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"I didn't appreciate the way you ended the evening," she finally stated. Her voice held the prim tone of a purebred snob. "Your comment was quite crude."
He shook his head. "Funny, I didn't appreciate you showing up high, getting my bosses' wives drunk, and the endless stream of lies you spun at the table."
Her head jerked around. Those baby blues filled with hot anger and something else. Something he swore he'd push toward the edge to see what would finally escape. "I told you I wasn't high. And that's what you get for being a bully. Besides, I did everything you wanted. I played your respectable accountant, the doting lover, and got them to relax in the process. Too bad for you if you thought I'd be boring to boot."
"I asked you to pretend for a few hours, not live the role so my boss will be wondering where your Park Avenue office is, and Melody won't show up for court because your nonexistent father is dropping the charges."
Kate sniffed. "I was only doing what you ordered. No more, no less. Our agreement is now terminated, with your clauses fulfilled, and I don't want to hear any further threats concerning lawsuits."
He shot a glance at her. She seemed in control, but her fingers twisted in her lap like a gnarled tree branch. "Agreed. You technically held up your part of the bargain. So, how long have you and Robert been together?"
She stiffened. "A few years."
"Does he live with you?"
"I'm your matchmaker and you have no need to know about my personal life."
"Just curious. You seem worried about him being alone a lot. Does he keep you on a short leash?"
"No, I keep him on one."
"Maybe that's your problem. I wouldn't make that mistake."
She spluttered and turned a shocked gaze toward him. "You're outrageous. I wouldn't let any man control my actions, especially you. Wait a minute: you never said in our session you wanted a woman you can lead around. Have you changed your requirements? If so, I need to make some adjustments in your matches."
Ah, crap, he was officially nuts about her. The stubborn way she clung to business though her body showed all the signs of fighting her physical attraction made her even more desirable. She hunched into that fur jacket as if she could hide her hardened nipples. Instead, her rapid pulse and the way she squeezed her thighs together in punishment told him all he needed to know. "Let's just say I'd change the rules for you. You wouldn't appreciate a man to walk all over. He'd need to be strong enough to stand up to you."
He waited for her mouthy comeback, but her obvious surprise told him his words intrigued her. Would she be greedy and demanding and vocal in bed? Or would she melt into his arms and be sweetly submissive to every dark, dirty command he wanted to give her?
"W-w-w-well, we don't have to worry about that, do we? You'll reschedule your date with Hannah and give it a valid chance. No disguised business dinners. Why are we going on the bridge?"
"I'm taking you home."
"No! My car is parked at your house and I need it."
He merged onto the Tappan Zee Bridge and sped through the dark on a mission. "You've been drinking. I don't know what type of man you pegged me for, but I don't let a woman drive herself this late when she's tipsy. I'll arrange to get your car to you first thing tomorrow."
Her mouth opened, then shut. "This is out of your way. You don't know where I live."
"Of course I do. Close to Kinnections in Verily."
She bristled with indignation. "Stop nosing around in my life, counselor. You shouldn't know these things."
He dropped his voice. "I disagree. And I intend to know a hell of a lot more by the end of the evening."
She shuddered, wrapped her arms around her chest, and turned toward the window. Slade fought a smile.
They drove to her house in sulky silence. He'd done his research, and had no problem navigating the twisty streets of Verily, until he came to the edge of town close to the water. The small bungalow seemed to fit her. Even in the darkness, her home owned a slight quirkiness and strength he associated with her, with its crooked roof, cheerful yellow paint, and postage-stamp yard with a big weeping willow dominating the front.
He didn't spot another car in the driveway as he eased to the curb, but the porch and living room lights were on. "Here we go. Safe and sound."
She shot out of the car like a bullet, spilling onto the sidewalk in a tangle of limbs. "Thanks for the ride, talk tomorrow." She hurried up the front walk without a glance back.
Slade grinned. Shut the door, locked the car, and strode leisurely up the brick pathway.
She jerked her head around. "What are you doing?"
"Seeing you to the door. Can I use the bathroom, please?"
She narrowed her gaze. He wondered what those ocean-blue eyes would look like during orgasm. "There's a gas station around the corner."
He lifted a brow. "You're telling me I'm not allowed to come into your house to use the bathroom after driving you home? I'm also thirsty."
"They sell bottled water."
"Kate." Her name shot from his lips like a caress, though he intended it to sound like a warning. "Don't make me beg."
Her fingers clutched around the key and a vicious curse sailed past his ears. "Fine. Bathroom, water, and then you need to leave. I'm exhausted."
"Thank you."
She pushed the door open and he walked inside.
Slade prepared to meet an irritated man with a bad temper and a thousand questions.
His adrenaline spiked, ready for a confrontation. Ready for some solid answers on the woman who was beginning to wreak havoc with his sanity. But no one greeted them. At least, no one human.
He caught sight of a blur of fur barreling forward and a joyous bark. Kate dropped to her knees, lifted out her hands, and caught the creature within her embrace. She nuzzled his ears, cooed in doggy sounds, and finally laid her forehead against the dog's as if they shared a secret, silent mental code.
Robert.
Son of a bitch.
The initial anger quickly gave way to relief. There was no one else waiting on the sidelines for her. The final obstacle melted away and left him with one conclusion that would not be denied.
Slade intended to claim her.
He studied the canine-human embrace and noticed Robert's back legs were lifeless. His launch toward his owner was completed on his belly, and his rear sagged to the ground. Half pit bull, half some weird mix. Brown, spotted, with a broken ear, homely face, and an assortment of wicked scars, including a bald patch of fur right on his chest. The exposed skin still looked raw, though he bet it had healed as well as possible. Cage fight? Car? Dog battle? The possibilities were endless.
He always had an inclination toward dogs but never had the time to pursue the interest. This one had to be a hell of a lot of work, especially for a single business owner. He pegged her for a classic, low-maintenance Lab to go running with and not a dog so obviously needy.
A strange emotion tightened his chest as he watched the raw love on her face. She was always so guarded around him. He ached to be the man who she looked at like that. Now where the hell did that thought come from?
"I'm sorry, baby," she whispered into his ear. "Are you going to be able to pee? Or am I too late? Mommy did a bad thing and stayed way too long. I should've had Shelly check in on you." With gentle, expert motions, she ran her hands down his flank, belly, and probed his bladder. "We have a shot, so let's try. Wanna go out?"
Robert barked once.
"Okay, here we go." She took out a contraption that looked like a cart, and quickly attached the straps to his body. Robert waited with dignity, staring up at him with the assessing gaze Slade had expected her live-in boyfriend to exude.
