Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers (8 page)

Her lips were warm and soft, and as sweet as he imagined they’d be. Her lips parted and she set him ablaze as her tongue caressed his in an unexpected silken stroke. That was all it took for his body to come to life. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman affected him on so primal a level, and as he solidly against him, he caught her breathless sigh. She arched against him, her breasts pressing into his chest, and it was his turn to sigh. He wanted to touch her, wanted to feel her body against his without any barriers between them, no fabric, no stays, just her skin naked against him.

He slid his hand from her cheek, along her neck, down over the curve of her left breast. Katherine started, her fingernails biting into his nape. But then the pressure on his neck eased. A gently as he could manage, he grazed upward, smiling as he swept over the hard nub of her nipple. This time, she neither protested nor stiffened. Instead, her back arched more.

“Oh my…” she breathed into his mouth as he repeated the caress. Her arms tightened about him and he gave into his swelling lust. He gently backed her into the room, using one foot to nudge the door shut. Step by careful step, he guided her to the first bed in their path, where he pressed her into the tick to cover her body with his.

Her head fell back and he devoured her neck, kissing downward into the dip of her décolletage. Her fingers slid through his hair, and his blood surged thick through his veins as she guided him toward the valley between her breasts.

With one hand, he caught the neckline of her gown, but as he eased it over her shoulder, she murmured, “Mr. McKenzie, I — ”

He lifted his head to whisper, “Garrett,” as he inched the fabric over her shoulder.

Her hand came up, her fingers curling about his wrist to halt him. “Wait, Garrett.”

“I don’t want to wait,” he replied, desire thickening his voice to a low growl. “What I want is to peel this dress from you and kiss you until you’ve forgotten your name. Then — ”

She didn’t let him finish, but tugged him down to meet her lips. Heat flared through him as she shifted, her legs parting to accommodate his hips. The unexpected contact made him break the kiss to suck in a sharp breath. “You ought warn a man first,” he murmured.

Her laugh was a warm rush on his cheek. “My apologies. I couldn’t help myself.”

He rose up on his forearms. “There’s no need to apologize.”

“Then I don’t.”

Her pert reply surprised him, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. She laughed with him, the peals fading as he shifted his weight and brought a hand up to cover her breast. He waited for her protest and when none came, he gave a gentle squeeze. Another groan. Not only was her breast firm beneath his palm, but her nipple poked through both her chemise and her bodice.

She inhaled a sudden breath, and pulled him close again. It was his turn to shudder as she grabbed a handful of his shirt to tug it from the waist of his breeches and her palm skimmed hotly up against his bare back.

The air heated up, thick and musky with desire as their kiss deepened. She offered no resistance as he caught a handful of her skirts to shove up, past her knees, over the curve of her thigh. The tick crunched as he rolled and pulled her atop him. Linen fluttered above his head as he whisked the gown from her body and flung it toward the head of the bed.

Her fingernails swept up his back, and he shivered at the goose flesh left in her wake as he reached up to fumble with what pins remained in her hair. There weren’t many, and when he extracted the last one, the glorious mass of dark red tumbled all around them. He caught a handful, savoring the silken mass as it slid through his fingers.

She broke the kiss by lifting her head. A sensual smile lifted her lips, one full of promise. He wanted to tug her back to him, but didn’t. Instead, he simply watched.

The light flickered, but he didn’t miss the darkening in her cheeks.

“What is it?” she whispered, sounding as if she expected him to scold her for something.

“You are beautiful,” he murmured, sweeping a handful of her hair away from her face. “Stunningly so.”

Her flush deepened. She dipped her head, her hair falling forward to hide her face. He caught her under the chin with a crooked finger to lift it. “I want you, sweetheart. And I only hope you want me as well.”

“I do.” She bit her lower lip, but then smiled and traced her forefinger along his cheek. “You have no idea.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

Those words sent a heady rush through him and he tugged her back down to seize her lips in a fierce kiss, which she returned with a hunger that rivaled his own. His pulse pounded through his temples, every sinew in his body tightened, and an unbelievable desire bit into him with freshly sharpened fangs. His trousers were snug, growing snugger with each minute, and he wanted to groan with relief as she tugged on them. His entire body stiffened in anticipation of her first touch, of her curious fingers exploring him, teasing him, making him want her even more.

