Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1)(77)

She sensed that was a lie.

"I got you something." He shot her his kil er smile.

And darn it if she didn't just melt into a puddle. Holding on to the doorknob, she asked, "What did you get me?"

"I went to town to pick up some stuff for Holiday and ... I found it." He suddenly looked guilty. He pul ed out his arm, and Kylie expected to see a bouquet of some inexpensive flowers. Not a wiggling, mewing black and white kitten. Her breath caught.

"I think you should take it. It doesn't like me too much."

Kylie took the kitten and cuddled it against her chest. The thing was so smal it almost fit in the palm of her hand. She stroked the feline's forehead and heard the tiny thing purr. Was she dreaming? She had to be, because the kitten had the exact markings of her cat, Socks. The cat he'd ...

Her gaze shot up to his. "You remember?"

He nodded. "Of course I do." There was a minute of silence. "I should ... go." He started to walk away and then turned back around and came back to the door. He leaned his arm against the frame and met her eyes. Something about his posture told Kylie whatever he was about to say was serious. "Kylie, I swear, I tried to stop him. It was the first and last time we fought."

"Stop who?" she asked.

"My dad. He was bigger and a heck of lot faster than I was then. But I tried." He took another step back and then pointed to the side of the porch.

"The litter box supplies and cat chow are there."

Kylie just nodded. His admission about his dad having been the one who kil ed Socks had sent a shock through Kylie's system. Al these years she'd assumed ... "Do you want to come in? Help me set it up?"

For a second, she thought he was going to say yes. Then he looked deeper into her eyes and she saw some of the wildness of desire she remembered from the kiss. "I'd better not."

"Why?" she asked, knowing his refusal wasn't just about coming inside. He was saying no. No to the possibilities running through her mind each time she thought about him. No to the possibilities of more kisses, and their getting to know each other for real.

"It wouldn't work." he said. "There's some things going on in my life right now. It's not a good time, believe me."

She couldn't accept his dismissal, not without trying. "You know what they say about waiting for the perfect time, don't you?"

He closed his eyes. "I can't drag you into this, Kylie."

"Drag me into what?"

Opening his eyes, he reached out and passed a finger over her lips. "You are so innocent. And I am so tempted." He dropped his hand. "But I can't. Take care of yourself, Kylie Galen."

His final words sank in and they sounded a lot like good-bye. She reached out and grabbed his arm. "Are you leaving?"

His gaze met hers. He didn't answer her, he didn't have to. She saw it in his eyes.

"Is this about the FRU?" she asked.

He let go of a deep breath. "I can't..."

She dropped her hand. "I never said anything about you to them or Holiday. I swear it."

He smiled but it was the saddest smile she'd ever seen. "I know." Tucking both his hands into the tips of his jean pockets, he looked at her. "You know, I didn't think you could get any cuter than you were when you were six. But I was wrong." He leaned down and his lips lightly touched hers. It happened so fast, she barely felt it.

She wanted so much more than that quick compliment and chaste kiss. "Are you leaving?" she asked him again. He didn't answer. He'd moved off the porch. Kylie stood by the door and watched him walk away. And although he never told her for sure, she knew. She knew Lucas Parker was going to disappear from her life again.

* * *

Less than an hour later, Kylie heard someone knock again, or make that pound, on the cabin door. She'd just made it into the living room when the cabin door swung opened with such force it slapped against the cabin wal .

Kylie saw Burnett first, fol owed by a very unhappy Holiday.

"You don't walk in uninvited," the camp leader seethed.

"He was here. I can smel him." Burnett glared down at Holiday.

"I don't care. You respect my wishes, or I'l take it up with your boss."

"You already have." The vampire's eyes tightened with anger.

"Wel , I'l do it again," she said.

"I have to find that kid," Burnett growled. "I don't have time to play nice." The vampire focused his gaze on Kylie.

"Sorry we barged in," Holiday said.

"What's wrong?" Kylie asked. She didn't have to ask who they were looking for.

Burnett took a step toward her. Holiday grabbed him by the arm to yank him back, but he didn't budge.

"Where is he?" Burnett demanded.

"Kylie, have you seen Lucas Parker?" Holiday countered in a calmer voice.

Kylie swal owed. "He came to check on me about an hour ago. But he left."

Burnett leaned his head to the right as if listening to her heartbeat. "Did he tel you where he was going?"

"No," she said. And she was so glad he hadn't. "Why? Why are you looking for him?"

Burnett just stood there staring.

"He's not a bad guy," Kylie said.