Whatever It Takes (20 page)

Spending more time with him like this couldn’t happen. She had agreed to do a job. She would guard his children with her life, and no harm would come to them under her watch. Anything beyond that, anything more, was impossible.

They walked out of the kitchen together, and she headed to the foyer closet where she had stored her purse and jacket. Before she could open the closet door, he was there before her. Instead of handing her the jacket, he held it out to help her into it.

She slid her arms into the sleeves and reached for her purse. “Thanks for dinner.”

“Kathleen, look at me.”

She lifted her gaze and, without a thought to how it would look, gently touched her fingers to the bruise on his cheekbone. “Does it hurt?”

“Only when I laugh. Can I ask you a question?”

He’d asked so many questions at dinner, what could one more hurt? “Yes.”

“Are you attracted to me?”

Her heartbeat went to a rapid thud; her mind went into a mild panic. “Eli…I…um…” 

While she was so ineloquently trying to explain that nothing could happen between them, he bent his head and touched his mouth to hers. All thoughts, including why this wasn’t a good idea, disappeared like wisps of smoke.

The kiss was soft…warm, tender, his taste heavenly. 

Wanting more, she moved into him, pressed her body against his, and began to drown in a whirlpool of exciting, new sensations. Heat, need, want swirled together, creating a vortex of desire, the likes of which she’d never felt.

Her mouth opened on a moan, and Eli took quick advantage, sliding his tongue inside. Only it wasn’t rough or forceful. He still kept the kiss light, tender, as his mouth moved over hers. She could feel the simmering passion, the controlled strength. He could easily overpower her, but she knew instinctively that she could trust him. Knew that he wouldn’t push her further than she wanted. Problem was, what she wanted and what was smart were in complete contradiction. 

Her body heated, and arousal, like a warm, soft-flowing river, slid through her. She wanted to urge him to go deeper, imagined his hands caressing her, his body moving over hers, his hard length thrusting deep. 

It was the most delicious, beautifully intense moment of her life. She wanted more, ached to have it all. She wanted everything. Skin to skin, every part of him connected to every part of her. 

The insane image of Eli sweeping her up into his arms and carrying her Rhett Butler-style up the stairway to his bedroom flashed through her mind.

She had to end it. Now.

She pulled away from him, breathless. “This can’t happen, Eli. We can’t happen.”

He said nothing for a moment. Instead, he just looked down at her, his eyes brimming with both need and tenderness. Then he said very gently, very quietly, “Why?”

Oh-so-many answers to that, none of which he would accept. Since telling him she wasn’t attracted to him was out—he had disproved that, and the heat in his eyes said he would be glad to disprove it again—she gave him the truth. “I’m not interested in any kind of romantic relationship.”

“Never? Or just not right now?”

The truth was never, but she was much too tired tonight to explain her reasons, so she gave the easy answer. “There’s too much going on right now. Everything’s too complicated. You’ve got someone out there trying to hurt you…maybe even hurt your children. You’re my employer. I’m still trying to find out who killed Frank Braden. Getting involved with each other is simply not a good idea.”

“That’s a lot of words for a non-answer.”

“It’s all I’ve got.”

“Fine. Okay. We won’t get romantically involved.”

His easy acquiescence was like a sharp kick to her heart. Disappointment swamped her. Before she could deal with the hurt, try to deny its existence, his mouth was on hers again, kissing her voraciously, as if he couldn’t get enough. His tongue thrust deep as he ate at her mouth. Every single thought in her head disintegrated. This time, there was more passion, more heat. More everything. This time he held nothing back. 

Kathleen whimpered her need beneath his mouth. Oh yes, how she wanted…how she needed. She rose up on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and offered him everything he asked.

Long, heated moments later, he raised his head, his eyes glittering. “Okay,” he growled. “No romance. I promise.”

Her mind still blurred from pleasure, she had no opportunity to compose a coherent thought, much less a verbal response. He abruptly opened the door and led her down the steps to her car. She was sitting behind the wheel of her car before she realized it.

He closed the car door with a click. Before she could lose her nerve, she switched the engine on, rolled down the window. “What was that kiss about?”

