She stared with helpless fascination, entranced by his voice and his words, and then his mouth crashed over hers and his fingers hooked under her panties and plunged.

He swallowed her cries, refusing to let her fight her response, using his body as a weapon to get her to give him everything he commanded. His thumb rubbed her swollen clit the same time his fingers thrust inside her clenching channel. His tongue battled hers, won, and claimed his bounty while his hips rocked back and forth, the dueling rhythm of his body and his dick and his fingers pushing her fast toward the edge until—

Kate screamed as the orgasm took hold, pleasure shattering in waves and breaking her into tiny pieces. He whispered her name in triumph, helping her ride out the orgasm to the maximum effect, gentling his touch but coaxing every last shudder as she slumped against the wall in complete surrender.

He nibbled on her swollen lips, pressing kisses across the line of her jaw and her neck. His arms held her tight and she felt wrapped in a cocoon of warmth and security, as if her body sensed he’d keep her safe, hold her, take care of her in a way no other man before him could ever attain. Kate let the odd thought flow past her, too far gone to even worry about the eventual fallout when her brain clicked back on.

“Magnificent,” he murmured in her ear. “I could watch you orgasm for hours, challenging myself to bring you to climax in a thousand different ways.” His erection pressed against the damp barrier of her panties. “I want to take you to bed and fuck you so many times you forget every man before me. That’s how crazy you make me, Kate Seymour.”

“Yes.” She held on tight and gave him what he wanted. “Yes.”

He let out a vicious curse. His jaw clenched, and he seemed to lock down every muscle, as if fighting for control. “But not tonight.”

She blinked, trying to cut away the fog. “Why?”

He pressed his forehead to hers like she did so many times with Robert. The intimacy and tenderness of the gesture startled her. “Because I want more. And you’re not ready for that tonight. I needed to show you what we can be together in bed, but you have to come to me, Kate. I have to know you want it just as bad as I do. And I don’t want you calling foul play in the morning when you can hide behind alcohol, or exhaustion, or my dominance.”

She managed to find her voice, but the words came out a bit slurred. “I make no excuses for my choices, counselor. Get over yourself.”

He chuckled and took her mouth in a quick, bruising kiss. “I like the way you make counselor sound like a dirty word. I may make you beg with my title rather than my name. Would be an interesting battle.”

The idea of the sensual challenge racked a delicate shudder, but she managed to sneer “Like that will ever happen.”

“Oh, it will.”

“Are you offering one night together? A relationship? What do you think this can be?”

He cupped her chin. “They’re just silly terms to try to make sense out of human emotions that are uncontrollable. Affair, relationship, one-night stand. Pick a tag that makes you happy. But soon, Kate. I don’t think I can wait much longer.”

He didn’t give her a chance to respond. Just eased her gently back to her feet, and walked out of the living room without a glance back.

nine

KATE ORDERED ANOTHER café mocha and kept a close eye on the corner table. The eclectic café was a popular place to meet friends and potential mates, and perfect for Jane’s first two official dates. Adele crooned from the speakers, and the scents of coconut and chocolate drifted around her in puffs of steam. The battered oak coffee bar and mismatched tables cluttered the small space but gave it a cozy feel. It was known for its bakery goodies, and patrons feasted on buttery scones and decadent cupcakes and sipped a variety of brews, from holistic and organic, to calorie-induced sweet shakes to court cavities and false energy. Decorated in bright yellows and greens, the café was where local artists displayed their works on canvas to sell, so Kate’s vision always blurred a bit from the vivid and odd collection of colors. Still, it was another part of the reason she wanted to settle in Verily. There were no outsiders here, because everyone belonged. She’d spent most of her life trying to hide and not speak, terrified of being laughed at and feeling completely isolated from the human race for too many years. Verily wrapped her in acceptance and forced her to mingle with all types of people. She’d grown so much here and was now completely happy with herself, who she was, and where she was going.

Well. Kind of.

The image of Slade flickered past her vision. Damn him. One full week since their episode, and he took her lead with a politeness that pissed her off. He was right to leave. When she woke in the morning, she blamed the kiss and her temporary physical weakness on a bunch of factors. If they’d spent the night together, she would’ve regretted her actions and probably blamed him out of her own crippling guilt.

Kate glanced down at her chic black-and-rhinestone watch. He’d be getting ready for his date with Hannah. She decided to put the incident behind them. After all, they’d both been curious, especially with the strange connection they shared. Kate figured she’d reschedule his date with Hannah and get him back on track. Of course, when she contacted him, all crisp and businesslike, he’d readily agreed and refused to even mention Saturday night. Like he’d never wrung an orgasm from her body, or whispered naughty things in her ear, or kissed her like he was starving and she was the only thing standing behind survival and death.

