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He glanced up and caught her gaze, his brown eyes sparking with interest as the waitress arrived. Thankful for the distraction, Kendra ordered a decaf mocha latte. When Kevin asked for a cup of regular, her first thought was, Colton would’ve ordered hazelnut.
She wanted to groan in frustration. This was supposed to help take her mind off him, not have everything remind her of him. She kept her gaze averted from Kevin after the waitress left, not wanting to give the wrong impression after he’d caught her staring. He remained polite, businesslike even, and they began to discuss her options.
Halfway through the meeting, a flash of lightning made the lights flicker. The deafening rumble of thunder that followed shook the building under her feet, vibrating deep in her chest. Static electricity hummed in the air.
She looked out the window, watching the pedestrians open their umbrellas and scurry on their way. Moments later, rain began to lash against the glass, obscuring the view as water ran down in random rivulets. She attempted to peer through the deluge and hoped it didn’t last long or she’d never get a cab. Short cab ride equaled a long walk in this weather, even with an umbrella.
Kevin insisted on paying the bill when they finished, then offered her a ride home. She automatically declined. “Thanks, but you’ve got another meeting.”
“Don’t worry about it—I’m headed your way anyway,” he cajoled with a smile.
Kendra hesitated. A forked lightning strike and immediate clash of thunder convinced her to accept with a grateful smile. Outside, Kevin helped her into his Mercedes and shut the door against the rain before dashing around to the driver’s side. After giving her address, Kendra concentrated on the rhythmic swipe of the windshield wipers as he drove.
His easy conversation put her at ease by the time they reached her building, and she was glad she’d taken the ride. He was as nice as Michael Kabara—further proved when he came around to open the passenger door and escorted her into the lobby. Absently wondering where the doorman was, she faced him with a polite smile. “I hope you’re not late now?”
He glanced at his watch. “No big deal.”
“Well, I appreciate the ride.” She stepped back, but he stayed her with a hand on her arm.
“Wait, please. I was hoping, since our business is all but concluded, may I take you to dinner sometime?”
Light strobed through the lobby windows as Kendra’s smile slipped. A dull ache in her chest intensified and she pulled free. Another time, maybe. Like three months ago… “I—”
“No.”
Colton’s adamant refusal echoed behind her. She whirled around with a gasp as a crash of thunder helped to jump-start her heart again.
God, he looked good.
And wet.
Water darkened hair hung over his furrowed forehead and drops of moisture clung to his spiked lashes and his face. Her stunned gaze swept down, taking in a green shirt molded to broad shoulders, and damp jeans clinging to muscled thighs. Instant longing seized her heart and jettisoned her gaze back to his ominous expression.
Hold on…why was he angry?
Tension crackled in the air with the same intensity as the lightning outside, and she felt Kevin Serling stiffen behind her. “And who the hell are you?” the lawyer asked.
Surprised he’d challenged Colton, who towered over him by a good four inches, Kendra laid a hand on Kevin’s arm. When Colton stepped closer, she wondered if maybe a hand on each of their chests wouldn’t be better.
“I’m her husband,” Colton growled. “Who the hell are you?”
Kevin was familiar with the situation from a legal standpoint and didn’t back down an inch. “Kendra?”
She met Colton’s glare with a warning glance before turning to Kevin. She nodded. “It’s okay. Thanks again for the ride.”
He held her gaze for a long moment before turning away. Once he was out the door, she took a fortifying breath in preparation to face Colton. He caught her arm and swung her around. “Who the hell was that?”
Her anger rose to match his. What gave him the right to storm back into her life like a possessive conqueror? Lifting her chin, she snapped, “None of your business.”
“Don’t start that crap with me again,” he warned. “Last time I checked, we’re still married.”
“Last time I checked, you walked away and never looked back.” She jerked her arm free. “What are you doing here anyway?” A sudden thought occurred to her and she scanned the lobby. “Where’s Noah?”
Colton raked his hair back. “Your doorman didn’t want him to catch a chill, so he took him upstairs for some dry clothes while I parked the truck.”
That explained why Lee hadn’t been at the door. Without realizing it, she looked Colton over again. The wet shirt mapping the contours of his chest sparked a memory of the night they’d made love. The recollection of his hard naked body against hers sent a tidal wave of heat crashing through her.
