Suddenly, a hand snaked out and tugged at her calf, making her yelp in surprise.
Lane’s gray eyes sparkled up at her. “You took your time.” His gaze took in her form in the green bikini. “But the wait was worth it.”
The intense heat in his eyes made Kate sink quickly into the water. Her flesh tingled as his arm skimmed across her ribs, the sensation of overheating nothing to do with the water temperature and everything to do with the man’s roving eyes and hands.
“My imagination didn’t do you justice.” He pulled back to read her expression and flashed a roguish smile. “You’re stunning.”
Kate made a small choked sound and edged away, but his arm reached out and curled around her waist, tugging her to him and fitting her against his muscular chest. In the dim light, the shouts and laughter from the next pool seemed miles away, her entire world consisting solely of Lane.
“Kate, I just want to hold you.”
The need in his voice touched a twin chord within her and she released her unease. Slowly, she reached out to place a hand on his chest. A shudder went through him, the solid muscle bunching under her touch. One masculine finger reached out to trace the line of her bikini top. Kate’s head jerked up to meet his magnetic gaze. The heat in his eyes stole her breath.
He wanted her and the knowledge made her blood sing.
“Touch me, Kate,” he whispered, his eyes holding a dare and the stirring embers of passion.
Heartened, she explored, smoothing hands over broad shoulders, tangling fingers in his chest hair. Exercising the freedom he granted, she fingered flat male nipples. She pursed her lips, fighting a smile at his sudden intake of breath. Her heart thumped and her gaze shot to his again. Invisible energy arced between them as their lower bodies made contact. She shivered when his erection brushed against her.
“Kate.” He dipped his head, trailing a line of tiny kisses across her brow then angled his kisses down toward her mouth.
This time it was her who stifled a throaty groan. It felt so good. She wound her arms around his neck and arched against his hard body, relishing the slide of wet skin against her breasts.
A giggle jerked them apart. Lane lifted his head and Kate spied the two young girls playing at the shallow end of the pool. Chuckling, Lane clasped her hand and tugged her into the dark shadows of the deeper water where the combination of steam and lack of light screened them from most prying eyes.
Kate shivered, the warm buoyant water lapping around her shoulders. Lane’s chest nudged her breasts and their limbs entwined below the surface. Her heart fluttered wildly as his lips descended.
Heat.
Hot. Heady. Seductive.
Her lips parted to taste him and she desperately wished her bikini top away so their chests were skin to skin.
“That feels good, Kate,” Lane whispered, his husky voice sending her nerves in a sensuous dance of delight.
His fierce arousal burned into her lower body, leaving no doubt as to the strength of his need. A throaty chuckle welled up inside her and she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer.
“Excuse me, Kate!”
Kate jumped on hearing Jamie’s loud but guarded voice and thrashed against Lane’s chest. She swallowed a mouthful of water before Lane grabbed her.
“Yes, Jamie,” Lane answered calmly while she struggled to find her voice. He slackened his hold but kept her within the loose embrace of his arms.
“Are you coming on the slide?”
“Soon,” she promised.
Jamie nodded and walked back to the steps of the slide. He wavered and glanced back over his shoulder, a frown of indecision on his face.
“He saw us,” Kate said.
“Kate, Jamie is old enough to understand you need adult company. He spends a lot of time with Adam and Danielle.”
“I suppose.” Uncertainty shaded her voice.
Lane pressed a light kiss on the top of her nose. “Jamie will have to get used to me being around. It’s likely I’ll want to kiss you again.” His eyes darkened, his voice lowered to a growl. “Often.”
Kate’s pulse lurched at his words and in that moment, she wanted his kiss more than anything. Suiting action to thought, she snaked her arms around his neck and drew his head down so their lips met. Quick flicks of his tongue sent desire, liquid and molten streaming through her body. More. As if he read her mind, his hand cupped one breast and pinched her nipple through the cup of her bikini top. The sharp sensation shot straight to her core, bringing a sharp gasp. They kissed for a long time, learning and teasing each other.
