"No. God, no."He closed his eyes briefly. "No. It's just that I can’tdeal with that sort of thing now. I need space."
"You slept withher and left. What kind of impression is that going to make?"
"I can’tthink about that now. I should never have touched her." He saidgrimly.
“Yet you did.Dammit, Kenji, what’s the matter with you?”
“I wasobsessed. Still am.” A bitter smile touched his lips. “Ican’t draw her into my drama.”
“You alreadydid.”
“Yeah. Hencethe need to go away.” He looked at his cousin. “I need todo this, Kane. You might not understand the reasons, but that doesn’tmatter.
What matters is thatI clear my head. I’ve felt for a long time that I’m aboutto implode. I have to find a way to sort through the things runningthrough my mind.” He spread his hands. “The company is ingood hands, and I’ll check in whenever I can.”
“Where are yougoing?”
He shook his head. “Ican’t tell you, I’m afraid.”
“How long?”
“As long as ittakes. I’ll be in touch.” He looked at his watch. “Ihave to go.”
“Kenji- “
“Please don’tsay anything else. I -I just have to go.”
*****
She was happy thatCaleb was busy and had something to do. She wanted to be alone. She’dfinished up at work and left immediately. It’d taken all of herwillpower to drive home and not cry. He’d used her. She had toacknowledge and accept that. He’d taken what he wanted and leftwithout a backward look.
She’d been fartoo easy. She’d barely put up any resistance and had enjoyedevery minute of it. She wasn’t hungry.
The salad she’dbought earlier had been dumped into the trash can inside her office.Dragging herself upstairs, she took off her clothes and went into thebathroom. Turning the pipes on, she adjusted them to the temperatureshe wanted and stepped into the shower.
Her nipples weresore, and there were scrapes and bruises on her chest and a faintmark on her neck where he’d nibbled at her skin. She’dleft a few marks on him herself. The bastard! She thought in agony.Standing beneath the spray, she let the water beat down on her as thetears trickled down her cheeks.
*****
“He’sgone?” Kelly stared at her husband in shock. “Where?”
Kane raised hisshoulders in a frustrated shrug. “He took the jet to London,but from there, I’ve no idea where he’s headed.” Hestrode over to his side of the closet to drag off his sweater andt-shirt.
Kelly eyed him for aminute, watching the frustration warring with anger on his handsomeface.
“That’snot even the worse part.” Kane sat on the padded bench andworked off his boots.
“There’smore?”
“He slept withher. He had his way with that young woman and just left.”
“Oh, goodLord.” Kelly put away the cream she’d been using on herskin and turned to face him. “He told you that?”
“He called tofind out if she was at the restaurant-“ He stood up jerkily toget rid of his trousers. Tossing the clothes into the laundry basket,he came towards her. “After he left the office, I called therestaurant just to find out if Chantelle needed me.” He pulledher up and led her to their big bed.
“I didthis, Kel.” He swore furiously. “I was selfish enough towant this for him, and he screwed it up. She sounded as if she wascrying.” He sat on the edge of the bed heavily, her hand stillclasped in his. “She tried to appear professional, but I couldtell.”
“I couldstrangle him. Do you think I should reach out to her?”