Razing Kayne by Julieanne Reeves Read Free Book Online

surrounded. How the hell had that happened? She retreated, making a beeline
     for the half-wall near the amphitheater stage.
    “IMAX and the video arcade at Arizona Mills.”
    He was offering them the mall? Foolish man. He had no clue what he was getting himself into. “Playing hooky from school tomorrow. HA!” Top that!
    “Now that's cheating.” Kayne peppered her with snowballs until she reached the wall.
     “But...since you have tomorrow off. Snowboarding in Flagstaff.”
    “There's no school tomorrow!” Ash shouted.
    Damn, she was hoping they'd forgotten that.
    “New rules,” Ash announced. “You two against the rest of us. No prisoners.”
    “Hey!” Jess couldn’t believe they were siding against her. “Where's your loyalty?”
    “We can be bought,” Maddy said. “Consider us privateers. Highest bidder, and all of that.”
    Kayne jumped out from behind his hiding place, launching snow balls at the kids’ feet,
     and ran toward Jess. He dropped down behind the half-wall next to her. “So what are
     you going to do about this?” His eyes were full of mischief, and he grinned from ear
     to ear. God, he was beautiful when he smiled. Happy looked good on him.
    “Me? This is your fault. ”
    “Hello, you're the one who offered them cookies. I should arrest you for encouraging
     truancy.”
    She just bet he’d like to use those cuffs on her.
    Kayne leaned in close. His warm breath tickled her neck, making her shiver. “I'd be
     very gentle,” he whispered seductively.
    Shit, had she said that out loud?
    “Your skin is so delicate, I'd have to be.” He caressed his cold knuckles across her
     cheek. Slowly he leaned toward her, his eyes on her lips as if he were about to kiss
     her. Before she could turn away, a snowball pelted the back of his head, spraying
     her face .
    Kayne jerked away. He studied her for a long moment, a confused look on his face.
     Then, as if remembering where he was, he hollered, “What’s your offer?” He tossed
     a couple snowballs over the wall at the kids.
    Maybe she'd misread him. God she had never been any good at this guy stuff, and she
     didn't want to start now. Kayne was much too male for her. More accurately, she wouldn't
     be enough for someone like him.
    “Movie and snowboarding.” There was a long moment of arguing before Ash sighed heavily. “ And Build-A-Bear.”
    “’Sabella?” Kayne chuckled.
    Jess nodded. Isabelle loved the bear shop.
    Kayne pitched his voice loud enough for the kids to hear. “I think we can take them.”
    “You're not surrendering?” Ash sounded nervous.
    “Not a chance!” Kayne turned to Jessica. “Okay, on three, stand up and start throwing. They’re right out in the open.” Kayne motioned to the pile
     of snowballs he'd formed.
    She nodded and failed to stifle a giggle. He flashed a heart-stopping grin in return.
    “Retreat!” Ash ordered as soon as Kayne started lobbing snowballs at their feet with incredible
     accuracy.
    Jess fell into Kayne's side laughing. He wrapped her in his arms as if they'd done
     this a hundred times. Kayne smiled down at her. “You're going to give into their demands
     anyway, aren't you?”
    For a long moment, they stood there lost in each other, until she remembered he'd
     asked a question. “I've never been able to say no to them, Jarred,” she stammered
     nervously.
    Kayne's arms dropped, and he took a hasty step back. She wasn't sure who was more
     shocked over her slip. But before she could apologize, Kayne turned and walked away.
    ***
    Desperate to get the fuck out of there, Kayne didn't say goodbye to anyone. He needed
     to be alone. He’d been so wrapped up in the moment—something he shouldn't have allowed to happen— that he'd forgotten he didn't belong. Until Jessica had called him by her deceased husband's name. He knew it had been an accident, but it had been the wakeup call he'd needed.
    She'd met her one true love, and he'd been taken from her, and Kayne had no place