"You'll need to fill out paperwork and pay the fee."
He raised a brow. "Of course, Miss Seymour. I didn't expect anything less."
"Kate." Her name spilled reluctantly from her sulky lips. "My name is Kate."
It suited her. Strong, classy, and full of punch. Simplicity on the outside and complexity on the inside. He reined in the poetic thought, half humiliated at his ridiculousness, and cleared his throat. "Slade. I'll be looking forward to working with you."
She fumbled with the stack of papers and shoved them into an envelope. Wrote a few things down on her pad. Then handed it to him. "Fill these out and get them back by the end of the week. I'll need to schedule you a session for a one-on-one with me by next week."
"How much is the initial fee?"
"One thousand dollars. All fees are clearly stated in the contract." Her tone came out slightly mocking. "I'm sure you'll study the clauses carefully and inform me if there's a problem."
He took the envelope and wondered briefly why she didn't want to shake his hand. Then shook off the thought. Whatever. He needed to get out of here.
"I'll be in touch. Good-bye, Kate."
The roll of her name on his tongue was sweet and spicy hot. He hurried out the door without a glance back and wondered if he'd just made the biggest mistake of his life.
KATE UNCLENCHED HER FINGERS and let out a breath. The aftereffects of all that male energy still swarmed around her. What had she agreed to? The man was completely critical of the process, ornery, and had the potential for lethal charm known to good lawyers. She couldn't believe that Jane came from the same pool of genes, though her brother's protective instincts toward family gave him extra points.
"Now that one is gonna be a challenge." The husky purr drifted toward her ears. Her close friend and co-owner of Kinnections, Kennedy Ashe, strolled on her four-inch heels without a wobble, her smart pink plaid business suit screaming elegant perfection. She tapped a matching pink nail against bow-curved lips, her eyes dancing with humor. "The fun I can have with him. You did good, Kate. I sensed the violence within, but you never broke. Arilyn would be so proud. Are those meditation techniques to control your temper working?"
Kate grabbed her bottle and began to fill it from the cooler. "Funny. Don't mention I never watched the DVD; you'll hurt her feelings. My instincts screamed for me to turn him down, but I don't want to risk a lawsuit."
"Smart. We just broke a hefty profit, so let's not screw it up. And the man is a drool-worthy specimen. Our female clients will be clamoring to secure an introduction."
She pressed the button and watched the icy stream trickle into the jug. "I know. We're right on target, it takes about three years for a business to solidify and begin making money. Of course, all the PR and ten weddings helped. Those are solid percentages in this industry."
"Maybe Bravo will finally give us a show instead of The Millionaire Matchmaker?"
Kate laughed. "No, thanks. All I need is the world focused on why the owner and head matchmaker can't seem to keep a relationship. Hell, I can't even get to date three. It's the curse."
Kennedy rolled her eyes and examined her cuticles. Her rich dark hair sparkled with subtle caramel highlights. "This drama again? Your family's not cursed. Your mom was happily married until your dad passed, and she never lacks for a date. You're just stubborn."
"I'm past sad and diving into pathetic. My last date was a nightmare. I set him up with the busboy and now they're happy."
"You did it again? Girlfriend, what is it with you and restaurants? You drove Paul into the waitress's arms last week."
Kate guzzled the water and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I have no choice. When she handed me the menu, I got the sizzle thing and saw how they looked at each other. They were perfect together. I needed to be the bigger woman."
"He was a gorgeous doctor who wanted to settle down. Next time, be selfish. Setting them up for a late-night drink was creepy, Kate. And you didn't even charge him!"
Gloominess hovered. "I know. Sorry. Anyway, I made a decision. No more dating. I'm done."
Her friend tapped her foot against the polished floor. "Don't be ridiculous, we'll go bankrupt if our poster child is the crazy cat lady. Or dog lady, in this case. Maybe you can start wearing gloves. That'll stop your impulses."
"And look like an OCD germaphobe? No thanks. Madonna and Michael Jackson are the only ones who sported that look, and I have no wish to morph back to the eighties."
