Ah, crap.

Hannah offered to pay part of the bill, which he quickly squashed. As they walked out of the restaurant, he took her elbow to guide her over the slick sidewalks. Not even a slight tingle of awareness between them. He distantly appreciated every quality she could bring into a relationship, but knew he wasn’t the man for her. Should he tell her now? Wait to break the news to Kate? He hated this part. No wonder he despised dating.

He stopped at her car. She tilted her head, staring up at him with an eager anticipation in her pretty brown eyes. For a kiss? He avoided the whole trap by moving fast. Slade swooped down, kissed her on the cheek, and took a step back. “It was lovely meeting you, Hannah. I had a wonderful time with you tonight, thank you.”

She blinked. “Oh. Yes, I did too, Slade. Hopefully, we’ll see each other again.”

He nodded like a dimwit, desperate for escape. The big bad millionaire lawyer scared of hurting a woman. He was such a dweeb. “Yeah, I’m sure we will. Drive safe. And thanks again.”

He stumbled away and headed toward the parking garage, cursing Kate and Kinnections and his damn hormones the whole way. He hated disappointing a sweet woman, but better now than leading her on later. He wondered if he would’ve been attracted to her if he’d never met Kate. Not that it mattered. He was a goner.

The idea of one night in her bed seared his brain and his dick. If he could just spend hours with her naked, he may be able to exhaust his hormones enough. Maybe even get rid of that intense connection they seemed to share. Of course, he hadn’t called her all week, giving her time to stew and think it over. He hoped knowing he was on a date with Hannah had driven the point home.

Slade got in the car. The idea of heading toward his empty home was suddenly depressing. He could call a few friends and go for a drink. But even that didn’t hold his interest. Maybe he’d check in on his sister. He’d been trying to give her the space she wanted, but he always worried. He punched in the number on his Bluetooth and eased the Jag into traffic.

“Hello?”

“Jane! It’s your long-lost brother. Have you forgotten me? Or replaced me with some hot stud?”

Her laughter made him smile. “Funny. Actually, I’m on my way out tonight.”

“Date?”

“Girls’ night out. Kate and Kennedy invited me to hang with them. We’re on our way to Mugs. I forgot how much fun being with other women is. I think I avoided it too long.”

The memory of her shattered and lying lifeless on the floor flashed in his mind. Slade shifted in his seat. Was it a good thing they invited her into their group? Or bad? No, Kate would never hurt Jane, but did anyone ever realize their actions until it was too late? He kept his tone light and easy. “Dancing, huh? Sounds like fun. How’s the matchmaking going?”

A pause. “Are you fishing?”

“Yes. Look, throw me a bone. You’re my baby sister and I’m going through withdrawal. I have nobody else’s business to nose around in.”

She blew out a breath, but he knew she was laughing. “Okay. I met two nice guys today, and I’m going on a one-on-one date with Brian. He teaches poetry.”

“Good. I want you to be happy.”

“I am. What about you? Dating?”

“Yeah, just got done with one tonight. She was nice but not for me.”

“Poor thing. She’s probably half in love with you already,” Jane teased.

“I’m sure Kate will find me another match. Is she going with you tonight?”

“Yep, she’s dressed to kill, and Kennedy wants to hook her up with a man tonight. Says she hides in her house with her dog too much. Sounds like you, huh?”

He grunted. “I don’t have a dog. Listen, do you mind if I swing by for a drink? I’m not ready to go home and I’d like to hang out.”

“Well, it’s kind of a girls’ thing, but I’m sure it will be okay. You know where Mugs is?”

“Yep. On my way. Be there in half an hour.”

“See you later.”

Slade clicked off, turned toward the Thruway, and headed to Verily. The hell with it. There was no way he was letting Kate distract herself with some other man. Not while he was suffering with torturous sexual dreams and a boner that wouldn’t go away. It was time he reminded her of their attraction.

If another man touched her . . .

Slade cut off the thought and punched on the gas.


KATE SIPPED HER CHOCOLATE martini and relaxed into the feminine chatter that was as soothing as a spa massage. From harmless celebrity gossip to the endlessly fascinating topic of men, the subjects whirled in a dizzying array and made her happy to be a woman.

Mugs was overflowing, but they held the prime table at the edge of the dance floor looking out. Pink belted out her moody lyrics, and people swung their hips to the beat. The atmosphere was perfect for a variety of needs, from dancing and pool and darts to large tables to congregate at. Kate ducked her head and took one last glance.

Yes, his date was definitely over. Unless he had continued it at home. Of course, that was against the rules. She’d preached over and over the mantra he must follow: no sex until he wanted to actually date the woman. The idea that in a few minutes they’d been ripping at each other’s clothes humiliated her, but she swore to move past it. Just a mishap. One mistake. Would never happen again.

“What about that guy?”

She directed her attention to Kennedy’s subtle head-shake toward an attractive man staring at their table. When Kate looked up, the man raised his glass and smiled. She automatically returned the greeting before their gaze broke.

“Oh, yeah, he’s the one,” Kennedy drawled. “Why don’t you go over?”

“Why don’t you?” she teased back.

“Because I’m taking the night off from men. But you, my dear, need a night off from just women.”

She made a face. “I love you, Ken, and lust after your shoes, but, don’t want to sleep with you.”

Jane giggled and hiccupped. Obviously, she rarely drank, so her two cosmopolitans gave her a rosy, happy glow. Kate made a note to make sure she got home safe.

“Cute. Right now, I’d sleep with you anyway. You look hot, Kate.”