Over it. She was so over it.

She sipped the chocolaty brew and motioned over to Kennedy when she finally strode through the door. “Hey, babe. How’s our girl doing?” Ken gave a subtle glance in Jane’s direction. Slade’s sister now sat with a bit more confidence, her gestures less jerky and nervous after the weeks of training under Ken’s and Arilyn’s hands.

“I’m so proud of her,” Kate said. “She seems to be more secure within herself.”

Ken shrugged out of her leather jacket, slid onto the stool, and ordered an espresso. “It was a brilliant move to pick out only two dates for her. She’d never be comfortable with a mixer, and she needs one-to-one contact.”

“Yes, dinner would be too intense. I want her to have fun, not scare her the first round. Brian and Tim are the right choices.”

“Is Tim next?”

“Yes, she has a few more minutes with Brian, a break, and then Tim. This way she’ll get a better idea which man she’s more attracted to.”

“Hmm, well, I knew looks weren’t her problem anyway. Funny, I think she’s more beautiful than the obvious choices because of her simplicity. Her bone structure and skin are amazing. Another reason I love a good makeover. It proves over and over there’s nothing wrong with us, just the choices we make to flatter what we own.” A darkness flashed in her friend’s eyes, then quickly disappeared.

Kate reached out and squeezed her hand. “You were always beautiful, Ken. Inside and out. Anyone who told you different is an asshole.”

Ken laughed. “You’re good for my ego, babe. Right back atcha.”

“Thanks. Hmm, good body language between them. This may warrant another date. Without us as chaperones.”

“Or you can just give them a quick touch and see if they’re meant to be.” Kennedy grinned. “You may call it cheating. I call it good business.”

Uneasiness slithered in her gut. She tapped the edge of her cup in a random rhythm. No way was she about to confess her temporary loss of her gift that Kinnections was based on. It would only freak her friends out, and be harder for her to ignore the looming knowledge something was definitely off. Other than the explosion with Slade, she couldn’t seem to even scare up a tingle, whether she was near a couple who was married or dating. Sweat prickled her brow, but she kept her tone light. “Sorry, no breaking the rules. If Kinnections is going to be a solid success, we base it on scientific research, hard work, and instincts. Not some magic witch spell I inherited.”

“Fine. Just trying to speed things along. Speaking of Kinnections, how’s it going with Slade? Are he and Hannah an item yet?”

Her fingers squeezed around the handle as a shot of rage licked her veins at the thought of Slade with Hannah. Kate cleared her throat. “Not yet. They had to cancel their date last weekend, but they’re seeing each other tonight.” She refused to blurt out the truth regarding their impromptu date and resulting kiss. At least, not yet. Her friends seemed to own an innate talent to pry every secret from her grasp, so it was just a matter of delay.

“Interesting. Why don’t you seem excited about the possibility of matching him?”

She narrowed her gaze at her friend’s obvious glee. “Don’t start, Ken. I don’t need any misinformed matchmaker forcing us together for good intentions. I’m attracted to him, but it’s strictly physical. Emotionally, I know he’s all wrong for me, and I’m grown-up enough to recognize the limitations and move past them. I want a soul mate, not a temporary bedmate.”

Kennedy clucked her tongue. “Pity. I’d take him as a bedmate any night. What’d your mom say about the touch thing between you guys?”

Kate prayed for forgiveness. Not lying to her best friend was one of her own personal ten commandments. “She didn’t seem concerned. No worries.”

“Good. Did you get me some good pot? Your mom has the best.”

She rolled her eyes and laughed. “No. Now don’t mention drugs, Jane’s coming.” They watched as Brian rose from the table, put his arms around Jane, and gave her a quick, intimate hug good-bye. Kate studied their interaction, noting the close body language, the open facial expressions, and the relaxed muscles. A solid match, one best suited for a more intimate date to see if a physical attraction could grow. Jane looked so different from the last time she had seen her. The ill-fitting clothes had been replaced by a pair of snug jeans, high-heeled boots, and a rich gold sweater that brightened up her face. Comfortable but fresh. Her normally curly hair had been tamed to fall into luscious waves and flirted with a pair of gold hoop earrings. Stained red lips was her only makeup, bringing a man’s gaze to her mouth. The old glasses had been thrown away for a pair of trendy Coach tortoiseshells, giving her the sexy librarian look men died for. Brian whispered something in her ear, and Jane laughed, then turned and strode toward the coffee bar.