“When you’re not being an arse.”
God, she was cute when she was looking cross, exasperated and embarrassed all at the same time. “And when would that be?”
“Some of the other times.”
“You’ll have to be a bit more explicit than that.”
“How explicit do you want me to be?” Now she just looked annoyed.
“Kitten, you can be as explicit as you want to be with me.”
“You might regret that.”
“Try me.”
“Fine.” Her chin went up. “I don’t like it when you tell me what to do.”
“I’m a cop. I do a certain amount of telling, a certain amount of asking.”
“Don’t be obtuse. I meant when you tell me what to do not as a cop.”
“Ah. But I apologised for that.”
“But do you mean it?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Is that an answer?”
“Yep.”
“So you won’t tell me what to do again?”
Curse it, she noticed his hesitation and leaped on it like a rabid rabbit on a cringing carrot.
“See? How can you mean it when you know you’ll do it again?” Spinning around, she angrily shoved the ladder up against the wardrobe. “You’re just typical of men who think they can tell women what to do, what to say, how to act! Just like all the men who think they can….” She stumbled to a stop. “Just typical,” she finished, placing one foot on the first step.
Oh boy, was she angry. She practically stomped up the step ladder.
“I don’t think men are typical,” he said calmly.
“Then you don’t know much.”
“I think me being a male might qualify me.”
Hand against the top of the wardrobe to steady her, Molly cast him a glowering look over one shoulder. “Oh, you qualify, all right.”
“If you’re going to make accusations then you better be prepared to back them up.”
“Or what?”
“You’re just begging for a fight, aren’t you?” Kirk observed mildly, pushing away from the door frame.
Her reaction was anything but mild. She stiffened, the knuckles on the hand holding the edge of the wardrobe going white while she slowly turned her head to look at him with a mixture of wariness and - shit, was that a flash of fear?
In an instance he started across the room.
Her reaction was just as instantaneous. She almost jumped down from the ladder, her steps hurried, almost panicky, and by the time he was in front of her she was facing him almost defensively, one hand grabbing the step ladder behind her, the other partly outstretched to ward him off.
It wasn’t lost on him, her whole reaction making him stop, his gaze sweeping over her, studying her expression, all the while his gut crawling as realisation hit him hard. “This has something to do with whoever beat you, doesn’t it?”
“Go away. Just go away.” Molly’s mouth was tight. “Look, I’ve a lot to do, Kirk, and you’re wasting my time. You apologised, I accepted, there’s nothing else to say.”
“Nothing to say?” He could feel the tic in his jaw start. “Molly, look at yourself.”
“What?” Her gaze didn’t shift from him.
“You look like a woman expecting me to hit her, that’s what.” That she would even think he could do that made him angrier but he forced it down, knowing instinctively that showing it would make her only more wary.
No way on God’s earth did he want her to be wary of him.
Relaxing his stance, forcing his muscles to loosen, he softened his voice. “Tell me what happened, kitten.”
Amazed, she stared at him for several seconds before throwing her hands up in the air. “Cripes! You are just like all the others!”
He just watched her quietly.
Storming past him, she ensured she gave him a wide berth. “You just apologised for trying to make me tell you something, then you change your mind and demand to know after all! Make up your bloody mind, I can’t stand men who chop and change and expect me to meekly go along with it!”
Did she have any idea how much she was revealing with her tirade? He let her rant, learning more than she wanted him to, but by the time she calmed down enough to realise he was certain he’d have most of the story.
Or he would have done if she hadn’t spun around right then to give him another blasting, only for her words to die away as she met his gaze. The silence between them lengthened until she finally hissed, “You sneaky bastard.”
He just continued watching her silently.
Molly stormed from the room.
Giving her a few minutes to cool down, Kirk walked to the doorway and watched her disappear into the kitchen. Oh yeah, now he had a pretty good idea what else had happened to her and it not only made his gut crawl, but his skin as well.
His naturally protective instinct for those not strong enough to protect themselves rose to the fore, surging through him, but with Molly it was so much more, rode him harder.
A loud clang from the kitchen had him rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. Okay, she wasn’t going to calm down anytime soon. Her dander was well and truly up, but so was her fear, he’d seen it in her eyes.
What would be the wisest decision - leave and let her cool down, try to talk to her again later? Wait her out?
The sound of a phone ringing filled the air and when Molly answered it, he shook his head and started walking towards the front door. She could be on the phone for awhile and he couldn’t just wait around, looming in the background. He’d come back later, try to talk to her once more and-
“What? What do you mean he was after my new number?”
Kirk stopped, instantly alert at the panic and fury combined in Molly’s voice.
“Did you give it to him? Sherry, did you - Keith? Damn it, Keith, put Sherry back on the phone!”
Swinging on his heel, Kirk strode back down the hallway. Whatever was happening, it was sending Molly from plain anger into panic, and no way was he leaving her alone like that, regardless of her protests.
Just before the doorway into the kitchen, he stopped, listening intently, seeking more information.