“Passion. You say romance is out. That’s a shame, because I’d really like to romance you, but I’ll settle for passion.”

She stared up at him in openmouthed amazement. He gave her a small smile, leaned down, and dropped a quick, hard kiss on her surprised mouth. “Drive safely, Kat. Text me when you get home. See you tomorrow.”

Figuring if she didn’t leave she’d either say something she would regret or she’d figure out a way to kiss him again, she put the car in drive and headed down the driveway. Before she rounded a corner, she looked in her rearview mirror. He was still standing there, watching her.

Why did this one man, with his strength, tenacity, and elegance, threaten her equilibrium? She didn’t know but one thing she was sure of: She had to shut it down and quick.   

No one—man, woman, or child—would penetrate her armor ever again. 

Chapter Twenty-four

The instant Kathleen stepped into his house the next morning, Eli could tell all her defenses were back in place. Last night, for a very brief period of time, he’d been able to break through.

He hadn’t planned on kissing her, but no way in hell would he regret something so damn fine. She had tasted better than he had imagined, had felt perfect in his arms. He was going to do everything within his power to get her back there again. And from the look in her eyes, he was going to have to work extra hard at it.

Eli liked a challenge, and Kathleen was definitely worth it. He tapped down his impatience and gave her what he hoped was a somewhat reassuringly bland smile of welcome as he waved her inside the house.

“Everything go okay last night?”

“What do you mean?”

“The job for Grey.”

“Oh. Yes. It was just a drop-off. No problems.” The smile she gave him barely moved her lips. “Thanks.”

“That’s good, then.” He glanced up at the stairway. “The girls are almost ready, and Teresa is just finishing up their lunch boxes.”

She backed away from him, put her hand on the door as if to leave. “I’ll just wait on the porch for them.”

“That’s fine. I’ll have Teresa bring you out the cup of coffee she’s already poured for you. I think she used the fine china again.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Very well.” He turned and called out, “Teresa!”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” With a huff of exasperation, she dropped her hand from the door and went to walk around him. She jerked to a halt when she spotted Teresa standing in the foyer, holding a cup of steaming coffee in a sturdy mug.

Okay, so he’d got that part wrong.

“Good morning, Miss Kathleen. Here’s a nice hot cup for the road.”

“Thank you, Teresa. That’s awfully kind.” She shot a look at Eli out of the corner of her eye, and he could only grin at her.

“Teresa, would you tell the girls to be down in five minutes? I need to talk to Kathleen.”

“Of course, Mr. Eli.”

The instant she was out of hearing range, Eli said, “I want you to go in the limo today. It’s bulletproof and a helluva lot safer than my car.”

“You’re not riding with us to school?”

“No. I’ve got some things to take care of at the office. Then I’m going to go see a rat in prison.”

“Your brother?”

“Yes. Time for the gloves to come off.”

“And what about you? Don’t you need some kind of protection?”

“My daughters’ safety is my priority.”

Hearing the childish giggles as his girls raced down the stairs, he turned but was startled to find a hand on his arm, stopping him. Eli looked down at her hand. Slender and graceful, like its owner. Though her nails were short and well cared for, he wasn’t surprised at the lack of polish or rings. This woman, who continued to fascinate him, wasn’t into adornment. With her serious, no-nonsense persona, dressing up probably seemed frivolous to her. And for that reason, along with a few others, Eli suddenly wanted to buy her something sparkly and shiny. 

Since that would likely send her running in the other direction, he ignored that urge. At least for now.

“Be careful, Eli. I know you have good security and you’re trained, but a bullet is hard to dodge.” 

He squeezed the hand still resting on his arm. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got way too much to live for.”

Kathleen eased her hand away from him and stepped back. The warm, intimate look in Eli’s eyes was a temptation she refused to indulge in. The stern lecture she’d given herself last night, along with another one this morning, was now as shaky and substantial as melted pudding. She could not, would not, allow this.

“About last night. I don’t want—”

“Oh yes, you do, Kathleen,” he growled softly. 

Her heart stuttered. “What? No I—”

His fingers gently trailed down her cheek. “Yeah. In fact, you want it almost as much as I do.”

