He left her standing on the sidewalk, watching him walk away and wondering what she had just set back in motion.
THE NEXT MORNING, KATE walked into Slade's apartment and tried to calm her nerves. Bringing Robert into Slade's personal space screamed intimacy, which was the exact opposite of what they both decided they needed. Still, perhaps it was Slade's way of apologizing for his awful behavior. Kind of like a peace offering before they officially called it splitsville. Even though they had no real relationship to split up, just one night.
Her thoughts hurt her head, so she concentrated on her nosiness and gathering information. The high ceilings and loftlike atmosphere pegged the trendy Tribeca area, but Slade kept it simple and masculine. The circular glass staircase was fresh and fun, and the edgy lines of furniture, glass tables, and strong blue walls bespoke a man who knew what he liked. The living room was a man cave made in heaven.
Her heels clicked on the bamboo floors as she paused in front of the huge leather recliner. She stroked the soft material and almost groaned in appreciation.
"You like?"
Slade cocked his hip, his jeans falling low on his hips and accenting his washboard stomach and long legs. Seemed he favored jeans now. The man was sheer perfection, but even hotter in his own environment. The plain black T-shirt was faded and soft, and his bare feet gave off an intimacy she really didn't want to linger on.
"How could I not? I'm saving up for a new one. God, is that a remote?"
He laughed and handed it to her. "Yeah, full reclining position, seat warmer, and back massager."
Kate shuddered. "I'd never leave the house."
"You don't need to with one of these chairs." Green eyes lit with a lazy arousal, and she was dragged back to the night they spent together, feasting on each other until their bodies collapsed in exhaustion.
She took a step back. Wet her lips. "Maybe it's good I don't have one, then."
"Maybe."
They stared at each other. Energy crackled with a mad glee and tempted them closer. She broke the spell with deliberate precision, walking over to Robert and kneeling down. Kate pressed her forehead to his and spoke. "Slade will take care of you today. Be good, baby. Mommy will be home later."
"I got him peanut butter and bacon treats. How many barks?"
Kate stood and smiled. "One for bacon, two for peanut butter. I brought cranberry juice in case you didn't have any, just a splash in his water bowl. I'll give him a bath when I take him home tonight."
"No need, I've got a huge tub and you'll be home late. I'll get it done."
She hesitated, then gave a jerky nod. "Okay. Thanks. I'll call later."
"You look nice."
Her black suit was chic and fitted, and the new boots flashed a bright, shiny four-inch stacked heel. "Thanks." Did her voice crack? God, she had to get out of here. "See ya."
She hurried out of the house like her ass was on fire. When was the last time a man wanted to help her out, especially with her dog? He'd taken off work and seemed sincere. Yesterday, she'd picked up the phone to cancel, positive there was some type of ulterior motive to his madness. But she couldn't come up with a thing. He'd already seduced her, so that was off the list. He was already keeping a close eye on Jane and seemed satisfied with her treatment. He could've easily apologized for his statements that morning and been done with her. Yet her heart told her there was something bigger in his actions.
She thought about him all day at the Javits Center. Amidst conversations with potential clients, Kate networked hard, made a solid impression on a variety of business associates who thought Kinnections was the next big thing, and laughed with Ken and Arilyn. By the time they'd finished dinner with another matchmaking agency looking to merge and grow client databases, Kate drove back to Tribeca, exhausted but triumphant. Her company was finally getting noticed, and the future looked bright. Even without her gift, she believed in the skills of the team and again counted herself lucky that she could make her dream job a reality that paid the bills. The only thing that would bring it to a higher level would be sharing her happiness with a man she loved.
Who was not Slade Montgomery.
Yes, he'd wriggled himself into the seams of her life, but after tonight, she'd pull way back. No reason to torture herself with a man who wasn't meant to be with her. He may have had some second thoughts and tried to help her out, but continuing on this path would only hurt them both. Well, at least her.
She was buzzed into his apartment and tried not to limp as she crossed the threshold. Damn boots were a killer. Kate tried not to think of the long drive ahead and tempted herself with the image of her butt in the recliner, her sweats, and a good night's sleep.
