SLADE SAT ON the sleek pewter-colored couch in Kennedy’s office and tried not to scowl.
He was in a bad mood.
After the hot yoga session, he figured he was done with Kinnections’ torment. Seems that he also signed to a mandatory makeover meeting, which besides getting his man card pulled, he didn’t need. As a lawyer, appearance was key, and he made sure the jurors and his clients always saw a crisp, clean image. He tried to remain patient and stared moodily at Kate, who flanked Kennedy’s side and looked as miserable as he felt.
The kiss haunted him.
Caught up in their banter at the gym, Slade decided to test the waters. Just once. He ached to kiss her, glean if her lips really tasted like the cotton candy he adored, and put to rest some of the crackling sexual tension.
Instead, he’d been electrocuted and shredded to pieces by a clawing hunger to have her. Mate, claim, possess. It was as if his inner caveman sprang to life and he’d sunk to an animal instinct. Her taste was like pure sugar, and once he got a sample he was afraid he’d be addicted. He expected teasing, warm, and satisfying. He got hot sex and pure need.
They hadn’t spoken since she ran away. He figured they both needed to process in order to decide the next step. Not that there would be a next step. She refused to date clients. He intended to prove her fraudulent. She said love was real, he said it was an illusion. Just because the sex would rock didn’t mean any type of relationship would. He agreed it would be smarter to leave her alone, let the tension settle a bit, and move on.
But he didn’t want to.
She wore her usual black, a sexy lace T-shirt, silk trousers, and those delicious spiked black boots. Her hair was pinned back today in a sophisticated twist thing that only made him long to rip out the pin and thrust his fingers in gold silk. Her no-nonsense manner and cool gaze told him her position without a word.
Get over it.
He wished he could.
When he heard about the mandatory makeover, Slade insisted Kate be there. She tried to escape by citing Kennedy as the expert, but he insisted she be present to oversee the whole thing. He needed another shot at trying to figure her out and this crazy connection thing.
“First off, don’t think this is all about tweaking your appearance to make you hotter. You’re pretty much already there, as you well know.”
He fought off a blush as they both stared at him. “Uh, thanks. I think. So what are we doing?”
“Appearance is the first impression we give on a date. You have a public job so you need to keep a certain persona in the courtroom. But I wanted to ask you a few questions. What do you wear on a first date?”
Kennedy pursed her lips. The man in him recognized she exuded lust in her lush, sensual manner, from her full red mouth to her ripe curves. Funny, he just didn’t ache to touch or taste her like the woman who stood beside her. Slade refocused and tried not to sigh at the ridiculous question. He was wasting valuable time here. “Standard stuff. Usually pants and a casual jacket and tie.”
“Always a tie?”
He tamped down on his impatience. “Of course.”
“Shoes?”
He tried not to roll his eyes. “Dress shoes.”
“Hmm.” She made a note on her pad. “How do you dress on the weekends?”
“Khakis. T-shirt. Loafers.”
“Got it. Do you need the glasses to see?”
He touched the gold-rim frames. “These? Mostly reading, but I tend to wear them all the time now.”
“Interesting.” She scribbled something else. He tried not to crane his neck to peek. “Do you prefer certain colors?”
Slade glanced at his Cartier watch and blew out a breath. “Black, gray, and blue. Classical.”
Kennedy smiled. “Thank you.” She stood and walked to the far side of the room, sliding open pocket doors to reveal an enormous storage closet. As she hummed under her breath, he heard her sifting through hangers, pulling a variety of items and slinging them over her arm. He tried to catch Kate’s gaze, but she pretended to study her friend’s notes, refusing to look up. Frustration twisted his gut.
“Here we go. Try all these on.” She dumped a pile of clothes, shoes, and belts in his lap.
Slade stared. “What’s all this?”
“Your makeover. Glasses off, please.”
He flung up his hand like she was a demon. “I like wearing my glasses.”
“I know. You use them as a barrier to keep yourself removed and distant. Like looking out to the world through a pane of glass. If you don’t need them to see, they’re not needed. Hand them over.”
He studied her determined expression with growing horror. They were all nuts. Maybe not legally fraudulent, but the inane things a client had to go through to get a date were unbelievable. Slade ripped them off and pushed them into her palm. “Fine.”
She pointed to the right. “Changing area is over there. We’ll wait.”