“Goddamn it, Keith, put her on the bloody phone! I don’t care what you think, do it!” Her breath caught, her voice thickening. “Then tell me you didn’t give him the number, tell me.” There was silence for a few seconds and then she said, “Damn it, Keith. Damn it.”
Who was this Keith that had her so upset? This Sherry on the other end of the phone? There was no doubt in Kirk’s mind about the unknown man that had Molly so upset.
In the short time he’d known her, he’d never heard her so angry, so emotional. Concerned, he stepped into the kitchen to see her with the mobile to her ear, eyes shut, hand fisted at her side as she drew in deep breaths.
“I’m here, I’m okay.” Voice shaking, she drew in another breath, her hand coming up to pinch the bridge of her nose. “Okay. Yes, I know. I’m fine. Really. I know you wouldn’t give the number out. I know. I’m sorry. I just…I’m sorry.” She gave another nod. “Thanks. ‘Bye.” She clicked the phone off.
Before Kirk could say anything, Molly threw the mobile to the floor, the casing shattering as it skittered across the smooth lino in several directions at once. Lifting both hands, she pressed the heels to her eyes, her breaths coming in deep, shaky gulps as she whispered, “No no no no. Please no.”
The helplessness of her actions, her distress, almost broke his heart.
Chapter 5
Caught up in a whirlwind of emotions, so frustrated, upset, angry and scared, Molly jumped when the sound of heavy boots sounded across the floor. Dropping her hands, she looked up through a blur of tears as a tall, broad-shouldered figure in blue reached out for her.
“Don’t.” She tried to hold him back by putting both hands out.
Ignoring her gesture, Kirk closed big arms around her. “Come here, kitten.”
“I don’t want you here,�
� she choked, trying to push him away.
He didn’t argue, just drew her up against him. “I know.”
When she started to struggle he simply shushed her soothingly, his embrace firm. And reassuring, so very reassuring. His hold, his very presence, screamed protection, caring and an assuredness that called to her.
She wanted to be offended, to be strong and not give in to weakness, but she couldn’t stop herself from leaning into him, to let all that strength surround her, to finally drop her guard and just take shelter from her problems.
She tried to tell herself it was just for a few seconds, that she was strong enough to stand on her own, but when one of his hands started to slowly and comfortingly run up and down her back, and she felt his lips brush gently across the top of her head, every last bit of resistance melted away.
“It’s all right, Molly.” His deep voice rumbled against her where she leaned against the hard, muscular swells of his chest. “I’m here.”
Such simple words, such a simple embrace, but it touched her deep down, pulling away her last bit of resistance, freeing several tears she’d been trying so desperately to hold back. As the warmth of his body seeped into her, comforting her, his clean, masculine scent that was so uniquely his filtering through her senses, she became aware of how cold she felt, how shaky, and she couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through her.
He didn’t say anything, just quietly gave her his strength on which to lean.
For the first time since that horrible night she let a man hold her. She’d sworn to never be weak again, to never lean on a man, to never allow herself to be in a position of needing a man, yet here she was, sniffling, shaking, and clinging to a man. To Kirk. Yet it didn’t feel wrong. It felt right.
That confused her more, made her swipe in frustration at her tears even though she couldn’t stop them.
Kirk didn’t release her, just adjusted his hold to her movements, keeping her tight against him in a hold that was non-threatening but firm all at once.
Without realising it her fingers curled into his shirt, gripping him as she rested her forehead against his chest before shifting to rest her cheek against him with a small sigh.
Slowly his warmth chased the chill away, the slow drip of tears stopped, and her shaking subsided. Part of her screamed at her to step away, to move, but another part of her yearned to be held, to rely on him for just a few minutes more before she again took up her independent mantle.
But as nice as it was reality crept in, along with the realisation that his palm was still gently smoothing over her back. Lightly, careful to avoid her waist where the bruises from the window frame remained tender to the touch.
Smoothed over the pink stripes that marred her flesh.
At the thought, she stiffened. God, so weak! She was so weak and-
Before she could think anything further, her head was tilted back by a finger under her chin and she found herself looking up into Kirk’s face. His movement had been so quick, so unexpected, that she momentarily forgot to protest and just blinked.
He looked down at her, his gaze sweeping slowly across her face before settling on her eyes. His expression was composed but there was a definite softness in his light brown eyes. “I think a good, hot, strong drink is called for.”
With that surprising announcement, he turned and, with one arm still around her back, he led her over to the dining room table, using one booted foot to nudge a chair out before settling her into it.
Grappling to recover her composure, Molly started to stand up. “Kirk, I don’t-”
“Sit down, Molly.” Checking the water level in the kettle, he plugged it in and switched on the power.
“You can’t-”
“Sit.” Taking two mugs she’d left upside down on the draining board, he placed them on the bench.
“Kirk, you-”
This time he just turned his head slowly to look steadily at her, his eyes now holding a little glint of steel. He didn’t speak one word.
He didn’t have to. Instinctively, Molly sat back down in the chair, berating herself even as she obeyed.
Oh God, I obeyed. I obeyed, I wasn’t ever going to obey a man again, I-
“Sugar? Milk?” he asked.
