"Are you ready for lunch yet? We can order takeout and have it delivered here, if you want."
She shook her head. "We just had breakfast?"
I grinned. "The cook makes kickass pancakes, doesn't she?"
She nodded, but then it occurred to me that she hadn’t had any. In fact, she wasn’t eating much at all on this trip.
"I know a really great diner that has spectacular pancakes. Maybe we can go there for lunch when you're hungry again."
She smiled, and while she looked content, something was still off. She was normally outspoken and gregarious, and assertive when she needed to be. But since picking her up at her house yesterday, she'd been more subdued.
I reached for her, tugging her to me and pulling her onto my lap.
"What are you doing?" She laughed as she said it, so I knew it was okay.
"I'm having a hard time remembering the last time I kissed you."
She settled her arms around my neck. "That's not good."
"No, it isn't." I pressed my hand to the back of her neck and gently pulled her until our lips met. At first my kiss was soft, but then I turned up the heat. I wanted to kiss away whatever was weighing on her mind or her soul.
She pulled away. "There's that thing in your pants again."
I laughed. "He's the eternal optimist. One look at you, and he's hopeful that he'll be able to get close to you."
Max and I had an apartment in the club where one of us would stay during the club’s rehab the first few months after it opened. I'd considered bringing Kate there to stay instead of at my parents’ house, but it was cramped and the bed was only a double. Besides, it was important to me that she got to know my family and my family got to know her because I planned to bring her into the fold, finally.
But with an ever-expanding dick, maybe I could take her to the small apartment for a little afternoon delight.
“So what’s next?” she asked, getting off my lap. I guess that answered that question.
I gave Kate a tour of the city, but by four in the afternoon, she was looking tired.
"How about we get an early dinner at the Roarke?” I asked, thinking jet lag might be getting the best of her.
I had set a reservation for seven that evening, but I felt confident that I'd be able to negotiate a table this early in the evening. It was one of the perks of being a Clarke, and also being related to the sister of the CEO of the company.
"It's not too early?"
I shook my head. "No. We can have a nice dinner and then retire early. Or maybe we can watch a movie. Chances are good that Vivie has taken over the home theater and will be watching a rom-com. If you don't mind that, we can join her."
"That sounds perfect."
By arriving at the Rourke early, I was able to introduce her to Devin Roarke, my Aunt Bri’s brother. The restaurant was at the tip of a skyscraper with spectacular views of the city. Devin made sure we had a seat that allowed us to watch the sun setting.
After dinner, I brought Kate back to the house, and we chatted with my parents for a few minutes, but then Kate excused herself saying she had jet lag and wanted to rest.
I went up with her. Maybe now, I could find out why she was acting so differently.
"You don't have to be with me all the time, Sam. Go spend some time with your family." She pulled her tank top and short pajamas from her bag and went into the bathroom.
When she came out, I lay on the bed with her, pulling her body so that it was touching mine. I lay on my side, resting my head on my hand as I made gentle swirls over her belly with my other hand. She pressed her hand over mine like she didn't like it.
"There's something going on with you. Is there a reason you won't tell me what it is?" I asked.
She stared at me for a long moment, and I swore I could see a tug of war in her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but my phone pinged and interrupted her.
“Talk to me.” I ignored it.