Katie ignored the stiffening of his body and continued to trace the irregular ridges of his scars from his shoulder and down his back. Under cover of darkness, she outlined the marks on his left arm and up the front of his chest. She continued until she had mapped out all the scars on his body.

The fabric of his shirt was carefully pushed back, but he didn’t move and Katie could only uncover his shoulder. Sighing, she reached up and kissed the areas she could reach. He closed his eyes as the sensation shot through his body. It was almost painful to feel Katie’s soft lips against his ravaged flesh.

Settling herself back on the pillows in a comfortable position, Katie tucked the covers around her before she finally spoke. “Why do you hide yourself from me?”

“It’s easier that way.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

“Easier for whom? Me or you?” Katie asked him the question that no other had ever dared.

“What is this, a pity fuck?” He heard her soft gasp and for some reason that made him even angrier. “Well, you’ve done your good deed. You can go if you want or you can stay and fuck some more.”

Cain rolled from the bed and went to the bathroom to give himself time to think. By the time he returned to the bedroom, he had his emotions ruthlessly restrained.

He climbed back into bed and pulled Katie into his arms. She surprised him when she rolled easily into his embrace and rested her head on his chest. In truth, he’d expected to find her gone. Instead, her fingers played with the soft line of hair that ran down the center of his stomach and fanned out at his groin. Already, he could feel himself getting aroused again.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your business?” Her fingers continued to play up and down his stomach, even as her lips kissed his chest.

“It didn’t concern you.” He’d made his position clear. It was up to her how she reacted. The subject was closed as far as he was concerned. Right now, the biggest thought on his mind losing himself in Katie’s warm, welcoming body.

She sighed deeply and propped herself up on one arm so she was looking down at him. “You didn’t trust me.”

Her hands reached out to brush the hair off his face, but he grabbed her hand and stopped her. “Katie, just drop it, okay. It doesn’t have anything to do with us.”

“But I want you to understand my side of things.”

A cold feeling of dread began to fill Cain where only moments before a warm feeling of pleasure had reigned. “Is that what this was all about?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your declaration of love. Your big seduction. Were they both designed to get me to change my mind?” A certainty that she had been trying to manipulate him filled him with an icy anger. His voice was cool and clipped as he continued, “You’re good in bed, I’ll grant you that, but don’t think for one moment you’ll affect my decision.” He continued cruelly, “You’re the best lay I’ve ever had, but business is business.” He knew he was saying things he would later regret, but he couldn’t stop the poisonous words from pouring out.

Katie stilled beside him and he braced himself for more pleas, possibly tears and as a last resort, another seduction attempt. He wasn’t prepared when she erupted in a flurry of movement. One moment the room was in darkness, the next it was filled with bright light. Katie stood next to the bed like some magnificent avenging angel.


She had never been so furious in all her life. Her chest heaved in anger as she glared down at Cain. “How dare you even suggest such a thing!” Her whole body was shaking as she stood there waiting for him to respond.

It was the first time she’d seen him in the light and the part of her that loved him wanted to crawl back in bed with him and kiss the pain from his poor ravaged body. Cain’s left eye was covered in a patch and she could see the scars that came from under it and continued down the side of his face. His neck and chest were filled with slight ridges and pale pink scars.

Cain automatically flicked the shirt so that it covered his left side from shoulder to waist, leaving the right side bare. He turned from her so she was left looking at the right side of his face. Still, in the light, he couldn’t hide himself from her. She sensed his discomfort and felt empathy for all the pain he’d suffered, but his scars really weren’t as bad as he’d led her to believe.

Instead, her gaze was drawn to the huge expanse of his chest and the gigantic width of his biceps even when he was at rest. The ridges of his flat stomach tapered down to his groin where his erection was growing even as she spoke. It was even more impressive than she’d thought.

Shaking her head, she forced her gaze back to his face. His piercing green eye watched her suspiciously and his jaw was clenched in anger. Well, too bad for him. She was angry too.

Taking his time, he stacked his hands behind his head and then shrugged, allowing the shirt to gape open. “What was I supposed to think?”

