David shook his head. "Unacceptable behavior. She shouldn't have come."
"She's family," Gen said.
David frowned. "That girl is heading toward destruction, and I'm not letting her take you with her. You shouldn't be involved with anyone doing drugs. It could ruin your career."
Kate was about to speak up for her friend when she was interrupted. Gen's best friend, Wolfe, stood framed in the kitchen, his massive height dwarfing the rest of the room. His shaved head, sizzling blue eyes, and powerful body gave the impression of hot and bad boy in one firm twist. A wicked serpent tattoo curled up his shoulder and the side of his neck, and a diamond winked in his left ear. His brow was also pierced, and he wore leather wristbands with a long-sleeved black shirt, giving him an edgy look that usually made women drop their panties.
Somehow, Kate had never been affected, maybe because of his long-term friendship with Gen. She always wondered if there was something more between them, especially since Wolfe seemed to loathe David, but her best friend always insisted there was no sparks between them and they were only friends.
"She's not on drugs," Wolfe declared in his deep, husky voice. "She's in pain," he said simply.
Gen bit her lip. "I can't reach her," she said. "I've tried, but she wants nothing to do with me. She acts like she hates me."
"Be patient. Eventually, she'll need you."
David let out a breath. "She's jealous of Gen's success. Better to give her space and let her be."
Wolfe studied David for a while. Then shook his head and walked away.
"They'd be perfect together," David muttered. "Surprised they never hooked up. Or maybe they did."
Kate tapped her lower lip. Hmm, Izzy and Wolfe? That was a match made in explosive heaven. They both seemed to seethe with some underlying pain, but Wolfe had a much tighter hold on his emotions than Izzy did on hers.
Kate glanced at her watch. Time to get back to Robert. "I gotta go soon, Gen. I'm going to hit the bathroom."
Her friend nodded.
Kate put down her mug and headed upstairs. She climbed the sprawling staircase, her fingers skimming the smooth mahogany banister. Past the dripping Swarovski crystal chandelier, down the hallway, until she heard voices. Uh-oh, intimate conversation ahead. She turned on her heel to retreat and then recognized Wolfe's tone. Then Izzy's voice rang clearly through the air. Kate froze.
"Why do you torture yourself? I see the way you look at her. She can't give you what you need, babe, but I can."
Kate battled the awful need to see what was going on against her respect for privacy. Her bad side won, and she stood silent, listening to the unfolding conversation.
"Don't."
The low warning was ignored. A husky laugh and the sound of heels on wood. "You say no, but your body says yes. What are you fighting so hard for? Gen's with David and she'll never look at you the way you need. Besides, she's like a timid little virgin in the bedroom. I can satisfy you the way you need."
Kate craned her neck to peep through the doorway. Izzy posed before Wolfe, one hip cocked, her breasts thrust out so he got a perfect view of her impressive cleavage. He stood still, the lines of his face carved in anger, arms crossed in front of his chest as if he had no interest in her seduction attempts.
"I'm not stupid, Izzy. You're going through a bad time right now and just want to be distracted. But sex doesn't do it. Neither does hate. You have an incredible family ready to support you. Why are you fighting so hard to drive them away?"
Isabella shimmered with fury and practically spit in his face. "Don't play the therapist role with me. You know shit about my family or the way they treat me like dirt. Believe I'm less than my perfect twin sister. Refuse to accept who I am because it doesn't fit in with their idealistic view of their children. I'm sick of them and their expectations. Even you got conned."
She closed the distance and pressed her body against his. Wolfe hissed in reaction but didn't move. With a predatory smile, she rose on her toes and stopped inches from his mouth. "You're just like me, you know. You think Gen will bring something good and right into your life. But you're not meant to be that man, Wolfe. You live in the dark. You like dirty sex, and a bit of pain, and see the reality in life. Not like my silly, sheltered sister. Why don't you just be the man you are and take me? I'll give you everything you ever wanted." She licked her lips and ran a finger down his cheek. He stiffened, his gaze locked on hers. "I'll even let you pretend you're fucking her if you want. Won't that make it even better?"
