He took a step back then told her, “Daniel. I’m Daniel Collins.”
“I’m . . . Kate Sparrow.” At least she could speak in her normal tone now. She sighed. It took longer than normal, but the man’s presence overpowered the room, at least to her.
He shrugged. “You’re far prettier in person than in the newspapers.”
“Figures.” Reality crashed on her shoulders. Notorious Kate Sparrow meant fun, a meaningless flirt, and a chance to be in the newspapers. Guys were not interested in her or the inner spark that made her special. The wind knocked out of her sails, proverbially, or whatever that word was. A bile of distrust in her stomach lining returned. “Go away now.”
She stood back up and walked toward the bar. The waitress took too long.
He followed her and handed her the wine glass. She bit her lip. She ought to ditch this one fast.
“Princess, I meant that as a compliment. You surprised me.”
“What a line. Don’t be insulting and call me princess.” Kate downed her drink, and her nostrils flared. Her father hated her. Her sister ran a game that meant it was okay to stab Kate in the back. Men treated her like she was someone else. The lockbox had to explain how this all related to her mother’s company. She signaled for that other drink. Without one glance in his direction, she told Daniel, “I’ve heard better, now run along.”
She took a seat in the barstool.
“Kate, we’re both going to the wedding.” At least his voice came from above her and not nearly so close. Her body hadn’t cooled down. The wine burned her throat. Daniel then told her, “Everything will be better if we get along.”
Kate swiveled her chair, ready for battle now. “Better? My life hasn’t been better in years, so get lost. The only numbing thing left in my life is a good, stiff drink, and I’ve not had nearly enough of them to find you the least bit attractive.”
Strike. Dang. Somewhere along the path, she’d became hard and bitter. Daniel Collins’s dark eyes read shocked. She glanced back at the new glass of wine. His tall muscular frame and presence took control of the room, but his eyes read sympathy and understanding. His words were different. Was his empathy part of his game? Did any women say no to him? Kate guessed this man must get what he wanted, when he wanted it. In a different life, she’d have been a shy musician that steered clear of men like him. She picked up the wine, but dared not drink.
Kate Sparrow was the heiress to a shoe fortune. So why hadn’t all her money taught her how to act in front of a man?
Chapter 4
Daniel stepped away from Kate, and rubbed his temples.
His beer sat half full on the table, and his brain told him to sit back down. She’d sent him packing.
Perhaps Princess wasn’t the best move. He gritted his teeth. He hadn’t struck out with a girl since middle school. He returned to the nightclub and to the table with his brothers.
His brothers were bright red from laughter. He told them, “Knock it off.”
Liam sat next to him. “Was that a ‘no’ or a ‘hell no’ we just witnessed?”
“Neither, Kate Sparrow isn’t a woman any man wants,” Daniel lied. Her dismissal made her far prettier, if that was possible. He’d approached her wrong. Princess had been a stupid mistake, but he told his brothers. “She’s a barracuda.”
“Good to know, Daniel, where we stand.” Kate spat out behind him.
Heat rose in his neck, and his collar became tighter. How? He turned around and stared into her sensitive, brown eyes. His mouth dropped open, and he fidgeted with the silverware? Kate oozed sexy, but he needed sweet in his life. She was oil and vinegar.
She turned to leave and Daniel stood up. “Wait, Kate.”
His brother laughed.
Daniel followed her. Her hips swiveled, and she walked faster away without one more acknowledgement.
He stopped, hung his head, and turned around. Daniel couldn’t afford to be attracted to a woman like her. He intended to find a sweet woman to be the mother of his future children. Kate screamed sex.
His brothers’ red faces cracked into laughter.
Sean held his wife’s hand, then told Daniel, “Start the next conversation with ‘I’m sorry,’ bro. I love Gigi, but she can be crazy.”
“Crazy? You used to beg me to talk.” His wife laughed and elbowed Sean. “See if I am forgiving next time.”
“You love me.” Sean squeezed his wife’s shoulders. Then he turned back toward Daniel. “We all saw how you looked at her. The question is how will you break that to Mom on the cruise tomorrow?”
Daniel lowered his voice. “Mom’s not on the cruise, and I’m not looking at Ms. Sparrow in any special way.”
“Right, and denial isn’t normal for him,” Gigi added.
Sex and marriage were different. His younger brothers were well aware. Sean lived in a fantasy world with Gigi. Daniel needed air and stood up. He stared at the outdoor bar door and walked away from his brothers. He’d turned to leave the bar entirely, but Sean shouted, “She turned left.”
Daniel’s face heated. He’d face his brothers later. Sean was right. He needed to apologize. Outside, he followed her. Kate had stormed off to the left. The bar outside offered a quiet moment. Daniel left his beer somewhere. He gazed at his door and then left, stopping a few feet away. He told the bartender, “Guinness.”
He stayed still, but kept his back muscles tight. The drink arrived, and his shoulders relaxed. Good. Daniel took the mug of beer, and held it up to take a sip. Then he heard Kate’s voice. “Ugh. No.”
