Her voice squeaked. "Not a big deal? Of course, Hannah said it was okay. She's sweet and always tries to help people out, but you used her just as much as you used Kinnections. Now, I'm thinking of kicking you out of our program!"
"Don't be overdramatic. Listen, you need to get here within the hour."
The phone almost dropped from her hand. "What did you say?"
"You heard me. I cannot show up alone, you arranged this date for me, and you're going to get me a replacement. Besides, it's in the contract. You don't give me this, I have legal grounds to sue."
Kate blinked. "That's an indemnity clause for a completely different reason. It states if you're not satisfied or get stood up on a date, Kinnections will find you a replacement date. It doesn't say that night!"
"Your lawyers screwed up and should've thought about it. Since the contract clause does not specify a certain time, it can be used the night of the date. I'm invoking my right to get a replacement date within the hour or I'll take you to court."
She gripped her iPhone like it was his neck. "You son of a bitch. You can't do that to me, it will never stick in court."
"Try me. You have my address on file. Wear something conservative, but pretty. And bring your A game."
"I c-c-c-can't get there in an hour! I have no time to shower, change. I have to check in with Robert."
"I can deal with an hour and a half. No more. And as for Robert, I don't care what he thinks--business is business. If he can't understand that, you should've dumped him already."
"You are a horrible person, Slade Montgomery. Pure evil. As bad as-as-as Megamind!"
His laughter rolled over the phone, hit her ears, and stroked between her thighs. "A little old, but still a great movie. My friend's kid made me watch it. And you must not have seen the whole thing. Megamind started off as the villain but he ended up the hero and saved the girl. Remember?"
"You-you-you--"
"See you later. Thanks for helping me out."
Click.
Kate stared stupidly at the screen saver picture of her, Ken, and Arilyn in front of the Kinnections sign, arms around each other, goofy smiles on their faces. Her mind sifted through the possibilities of his threat. She doubted he'd follow through, but as the owner of a company that meant the world to her, she couldn't risk it. And she had no time to begin calling random clients and begging them to meet a surly, arrogant man for a boring business dinner.
No. She had to do it.
Kate glanced at her watch, made calculations, and crawled to her feet. "Mom, I'm sorry, I have to go. I have an emergency at Kinnections."
"Was that him, dear?"
She nodded. "Yeah, that was him. At least he confirmed once again he could never be the mate I need in my life. There's definitely something else going on, so I'm not going to worry. I'll stop by next weekend."
Madeline rose, gave her a strangling hug, and walked her to the door. "Have fun. I'll come visit you soon, I miss Robert. Oh, you forgot your purse, dear."
Her mother went back to the room and came back with her Coach bag.
"Thanks."
"Don't forget to use the vibrator to release tension and toxins!"
Kate stifled a crazed laugh. "I will, Mom."
Kate made her way to her car. She had just enough time to take care of Robert, change, and throw on some makeup. No time for shower, shaving, or primping. Of course, she showered this morning so she should be acceptable. She roared out of her mother's driveway and headed home, using every imaginable, colorful curse to describe what she thought of her pain-in-the-ass client.
eight
YOU WERE FIVE minutes late."
Kate refused to give him a response. She stared stubbornly out the smoked-glass window of the Jaguar and watched the scenery whiz by. The Henry Hudson Parkway was gorgeous with no traffic. The massive ship, the U.S.S. Intrepid, dominated the port, and the water of the Hudson River threw a million points of light and flashed it back to the open blue sky. Snow-tipped mountains shimmered in the distance with an arrogant force. Usually, a night out at an exotic Brazilian buffet would've filled her with excitement. She had a good relationship with food and looked forward to trying new restaurants. But the moment he met her outside, dressed to kill in his hot designer suit that cupped his powerful thighs and ass like a lover, she realized he'd played her. Big time.
His gaze practically ate her up in all the right places, and she'd had to jump into the car before he put his hand on her. He'd turned her evening topsy-turvy, made her rush into the city, leave Robert alone for the entire night, and he acted as if it were no big deal.
"You wouldn't have sued me."
