He bit into a mini crab cake with homemade aioli and groaned. “Best crab cake ever.”
“Are you listening?”
“Yep. The more I think about it, I feel like the Bachelor. I don’t have to break up with any of them at the end of the night, do I?”
“Funny. Can you please take this seriously? These women have taken their precious time to meet you.”
“Sorry.”
“Now, you’ll meet Hannah, Emma, Sarah, and Ann. Each of them have the look you seem to require, steady jobs, and all the qualities you seem to admire. Are you ready for the introductions?”
“Can I have another piece of bruschetta?”
“No.”
He wiped his mouth with the napkin. “Fine. I’m ready.”
She pasted on a brilliant, confident smile. “Then let’s go, shall we?” He reached out his hand in politeness, but she pretended to miss the gesture and marched in front of him. No touching tonight. That had disaster written all over it.
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?”