He turned around and stared around the bar area. He didn’t see her and wondered if he’d misheard something. He picked his glass back up, but then heard her again, this time more clearly. “Leave me alone.”
Someone else struck out, or the press? His stomach churned. The girl had horrible luck. He followed her voice, and soon found her. She was surrounded by some guy without his shirt and a photographer. Kate jumped up to hug him with an air kiss on the cheek, and told everyone, “Sweetheart, don’t leave me. I’d never wanted to be here without you.”
Kate’s touch left his skin hot, and his temperature skyrocketed. He kept her in his arms and repositioned them to bring her closer. She hugged him and whispered in his ear, “Daniel, I’m sorry about this.”
He nodded, and curled her arm around her back.
Then she rubbed her cheek against his until she found his lips. She leaned into him and kissed him.
The world stopped. Her lips were soft and inviting.
Kate’s arms traced his back, and she stayed in his arms. He held her closer and returned her kiss. The woman was fire, and her mouth matched his kiss. She tasted sweet, like a dessert.
He forgot anyone else was around and tasted her. She pressed his lips to her, and she tasted sweeter than chocolate chip ice cream. Her arms wrapped around his back, and in this moment, nothing else mattered.
A flash of light froze Daniel for a second, and Kate turned from sex kitten to angry tiger in the same blink of time. She almost threw him off of her and dashed into the lobby. The second the doors closed, she stepped back and crossed her arms. “Figures. Well you got what you wanted. Your name will be on the news, so we’re done now.”
“Newspapers aren’t important. Why were you here?” Daniel wished no one had seen his momentary glimpse of insanity with Kate. He stared at Kate. “You stormed off, then you were outside with the naked boy, and then you kissed me . . .”
“I came out here to be alone.” Kate pushed her chin up, but he saw her tremble. Her sweet, brown eyes glistened with tears, though she hadn’t cried. “I can’t catch my breath.”
Daniel stared at a now-growing crowd around them. He refused to make another scene. He stared past the crowd, then took her hand to lead her to the end of the lobby near the elevators. She tugged her hand free, and then checked her skin for marks. He hadn’t hurt her, though she stuck up her chin and folded her hands. “I don’t need you or any more stunts tonight.”
“Kate.” Daniel stepped closer. “I’m exactly what you need, and you can keep the press to yourself.”
What was wrong with him? He sounded like his moron brothers.
“Liar.” Kate’s gaze became liquid for a minute.
He took a second to himself then nodded. “I’m a doctor. My family has money. What the hell would I want with notoriety?”
She stomped on his foot, and he let her go. What had he said? His ego deflated. Then she pressed the button of the elevator.
Daniel stood still and she went up without a goodbye.
He stared at the elevator door, and the number that read the twenty-second floor.
He’d go now.
Guilt ratcheted up his spine. He owed her an apology. She’d tell him to get lost, again. Yet he’d sleep better if he told her ‘I’m sorry.’ He hit the button, and intended to find her in this boutique beachfront hotel.
Chapter 5
The elevator took its time on the way up.
Kate’s skin burned and it wasn’t all because her sister set her up. Daniel’s kiss had been sweet. Unexpectedly so. With her arms around him, she felt protected. Anger or desire mixed within her. She hadn’t known how to act or say goodbye. Her feet had turned to run. She hadn’t had a break from the universe in years now, and if she stayed near the doctor, she’d have been out of character.
She stared at the ceiling.
Her father and sister had set her up, again. She had to focus on what she needed to vanquish, and why she was in Miami. Why would a doctor want to mess with her, anyhow? Alone, she let her head bang against the back panel of the elevator. He’d been a jerk.
Kate needed to let this go. Daniel had stepped in the way of the reporter’s set up, and she’d jumped from one boiling water ship to the other. Her heat rose, which jolted out of control at his kiss. She hadn’t expected that. She tapped her knees to distract her.
The elevator played horrible music.
Why now? Her body had reacted to that man in a way she’d never experienced in her life. Every nerve cell in her body begged for him to touch her. Luckily she had no time for lust.
The ding told her she arrived on her floor.
The elevator door opened and Kate stepped into the hallway. Then she froze and stared at her room door ajar. She stepped backward. Another ding behind her jolted her further back.
Then she fell into Daniel’s strong arms. Had he followed her?
He held her in his arms, and she shivered. “Kate, I came to apologize . . .”
“Shh . . .” She shook her head in his chest and kept his arms around her. She might need his muscles. She stared at the door, but she told him, “My room door is open.”
Daniel pointed to a door. She nodded ‘yes,’ and then took his arm back to her side. His muscles brushed against her body and she could breathe. She tilted her head. She shouldn’t trust him, but he wasn’t her enemy at the moment. He kept her close, in his arms, but at the door stepped around her to go first. “I’ll check it out, Kate.”
“We should call the front desk.” She stayed hot on his heels.
He pushed the door further open. He had a tattoo. What was it?
