Between Midnight and Dawn (6 page)

“It’s not an inconvenience, Nicole.” He leaned in and took her hand between his large palms. “Dean still doesn’t have a lead on your attacker, and until the guy’s caught, you’re safer with me.”

She shook her head. “I’d like to start working out again at the club, and there’s no reason for you to wait around for me. I’ll be fine.”

We aren’t a couple, for Pete’s sake.
Although it felt like it at times, the way Kyle shadowed her, designating himself as her protector. And though sweet, it was time to get her life back on track.

“You’re my tenant, Kyle. Not my bodyguard.”

His eyes hooded, he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing them to the back of her hand in a sensual caress. “What if I want to guard your body?”

Nicole couldn’t look away, caught up in his heated stare as her heart beat a rapid rhythm. The guy was giving her whiplash with his mixed signals. She should be angry, but she couldn’t seem to work up the emotion right now.

He lifted his other hand and cupped her cheek. “I thought we’d go to the Humane Society and get you a dog this afternoon.”

The smile he gave her was warm, coaxing, and she felt her resistance melting away . . . again.

She nodded, amusement making her lips curve up. He was too cute.

“Great,” Kyle said with a confident smirk. Releasing her, he leaned back to pick up his fork again and shoved a big bite of pancake into his mouth.

Chapter 6

“I think it might be a good idea to show you some self-defense moves,” Kyle said, skeptically studying the dog she’d chosen at the Humane Society.

Nicole knelt down and wrapped her arms around Charlie’s neck, hugging him as the dog attempted to wash her face with his sloppy, wet tongue. A nine-month-old Boxer, Kyle had watched as the mutt won her soft heart in all of five seconds after walking into the Humane Society. The woman handling the adoption knew Nicole from the ceramic shop, and she’d waived the background check so they could take the dog right home.

She frowned. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”

Kyle had wanted her to get a bigger, meaner dog, but she’d convinced him Charlie was more suitable for her modest home. He grinned, betting she’d allow the damn animal to sleep with her, which made him feel a bit jealous. Hell, he was becoming far too attached to Nicole and needed to back it the hell down.

But after tasting her kiss earlier, he might be fighting a losing battle. Because he wanted her. She’d tasted sweet, like dark chocolate and cherries. He couldn’t seem to banish the images from his brain of slowly stripping Nicole naked and making love to her for hours.

“Just enough to defend yourself until Charlie here could come to the rescue.”

“I’m sure Charlie’s enough to scare off any bad guys,” Nicole said, grinning up at him.

The sight of her kneeling before him made his dick twitch. Kyle clenched his fist tight, trying to think about something other than how amazing it’d be to have her lush mouth wrapped around his cock. Reminding himself, he needed to concentrate on her safety and nothing else. She was a distraction he could ill afford.

So he turned his attention to the dog. Although big enough, and with an intimidating bark, Charlie was actually a marshmallow. Kyle wasn’t sure how good he’d be at protection. But once she’d seen him, there’d been no changing her mind. The two had already established a mutual admiration society, and hopefully the dog’s bark would be enough to scare off any intruders.

“How about it, Charlie?” He patted the dog’s head. “You gonna protect our girl?”

Charlie’s back end wiggled excitedly against the coffee table in a rapid drumbeat, and he seemed to actually grin up at Kyle. He barked twice, before turning his wet tongue back on Nicole. She laughed, and fell on her very fine ass as the dog rained more sloppy kisses to her face.

The dog mauled her with his big paws, then proceeded to lick her to death. Taking pity on her, although she appeared totally fine with being drenched in dog saliva, he leaned down and took her hand, tugging her, still giggling, to her feet.

Hell, she was adorable. Kyle struggled with the temptation to kiss her again, knowing it wouldn’t be a good idea. He’d freaked her out enough this morning and was lucky she hadn’t kicked him out the door.

But one taste of Nicole hadn’t been nearly enough. He was hungry for more of her. Her lips had been soft and willing. The hesitant feel of her tongue against his had been sweet.

The shiny slobber on her cheeks from the mutt’s attention only made his desire flame higher. Adorable didn’t even come close to describing this woman. She was way past adorable, and he wanted her. Wanted to strip her naked and carry her to bed and lose himself in her arms, her body.

With great effort, Kyle managed to bottle up his desire and stick a cork in it. Starting up something with Nicole would be a disaster, because when she found out he was using her, lying to her, she’d boot his sorry ass out the door for sure.

