Last Chance (14 page)

A mutinous expression, and then she glared at him.

Rising to his feet, he got in her face, leaned his forehead against hers,

and shouted, "Nod your damn head!"

Her head jerked with a quick nod, and Damon felt as if he'd won a

small victory. Taking a breath, he seated himself again and said in a more

even tone, "I don't want cross words between us. When I say something, I

want you to acknowledge your understanding with a nod. If there's

something you don't understand, then shake your head and I'll explain

further." He raised a brow. "Understand?"

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She nodded again. He was pleased to see that fear had replaced the

earlier anger. Once she was trained, he wouldn't have to use harsh words

with her. With a touch or a mere look or gesture, she would be able to

understand and do what he asked. Until that happened, he would use a firm

but controlled hand.

"Good. Now, this wasn't the way I envisioned our reunion, but you

really gave me no choice."

She continued to stare at him with those accusing, terror-filled eyes.

The fear was good; it would help her focus. The accusation would fade once

she accepted the way things would be.

Her gaze moved from him to roam around the room. He waited to see

the recognition, the happiness. When her eyes looked back at him, he saw

nothing but anger. What the fuck was wrong with her? "Don't you recognize

the room?"

She stared at him for several seconds, then shook her head.

He tamped down his temper; his McKenna was sometimes dense

about certain things. "The room is identical to your room when you were a

teenager. Remember? When we first met?" When she just stared at him, he

sighed with frustration. "On Sundays, when you and your family went to

church, I would sneak in and sit in your room for hours. I remembered every

detail of your room and replicated it perfectly."

Tears fell from her eyes again. Damon ignored her for the time being.

There would be plenty of opportunity later to discipline her if she continued

to be stubborn. For now, he needed to say what he'd been planning for years

to tell her.

He stood and began pacing around the room as he recited all the

things he had done for her. "I created an empire for you, amassed a fortune.

Built this mansion with you in mind. The swimming pool, too." He turned

around suddenly to see that she was once again shaking her head. "Dammit,

stop that. All of the things I've done for you, and yet I still see no

appreciation."

Damon drew another breath and started again. "I know we've had our

differences. Our time together, after your parents' death, wasn't what I

wanted it to be. You were rebellious and I was angry. You deeply

disappointed me and I had no choice but to punish you until you complied.

But the way you handled things, McKenna..." He shook his head. "That was

so very wrong. And then your betrayal...if not for the friendships I made, I

would still be in prison."

Damon closed his eyes as he felt the anger try to reemerge. No, all of

that was in the past. He needed to forget about how much she had hurt him.

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"I know you were angry with me. You didn't approve of the way I handled

the situation with your parents. But they were trying to keep us apart,

McKenna. You broke up with me because of them. I couldn't allow that.

Don't you understand? I couldn't let you go, baby. From the moment we met,

I knew we were meant to be together."

He sat down across from her again. "I was angry and let my temper

get the best of me. I should have sent you out of the house before I took care

of them." He smiled. "See, I'm not too proud to admit my mistakes."

Leaning forward, he caught her gaze. "But you need to understand that it

wasn't all just me. There were so many things you did, too."

Tears filled his eyes as he remembered the things she'd done to hurt

him. "You tried to leave me in the cruelest way possible. And then, when

that didn't work, you betrayed me." He wiped at his face, a little embarrassed

that he'd let her see his weakness. A strong man did not cry, even when

those he loved tried to destroy that love.

"But I've forgiven you, McKenna, for all of those things, and I'm

ready to move forward. All of that is in the past, where it belongs. You're

here to stay. And we'll be happy. I'll make sure we're happy this time.

"When we were together before, I realize my punishments were

painful, but I only did it to help you understand how much I love you. I had

no choice but to teach you a lesson. That's what love is...punishment and

then forgiveness. You understand that, don't you?"

She closed her eyes and tears slipped through her closed lids. He

knew she was probably exhausted. He would let her rest soon. "Look at me

when I'm speaking, McKenna."

In an instant, her eyes flew open.

Her immediate obedience pleased him immensely. "Good girl. I want

you to be happy. Everything I do...it's all for you, baby. Now, nod your head

like the good girl you know how to be and I'll get you some water and food

and allow you to rest."

She nodded frantically.

Damon smiled his approval. Yes, she was coming around very quickly

now. To show her how considerate he could be when she obeyed him, he

explained, "I know it's been a while since we've seen each other and you

might be feeling a bit shy, so my housekeeper is going to help you freshen

up. I must warn you, though, Margret has a black belt in karate and has my

full permission to restrain you by force. Whatever bruises she's forced to

give you, I'll have to add to them. Do you understand?"

When she nodded again, he smiled his pleasure. Things were going

splendidly. "Tomorrow we'll start rebuilding our relationship."

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Pressing a kiss to the top of her silky head, he walked out the door.

Margret stood in the hallway, ready to take care of his woman. She had been

his loyal servant for years and was totally devoted to him and his happiness.

She would make sure McKenna had everything she needed and would

ensure she wouldn't leave.

Tomorrow he would show McKenna around his estate and share the

most exciting news of all. What woman wouldn't be thrilled to know that in

a few days from now, she would have her dream wedding?