Then he stretched his arm in front of her to stop her. She gulped. His ember eyes turned back towards her, and she saw empathy. She stepped forward and tilted her head to see around his muscles. What happened? No one ever empathized with Kate Sparrow. She traced his arm, and intended to push past.
He coughed and stood in her way to block her. “Did you own a dog?”
“Yes. Charming.” Her dog was the only source of love in her life. Men like Daniel were trouble. She’d left her baby in the care of Bridget. She couldn’t take him on this cruise to the Caymans. Her dog wasn’t allowed on the ship. She’d get the files and clear her name. “My dog is in North Carolina.”
“Call the front desk, Katie. I’ll call the police.”
Katie? Kindness? She swallowed. Daniel had tried to keep her in the hall. What happened? She hadn’t needed protection. No one had offered her help in years. She stepped around him and her mouth fell open. Her heart shot to her throat. Her black Labrador retriever was on the bed with blood everywhere. A sob welled up from her gut, and her hand flew to her mouth to stop a scream. Why? Who would hurt her dog?
Then ice formed in her chest. Her father. Who else? He must know her plans to get the paperwork to send him to jail for life. Daniel moved her into the hallway again, then picked up his phone. Her body ticked with tremors. She saw his actions and fell into his arms. For one minute, she needed a hug. “Charming never hurt a fly.”
“Katie, it’s okay.” Daniel squeezed her closer. No one had hugged Kate in years, not since her mother had died. She stared into the room. Her dog had been the only source of unconditional love she received for years. And for one second more, Kate took the comfort he offered. Her dog was all she had. Her father’s heartlessness must have grown.
Her face grew wet and she blubbered, “My . . . father . . .”
She couldn’t continue. No one would believe her. No one ever believed her. She couldn’t take that chance. Instead, she stopped and dropped her head.
His arm patted her back like he cared. “Your father what?”
She stepped out of his embrace, and shook her head. Daniel wasn’t her friend. The elevator dinged behind her. Then the police, and hotel management joined them in the hallway. Daniel took her hand then told them, “Kate Sparrow’s room. Her dog . . .”
Daniel had control of the situation. The hallway seemed so vast, and she was so small. She was tired. For once she had a witness. She stepped back, picked up her phone, and called her dog sitter. The men talked, and the officers went inside her room.
On the second ring, Bridget answered, “Hello?”
“When did Charming go missing?” Kate asked fast.
More people filed inside. Daniel stroked her arm, and kept her in the hallway.
“Charming is right here, Kate. He’s fine.”
She pressed her palm to her chest. Her baby boy was fine. She bowed her head. Perhaps she shouldn’t have immediately blamed her father. Who set her up now and why? She covered the phone. “It’s not my dog. He’s fine.”
Daniel smiled and nodded. “Good.”
A few minutes later, Kate hung up the phone and stared at the man closer. Daniel Collins was six-foot-three, dark hair, and dark eyes, with empathy oozing out of him. She smiled a little. Was he real? “What is it you do for a living?”
He shrugged. “I’m a doctor.”
“That’s what you said before. Sticking with your story then,” she added and then took the mental note. He was someone who helped people. “What kind of doctor?”
He tilted his head. “A medical doctor.”
With her hand on her hip, she turned towards him. “Where do you work?”
“In a hospital.”
She crossed her arms. “Sounds likely.”
He stood straighter. “Don’t be sarcastic. Guess it’s my fault. I came to apologize to you. I am sorry for being rude.”
Her gaze stayed on his lips. She gave a small laugh. The world had tilted from his kiss. She preferred to not make friends now. Besides, why would a successful, rich doctor kiss her to get his picture in the newspapers? Something didn’t add up where Daniel was concerned. Perhaps her assumptions were incorrect, but she should be sure to avoid him in the future. She had no time.
“What do you do, Kate?”
He sounded interested, and her heart raced from the lilt in his voice.
“I play the violin.” She covered her mouth immediately. She never told people that. It had been her father’s weapon to take from her for years now. “Ughh, I meant no time for a job.”
“Liar.” He mimicked her accusation from before.
She deserved that, and should laugh off the truth.
Then he leaned closer, and her stomach fluttered. “You are not as tough as that reputation of yours reads. Makes you interesting.”
“No one notices.” Her cheeks must be red. She stared at the ground and kept her mouth closed. She’d say something stupid. Men weren’t her specialty. She swallowed. Who had been the last person to speak nicely to her? Kate found she had lost her venomous defensive comeback.
Daniel told her, “Kate, I’d like to help you.”
She nodded. Then the police and hotel management came out to ask her questions. Daniel stood with her, and ensured everyone gave her space.
She’d be nice to Daniel and keep her distance.
A few minutes later, the questioning ended, and he took her hand. At first she kept quiet and he called the elevator. She followed him inside, and waited for the doors to close. She stared at the ground, then she asked him, “Where are we going?”
Borrowing the Doctor (The Collins Brothers Book 2) Page 3