“Well, it can’t hurt. So, how about we make a date, and I’ll show you some moves.” He hadn’t meant for the words to sound so provocative, but the moves he’d really like to show her flashed through his mind with stunning force.

Her smile fell away, her caramel eyes growing smoky with desire. She took a step back and swiped one hand up and down her thigh. Nervous energy rolled off her.

“Okay,” she said quietly, shrugging one slim shoulder. “Sure.”

Kyle glued his arms to his sides to keep from reaching for her as the sexual tension grew thick in the room. Charlie shoved his way between them, wanting to play and breaking the spell, his rump still beating a rapid tattoo against the furniture.

Kyle decided to take the opportunity to haul tail outta there before he did something he couldn’t take back, like sleep with the woman he was using to bait a killer.

“Okay, how’s tomorrow after work?”

She shook her head. “I have plans tomorrow night.”

His gut twisted as a surge of jealousy swept through him. “You have a date?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.
Get it under control, dammit. I have no claim on this woman.

“No. Sheryl’s coming over for dinner.”

Kyle tried to ignore the relief her words had on him. He read his watch. “How about now?”

“Now?” she asked hesitantly.

He shrugged. “No time like the present.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip, as she thought it over. Lust filtered through his body, and he forced his hand back to his side. Although what he really wanted to do was nibble that lip himself, trace his fingers down her slender neck, to those tantalizing breasts, and lower . . .

Can’t happen, dumbass.
Telling himself that didn’t stop his mind from thinking about all the things he’d like to do with Nicole. Hot, dirty, sensual things that’d have her crying out his name as he rocked into her . . .

Knock it off. Not happening, so no use thinking about it.

She nodded, glancing down at her outfit. “I’ll need to change first.”

Kyle lowered his eyes over Nicole in her sexy outfit, knowing it’d be far too tempting to slide his hands up her skirt in search of silky flesh. His jaw locked and he swallowed hard. “Sure. Wear something loose and comfortable. I need to stop by my place first, but I’ll be back in about ten minutes. Does that give you enough time?”

“Make it fifteen.”

“You got it.” Stepping outside, he waited for the deadbolt to click into place before sprinting across the yard. Once inside the cottage, he forced his attention back to the job at hand, checking that all the cameras and sound equipment were in good order. He felt like a heel as he eavesdropped on her changing, and playing with the dog. Although he very much enjoyed the sound of her laughter.

His body tightened, thinking how in a few minutes he’d have his hands all over her.
For educational training only.
He snorted at his own line of bullshit.

His cell phone rang out, and Rob’s number scrolled across the screen. “Hey, buddy.”

“Hi, Kyle. Are you still in Port Huron?”

“Yeah, I’ll be here a while. Why?”

I’d like to meet up with you tomorrow. I’ve got some information you might be interested in.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“I’ll fill you in when I see you. Where can we meet?”

Kyle wouldn’t leave Nicole unprotected. And since she had dinner plans with Sheryl tomorrow, he wasn’t going anywhere. “I’m renting a cottage from Nicole, in her backyard. I’ll email you the address.”

There was a short pause on the other end, before Rob said, “Nicole Chambers? The woman who was attacked?”

“Yeah.” He knew Rob wouldn’t be too keen on the idea that he had her under surveillance. Too bad, because he’d do whatever it took to take Barber down, and keep her safe while doing it.

So he brought his partner up to speed.

Nicole paced nervously, waiting for Kyle to return. She’d thrown on her workout clothes; a black pair of Capris, a long purple T-shirt with large cut-out armholes, and a black sports bra peeking out from underneath. She was covered practically from head to foot, so why did she get so nervous thinking about Kyle seeing her in the outfit?

Because he’ll be touching me, that’s why.
And though not as daring as what a lot of the women wore at the club, it still showed far more skin than Nicole was used to, except when she was working out. Did this qualify?

This is a bad idea.

Her doorbell rang.

She took a steadying breath.
Too late to back out.

When she opened the door and Kyle saw her, his eyes lit with a smoldering fire. But all he said was, “Ready?” as he walked past her, greeting her dog, “Hey, Charlie.”

Taking a moment to close the door, and calm her jittery nerves, she turned back to him. The desire she’d so clearly recognized in his heated stare, had lessened to a more neutral expression.

He nodded toward the living room, where she’d pushed the furniture out of the way, clearing a large spot in the middle. “You should have waited for me to help.”