Kate grinned. She kind of did look hot. It had been a long time since she had slipped into her usual black but kicked it up a notch. The skirt was ultrashort and chic, with cutout flaps that sneaked glimpses of her bare legs. The sequined tank top emphasized her cleavage and shimmered under the lights. But the shoes were deadly. Four inches of black strappy leather that climbed up her ankles gladiator style. They were fuck-me pumps meet badass boots, and worth every penny.

Kennedy leaned in. “Girlfriend, don’t waste the outfit on us. Go and talk to the guy. I’m begging you.”

Kate glanced over. The guy was definitely staking her out, but he didn’t have the lust-filled scary face that usually freaked her out. More like a deep appreciation for her appearance. After all, that’s exactly why she wore the outfit, for attention, not to fade into the woodwork.

The image of Slade and Hannah pressed tight together, kissing hungrily, blurred her vision. Slade dragging her into his open door, ripping at her clothes. Hannah moaning as his talented tongue danced over her skin.

Kate got to her feet, picked up her drink, and faced her friends. “I’m going in.”

The low whoop gave her confidence. She eased over to the stranger, ignoring her nerves, and went for the honest approach.

“Hi. I’m Kate.”

The guy smiled back. “I’m Bruce. Nice to meet you, Kate. Girls’ night out?”

“Yeah, blowing off a little steam from the week. Do you live around here?”

“I’m actually in Nyack, but a few friends of mine love coming to Mugs so I figured I’d check it out. I’m meeting them later. But right now, I’m thanking God they’re late.”

She laughed and eased into the give-and-take of the initial mating conversation. His buzz-cut hair emphasized a strong face, and meaty arms under his button-down shirt and jeans. Maybe military. When she brushed against his arm from the bump of another patron, there was a distinct lack of any tingle. Still, she was so over the touch thing. Tired of judging herself and every man she laid her hands on. For tonight, she wanted to be silly and girly and let go. With Bruce.

The sexy R&B strains of “Blurred Lines” blasted from the speakers. “Would you like to dance?” he asked.

She tilted her head in surprise. Rarely did she meet men who were comfortable on the dance floor after the first meeting. “I’d love to.”

He placed their drinks on the bar, took her hand, and led her to the floor. His body was rock solid, but she topped him in height with her crazy heels. Still, he didn’t seem to mind, not afraid to hold her close but still retain a modicum of modesty. Kate relaxed into the mating call of the dance, her arms on his shoulders, content for a while not to engage in conversation but to let their bodies mingle and move.

A woodsy fragrance drifted to her nostrils. Kate sighed, letting go of the tension, content to enjoy the physical touch of a man without any demands. Maybe this is what she really needed. A man who could help her forget, maybe give her physical pleasure, maybe more. A crazy touch meant nothing and had only gotten her into trouble, giving away her mates to other women and leaving her alone.

“Hi.” The familiar voice jerked her head around. She stared at Slade, who danced right beside them holding Jane. “How’s it going?”

She blinked. His inane words buzzed her brain like a fog. “What are you doing here? You have a date.”

He grinned and dazzled her with those perfect teeth. “It’s over.”

Bruce turned her slightly, probably dying to get away from the chatty guy, but she leaned her head to the side. “How did it go?”

“Amazing. Wait till I tell you about the dinner.”

Hope crashed. Ice slithered down her spine, and she fought off her initial reaction like the survivor she was. Good, he was finally going to move on. With Hannah. Not her.

Awesome.

“I’m so glad,” she forced out.

Jane gave a sigh and shook her head. “Slade, let poor Kate enjoy her dance. Give her some privacy.”

“Oops, sorry. I’ll catch up with you at the bar.”

She nodded, forced a smile at Bruce, and tried to enjoy his embrace. Unfortunately, she kept sneaking glances at Slade and Jane, wondering about the details of his date. Did he fool around with her? Kiss her? Make another date for tomorrow? That would be too soon, and she’d advise against such a move immediately.

“That guy a friend of yours?” Bruce asked.

Focus, Kate, focus. “Just a client. Sorry I was distracted.”

“It’s okay. I’m willing to be one of your distractions.”

She laughed at the half-lame line but gave him credit for effort. His hands tightened around her waist and she leaned in, determined to relax. They moved well together, but the song ended and turned into a pounding club rhythm with JLo and Pitbull’s “On the Floor.” Kate waited for him to pull her off, not used to any men she ever met actually dancing, but Bruce tossed her a grin and threw himself into the dance.

Enjoying his enthusiasm, she moved her hips to the grindy tempo and let herself go. Bruce was going up a few notches—any man with solid dance moves deserved credit.

Suddenly, her rear was bumped. A hand closed around her upper arm and burned her skin.

Kate jumped back in a twist and faced Slade. “Sorry. Don’t you love this song?” he shouted. In sheer astonishment, she watched him expertly mimic some major hip-hop moves, his jeans emphasizing the tight curve of his ass, his designer white shirt catching the light and flinging it against her gaze like an explosion of fireworks. Jane matched his moves with no self-consciousness, free for a little while with the music and darkness and crowded floor.

She raised her voice over the music. “I didn’t know you danced.”

“Most women love dancing. Mom taught us both when we were young. Counseled me a man needs to know how to move if I have any chance of catching a woman.”

Kate laughed. “Smart woman.”

“Umm, Kate? How about I buy you a drink?”

She looked up with guilt. Bruce shot Slade a dirty look, obviously not happy about the shouted conversations over the dance floor. “Sure.” She waved at Slade and Jane, and stepped off the floor to follow Bruce.

Where she belonged.

He guided her back into a cozy corner and tried to get the bartender’s attention. “Your client seems determined to talk to you tonight,” he said. “What kind of business are you in?”