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“Do you have any idea what time it is?” Her voice was stronger.
That was good. “Yeah, about one a.m.”
“Don’t you know better than to call people in the middle of the night?”
“I heard a light was on at your place. I thought you might be up.”
“How would you know that? Either you’re standing below my window or having me watched.” She paused. “Bull. I asked you not to tell the police.”
“I told a friend.”
Ashley made a sound of disgust. “Same difference.”
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m not your responsibility.”
He pushed at his pillow, getting comfortable. “After what I walked in on I wouldn’t be human if I wasn’t concerned.”
“Why do you keep pushing it?”
He didn’t want to go into that full explanation. “Because I swore a long time ago that I wouldn’t sit by again while someone hurt another person.”
“What happened?”
It wasn’t something he talked about much, certainly not to a virtual stranger, but for some reason he wanted Ashley to understand. “My mother was attacked when I was a child.”
Ashley made a shocked noise. “I’m so sorry to hear that.” For the first time since she’d been attacked she sounded like herself. “No wonder you overreact.”
“I didn’t realize I overreacted. I thought I was rather calm, considering. So are you sitting in front of the fireplace or are you lying in bed?”
“This conversation has suddenly taken a creepy turn,” she said in a light tone.
“I was only asking to gauge whether or not you were really having trouble sleeping.”
“So now you can make diagnoses over the phone. Impressive, Doctor.”
He liked this quick-witted Ashley. It would be nice to see more of her. “I can. If you’re sitting in your living room, that tells me you’re still rattled, but if you’re in your bed, there’s a good chance you’re recovering and will go back to sleep.”
“Well, if you must know, I’m in bed.”
“Good. You aren’t still in that robe, are you?”
“Now you’re really getting personal.”
He guessed he was but it was for a good reason. At least her mind was off what had happened to her. “You need to have on something comfortable to sleep well.”
“I changed into a gown soon after you left.”
Kiefer hated that he’d missed that. Whoa, that wasn’t what he needed to be thinking. He wasn’t going to get involved with Ashley on that level. They were business associates only. He’d sworn off women. Those with an agenda didn’t interest him and Brittney had cured him of taking a chance on being used. But those kisses between him and Ashley pulled at him. Said there might be something there.
“Good. Then why don’t you turn off the light and try to sleep? I’m sure you have a full day ahead.”
“You think you know me so well.”
He was surprised just how much he did know about her in such a short time. The interesting thing was that he found he really liked her when she wasn’t on her high horse about how she wanted something done. “Well, enough.” The sound of her yawn came through the phone. “Am I boring you?”
“Maybe.” She chuckled.
Warmth spread throughout his chest. “Then I’ll say good night, Ashley.”
The click of a lamp being turned off reached his ear then a soft “Good night, Kiefer.”
What would it be like to hear that firsthand as he gathered her close in his arms? He was headed in the wrong direction. Backing off was what he needed to do. Ashley had been taking care of herself long before he’d come along and she would be doing it when he was gone. Tonight was an exception to the rule. Period.
CHAPTER FOUR
ASHLEY WOKE WITH a jerk. She’d overslept. She had been more shaken by Marko’s threats than she’d wanted to admit. Sleep had been easier to find after Kiefer had called. There was something about his deep, smooth voice that made her feel safe, as though he was right there with her instead of miles away.
Now she was ready to face her day. There were arrangements to make for the block party and she had a meeting with the zoning commission to get help with some buildings that needed restoration on the next block.
As the day went on she settled down, no longer thinking twice about leaving the house or going about business as normal. Marko had made his move and as usual was all talk. She’d seen Kiefer a few times in passing but they hadn’t had time for anything more than a casual hello, no real discussion. What that would have been about she had no idea. Still, she missed their talks—or sparring was more the word for it.
The next evening she was in the kitchen, cooking, when there was a knock on her door. Her heart picked up speed for a second. She put it down to still being a little jumpy, not over-excitement at seeing Kiefer, who had just stuck his head around the door.
“Hey, I was on my way out for the day and wanted to say bye.”
His eyes studied her too closely. Too watchful for her comfort. “I’m fine, if that’s what you want to know.”
Kiefer stepped farther into the room. “Never doubted it for a minute.”
She smirked. “I bet.”
He put his
nose in the air. “Mmm, something smells good.”
Ashley turned back to the stove and stirred the pot of black-eyed peas. “That would be my supper.”
“It sure smells wonderful. Well, I guess I’ll leave you to it.”
“Kiefer.” She turned around just as he was starting through the door.
He looked back at her. “Yeah?”
“Would you like to join me?”
“I sure would.”
She laughed. “It didn’t take you but a second to answer.”
“I only get a home-cooked meal when I visit my parents. But those meals come with an inquisition from my mother about when I’m going to get married. When will she be a grandmother? Why don’t I settle down?”
“Why aren’t you married?”
He gave her a pointed look.
“I’m sorry. That’s one of those questions you don’t want to answer.”
“I don’t mind answering it. I just don’t want to talk about it at every meal. I’ve been married and have no plans to do it again.”
“That bad, huh?”
“My wife left me for my best friend.”
She didn’t say anything. What could she say that would make that any better? He’d had his own issues. “That’s tough.”
“Yeah, it was. Now, how can I help?”
“You can get the knives, forks and spoons and set the table.” She pointed. “The drawer to the left.”
“Okay. What about you?”
“What about me?” She looked at him.
“Ever been married?”
“No. Guys don’t seem to like sharing their time with my desire to work for social change.”
“Understandable.”
She caught his look. “What do you mean by that?”
“Just that you’re a force to be reckoned with.”
“I’m not sure that’s a compliment. But I’m going to take it as one.” She pulled a pan out of a drawer under the stove.
“Where are the glasses? I’ll pour us some tea.”
