything all right here?”
Kenzie flinched at Aleck’s arrival. Usually she’d welcome his interference if a guy was getting too aggressive, but Brett wasn’t really being aggressive. More just confident in a nonthreatening way. He was simply attempting to cash in on an offer she’d made.
Shite she sucked.
Aleck stepped between her and Brett, and the warning vibe radiated off him in spades. Usually his height and stoic presence could be intimidating to the scariest of men, but Brett didn’t even flinch. If anything he just appeared irritated if not completely unfazed.
Something told her this was a man who was used to giving orders, not taking them. Being the intimidator, not the intimidated.
“Everything is fine, Aleck.” Her words were quiet and firm as she kept her gaze on Brett. “I’ve got this.”
“Aye? Well I’ll not be too far away if you need me, luv.” With another hard warning glance at Brett, he disappeared back behind the bar.
“Nice protective brother you’ve got there.”
She struggled to explain, but there really wasn’t any way to without getting into deep, dark subjects. “Look, he means well.”
“I don’t disagree. Actually, I think it’s a good thing.” He smiled slightly. “I have a younger sister who I’d give my life to protect. I get it.”
And he did, she recognized that in his somber gaze.
“Clearly things have changed since the night before I left for deployment. Or I misread the signals. Either way, I’ll stop bothering you and let you get on with your evening. Have a good night, ma’am.”
He nodded and turned to leave. Her heart pinched. She didn’t want him to leave, even if fear of the unknown was making her want to bolt.
“Wait, Brett,” she blurted, grabbing his arm. “About those signals. You didn’t misread them.”
*
Seriously? Was she for real? What the hell was going on in this woman’s mind right now?
Frozen in midstride, Brett hesitated before turning around to face Kenzie again. He was torn between frustration and anticipation. Despite her statement that he hadn’t misread her signals, she was a mass of mixed ones. At one moment seeming as if she were about to flirt, maybe even dipping her toes into it, and then backing off quickly the next.
Why the hell he wasn’t halfway to his truck right now, he couldn’t say for sure. High-maintenance women who didn’t know what they wanted were definitely not his thing. He’d been there. Done that. So why was he getting all twisted up by a curvy ginger who couldn’t decide what she wanted?
“Look, no matter how tempted I am to stay here and let you play your head games, I think I’d better pass.” He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and sighed.
He wasn’t stupid. Sometimes it was better to cut your losses and walk.
“I’ve been on a boat for the good part of six months, flew home from San Diego just a few hours ago, and now, if you’ll excuse my language, I’m pretty fucking tired.”
She didn’t even flinch at his words, a good indication that swearing didn’t faze her. But guilt flashed across her face, followed by what seemed to be a mix of fear and desperation.
“No, please, don’t leave. I was attracted to you that night.”
He made a soft laugh of amusement, yet wasn’t really humored. “That night, but not anymore?”
Her mouth opened and she started to reply, but then she drew her bottom lip between her teeth and nibbled. The blush of color staining her cheeks and the way her lashes fluttered made him think that, yeah, she was still pretty damn interested despite the weird runaround she was giving him.
This close to her, he could smell the soft, clean scent of her soap. No heavy perfume. If he were to slide his fingers into her beautiful red hair would it be as soft as he imagined? Would it hold the faint smell of her shampoo?
He wanted to find out. God, he’d been way too long without a woman. He had to curl his fingers into fists to restrain the natural instinct to touch her.
Despite what may have been an attempt to hide it in that gender-neutral outfit, every part of her body was exaggerated in the female form. It was hard not to physically respond to it. There were a handful of women in this pub tonight who would’ve eagerly taken him home with them, or let him grope them in a darkened corner.
But none of them had tempted him, and he rarely worked that way. He liked sex. A lot. He was your average red-blooded man in his thirties, added to the fact he’d been on a boat for six months and his only source of pleasure had been from his hand. So, yeah, it was a little hard to not think about what Kenzie would look like flat on her back on his bed.
That hair spread out on his pillow, those breasts freed from her shirt and bra. What color were her nipples? Pink? Red? Maybe a—
“Let me take you to dinner.” Her bold statement shocked him out of his dirty thoughts.
Ah shit. He’d gone full-on triple X in his head while standing in the middle of a pub. Had it been obvious? Did he look like a guy seconds away from whipping his dick out and stroking off?
And you’re a perverted fuck who needs to focus on what the object of your lust just said.
“You want to take me to dinner?” He repeated it, even though he was pretty damn sure he’d heard her right. It was a bit blindsiding after being given the runaround.
“I do.” She lifted her chin and seemed to reach some kind of decision.
“You want to take me to dinner tonight?”
“Yeah. I guess it’s, um, kind of late. Have you eaten?”