“Katherine?”

Damn it!
Garrett winced as Mrs. Riley’s voice floated through the door. Katherine froze, and he swallowed a frustrated groan as she lifted her head to peer over one shoulder at the door. Much as he hated to break the moment, there was nothing he could do but murmur, “You’d best answer her, love. Lest she break down the door.”

Her soft, husky laugh sent chills down his spine. “I suppose I should.” She cleared her throat. “Yes?”

“I’ve brought you a tray since you did not come down for supper.”

He sank back into the tick, his breathing still ragged around the edges, and Katherine did nothing to ease his discomfort by replying, “Thank you, Mrs. Riley. I’ll fetch it in a moment. I’m not dressed.”

He groaned at that, closing his eyes. “You should not say such things around a man in my state, love.”

Mrs. Riley was quiet for a moment, and then said, “Very well. Good night.”

“Good night, Mrs. Riley.”

The housekeeper’s footfalls faded down the hallway. Once everything was silent, Garrett opened his eyes. “Come with me to my room, love. There, we’ll not be disturbed.”

She leaned into him, her lips teasing against his neck to bring another groan to his lips, one he fought back to murmur, “Is that a yes?”

Her breath was a warm puff on his neck as she whispered back, “Yes.”

Chapter Twelve

She had to be mad, but didn’t have the will, to resist Garrett any longer. Besides, she’d done enough lamenting over what happened the night in his office. If for only one night, she wanted to experience the magic she knew he would be.

She drew back, easing down off him, and tugged her chemise back to her shoulders. All the while, he lay there, a half-smile on his lips, and molten amber in his heavy gaze. Then, he sat, leaned in to brush her lips with a quick kiss, and got to his feet.

In the same motion, he caught her hand in his, linking their fingers to pull her up alongside him. His thumb stroked lightly over the pad of her hand to send a rush of heat coursing through her. Once she followed him through that door, there’d be no turning back.

Then he bent over her and caught her lips in a kiss so gentle, so tender, it wiped away any lingering hesitation. He stepped away, smiling at her over one shoulder as he pulled open the door and they stepped into the darkened corridor.

She didn’t resist as he led her down the steps to his chambers. Once inside, he pushed the door closed and leaned back against it. “No interruptions this time, love.”

She stared at the monstrosity of a bed directly across from her. Should she climb into it? Should she stand there and wait for him? Perhaps it was the height of foolishness, but she didn’t know which move she should make.

A floorboard creaked and he made the decision for her as he stepped up behind her, eased both arms about her, and pressed a hot kiss into the slope of her neck. A shiver went down her spine. Her teeth caught her bottom lip of their own accord. It was the lightest of touches, but one that reverberated through her entire body.

She bit back a laugh at the unexpected tickle of his lips on her skin. She hadn’t known how sensitive her neck was until he kissed her. A teasing nibble, the sensual pull of cotton dragging over her skin as he inched it down. Another playful bite. Desire swirled through her as he bared still more skin. His lips were gentle, the tip of his tongue fluttered against her, and the tingles rippling through her were more delightful with each pass.

His fingers grazed her shoulder, moved over her right shoulder blade, to clear a path for his next kiss. He drew back leaving her teetering on the edge as she awaited the next caress of his lips on her skin.

However, it never happened. Instead, a gentle fingertip traced across her back. “What is this?”

Her stomach twisted and an icy dread swept through her.
Bloody hell
.

How did she forget about that damned raised scar? How was it even possible, considering the way the wound had bled when first inflicted upon her. It was amazing how neatly a sharp edge could open skin, how such a wound could bleed so much.

“Katherine?”

She winced as he lifted her chemise away from her skin. This time, though, there was nothing teasing
or
gentle about it.

“What in hell’s name is this, Katherine?” The color drained from her face, leaving her chilled with dread. It washed away every last bit of the pleasant feelings Garrett so carefully brought to life and shame filled her as she caught the neckline of her chemise to hold it firmly in place. “It’s nothing.”

“Like hell it’s nothing. What is it?”

“Please.” She freed herself of his hold, then turned to him. His eyes narrowed. “Tell me this is a mark you were born with, Katherine. Tell me it’s not what I think it is.”

