An Eye for an Eye: Zach and Katie's Story (Redwood Falls) by Lynda Chance Page B

If you agree to give me a chance, if you agree to see me, we can start a relationship just as you described, just like any other couple, and I'll never mention money--" a pained expression came over his features and he muttered under his breath, "God, that was stupid." He shook his head as if trying to get his thoughts in order before he continued, "I'll never mention money or anybody owing anything . . . ever again."
    For just a second, Katie studied his expression and a tiny kernel of temptation coiled in her stomach as she remembered his last kiss. But just as quickly, the feeling fled and panic took its place as the memory of being held down against her will infiltrated her mind. "I . . . I don't want a relationship . . . with you or with anybody."
    Katie stood stunned as he swallowed hard and his tension became palpable at her refusal. "You don't understand." His hand on her face became both forceful and caressing as his eyes ran over her. His voice dropped an octave, and Katie was floored to hear a trace of what sounded like vulnerability in his tone. "I'll let everything go. Enough time has gone by now that I know I'll be able to move on." His eyes devoured hers, staring into hers with what Katie could only describe as longing before he continued, "It would be so good between us, baby. And I could give you everything."
    His words and the gentle expression on his face confused her. Tears came to her eyes but she shook her head even as she felt another tiny trace of temptation. Was Zachary McIntyre begging her for a relationship? It didn't make sense; she didn't understand. She couldn't deny she was tempted, but she forced herself to stiffen her spine and whisper, "No, I can't." Why couldn't she? Why the hell couldn't she get over it? Zachary McIntyre had always fascinated her. If she couldn't let go of her past for him, would she ever be able to?
    "Why can't you forget? Jesus, if I can let it go, why can't you?"
    "You're confusing me so much. You're telling me you can forget about everything, but two seconds before that you said you want me for what? Restitution?" Katie couldn't stop the tremble in her voice. "You can s-see that you're confusing me, right?"
    "Yeah, and I'm sorry. I realize that I'm not being very eloquent. I just want a chance with you."
    "I can't, Zach. I can't have a relationship with you. Please don't ask me again."
    "How can you not give me a chance? Do you think I'm not human? Do you think after what happened to me that I didn't have a right to react the way I did? I'm sorry, it was painful for me, and I took it out on you, but that was a long time ago." He scowled as his fingers clenched around her scalp. At her silence, his voice dropped. "Don't make this difficult. I know you're attracted to me, damn it; I can feel it. And I want you."
    "Zach, please don't . . . It's not . . . it's not what you're thinking."
    "Do you think I don't know that you want me too? Do you think I can't feel your body tremble?" His hand dropped to her neck where he softly caressed the pulse point there. "Do you honestly think that I don't know that your eyes have always found me, every single time we've been within fifty feet of each other? For years?"
    Oh, God, it was true. As his gaze held hers and his question bled through, Katie was horrified that her body's reaction to his touch probably gave her away. Her head fell forward and her mouth tilted to the side in pained agreement, pained commiseration, before she could stop herself.
    He interrupted her through gritted teeth. "You do want me. And I want you."
    Her spine stiffened and she tightened her body, her tears drying up as deadly seriousness glittered from her eyes. "Well, you can't have me."
    His eyes narrowed and his mouth clenched. "Yes."
    She shook her head back and forth, her eyes glued to his.
    "Stop being so damn stubborn."
    "No, I won't. You can't have me. I don't want to be with . . . anybody."
    At her uncompromising answer, bitterness highlighted his