His lips twisted in a sneer. Slade grabbed the clothes, walked out the door, and changed. With every minute that passed, his temper grew. He was a Harvard graduate, a well-respected attorney, and never had a problem getting a date. How dare they judge him? He was always open and charming on a date. He elicited information from his companion, used humor, and always listened attentively. Slade belted the jeans, shoved his feet into the shoes, and yanked on the shirt. Refusing to glance in the mirror, he marched out like a penguin on parade and simmered with temper.
“Here. Satisfied?”
Kennedy grinned like the badass she was. But it was the look in Kate’s eyes that froze him to the spot.
Hunger.
He dragged in a lungful of air and drank in her expression. Eyes wide, she ate him up with her gaze, a feminine appreciation gleaming deep within ocean depths. Kennedy strolled over, adjusted his shirt collar, smoothed out some wrinkles, and turned him toward the mirror.
“Want me to tell you what I see now? I see a man who works hard but knows how to take it down a notch. A man open to the unknown, ready to be a bit vulnerable and give a bit of himself to his date. You see, Slade, I think your clothes were used as a type of armor. A suit and tie scream business dinner. Formality. But this shows your true personality and allows your date to feel as if you are as engaged as she is.”
Slade almost snickered at her speech over a silly outfit. Until he saw himself in the mirror.
He looked . . . different. The dark jeans clung to his thighs and gave him a rougher edge than his usual polished look. The shirt was black and holy mother of God—pink. Pink cuffs and a stitched collar open at the neck molded to his chest. The shirt was left loose and not tucked in. The shoes were low leather boots that he never would have tried, thinking them too European, but they gave him an understated polish yet brought it up a notch. Without his glasses, his face seemed more vulnerable, and he blinked at his image, trying to take it all in.
He never wore jeans, but they were both comfortable and gave him a freedom he didn’t realize he was lacking. In some half-assed way, Kennedy was right. He did keep himself distant in a lot of ways. His thoughts flashed to Jane and the steps she may be going through.
“Did my sister go through the same process?”
Kennedy’s face softened. “I meet with Jane this week. We’ve had plenty of sessions together, and I know her vulnerabilities. I promise you, Slade, your sister is in very good hands. I would never hurt her.”
His throat tightened and he managed a nod. Somehow, someway, he actually believed her.
“What do you think, Kate?”
Slade slid his gaze to meet hers in the mirror after Kennedy’s question. A low hum buzzed between them. Seconds ticked by. The tension cranked another excruciating notch, until he locked down his muscles in an effort not to grow to full staff under her heated stare.
“I think he’s ready.”
Her husky drawl broke the spell. Kennedy nodded in agreement. “Wear this to the mixer. I’m going to take a shopping trip with you later on in the week and make sure you have a few outfits. Of course, it’s on Kinnections, part of the package experience.”
“I have to go, I have a meeting. See you Friday night, Slade.”
Kate hurried out of the room.
Kennedy cocked her head and studied him for a moment. “Hmm. Something tells me Friday is going to be interesting.”
Slade nodded. “I’ll tell you one thing. Since I signed up, I haven’t been bored.”
He went to change as Kennedy’s laughter floated through the room.
KATE WALKED THE FLOOR of the elegant Italian restaurant, satisfied with the backdrop for Slade’s first cocktail party. The back room was reserved for Kinnections and the social mixers they tended to run on Friday and Saturday nights. Cosmos boasted great food, an intimate atmosphere, and a premier wine bar. The huge brick oven wall and high counters showed the chefs at work, a fun visual for the crowds. Her boots tapped on the polished marble floors, taking in the Tuscan decorations of bold red, gold, and earthy creams. She met Kennedy halfway to the back room.
“Is he here yet?”
Kennedy shook her head. “Sorry. Hope he’s not a no-show. Those suck.”
Kate tried not to fume at the idea of Slade wasting all their valuable time just to refuse the main event. Her crew put everything into his counseling and makeover and picking the right women. If he didn’t show up, she’d—
Well, she didn’t know, but she’d come up with something really evil. The image of his kiss mocked her thoughts and screamed her a liar. She wanted to do something with him all right. Preferably naked, dirty things that shouldn’t be imagined. Why, oh why, did he have to elicit the awful curse/touch? She needed to be firm tonight and not get too personal. Kate bore down and focused. She was his matchmaker and had an important job ahead of her. Find him a love match and do it quickly. “He works in Manhattan, so traffic is a mess. Let’s give him fifteen more minutes.”
“Got it.” Kennedy leaned over the bar and winked at the chef behind the table. Her generous cleavage caused the next throw of his pizza dough to almost miss. “Hey, darlin’. Any way to get a drink around here?”
