Her Kind of Hero - Cindy Kirk Page 0,56

both for coming in.”

Mitzi opened her purse.

Keenan reached for his wallet.

Before they could pull out a credit card or a single bill, Cassidy shook her head firmly. “Doing everyone’s hair is my donation. If you want to give more, add it to the fund.”

Mitzi dropped the wallet back into her purse. “Thank you, Cassidy.” Her gaze shifted to the blonde. “You, too, Daffy.”

The girl with the large violet eyes and straight wheat-colored hair smiled shyly. “The color is temporary but it should last about two weeks. It’s a good look for you. If you decide to keep it, stop back. I’ll retouch it.”

“That goes for you, too, Mr. McGregor.” Cassidy’s booming voice stood in stark contrast to Daffy’s whisper-soft words. “I imagine in a couple of weeks, you’ll be ready to get those ends trimmed.”

Keenan resisted glancing at Mitzi. “Thanks, Cass.”

“Thank me by getting more donations,” Cassidy told him. “Now, you two get out of here so Daffy and I can clean up and get the heck out of Dodge.”

They were on the sidewalk and turning the corner when Keenan took Mitzi’s arm. “That hair of yours is a real turn-on.”

She laughed. “Everything is a turn-on for you.”

“Everything about you, anyway,” he admitted. “Let’s head to your place and get out of these clothes.”

“That’s subtle.”

“I don’t feel subtle right now.” He slid his palm down her arm. “I wanted you naked a half hour ago.”

“Was that before or after you laid that kiss on Cassidy?” Though her tone was light, there was an edge to her voice that hadn’t been there seconds earlier.

Keenan realized he owed her an explanation. If he’d seen her kiss some other guy, no matter how casual, he’d want an explanation. Heck, he’d demand one. “Cass and I, we go way back.”

Surprise skittered across Mitzi’s face.

“We were neighbors,” he continued. “I felt like a big brother. But I wasn’t always able to protect her, not like I could Bets.”

All sorts of questions sprang to mind, but Mitzi swallowed them. Sadness had filled Keenan’s eyes and she sensed that any further talk on the subject would kill any possibility of her getting him naked that evening.

He wasn’t the only one who wanted that, she realized.

She’d watched him saunter into Clippety Do-Dah and had studied him as if he were a stranger. Tall, broad-shouldered with hair the color of mahogany, he cut an imposing figure in work jeans, boots and a faded T-shirt.

There was a confidence, a strength to him that was compelling.

Irritation had surged when she’d watched Cassidy flirt with him. When he’d leaned over and kissed her, Mitzi felt as if someone had taken a scalpel to her heart.

Mine, she’d almost called out with a possessive fury that surprised her with its intensity. Get your hands off my man.

Instead, she’d restrained her temper and silently fumed. It was silly, she knew. They were only friends. The trouble was what had blossomed between them no longer felt like simple friendship.

“Let’s go home.” Impulsively she took his hand and experienced a rush of pleasure when his fingers laced through hers. “I want to be with you. Just you. Just me.”

Chapter Seventeen

There was only one thing Mitzi was hungry for when they got to her house...and it wasn’t in the refrigerator. It was found in the man standing before her, his arms now wrapped around her waist.

The second they’d walked through the front door, she’d been ready to strip and jump him. Before that could happen, he’d pulled her into his arms and simply held her close.

“I love—” he stopped to nuzzle the sensitive skin behind her ear “—your hair.”

“Wish I could say the same thing about yours.” Mitzi leaned her head back, reveling in his touch.

“It’s bold, that’s for sure.” He softly laughed. “I’m not sure anyone but Cass could pull off electric blue.”

Mitzi slid her fingers through his hair. “I’m glad you didn’t cut it.”

“Feeling your fingers combing through it is one of my favorite pleasures.” His hazel eyes remained focused on her. “Spending time with you is another.”

She fought the urge to tell him it was the same for her, that seeing him was the best part of her day. How would he respond if she told him she was falling in love with him?

Mitzi wasn’t sure why the thought scared her so much, but it did. Enough that she had to put an end to the conversation.

“I want you, Keenan.”

His eyes never left her. “I feel the same about you.”

Once again uneasiness swept over her