The tinkling laughter and slow clapping filtered through their absorption in each other. Lane slowly lifted his lips from Kate’s.
Danielle and Adam, both fully dressed, grinned down at them. “Time to go, guys. The complex closes in ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes?” They hadn’t been here that long surely? Kate flushed and inched away from Lane. “How long have you been there?”
“Long enough,” Danielle mocked, “for me not to believe a single word of what you told me earlier.”
* * * * *
Kate arrived to collect Lane from his family’s holiday home at ten the next morning, accompanied by the boys who were eagerly discussing the different activities on offer for the coming afternoon. Her mouth dropped open while she listened to their grandiose plans.
A bungee jump over the Waikato River. Not in this lifetime! People older than her might attempt the daredevil sport, but she aimed to keep her feet planted on solid ground. Kate thought quickly. A strategy to veto the idea before it took shape.
“We’ll have to see what Lane wants to do before we finalize our plans. I thought we might have a picnic at Waiotapu.”
“Waiotapu,” Jamie scoffed. “What’s there?”
“Oh, we could watch Lady Knox geyser explode, we could see bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. But if you’re not interested…”
The chorus of protests almost deafened her as she climbed from her car. She laughed at their enthusiasm. Mission accomplished, but her smug grin died when Lane walked around the corner of the house followed by two children of Jamie’s age.
She froze, understanding why Lane remained so adamant Jamie was a Gerrard. If Jamie stood beside these two boys, strangers would presume they were brothers.
“Morning, boys.” Lane’s voice lowered a decibel. “Kate, I dreamed of you last night.” The wicked glint in his eyes hinted at the explicit content.
Kate blushed. Lord help her, but her dreams last night had caused a great deal of discomfort. Worthy of an X rating and so real she’d woken with sweat beaded on her body, her heart hammering as she reached for Lane. The empty bed had come as a shock after the vividness of her nocturnal thoughts.
Lane brushed a slow kiss over her lips, lingering before stepping back. The heat in her face intensified and her gaze jerked to Jamie.
But her son and the twins stood silently, eyeing Lane’s nephews instead of watching her. Lane’s brother and his wife joined their sons, coming to a halt behind them.
“Boys,” Lane said, “this is Charlie and Alex. They’re going to try out their new kite in the reserve over the road. Do you want to go with them?”
Jamie and the twins nodded and followed the Gerrard boys.
Lane placed a casual arm around Kate’s shoulders, drawing her forward. “Kate, this is my brother John and my sister-in-law Sabrina.”
The family resemblance was strong, both brothers bore black hair, high cheekbones, had tanned complexions and magnetic gray eyes. Kate searched their features for reaction, but apart from curiosity, there appeared nothing to concern her. The condemnation she’d half expected never materialized and the strain inside dissolved, allowing a natural smile to form.
“I’m pleased to meet you.” Even though it felt a bit disconcerting to see Jamie’s likeness in their children.
“Come inside,” Sabrina invited. “Lane has told us a lot about you.”
Bu
t what had he told them? Kate searched the woman’s face and still saw nothing but genuine interest and welcome. She trailed Sabrina inside, wariness still simmering inside but not as strongly. “My friend Danielle asked me to invite you to dinner tonight, if you’re free.”
Sabrina glanced at her husband and beamed. “We’d love to. Any excuse not to cook an evening meal.”
“Good,” Kate said. “We’re having a barbecue. The men are in charge of the cooking.”
Lane, who had walked over to a set of sliding doors to watch the boys, said suddenly, “John, I think we’re needed. The boys have snagged the kite in a tree.”
“But there’s only one tree in the reserve,” John said.
Kate moved to survey the scene. A bubble of laughter escaped. “The boys have caught the kite in it. It looks as though they’re deciding who retrieves it”
John groaned. “Come on, Lane. Supervision required.”
“Where do your friends live?” Sabrina asked.
“Tui Road. Do you know it?”