Kennedy shuddered. "Yeah, you're right. The fashion was a complete crime against humanity. And the hair."
On cue, the bell chimed again and the third member of their crew floated in. Arilyn Meadow was the symbol of a walking fashion disaster Kennedy worked hard to transform. Unfortunately, their friend was quite happy and centered living in organic cotton, yoga pants, and animal-free dyes, which excluded most makeup. "Hi, guys. What are you talking about?"
Kennedy gave her a pointed look. "What not to wear."
Arilyn laughed. The delicate sound matched her soothing voice, perfect for her counseling career with their clients. She was a flower child stuck in today's society, but still managed to turn heads with her hip-length strawberry blond hair and soulful green eyes.
Kate looked at her friends and down at her usual outfit. Black pants, black tee, jacket, and boots. It was easy, professional, and comfortable. One clotheshorse was enough in the group, and Kennedy pounced on any designer items she could snatch up for a deal.
Odd, the three of them were so different, yet the moment they all connected in college, it was as if they were meant to be together always. Like a family. Completely dysfunctional. In a good way.
Kate spent most of her life running from her family gift/curse and trying various jobs that never worked out. Something always seemed unsettling, as if she wasn't meant to be there, so it was easy to move on to the next project. But when her friends grouped all their skills and backgrounds together, the idea of a matchmaking service in their town took root and flowered. Plenty of nasty thorns and weeds along the way, of course. But Kate could honestly say they had found their foundation and Kinnections was growing fast.
Kennedy used her talents as the main social events coordinator. She ran all the events and functions within the company, handled makeovers, and was in charge of all marketing. Arilyn used her degree in counseling to carve out a niche as relationship advisor, meeting with all the clients to deepen their experiences and counsel them on a variety of issues holding them back from love.
Good thing she had the touch, or she'd probably end up being the weak link in the group. Of course, she preferred to complete a match based on a variety of their services rather than a random shock along the way. Other than her partners and family, no one knew about her secret, and she intended to keep it that way. The moment news of a witchlike skill went public, they'd be stalked by the press and discredited in their own town.
She shook off her thoughts and leaned her hip against the desk. "What's on the agenda for today?"
Kennedy ticked off the items on her mental list. "I have makeover screenings with two of our clients. Need to meet with the Purple Haze bar about our next cocktail party. Then I'm jumping out early for my date."
Kate raised a brow. "Anyone good?"
"We shall see."
"Did you find him through Kinnections?"
"Nope. I did this on my own and damn proud of it."
Arilyn sighed. "First dates are so rich with hope and intention."
Kate snorted. "And awkwardness, drama, and disappointment."
"Remember the code. Never use negative energy when speaking about dating. It could leak back into our company."
Kate would have liked to laugh off her friend's comments but learned early that Arilyn's sense of positive vibes was key for success. Maybe they were all witches after all. "Sorry. What do you have going on?"
Arilyn stretched her long arms out and flexed her fingers. "Counseling Gary on his social fears. Then I need to w
ork on some of the computer programs and update our client base. Some of our clients made connections with profiles they found interesting and want a phone call arranged."
It always amazed her that Arilyn had the brain of a geek god when it came to computers, tucked neatly behind her holistic image. It was a lethal combination that drove Kinnections to compete with some of the high-profile match agencies.
"Sounds good. I have a light load also, so maybe I'll catch up on the endless paperwork and get out of here on time tonight."
They floated to their respective offices. Kate tried to concentrate on paperwork and not think about Slade Montgomery. Instinct urged her to take the chance on a lawsuit because the man radiated danger. But she'd never been a coward, and she wasn't about to start now.
No problem.
She'd handle him.
three
KATE WATCHED HER new client shrug off his jacket and take a seat in the chic plum chair. He glanced around the room, taking note of the clean lines and soothing decor. Arilyn had taken control with decorating Kinnections, choosing to pair tones that enhanced the heart chakra and encouraged openness and connection. The layout consisted of bold purple and violets, pewter and silver accents, and luxurious fabrics and textures. The counseling room boasted both chairs and sofas, with plump slate-colored pillows, bamboo plants, and a calming water fountain with flat rocks lining the base. The desk was small and tucked in the corner of the square room. Today was about bonding with the client, learning likes and dislikes, and formulating a dating plan.
