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With the mid-morning sun shining in the windows, enough light filtered through to make this encounter not seem so intimate.
She led him to the den and eased the door open. “This room was never used by my grandmother. She usually just put books in here. I think I’m the only one who ever came in here, and that was just because I wanted to get to the secret passageway. As a kid, that was the coolest thing in the world to me.”
“Did you ever have friends over?” he asked as he stepped into the room with her. “This house would’ve made the greatest backdrop for hide-and-seek.”
“I had a few friends sleep over,” she admitted. “Looking back now, I only brought friends here. My parents wouldn’t have gone for me inviting them to our house. They were always going to some party, throwing a party or worried about their next travel venture.”
Braden loathed her parents. Why bring a child into this world if you didn’t intend on caring for said child? He admitted he wanted kids, when the time was right. Having them now would be ridiculous because he didn’t have the time to devote to them. And children needed structure, needed family and a bond that provided security.
Zara was a strong woman, but he could see the vulnerability, the brokenness of her childhood still affecting her today.
Stepping around him, she pulled the flashlight from beneath her arm. “Follow me.”
One of the built-in bookcases had a small latch. Zara jerked once, twice, and finally the hinges creaked open. As she flicked on the light and angled the beam into the darkness, Braden’s heart kicked up. He desperately wanted to find what he came for, though realistically he figured things wouldn’t be that easy.
The kitten purred against Braden’s chest. He’d never owned a cat, but he loved animals. His sister would be so happy to take in another stray. She was the proverbial cat lady, though she’d never own up to the term. Laney would take this kitten in with a squeal of delight. He could already envision her snuggling the thing.
Braden stepped into the narrow hallway behind Zara. “Don’t worry if that door closes behind you. We can’t get trapped in here. I guess whoever owned this before my grandmother had a latch installed on both ends of the tunnel. My guess is someone got locked in, so they learned their lesson.”
Locked in a dark place with Zara...not too far off the mark of how they’d spent last night. And not a bad predicament to be in.
The kitten perked up at Zara’s voice and leaped out of Braden’s arms. The little thing moved so fast, Braden worried he’d hurt himself, but when the kitten slid against Zara’s ankles, he figured the animal was just fine.
Zara’s flashlight held steady on the stray. “What is he doing?”
With a laugh, Braden continued to watch the cat seeking affection. “Looks like he wants to be friends.”
“I have enough friends,” she muttered and tried to take a step. When she tripped over the kitten, Braden held out a hand to steady her. “Will she stop trying to be an ankle bracelet anytime soon?”
“If you pick her up,” Braden stated. “Cats have a tendency to cling to one person. You may be the chosen one.”
With the light casting enough of a glow, Braden saw her eyes widen. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
Reluctantly, Zara plucked up the kitten, held her in a bit of an awkward way, but the little fur ball didn’t seem to mind. Braden felt it best not to mention the obvious that the cat seemed to love Zara. Best move on to the point of this tour.
“Is this just a hallway?” he asked, trying to look on the walls for any compartments or doors...hell, anything that would be a clue as to where he could search.
“It opens up into a little room before letting you out into the kitchen.”
Zara let out a grunt, the flashlight bobbed and Braden used his free arm to reach out as she tumbled forward. His arm banded around her waist, his hand connected with her breast as he supported her from falling. Thankfully the kitten was snuggled tight, and Zara had a good grip on the oblivious little thing.
When Zara fell back against him, he didn’t relinquish his hold. How could he when she felt too perfect with her body flush against his?
“Thanks,” she whispered. “I forgot there’s a bit of a dip in the floor right there.”
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded, her hair tickling the side of his face. “Um...you can let me go.”
Her body arched, betraying her words. He couldn’t stop himself. His thumb slid back and forth across her breast before he reluctantly released her. He wanted her aching for him, for his touch. If he kept pushing, she’d completely close off, and he’d look like more of a jerk that what he was. But keeping her body on high alert, having her wonder about what would happen next between them would inevitably have her in his bed. Well, technically her bed.