The air sparked with tension. Kate waited for Wolfe's reaction.
He pushed her gently away and stood back. His face reflected a mix of regret, lust, and pity. "It doesn't work like that, Izzy. I don't know what happened, but it's tearing you up inside. You can talk to me, you know. I'll listen."
Izzy pushed him hard, snarling like a pissed-off cat. "Fuck you, Wolfe. I hope you're happy in your ridiculous fantasy that my sister will notice you one day. You're way below her standards for a lover. I feel sorry for you."
Kate couldn't hear anymore. She slowly backed up and headed toward the other bathroom. Whoa, that was heavy stuff. Was Wolfe in love with Gen? Did Gen suspect? Or was that just Izzy's crazy assumption in order to cause drama? It was like General Hospital on steroids.
Kate finished up, washed her hands, and headed back to the kitchen. David gave her an uneasy feeling, but she never interfered with her friend's love life. Gen seemed happy with the surgeon, but maybe Kate should tell her what she overheard. She rarely kept secrets from her best friend.
She was about to get her coat and begin her good-byes when David snagged Gen's hand and pulled her to the center of the living room. Foreboding washed over her as David raised his voice for everyone's attention. Guests milled in groups and lounged on the coffee-colored sofa and chairs, huddled by the bar, and sat cross-legged on the Persian carpet. "Excuse me, everyone. I'd like to say a few words."
Yep, this whole day was jacked up, beginning with Slade walking out the door.
"When I first met Genevieve, she turned my world upside down. She's a stubborn, brilliant, beautiful woman who turned my life from black and gray to color. I never want to go back to the person I was. And being here with everyone tonight, in the warm clasp of family, made me realize I don't want to waste another second."
David dropped to one knee. Removed a small box. And snapped open the lid.
Gasps of pleasure surrounded her. "Genevieve MacKenzie, you are the woman of my dreams. I love you with my heart and my soul, and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
Kate watched a dozen expressions cross her friend's face. Shock. Confusion. Happiness.
And fear.
What was that about? Gen's gaze wavered, then shifted across the room. As if seeking someone out. Kate glanced over and caught Wolfe staring at the couple. His face like carved stone, no emotion was evident in his features.
Kate held her breath, wondering what was really going on. Then her friend's answer echoed through the room.
"Yes, David. I will marry you."
When Kate looked back, Wolfe was gone.
And she wondered if Gen was keeping her own secrets.
twelve
HE WAS A dickhead.
Slade stared at his computer and tried to make sense of the endless notes for his next client. Sunday was a complete blur, with moments of clarity where he fought the need to show up at Kate's door and beg her forgiveness. He'd certainly won the Prick of the Year award. After trying to seduce her in every way possible, he finally got her in bed, spent hours in orgasmic ecstasy, and treated her like some freak because she was a virgin. He belonged in one of those bad eighties flicks and he wasn't even in high school.
Shame beat through him. The truth taunted and kept him from calling her. One night with Kate Seymour would never be enough. He craved more, wanted to spend hours in her company, learn all her secrets, and go over every inch of her delectable body. He wanted to hang ou
t with Robert and watch movies. He wanted to cook for her, bring her coffee, and read the paper in bed.
The images streamed in a long vision that scared the living hell out of him.
It was more than sex, but he couldn't handle it. Knowing he was the one who finally claimed her virginity made him want to roar with satisfaction like the primate he fought not to be. Slade also realized it strengthened the bond between them like an invisible, unbreakable string. He'd always be her first, and in some way, special. Too bad he had jacked up that good memory for her.
Slade pushed away from the desk with a groan and wished for that minibar. Instead, he grabbed a chilled bottle of water and wondered what his next move would be. He doubted she'd want to match him with anyone else, and honestly, he had no desire to go out on any dates when he wanted only one woman. A woman he should stay away from since he couldn't offer her what she wanted, needed, and deserved.
Even though it didn't exist.
His original plan to debunk the company had fizzled. Yes, he'd keep an eye on Jane, but Kinnections wasn't looking to do anything illegal or immoral. In fact, the women who ran it did so with pure hearts and an intention he admired. There was nothing left keeping them together.
