His Reason to Stay: In the Line of Duty, Book 6

by Cathryn Fox

  “Hey.” He touched her chin and lifted it until her eyes met his. He held her face between his palms and his throat tightened when their gazes collided. Christ, sometimes it hurt just to look at her.

  Rachel. Sweet Rachel who seduced him into her bed and asked for it all. Resisting her was fucking impossible.

  He trailed his hands down her arms, caressing the soft outer edges of her breasts. He dipped a hand between her legs and emotions churned inside him as he cupped her warm sex. When she moaned and pressed against him, he nearly lost all train of thought. Her sexy sounds penetrated his defenses. It was a mistake to take her again. A beautiful fucking mistake that never should have happened. But it did happen, and now they had no choice but to go forward from here.

  “This,” he began. “This is what I can give you until I leave, Rach. But it’s all I can give.”

  Her hand moved to his cheek, and he leaned into her palm. As emotions played across her face, a wave of possessiveness overcame him. “Okay,” she whispered, her mouth closing over his, her lashes fluttered against his skin as she cuddled in to him. “If it’s all you can give, it’s all you can give,” she whispered.

  She kissed him with such passion and need that when he finally broke away, it left him shaken. His heart squeezed because he wanted to give more. He truly did. Everything about this felt right. But it was wrong. Wrong on so many fucking levels.

  Chapter Nine

  Kyle stirred the pancake batter as Ava combed the hair on her doll. “If I had a real baby brother, I would comb his hair too,” she said. “And if I had a dog, I’d comb her hair.”

  “So you want a boy baby and a girl dog?” Kyle stole a quick glance at Ava over his shoulder. He turned back and grabbed a frying pan from under the cupboard.

  “I like Cuddles and she’s a girl.”

  Even though he had his back to the room, the second Rachel entered it he knew. The hairs on his body prickled, and his heart pounded harder. Every instinct he possessed urged him to turn around, drag her into his arms and give her a warm, morning kiss. He brushed his arm over his forehead and worked to keep it together in front of Ava. But seriously, what that woman could do to him without even trying was baffling.

  She stepped up to him, put her hand on his back, and leaned over his shoulder. He caught the intoxicating scent of her shampoo, the same fragrance she’d been using since their teens—and just like that, it whittled away what little control he had. Desire swept over him, and he forced himself to breathe.

  Her nipples pressed against his back as she went up higher on her toes. “What’s all this?” she asked, her warm, minty breath falling over his neck and settling in his groin.

  A slight tug and she lifted his shirt. Her hand slipped underneath, and the softness on his skin nearly shut down his brain. He turned to face her and caught the warm, sated look on her face. Her hand slid around his body, going from his back to his stomach. There was a gleam in her eyes as her fingers lingered there, tracing his muscles and sliding along the top band of his jeans. Christ, she was touching him on purpose, knowing full well what it did to him. He shook his head at her antics. Dammed if she wasn’t going to pay for this.

  “I heard Ava get up, so I got up with her,” he explained, hoping his voice came out sounding somewhat normal as her fingers stroked softly. “I thought I’d take care of breakfast and let you sleep in a bit.”

  “How sweet of you.” Her hand fell from his stomach and she stretched her arm over her head. “I had a bit of a late night so sleeping in felt nice.”

  He swallowed and struggled not to let his mind go back to last night, or how they’d put a good dent in the box of condoms, before he slipped into his own bed in the wee hours of the morning. He gestured toward the cupboard. “You want to grab three plates? These won’t take long.”

  Moving away from him she grabbed the plates and set the table. “What are your plans for the day?” She took a seat next to Ava.

  Ava held her finger up. “Mommy, I don’t need a bandage anymore.”

  “Look at that, it’s just about healed.” Rachel looked over her finger. “Just be careful with the wood, okay?”

  Kyle poured the batter into the pan and grabbed Rachel a cup of coffee. He added a splash of milk and set it in front of her.

  “Sleeping in, breakfast, and now coffee. I could get used to this.” She gave him a smile.

  Yeah, she wasn’t the only one.

