Free Between Midnight and Dawn by Cheryl Yeko

scent of burning bacon hit her, just as Kyle lifted those yummy lips from hers. She blinked, trying to clear her muddled mind. But she was too slow, and Kyle took the spatula from her limp fingers and shifted toward the stove, saving the bacon and plopping it on the plate, before shutting off the burner.
    His back to her, he stood silently for a long moment while she tried to gather her senses and get her walls back up. She shouldn’t have let that happen. But knowing it was a mistake didn’t stop her from wishing he’d come back and finish what he’d started. Every molecule in her body was on fire. Nicole couldn’t ever remember being this turned on before. With just one kiss, Kyle had blown everything she thought she knew about men and desire right out of the water.
    When he finally faced her, his face was expressionless, as though he hadn’t mere moments ago, kissed her so sweetly and rocked the foundation under her feet. Disappointment slid through her.
    She gave herself a mental shake. It was for the best. Have some self-control. No-man rule, remember . . .
    Before he had a chance to open his mouth and apologize, or tell her he wasn’t interested in her that way, and never should have kissed her, she plastered on a fake smile. “Well. That was nice.”
    She attempted to remain casual. Reaching beyond him, she picked up the plate of bacon, avoiding his eyes and pretending everything was peachy-keen. When in reality, her insides were quivering with awareness. “But I’m not interested in a relationship right now.”
    Liar! her inner voice mocked. She was more than interested in this man.
    Nicole carried the plate to the table and placed it next to the pancakes, before glancing back at Kyle. He hadn’t moved.
    His intense gaze locked on her with laser focus, but she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Then with a subtle nod, he retrieved the bottle of syrup and strode over to the table.
    Ignoring what had happened, she took a seat. The air was thick with tension as Kyle sat across from her and poured a generous amount of syrup onto his pancakes. Nicole wanted to get through breakfast as quickly as she could, then go to work and forget Kyle Wade had ever kissed her. Somehow convince herself she didn’t want him to kiss her again. But she knew that’d be a lie, too.
    Picking up a fork, he asked, “What time do you get off today?”
    Relieved he wasn’t going to talk about the kiss, some of her tension eased. “I’m only going in for a few hours to create some new pieces for the shelves.”
    “I’d like to pick you up around two, if that works for you?”
    She brushed her bangs back, glancing down at her plate. “I thought I’d drive myself today. There’s really no reason for you to be inconvenienced. I’m a big girl.”
    After a short pause, she lifted her eyes back to his. She knew he’d been patiently waiting for her to look back up. It was irritating as hell being hard of hearing, and she couldn’t wait for her hearing to get back to normal.
    “It’s not an inconvenience, Nicole.” He leaned in and took her hand between his large palms. “Dean still doesn’t have a lead on your attacker, and until the guy’s caught, you’re safer with me.”
    She shook her head. “I’d like to start working out again at the club, and there’s no reason for you to wait around for me. I’ll be fine.”
    We aren’t a couple, for Pete’s sake. Although it felt like it at times, the way Kyle shadowed her, designating himself as her protector. And though sweet, it was time to get her life back on track.
    “You’re my tenant, Kyle. Not my bodyguard.”
    His eyes hooded, he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing them to the back of her hand in a sensual caress. “What if I want to guard your body?”
    Nicole couldn’t look away, caught up in his heated stare as her heart beat a rapid rhythm. The guy was giving her whiplash with his mixed signals. She should be angry, but she couldn’t seem to work up the