His gaze misted over. Kate watched as her friend worked her female magic to make every man before her go into idiot mode. She grabbed her arm and dragged her back. “Give him a break, Ken. Go order your drink at the bar like a normal person.”
Kennedy flipped her hair in artful style and grinned. “But this is so much more fun. And that way I don’t have to wait on line.”
“When have you ever waited more than five seconds for a drink?”
Her lips pursed in a pout. “Never, I guess. You’re no fun. I like torturing the male species. Give it a try.”
Kate pulled her through the restaurant and into the private party. “Behave. You meet with Jane tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. I’m taking her to the salon for the works. I think she’s ready.”
“Good. And make sure to keep Slade away from her. He’s nosy and wants to poke around in her love life. The last thing she needs right now.”
“Hmm, I’d let him poke me anytime. Anywhere.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “You never change.”
“Hope not. What fun would this threesome be if all of us weren’t getting any?”
She was saved from answering by the sudden appearance of the guest of honor.
The room fell into a short silence.
Holy crap. He was beyond hot. He actually wore the outfit Kennedy picked out, his jeans cupping his ass and thighs in all the right spots. The black and pink shirt gave him an air of edgy sexiness women loved, and his wavy caramel hair was a delicious shaggy mess around his head, framing those suspicious sage-green eyes. He took in the room with one sharp glance, obviously taking note of the occupants and his dates for the evening. Assessing. Commanding. Lord, he had alpha stamped all over him, and a tiny shiver bumped through her body.
The other women seemed to have the same reaction. Their gazes lit up with anticipation and roved over his figure like hungry she-wolves ready to feast.
And mate.
Kate pulled her professional demeanor around her tightly and walked up to him. “You’re late,” she whispered. “Why don’t you come with me before I introduce you to the four women I picked.”
“You’re not gonna announce ‘Meet my millionaire,’ are you?”
She shuddered with distaste. “This is not reality TV and not Bravo. We don’t lead with money here. Why, are you a millionaire?”
“Why? Do you want to know?”
Kate led him to the far corner, where the table of cocktails was already set up with various finger foods. “As long as you have a steady job you enjoy, we don’t care what your profit margin is. Neither will your dates.”
He snorted and eyed the table hungrily. And with more interest than he regarded the women. “Obviously, you haven’t been in the real world. I’m starving—are those mini pizzas?” He ignored her clucking and dove in, filling his plate with a massive amount of food. “Can I get a beer with this? Or wine. Whatever everyone’s drinking.”
She crossed her arms in front of her and tried not to huff. “In case you’ve forgotten, this isn’t the quick service dining plan. You’re here to meet your potential mate.”
“Right.” He chewed heartily. “This portobello is amazing. Smoky and full of flavor. Perfect with the bite of gorgonzola. Funny, I’ve never heard of this place. Want to try one?”
“No. Let’s go over the rules again, shall we?”
“No sleeping with them on the first date.”
She glared. “Of course not! Now, Kennedy and I will be here to help you mingle, and if you’re feeling awkward at any point, just give us a glance and we’ll be by your side. We can also help guide conversation. This is your party, and we want you to feel comfortable. You’ll have alone time with each of the women, and then you’ll let me know at the end of the mixer who you bonded with. Then we’ll set up a one-on-one date to take it further.”
He bit into a mini crab cake with homemade aioli and groaned. “Best crab cake ever.”
“Are you listening?”
“Yep. The more I think about it, I feel like the Bachelor. I don’t have to break up with any of them at the end of the night, do I?”
“Funny. Can you please take this seriously? These women have taken their precious time to meet you.”
“Sorry.”
“Now, you’ll meet Hannah, Emma, Sarah, and Ann. Each of them have the look you seem to require, steady jobs, and all the qualities you seem to admire. Are you ready for the introductions?”
“Can I have another piece of bruschetta?”
“No.”
He wiped his mouth with the napkin. “Fine. I’m ready.”
She pasted on a brilliant, confident smile. “Then let’s go, shall we?” He reached out his hand in politeness, but she pretended to miss the gesture and marched in front of him. No touching tonight. That had disaster written all over it.
She made the introductions and fell smoothly into her role. The women all seemed to have a special quality she believed Slade was looking for, but it was Hannah whom she felt the most strongly about. With her dark good looks, curvy body, and sweet personality, she had the whole package. Her career as an accountant brought a seriousness Slade would respect. Her father was a well-known family court judge, and her mother an elementary school teacher. Satisfaction coursed through her at the immediate ease of conversation as they talked law and business. Kate retreated to the bar to keep an eye on the scene and give them the privacy needed.