She drew herself up, shoulders stiff. “I’m fine. I don’t want-”
“You know,” he said conversationally, spooning a teaspoon of coffee into each of the mugs, “I’m staying whether you like it or not. I’m making us coffee. You can either tell me how you have it or take it how I give it.” Teaspoon in hand, he looked at her with one eyebrow arched.
With a sigh of exasperation, mostly to cover her growing embarrassment, Molly flopped back in the chair. “White and one sugar.”
“Thank you.” Unexpectedly he smiled slightly, a quirk of his lips before turning away to finish making the coffee.
Biting her lip, she switched her gaze to the paper napkins in the brass holder on the table, and more for something to do with her hands than any other reason, she plucked one out and wiped her cheeks before blowing her nose.
If that didn’t turn him off, nothing would. She shot him a glance. Nope, he was serenely pouring hot water from the kettle into the mugs. It would take more than a girl blowing her honker to make him back off.
Scrunching the napkin into the pocket of her apron, she folded her arms and cleared her throat. Now she felt humiliated, snottering like a baby and leaning against a big man. Little woman needing a strong man to help her, control her. She’d broken that rule clean in half.
It didn’t mean she had to continue obeying, however, but neither did it mean she had to be an ungrateful bitch. To be fair, he’d seen that she was upset and had stayed to comfort her. Whether that annoyed her or not, it was a fact, plus the man was on duty yet he stayed to comfort her when he could have easily rung for one of the girls or Scott.
Kirk was definitely a man who didn’t dump his duties, however distasteful, onto someone else. Nope, he was a real mate in a stressful situation.
Damn it. It was easier to just be mad at him. Make that an overbearing, dominating mate, that helped strengthen her resolve.
That was all fine and dandy until a nicely muscled forearm appeared in front of her nose to place the mug of hot coffee on the table in front of her. From the corner of her eye she could see a muscled thigh clad in navy blue pants near her shoulder, and when she shifted her gaze higher to see the thick black utility belt - oh geez, surely she wasn’t growing a little…warm?
Clearing her throat again, she diverted her gaze, so glad when Kirk moved around to sit at the opposite side of the table, only now when he sat down, placing his mug on the table and leaning back in the chair, one hand stretched out as he idly played with the mug handle, he was looking directly at her. That was disconcerting.
It also made her wonder what he was thinking, because as usual his expression was composed, not giving a hint of his thoughts.
Wasn’t that him all over, though? Kirk was the epitome of calm and controlled.
“Don’t you ever get rattled?” she blurted without thinking.
His smile was slow and easy. God, that was him all over, too.
Disgruntled and embarrassed, Molly looked down at the mug of coffee, watching the steam swirl up and disappear. The silence in the kitchen lengthened, his regard of her as easily felt as if he physically stroked her skin.
The thought of him doing that made her stomach dip a little, then she remembered why he was there and annoyance again kicked in.
Determined not to give in first, she was surprised when he said quietly, “It’s about time you told someone what happened.”
“I don’t need to tell anyone anything. It’s my business.”
“Okay.”
Suspicious at his agreeable tone, she looked up at him. “That’s it? You’re now giving in so easily?”
“You aren’t going to tell me.”
“Wow, you finally got it.”
“So I’m going to tell you wha
t I think happened, and you can tell me if I’m right or not.”
Oh, that wasn’t good. He was too shrewd. She swallowed. “There’s nothing to-”
“Some time recently you were keeping company with a man who thought he had a right to tell you what to do and when you objected, he strapped you across your back with a belt.” His gaze didn’t waver. “Now he wants to see you again. You’ve changed your phone number and he’s trying to find out what it is from your friends.”
The blood drained from Molly’s face. How could he possibly know that? How could he have possibly put it all together? “Have you been making enquiries about me?”
“No. I’ve pieced it together from the way you talk and behave.”
“Behave? I-”
“Molly, you’ve told me I’m a typical male who expects you to do as I tell you, you flinched when I neared you after I mentioned you begging for a fight. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together and come up with four.”
Oh no, if Kirk had guessed, then… “Who else knows?”
“No one as far as I’m aware.”
“Scott-”
“Hasn’t guessed anything.” Lifting the mug, Kirk took a sip of coffee, gaze steady over the rim of the mug.
Relief filled her. If her cousin knew, even suspected, he’d be ringing her friends, making enquiries, intent on ripping off the head of whoever had hurt her. She had to ensure he never knew. “You can’t tell him.”
“He’s your cousin, kitten. He loves you and wants to protect you.”
Time to play her trump card. “You’re here in uniform on cop time. Anything said between us is confidential.”
Eyeing her thoughtfully, Kirk took another sip of coffee and lowered the mug to the table. “True.”
“So you can’t tell Scott anything.” Slumping in the chair, she pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes and rubbed tiredly. “Thank God.”
There was silence in the kitchen. Something out in the hallway thumped and she jerked upright, her gaze flitting from Kirk looking at the doorway to the doorway itself, only to have the tension leak from her when Oscar sauntered into the kitchen.
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