  “I want to stop by to see Jack. I ordered in a new chain sprocket. My bike has been sitting so long I have a corroded link. After that, Ava and I are going to work on the tree house.”

  “Can we go to the pool too?” she asked.

  He ruffled her hair. “Sure, squirt.”

  “Can we go see if Lindsay’s mommy will take her so we can play?”

  At the mention of Lindsay’s mom Rachel tightened. “I’m sure Lindsay will like that,” Kyle said.

  She shot Kyle a glance. “And so will her mom.”

  Whoa, was that jealousy?

  Kyle leaned against the counter and folded his arms. “Lindsay and her mom do seem to enjoy the pool,” he said.

  “Lindsay’s mommy and her friends said they liked the new view. What’s the new view, Mommy?”

  Rachel nearly choked on her coffee. “Nothing for you to worry about.” She tapped Ava’s nose. “You make sure you wear sunscreen, okay?”

  “Okay,” she agreed.

  “You too,” she said to Kyle. “Or I’ll have to coat you in aloe vera again.”

  A tremble moved through Kyle as he flipped the pancakes. Mother and daughter talked as he turned the burner up. As soon as the pancakes were done, he divided them up and sat at his usual spot.

  His usual spot.

  Shit he really was growing comfortable here. Really could get used to this. But he was leaving soon, and while playing house was nice—damn nice—it would be behind him in a few short weeks.

  They all chatted quietly as they ate, then Rachel glanced at the clock. “I’d better get going. Don’t want to be late.”

  She reached for her plate, but Kyle stopped her, his hand closing over hers. “I got this.”

  “I can do the dishes,” she said, her voice a little raspier than it was moments ago.

  He brushed his thumb over her wrist, and she drew in a little shuddery breath. “I know you can, but I want to help out while I’m here.”

  “You’re already doing so much.”

  But when it came to her it was never enough. “Go.” He released her hand. “Get ready.”

  She took off upstairs as Kyle gathered the plates and put them in the sink. “Do you want to wash or dry, squirt?”

  “Wash!”

  Ava jumped from the chair and he dragged it over to the sink. She climbed on as he filled the basin with warm soapy water and gave her a rag. Ava giggled as she played with the suds, tossing them in the air and soaking her face.

  Kyle laughed at her. “I take it you’ve never washed the dishes before.”

  “No, Mommy washes.” She shook her hands, flicked the bubbles in all directions and soaked Kyle’s shirt.

  “Hands in the water, soldier,” he commanded.

  She giggled. “I’m not a soldier.”

  “Today you are.” He reached over her and showed her how to wash the dishes. “Like this.”

  “This is fun,” she said. He rinsed the plate and put it in the dish tray.

  He gave her a salute. “You’re on your own, soldier.”

  She laughed and ran the rag over the plate. Kyle reached for the dish towel hanging from the stove and the sound of Rachel’s indrawn breath had him turning. She stood in the doorway, the emotions in her eyes as she watched them tightened his throat.

  He angled his head, taking in the stiffness in her body. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I just ah…” She waved her thumb over her shoulder. “Just heading out.”

  “Okay, we’ll see you at dinner.”

  “Bye, Mommy.”


  Her heels clicked and she seemed completely out of sorts as she crossed the small room to give Ava a kiss. But Ava was so busy splashing water everywhere she barely spared her mother a glance.

  Rachel made a face and backed up before Ava soaked her. “You be a good girl. Do what Kyle tells you.”

  “Don’t worry, she’s always good and she’s in capable hands.” He grimaced. “Well, most times.”

  Her hand brushed against his and her face smoothed out. “Always,” she said. “I would never leave her with someone I didn’t trust completely.”

  Shaken by the warm, needy look on her face and the way she ran her tongue over her bottom lip, Kyle inclined his head, a storm rolling through him. Christ, being around her and not being able to touch her unless they were behind closed doors was getting harder and harder.

  As her soft hands lingered on his, raw hunger roared through him and overshadowed every rational thought. He leaned in to her and pressed his lips to hers. The sweetness of her mouth wrapped around his heart as everything about this situation flipped his world upside down.

