“Did I? I didn’t mean it. You have great taste, Willow.” He moved close and put his arm around her. “You’re looking good. Sexy.”

Sexy? Wait a minute. “Since when?” she demanded. “You said after that one time we did it you thought of me as your sister.”

“Nah, that wasn’t me. I think you’re hot.”

Hot? Her? It was the answer to all her prayers. She waited for the rush of relief, the bubble of happiness. Instead she found herself wondering what kind of dirt he was tracking in on her clean floor.

She slipped free of his embrace and moved into the kitchen where she poured two glasses of iced tea.

“I did it, Willow,” he said as he leaned against the counter. “I cleaned up my life, the way you always told me to. I moved to Tucson and got a job and saved my money. Whenever I wanted to do something stupid, I’d ask myself, ‘Would Willow do this?’ and then I’d listen to the answer. I won a bunch of money playing poker and I bought me a Jiffy Lube franchise. They’re a great company and I’m doing good. I’m saving for a house, too.”

She didn’t know what to think. It was too much information all at once.

“Good for you,” she said and meant it. She was glad he’d found what he wanted.

“The thing is, I don’t want to go back to the way I was,” he told her, sounding painfully earnest. “I need you in my life, Willow. I’m a better man with you around. So I was thinking, you could come back with me. We’d live together for a while and if that went as good as I think it’s going to, we’ll get married. You want that, right? Marriage and some kids? I can give that to you now.”

A year ago she would have been melting in a puddle of excitement. Having Chuck finally speak those words—although maybe not as romantically as she would have liked—would have meant everything to her. Now, she felt nothing.

What was wrong with her? Sure, she’d sworn off the whole rescuing thing, but this was Chuck. Shouldn’t he have tested her resolve?

“I wish you the best,” she said sincerely. “I’m so happy for you and proud of what you’ve done with your life, but I’m not interested in moving to Tucson.”

He moved close and cupped her cheek. “Hey, Willow. It’s me.”

Then he lowered his head and kissed her.

She waited for the familiar rise of heat and longing, or at least a sense of revenge. After all, Chuck had slept with her and then told her he didn’t find her appealing in that way.

She felt the warmth of his mouth and a hint of wanting in his kiss. And that was it. She didn’t tingle or strain or even kiss him back. Honestly, what was the point?

He straightened. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Which was true, she thought happily. “Absolutely nothing.”

“I’m saying I want you in my life,” he told her. “You’ve been waiting for that.”

“Apparently not as much as we both thought,” she told him, trying not to smile. She felt light and free and totally at peace with herself.

“But…” he began.

She stepped back. “Chuck, I think it’s terrific that you’ve found everything you want. I’m glad I had some small part in that. But you don’t need me to be successful. Go find someone you can really love and settle down. That will make you happy.”

“But you’re the one I want,” he said stubbornly.

“Not really. I’m an old habit. I’ve always rescued you, but here’s the thing. I don’t do that anymore, which is great, because you don’t need rescuing. You’re doing fine on your own.”

He looked more confused than annoyed. “But I came back for you.”

“Which was really sweet of you.”

“You’re supposed to be in love with me.”

“Not anymore.” Maybe never, she thought. It was a real possibility she’d mistaken her longing for a fantasy for the real thing.

He swore. “I should have come back sooner.”

She hated to think that might have made a difference, but it could have. She shuddered to think she might have actually gone off with Chuck at one time. What a nightmare. However would she have found her way home?

She glanced at the clock on the wall. “I need to get going. I have to be somewhere.”

He grabbed her arm. “Is it someone else? Is there another guy?”

If only, she thought, knowing she was completely cured of wanting men who didn’t much want her. “No. It’s a cat. I’m pet-sitting for a friend.”

“If it’s about the money,” he said, “I’ll pay you back.”

And pigs would soon be flying across the west side of Los Angeles. “That would be great.”

She removed his hand from her arm, then gently pushed him toward the front door. She grabbed her purse and keys on the way.

“Thanks for stopping by. It’s been really great to see you, Chuck. I wish you every happiness.”

Once they were safely outside, she locked the door behind her and made her way to her car.

“Good luck,” she called back to him. “I mean that. I know the right woman is out there, waiting for you.”

He didn’t wave back or say anything. Willow drove off, made a few turns in the neighborhood, then, when she was sure Chuck was gone, returned to her place.

She ran inside and collected candles and more cookies she’d made. Kane might claim to be comfortable coming home to a dark and empty house, but she knew that wasn’t true. She wanted to make him feel welcome. Plus, she was celebrating the fact that she’d been extra good. In all the times she’d gone over to take care of Jasmine and her babies, Willow had never once looked anywhere she shouldn’t. She hadn’t even flipped through his magazines. For all she knew, she was going to be crowned Miss Privacy Minder of the month.

She drove over to Kane’s house and went inside. Jasmine greeted her with a little meow and lots of purring. Willow crouched down and petted her, then gently stroked the kittens. Two of them already had their eyes open.

“Hi, babies,” she said softly. “You’re getting so big. Yes, you are. Guess who comes home tonight? Kane. Are you excited? I’m excited.”

After feeding Jasmine and cleaning out the litter, Willow returned to her car and began collecting her bags. She was on her way back when an unwelcome and familiar sound made her turn.

Chuck drove his motorcycle down the driveway and pulled up next to her. He took off his helmet and walked toward her.

“There’s someone else,” he said flatly. “You lied to me.”

“I didn’t lie. I told you I was cat-sitting. Want to see the cat?”

He grabbed one of the bags and opened it. “Candles and cookies. I know you, Willow. There’s a guy.”