She nibbled on cocktail shrimp and watched Slade work the room. She imagined his presence in court brought him a huge asset. It wasn’t just the breadth of his shoulders stretched under his shirt or the grace with which he prowled from woman to woman. It wasn’t even his piercing gaze or charming smile. No, his aura pulsed with sexual energy and a physical awareness to which no female was immune.
Including her.
Kate slid onto the red bar stool and grabbed a glass of Merlot. Whatever. She’d be more worried if she didn’t lust after Slade Montgomery. At least her hormones were alive and kicking. She just needed to redirect them.
“And who is that gorgeous man you’re panting over?”
The teasing question snapped her head. Genevieve bumped her shoulder and slid onto the stool beside her. She looked beautifully tousled in her jeans, peach sweater, and loose topknot. Kate laughed and gave her a quick hug. “You made it! I thought you were working an extra shift?”
Gen wrinkled her nose. “No, thank God. I have to pull an all-nighter tomorrow so I figured I’d grab some time to see you guys. Though I should probably be sleeping, as David says.”
“Can you tempt him with sex in the on-call room like in Grey’s?” she whispered.
“Nah, I use the on-call room to sleep. Usually because I’m dirty, smelly, and exhausted. Sex doesn’t tempt me.”
“Bummer.”
“So, who’s the hot guy?”
Kate slid her gaze back to his perfectly formed ass. She cleared her throat. “My new client. Slade Montgomery.”
“Why the hell does he need Kinnections?”
“See, that’s why I didn’t hire you: you suck at PR. Because he doesn’t have time to sort through the reams of women looking to date him.”
“He’s definitely into the tall brunette. How do some women get the tall gene and I get the Hobbit one?”
Kate gave her a playful shove. “You’re not a Hobbit, you maniac. You’re petite and gorgeous. I’d find your mate if you hadn’t already.”
Gen pulled her brows in a slight frown. “I’m not ready to get married, I’m still in residency. We’re just experimenting.”
“Right. He’s perfect for you. Your father and Alexa are mad about him, and you know they never approve of anyone.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
Her lackluster response made Kate pause. “You are crazy about him, aren’t you, Gen?”
“Hell, yes. He’s got the whole package and things are going great. I just don’t want to jinx it.”
Kate relaxed. “I understand. Is your sidekick coming out tonight?”
“No. Wolfe said he was buried in details for the new opening of Purity. It’s coming up in a few months and he’s working around the clock.”
Wolfe and Gen had met at NYU and clicked immediately; he was now a close family friend who ran a five-star hotel in the city. He also frequented Gen’s many family get-togethers.
“No wonder you guys are a pair. Ambitious workaholics unite.”
“I don’t see you painting the town red either.”
She ignored her friend’s astute observation and decided not to listen to any more cracks about her love life. Or lack of it. Slade disengaged himself from Hannah’s side and headed toward the bar. His gaze burned with purpose and focus.
Her panties dampened.
Damn him.
Gen let out a low whistle. “Umm, I’m heading toward the bar to look for Ken. Good luck.”
Her friend disappeared. Slade closed the distance.
Kate wet her dry lips and looked up. “How’s it going? I didn’t want to interfere when it looked like you had things under control.”
He studied her face, focusing on her newly wet lips. Like he was ready to dip his head and kiss the moisture from her mouth. Focus, Kate, focus. “I’m fine. Did I mingle enough yet?”
She raised a brow. “You’re done? If you don’t need any more time to pick your date, that’s fine. Who did you connect with?”
“No one.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, they’re all very nice. Attractive. Funny. I’m quite impressed with your picks.”
She cocked her head. “But you didn’t connect with anyone. Do you want me to hold another mixer and give you some other choices?”
“Nah. They’re good.”
Irritation itched at her skin. Kate clamped down on her emotions and reminded herself he was just another difficult client. No big deal. “Okay. So who would you like to pick for your date?”
He reached around her and scooped up a glass of Merlot. “You pick.”
A strange roaring echoed in her ears. “What did you just say? You want me to pick your date?”
Those massive shoulders lifted. He seemed more interested in the wine, food, and hanging with her. “Sure. You’re the professional. You know what I’m looking for and probably already sense who’s the best for me. Who would you pick?”
“Hannah Easton,” she said quickly. “Did you have any chemistry?”
“Sure. She’s smoking. And nice. Great choice—set it up.” He glanced at the empty table. “Damn, I was hoping for more of those crab cakes. Think we can get some from the chef?”