Again, his stare had literal heat and sizzle as her bare thighs tingled under the short dress. Why, oh why, had she worn this outfit? It was her go-to attire for a business/pleasure event when her usual black pantsuit wouldn't fit. But she felt more exposed than ever, with the hemline barely reaching the top of her knee, and the figure-hugging royal blue sheath emphasizing more skin than it concealed. She shifted in her seat with feigned nonchalance even as her core dampened and throbbed for the slide of his wet tongue. She'd never craved oral sex before as much as she did right now. Maybe she'd inhaled too much secondhand pot. The perfume and quick cleanup should've wiped out all evidence, but she still caught the slight traces of sweet smoke in her hair and clinging to her skin. Kate swore she'd never let her mother engage in such activities again. At least not when she was in the same room.
The devil actually grinned at her. "Probably not," he agreed. "But it wouldn't have been good business to take the chance."
She fisted her hands and held her temper. "Do you have any remorse from your actions? You ruined my Saturday evening and treated Hannah like a commodity rather than a date. Have you no shame?"
"Baby, I'm a divorce lawyer. I left shame at the door the moment I stepped through the doors at Harvard."
She sniffed. "Big Ivy school doesn't impress me. Even blond cheerleaders can get into law school there."
He sputtered. "If you're even trying to cite Legally Blonde to me, I will sue you. I barely made it out of that place alive, and I can assure you, there were no sorority girls there."
"Whatever." Kate gave herself a point. Seems the man was quite tender when his education was insulted. Something to remember for the future. At least he seemed to know his movies. "So, are you going to give me the rundown on the suits we need to impress?"
He eased the car toward the clogged city streets and got immediately snagged in traffic. "Bob Myers is CEO. Travis Hilton is second in command. They're the ones who make the decisions on who's going to join them in the penthouse. You'll meet their wives. My competitor, Samuel Flag, will also be there with his long-term mate. The partners are trying to decide between the two of us."
"Sounds fun. Like standing on the Department of Motor Vehicles line during lunchtime."
He tossed her a warning look. "Be warm but polite. They're known to prefer executives who get along with their wives, since they have tons of business dinners. You get along with other women, right?"
"Of course. Other than the occasional mud wrestling, I hold my own."
"Cute. I already told them you were an accountant, and they were impressed."
"Hmm, don't like the matchmaking types, do they?"
He slammed on the brakes as the car in front skidded to beat the red light. "Not a word about matchmaking--that will bury me. Your family comes from a solid line of accountants and court judges. You're now running your own business."
"This makes no sense. Why do you suddenly need to show up with a perfect date? Your coworkers must know you haven't been dating anyone steadily. You were the one who said you'd tout Kinnections if I found you a match. Did you lie?"
He gripped the wheel in a deadlock. "My word is law. I don't lie, but I screwed up. News got out that the partners want to recruit a solid family man for the job. Some crap about a divorce lawyer you can trust since he's committed in a personal relat
ionship. I panicked, so I told them I was dating someone seriously."
"Sounds like a lie to me."
He glowered. "Since you're gonna hook me up with my future wife, it wasn't a lie. Just a foretelling of the future."
"Nice volley."
"Get me through tonight and I'll come clean later. I just need some time to impress them with my own credentials rather than some imaginary relationship they approve of. In the meantime, try to play the role of the intelligent, adoring girlfriend."
Steam billowed from her pores, but she dug her nails into her palms and the pain grounded her. "How Stepford of me. And how uncreative of this team you want to join. Is this type of stereotypical success so important to you? Do you want to create a perfect life that barely scratches the surface of messy reality?"
His lips tightened. "I deal with messiness every day, and I don't live in your world of rainbows and sunbeams. You focus on the beginning where hormones and dreams rule. I get the heartbreak and emotional riptide of kids, money, and hate. So, yeah, to answer your question, that's the exact world I want to live in. Here we are."
His words cut through her and touched deep. Kate fought the instinct to question him further. What type of childhood did he have? Were his parents divorced? She knew his ex-wife was unfaithful, but there seemed to be so much more than a simple betrayal. She opened her mouth to offer something . . . but suddenly he leaned toward her and sniffed.
