* * *
The setting was perfect.
Dusk had fallen and there were fat candles on the wooden table outside, the flicker of the flames reflecting on the crystal glasses and shining silverware. The barbecue was open and there were covered platters of things that were obviously about to get cooked, but even now he could smell something delicious.
The trees surrounding the small courtyard and garden closed them off from the world and Connor realised that he was feeling oddly nervous.
Had been, ever since Kate had opened her front door.
It had been the first time he’d seen her hair loose since that day he’d brought Bella home with her injured foot. A long time ago now and so much had changed. He knew so much about Kate.
She knew so much about him.
Maybe they both knew more about each other than anybody else on earth did. The thought was scary.
Not only was Kate’s hair falling loose, she was also wearing a floaty sort of skirt that swirled around her legs when she moved. Connor had only ever seen her wearing fitted skirts at work or jeans at home. He’d never realised before how much more feminine it was to see the hints of leg that came and went between folds of soft fabric. So much… sexier. Her feet were covered in what looked like ballet shoes, but he could bet that underneath the pale leather, her toenails were bright red.
Good grief. He had to get a grip or he’d do something impulsive. Like reach for that silky, shining river of hair that was just begging to be stroked. Actually, what Connor really felt like doing was catching some of it and winding it around his hands until he’d trapped Kate’s head so that he could position it perfectly to kiss her. Long.
And hard.
He swallowed hard and looked around. ‘No Bella?’
‘No.’ Kate was fussing with the top of a wine bottle. ‘She’s gone home for the weekend to visit her family.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Would you like some wine or would you prefer a beer?’
‘Wine’s good. Here, give it to me.’ He reached for the bottle, but Kate stepped away slightly.
‘I can manage.’
Whoa… Connor slapped himself mentally. He should know how touchy Kate was about being given orders. Especially when it came to something she was perfectly capable of doing for herself. It wouldn’t occur to her to feed a man’s ego by pretending otherwise, would it?
And he liked that. Didn’t he? She was a strong, independent woman who was at least his equal in pretty much everything. Except… she still needed protecting, didn’t she? She was afraid of violence. Of letting people close.
Everything about this woman was confusing. Most confusing was the way he felt about her. Connor wasn’t quite sure why he’d accepted the invitation to come to dinner tonight but now that he was here, one thing was very clear.
He wanted Kate.
And… maybe she wanted him, too. Otherwise why would she have set this up? She must have known Bella wouldn’t be here and she’d obviously gone to a lot of effort to make things nice.
Nerves kicked in again. And when Connor felt something sharp attack his leg, he almost leapt out of his skin. He uttered a choice word he would never normally have chosen to say in front of a woman.
But Kate laughed. ‘Meet the kitten,’ she said.
The blasted animal was climbing purposefully up his jeans, the heavy denim no match for claws that felt like needles. Connor carefully peeled the tiny animal away from his leg. It was no bigger than his hand. He looked at the ball of grey fluff. And then he looked up at Kate.
‘Never would have picked you for a cat person,’ he said.
‘I’m not. Bella found it on the doorstep yesterday. I’m waiting for its owners to come and find it.’
‘Seems happy.’ He could feel the whole kitten vibrating with the rumble of its purr. ‘I think it might prefer to stay here.’
‘That’s what Bella thinks.’ Kate sighed. She handed Connor a glass of wine. ‘But I’ve never even considered having a pet.’
‘Why not?’
‘Oh… you know. The whole “fur child” thing, I guess.’ Kate met his gaze steadily. ‘I’m probably further along the “no kids” road than you are. It extends to pets as well.’
The calm surety of her words was almost disturbing. In Connor’s experience, all women wanted kids. They were happy with a relationship to start with but as soon as things started to get serious, he knew they were seeing wedding bells and babies. That was why those relationships never, ever lasted.