She pressed her lips together, wishing she had her shawl,
anything
, with which to cover herself. If he hadn’t stood between her and the door, she would have run as fast as she could, and locked herself in her room. Anything to free herself from his furious glare and dark scowl.

But since she had neither shawl nor means to escape, she wrapped her arms about herself in an fruitless attempt to quell the iciness spreading through her. “I’d rather not speak of it.”

His scowl softened, as did his voice as he asked, “Who did that to you?”

“Mr. McKenzie, I beg you…can we not let it drop?”

“Like hell we will.” He leaned back against the door, folding his arms over his chest.

Her shivers worsened. “Please, it’s of no consequence. Really. It happened a very long time ago.”

“I find that hard to believe. Old scars go white, love. This one is recent. I’ve enough of my own to prove it.”

“What concern is it of yours?” she snapped.

Why didn’t he understand, why couldn’t he see she had no desire to explain? She didn’t want to relive the memory, so why couldn’t he just let it lie?

“I don’t believe you’d ask such a thing of me,” he replied softly, lifting that imperious eyebrow as he shook his head. “I’ll ask again. Who cut you, Katherine?”

“Garrett — ”

“
Who
?”

His voice rose to a roar, sending fresh fear through her. He was furious and for a moment, she was terrified he might strike her. He certainly seemed angry enough to do just that. She took a step backwards at the fire in his eyes.

“Who, Katherine? Trust me, you do
not
wish me to ask again.”

“Garrett, I don’t want to talk about it.”

A muscle bulged in his jaw, but some of that fire faded from his eyes. His hands tightened on his upper arms, but then eased as well. As he struggled to control his anger, she crossed to the bed, her shoulders slumping as she sank onto the neatly made bed.

“Katherine.” His voice was tight, but calm, and eased some of her trepidation. He unfolded his arms, his hands coming to rest on his hips. “Kat, please. Tell me.”

His use of Kat sent a ripple through her. It was so…
intimate
. She looked up at him. Could she trust him?

Yes.

A deep breath, and her fingers twisted in the skirt of her chemise as she said, “I should warn you. You want nothing to do with me. I’ll not blame you one bit.”

“Why don’t you let me decide that matter?” He sat beside her. “Now, please, love. Tell me, won’t you?”

Her heart had never felt so heavy as it did at that moment. She released her chemist and buried her face in her hands. “I ought to leave now. Just disappear.”

“Why? What is it? What has you so convinced I’ll want nothing to do with you?”

“Because. I am ruined.”

Her hands muffled her voice, so he gently caught her wrists to pull them away. “I’m afraid I missed that.”

Holding his gaze as best she could, she managed, “I said, I am ruined.”

“Ruined how, love?” At her long stare, he realized what she meant. “I see.”

His voice was cold, his eyes suddenly hard. Another chill shot through her and she gestured toward the door. “I’ll take my leave now.”

“You’ll do no such thing, Katherine.” He caught her wrist to draw her hand back down, keeping it tight in his. “You are going to tell me
exactly
what happened to you.”

She wanted so much to turn back the hands of time to when they were up in her room. She wanted to fall into his arms once more, to feel those strong arms wrapped around her and holding her close. There she was safe. Safer than she even felt at Ravenswood itself.

But that moment was gone now and there would be no recapturing it. It wouldn’t be long before Garrett ordered her out of his room, possibly out of his home.

“I killed a man.”

He remained perfectly still, his gaze never wavering. “You killed a man.”

There was no question in his statement and she winced at the flatness of his voice. “That is to say, I thought I did. Up until that night in the alley.”

“The night you tried to take my head from my shoulders.”

Katherine bit her bottom lip. “Yes.”

“The toad?” At her slow nod, he exhaled heavily. “And why did you not simply tell me this that night?”

“I barely knew you, Garrett. I couldn’t tell you.”

“Female logic at its finest.”

His dry tone sparked her temper. Despite her bone-chilling fear, she couldn’t control the flash of irritation shooting through her. “Think about it, Garrett, won’t you? I’d only just met you. What would you have thought if I was to have told you the man I was running from was the same one I thought I killed back in London? You’d have thought me mad, wouldn’t you?”