“Maybe that I wanted you to share part of your life with me.” She stamped her foot in anger. It was either that or smack his gorgeous face. “I didn’t for one minute think I could get you to change your mind, but I had hoped you would at least listen to my opinion or explain your reasons for keeping it all a big secret from me.”

“It’s business, Katie.” Cain repeated.

Katie bowed her head in defeat, shaking it slowly in frustration. Unless he was willing to share himself with her, they had no chance at a relationship. They made quite a pair, she exposing her raw emotions and him revealing his physical vulnerability. She laughed and it was a bitter sound. “That’s a better explanation than accusing me of whoring myself.”

Cain bolted upright in bed and glared at her. He was so upset, he made no effort to keep his face hidden. With his long black hair flowing over one side his face all the way to his shoulders, and the black eye patch covering his eye, he looked like an enraged pirate king. “I never said that.”

“Yes, you did,” she quietly replied not flinching from the intensity of his green-eyed glare. “When you implied that my declaration of love and my lovemaking were nothing more than a crude attempt to make you change your mind.”

“You’re twisting my words.” Cain reached out to her, but she backed away. If he got her back in bed again, she’d forget her resolve. She had too much respect for herself to allow that to happen.

“No, I think I finally do understand.” Gathering her clothes, she quietly padded to the bathroom, where she shut herself inside and quickly pulled on her clothes. At any other time, she would have enjoyed trying out the gigantic tub. It was big enough for two. Squeezing her eyes shut on that painful thought, she counted to ten.

Promising herself she wouldn’t cry, she pulled herself together. She straightened her sweater and then wrapped her arms around herself for comfort. The mirror reflected a pale face that looked slightly haggard. Flicking on the cold water tap, she splashed some on her cheeks. She scrubbed her face dry on a towel and ran her fingers through her hair. Satisfied that she looked as good as possible, she was now ready to leave. There was really nothing else she could do.

Cain was still in bed when she left the confines of the bathroom. The room was once again shrouded in darkness, but she could sense his impatience with her.

“There’s no need for all this drama. Come here, Katie,” he cajoled. When she shook her head, his voice grew hard. “I thought you said you loved me.”

Katie bit her lip in pain at the scorn in his tone. “I do love you. The problem is you don’t seem to have a care for me at all beyond the confines of your bed.”

“Go then. I’m done with you.” Anger and pain radiated from his voice.

Katie walked to the doorway, but turned at the last moment. Because she loved him, she owed him one more thing. “You don’t need to hide yourself in the dark. You’re not as scarred as you think you are.” She continued wistfully, “In fact, I think you’re quite handsome in a dark, brooding way. Not classically beautiful, but strong and interesting.” She shrugged. “That’s my opinion, whatever it’s worth to you.”

“Katie,” his voice called to her from the bedroom, but it was too late. Ruthlessly, she ignored the pain in his voice. She couldn’t allow him to stop her now when she was feeling weak.

Grabbing her coat, she slammed the door open and raced for the elevator. Luck was with her and the door opened as soon as she pressed the button. Quickly, she stepped in and stabbed the down button. The door was closing when she heard the sound of footsteps following her.

Katie burst from the elevator, raced across the garage and quickly left the building. Hurrying down the road, she dashed the tears from her eyes, all the while telling herself it was just the wind making them water. It was a frigid night and Katie felt so cold from the inside out.

A light from an all-night diner beckoned her, and she slipped inside, thankful for its warmth. The bell over the door jangled as she entered. She noted that the place was empty, except for two men sipping coffee at the counter and chatting to the waitress. No one paid any attention to her, for which she was grateful.

A payphone was tucked just inside the door and Katie sighed with relief. Reaching for her purse, or where it was supposed to be, she closed her eyes on a wave of despair. It was still hanging up by Cain’s front door, and there was no way she was going back for it.

Digging in her pocket for loose change, she decided she didn’t have any choice but to call Lucas to come pick her up. She closed her eyes as a wave of despair washed over her, she really wasn’t up to his interrogation right now. It was taking all of her energy not to burst into tears. Her hand brushed something as she searched for a spare quarter for a call and she pulled out the small square of cardboard Quentin had given her.