pointed to Denise. “And then I’ll be taking this pretty lady to a long overdue dinner.”
Denise didn’t acknowledge Chance had spoken. She still had both eyes on Rick, who seemed to be growing more uncomfortable by the second. “Well, I don’t want to tire you out,” he said, “so I’ll mosey along. Just wanted to see how you were doing.”
“I need to be going, too, Chance.” Denise nearly vaulted across the bed for the jacket she’d left on the chair. “I’m pleased you’re doing so well, and I hope to see you back in the office soon.” She turned her attention back to Rick who was holding the door open, waiting for her. “I’m an attorney,” she explained. “Chance and I have been involved in a case…” Blessedly, her voice faded away.
“You’re losing it, Brennan,” Chance muttered as he lay back against the pillows. “But one date with Kyndal and he’ll be hooked.”
Kyndal…with her gorgeous eyes that gave away every thought she had. He smiled, thinking about their poker games in the cave. He’d won every one. And her hair that feathered around him like elfin fingers when they made love. Her perfect body. Her passion.
No guy in his right mind would pick Denise once he’d had Kyndal.
* * *
“YOU’RE SURE YOU’RE UP TO THIS?”
Kyndal couldn’t face the concern in Jaci’s voice. This wasn’t something she wanted to do, but it was what she had to do. “I’m sure.” She punched the up button, and fixed her eyes on the numbers above the elevator door.
Jaci’s elevator, headed down, arrived first. “I’ll be watching for you, and I’ll pick you up at the door.”
“I won’t be long,” Kyndal promised, clutching the paper in her hand even tighter.
She took some deep, calming breaths as she waited, and they worked for the few seconds it took for her elevator to arrive and the doors to open. But when she hit the button for the fifth floor, her hand started to tremble.
She hadn’t fully mastered the art of crutches, and trying to hold the paper and grip the crutch at the same time slowed down her progress, but eventually she stopped at the door of room 546.
She knocked softly.
The familiar voice beckoning her to “Come in” sent her heart into a gallop.
Chance sat up in bed, looking thin and pale, but her eyes feasted on him as if they’d been starving for the sight.
“Kyn.” His dark eyes glistened as he held out his hand to her.
“Hey.” She shuffled over and took his hand awkwardly, but had to let go to balance on the crutches.
“So you’re headed home, huh?”
“Yeah. Well, to Jaci’s for a few days,” she corrected herself. She cleared her throat. “You look good.”
His mouth lifted at one end. “Like I told you before, don’t ever play poker, babe, because you’re the lousiest liar I’ve ever known.”
“Hey.” She gave a defensive shrug. “Alive is good.”
He nodded his agreement. “It is good, indeed.”
Although hearing him speak was comforting, Kyndal almost wished he’d been asleep when she came in. She would have loved nothing more than to sit and stare at him for hours so she would have that memory to carry with her through the years.
But she could feel emotions starting to beg to be released. It was a warning she needed to get this over with quickly.
She held out the paper. “Could I get your signature?” Chance’s dark eyes squinted in question. “It’s a release so I can sell my photographs,” she explained. “Since they were taken on your property.”
His full lips turned down as he took it and looked it over. “You didn’t need to do this.”
“I just thought it would be a good idea.” She spotted a pen lying out of his reach and handed it to him.
Chance scribbled his name on the bottom and gave the paper back to her. “So you got the job?”
“No, but Charlie wants to buy eleven of my shots.” Kyndal balanced on her good leg to ease the soreness already threatening her underarms. “This issue will have caves from all over the state taken by several photographers who are still in the running for the job. He probably won’t make his final decision until December.”
“Well, I’ll keep sending good vibes your way.”
“Thanks.” She tried to ignore the tingle his words and warm smile were causing inside her. “Well, Jaci’s waiting.” She fought to keep her voice light. “But before I go, I want to thank you for all you did.”