Sabrina thought for a minute. “It’s off Lake Road, isn’t it? Near the Tui Inn.”
Kate nodded. “Yes. Danielle suggested around six-thirty, seven if that suits you.”
A small body burst into the room. “Lane said to come quick!”
Sabrina laughed. “Can’t two grown men manage to retrieve a kite from the tree?”
“Jamie fell out of the tree. He’s…”
Kate didn’t wait to hear more. She rushed outside and sprinted across the road to the lone pohutukawa tree with Sabrina close behind. Kate pushed through the children, frantic to reach Jamie.
Lane curled an arm around her waist. “Jamie is okay.”
“But there’s blood on his shirt!”
John stood. “Lane’s the one bleeding but it’s minor. He’ll live.”
“I’ll take you to a doctor,” Kate said, her concern for Lane now that she knew Jamie was safe.
“Kate, John is a doctor,” Lane said.
“Oh,” she said, biting her lip in consternation.
John grinned. “Jamie may have a few bruises tomorrow but nothing is broken. Lane managed to catch him before he hit the ground.”
“Are you are okay?” she asked Jamie, needing his confirmation too.
Jamie scowled, bringing back memories of the first time she’d met Lane. She held her breath, waiting for a Lane-related tantrum. “Lane and I fell on the kite,” he muttered in disgust. “The cross sticks are snapped so it won’t fly.”
“We can fix the kite,” Lane said.
Jamie turned to survey Lane, and Kate prayed for a polite reaction from her son. If he was rude again, they were heading straight home to Auckland.
“Can we fix it now?” Jamie asked, his face intent on Lane.
Lane stooped to pick up the kite. “Sure.” The five boys crowded around him and offered suggestions to fix it. Once they’d come to a decision as to the best course of action, they all walked off without a backward glance.
Kate exhaled slowly. Maybe the broken kite was serendipity too.
* * * * *
After a busy weekend, Kate was relieved to reach the familiar streets close to home. She flexed her arms and shoulders to relieve tension from driving and smothered a yawn. The three and a half hour drive from Taupo was tiring without a rest break. Jamie was asleep in the backseat, having decided to come home to check on Ratty while Lane remained suspiciously quiet in the front seat. She pulled into her drive and coasted to a stop.
“Lane,” she spoke softly, “we’re home.”
Lane came awake with a start and grinned sheepishly. “Sorry. I must have nodded off.”
“It’s not surprising you both fell asleep. We’ve had a busy weekend and the barbecue went late last night.”
“Not to mention the free-for-all rugby game with the five boys this morning,” Lane said. “I’ll carry Jamie inside for you.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m awake,” Jamie said, and proved it by giving a loud yawn. “Are we home?”
“Yes.” Kate climbed from the car and hustled Jamie along. “Let’s get you into bed.” She strode up the front path to the door with Lane and Jamie trailing behind.
Kate pushed her key in the lock and frowned when the door swung open under light pressure. She fumbled for the light and gaped in shock at the wanton destruction in her hall.
Chapter Fifteen
“What’s wrong?” Lane demanded.
“The door wasn’t locked. I switched the light on and look…” Kate gestured at the shambles in the hall.
“Stay with Jamie.” Lane thrust his cell phone at her. “Call the police while I check the rest of the house.”
“Wait! What if they’re still inside?” But she spoke to empty air. She rang the police, uneasy fear coursed through her, freezing her in place until he returned minutes later.
“There’s no one here.”
“Are the other rooms like this?” A quaver skipped through her voice when she indicated the shredded rug and the trail of rich soil and wilting plants on the floor. Bone-deep weariness tugged at her mind. A major cleanup was the last thing she needed tonight.
“Most of them,” he admitted.
“Why?” Kate cried. “Why is someone doing this to me?”
“I don’t know, Kate, but the police will catch them soon. You and Jamie can stay with me tonight. We’ll tackle the cleaning in the morning. Did the police say how long they’d take to arrive?”
“About ten minutes.”
Jamie tugged on Lane’s sleeve, demanding attention. “Have they been in my room?”