He rubbed his eyes. “What happened that you tried to kill him?”

“He…he…” Her voice broke as the shame reared up once more. He grew blurry as stinging tears filled her eyes. She rolled them up, trying to keep those tears from spilling over, but it was all for naught. What began as one tear slipping over her cheek quickly became a flood. As soon as the first sob broke free, she was helpless to hold back any others.

Garrett didn’t rush her, didn’t sigh with impatience, but instead drew her into his chest and folded his arms about her. A gentle hand against the back of her head, and he guided her into the warm comfort of the slope of his neck. She didn’t fight him, but welcomed what he offered. His fingers moved lightly over her hair, and continued to do so even as her sobs subsided. Her breathing hitched as he brushed his thumb over her damp cheek.

“Are you ready to tell me now, Kat?”

Another hitch and she reluctantly pulled back, swiping at her cheeks with the backs of both hands. He didn’t sound irritated, but concerned, and it was almost enough to make her cry again. She bit the inside of her cheek as he asked, “What did he do?”

She couldn’t meet his gaze, staring instead at her wrinkled black skirt, where her fingers busily crumpled, and then smoothed, the cotton.

He plucked the fabric from her fingers. “Kat?”

Still staring at the crinkled fabric, she cleared her throat to say, “When I was nine, my father died and a few years later, my mother remarried. He was a lovely man, one I loved almost as much as my father.

“Then, when I was thirteen, Mother and my stepfather were killed in a carriage accident. Gerald Sanders was my step-uncle. He was my only living kin, so I went to live with him and his housekeeper, Sadie.”

Garrett nodded, rubbing her back with one hand. “Go on, then.”

“Everything was fine whilst I was a girl. I was short and plain with this awful red hair and plenty of baby fat to spare. At first, I thought nothing of the attention he lavished upon me. I thought it wonderful, as everything I asked for was mine. I went to balls and parties, wore the most beautiful clothes, socialized with peers, and it was wonderful. I thought I would find a nice baron or perhaps a viscount and win his heart.

“What I didn’t know what that he was planning to marry me. In fact, any suitor who dared to appear on our doorstep soon stopped coming around. Everyone seemed to lose interest. Then I leaned the reason why.

“The night he attacked me, he did so because I rejected his proposal. He went mad. Stark, raving mad. Called me all sorts of vile names and threatened to kill me if I refused to wed him. Then, he came up with the idea that, were he to compromise me, I’d have no choice.”

“And so he tried to rape you?”

It was more a statement than a question. She swallowed hard and nodded. “Exactly.”

The hand on her back went still, but only briefly. Then it slid up, his fingers curving over her shoulder. “Fortunately for you, lady, you’ve the makings of a terrific boxer, should you wish to be one.”

“Yes, well…” Her laugh emerged as a pathetic squeak. She cleared her throat, hoping it wouldn’t clog again, that she wasn’t about to start crying again. Her eyes still stung, but they were surprisingly dry now. Her lips were dry, so she licked them to say, “It wasn’t quite so terrific, I’m afraid. He forced himself on me. I fought back, but to no avail. He was simply too strong.” She let out a shaky sigh. “There was a poker, for…for the fireplace. When I finally got away, he grabbed it. He swung it, coming down with it and — and caught me as I tried to run.” Her voice, cracking with each word, trailed off into shamed silence.

This time, she met his gaze directly, and all wobble left her voice. “There was a stone squirrel on the hearth. I grabbed it and hit him with it.”

“He caught you, did he?” Fire edged his words. She tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn’t let her. Instead, he tightened his hold on her, pulled her close again, and her resolve melted. Hot tears pricked her eyes, flooded them to the point where she could no longer see even a blurred Garrett. It took only the slightest pressure of his hand on her back for her to lean into him, to bury her face against the brick wall of his chest.

Garrett held her firmly against him, smoothing a hand over her braid. “Shh…love,” he murmured as she went still against him. “Shh…”

She sniffed, relaxing against his warmth. “I am so sorry, Garrett.”

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for. Hell, if you’d like,
I’ll
kill the man for you.”

His reaction to her scandalous past surprised her. She’d expected him to be furious with her, to be repulsed by her. Certainly, she’d never even thought he might be angry
for
her.