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She leaned over and kissed his forehead, catching another distinctive whiff of baby shampoo. She quietly backed away from the bed, and Trey did the same, his gaze on her.
“Now Mommy and Daddy have to kiss,” Jason said sleepily.
Kelly froze.
Jason’s eyes were wide open now, staring at them, waiting.
And then Trey’s mouth was on hers, his hands cupping her cheeks. While last night he’d seemed surprised by the kiss, tonight he took possession of her mouth with such intent and control she knew he’d planned this, intended to elicit a reaction from her.
When he drew back, her lips felt ripe and deliciously bruised. Was he the world’s greatest kisser or had she never met a man who knew how to do it properly?
He smiled down at her, cupping her cheek with his warm hand. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
She understood his apology had nothing to do with his mouth on hers. But exactly what was he sorry for?
“Good night, son,” Trey said.
Kelly allowed him to take her hand and lead her out of Jason’s room. She came back to herself halfway down the staircase and yanked her hand from his.
He looked back at her with an unreadable expression. “We need to talk.”
“You bet we do,” she said.
Her life was spiraling out of control. She’d worked too long and too hard to allow that to happen. She needed to get herself back on track. She needed to get off billionaire island and back to reality.
* * *
AS KELLY STOMPED ahead of him into the bar, Trey wondered if she was prickly because of the kiss, the bodyguard or maybe it was the security clearance issue. Everything he did made her angry. Dealing with Kelly Jenkins was like walking on shredded glass.
His feelings about her changed constantly, but his admiration for her ambition and resolve increased steadily. As did his appreciation of her body. Under different circumstances, he would have seen where their kisses led. She could pretend otherwise, but in his arms Kelly turned into a firecracker—one ready to ignite.
She removed a wineglass from the overhead display and sat at a bar stool. When he moved behind the bar, she pushed the glass toward him.
Trey selected a bottle, opened it and poured ruby liquid into her glass. He’d intended to ask Kelly about her history this evening, open up a dialogue to get some more intimate clues about her life, but had reconsidered that idea. He’d talk to Dr. Carico first about how he should approach the subject. Donna might have some professional insight.
“I’m sorry if the security clearance upset you,” he said. “It was ordered before I got to know you. Please forgive me.”
“You think you know me now?”
“A poor choice of words,” he said, pouring wine into a second glass. “Of course I don’t know you. I met you two days ago.”
“Damn right,” she muttered, and took a healthy swallow.
When she lowered the glass, he met her clear blue gaze. She had amazing eyes, but she looked away.
“What are you so angry about, Kelly?” he asked softly.
Her gaze flew back to his.
“And what can I do to make it right?”
She released a sigh, her shoulders relaxing.
He tasted the wine. “If you like, I can arrange for a taxi to take you to work. Just tell me what you need.”
“Truthfully, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m just—I don’t know. Unsettled by everything that’s going on.”
“You don’t like our kisses?”
“Oh, I like them, all right,” she said, as color crept into her cheeks. “And you know it. That’s part of the problem.”
“I agree.”
Her eyes widened. “You do?”
“I also like our kisses too much.”
She smiled faintly and averted her gaze. “How long can this go on, Trey? I can’t stay here for the rest of my life. I mean, I like Jason and all. Despite his delusions about me being mother material, he’s a sweet kid. But this crazy situation is screwing up my career. My whole life.”
“You don’t think you’re mother material?”
“Absolutely not. I’d be lousy at it.”
“Now I do have to disagree. You’re wonderful with Jason.”
“Are you kidding? Did you see his face when he caught us arguing?” She closed her eyes as if to shut out that image.
