Last Chance by Christy Reece Read Free Book Online Page A

knew
    would never willingly be held.
    McKenna blinked, returning from the deepest sleep she'd had in years.
    Used to bounding out of bed and getting the hell out of wherever she was,
    this feeling of lethargic contentment was unprecedented and scary as hell.
    Nevertheless, she savored the sensation.
    Shifting her head on the pillow, she saw Lucas sitting across from her.
    His eyes were closed, their silver-gray depths hidden from view. Oh man,
    was she in trouble. Lucas was the only man she'd ever met that she would
    love to just sit and be with, talking about anything, everything, or nothing.
    She just wanted to be near him.
    He'd talked about his childhood, about the various schools he had
    attended, and about Kane Enterprises. He had seemed open, no shadows
    apparent. And then she'd asked about his father. He hadn't minded talking
    about him, but the shadows had emerged. Dark, ominous, and full of pain.
    There was love there and a hell of a lot of guilt.
    She wanted to know more; she wanted to know everything. He was a
    dangerous lure. One she damn well could not afford.
    Regret pulling at every cell and muscle in her body, McKenna put her
    feet on the floor. She would refresh herself in the bathroom and then get the
    hell out of here. She wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Not because it
    wouldn't be the polite thing to do. Politeness had disappeared from her life
    long ago. However, they needed to get one thing straight before she
    disappeared from his life for good. He had to stop looking for her.
    Stepping quietly into the bathroom, she gazed around at the
    temptation. Lavish and expensive toiletries filled the room. Cursing herself
    for her one major weakness didn't stop McKenna from taking advantage of
    such luxury. Though she refrained from taking a bubble bath in the giant
    Jacuzzi, she showered, taking advantage of the fragrant shower gel,
    expensive shampoo, and wondrously decadent body lotion.
    39
    Christy Reece
    Twenty minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, feeling like a
    new woman. Though she'd had to put on the same wrinkled clothing,
    beneath her jeans and T-shirt she felt feminine and pretty for the first time in
    years.
    The fragrance of breakfast assailed her senses the moment she opened
    the door. She'd told Lucas many things about herself last night. Nothing that
    would give him any real knowledge of her past, but he'd learned more things
    about her than anyone else on this earth. And from the scents of the
    breakfast he'd ordered, he had made use of that knowledge.
    Breakfast was her favorite meal. Her mom had been a wonderful cook
    and her father had been a breakfast lover. Every Sunday the family had
    shared what her dad referred to as a good old-fashioned country chow-down.
    Her heart clutched as she remembered what she'd once taken for granted,
    rolled her eyes at, and disdained. Oh God, how she wished she could take it
    all back. She would give anything and everything if only she could.
    "Breakfast is ready."
    McKenna jerked to attention. She was thankful she was long past the
    days of shedding tears for the massive mistakes she'd made. Explaining
    those tears to this man who seemed to be able to see straight into her soul
    already wasn't something she could deal with.
    He was standing in the elegant dining room, beside a food-laden table.
    She'd learned many things about Lucas Kane last night. One she hadn't
    expected was his need to take care of her. Despite the knowledge that she
    was treading on the most dangerous ground with him, she couldn't prevent
    the little thrill that went through her. That this beautiful, golden Adonis of a
    man wanted to do nice things for her filled her with all sorts of warm tingles.
    She ignored her heart's warning that reminded her the last man who'd
    filled her with those feelings had brutally betrayed her in the worst possible
    way. That man and Lucas had nothing in common. Besides, after today she
    would never see him again. What could one breakfast