Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers Read Free

ignore. He wanted to kiss her.
    Lights exploded before his eyes and pain lit up the inside of his skull as her fist connected solidly with his jaw.
    A perfect punch.
    He staggered back a step. “Jesus!”
    “There’ll be none of that now, sir! I don’t do that!” She shook out her hand as if the blow hurt her as much as it hurt him.
    He resisted the urge to rub the sore spot on his jaw, even as bells clanged against the inside of his skull. “Beg your pardon, my lady, but I’m not about to rape you.”
    Her hand went still. Wide-eyed, she stared at him. “Oh dear…I apologize, of course, sir. I — I suppose I panicked.”
    He chuckled, giving into the urge to rub his jaw with one hand. “You hit the way a man would.”
    “I apologized, didn’t I? Now let me see if I’ve done any damage.”
    He got his first good look at her as she lifted her face to his. “You’re that barmaid, aren’t you? The redhead Jefferson was giving a hard time.”
    She lifted her hand to his jaw, brushing him where her fist met his face moments earlier. “I do believe you’ve the beginnings of a bruise. Again, I apologize.”
    “Please don’t. It’s nice to see you could defend yourself if the need ever arose — for the most part, anyhow.”
    Her eyes glittered in the moonlight like black opals, but he knew they weren’t black. They were hazel. A lovely combination of brown and green, although earlier he thought they seemed more green than brown. “Even so, I apologize just the same.”
    As his jaw hurt only a bit, he managed a smile. “There is no need. I must admit, this isn’t exactly how I hoped to meet you but the end result is what I wished for. Have you a name, then, my lady?”
    “I thank you for catching me, but if you will excuse me, I must get back inside.”
    He caught her by the wrist as she stepped back. “Ah, but you will at least tell me your name, won’t you? I did save you from a fate worse than death, didn’t I?”
    “I suppose.”
    He threw back his head and laughed. “So grateful, sweetheart. So grateful, indeed.”
    She gave him a sour look. “My name is not sweetheart and I’d appreciate it if you’d not keep calling me that.”
    “Then what is it?”
    Taking a deep breath, she said, “Kat-ah, I mean, Katherine. Katherine Bainbridge.”
    “Kat, eh?” He repeated it as if tasting it slowly. “I like it, even if it is unusual. It goes quite well with strong arm of yours.”
    “Yes, I suppose it does.” She sighed, softening her sharp tone. “I apologize for my rudeness. I should be thanking you.”
    “Think nothing of it. I’ll put it down to being frightened.” He offered her his arm. “Come, let me at least see you inside — to make certain no more harm befalls you. Tell me, did you know that man chasing you?”
    “Oh, no. Not at all. I’ve never seen him before this evening,” she replied, averting her gaze and taking a quick step back. “Most likely one of Miller’s drunken louts who thought nothing of his pawing earlier or trying to take that pawing further still.”
    Garrett thought her reply a bit too quick, too vehement, to be the truth. But, if she knew the man, it was her business. If she wished to tell him, fine. If not, it was fine with him as well.
    Katherine cleared her throat softly. “I do appreciate your catching me, however, Mr. — ”
    “McKenzie,” he replied easily, his gaze holding hers for a long moment. “Garrett McKenzie.”

    Garrett McKenzie. A giant. A handsome giant, but a giant nonetheless. She groaned inwardly. He towered over her, his broadness tapering into narrower hips and long legs. A chill settled over her as she looked again at the beginnings of the bruise mottling his jaw. But he didn’t seem upset over being struck. If anything, he seemed more concerned for her than his own well-being.
    “Mr. McKenzie — ”
    “Garrett, please.” He smiled as he lowered his arm. “There is no need to thank me. It’s no more than any other man