“I’m afraid so, but the damage isn’t too bad.”
Kate left Lane and Jamie talking and walked into the den even though she knew she probably shouldn’t. Hot, angry tears blurred her sight when she surveyed the damage. Neon-green spray paint covered her prized rimu sideboard, the brilliant color standing out in stark relief against the dark wood. In contrast, the taunting words painted in large, clear lettering on the walls were a bright orange color. Leave or Die. The other piece of graffiti was shorter and succinct. Bitch.
Belongings were strewn about the room, ripped from shelves, carelessly tossed aside. Magazines, books, the broken remains of the small knick-knacks—inexpensive items but treasures all the same. She stooped to pick up the pieces of her blue glass collection.
“Don’t touch anything,” Lane warned, from the doorway. “Wait for the police.”
Kate righted an old chrome and wood stool and perched on the edge. The sense of violation made her want to scream but she caught her bottom lip between her teeth, refusing to give the vandal the satisfaction. She stood abruptly, a fierce glitter in her eyes. “I’m going to check The Sanctuary.”
Lane grabbed her upper arm to halt her departure. “Wait.”
“What?” she snapped, jerking from his touch.
“I didn’t check in there. We should go together in case the vandal is still in the house. Jamie, stay behind us.”
Kate tightened her lips and glowered at Lane. He was closest and in the absence of the culprit, an easy target to vent her anger and frustration. “This is all your fault.”
Lane halted, his incredulous expression flattening to impassive. “My fault?”
“Look!” She gestured toward one of the lurid messages on the wall, hiding helplessness and tears under her belligerence. “Leave Lane alone,” she mocked. “Sounds like a woman to me. The deranged bimbo thinks I have my hooks in you.” Her laugh echoed, strained and bitter in the taut silence. “Newsflash. She can have you. I certainly don’t want you.”
The minute the words left her mouth Kate wanted to yank them back. They were a lie. She did want him in her life. The flicker of hurt on his face, quickly blanked, prodded guilt to life, but not enough to battle the quick flashback to the past, to the young inexperienced girl she’d been.
Lane moved.
She froze, tensing every muscle while she waited for the blow that was
sure to come. Lane stepped toward her. She flinched, but he walked around her to peer out the window. A tremulous breath slid past her lips as reality returned.
This man was not Steve.
She had to remember that, to hold on to the kindness, the gentle way he treated her even when his face paled with anger. Lane differed from Steve in every way that mattered.
“The police have arrived,” he said. “I’ll let them inside.”
Still trembling from the vivid flash of the past, she hurried to The Sanctuary. If the vandal skulked there, she would deal with them. She stalked into the outer room, expecting the worst.
Not one towel or bottle of massage oil appeared out of place. The tension flowed from her body while checking the massage room. If she could tidy the passageway first thing tomorrow, her work could resume as usual. She needed the money, now more than ever.
“Kate!”
“Coming.” Kate nodded to the police officers when she entered her den.
Detective Harwood smiled faintly. “Regular visitors, aren’t we?”
“Do you think somebody has something against me?” Kate asked, a sarcastic edge to her words.
“We’ll catch them.” Sympathy shone briefly in the detective’s brown eyes before she shrugged on her professional demeanor.
Constable Allen directed the fingerprint squad while Detective Harwood spoke with Lane and Kate. “You were away for the weekend?” she asked.
“We spent the weekend in Taupo with friends. We left here early on Friday afternoon and arrived back half an hour ago,” Lane answered. “The door wasn’t locked when we arrived. I distinctly remember Kate locking it before we left.”
The detective jotted a note. “Kate, does anyone have a key to your house?”
“Jamie has a key and the friends we visited in Taupo have one. I think there’s a spare in the kitchen cupboard.”
“My key is in my pocket.” Jamie produced his key with a flourish. “Here it is.”
“Since you have a deadlock on your front door, my guess is they found your spare key. Have you noticed anything missing? Money? Electrical goods? Jewelry?”
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