Keeping Guard by Christy Barritt

Author:Christy Barritt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2011-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

Two hours later, the last table was wiped, the last dish put into the washer and Harvey had headed home for the evening. Kylie leaned with her palms against the counter, dreaming about melting into bed and giving rest to her weary limbs and mind. What a day.

Behind her, Kylie sensed Nate approaching. Maybe it was the whiff of his musky cologne mixed with the scent of cheese, fresh veggies and garlic that gave him away. Would anyone else but a cook enjoy that combination?

Kylie turned and saw him leaning against the counter opposite her with a wry grin on his face. For some reason, the image made her heart race.

She swallowed and dug her nails into the counter behind her. “We survived.”

His eyes looked smoky and intense and captivating all at once. “I’m supposed to be helping you, but I think I got the better end of the deal.”

Kylie’s cheeks flushed. “I don’t know about that.”

He pushed himself away from the counter and stepped closer. “You okay? I know today’s been stressful for you.”

Kylie suddenly felt the need to fan her warm cheeks. “Yeah, I’m okay. Better than Suzy.” Her tone sobered at the mention of Suzy’s name.

Nate stood in front of her now, close enough to touch. That’s exactly all she could think about doing. “There’s still a chance she could be with a friend somewhere.”

Kylie studied his face, the tight lines around his eyes and mouth. “You don’t really think that though, do you?”

Nate pressed his lips together as if in thought, then shook his head. “No, not really. But I’m praying the explanation is more along those lines than the other places my mind goes.”

“That’s probably a good idea.”

Nate tilted his head toward her and sucked in a breath before slowly exhaling. “Listen, what do you think about going to catch a late movie? Get away from here for a little while and do something to take your mind off of everything?”

“You might have a very sleepy employee tomorrow.” The idea sounded tempting now—very tempting—but she’d regret staying up late when the morning hit. Still, the idea of being swept away by a movie had its allure. Otherwise she’d be in her apartment all evening, trying to sleep but unable to because of thoughts of Suzy and her stalker.

Nate’s blue eyes glimmered down at her, making her throat dry. “I think I could forgive a sleepy employee, especially when she’s such a hardworking employee.”

She sucked in a breath, trying to gain composure. Why was Nate having this effect on her? Even when she’d dated Colin she didn’t remember feeling this infatuated. Get a grip, Kylie. “A movie would be a great distraction.”

With a promise to meet in ten minutes, Kylie rushed up stairs, wishing she had time to take a shower and get the smell of food off of her. Instead, she settled for clean jeans and her favorite sweater.

Nate was waiting for her downstairs. He smiled when he spotted her, and Kylie appreciated his effort to keep her mind off Suzy.

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