"Hey." Her heart leaped at the wide grin on his face. The dragging of paws over the floors echoed and she opened her arms to welcome her companion. Face bright with expectation, Robert licked her and they snuggled for a few minutes. "He did great. I bathed him, then put the salve on his sores. He peed all day and drank lots of water. We had a good time, didn't we, buddy?"
Robert cocked his head and gave a half nod of agreement.
"Why don't you show Mommy what you got today? Robert, go get your bunny."
The dog turned, disappeared briefly, and returned with a fluffy stuffed bunny clasped between his teeth. Kate gasped. "What do you have, baby?" She took the wet bunny from his mouth and studied it in astonishment. "He actually likes this?"
Slade frowned. "What's the matter? He's allowed toys, right?"
"No, that's not the problem. I've tried to give him stuffed toys all the time and he hated them. Almost as if they were beneath him. He only enjoyed the occasional bone or ball."
Denying her statement, Robert reached out, grabbed the toy, and began working the hidden squeaker. Chirpy sounds emitted from the bunny, and each time his ears pricked.
Slade laughed. "Guess he thinks it's manly enough now. Maybe I had to give it to him so he knew it was all right. Probably didn't want to embarrass his mom by acting like a puppy."
Pleasure bloomed as she watched him play. When she finally broke her gaze, she smiled and looked up.
Fire.
Kate caught her breath as the connection caught and buzzed between them. Hunger gleamed in his green eyes, and he seemed to hold himself in a muscle lock, as if afraid to even move for fear of grabbing her. She fisted her hands and prayed for strength. Jumping into his arms and pulling off his clothes was a bad idea. She was tired, worn out, and emotionally vulnerable. If she stood strong, she'd get past this hurdle and leave him behind.
"Kate--"
"I better get going, it's really late. Thanks for doing this for me, I really appreciate it."
"Did you eat?"
"Yes, just came from dinner."
"You look exhausted. Look, let me make you a cup of coffee before you go. It'll perk you up a bit for the drive. Sit down."
"I don't think--"
"Please."
Her feet throbbed and her eyes itched. Coffee would probably be good. A few more minutes wouldn't hurt. She nodded. "Thanks."
He disappeared into the kitchen. "Why don't you try out the recliner?" he called out. "The remote's on the table."
A merry squeak of agreement cut through the air.
She shook her head and eased onto the chair. The supple leather cradled her rear, and it was already warm. She cranked up the heat a digit more, reclined the seat back, and swallowed a moan. Best. Chair. Ever. With her feet up, the blood flowed back into her toes. "This thing should be illegal." His laugh echoed. The scent of freshly ground beans drifted from the kitchen. "Is this where you make the magic happen for your clients?"
"Nah, that's where I recover."
"What made you decide to go into divorce law? Were your parents divorced?"
He materialized beside her with a mug. She went to get up, but he stopped her. "No, stay and relax." She took the cup and sipped the strong, hearty brew. Heaven. "My parents died in a car crash, so no, I can't claim a set of e
motionally abusive parents. I just kept seeing the effects of what broken relationships did, even before marriage. Too many times one person gets screwed. I wanted to fight and be the voice for him. Or her."
Fascinated, she probed his gaze. Behind that charming, seductive exterior beat the heart of a complicated man. She'd gotten glimpses of it the night they spent together, but Kate bet there was a world more to discover. A pang hit her when she realized she wouldn't be the woman to complete the treasure hunt. "I'm sorry about your parents," she said softly. "My dad died a few years back and there's still a hole inside. Jane is lucky to have you looking out for her."
"She's not letting me do much anymore. But I still feel responsible."
"Why?" she asked curiously. "What happened that has you so afraid Jane will get hurt?"
He shifted his feet and she prepared herself for the expert dodge of her question. Instead, he dragged in a breath and answered. "Jane was very emotionally sensitive. She was bullied in school and had some bad relationships with men who used her. After our parents died, I tried to look out for her. She got involved with this guy who was a musician. I knew it was a disaster from the beginning, but she refused to listen. He ended up taking all her savings and leaving town."
