It’s gorgeous, all sleek and modern with dark tinted windows, chrome accents catching the morning sun, mag wheels that look custom and expensive. The paint job is flawless, almost metallic in the light.
Kane pulls up alongside me and rolls down the window. He’s grinning, one arm draped over the steering wheel, and the sight of him like this, confident, relaxed, sexy as hell, has me swooning on the spot, and I have to grip the door to not fall over.
“Want to climb in, baby girl?”
Well, when he puts it like that…
I open the passenger door and haul myself up into the truck. The interior is just as impressive—black leather seats, blue ambient lighting running along the dash and doors, everything clean and modern and smelling like fresh leather mixed with Kane’s scent.
“So where’s Noel?” I buckle up as Kane heads down the driveway. “He promised to come with me this morning.”
“Noel thought it might be better if I took you.” The gates are opening automatically. “He mentioned you might try to sneak out of the house at dawn, never face us again, possibly move to another country. And best to deal with me instead of hiding from the obvious.”
I cut him a sideways look and half laugh. “As if I would do that.”
He chuckles like he knows exactly what I was planning.
“I need the address for Scot’s uncle’s place,” he says.
I grab my phone, find my notes where I’ve saved every important address and contact, and punch Giuseppe’s information into the GPS mounted on his dashboard.
“You know,” Kane adds as we pull away from their property, “I’ve never had sex with someone I haven’t kissed first. So I think you owe me a proper kiss.”
I laugh despite myself. “I don’t think so.” Yet, I can’t help staring at his mouth. Full lips that curve easily into smiles, and I know deep in my bones that he’d be an incredible kisser. Probably the kind who takes his time, who knows exactly how to make you melt.
My brain unhelpfully supplies images of last night. How he gripped my hips with those huge hands, so solid and powerful. The way he drove me up and down over his cock, plunging into me over and over, controlling my movements like he knew exactly what I needed before I did.
My body trembles just remembering.
Stop thinking about that.
“So tell me about you,” I say, desperate to change the subject. “What made you become a bounty hunter? That seems like an unusual career choice.”
“Dropped out of college.” He says it easily, no shame. “Engineering program. Hated every second of it. Spent a year working construction, had no real plan for my life. I knew Chris and Noel from school, and then one day, they showed up on a job site and took me in, trained me, gave me purpose.”
“That’s really sweet.”
“They’re my family. Only family that matters.” He glances at me, and there’s something soft in his expression. “Well, until now. Now we’ve got you too.”
Something warm unfurls in my chest, spreading through my ribs, making it hard to breathe properly.
“What about you?” he asks. “Always wanted to be an event planner?”
“Since I was a kid.” I settle back in the seat, relaxing into the conversation. “I used to plan elaborate birthday parties for my stuffed animals. Had spreadsheets, timelines, budget breakdowns. My dad thought I was insane.”
Kane laughs. “You made spreadsheets as a child?”
“I was very organized. Still am, actually. Can’t help it.”
He’s grinning now, clearly enjoying teasing me. “So what’s your dream event? If money and logistics were no object, what would you create?”
I think about it, letting myself sink into the fantasy I’ve been building for years. “New Year’s Eve masquerade ball in a castle. Somewhere in Europe, maybe Scotland. Ice sculptures throughout the venue, live orchestra playing classical music and modern covers. Champagne fountain in the center of the ballroom. Everyone in formal wear with elaborate masks, the kind that are works of art. And at midnight, we’d have synchronized fireworks visible through massive windows, while guests unmask and toast to new beginnings.”
When I glance at Kane, he’s watching me, admiring.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing. Just love watching you talk about your passion. Your whole face lights up. It’s beautiful.”