Kate clenched her fingers and breathed deeply. She suddenly felt like a cheap broker rather than a tastefully skilled matchmaker. What was really going on here? “Are you really committing yourself to this process? You don’t seem enthusiastic. You need to be—”
“Open. I know. I am.” He shifted his gaze, studying her with an intensity that peeled away her lying exterior and exposed her bodily truth. The masculine scents of tobacco, spice, and a hint of grapefruit hit her nostrils and affected her like she’d dropped into a Godiva factory. What was he wearing? Reminded her of the bonding scent vampires threw off when they met their soul mates in her fave series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. Kate locked her knees to keep from leaning forward and taking a big whiff. And biting his neck. “You seem ready to yank my membership at any misstep.” Amusement laced his tone and softened the brackets around his mouth. “Do most men you set up easily fall for the first woman they meet?”
She stiffened her spine. “No. But I don’t trust you.”
He leaned in another inch. “I’m a divorce lawyer and a man who’s attracted to you. You’d be crazy to trust me.”
His outrageous honesty and droll humor stole her smart-ass answer. “Fine. I’ll set up your date with Hannah. Kinnections pays for it, but you need to check with me. No private charter planes or trips to Vegas. Keep it simple and elegant. Dinner, drinks, dancing, intimate atmospheres to get to know one another.”
“Yes, coach. Do you get rid of them now or do I have to?”
She smothered a laugh. “I will. Let’s go tell the lucky lady, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Kate tried to slide off the stool, but her boot heel got hooked in the ring. Slade reached out automatically to help, and his hand imprint burned into her upper arm, searing right through the thin silk material of her blouse and scorching skin.
Her body exploded in a riot of messiness. The sting of energy made her push him away in a frantic attempt to make him let go. The stool teetered, and she crashed to the floor.
“What the hell was that?” His shocked look as he stared at her in a crumple of limbs bought her a few precious seconds. He made another attempt to help her up, but she scooted back on the floor with her hands in front of her. “D-d-d-don’t touch me. I-I-I’m wearing f-f-fur.”
His brows slammed together over a blue storm cloud. “What type of fur do you own? It’s more like eel skin that gives off electrical currents. For God’s sake, let me help you up.”
Kate got to her knees and scrambled to her feet. Like her legs, her tongue twisted in her mouth, and her past limitations roared before her and sped up her heart. “Th-th-thank you, but I’m fine. I’m s-s-sorry.”
He tilted his head and studied her face as if she were an alien experiment meant to save the earth. Kate closed her eyes and pictured a blank white screen. Peace. Harmony. She breathed, concentrating on relaxing her muscles and her lips, going back to the safe place she had created to trust herself and allow herself to speak again. When she reopened her eyes, her pulse had steadied. Slow, with a tinge of music to keep the sounds flowing. “I apologize for that. I must stop wearing these boots before I hurt someone.” She forced a light laugh. “Now, let’s put that embarrassing scene behind us and say good-bye to our guests.”
“Not yet.”
She froze. He eased over and blocked her path with one smooth motion. Jammed his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. His magnifying presence kept her still, unable to do anything else but wait. He lowered his voice to an intimate pitch.
“Same thing happened when we kissed. What’s going on?”
She stuck out her chin. “Nothing. It was the fur.”
“You were barefoot. So unless you wear fur underwear, you’re lying.” A gleam of interest lit his eyes. “Do you wear fur underwear?”
“No!”
“I rest my case.”
She panicked and lost her patience. Desperate to get away and drop the subject, she hurled the words at him. “Fine, I’ll tell you. I’m a witch. I cast wacky love spells on our clients, and I was practicing on you to see what I’d need to create to match you. Satisfied?”
That should do it. She’d read somewhere to wrap a little fact with a whole lot of fiction. He seemed to calculate, weigh, and judge her reaction. Her thighs quivered and moisture drenched her core. God, she loved a brainiac. Was there anything sexier than a man with a sharp mind?
“Know what scares me the most, Kate? I think some of it’s accurate. You did cast some spell on me because ever since I met you, I keep dreaming of burying my face between your thighs and watching you come.”
Her mouth fell open. An odd squeak emerged. “D-d-don’t talk like that. Believe what you want but leave me alone. It was a strange, once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, and I don’t intend to have a repeat. I need you to concentrate on your date with Hannah and move forward. There are no other options here.”
Kate adjusted the buttons on her silk blouse, smoothed down her trouser pants, and turned on her heel, leaving him behind. His gaze burned into her back, but she ignored him and swore to get this whole debacle fixed.
She had no other choice left.
She needed to see her mother.