Slade ignored the twinge of pain in his gut and reached for the phone. Enough. He'd call her, apologize for his rotten behavior, and formally withdraw his name from her list. He'd hoped for an engaging affair with a woman who enchanted him, but he had no right mucking around in her life. She was a woman who didn't screw around--for God's sake, she was almost thirty and still a virgin. And that meant the man she let in her life would be important.
Sweat pricked his skin at the idea of being counted on to provide a happy ending. God knows, his last client had proven the truth. The poor woman was left alone with two kids while her husband moved in with his latest fling, twenty years younger and blowing through the kids' college fund faster than he could make it back.
Slade punched out the number.
"Kinnections, may I help you?"
He dragged in a breath. "Hi, Kennedy, it's Slade Montgomery. Can I speak with Kate, please?"
An awkward pause. Crap, how much did she know? Did Kate tell her everything? "Kate's not here. Can I take a message?"
"Is she in a meeting? It's important, I really need to know."
Another pause. "Actually, she's at the vet now. Robert got sick. I doubt she'll be back, but maybe you can try her on her cell tonight?"
He tried to calm his racing heart. "Do you know what's wrong with him?"
"Some type of infection. Look, I'd give her some time and--"
"Which vet?"
"The Animal Menagerie Hospital. Umm, Slade, I don't think you should--"
He hung up. Stuffed the folders in his briefcase, grabbed his suit jacket, and headed out. He stopped at his secretary's desk to forward his calls, cancel some meetings, and whizzed past his boss's office, ignoring his pleas to pause for a chat.
Slade knew that dog meant the world to Kate. He also figured she was there alone, handling things in her life like she always did, with a poised control and fierce independence that never allowed her to show weakness. She wouldn't bother anyone else for support because she was the one who tried to take care of others.
Not today. Just once, he wanted to take care of her.
Slade refused to question his intentions as he got into his Jag and headed toward Verily.
"WILL HE BE OKAY?" Kate asked the question calmly, but her lower lip trembled. Something had been wrong with Robert, but she hated dragging him to the vet each time she suspected a problem. She'd learned to wait it out a bit, and many times it was a brief bladder problem or a minor skin infection she was able to cure by bathing him and slathering him with the special medicine the doctor had provided.
This morning, she'd had to express his bladder manually and knew he was in pain. Every time she went through the vet's doors, she wondered if she'd come back out. She was warned early that paraplegic dogs sometimes had many health issues along the way, but she swore to do everything possible to avoid them.
"This infection definitely spread out of control," Dr. Burke informed her. He stroked Robert's head with the kind affection from years of treatment and friendship. "I'm going to put him on strong antibiotics and wait on the results from the lab. Lots of water, and add a splash of cranberry juice for some acid. Keep an eye on him and give him some extra bathing time."
Relief loosened her chest. They'd gotten through some bad infections before, and usually Robert fought them off like a champ. His big brown eyes studied the doctor with serious intent, as if waiting for the final diagnosis.
Kate pressed a kiss to the top of his head, held up his chin, and looked him straight in the eye. "It's just a bad bladder infection, baby," she said. "Meds and baths. Not so bad. And more time with Mommy."
One lick. And as if he understood, he flopped his head back down on the table, totally chill that he knew it wasn't serious. Kate smiled and quickly analyzed the next two days. She'd stay home today, but tomorrow was the big expo in Manhattan. It had taken two years to get Kinnections into the lineup, so she had to go. Her mom could probably stay with Robert all day and then--
The door flung open. Slade walked in, his suit a bit rumpled, his gorgeous surfer hair mussed. "How is he?" he demanded, making his way across the small exam room and toward Robert.
Kate's mouth fell open. "W-w-what are you doing here?"
Dr. Burke frowned. "Excuse me, this is a private room for owners only."
"I'm a friend." His presence pumped up the room and took over. Kate let out another squeak, but he ignored her, bending down to look Robert in the face. "How ya doing, buddy?" The dog's tail thumped and his expression lit up. Shock billowed through Kate as Slade stroked him, glancing from her to the doctor with a worried light in his eyes. "Is he going to be okay?"
