Chapter 13
James
An hour and a half later, Lessa finally convinces Kate to end the practice session. “It will be so much easier in a real-life scenario,” they say. The others all know they’ve been gunning for the promised cocktails. It doesn’t take much arm-twisting.
Kate’s delicate hand waves through the air as she conveys the details of his awakening.
Then it lands on his thigh. He glances around the bar, grateful to be in a corner booth, out of earshot of the other patrons.
Once he feels secure, his focus goes back to her hand.
Her fingers are now drawing ovals up and down the inside of his thigh.
As they trace dangerously upward, he covers her hand with his own before it can roam any further. She starts, turning her attention to him. He lets his eyes smile as he brings her hand to his lips for a kiss. Then he sets their clasped hands on the table.
“Out of character!” Jett announces from across the table.
James groans. This has become a game for them.
“A manupartner would gladly allow Kate’s hands to wander freely,” Lessa interjects.
Kate squeezes his hand, speaking low so only he can hear. “Sorry. I didn’t realize that would make you uncomfortable.”
He looks at her. Really looks at her. The concern in her shining eyes causes him physical pain.
He takes her hand and places it back on his thigh, then brushes a lock of hair away from her temple.
He really, really wishes her friends weren’t sitting across from them, gleefully observing the spectacle.
What feels like such an intimate moment isn’t for their eyes.
Still, he cups the corner of her jaw, capturing her attention.
“You are perfect and have nothing to apologize for. Act natural. I’ll adjust.”
“But . . . I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Sweet, sweet Kate. Jett’s assessment was correct.
He was so blinded by the shock of waking up in the future, he hasn’t been assessing her accurately.
She’d never intentionally do anything to harm him.
That only makes this harder. And if she pulls back because of something he does and the inspector gets suspicious, it’s his life.
He shouldn’t have moved her hand. There is only one way to convey this to her.
So he looks into her eyes and tells her the truth.
“Kate, when you touch my leg like that, I promise, uncomfortable isn’t what I’m feeling.” Why did his voice get low like that? And gravelly. What is he doing?
Kate’s mouth falls open, exposing her rosy tongue. He wants to slide his thumb into her mouth and see if she’ll lick it. Suck it.
Fuck. What is wrong with him? Why do his thoughts always turn sexual with her?
He drops his hand, adjusting in his seat to shift the straining fabric of his pants. Kate’s nails are digging into his thigh now. He leans and whispers into her ear, “Easy,” as he encloses her hand with his. The moment their skin touches, her fingers relax.
As the heat of the moment dissipates, Decci appears with a tray of drinks. He surveys the four of them. His voice comes out singsong as he asks, “Did I miss something?” The manupartner passes out the drinks as if he wouldn’t register the answer to his question if someone supplied it.
Lessa leans back against the seat, fanning themself with a menu.
Jett, whose cool skin is now a pale pink, leans forward. “It seems I was wrong about your ability to flirt. Do you feel that electrical charge, Lessa, or is it just me?”
“Mmmhmm,” Lessa mutters.
Jett picks up his cocktail and downs it in a few gulps. “I hate to run, but . . .” He gets to his feet. “Decci, shall we?”
Lessa excuses themself a few minutes later, then Kate and James are alone. They finish their drinks, and as James escorts her back to the elevator, he can’t help but sense disappointment hanging like a cloud around the beautiful woman. It follows them into her unit.
She pulls her device out of her fluffy bunny-shaped handbag. “I’ll order you something for dinner.” Different colors light up the screen as she places the order.
Dinner for him. And not her. She is shrinking away from him. A knot of dread twists his stomach. Before she can retreat, he comes to stand beside her, brushing the backs of his fingers down her arm. “Is everything okay?”
Kate flinches so subtly he barely catches it. Then she turns to him and plasters on the first fake smile she’s given him. “I’m tired. I think I’ll go to bed.” She points to the smartwaiter. “It will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Goodnight.”
Without another word, Kate slips into her bedroom and closes the door, leaving him alone.