London

"It's getting late. I need to go." The words sounded much more sure

than what she felt. She didn't want to leave. It had been the best day of her

life, without exception. Lucas had showed her around the grounds, then

she'd sat with him in a darkened theater room, held his hand, and watched an

old Cary Grant movie she'd never seen. They'd eaten buttered popcorn and

drunk icy sodas; McKenna felt as if she were on a real date. After the movie,

dinner had been served in a room overlooking a lake. Moonlight had turned

the water into a shimmering lake of diamonds, and McKenna knew she

would return to this night in her memories for years.

Lucas had done nothing other than allow her a day without pressure.

She hadn't once wondered if Damon would be waiting for her behind a door

to pounce on her. She hadn't felt this safe in forever.

"I have several bedrooms. You can take your pick."

She shook her head. The temptation was too great. And it was one she

absolutely couldn't indulge. If she stayed one night, she'd want to stay the

next and then the next. Years ago, she'd sworn never to be on more than a

first-name basis with anyone. They had gone eons beyond first names. If

Damon knew about Lucas, he would kill him.

"Tell me what you're thinking."

The question made her smile. If he had voiced those words hours ago,

she probably would have left immediately. Now the question seemed as

natural as his smile. There was no pressure to tell him anything. And that

made her want to tell him all the more. Another reason she had to leave.

Standing, she pulled the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder. "I

can't stay. Thank you for a lovely day."

He stood and held out his hand. She took it and allowed him to draw

her closer. "Will you come back?"

Knowing the answer should be no, she said what she shouldn't: "If

you like."

Pulling her against him, his breath soft against her lips, he whispered,

"I'd like very much." And then his mouth was on hers.

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McKenna leaned into him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and

allowed herself forgetfulness for several magical seconds. Only this man had

the ability to make her forget who she was, what she had done, and why a

future was impossible.

Heat washed over her. She moaned beneath the delicious, masculine

mouth eating at her lips. Desire and need were rare enough, but she

recognized them. What she could barely comprehend was the level of trust

she felt with Lucas. The arms that wrapped around her felt

wonderful...strong and exciting yet safe. There was nothing she wanted more

than to lie down with him. The rigid erection pressing against her stomach

should have terrified her. Instead, she wanted to touch him, taste him, and

feel that hard length inside her. Arousal shuddered through her; with that

thought, she knew she had to pull away.

Leaning her forehead against his chest, McKenna tried to slow her

heavy breathing and thundering heart. She could feel Lucas's heart pounding

just as hard. He wanted her...she wanted him. How easy it would be to just

let go. Indulge herself. And how much more difficult that would make it

when she said goodbye for good.

"I have to go."

"Stay, McKenna."

The husky thickness in his voice almost melted her resistance. She

imagined how he would sound as he made love to her, how that beautiful,

crisp accent would sound in her ear as he moved over her, inside her. A hot

flush of heat spread throughout her body. Nipples peaking and desire

pooling between her legs, McKenna jerked away. "I can't."

His grip on her arms tightened for barely a second, then he let her go

completely. McKenna almost whimpered at the loss of his warmth, the

magnificent feeling of his body pressed against her.

"Go, McKenna, before I try to convince you to stay."

The frustrated anger in his voice grounded her. Leaving him was

difficult for her; why would she think it was less so for him? Lucas had gone

out of his way to show her she meant something to him. He had been kind

and considerate. And she'd done nothing but take advantage of his wonderful

hospitality.

That thought stiffened her spine. Typical, selfish McKenna.

Refusing to back away from the anger she was sure to see in his

expression, she looked up at him. "Thank you for a wonderful day."

"And I was about to say the same thing to you."

The husky want was still in his voice, but his expression held nothing

but amusement and tenderness. And there wasn't a hint of anger.

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"I don't want to use you." The words burst from her mouth before she

could stop them.

He cocked his head. "Use me...how?"

Ignoring the nausea in her gut, she refused to back away from the

truth. He had to know where she stood. "There can never be anything

permanent between us." She cringed at those words. They sounded so

egotistical, and she hadn't meant them that way at all.

"Friends don't use each other, McKenna. They lean on each other.

Support each other. And they're always there for each other. That's not

using."

McKenna's heart melted. For so many years, she'd felt so alone. Now

Lucas was telling her that not only did he understand her, but he was also

her friend.

"And you can lean on me, too, right?" she asked.

"I'm counting on it." He pressed a tender kiss to her lips, her nose, and

then her forehead. "Go, sweetheart. Come back when you can."

Before she could change her mind and ask him if she could stay

forever, McKenna took one last look at his face and then ran out the door.

Lucas waited until he heard the front door slam before he picked up

the phone. The nice thing about having a private investigator on sole retainer

was that day or night, he was on call.

"I have her fingerprints and some information. Can you be here in an

hour?"

"Yes." The male voice sounded groggy, but Lucas knew when the

man arrived, he'd be alert and ready to do what needed to be done.

Lucas dropped into the chair and stared at the fire. A part of him knew

and accepted the betrayal she would feel; the other part didn't give a damn.

This woman stirred more in him with one small look or soft sigh than any

woman he'd ever met.

If he hadn't known for damn sure that she felt something just as

strong, he might have considered not doing what he was about to do, but he

doubted it. The fact that there were very intense feelings drawing them

together was one reason, but not the only one. This woman was terrified of

something or someone. She was in hiding, and whether she wanted to admit

it or not, she was vulnerable. He intended not only to find out what or whom