It was nearly ten, of course he’d eaten.
“Doesn’t matter, I can always eat more. You sure about this?”
“Yes. Only… I don’t want to stay here.” She shoved fingers through her hair, sending the reddish strands back behind a delicately curved ear. “Why don’t we go to Applebee’s?”
Applebee’s. It was bright, inconspicuous, but most of all it was a safe choice. Which he guessed was why she chose it.
“What about your friend?” He nodded to the blonde who was chatting up Aleck behind the counter.
“Delonna?” She followed his gaze. “I think she’ll be cool with it. I’ll go let her know, though.”
“Great. I’ll wait here and then we can drive over there.”
She had started to move away and paused. “Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d prefer to drive myself. Can we meet?”
Either she was about to blow him off in a big way, or she was really big on this safety thing. Despite her jittery behavior from the evening, he suspected the latter.
“Sure.”
There was something different about Kenzie. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he had to ask himself why he was putting in this much effort. She moved past him and his gaze fell to the pert roundness of her ass swinging as she moved through the crowd.
All right, maybe it was kind of a no-brainer.
With the blood in his body stirring south, he grabbed his keys and headed out the door.
*
“You’re seriously about to go out with that Navy guy?”
After seeing the blatant shock on Delonna’s face, Kenzie shifted and folded her arms beneath her breasts.
“Yeah. I am. I know it’s a bit crazy—”
“It’s not crazy, it’s about time.” Delonna squeezed her shoulder and sighed. “You need to get out there. Like seriously.”
“I’ve been out there.”
“Your last boyfriend was what, like, 1980?”
“Yes. I dated extensively while I was a twinkle in my father’s eye,” Kenzie drawled. “I need to go—I’m supposed to meet him at Applebee’s. He probably assumes I’ve blown him off by now.”
“He’s probably hoping you’ll just blow him period. And really? Applebee’s?”
“It’s a neutral spot.”
“It’s practical, pretty boring, but safe. It works for you.” Delonna waved her away. “Go. I won’t tell your brother.”
“And I appreciate that.” She glanced at her brother who was busy making drinks. “He’ll definitely not be thrilled.”
“Another reason you’re doing this dinner thing somewhere else?”
“Yeah.” Kenzie turned to walk toward the door, adding, “And the kitchen here at the pub is closed.”
“Wait, let me walk you out. I just need to grab my coat. I threw it behind the counter.”
Kenzie was used to the gesture and didn’t protest, even if lately she was starting to think it a bit silly. It was habit to anyone who knew her, knew what had nearly happened to her, to not let her walk out to her car alone at night.
“Fine. I’ll meet you out front, Delonna. I need some air.”
She stepped out of the crowded pub and into the darkness. She wasn’t alone: a handful of smokers lingered nearby since it was illegal to smoke inside the pub.
Leaning against the side of the building, she let her gaze sweep around the parking lot. The pub had a light on the side of the building, and a streetlight nearby, but there were shadows. Especially back by the trees.
The trees.
Maybe it was because it had happened on a winter’s night just like this, but this time when the memory rushed her hard she couldn’t quite hold it back.
*
“You want another drink?”
Kenzie hesitated to answer the man beside her as they walked toward the trees at the edge of the parking lot of McLaughlin’s Pub.
She wasn’t exactly a novice at drinking, but that would make three swigs from the flask of vodka. Not to mention he’d poured some in her soda while they’d grabbed a free dinner inside her family’s pub.
If Da had realized that she’d been drinking under his nose at the pub, he would’ve had kittens.
It wasn’t that she didn’t drink—it was pretty common for when she was visiting family in Scotland—but she was still considered underage by almost a couple years here in America.
“I’ve had enough. Thank you.” She had a good buzz and was at that stage where one more drink would topple her over into the drunk category.
From beneath her lashes she glanced up at the man beside her. Charles was beautiful. Maybe it was a silly way to describe a man, but he was. His blond hair was perfect. Not too long, but not short. And his eyes were such a lovely, striking shade of dark blue. She’d asked him once if they were contacts, but he’d sworn they were genetic.
Which made sense, because she’d seen pictures of his dad—a well-known judge on the island—and he had the same eyes.
“You are such a beautiful girl, Kenzie.”
Flattered, she gave him a slow smile and tossed her long red hair over her shoulder.
“You think so? You’re pretty handsome yourself, Mr. Charles Richland.”
He winked and reached out to hold her hand as he led her beneath a tree. The sun had set in the past half hour and a chill swept through her.
She knew why he’d brought her out here. To have some fun without the prying eyes of her family. Not that they could’ve stayed; the pub was switching over to the twenty-one and up crowd and she’d had to leave. She knew the rules.