Dr. Burke cleared his throat. "Kate? Is this man a friend of yours?"
The question threw her off, but the word stumbled from her mouth without thought. "Yes."
"Sorry, doc. Slade Montgomery. Nice to meet you."
Slade shook his hand and Dr. Burke relaxed. "Likewise. As I was just telling Kate, Robert has a bladder infection. Antibiotics should work. He needs to be watched, bathed, drink lots of water. Manual expression of his bladder if he backs up. I'll call when the lab results come in."
"Good."
"Kate, why don't you wait outside and I'll bring him out shortly."
Slade rubbed Robert's ear and followed her out. She eased into the waiting room where the Animal Planet network chirped merrily behind her on the small-screen TV and a golden Lab waited patiently with his owner.
She lowered her voice. "What's going on? Why are you here?"
Was that a glimmer of regret that flashed on his face or just the light? "I called to speak with you, and Ken told me you were at the vet. I thought you'd need help. I was worried."
The ridiculousness of the conversation hit her hard. He'd walked out the other morning after taking her virginity. And now he left work in the middle of the day to drive up to Verily because he was concerned about her dog? "Robert's fine, I've been taking care of him for years alone and don't need any help now."
"Who's been taking care of you, Kate?"
She stumbled back. Hurt sliced like a hundred paper cuts on her skin. No, she couldn't do this now. Not with him. "I take care of myself," she said stiffly. "You made it quite clear this is not a job you want anyway, so why are you here?"
"I don't know why I'm here. I'm a mess. I wanted to walk away, do the right thing by not screwing up your life. But the thought of you alone here, with Robert in trouble, I don't know." He blew out a breath. "I just thought I should come."
She stared up at him, shock keeping her immobile. The truth of his words slammed her full force. What kind of game was he playing? Yet, he seemed just as confused, as if he wasn't used to letting his heart lead. As if she meant something more to him than he wanted. The bees' n
est of emotion was a dangerous thing to touch, let alone explore, and Kate hated getting stung. Before she had time to make sense out of his impromptu speech, Dr. Burke came out with Robert in his arms.
"Here's our patient. I'll call you as soon as the results get back. Let me know if there's any trouble."
"Thanks, doctor."
She settled the bill and scooped up Robert, then headed toward her car. Slade stayed close behind, helping her with the door and settling him carefully in the back. "Are you taking the day off?" Slade asked.
Kate pushed her hair back and blinked in the sun. "Yeah, I'll stay home today. Tomorrow I have a big expo in the city, so my mom can stay with him--oh, crap."
"What?"
She leaned against the car and nibbled on her lip. "Mom's at a sex conference."
One golden brow shot up. "Sex what?"
"Never mind, you so don't want me to go there. Shelly can only stop in for a few hours on a weekday. I better cancel the expo. Ken and Arilyn will have to cover."
"I'll do it."
She cocked her head. "Do what?"
The determined look on his face gave her a glimpse of what jurors saw when he wanted something. A force of nature. "I'll watch Robert. Since the expo is in Manhattan, you can drop him off at my home for the day and I'll take care of him."
Kate sputtered out a laugh. "What? Absolutely not. You've never taken care of a dog before. Besides, you work."
"I can do my work at home. I'm perfectly capable of watching Robert and giving him whatever he needs."
"No, I'll stay home."
"And miss out on this type of opportunity for Kinnections? Bad business if you ask me. As the owner, you need to be there."
She glared. Unfortunately, he was right. Everyone worked, and she had no one to watch Robert. And missing out on the expo would set Kinnections back. She'd already made her contacts and they expected her to show. Kate shifted her weight and looked for any possible outs.
There wasn't one.
Slade grinned. "Glad you see it my way. I'll expect you around seven in the morning?"
She must be nuts. "Fine. If you think you can handle it, I appreciate you helping me out."
His features softened. Slade reached out and ran a finger down the curve of her cheek, leaving a trail of fire. "Thanks for letting me," he murmured.