Color flooded her face. Slade studied her mother with a fascination she was used to, as if an exotic, otherworldly creature had just burst through their universe. Madeline wore a canary-yellow top, a cream lace skirt that flirted with her knees, and lace-up sandals. Her floral headband held back her white blond hair, and bangles jingled on her wrists. Robert ran over to say hello, and Kate took the pause to push Slade behind the counter so at least his bottom half wasn’t exposed. Madeline watched his retreat with a twinge of disappointment.

“Sex conference?” Slade drawled, glancing back and forth. “How interesting. Forgive Kate for not introducing us. I’m Slade Montgomery.”

Madeline marched over and stuck out her hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Slade. I’m Madeline. I do apologize for interrupting, my daughter rarely allows herself to enjoy these opportunities.”

Kate groaned. “Thanks, Mom. Umm, maybe you want to call me later?”

Slade steepled his fingers together as if he were in a business meeting. “Nonsense, stay and have coffee with us. We’re in no rush.”

“I’d love to. Is it those organic beans I bought you, dear?”

This was so not happening. Kate glared at Slade, but his delighted grin told her he was having too much fun. “Yes, I’ll get it for you.” She stomped over and poured her mother a mug, then slid it over the granite countertop.

“May I ask how the conference was?” Slade asked.

“It was truly wonderful. I’m a sex therapists, so it’s important for me to keep up with the new techniques. I learned many ways to unblock a man toward orgasm. Have you ever had problems with impotence, Slade?”

Kate gave him credit. He didn’t even choke on his coffee. “Happy to report that’s a negative.”

“Hmm, I’m not surprised from what I caught. Still, many men suffer from the condition and it’s usually some mental block. They taught us certain moves to go about breaking down barriers.”

“What a fascinating job. Kate never told me.”

“I’m not surprised. Kate’s been blocked for years.”

“Mom!”

“So, tell me how you two met.”

“I’m a client at Kinnections,” he said.

Madeline sucked in her breath. “You’re not the divorce lawyer, are you?” she whispered.

Slade hiked a brow. “You know about me? Kate, how sweet. I had no idea you told your mom about us.”

Kate squirmed with sheer frustration and shot him a glare. “Look, Mom, let’s not talk about this here, okay? I’d like to keep this whole thing private.”

“But darling, this is the one you experienced the touch with! You’ve found a way to make it work, I’m so happy. We’ll need to clear a bit of that negative karma, but if you’re sleeping together, I’m confident in the outcome.”

“Touch?” Slade frowned. “What touch?”

“Nothing.”

“Kate didn’t tell you?” Madeline chirped. “She has a gift that’s run in our family for generations. A sixth sense for matching people. She experiences a jolt of recognition when she meets a couple meant to be together.”

Slade stilled. Kate barely breathed, hoping she’d become the guy from The Time Traveler’s Wife and disappear through space. “Has she ever experienced the touch for herself? Or is this just for other people?” he asked.

The disaster loomed before her, like a volcano ready to erupt, and she was just as helpless to stop her mother as she was to stop the forces of nature. Madeline laughed as she played with her bangles. “Silly man. It’s you, dear. She connected with you—you’re her soul mate. I wasn’t too thrilled regarding the divorce lawyer thing, but the universe is more powerful than humans, and we must bend to its will. At least you overcame your initial protests. Denying the touch is dangerous. Who would’ve known what could happen? Your cousin Rose died alone and miserable.”

Kate swung her head around. “You said you didn’t remember what happened to my cousin! You said it was a family secret never spoken about.”

Madeline sighed. “I lied. I didn’t want to tell you she died an old cranky spinster, destined for unhappiness since she refused to believe in her gift. I think she owned about fifty cats and no one came to her funeral except the local pet shelter representative.”

Kate buried her face in her hands and gave up. The morning had started out so rich with promise. Sex. No pesky virginity trouble. Denial galore regarding their future relationship. Now, big, bad reality was here to stay. And Slade looked like he’d swallowed a sharp object and was just about to dial 911. Kate wondered which caused more horror—her virginity or her touch. Definitely a tie.

Slade cleared his throat. “Funny, I didn’t hear about this before.”

“Kate didn’t tell you? Maybe she was easing you into it. Some men have trouble believing in the concept of soul mates and love forever till you die.”

This time he choked. Kate pounded him on the back until he seemed back in the land of humanity. “Mom, I think Slade and I need to talk.”

“Of course, I really am sorry I interrupted.” She blew an air kiss to them and headed out. Her bangles clinked and Robert gave her a quick lick good-bye. “Why don’t you two come for dinner one night? I promise not to smoke any pot if it makes you uncomfortable, and you can meet my new lover, Richard. You’ll adore him.”

“Sounds great. ’Bye, Mom.”

“ ’Bye, darling.”

The door slammed. She waited in the dead silence, wondering if he’d just leave now or stick around to ask a few questions. “She gave you the joint, huh?”

“Told you it wasn’t mine.”

He nodded. Took a big sip of his coffee and straightened to full height. She remembered another requirement in his perfect companion. No embarrassing family members. Yep, she had officially blown every item on his list to smithereens. “Is that the reason I get an electrical shock when we touch? Because of this gift?”

She gave him the space he seemed to need, though her chest hurt. She’d been crazy to think an extra night of mind-blowing sex would solve their issues. Already, she tried frantically to shore up the gaping hole in her chest, but she needed bricks because the big bad wolf had already blown down her first two attempts at shelter. “Supposedly.”

