Free Every Move She Makes by Jannine Gallant Page A

sighed. “My marriage ended in disaster, and I haven’t dated much since. When it comes to men, Grace is overly protective. She doesn’t want me to get hurt again.”
    “And based on a half-hour conversation, she thought I would hurt you? Or was that Nolan’s idea?”
    “Grace wanted me to know you have some personal issues to deal with. She thought you might not be a great relationship risk at the moment.”
    “All I did was walk you to your car.”
    Rachel crossed her arms and gazed out at the view. “She didn’t say a word until I told her I was coming up here. Then she got it into her head I was planning this vacation as a way to see you again.”
    His heart jumped. He reached out a finger to stroke her cheek. “Was she right?”
    “I had several reasons for wanting to make this trip.”
    “Was I one of them?”
    She nodded and licked her lips. The flick of her tongue destroyed his self-control. Stepping forward, he gripped her arms as his mouth covered hers in a quick hard kiss. When it ended, he didn’t release her.
    “I like being a reason.” His breath stirred the hair at her temple as he inhaled an intoxicating scent of floral shampoo, sunscreen and woman. “Are you sorry you came?”
    “No.” She rested her forehead against his chest for a moment. “Should I be?”
    He pulled back far enough to look her in the eye. “I hope not. Seeing you again has made me happier than I’ve been in months, but Nolan was right.” The tightness in his chest returned. “Shooting that kid screwed me up. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I get home. When I think about going back out onto the streets, I want to chuck my whole career.”
    “What would you do instead?”
    He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I’ve never been anything but a cop. My dad was a cop, too, and I always wanted to be just like him.”
    “I’m sorry, Kane.”
    “Yeah, so am I. Your sister was right to warn you about me. I probably am a bad relationship risk.”
    “Well, I have plenty of baggage of my own. I have a business to run and three girls who will always be my top priority. Right now Lark isn’t exactly a pleasure to be around, and I have a feeling her reaction wouldn’t be positive if I started dating someone seriously.”
    “She doesn’t want you to have a life of your own?”
    “Fourteen year olds tend to be a tad self-centered. She’s still struggling with her father’s death. It’s been rough on her, and she’s acting out. Hopefully with therapy and support, she’ll work through it sooner rather than later.”
    “What about Jade and Ivy? They seem to like me.”
    “They do. I don’t think they’d mind if we saw each other after our vacation ends, but it’s hard to know for sure.”
    “So is this going to be our first and only date?” He tilted her chin, caressing the soft skin.
    Concern clouded her eyes. “I hope not, but I have to consider my daughters and their feelings. My choices affect them.”
    With an effort, he forced a lighter mood. “So, no making out while the kids are watching?”
    Rachel smiled, and some of the worry in her eyes faded. “I’m afraid dating a woman with three children has its drawbacks.”
    “It also has rewards.” He ran a finger across her lips. “I’d rather have you, your girls and your dog than Tiffany the Temptress any day.”
    “That’s because mine are real.” She stepped back, and his hand fell away. “Where’s that lake? I’m hungry.”
    Time to recapture the easy companionship they’d enjoyed before the conversation turned serious. No matter how attracted to her he was, she was right. He probably wasn’t ready for anything else. Not yet. Not until he figured out where the hell his life was headed.
    He released a long breath. “Our destination is just ahead.”
    They reached it a few minutes later. The lake was small but beautiful, surrounded by trees on one side and a granite apron on the other. Located a short distance from the trail,