Searching for Someday (10 page)

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.”