“Didn’t want to mention it before, huh?”

A flare of anger pushed away the grief. “Actually I did, at your first mixer.”

“A few more details would’ve been nice.”

“Oh, sure, let’s see how that dialogue would go. ‘By the way, Slade, I have a witchlike gene that senses when a couple is meant to be together. And guess what? You’re the one for me! Sorry about the shock, but isn’t that great, when’s the wedding?’ ”

He narrowed his gaze. “You could have tweaked the speech a bit, but yeah, maybe that.”

A humorless laugh escaped her lips. “I wanted to pretend it never happened. I begged you to stay away from me, remember? You’re the one who knocked on my door last night! I was ready to try and move on, forget this—this thing between us ever occurred. We’ve been mismatched from the beginning.”

“Do you believe in it, Kate? Believe you can match the right couple just by touching them? Is this what you built your company on?”

Ice trickled down her spine. His tone flicked with disbelief and already she sensed his distance. How could he believe in something that was almost as magical as love? Something undefined but full of hope? The question tore through the last of her defenses, and suddenly, Kate realized she had nothing left to fight. She could tell him the gift was gone and she had no idea if it was coming back. She could deny the whole thing, laugh it off as some crazy joke her mom played, and save her pride. Instead, Kate gave him the truth.

“Yes. I’ve used my gift to guide many people together. I’ve sensed if it’s a true and proper love match. I never experienced it with myself, though. Until you.”

He jerked back and coffee sloshed over the rim of his mug. He shook slightly as he mopped it up with a towel. “I can’t deny what’s between us,” he finally said. “But do I believe in this type of love-spell witchery? No. How can I? Do I believe we were meant to have a happy ending just because we got a shock when we touched? Do you know how that sounds?”

She huddled into her robe, desperately longing for warmth. Her skin chilled and goose bumps broke out on her arms. Yes. It sounded juvenile and silly. But it was the truth, a truth he’d never believe or believe in. She opened her mouth to defend herself and end the conversation. Retreat to her isolation and lick her wounds one final time. Then finally get over Slade Montgomery. For good.

The phone interrupted them and beat out the seventies version of the pop song “We Are Family.” He cursed. “My sister. I better get it.”

She nodded and turned away. The murmur of conversation drifted to her ears. Kate wiped up the counter and refilled Robert’s water bowl, numb to the rapidly rising conversation. She had no time to transition before Slade stood in front of her, male fury vibrating from his figure in raw waves.

Her heart skipped. “What’s the matter?”

“I have to go. Jane was very upset on the phone. Seems this guy you set her up with—the one who was pushing her for more—broke up with her this morning.”

Her hand flew to her throat. “Oh, no. What happened? Is she okay?”

His face tightened. Green eyes held an accusing light that churned her gut. “He explained he’s just not that into her, not for a long-term relationship, and took off after spending the night. Is this the type of operation you run? Did you use your magical power to set Jane up with this asshole and tell yourself it would all work out?”

Pain sliced deep. She leaned slightly forward to catch her breath. “No! We set her up with two dates and she preferred Brian, but there’s no guarantee each date or relationship will work out. Let me come with you, I’ll talk to her, maybe set her up with a session with Arilyn if she’s upset.”

“No, you’ve done enough.” His voice flicked like a whiplash. “You still don’t understand, do you, Kate? She’s not made for this. I almost lost her once because I didn’t take care of her. I wanted to trust you, even though my instincts told me she could get hurt again.”

“Slade—”

“She’s all I have left!”

His words shattered around her. Her throat tightened, and she caught a glimpse of a raw vulnerability and fear swirling in those green eyes. He’d lost most of the women in his life. Kate realized his responsibility toward his sister was so much deeper than she imagined. When he loved, he gave everything. Unfortunately, he didn’t believe he was enough for any of them. As much as she wanted to make him stay, to beg him to talk to her and open up, she knew it had to be on his terms. Perhaps he’d never be ready for more.

He disappeared into the bedroom and came back out dressed, hair mussed, jaw full of stubble. He remained cool and distant, as if she were someone he didn’t recognize any longer. “I need you to leave her alone, Kate. Please.”

He walked out without a glance back.

Robert whimpered and slid over, pressing his warm body firm against her leg in full support. She sank down to the floor and put her arms around him, laying her cheek against his flat head, and soaked in his presence.


SLADE WATCHED HIS SISTER and tried not to panic. Her eyes were red and puffy, and the box of Kleenex on the side was getting a workout. Crumpled balls littered the floor. Her bare feet peeked out from her long terry cloth robe, an old favorite she used to wear around the house when she needed comfort. He flexed his fingers and tried to remain calm. He’d stay all day and all night if possible. Hell, she could move back into his apartment, get her old job back, and leave Verily behind. He’d do anything in his power to make her feel better.

Her lower lip trembled when she finally looked at him. “I feel so stupid,” she sniffed. “He kept pushing us to spend more time together. Asked me to spend the night. Invited me to his class to speak. I knew Kate was right when she mentioned we were moving too fast, but I was so happy I just wanted to believe it would work.”

Helplessness rattled his core. “It’s not your fault; the guy led you on and dumped you without a hitch. Kate should’ve seen this coming. Why was he a client there anyway? And why the hell would she have set you up with him?”

“Not Kate’s fault. I could’ve picked Tim, who also seemed super nice, but Brian had a bit more edge, which I thought was exciting. Arilyn warned me in counseling not to leap too soon. She said I tended to do that in my past as a way of ignoring some of my blocks and hang-ups.”