"What's that smell?"
She ducked her head and grabbed her purse. "Perfume. Don't tell me your prospective partners are allergic?"
"Funny, it smells familiar."
"I've probably worn it before. Are we done with the cross, counselor?"
"Do you have a mint in that bag?"
She rolled her eyes, stuck her hand in, and caught the handle. The contents dumped out on the floor. Great. Shoving the stuff back, she handed him the roll of mints and then her fingers closed on a stick. Kate frowned, pulling it out.
And stared at a joint.
She tried to shove it back, but his sharp indrawn breath confirmed it was too late. Kate glanced over. A dangerous light gleamed in those emerald eyes. His brows slammed together. "I knew it. Holy shit, you were smoking marijuana?"
Thank you, Mom. She strove for cool, calm, and collected. Kate tossed her hair over her shoulder. "It's not mine."
The incredulous shock on his face was almost worth the humiliation. "You did not just say that to me. Are you denying possession or use?"
"Both." His gaze tore and pulled her apart, making her squirm with discomfort. How dare he judge her? "What's the matter, Mr. Goody Two-Shoes Hot Lawyer of Harvard? Never got caught on the wrong side of the law?"
His disbelieving laughter surprised her. Slade shook his head. "I don't believe I'm having this conversation. Who on earth would want to frame you with a joint?"
She shrugged. "My mother."
Kate didn't wait for his answer, opening the door and sliding out. She pulled her fake fur coat around her for warmth and teetered on her Jimmy Choo ankle-strap heels that had cost more than the coat and the dress together. Of course, she believed every businesswoman needed a good pair of designer shoes, especially on sale. Skipping the heating bill had been so worth it.
He spoke briefly with the parking attendant and strode over, pulling her to the side. Thank God, the cushion of fur blocked most of the electrical current. He stuck his nose close to her hair and took another whiff. "I'm taking you to one of the biggest dinners in my life and you're high. Is this what you do with your Robert on a Saturday night?"
"I told you, I'm not high and it's not mine." She clamped down on the urge to stick out her tongue. "And Robert is none of your business."
Frustration sparked from his gaze. A dangerous stillness settled over him, and her body roared to answer the call. A pure, sexual rush hit her hard. Her nipples pushed against the lace of her bra, and her pussy throbbed for relief. As if he sensed her reaction, he whispered his next words right by her ear. "Don't push me, Kate. Unless you want to see what happens."
Goose bumps broke out on her skin. Kate fought off the panic and pretended she was on the verge of a stuttering attack. She cleared her mind, reached down deep for composure, and breathed. When she steadied, she tipped her head up and met his gaze head-on. "I'm here to save your ass, counselor, so deal with it. Now, let's go. We're late."
She broke his grip and walked toward the restaurant. Churrascaria Riodizio was one of the most popular Brazilian buffets in the city. "Any last-minute advice before you throw me to the wolves?" she asked.
Streaks of caramel hair blew in the frigid wind and lay against his brow. His smoke-gray cashmere coat emphasized his elegant sense of style, pinning him immediately as a Wall Street broker or lawyer. She'd dated both and swore she wouldn't repeat the experience. "Be charming. And try to keep up."
Then she was inside the restaurant.
The host led them to a private back room. Kate admired the high ceilings, elegant crystal chandeliers, and massive buffet where an array of seafood chilled on ice among beautifully cut sculptures. Large parties crammed into tightly seated tables, and the roar of conversation and laughter echoed in the air. She took three steps down into a plush inner chamber where corporate met and ruled.
Showtime.
The men rose quickly to greet them, clasping her hand in firm handshakes that thankfully didn't set off any crazy electric vibes. Bob wore his distinguished gray hair cut close to the scalp, his skin well tanned. Probably from golf. He looked like a golfer. His razor-sharp gaze probed and assessed in record time, and Kate bet he'd been a literal predator in court. His commanding presence lured a jury to want to agree with the man. No wonder he was the owner.
