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"Are you okay?"
"Yes, but I got a flat tire on my way and Slade insisted he come to get me even though I have Triple A. He says he doesn't trust them."
"I think it's sweet he's a bit overprotective."
Kate snorted. "Yeah. The only reason I'm letting him is he's been working late at the office this week and I haven't seen much of him. It will give us a quick opportunity to have a roadside drive-thru lunch."
"Romantic. Your appointment is here. I'll reschedule for you."
"No, I'll be able to get there in half an hour. I need you to do the initial intake for me. We've gone over it and you're ready. The papers are right on my desk, so complete the first two forms for me, and I can jump in for the rest."
Izzy's mouth dropped open. Kate never let anyone else interfere with her clients' first appointments. "I don't understand. Let me check with him--maybe he can wait till you get here."
"No, I have back-to-back appointments and I can't reschedule. It's critical, Izzy; I know you can do it. Just write down all of his answers. Make him feel comfortable. I'll get there as soon as I can."
Her heart pounded so hard the echo reached her ears. Her first shot at a client and it had to be Liam? Why was this happening to her? "Sure, no problem," she said with forced brightness. "I can handle it."
"Great--I knew you could! See you soon."
Izzy replaced the receiver, dropped her face in her hands, and groaned. How was she going to do this? The questions were intimate--and crucial to making the right match. But she didn't have the time to explain to Kate about their past relationship. She just had to be professional. She could handle this.
She headed to Kate's office to pick up his file, shuffled through the forms, and grabbed a few pens. Then walked into the conference room.
"Kate has been slightly delayed," she said calmly. "She would like me to start the intake process, and then when she gets here, she'll take over. Unless this isn't acceptable to you. If not, I'd be happy to reschedule the appointment."
He was lounging in the violet cushioned chair, ankles crossed, head back in a relaxed pose, reminding her of a graceful cat taking a break between hunts. The pleased look on his face told her he was quite happy with her statement. "Fascinating--I didn't know you did any of the matchups."
She threw her shoulders back. "This is my first. Again, if you'd rather wait for Kate--"
"No. I want to be your first."
The words hummed with meaning and crackling sexual tension. She clung to her professional demeanor tighter than a politician to fake promises and sat down in the opposite chair. Cursing her luck that she wore a decently short skirt today, she gave a quick tug, then propped the folder on her lap. Clicking the pen, she paused on the first question.
"Tell me one of the reasons you want to find love now."
"I need a little foreplay first."
The pen dropped from her fingers and rolled to the floor. "Excuse me?"
He tamped down a grin, retrieved her pen, and held it out to her. She snatched it back, trying to make sure their fingers couldn't touch. "Foreplay. I'm not comfortable getting right into serious questions without some warm-up conversation."
She wanted to scream with frustration, but she wanted to impress Kate. Damn him. He was having fun with this and didn't seem the least bit stressed about her asking him intimate questions. "Conversation? Fine. How was your day?"
"I gave out two speeding tickets, dealt with one minor traffic accident, and gave out four Breathalyzer tests. I had the night shift, so I'm a bit worse for wear."
Yeah, right. He looked fresh, other than his hair being a bit mussed up. It only made him look hotter. "Did they all pass?"
"Yes." A smirk rested on his lips. "I had to give one to a father who was throwing up on a neighbor's lawn. She called the police, suspecting him of drunk driving. Turned out his toddler had vomited in his minivan and he's a sympathetic vomiter."
"Oh no. Bet his wife is going to hear about that."
"He was desperately texting her through the whole mess."
Izzy laughed and relaxed a bit. "So your job has many potential pitfalls."
"Yes, but a small-town cop doesn't see much action. Which is good, don't get me wrong. But sometimes--"
He cut himself off. She waited. When he didn't say anything else, she gave in to her curiosity. "Sometimes what?"
He shrugged. "Sometimes I wonder if there's more out there for me." Suddenly, his pale-blue eyes glinted with a fierce determination. "Which is why I'm here right now. I'm ready for more. Does that answer your question?"
Shivers raced down her spine. He had the oddest ability to be relaxed one moment, then intense the next. She remembered the way he'd casually leaned against the wall that first night they met, then closed the distance with a purpose that made her belly drop.
Professional . . . professional . . . professional . . .
"Yes, thank you." She scribbled down his answer in the white space. "What type of hobbies or interests do you currently pursue?"
"I dance."
Her head shot up. "What?"
"I dance. I'm not a stripper, though. Kind of like Flashdance. But the pole gives me some issues."
The memory rose and exploded between them. God, had he remembered her every word? Caught between laughter and irritation, she shook her head and allowed a small smile. "Very funny."
"You never tried it again, did you?" he asked softly.
"Dancing? God, no. Didn't want to torture myself or others."
"Doubt a man alive could be tortured watching you dance for him."
Wicked heat licked through her body. Her nipples hardened through her lace bra, and her thighs clenched under her short skirt. Oh, this man was good. Ignoring his comment, she strove for a proper tone. "Sports? Gym? Hiking? Books? It's important to find the things you like to do and achieve a good balance with your partner."
"None of the above. Not too interested in any sports. I use the gym because I have to keep my body in shape for my job. I like to read but it's nothing I'd consider a true hobby." He paused as if trying to come up with something. "I like Star War
s."
Izzy froze. No way. Impossible. "What did you say?"
"You know the movies? Star Wars? Silly, but I'm kind of a junkie. Was obsessed when I was a kid, and with the new franchise, it just set me off again."
She stared at him, unable to speak.
"Umm, now that you're looking at me like I'm weird, I'd like to retract my statement."
"No, I'm sorry; it's just that I happen to really like Star Wars, too."
"You kidding me?"
"No. Because I'm a girl you don't think I can like it?"
He threw up his hands in defense. "No, you surprised me. Who's your favorite character?"
"Princess Leia. But Rey is kick-ass and comes in second. She's a tie with Yoda."
"Gotta love a woman in a gold lame bikini who can fight."
"Why are men so obsessed with that bikini?"
"It's epic. If you ever wore one, they'd need to resuscitate me."
Why did he have to make her want to laugh? It was the worst torture. She fought her grin desperately. "Who's your favorite?"
"Han Solo." Surprise must have shown on her face. "You didn't peg me for a Solo and Chewie guy?"
"Solo is a rebel. Smuggler, criminal, smart-ass. I would've pinned you for a Luke fan. He's more the hero. The rule follower. In a good way, of course."
"Han is more interesting to me. More layers. More . . . passion."
The air lit and charged. She shifted her weight, tore her gaze away, and tried desperately to focus on business. Matching him with someone else. "What do you do when you're not working? Or on weekends?"
"Play pool. Tinker at my house. I bought a fixer-upper and I like to work on small projects. I enjoy seeing my friends and family. My job has been my main priority. I take extra shifts to help some guys out. Our department got cut, so we never have enough manpower."
Yes, he'd always struck her as responsible. He served others and didn't bitch about it. His low-key style only emphasized his goodness, because he didn't brag or try to be someone he wasn't. He reminded her of Gen.
"Do you love your job?" The question wasn't on the forms, but it had popped out. He'd never know.
"Yes. I was meant to be a cop; it's part of who I am. Last year, Stone and I closed down a dogfighting ring. That's where he got Pinky from--she was pretty battered up for a while. We also succeeded with a big drug bust that was crippling this town. So, yes, my work gives me satisfaction that I'm doing my part."
