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"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."
