Read The Proposition (The Plus One Chronicles) for Free Online Page B

helping make us a success.” Pride chased out some of her fatigue. In that respect, she understood what he meant about not apologizing. “My condo is there, just drop me anywhere.” She released the seat belt and reached for her purse.
    He slid the car into a guest space and turned off the motor.
    She pulled out her keys and said, “Thank you for—”
    “Christ. You really think I’d just dump you off here? And drive away?” He shoved open his door and got out.
    Kat snapped her mouth shut and opened her door. She was sore in general, including a headache from that thug trying to drag her out of the car by her hair. The worst was her leg though, it hurt like a bitch. She used the seat for leverage and managed to shift her right leg out, then her left was easy enough.
    Sloane crouched down in the opened door. “You’ve been limping on that leg all night. How badly were you hurt tonight?”
    “Just cuts and bruises. I’ll be fine. Sloane, I appreciate everything you did tonight.” She made her voice firm despite being so damn tired. “But I need you to move back and not trap me.”
    A second ticked by. Then another. Just Sloane’s gaze on her, digging through her protective walls. But she refused to explain or justify herself.
    “I scare you. Not intimidate, but downright scare.”
    Yes, but she hadn’t backed down. Didn’t that mean she was getting stronger?
    Except tonight when Kellen had needed her.
    Sloane rose and gave her room.
    Kat got up, although nowhere near as gracefully as he had, and why did she even notice that?
    He reached around her and shut the door. “Give me your cellphone. I’m going to put in my phone number.”
    Confused, she frowned at him. “What for?”
    “Because I’m going to watch you get into your condo. You’re going to check around, make sure it’s safe, then lock the door and text me that you’re okay.”
    “I’m safe. I have an alarm.”
    “If you don’t text me, if I think you’re in trouble, I’m coming in. Give me your phone, Kat.”
    “But you don’t even know me.” Why would he care this much? Be this intense? And why did that make her less afraid and more…interested?
    He leaned back against the car. “I know you now. I’m not leaving here until I know you’re safe. You want me gone? Give me your phone.”
    Kat handed him her phone.

    ***

    Kat lifted the bread dough from the bowl and dropped it on the floured surface. Music pumped through the speakers. She had it synced to her iPod which was on shuffle. This was one of her favorite times of day—early morning, the bakery was still closed and she was in her industrial kitchen, prepping for the day.
    In her safe zone. It had been pure luck that she’d had Kellen as her physical therapist, and his parents owned the bakery. Eventually he coaxed her into meeting his parents, and they offered her a part-time job in their bakery kitchen. Here she had begun the process of healing, finding herself and figuring out who she really was.
    By the time Kellen’s parents had been ready to sell and retire, Kat knew she wanted the bakery and bought it. Just over a year ago Sugar Dancer became hers, and she hadn’t yet regretted the decision.
    She drew in the scent of yeasty bread as she began working the dough with her hands covered in thin gloves. The healing cuts made the gloves a double necessity.
    Unbidden, she thought of Sloane’s much larger hands, with the thicker knuckles.
    The hands of a fighter.
    A shiver raced down her spine. In the solitude of her kitchen, she could let herself admit it—Sloane excited her. Thrilled her. And terrified her right down to her bones. Confident power radiated from him and kicked her right in the libido.
    Pounding on the door jerked her out of her musings. Panic slammed into her.
    Who was it? Why the frantic hammering when a simple knock would do? She wasn’t expecting any deliveries. No one was due to show up for at least another hour. Yanking off a glove, she grabbed her