Travis was his younger brother, and seemed a bit more relaxed, but his lazy charm gave him a different ruthlessness she appreciated. Kate assumed they did a great job of playing good cop/bad cop. She nodded her head at the third member of the party, Samuel Flag. He seemed about Slade's age, with reddish-brown hair, thin lips, and commanding features. His robust laugh mocked the charade of seriousness at the table, but Kate knew he was more dangerous than maybe even Slade gave him credit for. His gray eyes held the flat dullness of a shark's. What he wanted, he got. And it seemed his companion felt the same. Her red hair was lustrous and thick, and she packaged it well with a curvy body draped in lime-green silk. She was striking but didn't overdo it, using subtle makeup, low-key jewelry, and demure shoes to balance her image. Like Samuel, her probing gaze made immediate opinions and quickly dismissed them as competition for possible partnership. Kate smothered a laugh. She guessed she didn't own the killer instinct that would have garnered this woman's respect. Samuel quickly introduced her as Melody, his current fiancee.
The other women seemed more welcoming. Linda and Tanya greeted her with warm handclasps, which threw Kate off for a few seconds. Odd, there wasn't a buzz of chemistry confirming that they had married their soul mates. Not even a slight tingle. She always received a jolt of recognition when touching a married couple--or at least if it was a true soul match. They both glanced at their husbands with a deep affection and love from long-term marriage, past the point of crazed passionate encounters on the kitchen table, probably settling for the deeper emotions of the day-to-day chaos of true living. Kate bit her lip, wondering why she hadn't sensed any connection, but introductions were over and she had no time to process this new information.
She slid onto the cushioned seat, crossed her legs, and settled in for a lengthy evening.
The women already knew each other well, so Kate figured she had a long way to travel before being able to join in the group's conversation. Thankfully, this was not the life she'd have forced on her. Socializing for Kinnections was a very different thing, and she'd always hated the almost political, ruthless cliques in business, turning adults into scrambling teens looking to belong to the popular group. She forced a welcoming smile and focused her attention on the women.
The thr
ee of them smiled back, taking in her appearance and cataloguing it for future reference. Kate wondered about their reaction if she confessed the truth about being a matchmaker. Slade seemed to catch her thought and tossed her a warning look before the waiter came to take their drink orders.
Linda spoke up. "They have these wonderful signature drinks here I adore. Crushed basil with a bit of mint, it's almost like a mojito but better."
"Hmm, that sounds wonderful," she said.
"Kate doesn't drink."
The words were flung out at the table in a commanding voice that had everyone nodding as if they understood. "Too many calories, right?" Melody said.
Kate stared at his implacable face. Ah, her punishment for his belief she was higher than a kite. A giggle threatened, but she managed to smother it just in time. Did he really think he was dealing with an amateur?
"I'll have a gin and tonic. The lady will have sparkling water," Slade instructed.
She lifted her face up at the waiter and smiled sweetly. "It's a special occasion, right? I'll have one of those signature drinks, please. I'm off my diet for tonight."
Slade opened his mouth to contradict her, then quickly closed it. Round one to her. God knows, she'd need some alcohol to get her through. He jerked his head but managed to play off his irritation. Maybe this would be more fun than she thought.
"So, Kate, we hear you're an accountant. You're in tax season, now--it must be brutal," Linda said.
"Yes, I'm practically chained to my desk. Slade and I have been looking forward to this evening; we rarely get out this time of year."
Bob gave Slade a proud look. "A real power couple, huh? Ah, to be that young again with the future ahead. I remember when I started Myers, Inc., we had two offices, my brother and I, and a few clients. But we were hungry, and eventually we made a name for ourselves as the prestige firm in New York."
Linda placed a hand on her husband's shoulder and shook her head. "He always had great ambition to be the best. Fortunately, so did I."
"What do you do, Linda?" Kate asked.
"I'm a lawyer, too." Her eyes sparkled. "In fact, I'm Bob's biggest competition."
Kate grinned. "That must have been interesting after hours."
"Oh, yes, but we made it work. We both respected each other's ambition. I think couples who own their own businesses have bigger challenges, but they understand one another. They are sometimes a better fit."