Heat swept through her at his arrogant and much-too-truthful words. 

“Don’t be—”

He drew closer and his fingers pressed against her mouth. “Shh.”

Her body softened, accepting, as a groan of longing welled within her. He was right. She did want, she did need. She did—

“We’re ready, Daddy!” Sophia squealed as she entered the room. 

Violet, only a step or two behind, yelled out, “Me, too!”

A cold dash of reality slapped at Kathleen. What the hell was she doing?

Tearing her eyes away from their father, she turned to see Sophia and Violet running toward them. Though the girls were two years apart in age, they often dressed alike. Kathleen spotted a streak of competiveness in both of them and had a feeling Eli’s hands would be full as they grew older. She ignored the tug to her heart that she wouldn’t be around to watch them grow up.

As they said their good mornings, Teresa rushed out with their lunch boxes, and then Eli was hustling them out the door and into the limo. While he secured Violet into her car seat, Kathleen buckled Sophia into hers.

Once both girls were secured and Eli had kissed each one good-bye, he stood outside the car with Kathleen and Gunter. 

“I really don’t expect any trouble.” Eli kept his voice low. “But if you see the slightest cause for concern, come back home. If need be, I’ll bring in a teacher for them until this has passed.”

“Will do, sir.” Gunter nodded and then slid behind the wheel.

There were a lot of things she wanted to say to Eli. Most of them weren’t appropriate, and she could never say them out loud. How he’d gotten under her defenses wasn’t something she wanted to contemplate, because she couldn’t let him stay there. Being vulnerable and open with this man would only lead to another heartache. She couldn’t risk it.

“Be safe, Eli,” was the best she could do.

Eli wasn’t of the same mind. Grabbing her hand, he pressed a kiss to the back of it. “You, too, Kat. Take care of all of my girls.”

Not giving her a chance to respond, he opened the door and gently nudged her inside. “Be good girls today. I’ll see you all tonight.” And then closed the door.

Still reeling from his words and actions, Kathleen forced her mind back to her priority. The limo rolled down the drive, and then she found herself distracted again when Sophia said, “Do you gotta boo-boo on your hand?”

Pulling her thoughts together, she faced the two little girls eyeing her so curiously. “No, I don’t have a boo-boo.”

“Then why did Daddy kiss your hand?”

Another reason, just as important, that she and Eli couldn’t get involved. Sophia and Violet had already had too much upheaval in their life. The loss of their mother, no matter how young they were, would have a tremendous impact. And with the Slater family in disarray, they needed stability. Having Kathleen come into their life for a short while was one thing. Having them think that their father had an affection for her was something else. When they no longer needed her protection and she left, they could be hurt. She had to make Eli understand that getting involved with her, in any capacity other than as his children’s bodyguard, was out of the question.

Aware that Sophia would not let go of the question until it was answered to her satisfaction, Kathleen explained, “He was being a gentleman.”

“You mean like when the prince kisses the princess’s hand?”

“Umm. Yes, like that.”

Thankfully, that sent Sophia off on another questioning tangent. Kathleen answered when necessary, her mind whirling. She and Eli needed to talk, to come to an agreement. This little flirtation had to end. It wasn’t good for his children, it wasn’t good for her. Kathleen Callahan and Eli Slater did not belong.

Chapter Twenty-five

Slater House Hotel

Corporate Offices

Standing at his office window, Eli looked out over the Dallas skyline. He’d grown up in this city. Knew it as well as he knew his own home and most of the time loved it like it was family. Dallas had been good to the Slaters, and even though some of them had screwed her royally, she was a forgiving city. 

They’d been damn lucky the entire family hadn’t been run out of town. Instead, things were flowing once again, flourishing. Slater House Hotels were running at peak occupancy throughout the world. The family’s other businesses, though scaled down due to all the shuffling Eli had employed, were also thriving and growing.

Yet there was the lingering darkness. The emails had stopped. He hadn’t received any in a couple of weeks. Was that because of the protection he’d added for his children, or was there another reason? Was someone about to step up their game, or stop altogether?