Beyond the Edge Read Online Free Page B

remained silent, she slapped her palm on the steering wheel. “Look, mister, it’s late, I’m tired and in no mood for games.”
    “You’re right.” When he agreed with her shehoped he’d start explaining, but his sympathetic attitude disappeared in a flash. “I don’t have time for explanations. Take me to your home. I need to watch television.”
    She’d feared he might be isolating her because he intended to take advantage of her, and he wished to watch television? “Do you plan to hurt me?”
    “Not if I can help it.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “It means—cooperate. And since I’m forced to work with you, you may call me Kane.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Your understanding isn’t required. Just do as you’re told and we’ll get along fine.”
    The lack of information was driving her anxiety into high gear and she didn’t like his domineering attitude. “Suppose I don’t want to get along?”
    He sighed as if she was being impossible, yet his voice remained gentle and a touch of amusement entered his tone. “If I have time, I will try and be your fantasy man. Will that please you?”
    “No,” she snapped without hesitation.
    “I think I’d enjoy pleasing you.”
    “Getting to know you that well is not part of any of my plans.”
    “Sometimes the best-laid plans have to be thrown away.” He raised his eyebrow and his mouth quirked up, revealing an attractive dimple. “I heard your conversation with your friend. You want to be swept away. You want to escape your responsibilities.” His tone turned personal and his eyes flashed with aspark of heat. “And what man could resist such an intriguing idea?”
    She spoke with care, through gritted teeth, her alarm soaring right along with her interest. Why couldn’t she have met this fascinating man under less bizarre circumstances? She knew nothing about him and yet…she could feel a nameless connection forming between them that sizzled on a sexual level. “Surely, you understand the difference between fantasy and reality.”
    His eyes glinted with intrigue and heat. “Are you so lost that you don’t think fantasies can come true?”
    His tone suggested that she was the crazy one. And this turn of conversation was striking way too close. Because fantasies didn’t come true, not hers. And she should be drawing information out of her abductor, not discussing her fantasy life with him—a man she found way too attractive.
    The combination of his sympathy for her plight, amusement when she gave him attitude and obvious intelligence was lowering her guard. He was getting to her in a way she’d never believed possible. He seemed so intent on his goal and yet she had the impression that although she stood in his way, he didn’t intend to harm her. But she had to remain wary. Since he didn’t seem inclined to believe anything she said, she decided the safest course right then was to remain silent.
    He turned the radio on, and the strains of a Garth Brooks ballad filled the car, hindering further conversation. Not that Fallon considered lack of conversation with this “Kane” a great loss, since he rarely answered her questions, and when he did, he confused her even more.
    But she worried about his suggestion, alarmed that he might appoint himself in charge of making her fantasy come true. The idea both frightened and intrigued her. She shouldn’t be thinking about his looks or how his eyes had gleamed with warmth when the conversation turned personal. If they’d been together on a CIA mission, she might have gone along with letting him become her fantasy man. But she knew nothing about Kane—except that he used technology she’d never seen before. And yet, she couldn’t deny to herself that she felt more alive right at this moment than she had in a very long time.
    Logic told her she was responding to more than his great body and his interesting face. The secrecy and power and all his self-control fascinated her. She’d been