Kade: Armed and Dangerous Read Free Page A

leaned in the cab door. “I’m staying the night at the Larson, too. Mind if I
     get out of the rain and share your cab?”
    He was already soaked from the storm and she hated to see him get any wetter. In fact,
     the thought gave her a little thrill. She nodded, then worried her lower lip with
     her teeth as he disappeared again and she felt the trunk of the cab being slammed
     shut.
    As the cabdriver hopped into the front seat, Kade climbed in the backseat next to
     Kelsey. Her pulse picked up. Spending any time with a man who made her feel like taking
     a chance on romance was definitely not a good idea.
     

Chapter 2
    The cabbie pulled into traffic as Kade set his Stetson on his knee and studied the
     woman next to him. “I’m having breakfast at the Larson in the morning,” he said, trying
     to set her at ease. “Otherwise I’d head home tonight.”
    Kelsey jumped as lightning split the sky, the crack of thunder not far behind.
    “Scared of thunderstorms also?” Kade asked, hoping she’d need a shoulder to lean on.
    “No.” She shook her head. “I’m just not used to them.”
    He smiled. “If you’re frightened, you could hold my hand again.” She pursed her lips,
     and he felt desire burn in him. So soft, so inviting, those lips.
    “Listen, Kade.” She hesitated. “You were kind to me on the plane. More than kind.
     But I don’t let strange men hold me.” She turned to the window, where he could see
     streetlights blurring in the rain.
    “Kelsey,” he said. She turned back with obvious reluctance. “I have no doubt that
     you would’ve made it through that flight without me lending a shoulder. There’s nothing
     wrong with being insecure sometimes. We all are.”
    Sighing, she stared at her lap, reaching for her ring finger as if to twist a band
     no longer there. She thrust her hands to her sides and looked at him. “Someone always
     told me how weak I was for my fear of flying. He even knew what happened.”
    The cab lurched to a stop in front of the Larson, and before he had a chance to respond,
     to ask what kind of jackass would say something like that to her, she flung open her
     door and darted out to the curb and into the rain. He followed, banging his forehead
     on the door frame and uttering a curse that was sure to turn Kelsey’s pretty ears
     blue.
    By the time he managed to get his bulk out of the cab, she’d stuffed bills in the
     cabbie’s hand and was hauling her suitcases through the impressive doors of the Tucson
     Larson. Kade shoved his fare at the driver, grabbed his own bag, and followed. He
     couldn’t help admire Kelsey’s curves and the toss of her head. In a matter of a few
     strides, he’d caught up to her at the registration desk.
    She tapped her nails on the marble countertop in a nervous rhythm that reminded him
     of rain falling on the cab’s roof.
    The clerk typed in a command and studied his computer. “Ah, yes.” He handed Kelsey
     a key card. “Room eleven-ten.”
    Kade moved beside her. “Wait for me and I’ll help with your bags, darlin’.” He told
     the clerk, “Owen.”
    Kelsey frowned. “I’m not your darlin’, cowboy. I can handle my own bags.” She walked
     toward the elevators, across the acres of industrial carpet. But he had no doubt his
     ruse would get the results he wanted—at least with the clerk.
    “Wedding jitters,” Kade said to the young man, who gave a knowing grin.
    “Hmm, let me see here, Mr. Owen. Good. The room next to your fiancee is available.
     Room eleven-oh-eight.”
    ***
    “Come on, come on,” Kelsey muttered, tapping her foot, anxious for the elevator to
     arrive before Kade caught up. Something about him was starting to wear down her defenses
     and she couldn’t afford to let that happen with any man. No matter how kind and attentive
     he might be.
    No such luck. The doors opened, and Kade darted in before they had a chance to close.
     It was a slow elevator, taking its sweet time to head up the