Skin Read Free Page A

of experience she’d been in an abusive relationship. She was a creampuff for any guy over sixteen. For someone like him, hell, no way could he be around her.
    He felt like he’d be slamming a teacup against the wall if he said anything in a harsh tone.
    She was way too delicate for this class, for him, and for this project. The damn shrink had this one wrong.
    There was no way anyone with his anger issues, his hatred of his ex, should be around someone who he could break in half with two fingers.
    As he realized Tania was nodding in emphatic agreement, a tiny part of him was sorry for it. In the old days, he’d have loved to have been the knight in shining armor and help her deal with whatever issues she had. He’d seen enough sad cases in his years in law enforcement that he had some idea of what she might have gone through. It could be something completely different…but his instincts said he was close. Damn close.
    The shrink smiled at them both, with that damn compassionate warmth that made him wonder if she lived with sunshine and pussycats all her life to have given her outlook a rosy tinge. Because that wasn’t the reality as he knew it.
    She had to know about him. They all interviewed to come here. Every one of them had spoken to her privately about their issues, and then they’d all attended her lectures at the university alongside their regular classes. While he might not know all of Tania’s issues, he knew Jenna did.
    And still she’d paired them together. Wondering what she could possibly be thinking, he slowly sat back down.
    And wondered why.

Chapter 2

    T ania watched silently and a bit regretfully as Kane blew through his temper and back into calm. Her father used to do that: blow up, cool down, and then refuel for the next blow. Her mother had always loved to get him going. They’d fought like cats and dogs all the time, but it hadn’t weakened their relationship. They’d argued, debated, and made up with the same passion. Because they blew up often, bad feelings and irritations didn’t build up to the point where they caused damage. They shared what they felt all the time – good and bad. It hadn’t been the easiest childhood, but she’d always known where she stood on any issue. Bottom line – they loved each other and her.
    Even after their divorce, she’d never doubted it. They were still friends today.
    Kane looked to be of similar ilk.
    It made him a little easier to understand. Except, in this instance, she wished he’d blow a little harder, a little louder. And get them out of this.
    “It’s only a project,” Jenna was saying in her smooth, what-could-you-possibly-be-worried-about tone of voice.
    That terrified Tania. She’d been through too much therapy to believe that tone of voice. And from the looks of him, Kane hadn’t been through enough. He appeared to be falling for Jenna’s line of bullshit.
    Tania wasn’t so easily swayed. She leaned forward. “Jenna, you know our history. I’m not sure what Kane’s issue is, but you know mine.”
    Jenna smiled warmly at her and waited for her to continue, expectancy on her face for a favorite student about to give the right answer. That should have been enough warning, but just in case Jenna really didn’t get it… “Surely,” Tania added, “I could work with Robin. I’d love that.” She beamed with relief at the smile on Jenna’s face. This would work. Tania had always managed to get things to work at university and at work. People were accommodating; no one wanted discord.
    Then she saw the look in Jenna’s eyes and recognized there was to be no easy exit from this one.
    “Fine. How hard can this be?” Tania glared at Kane, who just raised an eyebrow at her. He flicked something off his thigh, but it was the mocking look that made her ask. “What?”
    “Oh, nothing; just flicking away an irritating mosquito.”
    She shot him a narrow-eyed look before turning her back on him to glare at Jenna. “This is a