Maxine Sullivan - Australian Millionaires - The Millionaire's Seductive Revenge

He opened his door, letting in the late-night sounds of a tropical summer. “I’ll walk you inside.”

She’d known he would. Her front door was actually around the back of the house, so it wouldn’t be possible to dismiss him easily. The minute he saw her walking down the driveway alongside the house he’d be out of the car and following her anyway.

“It’s around the back.” She moved to get out of the car, but her long dress proved difficult, and before she knew it he stood beside her, offering her his hand. For a moment she hesitated. Already her pulse was skittering all over the place. What would his touch do to her?

Having no option but to appear unruffled, she held her breath and put her hand on his. Her skin immediately tingled from the contact, but surprisingly his fingers didn’t close around hers. His hand remained open, palm up, allowing her to grip him as she chose.

Is this how he lets a woman make love to him? At her own pace?

That thought spread the tingle through her body as her fingers closed around his hand and she pressed her palm against his, using his strength to bring her to her feet.

He stepped back before their bodies could touch further, making her grateful for small mercies.

“It’s this way,” she said huskily and hurried forward, the path illuminated by small garden lights mingling through the palm trees, the clicking of her high heels in competition with a chorus of green tree frogs.

But when she came up to the door, it was standing open. She began to frown, then gave a soft gasp as realization hit. Someone had broken in.

“Oh, my God,” she whispered in disbelief.

“Stay there.” Brant strode the few feet to the door, swearing softly when he tread on some broken glass. He reached inside for the nearest switch, flooding the kitchen with light.

Kia came up behind him and they both stood there looking around. At first it appeared as if nothing had happened but the glass on the floor showed that someone had smashed one of the panels on the door.

“Careful,” Brant warned, stepping over the mess, then helping her while she lifted the skirt of her long dress with one hand and gingerly stepped over the glass.

Kia’s heart was almost jumping out of her chest. “Do you think he’s still here?” she whispered.

Brant peered toward the darkened hallway, his expression hard. “If he is …” He pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket. “He’s going to regret it.”

Kia shivered as he dialed the police and spoke quietly for a moment. She almost felt sorry for the robber if he was still here. He’d be in for a shock if Brant got hold of him.

He swore as he ended the call. “They’ve had a busy night. They could be a while.”

Kia’s stomach churned with anxiety. She’d hate to think what would happen if she were here alone. For the first time, she was glad of Brant’s presence. “What now?”

He reached over to grab a knife from the block on the sink. “I guess I’m going to play the bloody hero,” he muttered, stepping toward the hallway, but he stopped when he saw her face. “What’s the matter?”

“You’re not going to use that, are you?”

He grimaced. “It’s only for protection. Come on. Stick with me.”

Kia needed no second bidding. She stuck like wallpaper while they went from room to room, switching on each light, her knees knocking with relief when no one jumped out at them.

In the loungeroom they discovered her laptop and DVD player missing, plus a small antique clock, along with other knickknacks. Her bedroom appeared untouched, thank God. She’d hate to think of some stranger handling her personal things. Perhaps fondling her silky bra and panties …

She shuddered, and Brant put his hand on her forearm and turned her to face him. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” she murmured, though she knew she wasn’t. She couldn’t seem to stop shaking.

“Shhh,” he said, starting to massage her arm in a comforting gesture that made her drop her gaze to his hand on her, suddenly wanting to lean into him and let his strength wrap around her.

She looked up and all at once he was staring into her eyes.

“Kia?” he growled, and she opened her lips slightly despite a silken thread of warning in his voice. He was going to kiss her…. She wanted him to, dear God, she did.

Just then the sound of crunching glass came from the kitchen and a male voice called out, “This is the police. Everything all right in there?”

Brant immediately stepped back. “About bloody time,” he rasped without looking at her and left her side to stride down the hallway. “We’re here, Constable,” he said more loudly. “We were just seeing if there was any damage.”

Kia stood there for a moment, fighting intense disappointment. Brant obviously hadn’t suffered from the same frustration—or if he had, he hadn’t shown it. He’d turned away from her so fast she’d almost got whiplash watching him.

Which only reminded her that’s exactly what he’d do if he ever got her into bed. He’d use her, then he’d walk away without a second glance.

Kia took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. Now she felt strong again. She’d resisted him this far and would continue to do so. She’d been weakened by the shock of the robbery, that’s all.

For the next ten minutes she sat at the kitchen table and answered questions for the two very nice policemen who’d responded to the call, while Brant leaned back against the sink and watched the proceedings like a judge in a courtroom. He certainly made the younger policeman uneasy, by the looks of things, though the older one didn’t bat an eyelid.

“Probably an addict,” the older policeman said now, giving a world-weary shrug. “Got to get their fix somehow. Just as well you were wearing that necklace, Miss Benton, and didn’t leave it at home.”

Kia gave a soft gasp as her hand went to the diamonds circling her neck. Then she saw Brant’s jaw clench and the way his eyes burned her and she couldn’t help but think he was somehow angry over Phillip giving her the necklace.

The policeman interrupted her thoughts by going on to suggest ways of tightening her security, including putting a bolt on the door and getting a dog.

“Oh, but we do have a dog. I mean, the lady in the apartment next door has a dog.” Something occurred to her. “Oh, no. I wonder if he broke into June’s place, as well? The house has been divided in two, you see.” She swallowed. “Do you think you could check? She’s not home this weekend, thank goodness. She went to visit her sister and took Ralphie with her.”

“I’ll go take a look around,” the younger policeman said after getting a nod from his boss, then nervously looked at Brant before leaving the room, as if glad to get out from under such a strong presence.

The older policeman glanced at Kia. “Have you got someone to stay with you tonight, Miss Benton? Something like this can shake people up pretty bad.”

“ I’ll be staying with her,” Brant said before she could open her mouth.

She shot to her feet. She couldn’t have Brant stay here. She just couldn’t. “I can look after myself. I don’t need anyone. I—”

“What if he comes back?” Brant cut across her.

The spew of words froze on her lips. Somehow she managed a short laugh. “He won’t. He got what he wanted.”

“Did he?”

She shivered and hugged her bare arms. “Stop it. You’re scaring me.”

“Well, you should be bloody scared,” he said, straightening away from the sink. “You’ve got a door with a broken lock and no one close enough to hear you scream.” His jaw tautened, making him look dark and dangerous. “I’m staying.”