Read Online Witchcraft by Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online

walked to the uncomfortable couch. In front of the fire he stepped out of the slightly damp jeans and spread them out so that they would dry by morning. As he slid under the blankets Kim had given him earlier he propped himself on his elbow and stared intently into the glowing coals of the fire. Kimberly Sawyer was an intriguing woman. She was also proving to be something of a mystery. Above all, Cavenaugh reminded himself, he had an obligation to protect her. He owed her that much in return for what she had done two months ago. But it wasn't the sense of responsibility he felt that stayed on his mind as he allowed himself to go back to sleep. Nor was it the questions engendered by that letter in the kitchen. The last, disturbing thought he had of Kimberly was a memory of the way she had begun to respond to him when he'd held her in his arms. If he'd had a little more time or a more appropriate set of circumstances, he decided, he could have had her in bed. That realization was deeply satisfying. Kimberly awoke the next morning with a decidedly grim realization of her own. She knew she didn't want to face another night alone in this isolated house. Someone was deliberately trying to terrorize her. The man in the living room was offering shelter. She really had no logical choice but to accompany him back to the wine country until this business was all cleared up. No sense fooling herself, she thought as she climbed out of bed and headed toward the bathroom. It wasn't going to be easy living in a house full of strangers. But handling figures in hooded robes who walked around carrying large silver daggers wasn't much more inviting. She could just imagine what the authorities would say if she tried to tell them what had happened last night. They would think she'd gone off her rocker. At least Cavenaugh hadn't questioned her story of what she'd seen through the window.
    The closed door of her bathroom and the sound of running water inside brought her up short. "Cavenaugh, are you in there?"
    "Were you expecting anyone else?" he called back provokingly. "Don't dawdle,"
    she warned. The door opened a minute later and he stood in front of her wiping the last of the shaving cream off his neck. He was naked from the waist up and it was obvious he had made himself quite at home. Emerald eyes glinted as he took in the disapproving way she peered around him into the interior of the bathroom. "Your trouble is that you're simply not used to having a man in the house. Or anyone else for that matter.

    Don't worry, I'm fully trained. I won't leave my towels lying on the floor."

    "Are you finished?" she demanded frostily, wondering if there would be any hot water left. "Just about."

    "Good. Then you can start breakfast," she informed him triumphantly, sweeping past him to commandeer the small bathroom. He allowed himself to be pushed out into the hall, but not before she'd caught sight of the half-amused twist of his mouth. "A man would have his hands full teaching you the fine art of household compromise," he observed. "When it comes to having enough hot water for my morning shower, I don't believe in compromise. Go start the eggs, Cavenaugh. I like them on the well-done side." She started to close the door and then stopped. "Oh, by the way, I've decided to take you up on your offer.
    At least for a few days." He raised one dark brow. "No more arguments about returning to the estate with me this morning?"

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    "Is the offer still open?"

    "It was never an offer, Kim," he explained gently. "It was more of a requirement. I can't stay here with you because I have too many other responsibilities at home. But I can't leave you alone here, either; not after what's been happening.

    The only alternative is for you to go home with me." She tilted her head to one side, studying him coolly through narrowed lashes. "If I have a few things to learn about sharing the bathroom,