  With her back still to them, Ava squealed and he inched away to see her toss more bubbles in to the air. He brushed his thumb over Rachel’s flushed cheek. “See you tonight,” he whispered, and she nodded. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she left the room, her backside sashaying with each step.

  He drew a quick breath to clear his head and turned to Ava. “Okay, squirt. Let’s finish these up and go see Jack.”

  “I want to play,” she protested, splashing her hands in the water and drenching the counter.

  Kyle soaked up the water with his dish towel. “Okay, but did I tell you Jack has a big German Shepherd dog named Colby?”

  Her eyes lit and her hands stilled. “Can I play with Colby?”

  “Not if you stay here.”

  “I want to come.”

  He dabbed her cheeks with the cloth. “Okay. Let’s get changed and then we can go.”

  With everything wet and slippery, he helped her from the chair and she darted toward the stairs. Kyle made quick work of the dishes, and after drying the counter and cupboards, he went to his room to get changed.

  Twenty minutes later he pulled his truck in to the parking lot of Freedom Cycles and helped Ava from the cab. He held her hand in the lot and guided her inside the building. He glanced around, looking for Jack, but when he found the front counter empty, he stepped into the back workshop to find his friend bent over an Italian Aprilia motorcycle.

  Kyle looked over the bike. “We don’t see many of those around here.”

  Jack stood and wiped a cloth over his brow. “I was wondering when I was going to see your sorry…” He paused when he noticed a big-eyed Ava staring up at him. “Ah, never mind. You snuck your things out of here like a damn thief in the night.”

  “Sorry about that. I guess by now you heard I was staying at Rachel’s and taking care of Ava.” He swung Ava’s arm, and she smiled. “Ava, this is Jack.”

  “Hey, Ava.”

  “Hi.” She twirled her finger around the pigtail she insisted he put in again this morning. He was going to have to get a lesson one of these days. “Do you have a dog?”

  “You bet I do.” Jack laughed. “Cute kid. She looks like you.”

  “She looks like her father,” he said, and once again, a strange sensation gathered in his stomach.

  “Would you like to meet Colby?” Jack asked. She nodded. “He’s big, but he won’t hurt you. You’re not afraid of big dogs, are you?”

  “Cuddles is big and she would never hurt me.”

  Jack exchanged a look with Kyle but didn’t question him. Jack opened the back door, and a chain rattled before Colby came running at them.

  “Hey, boy.” Kyle went down on one knee and grabbed him before he knocked Ava over.

  “Colby,” she squealed and when Colby turned his attention to her and she started petting him, he stood and looked at the bike again.

  He put his hand in his pockets. “What’s the problem?”

  “Damned if I know. I’m not an expert on these foreign models. It keeps shorting out and the only thing I can figure out is it’s in the wiring.”

  Kyle dropped down and looked it over. As an explosives expert, wiring was his thing. He played with it for a few minutes, unplugging each module and resetting them. He pulled the throttle position censor, and when the bike started, he said, “Here’s your problem. The throttle position censor isn’t sending electrical signals. If you don’t want to replace it, I can trace the wiring and find which one it is.” He stood to find Jack staring at him. “What?”

  Jack shook his head. “You know, you’re a lot smarter than you look.”

  With Ava playing on the floor next to him, he mouthed the words “fuck off”.

  Jack laughed and wiped his hands on a rag. “Why don’t you forget about the army and come work for me?”

  Kyle cupped the back of his neck. “That’s the second offer I’ve had this week.”

  The smile fell from Jack’s face. Every one of his friends knew he didn’t get along with his folks. “Your dad?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. He still has that corner office waiting.”

  “You’re considering it,” Jacks said.

  “What makes you say that?”

  Jack shrugged. “I don’t know. Gut feeling, I guess.”

  Kyle snorted, even though his friend was right. Well, technically Jack wasn’t right. He wasn’t really considering it. It was just something he’d always wanted. “Your gut’s off this time, pal. I have no reason to stay.”

  Jack folded his arms, looked at Ava then back at Kyle. All seriousness gone from his face, he said, “You sure about that?”

