She made the introductions and fell smoothly into her role. The women all seemed to have a special quality she believed Slade was looking for, but it was Hannah whom she felt the most strongly about. With her dark good looks, curvy body, and sweet personality, she had the whole package. Her career as an accountant brought a seriousness Slade would respect. Her father was a well-known family court judge, and her mother an elementary school teacher. Satisfaction coursed through her at the immediate ease of conversation as they talked law and business. Kate retreated to the bar to keep an eye on the scene and give them the privacy needed.
She nibbled on cocktail shrimp and watched Slade work the room. She imagined his presence in court brought him a huge asset. It wasn't just the breadth of his shoulders stretched under his shirt or the grace with which he prowled from woman to woman. It wasn't even his piercing gaze or charming smile. No, his aura pulsed with sexual energy and a physical awareness to which no female was immune.
Including her.
Kate slid onto the red bar stool and grabbed a glass of Merlot. Whatever. She'd be more worried if she didn't lust after Slade Montgomery. At least her hormones were alive and kicking. She just needed to redirect them.
"And who is that gorgeous man you're panting over?"
The teasing question snapped her head. Genevieve bumped her shoulder and slid onto the stool beside her. She looked beautifully tousled in her jeans, peach sweater, and loose topknot. Kate laughed and gave her a quick hug. "You made it! I thought you were working an extra shift?"
Gen wrinkled her nose. "No, thank God. I have to pull an all-nighter tomorrow so I figured I'd grab some time to see you guys. Though I should probably be sleeping, as David says."
"Can you tempt him with sex in the on-call room like in Grey's?" she whispered.
"Nah, I use the on-call room to sleep. Usually because I'm dirty, smelly, and exhausted. Sex doesn't tempt me."
"Bummer."
"So, who's the hot guy?"
Kate slid her gaze back to his perfectly formed ass. She cleared her throat. "My new client. Slade Montgomery."
"Why the hell does he need Kinnections?"
"See, that's why I didn't hire you: you suck at PR. Because he doesn't have time to sort through the reams of women looking to date him."
"He's definitely into the tall brunette. How do some women get the tall gene and I get the Hobbit one?"
Kate gave her a playful shove. "You're not a Hobbit, you maniac. You're petite and gorgeous. I'd find your mate if you hadn't already."
Gen pulled her brows in a slight frown. "I'm not ready to get married, I'm still in residency. We're just experimenting."
"Right. He's perfect for you. Your father and Alexa are mad about him, and you know they never approve of anyone."
"Yeah. I guess."
Her lackluster response made Kate pause. "You are crazy about him, aren't you, Gen?"
"Hell, yes. He's got the whole package and things are going great. I just don't want to jinx it."
Kate relaxed. "I understand. Is your sidekick coming out tonight?"
"No. Wolfe said he was buried in details for the new opening of Purity. It's coming up in a few months and he's working around the clock."
Wolfe and Gen had met at NYU and clicked immediately; he was now a close family friend who ran a five-star hotel in the city. He also frequented Gen's many family get-togethers.
"No wonder you guys are a pair. Ambitious workaholics unite."
"I don't see you painting the town red either."
She ignored her friend's astute observation and decided not to listen to any more cracks about her love life. Or lack of it. Slade disengaged himself from Hannah's side and headed toward the bar. His gaze burned with purpose and focus.
Her panties dampened.
Damn him.
Gen let out a low whistle. "Umm, I'm heading toward the bar to look for Ken. Good luck."
Her friend disappeared. Slade closed the distance.
Kate wet her dry lips and looked up. "How's it going? I didn't want to interfere when it looked like you had things under control."
He studied her face, focusing on her newly wet lips. Like he was ready to dip his head and kiss the moisture from her mouth. Focus, Kate, focus. "I'm fine. Did I mingle enough yet?"
She raised a brow. "You're done? If you don't need any more time to pick your date, that's fine. Who did you connect with?"
"No one."
"Huh?"
"I mean, they're all very nice. Attractive. Funny. I'm quite impressed with your picks."
