Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye Read Free Book Online

could finally do what she'd wanted, she turned her face toward him and swam in the tantalizing scents of crisp, clean aftershave and man.
    When he wrapped his arms around her waist, she sighed, then covered his arms with hers.
    "Better?” he asked.
    "Mmm, much. Thanks."
    She felt him nod and smiled when he pressed a kiss onto her hair.
    Makenna was tired, but didn't think she could sleep. It was stifling in the elevator. She suspected the heat was as responsible for her exhaustion as the hour.
    "Got any more questions?” she asked after a while, wanting to hear his voice again.
    Caden chuckled and his chest rumbled against her back. “Hmm...where do you live?"
    "You know the shopping center at Clarendon, where the Barnes and Noble and Crate and Barrel are?"
    "Yeah."
    "I live in the apartments above that.
    "Those are pretty new, aren't they?"
    "Yeah, I've been there about a year. It's great for people watching. I sit on my balcony a lot and watch the kids run around the playground and the people walk between the shops. How ‘bout you, where do you live?"
    "I got a townhouse in Fairlington. I work out of the firehouse there, so it's pretty convenient. Does your family live around here, too?"
    "No. My dad, Patrick, and Ian still live outside of Philadelphia, where I grew up. And Collin's in graduate school in Boston.” Makenna hesitated for a moment, then said, “My mom died when I was three. Breast cancer."
    Caden hugged her tighter. “Shit, I'm sorry, Makenna. I went on and on—"
    "Stop, really. I didn't want to say anything before when you told me about your mom, because...well, I mean, this sounds kinda bad to say. But I don't remember my mom. So, for most of growing up, she was more of an idea than someone I actually knew enough to miss. It doesn't compare to what you went through."
    "It sure as hell does,” Caden urged. “I don't care whether you're three or fourteen—a kid needs her mom. At the age you were, you probably needed yours more than I needed mine."
    Makenna nuzzled back into Caden's chest, loving the protectiveness she heard in his voice. “I don't know. Maybe. But that's the thing. I don't know how he did it, but my dad was so great, he managed to fill his shoes and hers. Patrick is seven years older than me. He did a lot to help with me and Collin too. And my dad's sister moved to Philadelphia some time after my mom died. Aunt Maggie was always there when I had a problem I couldn't go to any of the guys with. So, while it's sad to think about not having had a mother, I had a good childhood. I was happy."
    "Good,” Caden whispered, “that's good."
    Caden couldn't believe she'd lost her mother too. It explained a lot about her—she clearly understood loss, even if her experience was different than his. But he had no doubt hers had taught her the empathy and compassion she showed when he'd told his story. He thought maybe he finally understood what people meant when they talked about kindred spirits.
    Makenna's back arched when she stretched and yawned, and Caden stifled a groan when her bottom pressed back into his groin. The friction was fantastic but too short. His imagination took off at a sprint. All he could think about was grinding himself into her tight ass and feeling the sensual curves of her hips in his hands as he held her to him. He was surprised out of his fantasizing when she didn't lean against his chest again, but instead shifted around to face him. He could tell she was sitting on her legs because he felt her knees press against the inside of his thighs. The contact made his groin tighten. He clenched and released his fists, trying so damn badly to let her take the lead. He didn't want to push her past where she wanted to go. But her initiative was fucking sexy. When her hands landed on his chest, his cock twitched and fully hardened. He shifted his hips to make himself more comfortable. She leaned into him. He moaned his appreciation when her breasts fell against his chest as her