So she’d taken him up on his suggestion to go outside and walk around, knowing it was pretty much a chance to take it to the making-out level with him.
And truthfully she was a little excited for it.
She wasn’t inexperienced; she’d dated and had a couple boyfriends. She was often told how pretty she was, especially when her body had begun developing early and her curves came in big time. Her virginity had left the building somewhere in her sophomore year of high school.
But Charles was different. He was a twenty-five-year-old man climbing the social ladder in life. Rich. Handsome. Many women chased after him, and yet he’d turned his interest her way.
“I’ve been waiting all night to get you alone, baby.”
He grabbed her around the waist, pulling her hard against him. His lips smashed down on hers, his tongue thrusting so deep she almost gagged.
When she finally escaped to grab some air, she was almost unnerved, but she took a deep breath and gave a shaky smile. She couldn’t blow this. Couldn’t afford to look like a nervous, immature girl who wasn’t even twenty yet.
“That was nice. We make a cute couple, don’t you think?” she asked, looping her arms around his neck.
“Couple? You got the wrong idea, baby. I already have a girlfriend in law school.” He nuzzled her neck and slid a hand up beneath her thin sweater to squeeze her breast painfully. “Thought I’d just fuck you a couple times for fun. It’s about time I tried a piece of this sexy Scottish ass I’ve heard so much about.”
What the hell? Had he truly said such complete shite? He had a girlfriend? Was hoping to sleep with her and toss her aside?
She blinked, fury spreading through her, and unwrapped her arms from his neck.
“Aye, well I think I’ve changed my mind. Perverted, cheating narcissists aren’t my type.”
Rage killing her buzz, she turned and walked away, but the hand that grabbed her hair jerked her back so hard tears sprang to her eyes.
She stumbled in her heels, falling back against him and crying out with fury.
“Let me go, you bloody—”
His hand slapped across her cheek, sending her head brutally to the side. The move wasn’t hard enough to leave a mark, but shocking enough to stun and incapacitate her for a moment.
And he took that instant to push her to the ground, hands everywhere, as he tried to push her skirt up above her waist.
She clawed, fought, screamed against the hand over her mouth, even as part of her wanted to deny what was about to happen. It couldn’t. She wouldn’t let it. Terror and adrenaline kicked in and she fought blindly with the instinct to get away. She may as well have been a mosquito up against a bear, and her fear only seemed to fuel his arousal. His strength.
Everything went hazy and dark for a moment as she retreated into herself mentally. She was brought back into reality when someone lifted her up off the ground.
It was her brother Ian, and before he rushed her into the pub, she was vaguely aware of Charles’s body lying bloody and lifeless on the ground.
Her head had been spinning. She’d been in such distress and shock that even with the relief of her family rushing to her side, her stomach heaved up all the vodka she’d drunk.
With questions being fired at her, the police being called, she curled up on the floor and faded into the darkness.
*
“It’s fucking freezing out here.”
At the sharp words, Kenzie blinked from her thoughts and glanced up to see Delonna stepping out of the bar.
“Hey, you okay? You look upset.”
“I’m fine,” Kenzie said quickly, shoving her hands in the pockets of her jeans. “Just a bit hungry. I’ve not eaten since before we left the house this afternoon.”
“Ah, yeah, seriously. I’m going to head back into the kitchen once you head out. See if there’s any meat pies left from the dinner special.” Delonna glanced her way. “So this sailor guy.”
“Brett.”
“Okay. Brett. You realize he’s not going out to meet you tonight just for the food, right?”
“I know.” Kenzie’s stomach did a little flip as she imagined exactly what Brett was probably after tonight. “It’s not likely he’s going to get it. From me at least.”
Reaching her car, she turned and gave Delonna a swift hug. “Thank you, sweets. If I don’t text you by midnight, call the police.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine.”
“Me too. I’ll be home tonight.”
Delonna arched a brow and pursed her lips. “You don’t need to, you know. You could go have fun.”
“I could, aye.” After climbing into her car she started the ignition.
“But you won’t, Miss I-Belong-in-a-Convent.”
“The nuns wouldn’t have me. I fuckin’ swear too much.” Kenzie gave her friend the finger and then shut the door. As she drove off, she glanced in the mirror and watched Delonna walk back inside, clearly laughing.
And this was why they would work well as roommates.
By the time she arrived at the restaurant, her stomach was on spin cycle. She drew in a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, before climbing out of the car and walking into the restaurant.
She spotted him immediately near the front, alone in a booth with what looked like iced tea in front of him. His gaze lifted then and landed on her. The scowl that had been marring his face vanished as he stood and pulled out the chair across from him for her.
“Wasn’t sure if you’d changed your mind,” he murmured.
Wincing with guilt she gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I got a bit delayed. I’ll say that when I make a commitment I generally keep it.”