She cocked her head. "But you didn't connect with anyone. Do you want me to hold another mixer and give you some other choices?"
"Nah. They're good."
Irritation itched at her skin. Kate clamped down on her emotions and reminded herself he was just another difficult client. No big deal. "Okay. So who would you like to pick for your date?"
He reached around her and scooped up a glass of Merlot. "You pick."
A strange roaring echoed in her ears. "What did you just say? You want me to pick your date?"
Those massive shoulders lifted. He seemed more interested in the wine, food, and hanging with her. "Sure. You're the professional. You know what I'm looking for and probably already sense who's the best for me. Who would you pick?"
"Hannah Easton," she said quickly. "Did you have any chemistry?"
"Sure. She's smoking. And nice. Great choice--set it up." He glanced at the empty table. "Damn, I was hoping for more of those crab cakes. Think we can get some from the chef?"
Kate clenched her fingers and breathed deeply. She suddenly felt like a cheap broker rather than a tastefully skilled matchmaker. What was really going on here? "Are you really committing yourself to this process? You don't seem enthusiastic. You need to be--"
"Open. I know. I am." He shifted his gaze, studying her with an intensity that peeled away her lying exterior and exposed her bodily truth. The masculine scents of tobacco, spice, and a hint of grapefruit hit her nostrils and affected her like she'd dropped into a Godiva factory. What was he wearing? Reminded her of the bonding scent vampires threw off when they met their soul mates in her fave series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. Kate locked her knees to keep from leaning forward and taking a big whiff. And biting his neck. "You seem ready to yank my membership at any misstep." Amusement laced his tone and softened the brackets around his mouth. "Do most men you set up easily fall for the first woman they meet?"
She stiffened her spine. "No. But I don't trust you."
He leaned in another inch. "I'm a divorce lawyer and a man who's attracted to you. You'd be crazy to trust me."
His outrageous honesty and droll humor stole her smart-ass answer. "Fine. I'll set up your date with Hannah. Kinnections pays for it, but you need to check with me. No private charter planes or trips to Vegas. Keep it simple and elegant. Dinner, drinks, dancing, intimate atmospheres to get to know one another."
"Yes, coach. Do you get rid of them now or do I have to?"
She smothered a laugh. "I will. Let's go tell the lucky lady, and I'll take care of the rest."
Kate tried to slide off the stool, but her boot heel got hooked in the ring. Slade reached out automatically to help, and his hand imprint burned into her upper arm, searing right through the thin silk material of her blouse and scorching skin.
Her body exploded in a riot of messiness. The sting of energy made her push him away in a frantic attempt to make him let go. The stool teetered, and she crashed to the floor.
"What the hell was that?" His shocked look as he stared at her in a crumple of limbs bought her a few precious seconds. He made another attempt to help her up, but she scooted back on the floor with her hands in front of her. "D-d-d-don't touch me. I-I-I'm wearing f-f-fur."
His brows slammed together over a blue storm cloud. "What type of fur do you own? It's more like eel skin that gives off electrical currents. For God's sake, let me help you up."
Kate got to her k
nees and scrambled to her feet. Like her legs, her tongue twisted in her mouth, and her past limitations roared before her and sped up her heart. "Th-th-thank you, but I'm fine. I'm s-s-sorry."
He tilted his head and studied her face as if she were an alien experiment meant to save the earth. Kate closed her eyes and pictured a blank white screen. Peace. Harmony. She breathed, concentrating on relaxing her muscles and her lips, going back to the safe place she had created to trust herself and allow herself to speak again. When she reopened her eyes, her pulse had steadied. Slow, with a tinge of music to keep the sounds flowing. "I apologize for that. I must stop wearing these boots before I hurt someone." She forced a light laugh. "Now, let's put that embarrassing scene behind us and say good-bye to our guests."
"Not yet."
She froze. He eased over and blocked her path with one smooth motion. Jammed his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. His magnifying presence kept her still, unable to do anything else but wait. He lowered his voice to an intimate pitch.
"Same thing happened when we kissed. What's going on?"