“Was that chaste enough for you?” he mocked as he started the engine.
Chaste? A kiss from this man could never be considered chaste. Not for her, anyway.
She forced a cool smile. “I didn’t think you knew what the word meant.”
He smiled grimly as he pulled out from the curb. “I could say the same about you.”
“Me?”
He glanced sideways, his eyes boldly raking over her. “Sweetheart, you ooze sex appeal. Why do you think young Danny was falling over himself?” Obviously seeing her surprise, his eyes narrowed. “Surely Phillip’s told you how sexy you are?”
Sexy? No, Phillip had never told her that.
“Yes, of course,” she lied.
“You don’t sound too sure.”
She stiffened. “Of course I’m sure. It’s just that …” Think. “Well, since the accident we’ve been concentrating on him rather than me.”
He appeared to consider that. “He’s going through a tough time right now.” Once more his gaze slid over her, almost contemptuously this time. “But if any woman can make him think like a man again, it’s you.”
She didn’t appreciate the comment. “You’ve missed your calling. You should be doing talk shows.”
This time he laughed. A deep, rich sound that made her catch her breath and confirmed why women of all kinds wanted him. She didn’t even like him and this was her reaction.
Luckily for her, they came to some night roadwork and Brant had to slow the car and concentrate for the next kilometer. After that, except for her directing him, they both remained quiet until they reached her street.
“It’s the house at the end,” she said as they came around the corner into the leafy cul-de-sac.
A few moments later he pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. “You live here by yourself?” he asked, his eyes going over the ground-level house nestled amongst the lush garden. It was obviously too big for one person.
“I live by myself, yes, but the house has been divided into two. The owner lives in one apartment and I live in the other.”
It was a bonus that June didn’t drive, so Kia got to use the garage at the far end of the driveway. But why, oh, why hadn’t she driven herself tonight? If she’d known Phillip would leave early and she’d be stranded with Brant, she would have insisted on taking her Porsche.
The Porsche Brant thought Phillip had bought for her.
He opened his door, letting in the late-night sounds of a tropical summer. “I’ll walk you inside.”
She’d known he would. Her front door was actually around the back of the house, so it wouldn’t be possible to dismiss him easily. The minute he saw her walking down the driveway alongside the house he’d be out of the car and following her anyway.
“It’s around the back.” She moved to get out of the car, but her long dress proved difficult, and before she knew it he stood beside her, offering her his hand. For a moment she hesitated. Already her pulse was skittering all over the place. What would his touch do to her?
Having no option but to appear unruffled, she held her breath and put her hand on his. Her skin immediately tingled from the contact, but surprisingly his fingers didn’t close around hers. His hand remained open, palm up, allowing her to grip him as she chose.
Is this how he lets a woman make love to him? At her own pace?
That thought spread the tingle through her body as her fingers closed around his hand and she pressed her palm against his, using his strength to bring her to her feet.
He stepped back before their bodies could touch further, making her grateful for small mercies.
“It’s this way,” she said huskily and hurried forward, the path illuminated by small garden lights mingling through the palm trees, the clicking of her high heels in competition with a chorus of green tree frogs.
But when she came up to the door, it was standing open. She began to frown, then gave a soft gasp as realization hit. Someone had broken in.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered in disbelief.
“Stay there.” Brant strode the few feet to the door, swearing softly when he tread on some broken glass. He reached inside for the nearest switch, flooding the kitchen with light.
Kia came up behind him and they both stood there looking around. At first it appeared as if nothing had happened but the glass on the floor showed that someone had smashed one of the panels on the door.
“Careful,” Brant warned, stepping over the mess, then helping her while she lifted the skirt of her long dress with one hand and gingerly stepped over the glass.
Kia’s heart was almost jumping out of her chest. “Do you think he’s still here?” she whispered.
Brant peered toward the darkened hallway, his expression hard. “If he is …” He pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket. “He’s going to regret it.”
Kia shivered as he dialed the police and spoke quietly for a moment. She almost felt sorry for the robber if he was still here. He’d be in for a shock if Brant got hold of him.
He swore as he ended the call. “They’ve had a busy night. They could be a while.”
Kia’s stomach churned with anxiety. She’d hate to think what would happen if she were here alone. For the first time, she was glad of Brant’s presence. “What now?”
He reached over to grab a knife from the block on the sink. “I guess I’m going to play the bloody hero,” he muttered, stepping toward the hallway, but he stopped when he saw her face. “What’s the matter?”
“You’re not going to use that, are you?”
He grimaced. “It’s only for protection. Come on. Stick with me.”
Kia needed no second bidding. She stuck like wallpaper while they went from room to room, switching on each light, her knees knocking with relief when no one jumped out at them.
In the loungeroom they discovered her laptop and DVD player missing, plus a small antique clock, along with other knickknacks. Her bedroom appeared untouched, thank God. She’d hate to think of some stranger handling her personal things. Perhaps fondling her silky bra and panties …
She shuddered, and Brant put his hand on her forearm and turned her to face him. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” she murmured, though she knew she wasn’t. She couldn’t seem to stop shaking.
“Shhh,” he said, starting to massage her arm in a comforting gesture that made her drop her gaze to his hand on her, suddenly wanting to lean into him and let his strength wrap around her.
She looked up and all at once he was staring into her eyes.
“Kia?” he growled, and she opened her lips slightly despite a silken thread of warning in his voice. He was going to kiss her…. She wanted him to, dear God, she did.
Just then the sound of crunching glass came from the kitchen and a male voice called out, “This is the police. Everything all right in there?”
Brant immediately stepped back. “About bloody time,” he rasped without looking at her and left her side to stride down the hallway. “We’re here, Constable,” he said more loudly. “We were just seeing if there was any damage.”
Kia