Banishing Shadows by Lorna Jean Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

more pain. She’d let him stay because there was no other choice available. And as soon as she proved there was no danger, he’d be gone.
    “When it comes to safety, I’ll listen to you. But only in that,” she warned him. She knew him—he’d take over if she let him.
    “Bath’s ready, Kayla.”
    “Oh, okay.” She flushed, turning to walk out of the room. Idiot.
    “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, tugging her back.
    “I-I’m leaving you to b-bathe,” she stuttered.
    “I drew the bath for you, Kayla. You need to relax or you’ll never sleep.”
    She didn’t sleep much anyway.
    “Fine,” she muttered, longing for the bath but irritated by his high-handed assumption that she’d want one.
    He ran his thumb over her knuckles, stirring warmth in her belly. She moved closer to him, drawn by his sensual pull.
    “Need any help undressing?” He grinned devilishly and suddenly Kayla realized she was standing flush against him.
    She stumbled back, flustered. “You better leave before the water gets cold,” she snapped, annoyed by the arousal surging through her. She hadn’t reacted this way to a man in ages.
    “If you need me, yell out.” He left, shutting the door behind him.
    What was wrong with her? He annoyed her, he was a high-handed jerk.
    And still she was attracted to him. Urgh, someone up there was having a laugh at her expense. This was unbelievable. Even if she’d been her old self, Cord was the absolute last person she should want.
    She locked the door and quickly stripped. Climbing into the bath, she let out a deep breath as warm water soothed her tense muscles. Closing her eyes, she lay back and let herself relax.
    * * * * *
     
    Cord paced outside the bathroom door. He’d made some gains tonight. He shouldn’t push her any further. Kayla had accepted his presence, his protection—mainly because he’d deliberately misled her about why he was here. He wasn’t here because of his friendship with Jed. He didn’t consider this another job.
    He was here for her.
    If his small lies gave him time to build her trust in him and meant she accepted his protection, he would keep up the pretense.
    He was thankful he’d listened to his instincts tonight. He didn’t want to think about what might have happened if he hadn’t gone looking for her.
    Luckily her brothers were like him—overprotective and paranoid enough to think the worst. He’d shamelessly used their fear for her safety to his advantage and now he was exactly where he needed to be. Faster than he thought he would be and with far more complications. But he was with her. That was what counted.
    Fury burned as he remembered her pale, shocked face tonight. And what had he done? Berated her for not fighting back. He should have held her, comforted her. But he’d been so scared, so furious that he’d reacted without thought.
    Another man had manhandled his woman, had tried to harm her. A low growl erupted from Cord’s mouth before he could stop it. He gazed down at his clenched hands and deliberately relaxed them. He had to retain control. He couldn’t show her this side of him—the hard, vicious part he’d inherited from his father.
    He wasn’t sure Kayla could love someone as dominant as he was. But he was going to do his damnedest to convince her. To win her over.
    He’d fought against his own needs and given her time to find someone better, kinder.
    But she hadn’t.
    And he was through denying himself her softness, her light. He might not be gentle or sweet or flexible, but he would always ensure she was safe, he would always put her happiness before his own and he would never, ever leave her again.
    Having her in danger ripped at his control. If he hadn’t run before, then she would never have been attacked four months ago, she wouldn’t have been alone, wouldn’t have been vulnerable, been hurt.
    Cord took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. This wasn’t helping. She didn’t need him angry and raging. She