Dax had left Kenzi in the morning mostly because he’d never wanted to stay with anyone as much as he’d wanted to stay with her. He’d woken before her to the feeling of her bare body snuggled up against his and been spooked by how good it had felt. She wasn’t the first woman who’d woken up beside him, but she was the first one he felt belonged there.
He’d awakened her with a kiss, and they’d made love slowly. It had been every bit as good as the wilder sex from the night before. He should have felt amazing, but his insides were churning. Kenzi had joined him in the shower and, although it had been a sexually charged experience, it had also been more. They’d talked and laughed in an easy way he wasn’t used to. She wasn’t just a woman he was having sex with.
But what did that make her?
There were times when he’d have said they were friends, although he didn’t have female friends. He’s always believed mixing friendship and sex made things too complicated, and he didn’t like complicated.
Complicated was Kenzi’s middle name.
He’d told her that what they had wasn’t a one-time deal. He’d meant it. Being with her had only made him want to be with her again. He wanted to tell her he would be the only man in her life, the only one in her bed.
That sounded an awful lot like a relationship, and he didn’t do those.
He’d told himself he could be with Kenzi without hurting her, but he wasn’t so sure anymore. Whenever she looked at him he saw how little she knew him. He wasn’t a kind man, not the way she thought he was. He could supply her with list after list of people who either feared or hated him, and it wasn’t something that had bothered him before. People who thought success could be attained without personal cost were either inexperienced or stupid.
Dax changed at his office and tried to use work to clear his head. His thoughts kept going back to Kenzi. He wondered if she had Taffy yet. He knew she was planning to take her to a veterinarian before taking her home. He hoped she received good news about her health.
He thought about Dean Henderson and how he’d warned Dax to stay away from Kenzi. Once the news of what had happened to Kenzi got back to her family they’d see Dean in a different light. Everyone would. I do.
How would Kenzi’s family react when they heard her secret? Would they rush to support her? She said they wanted to protect her. He knew her brothers by reputation. They were powerful men who were often just as ruthless as he was. How would they react to the news that they’d failed to protect one of their own?
With that in mind, Dax realized he hadn’t seen Parker or Josh Draun the last time he’d been there. Usually a bodyguard was somewhere in the background, invisible to most, but there. Dax had his secretary hunt down Parker’s number, and he called him. He was surprisingly tight-lipped about both why he’d been hired and when he’d been let go. It spoke volumes about his loyalty to Kenzi, but left Dax with an unsettled feeling.
Between meetings Dax located Grant Barrington’s phone number. He’d spoken to Grant a few times in the past regarding investments. Grant had a solid reputation for speaking his mind and, from what Dax knew of the family, was the least hot-headed of the Barringtons.
Grant answered in a neutral business tone. “Dax Marshall. I’ve heard your name often lately. What can I do for you?”
“Grant. I’m calling on a personal matter.”
“Go on.”
“I need to know the reason your family hired a bodyguard for your sister. Was it based on a specific threat or general concern for her?”
Grant’s first response was silence. He might have been waiting for Dax to explain why he felt he had the right to ask, but Dax didn’t explain himself to anyone. Grant finally said, “I wasn’t aware you knew my sister.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“I have no intention of answering anything until I hear how you know Kenzi.”
“We’re friends.” That was the truth. As much truth as he’d reveal for Kenzi’s sake. “Is she in any danger?”
“She has, as you’ve said, security watching her.”
“Not anymore. Does she need it?”
“What do you mean not anymore?”
“She let him go. How about we stop playing twenty questions, and you tell me why he was hired in the first place?”
“Kenzi has never mentioned knowing you.”
“I’d say there is a lot you don’t know about your sister, but that’s another matter. We both want the same thing, so give me the information I need, or I’ll find it elsewhere.”
“If there were a reason, what would you do?”
“I’d make sure she had protection she couldn’t see or fire.”
“Because you’re friends?”
“Yes.”
Grant was quiet for another long moment. “Our family received a few threats from abroad. They were linked to some recent family business in Trundaie. They may have been empty threats, but we weren’t taking any chances when it came to Kenzi.”
“Consider it covered. I have local people who are paid well to stay invisible.”
Grant made a displeased sound, but wasn’t going to argue the point. “What did you mean when you said there is a lot I don’t know about Kenzi?”
“Are you close to her?”
“She’s my sister.”
“Are you close?”
“I don’t know what you want me to say. In fact, there is not much about this conversation I understand or am comfortable with. Of course I’m close to my sister.”
“She’s going to need you soon. I don’t know what you normally say or do, but don’t do it this week.”
“What are you talking about? Did something happen? If you hurt her—”
“I’ve said all I am going to say, but you seem to care about your sister. If you do, this is a good time to prove it.” Dax hung up before Grant had a chance to ask him more.
He was irritated with himself for saying as much as he had to Kenzi’s brother. Her story was hers to tell and how her family responded to the news, whenever they heard it, was none of his business. He hadn’t planned to say anything to Grant about it when he’d called. All he’d needed to know was that Kenzi would be sa
fe if he stepped away from her to clear his head. There was work piling up for him in London. He’d half decided already that a trip back would be the best for him and Kenzi.
When he’d spoken to Grant, though, he’d felt compelled to warn them Kenzi would need their support. From what she’d said, her family didn’t handle things well. He wanted them to be there for her this time.
He thought back over the conversation he’d had with Grant and shook his head. I don’t get involved. What the fuck am I doing?
His cell phone beeped with an incoming message. A photo of Taffy curled up on a footstool beside Kenzi’s stocking feet came through with a message from her. Taffy wants to say thank you for her new home. She is officially now the most spoiled dog in the Boston area. I hope it doesn’t go to her head.
Dax smiled and texted back. What did the vet say?
Nothing more than we already knew. Once he heard her story he thought she might try to bite someone when they looked her over, but she was a good girl. It was like she knew they were there to help her. I had a crash course in skin conditions and how to apply ointments and bandages. We’re home now, though, and she looks happy to be here.
Kenzi’s unasked question hung heavily in the air.
If she’d waited for him to call her that day, he wouldn’t have. Or he might have. Hell, he didn’t know. She had him so turned around he couldn’t predict what he’d say or do next.
There was nothing sexy about a shot of Kenzi’s foot beside the ugliest dog Dax had ever seen, but he couldn’t stop looking at the photo. What’s your favorite takeout place? She named a sushi place that was one of his favorites when he came to town. I can be at your place at seven. Eat in?
Yes. Her simple answer sent a wave of warmth through him and shot his plan to stay away from her for a few days straight to hell.
See you tonight, he texted back and threw his phone on his desk. Every time he thought he knew how to handle Kenzi, he was drawn back to her. He still thought the best thing he could do for her would be to end it early before she became too attached to him.