  Kyle’s gaze traveled to Ava, who was giggling as Colby licked her face, and his gut clenched. She was so sweet, and he loved spending time with her. Then there was Rachel. He wanted to do for her, wanted to be there, but he couldn’t just step into his brother’s shoes. It was wrong. Right? Honest to fuck, he wasn’t sure about anything anymore. He drove his hands into his pockets and swallowed past the lump in his throat. “So about that part for my bike. Did it come yet?” he asked, redirecting the conversation.

  “I’ll get it.”

  Jack rooted around on the shelves and Kyle walked in to the front storeroom. He hadn’t noticed it earlier, but the second he spotted a kids’ bike section he called Ava.

  “Ava, come here.”

  She skipped into the showroom, Colby wagging his tail behind her. “What do you think of those?” He pointed to row of bikes near the window.

  Her eyes went wide when she saw the pink, three-wheel electric motorcycle, and she clapped. She hurried over to it, and he scooped her up and set her on it.

  “Made for a princess.” He’d been trying to make her into a tomboy, but this bike had Ava written all over it. Honestly though, she could be a princess as long as he was around. He’d protect her, like he did her mother. It was when he was gone, that she’d need to learn to take care of herself. The thought of that actually turned his stomach upside down, the pancake he’d eaten earlier roiling in his gut. Every little girl needed a dad in her life.

  You don’t have to go.

  Whoa, where the hell did that thought come from?

  Jack came back with a box in his hand, and looked at the row of electric bikes. “Cute, aren’t they?”

  “When did you start carrying them?”

  “Since Cole ordered one for his daughter.” Jack grabbed a helmet, bent forward and put it on Ava. “Safety first,” he said.

  She nodded in agreement, her face squished in the helmet. “Uncle Kyle forgot to put sunscreen on me, and I got a splinter,” she said, acting like the most worldly four-year-old in the universe.

  Jack laughed and put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “If she’s this precocious right now, she’s going to be one hell of a teen to raise. Good thing she has you to keep her on the straight and narrow.”

  He looked at his frien
d, his words hitting like a sucker punch. Ava was a smart, strong-willed girl, and Jack was right, she was going to be a hell of a teen. As a single mom, Rachel had her job cut out for her.

  The door overhead jangled, and when a customer walked in, Jack excused himself. “What do you think, Ava? Would you like to have this?” She squealed and clapped her hands. Colby nudged her, his tail wagging madly. “You do have a birthday coming up.”

  “Do we have to ask Mommy?”

  He probably should, but Ava was his niece, dammit, and if he wanted to buy her a bike for her birthday, then he should be allowed. “Nope.” He gestured to Jack and said, “We’ll take it.”

  Rachel was going to kill him.

  Chapter Ten

  After whipping up a salad for Matt’s upcoming afternoon barbeque, Rachel put the bowl in the fridge and poured herself a cup of coffee. She opened the back door and tightened her housecoat around her waist, enjoying her lazy Saturday morning.

  She stepped onto the deck and sipped her hot brew as she watched Kyle and Ava work on the tree house. Well, Kyle was working while Ava drove around the backyard on her princess motorcycle. Her heart nearly exploded every time she saw the two together, the secret between them growing bigger, all consuming, threatening to rip her heart into a million pieces. Maybe she should have told him that first day and taken her chances that he wouldn’t hate her. Sure she wanted him to grow to love them first, and not feel like he’d betrayed his brother, but now she had no idea how to tell him and the longer she waited the worse it was going to be.

  “Mommy, look at me,” Ava said and waved at her.

  She forced a grin, her emotions a hot mess. She wasn’t sure about her riding it at first. What if she crashed into something? Kyle assured her it was as safe as a bicycle and had bought her all the proper riding gear. It was an extravagant present, but Kyle swore it was to make up for all the birthdays he’d missed, and was going to miss in the future.

  Her heart squeezed at that last thought. Even though they didn’t talk about what would happen after Easter, and kept what was between them a secret, he’d been in her bed every night—making sweet, sweet love to her. The sex was anything but casual, even though he said it was all he had to offer. They connected on an even deeper level and experienced an intimacy unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. Something potent happened between them whether he wanted to believe it or not.