Raising Kane (Rough Riders #9)(15)

A wave of lust swamped her.


“But I ain’t the type to take advantage.”


Talk about a cold dash of reality. “Meaning what? Since I’m a captive audience, my attractiveness has markedly increased for you solely because we’re in such close proximity?”


“You wanna explain that in English, counselor?”


She huffed out a breath. “Fine. You find me appealing because I’m the only woman who’s here.”


Kane bent down so they were nose to nose. “Not. Even. Fucking. Close.”


The door opened and Hayden raced in.


She and Kane broke apart, but not as fast as she imagined they would.


Without preamble Hayden blurted, “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings—”


“I know. Look.” She flattened her palm over her scalp. “No more porcupine.” She brought him down beside her on the bed and brushed the hair from his brow. “Now I’m ready to get out of this bedroom for a while. I’m starved. What did you guys eat last night?”


“Spaghetti. And we had chicken noodle soup today.”


“Sounds yummy.”


“Let me help you up,” Kane said.


“I’m fine.”


He moved in front of her and growled, “That was not a request, Red. Give me your damn hand.”


Using Kane for support instead of the wall did have advantages. Muscles, muscles and more muscles.


Plus, he smelled good. She let him maneuver her to the kitchen.


Her dad watched their progress, silently, but his shrewd gaze flicked back and forth between her and Kane.


No reason to feel guilty. She was an adult woman. It was her house. And besides, nothing had happened between them except hot looks and teasing banter.


“Glad to see you up and about, daughter.”


“I’m glad to be up and about.” She glanced at the kitchen, expecting a disaster area, but it was clean except for the pot on the stove.


“Would you like some soup?” Kane asked her.


“Sure.” She’d never seen the domestic side of the rancher, and she watched him shamelessly as he ladled soup into the bowl. He set it in front of her and she looked up at him with astonishment. “Homemade chicken noodle soup?”


“Yes, ma’am. My mama’s recipe. She made sure both Kade and I knew our way around the kitchen before she kicked us out.”


“You are too good to be true,” Ginger muttered. She dipped the spoon into the broth and slurped.


Delicious. She ate like she’d never seen food. Kane refilled her bowl without asking or without commenting on her ravenous appetite.


“So can I watch Transformers tonight?” Hayden asked.


“I figured you’d probably watched it last night.”


“Huh-uh. Last night we played games.”


“You all played chess?”


Hayden sighed. “Mom. Three people can’t play chess. Besides Buck doesn’t like chess.”


Ginger sent Kane an inquiring look.


Kane shrugged. “Intellectual games ain’t really my thing. I’d rather play cards. Plus, chess is something you play with your gramps. When I was your age, I played checkers with my grandpa. It was our thing.”


“What about your brother? Didn’t he feel left out?” Hayden asked.


“Nah. Gramps played cribbage with him. And trust me, we were awful protective of ‘our’ game with grandpa. I’d never horn in where I didn’t belong.”


Again, Ginger was bowled over by Kane’s sweet side.


Are you? Are you really? Haven’t you watched him with your son and marveled at his patience and thoughtfulness? Haven’t you seen him treat you the same way?


“Ginger?”


She blinked at Kane. “Sorry. Were you speaking to me?”


“Just wonderin’ if you want more soup?”


“No. Thank you.”


“I’ve gotta head to my place and check a couple things. I told Hayden he could come along…if that’s all right with you?”


Ginger appreciated Kane didn’t presume anything with her son. “Fine with me. I’ll hang out and keep Dad company.”


“I don’t need a babysitter, Ginger,” her father said crossly.


“Maybe you don’t, Dash, but she does,” Kane answered. “I don’t trust Red not to get into trouble while we’re gone, so keep an eye on her to see if she needs any help, ’cause God knows the stubborn woman won’t ask for it.”


“Hey!”


Her father sent her a sly look. “Redheads are always trouble.”


After Hayden and Kane left, Ginger nestled into the couch and snagged the remote. “Anything good on TV?”


“There’s a documentary on Catherine the Great on The History Channel.”


“No offense, Dad, but that’d put me to sleep.”


He shook his finger at her. “No offense, but you are supposed to be resting.”