She couldn't believe he'd actually shown up. A deep suspicion gnawed at her bones, which was going to make working together difficult. A sense of belief and vulnerability were needed in order for her to figure out what he really wanted and guide him in the right direction. Instead, two emotions warred for dominance. Distrust.
And lust.
She pitied his clients. The man was all muscle and towering length, easily topping six four with massive shoulders, and a tight chest clearly shown through his white dress shirt. He didn't just walk, he prowled. His tawny locks were a mass of thick messy waves her fingers itched to touch, and those jungle-green eyes pinned a woman to the wall and did bad things to her. The gold frames of his glasses only accented his gaze. Probing, heating, diving deep without apology or politeness. He'd be deadly in a courtroom, mesmerizing the jurors and dominating the judge. Finding women wasn't part of his problem. Neither was getting them in bed. She'd bet once dawn broke over the horizon, he was long gone and there was little morning playtime.
Somehow, he reminded her of Matthew McConaughey from one of her guilty-pleasure movies, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. His long face and craggy features were cut to inspire women to rip off their clothes, and his strong presence lit up a room. But he had an arrogance that cloaked him, as if he were above love and emotion and messiness. Above the poor humans he shared the pavement with.
That was the part that pissed her off.
Kate swore to break through that armor by the time she found him love. Then he'd be ready.
"That look is scaring the hell out of me."
He crossed one ankle comfortably over his knee. His leather Italian loafers and cashmere socks told her he enjoyed his money and wore it well. The tight design of his navy blue suit screamed Calvin Klein. His tie was conservative pinstripe for his occupation, but her instinct screamed that there was an untamed wildness in his core desperate to come out. She scratched a note on her pad for a reminder when she was looking for a good match. "What look?"
He cocked his head and his lip quirked. She fought to keep her gaze from studying the sensual curve of his mouth and the fullness of his lower lip. "Like you're about to dive into a project and get dirty."
The word dirty buzzed in her ears and stroked between her legs. Mother of God, was she wet? She clenched her thighs and thought of war-strewn countries. Hungry children. Puppies trapped in animal shelters. Much better. Kate decided there was only one way to move forward without losing her mind. Show him who was boss.
She frowned and spoke in her prim, no-nonsense tone. "Let's go over the basic rules first, shall we? You must be honest with me regarding all my questions. I'm here to help you and match up the woman best suited to your needs. You waste both of our time by misleading me. There is no embarrassment or judgment. I've heard many requests and have never gotten flustered, no matter what my client tells me."
"Never?"
She tapped the gold-embossed pen against her pad. "Never."
"Interesting."
Kate ignored his murmur and forged on. "There's a certain level of trust and respect we need to work together. If you feel that I'm not properly listening to your wishes, we'll discuss the matter openly. Communication is key. I may also ask you to do things outside your comfort zone. Again, we'll talk about your reservations, but I may ask you to try something you'd normally not be comfortable with. Sometimes, people get stuck in a certain way of socializing, and pushing past those boundaries ends up being a breakthrough. This is an organic process to satisfy the different needs of your life along with your heart."
Kate uncapped her water bottle and took a sip. So far, so good. He scratched his head in serious thought and seemed to be considering her words carefully. "Have you ever slept with one of your clients?"
The water got stuck in her throat and went down the wrong pipe. She choked on the bubble and fought for breath. He sat patiently through her coughing fit, grabbed a tissue from the box on the table, and handed it to her. She pressed it to her streaming eyes. "Why would you ask me such a question?"
His shoulders lifted. "Well, you're digging into my life. I figured if we're going to trust one another, I should know something about you. Makes sense. You're a type of counselor, and tight bonds form. Just wanted to know."
"I don't sleep with my clients. Ever."
"Is that a company policy or your own personal code?"