"What happened?" she asked.
"I came home one night, walked in the bathroom, and found her lying on the floor. She had overdosed on pills and was unconscious. Got her to the hospital in time, they pumped her stomach, but it was a while before she mentally came back. That son of a bitch had broken her. She'd believed in him, and he'd broken her heart."
She didn't answer for a while. The air between them heightened with awareness, and Kate sensed he rarely told anyone about that part of his life. "Love is a funny thing," Kate said softly. "If we don't love ourselves first, the emotion can be redirected in harmful ways. I've seen Jane these past few weeks. She's grown, she's confident, and she's ready for this journey. I don't think she would've made it this far without you. Personally, I think the woman you give your heart to is lucky. She gets it for life."
Emotion clogged her throat and she fought the urge to scurry out of his house like a rat escaping an exterminator. It was just too much. His green eyes darkened as if he sensed her need to run. "I'm sorry about that morning, Kate." His simple apology blasted the room like cannon fire. "I was an asshole."
She fought a half laugh. God, the man even knew how to apologize correctly. "Accepted. We were both a bit off-kilter."
"I panicked."
"Yeah, I seem to do that to men."
He chuckled. "I'm kind of nuts about you. And the night we spent together was one of the best in my life."
"And here comes the but."
"But I don't think I can give you what you need."
The grief surprised her, but Kate had a new respect for this man willing to face the truth. "I know."
He jerked back. "You do?"
She gave a sad smile. "I want marriage. Children. A man to say he loves me and means it with his whole heart. I want a guy to love Robert like his own and be willing to involve himself in the chaotic mess that's life with no guarantees. I need someone with a lot of courage. Because that's what it takes to even have a fighting chance with someone."
He looked stung by her words, but Kate was tired of pretending. Better to clear the air now, accept their insane connection, but move onward logically. It was the only way.
"Ouch."
"Sorry."
He fell back on the other chair and pondered his cup. "Perhaps you're right. Day after day of watching people pick up the broken pieces doesn't give me much hope. I'll pull out of Kinnections."
"You're not afraid we'll take all of Jane's money and match her with a con artist?"
Slade shook his head. "Nah, I still think you're misguided by mistaken beliefs, but you'll take care of Jane."
She thought of him alone, in his beautiful apartment, working night and day to counsel heartbroken couples, reaffirming that there is no hope or happily ever after. No. He deserved more, dammit, even though she wasn't meant to be his. "I think you should stay on as a client."
He frowned. "Why?"
"Because I don't only match couples who want the big ending, you know. There are plenty of women out there who hold the same belief as you do, and they're wary of getting involved again. You said you wanted a companion. A friend. Maybe a family down the line. What if there's a match for you with a woman with the same ideals? I'll have Kennedy go back to the beginning and we'll give it another shot."
Slade studied her in the dim light. "I can't keep up with you."
"Good, don't try. Just give us one more shot."
"No more hot yoga or makeovers?"
Kate laughed. "No, you completed the process. We'll just refit the puzzle pieces and see if we can match you with someone more your kind. Less . . ."
"Pollyanna?"
She scowled. "Expectant. Deal?"
He put his feet up on the matching ottoman and leaned back. "Can I skip the mixers?"
"Maybe. I'll leave it in Ken's hands."
"Okay. I'll try again."
A comfortable silence settled between them. The connection still sizzled, but there was a deeper softness to it, almost as if by acknowledging the desire and accepting it, they were able to move forward. Kate sipped her brew, and the flicker of the movie on the massive screen pulled her attention.
"Oh, my God, one of my faves. The Hangover! The original!"
"Me, too. Turn it up."
She pumped up the volume and watched the city of Vegas sprawled before her. "Classic."
"Not as much as Office Space, though."
She gasped. "You love that too? I watch it all the time. Have every line memorized."
"Women hate that movie."
She stuck out her tongue and pulled the fleece blanket over her weary legs. "Don't be chauvinistic. I'm a comedy addict."