“It’s a good quality to have.”
She couldn’t help but smile as he pushed her chair in. “Tell me, Brett, would that be a Southern accent that accompanies your charming manners?”
“It’s actually faded some, but yes, ma’am.”
Ma’am. Hmm. Did she attribute the formal address he’d used several times to the military training or being raised a Southern boy? Maybe a combo of both.
“Where are you from, Brett?”
“New Orleans up until the day I enlisted. How about you? I notice you’ve got yourself somewhat of an accent too. Scottish?”
“Aye. Edinburgh. Though I’ve actually lived more of my life in America than I did Scotland.”
“Scotland would be amazing to visit.”
“You’ve never been? I’m sure you’ve traveled extensively with the Navy.”
“I’ve traveled a lot, yeah, but not necessarily the places you’d hit up as a tourist spot.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
A waitress, an older woman who looked like someone’s grandmother, appeared to take their order and Brett glanced at Kenzie.
“What’ll you have to drink?”
She hesitated. With friends, she’d order a beer without missing a beat, but being this was the first time she’d been out alone with the man, she wasn’t sure it was such a good idea.
“A Sprite would be great.”
“All right.” The waitress nodded. “Anything to eat?”
“Mozzarella sticks,” Kenzie replied immediately.
She glanced at Brett, curious to see whether he’d be shocked or surprised. Amusement flickered in his eyes, but that was it.
“And an order of wings with the hottest sauce you have,” he added.
The waitress nodded. “All right, I’ll put that in for you guys and bring you your Sprite and another iced tea.”
“Wings hmm?”
“I love them. I don’t care how bad the sauce is that they put on it.”
Well, there you had it. The man had a taste for crap food as well it seemed, but, shite, he must work it off fast. Again her gaze was drawn to the broad, muscled chest beneath his shirt.
Something stirred inside her. Interest and a mix of awareness in the opposite sex that she hadn’t let herself feel in a long time.
“Why are you here with me, Brett?”
Mid-sip of his iced tea, he took a moment to swallow before setting his glass down.
“I told you back at the pub, but I’m happy to say it again.”
“Right, no, you did tell me. I just…I don’t get it. All right, so you think I’m pretty—”
“It goes beyond the looks.”
She shrugged. “You don’t really know me. How can you say that?”
“You’re right. I don’t. But even if I’d been blind and simply gone by the couple times we’d spoke, the sound of your laughter, I would’ve been drawn to you, Kenzie.”
Despite her reluctance to be charmed, a little bit of pleasure slipped into her bloodstream making her pulse skip faster and her head feel lighter.
“But surely you’re looking for something more at this moment. I mean, there had to be a dozen women at the pub who were prettier than me, some with outstanding personalities to match, who would’ve taken you home in a heartbeat. You’re dead sexy.”
“Dead sexy?” The slow, pearly-white grin he gave in response only confirmed her dead sexy remark. “And what makes you think that’s all I’m looking for?”
“Really?” She barely avoided rolling her eyes as she laughed. “Look, I’m not daft. You’ve just told me you were only recently off the ship. Surely you’re looking to have sex. As are most of the sailors in the pub. Can you tell me, honestly, that you weren’t hoping I’d go home with you tonight?”
He cradled his iced tea in his hand and stared at her over the rim of the glass. “No. I can’t actually.”
It was both a relief and a disappointment to hear it. If she were honest with him he might walk right out that door and want nothing to do with her after this. But half the reason she’d offered to take him to dinner was to give it to him straight. Help him realize what he was getting into if he were truly interested.
“I understand the whole having needs bit,” she said carefully, “but I must be honest too. I don’t move that fast. I’m not the sort of girl who simply goes home with a guy. I’m pretty careful with who I sleep with.”
“That’s respectable.”
His words made her laugh silently. Somehow she’d become the respectable girl. A decade ago that would’ve been a joke.
“Thank you. I think.”
The waitress returned with her drink and set another iced tea in front of Brett.
She took a sip of her soda, watching as Brett stirred in several packets of sugar.
“It’s that Southern thing,” he explained, “and y’all don’t have sweet tea up here.”
“Not really, no. I get it. I like my tea hot and sweet.”
“Hot and sweet.” He tilted his head and gave her a glance-over. “Now doesn’t that just sound like a good description of you.”
“Charming. I suppose I set myself up for that.”
“As much as I’d like to take all the credit, you did.”
Laughing despite herself, she shook her head. “Anyway, as I was saying, if you want to go find another more, um, accommodating woman after dinner, I won’t be offended.”
Okay, maybe she’d be a little disappointed, which was probably the most she’d let herself feel for a guy in forever.
Not wanting to dwell on that dismal realization, she waited for his reply.