“True, but, God, Kate, don’t think too much, either. Sex is both a physical and a mental thing.”
“Thanks, Paige.” Kate looked down at her watch. “I’ve got to go. I really appreciate all you said.”
“Go get ’em, tiger.”
* * *
“How did it go with St. James?”
Kate lowered the report she’d been reading, leaned forward, and wrinkled her nose at the paper cup Eric had placed in the center of her disordered desk.
“Doesn’t look like a Grande Mocha to me.”
“It isn’t any of that latte crap. It’s coffee, black, and you, my friend, look like you could use it.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Banner, are you telling me I look like hell?”
“Whoa,” he said, putting up his hands. He gave her an engaging grin. “Guess I’d better behave.”
“Guess so. I like my latte crap very much, so show some respect.” Kate glanced toward the door.
Eric’s eyes followed the path of hers. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“What question?” Kate asked, looking at the clock and then the door again.
“Expecting someone?”
Startled, she looked at him. “No. No one.”
“Then why are you so distracted?”
“No reason. Let me fill you in on the analyses I did earlier.” She hadn’t realized that she was waiting for Jericho to walk through the door. He’d said he’d see her. Anticipation curled in her stomach.
“You’re ducking the question.”
She gave him an annoyed look. “The last time I checked, you’re neither my nursemaid, nor my mommy.”
“This is interesting. You’ve always told me about your love life or lack thereof. Now you’re telling me to back the hell off.”
“Message received. Now to the analyses.”
“Must have been some night.” He waited a heartbeat. “Did you sleep with him?”
“You shouldn’t anger me, Banner.”
“Or worse yet, you didn’t.”
Kate stared hard at her friend, realizing that he knew her too well. “Eric! Focus. There’s really nothing to talk about.”
Eric regarded her, shaking his head. “I told you he was too much for you.”
Kate blurted, “He’s not too much for me and I’ll prove it.”
“How?” Eric challenged.
She knew he was baiting her, but she couldn’t help herself.Allher friends, including Jericho, thought she was Sister Kate, and she was so sick of it. “By doing something adventurous.”
“Adventurous? Not a word I would use to describe you.” He scoffed.