One
“I’d like that latte with a heart on the top.”
Stunned, her world suddenly tipping sideways, Kara brought her head up.
“Will you do that for me?”
Milk suddenly boiled over the side of the metal carafe she was holding, and the nozzle spewed steam.
“Kara?”
Her sister’s voice cut into Kara’s trance, and she shook her head to clear it.
Lilliana reached over to turn the knob, cutting off the steam.
The sudden silence ricocheted through her.
“Are you okay?” Lilliana asked, her eyebrows knitted together.
“Yes.” No. She shot her sister a reassuring half smile.
Still frowning, Lilliana returned to the customer she’d been helping.
Then, unable to avoid him any longer, she took him in, greedy even though she should be steeling herself against him.
Brant was every bit as devastating as he’d been the last time she saw him. A black T-shirt snuggled his body, showing off his impossibly broad chest and massive biceps.
Despite herself, a tingle rippled through her at the memory of him holding her, his strong arms protecting her from an uncertain world.
And then he captured her gaze, and she couldn’t look away no matter how hard she tried.
His once-bright green eyes were now shadowed with pain. And maybe regret?
Even more startling, a white line—a new, angry scar—arrowed down the right side of his jawline, ending frighteningly close to his jugular.
For a moment, she stared at the pulse beating there, reassuring herself that he was okay.
“My drink?”
They’d met over a year ago at her family’s lodge in the Nevada mountains. Then, as now, she was helping out in the coffee shop, and latte art was one of her specialties.
He’d stopped in to warm up after getting caught in a deluge. Soon, she saw him every Saturday. After six weeks, he asked her out. By way of answer, she crafted a heart on top of his latte.
His delighted smile had lit the darkest places inside her, encouraging her to take chances she never thought she would.
The following months had been filled with laughter, deep conversations, mountain hikes, and hot sex that she still couldn’t stop thinking about. Over the summer, he’d left for several weeks, rather unexpectedly. He’d said it was for a work project, and he hadn’t spoken of it when he returned.
As besotted as she was, Kara had succumbed to the devilish intent in his eyes instead of asking questions.
Then, two months ago, without warning, he’d left again, this time without saying goodbye. As the days silently dragged on, she realized how stupid she’d been. Instead of blindly falling in love, she should have taken an objective look at the relationship.
What did she really know about him?
Brant had never invited her to his apartment, and she never met any of his friends.
He’d said he was an instructor. She’d assumed that meant at the local college, and he didn’t correct her.
An air of danger surrounded him, and he was nothing like any professor she’d ever met.
Though she definitely wasn’t an internet sleuth, she’d looked up the faculty rosters at all local schools and hadn’t found him on any of them.
When she’d accepted that he wasn’t coming back, Kara had hired a manager for the lodge and moved to Jackson, Wyoming, to help open her family’s newest resort.
“Strawberry-and-cream frothy!” Lilliana called out, sliding a clear plastic cup onto the counter.
Grateful for her sister’s prompting, Kara shook her head and returned to Brant’s drink. Carefully she crafted a heart in two distinct, broken parts. Then she placed the cup on the counter.
When he picked up the cup and saw the art, he looked at her, his eyes wide and stark. “Jesus.”
Remorse stabbed her. She shouldn’t have revealed her pain. It would have been easier to draw something mundane and send him on his way.
“Damn it, Kara…”
Turning away, she focused on the next order.
But Brant didn’t leave as she’d hoped. “I owe you an apology.”
“Save it.”
“An explanation, then.” His words were graveled with emotion.
“None needed.” But when he stroked his forefinger along the horrible scar, she stared, mesmerized.
“It took a long time to find you.”
“I didn’t want to be found.” She’d left instructions for the new manager not to tell anyone where she’d gone. And this remote location was a million miles from the mountains of Nevada.
“Five minutes of your time would mean a lot to me.” When she didn’t respond, he went on. “I know I don’t deserve it.”
His admission shattered her resolve.
“Go.” Lilliana picked up the plastic cup. “I’ll make this one.”
“Are you sure?” Without waiting for an answer, Kara removed her apron and hung it from a peg. Then she walked around the counter.
As she drew closer, bravery deserted her, and she stopped several feet away from him.
This close, he overwhelmed her senses.
Soft-looking faded jeans snuggled his lean hips and emphasized his powerful thighs. His boots were nicked and scarred.
But more, his scent teased her. He smelled of summer air, laced with determination.
“Uhm…” She took a breath to focus herself. “You asked for five minutes.”
“I’ve missed you. Have dinner with me tonight?”
Despite her best intentions, she felt the walls she’d built around herself begin to crumble. That, she couldn’t allow. “That’s not a good idea.”
“There’s a lot we have to talk about.”
“Like why you’re a cad?”
“Cad?” A smile toyed with the corners of his oh so kissable lips.
Please, God. Don’t let him smile. She’d never been able to resist his softer side. “You hurt me, Brant.” Damn it, her voice cracked from the pain of her confession.
He stared at the broken heart on the top of his drink. Then he looked back at her. “There’s a lot I need to make up for.”
“It’s too late.”
He reached for her, only to drop his hand between them. “Give me a chance.”
She was spared having to reply by Lilliana’s arrival. Hands on her hips, she looked up at him. “Judging by Kara’s reaction, you must be the asshole.”
“Brant Gibson.” He winced and wisely didn’t offer his hand. “No doubt you’re Lilliana, the older sister Kara looks up to. Valedictorian of your high school. Played volleyball in college. Married. Two kids.”
He’d remembered all that?
As if he’d read her mind, he turned toward her. “I listened to every single word you ever said.”
“Takes more than fancy words to make up for your behavior.” Lilliana glared daggers at him. “I’m not as forgiving as Kara. If your intentions aren’t honorable, leave her the fuck alone.”
The overhead bell tinkled, and Lilliana turned to greet their customers with a smile.
“Your sister is a lioness.”
“She means every word.”
“Acknowledged and admired. I’m prepared to take my chances. As long as you’ll see me tonight.”
“You know dinner’s not my thing.”
“Hikes are, though. And so is a bottle of Malbec, paired with a meat and cheese tray, with strawberries for dessert.”
Brant clearly knew her weaknesses and wasn’t afraid to exploit them.
She wouldn’t capitulate without a few answers. “You don’t teach college?”
“No.”
“And the scar?” Without conscious thought, she reached toward it, and he didn’t stop her. Instead, he allowed her to gently run her finger down its terrible trail.
“A knife.”
“What happened to the other guy?”
“It wasn’t pretty.” His tone was flat, as dull as his eyes had suddenly become.
Blood roared in her head. Just who the hell was he?
Suddenly she didn’t recognize the man standing before her. Was she strong enough to withstand the truth about him?