Turn On A Dime - Kade's Turn Read Free Page A

sealed Kade’s fascination and infatuation with her.
    He’d been betting that night, betting she was a do-gooder bleeding heart who’d do what had to be done to protect her friends rather than put them in danger by asking them for help. That bartender had looked like he might interfere, so Kade had showed her his gun. As he’d expected, she’d gone all martyr, waving away help. Not that Kade had complained. Do-gooders were the most easily manipulated, they were so predictable. She’d been half-crocked, too, which was probably why she hadn’t put up a fight when Kade had kissed her.
    The kiss.
    Kade had replayed it over and over inside his head. If it had been a photograph, the image would have been worn and faded from too much handling. Her taste, her scent, the feel of her body in his arms, the softness of her lips and warm slide of her tongue against his…
    His cock twitched at the memory and Kade cursed under his breath, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He shouldn’t dwell on it, especially if he was going to be in close proximity to her. The last thing he needed was to be sporting a constant hard-on for his brother’s girlfriend.
    Which was what he concentrated on as he neared Kathleen’s apartment building.
    From what Blane had said, it looked like Kade might be pulling bodyguard duty for Kathleen, which really sucked. He’d had to do that a couple of times before and didn’t like it. Throwing himself in the path of a bullet meant for someone else just wasn’t Kade’s thing, even if that someone was five-foot-nothing, weighed half what Kade could bench press, and made Cinderella look like an ugly stepsister.
    Habit made Kade park a block away from Kathleen’s apartment building, the instinct for secrecy too ingrained to pull up to her door. Glancing at his watch, he saw dawn was still a ways away. Might as well case the joint ahead of time, get a look at the surrounding area and possible escape routes and hiding places. He automatically checked his gun and magazine before sliding it into the holster attached to his hip.
    Kade shrugged into his black leather jacket as he exited the Mercedes, locking it before pocketing the key. He never had more than one key if he could help it. Keys made noise, even inside a pocket.
    The neighborhood was a shitty one and Kade kept to the shadows as he walked, mentally mapping the streets and layout inside his head. It had snowed recently, but the pavement was clear. There were two flop houses within three blocks of where Kathleen lived and a stretch of corner run by a pimp with half a dozen whores. Not exactly the best place for a single woman to live alone.
    Kade was on his way back to her apartment when he heard someone coming, and coming fast. The running footsteps grew closer and he melted further into the shadows, waiting. A woman turned the corner and light from the streetlamp fell on her face.
    Kathleen.
    She was running, her arms tightly gripping a dog, and glanced behind her every few steps.
    Well, she certainly was never boring, that was for damn sure.
    Kade didn’t even think, just stepped out from where he’d been hidden and let Kathleen run full bore into him, grabbing her arms to keep her from stumbling back and falling. She screamed and he covered her mouth with his hand, stifling her. Struggling, she let go of the dog and started pushing against him.
    Kade jerked her closer, making her unable to fight him, and she finally looked up, her body stilling when her terrified eyes locked with his. It felt as though an electric shock went through Kade at the touch of her blue gaze, but he kept his reaction carefully hidden.
    “Nice to see you, too, princess.”
    Her knees buckled and Kade had to tighten his hold, bringing her body more fully against his, so she didn’t collapse altogether. The feel of her was like a hit of acid after being sober for too long, overwhelming and addicting. The object of his obsession was suddenly back in his arms, the scent of