Nicole rolled her eyes. “Please. I do vacuum, you know. The furniture doesn’t move itself.”

A slightly crooked smile curved Kyle’s lips as Charlie headed over to his dog bed for a nap. “Suppose not.”

Her stomach fluttered. He was too charming for his own good. How in the hell was she supposed to resist him?
No men rule, remember.
Gah! What a dumb rule. What had she been thinking?

Maybe that your taste in men is crap, and you needed a good long break after the last guy you dated almost killed you.

Oh, yeah. That was it.

Kyle moved to the center of the room, looking all too fine in a pair of tight jeans. He waved her over with two crooked fingers. Her cheeks flamed, hoping he hadn’t caught her checking him out. But by the smirk on his face, she figured he had.

“Now,” he said as she approached, his tone shifting to all business. “If someone tries to grab you, whatcha gonna do?”

“Um. Run away?”

He nodded. “Might work. But, let’s say he manages to get a hold of you. What then?”

She licked her dry lips, nerves rolling around in her stomach. “Is this a trick question?”

The smile that split his face stole her breath. Gone was the serious tenant-slash-police officer from her backyard cottage. The man who stood before her now was a total, flat out, hands-down, no-question-about-it, hottie. His sex appeal exploded into the room like an atomic bomb filling up every nook and cranny.

And in just a minute or so, he was going to put his hands on her.

Ohmygod. Trouble. Seriously.

Maybe this really wasn’t such a good idea—

Nicole screamed when she was suddenly grabbed and her back brought up against Kyle’s chest. One arm clamped around her waist, the other across her throat.

Her natural instinct was to struggle, but he had one leg wrapped around her shins, totally immobilizing her. The heat from Kyle’s body burned her up, and she wasn’t unaware of the rising bulge against the small of her back. Excitement tickled through her.

Charlie let out a little bark, but only lazily watched them. She scowled at him.
Some guard dog!

Mouth pressed against her ear, Kyle murmured in a seductive drawl, “If I were the bad guy, sweetheart, your pretty little ass would be mine right now.”

Just as quickly as he’d grabbed her, he let her go.

Nicole spun around, both irked at his surprise attack, and slightly turned on. Which only irritated her more. Then she froze. Kyle’s eyes blazed hot, looking like a man on the edge. Her anger dissipated faster than steam on a mirror under a blast of warm air.

His jaw flexed, the only thing about him that moved. Still as a predator, he watched her. Unable to resist, her gaze dropped to his jeans, and he was still hard.

“Eyes up here, Nicole,” he said thickly, lifting a hand to point two fingers at his face. Pulse racing, she looked back up as he asked her again, “What do you do if someone grabs you?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. This man made her crazy with his vacillating emotions. Hot one moment, cool the next. What was with him? “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to show me?”

He studied her for another few moments that felt like forever, then nodded. “Three moves. That’s all it takes to give you a fighting chance of escape.”

With a steady expression, he gripped her shoulders and put her in front of him. “If I grab your arm, the first thing you do is go for the throat. Like this . . .”

Bringing his arm up, he stepped forward and swung his upper arm to her throat, but not with any force. “Use your ulna bone, here”—he took her arm and pointed out her wrist bone—“it’s this area you need to jab into his throat. Aim for the windpipe. Be sure to step in with your entire body for momentum.” He demonstrated the move a couple times. “Now you try it.”

Kyle was much taller than her, and it felt awkward the first few times she tried it, but eventually she got the hang of it.

“Nice job, Nicole. Now for the next move.”

Pleasure rushed through her at his praise. She smiled, having a good time. “I’m ready.”

Kyle’s features were relaxed, and he appeared to be enjoying himself as well. “After you’ve chopped him in the throat, you want to step in and strike his solar plexus with your elbow while he’s still off balance.”

He readjusted her so her shoulders were square. “You need to line your shoulders up so they are almost sideways as you take the step. Then, bringing all your body weight forward as you step, slam your elbow directly into the center of his gut.”

Nicole laughed when she completed the movement perfectly in the first try. It was empowering. She felt freaking great!

Kyle grinned at her, pride showing in his eyes. “You got it. Ready for the next move?”

“Yes. Bring it on.” She rocked on the balls of her feet, anxious to continue, feeling less like a victim for the first time in months. The sound of Charlie snoring over in his dog bed, loud enough for her to hear, made her smile, as gratitude toward Kyle filled her heart.