“So what if there is? Why are you surprised? I’ve moved on with my life, Chuck. You’ve been gone for months and this isn’t the first time you left. Did you think I’d wait forever?”

His stunned expression told her that the answer was yes. How pathetic…for both of them, she thought grimly.

“You always waited,” he told her.

“Maybe before, but not anymore. I’m not that person you remember. Things are different for me.”

“Who’s the guy?”

“We’re just friends.”

“Like I believe that.” He dropped the bag on the ground and stepped toward her. “Who’s the guy?”

His face sharpened with anger. She’d never seen Chuck as someone with a temper. He’d always gone with the flow.

He raised his hand and for a second, she thought he was going to hit her.

Kane wove through traffic on his way home. He felt a pressing need to be at his house, which he didn’t like. Why did he care where he was? But the desire was there, so he drove a little faster, while telling himself it didn’t matter when he arrived. It wasn’t as if Willow was going to be there.

Not that he wanted to see her. Or the damn cat. He would admit to some curiosity about the kittens. Maybe they’d grown a little since he’d been gone. Their eyes should be opening. That could be interesting.

He turned down a side street, then hit the remote control device that opened the large wrought-iron gate that led to his place. It was a shorter route than going down by the main house, and more private. He eased his Mercedes forward and checked to make sure the gate had closed behind him.

He rounded the corner and saw Willow standing in front of his place with some guy. It took Kane less than two seconds to read the fear in her body language and the intent in the man’s raised hand.

He parked and got out of his car. His movements were deceptively slow, but inside, he felt tension build. The guy looked ready to take on someone and Kane was more than happy to oblige.

“Is this him?” the intruder asked Willow as Kane approached. “Is he the reason you won’t come back with me?”

“I won’t come back with you because I don’t want to,” she told him firmly. “I’m not interested in having a relationship with you, Chuck. Now go away.”

Chuck laughed. “I don’t think so.”

Willow looked at Kane. “I’m sorry about this. Kane, this is Chuck. Somebody I used to know.”

Chuck glared at her and swore. Although he’d lowered his hand to his side, he was still standing too close and doing his best to intimidate Willow. But she wasn’t one to be pushed around. Kane saw her square her shoulders and stare right back at the jerk, as if to prove he couldn’t scare her.

“Willow’s mine,” Chuck said, still glaring at Willow “I’m taking her with me.”

Kane felt the slow burn build inside. He stood ready to attack, but without knowing if he should. He didn’t mind being annoyed by this ass, what concerned him was the reason—Willow.

He shouldn’t want to protect her, but he did. He shouldn’t want to claim, yet the need to grab her and brand her with his mouth and his body grew with each passing second. He knew better than to feel anything, ever, yet the emotions would not be denied.

Kane walked toward Chuck. “Is there any part of you that thinks I’m going to let you take Willow anywhere?”

Chuck met his gaze and blinked first. “I, ah…”

“You could try it,” Kane continued. “I think that would be fun. Come on. Try it.”

Chuck paled and took a step back.

“You were so eager to force her,” Kane said. “Were you going to hit her? It looked like you were. Are you the kind of girly man who gets his kicks from hitting women? Because where I’m from, that’s lower than low. We use guys like you for wiping up the floor. That could be fun, too.”

Chuck raised both hands in the air. “I didn’t hurt her. Ask her, she’ll tell you.”

Kane continued to stare at him. “Get on your bike and get out of here. Never see Willow again. In fact, you should avoid L.A. altogether. Is that clear?”

Chuck nodded several times, then hurried to his bike. Seconds later, he was gone.

Kane stared after him. There was too much boiling inside of him. He should have fought the guy—it would have burned off energy.

He turned to Willow, who studied him. “You’re never boring,” he said. “I’ll give you that.”

She smiled. “Welcome home.”

Seven

Kane led the way into the house. Willow followed him and closed the door.

“I don’t know what happened,” she said, both confused by Chuck’s behavior and relieved that Kane had shown up when he had. “He’s never been the least bit possessive. He was more the needy type and very into himself. Honestly, he’s never been all that interested in me. And let me be clear. I didn’t invite him here. He was waiting at my place earlier. We talked, I told him it was over and then I left. I guess he followed me. It’s just so strange.”

“It’s not strange,” Kane said, looking at her. “You were always available before. This time, you weren’t. That made him want you more.”

“Talk about twisted,” she murmured, suddenly caught up in how good Kane looked. He wore a tailored suit that emphasized his muscles, not to mention the breadth of his shoulders. Now if he’d been the one asking her to run off to Tucson, she would have been gone in a flash.

“It’s human nature. We want what we can’t have.”

Hmm, so was that why she wanted Kane? Because she couldn’t have him?

Willow considered the question, then shook her head. No, she had a feeling she would be even more interested in Kane if he were begging her to stay. Not that he ever would. He was a pretty together guy. Now that she knew him better, she had to admit he didn’t need much in the way of rescuing—except maybe emotionally and how likely was that to happen?

“He’s going to have to get over it,” she said firmly. “I’m done with the loser stage of my life. No more fixing guys up and sending them on their way. I’m my own person and I don’t need to prove my worth by what I do for others.”

He raised one eyebrow. “Read that in a magazine?”

“Uh-huh. Pretty cool. I was thinking of putting it on a pillow.”

“Of course you were.”

She grinned, then grabbed his hand and dragged him over to the window. Well, drag was kind of a strong word. She gave a tug, indicating where she wanted him to go and he did.

“Look,” she said. “Flowers. Pretty.”

“You’re mocking me,” he told her.