Free Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian Page A

Just stay. Please.”
     
    Tam stared into Kyle’s eyes and knew she’d agree to anything he asked.
    That kiss had had the power to shut off her brain for the few seconds it’d lasted.
    And that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing right now.
    She’d begun to feel dizzy, a little nauseous and confused. So far she thought she’d held up pretty well.
    This morning for the first time since her attack, she’d been attracted to a man. She’d taken it as a sign that she was finally beginning to come out of the fog she’d been drifting in. A good sign.
    Then she’d kissed Kyle. If you could call that a kiss. More like devoured him.
    And then she’d witnessed actual magic, the kind she never would have believed if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. But she had. And she’d survived without curling into a ball in a corner and whimpering.
    If that wasn’t enough, she’d learned someone had sent men to kidnap her. Someone who’d been able to track her to a house even she hadn’t known about until just a few months ago.
    Any normal person would have been justified in having a slight nervous breakdown, right?
    But she’d managed to hold it together.
    So why had Kyle’s brief press of his lips against hers just now made her nearly swoon?
    Why did she want to wrap her arms around his shoulders and let him take over her life?
    Probably because she was an idiot.
    No. No, that wasn’t acceptable.
    She knew it had more to do with the strength she saw in this man. The love he had for his daughter. The sense she had that he would do whatever it took to keep his loved ones safe.
    And for whatever reason, that list now included her.
    She didn’t fool herself. The man wasn’t in love with her. Yes, he wanted her but more than likely he saw a scared, damaged woman and he was the kind of man who wouldn’t leave her to fend for herself.
    But how do you explain that kiss? And the feeling that he wants you just as much as you want him?
    Wishful thinking?
    His eyes narrowed as the silence stretched on, tiny worry lines radiating from his narrowed eyes.
    God, the man had the ability to make her heart pound just by looking at her.
    “I’ll stay.”
    He closed his eyes for a brief second then released a heavy sigh. From the way he looked at her, she thought he might kiss her again. And when he didn’t, when he took her hand and pulled her after him up the stairs, disappointment made her shake her head.
    Back in the living room, Kyle headed for the couch where Cat sat with the teen she’d called Ty. Still wearing the boy’s t-shirt, Cat had also donned a pair of gray gym shorts. With her legs hugged to her chest, Cat rested her chin on a knee and stared at Tam with those beautiful aquamarine eyes. Then her gaze dipped to her hand still linked to Kyle’s.
    Tam gave an experimental tug but Kyle refused to release her. And she had to admit she liked having his larger hand wrapped around hers.
    Kyle nodded at Cat. “I’m going to call Dan and you’re going back to the boschetta tonight.” He held up his free hand as Cat opened her mouth. “No, it’s not punishment, Cat. Just a precaution. We don’t know what’s going on and I’m not willing to risk your safety. Dan and your mom would agree. Tivr , will you stay with them while I go get some of Tam’s things from her house?”
    Tivr nodded, running a hand through his short hair, scrubbing until it stood on end. It made him look like a rock star. “Of course. Do you want me to call Margorie ?”
    “No, I’ll do it.” Kyle sighed and shoved his hand through his own hair, pushing back the dark mass. Tam’s fingers itched to do the same. “She’ll worry if I don’t and, according to Cat, she’s already worried.”
    “And a worried Margorie is a force to be reckoned with, I know.” Ty sighed, sounding much older than he looked. “I’ll cruise the forest tonight, make sure no one else shows up.”
    “Thank you, Lo—” Kyle broke off again, as if he were going to call