"All-time champion?"
She crinkled her nose and thought hard. "Still Wedding Crashers. Vaughn was pure genius."
"Agreed."
The heat from the seat warmed and softened her muscles, and Kate relaxed into the leather, the coffee hot on her tongue, the blanket soft on her body. She didn't remember when she lay the mug down and decided it was almost time to go. Didn't remember much of the conversation back and forth as they discussed the best comedies of all time and argued their fine points. Her last thought before the room went fuzzy was how much she liked Slade Montgomery, and how sad it was he didn't believe in love.
SLADE WATCHED HER SLEEP. Sometime during their feisty dialogue, he realized she was fading, but he didn't want to push her out the door. Robert had already stopped squeaking and dozed in his special bed, a doggy grin on his face from the day's events. He waited till her head lolled to the side and golden strands of hair slid over her cheek.
Warmth radiated inside his chest. Who would've thought she shared his wicked sense of humor, love of banter, and obsession with raunchy comedies? He wished she were a divorcee, jaded and looking for a life of companionship rather than magical emotions. They'd be perfect together.
He held back a wimpy sigh and got up. Cleaned the mugs, turned out the lights, and flicked off the TV. She grunted softly and adjusted. His hands itched to carry her into his bed, strip her naked, and thrust between her thighs. Her scent still haunted him, and Slade swore he'd never be able to go to a carnival again without remembering her heady sugary scent, like spun cotton candy in his mouth when he tasted her. Instead, he did the right thing. Tucked the blanket carefully around her legs, smoothed back her tumbled hair, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She smiled in her sleep, and if he had a heart left to give, it would've broken right there.
Slade trudged into his room alone and left her asleep.
When he woke up in the morning, he headed out toward the living room, prepared to make her a killer breakfast, take care of Robert, and spend a little more time with her.
But she was gone.
The blanke
t was neatly folded and lay upon the table. Robert's bowls were placed in the sink. His chest tightened with a strange feeling, and emptiness pulsed in his gut. She hadn't even left a note. Just a vacant space that still smelled of her sweet scent, and a silence that cut through him with an agony he never experienced.
thirteen
YOU WANT ME to set him up with another woman."
Kennedy shared a glance with Arilyn. They had gathered at Kate's house after work to go over the expo and play catch-up. They lounged around her living room--Arilyn cross-legged on the throw rug, Kennedy stretched out on the sofa, and Kate holding her throne in her recliner. They wore comfy sweats and T-shirts, and had already blown through most of the large cheese pie. A bottle of Chardonnay held only a few dregs left. The television droned the last credits of a weepy chick flick. Kate had lost the bet and Arilyn had won. Steel Daisies or something ridiculous like that. Robert snoozed contentedly in his doggy bed next to his bunny, still sated on the remains of the pizza crust Arilyn and Ken sneaked to him.
Kate had to give them credit; they'd left her alone most of the week and refused to pose questions regarding her night with Slade. She'd avoided telling her Kinnections crew in order to buy a bit more time to settle her emotions. She knew it cost Ken the most. Her friend actually had an eye twitch, bursting at the seams for all the details, so she'd finally broken down and invited them over for pizza night.
"Yes," Kate finally answered. "I want you to set him up with another woman."
Kennedy tapped her fuchsia nails against her lip and waited a few beats. "You did sleep with him, right?"
Kate gave up and gave in. "Yeah, I did."
Ken arched a brow. "Well? Details, please. All of it."
She sighed and briefly went over their encounter. Silence beat in the room for a while as her friends processed the information.
"God, Kate, you had a frickin' orgasm your first time?" Ken groaned. "You are so lucky. It took me forever to even discover why women liked sex in the first place."
Kate tilted her head. "No way. You didn't climax your first time?"
Ken snorted. "Not even close. Until I met bad boy Caleb Street. He was three years older and drove a motorcycle. I snuck out one night from my window and he took me for a ride." She gave a lusty sigh. "What a ride it was. After that I swore off nice men forever, they're too disappointing. How about you, Arilyn?"