Kate stomped down on her growing annoyance. He was like a predator, circling his prey and planning out the best route to block any escape. "Both. Once I sign you as a client, there's a layer of trust that can't be broken. I wouldn't be able to give you what you need if I had personal intentions. And of course, if it didn't work between us, Kinnections could be at stake. We won't risk it."
"Pity."
She shifted her weight and studied him. Oh yeah, he knew exactly what he was doing. Throwing her off. Making her uncomfortable. Bringing sex into the picture so he could neatly take the reins and guide the conversation the way he wished. A gleeful cackle rose in her chest, but she managed to squash it in time. He had no idea how good she was at her job. "I see you don't have the same code with your own clients."
"Pardon?"
Kate pretended surprise. "Your clients. You are a divorce lawyer, and I'm sure you're well versed in the bonding that goes on when counseling a brokenhearted, angry woman. Do you contain it to just sleeping with her, or have you ever instituted a longer-term relationship?"
He jerked in his seat. "I'd never sleep with a client."
"Oh. Is that a company policy or your own personal code?"
His gaze narrowed at her sweetly posed question. "Nice volley."
"Thank you. Now, instead of trading barbs for the rest of the hour, let's go over some of the basics of what you need." She scanned the stack of papers, though she'd already memorized most of his answers. "Intelligence is key. A woman who can hold her own with conversation. Someone formally educated. Master's or bachelor's degree?"
"Master's preferred."
She checked off the box. "Business background, or are you open to the creative professions?"
He winced. "God, no artists or writers. Well, literary writers would be acceptable. No fiction. Especially not those romance novels."
Another check. "Family background also seems important to you. Let's discuss a bit more. Are you looking for a woman whose parents are still together? Or are you looking to avoid alcoholism, drug abuse, or disease within the family g
enes?"
He shifted his weight. The arrogant cloud misted away, and she caught the first signs of discomfort. "I'm up for partner at my law firm. I'd like a woman who has no skeletons in her closet or family members who could pose a problem. We'll be attending formal business dinners, functions, and most of the partners are conservative."
"Understood." She scrawled her pen over the page. "Personality is the other aspect that's quite important. Do you enjoy a woman who's funny? Shy? Assertive? Colorful? Tell me a bit about your past affairs or relationships."
"I prefer a woman who is conservative in public. Loyalty is key. I dislike flirty women who crave attention. I want her to be strong within herself, but follow my lead when I need it."
"When do you need it?"
"Excuse me?"
Kate looked up from her papers. "When do you need her to follow? Around your business partners? Your family? In public? Or in the bedroom?"
The air charged around her, but she ignored it. Talking about personal preferences in sex was a ticking bomb, but experience had taught her a few lessons. The more businesslike and unshocked she was, her clients ended up relaxing into the topic and usually confessed their innermost wants. "You want to know how I like my sex?"
"Yes, I do. Sex is one of the most important aspects in a relationship. If you want shy and virginal, tell me. If you like BDSM and enjoy tying your partners up, it's a good item for me to note, because I won't set you up with a woman who may go screaming for the door. I make no judgments or opinions. Just tell me what you want."
Why was her heart pounding so loudly? Her throat constricted, and her muscles tightened anticipating his response. Wow, she'd been physically attracted to some of her clients but had never experienced such a primitive pull straight from her gut. She kept her gaze averted so he wouldn't catch her female weakness and exploit it.
His laugh exploded through the room. The dark, husky tones stroked her like fingers plunging between her thighs and urging her to explode. Kate concentrated on breathing slowly and went back to the puppies in the shelter. "You want to talk about sex, huh? Okay. Let's talk about sex." She pretended to be busy scribbling so she wouldn't have to look up. "I enjoy pleasure. I enjoy sex. I prefer a woman who asks me for what she wants so I can give it to her exactly the way she likes it, because one of the sweetest sounds in life is a woman screaming my name." His voice lowered, whisper soft and wicked hot. "I'm not into BDSM, but I've used blindfolds, scarves, and toys in pursuit of the ultimate experience. I don't like to be tied up but prefer to do the tying. And I don't need a woman on her knees unless she wants to be there. Does that help answer your question?"