Bruce lifted a brow. “Like an escort service?”

“No, more like eHarmony but not online.”

He lifted his hand, but the bartender ignored him. “You go out on dates with a variety of men?”

Irritation hit. She shifted her feet. “No, I’m the owner.”

“Ambitious little thing, aren’t you?”

His teasing question seemed way too chauvinistic, but she decided to move on. “Yes, I guess I am. What do you do?”

“Air Force. I was in Iraq.”

Most military didn’t volunteer their service so quickly, but she reserved judgment. “Was it very difficult?”

“Yep. I’m ready to get back out and kick some more ass. Better concentrating on the enemy than my cheating ex-girlfriend who dumped me while I was away.”

Hope plummeted. She looked at his angry face, now not so teasing and instead full of a bit of resentment and a whole lot of mess. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Your service to our country humbles me.”

“It should. Maybe you’ll be more respectful than the last woman. Where the hell is that bartender?”

“Chocolate martini?”

She whipped her head around. Slade held the drink in front of her, a wicked grin curving his sensual lips. “Y-y-yes. Thank you.” She took the drink and glanced at Bruce, whose face now resembled a thundercloud.

“Sorry, dude, I didn’t know what you were drinking or I would’ve bought you one too,” Slade said. He eased himself into the small notch between them and clinked his Sam Adams to the rim of her glass. “Cheers. Are you having a good time?”

Kate battled the urge to giggle. He was completely and overwhelmingly arrogant, charming, and frustrating. How did one fight such a force? Still, she arranged her face to relate disapproval. “Yes, Bruce and I were having a wonderful time together.”

“Good. You look amazing, by the way. The shoes are killer.”

Pleasure bloomed. “Thanks.”

“Welcome. So, I finally tried Carbone near Hell’s Kitchen.”

She gasped. “Is that where you went on your date? I’ve been dying to try that place—it’s impossible to get reservations. Did Hannah enjoy it?”

“I think. I had the lobster black tie pasta. The sauce nearly knocked me sideways, and with the Chianti, the richness of the tastes combined perfectly in the mouth.”

“What did Hannah have?”

“Veal parm.”

“And how did the date go?”

“Good. For appetizers, I ordered the mussels. Fresh and soaked in a spicy tomato broth. I swear I’ve never had anything better.”

“Did you share your appetizer with Hannah?”

He frowned and seemed to think hard. “I offered, but she doesn’t like shellfish. Pity.”

“Sharing a meal is a good way to increase intimacy on a date. Even a bite. Tell me more.”

“I ordered the espresso and tiramisù for dessert. Top rate.”

Kate let out a breath. “Stop talking about the menu. I want to know how the actual date went.”

He took a slug of beer. “Good.”

“Did you get along well? Did you have a connection? Do you want to see her again?”

“She’s really nice. Accomplished. Intelligent. You did your job perfectly.”

Her blood turned icy, but she forced a smile. “I’m so glad. When did you set up the second date?”

“Oh, I’m not going to see her again.”

She choked on her martini. He pounded on her back, which made it worse with the electrical currents shocking her system. “What are you talking about? You said you liked her!”

Blazing emerald eyes grabbed and held her in the merciless grip of his gaze. Her breath squeezed in her chest and she froze.

“I do. But she’s a bit too perfect. I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but there’s no spark.”

“You said you wanted a companion, a friend, a long-term mate. I’m trying to keep you away from using sex as a tool to distance yourself. Hannah can give that to you. Many times the spark grows later.”

“I don’t want Hannah.”

The softly spoken words singed her ears. The undertones of his real meaning hit her hard. His body heat radiated in waves and her body loosened, opened, craving his touch and just one more kiss. Within minutes he changed from casually charming to dangerous lover. He lowered his head to speak against her ear, his warm breath rushing into the sensitive shell. “I want you.”

“Don’t.”

“Can’t help it. How long are you going to torture both of us? I forgot the reasons we’re even trying to fight this.”

So did she. Almost. Then she remembered his focus was to expose Kinnections, and her, as a fraud. He required everything she wasn’t in a mate, only believed in sex without love, and he was a client whom she had promised to find a match. It was wrong on every level, but her body didn’t care as it hummed and purred by his very voice.

“It’s a mess we both don’t need. Better off trying to ignore the physical connection and concentrate on the better good. Finding you a true match for your future. Helping your sister. Proving Kinnections can succeed for you both.”

“Yeah, how’s that working for you, so far? Total bust for me. God, you smell good.”

“We can’t keep doing this,” she whispered.

“So let me take you home. We’ll end it now. Tonight.”

A strangled laugh escaped her lips. “Sex won’t end it. It’ll only make things messier. Haven’t you learned anything yet about God’s sense of humor?”

“Not thinking about God. Wondering how you’ll taste when I finally slide my tongue between your thighs.”

She shuddered, teetered on the edge of giving him the win, then fought back. “No. You need to honor the contract. If Hannah wasn’t the right fit, I’ll find you another.”

He lifted her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. Temper and lust swirled in an edgy mix of green gold. “Are you that determined to send me to another woman? Ready to take such a risk? I’ll only take so much, and then I’ll go after what you’re offering. Then we both lose.”

She swallowed past the pain, past the knowledge that if she slept with this man, he might take something much more precious than her body. Her heart. Her soul. Her sanity. He’d leave her behind, sated, challenge over, and she’d need to pick up the pieces. Hell, no. Not in this lifetime.

“Or we both win,” she said softly. “You find your mate. I prove my point. Jane finds her happiness. A perfect circle.”

“Fine. We’ll do it your way.”

“Don’t you want to pick the woman?”

“No. You seem to know everything about what I need and want. Prove it. Show me the woman who’ll make me walk away from you without a glance back.”

Her gut lurched at the thought, but she rallied. “Fine. Now can you give me some privacy so I can speak with—”

“He’s gone.”

Kate turned. Bruce chatted up a pert blonde perched on the opposite barstool. Both of them held a beer. Her plans for the night withered. What pissed her off the most was she didn’t even care. She clenched her hands and glared at Slade. “Stop running off my own dates, please. Next time keep it professional and stop stalking me.”

He eased back to charming companion and threw his hands up in surrender. “I was just talking some business and dancing with my sister. Besides, he’s got way too much hidden anger. Arilyn would have a field day with him.”

She gritted her teeth. “Thanks for the opinion.”

“Any time.”

“I’m going to the ladies’ room. Thanks again for the drink.”

Kate quickly moved past his rock-solid figure, weaving her way through the crowd to the restroom. She locked herself into the stall, sat on the toilet, and put her head between her legs. Breathe. No need to get this upset over something that was never yours. Or someone.

He rattled her with just a look. It didn’t bode well for their future working relationship. She might have to step back and force him to deal with Kennedy.

Kate took her time to regain her control. Washed her hands, checked her hair, and strolled out.

It happened so fast she had no time to react.

Someone grabbed her hard, lifted her, and dragged her deeper down the hallway. Into a dark corner by an abandoned coat closet no one used. The smell of wood and must hit her nostrils, along with another familiar scent, calming the instinct to scream.

“Are you crazy?” She shoved against him, but he barely moved. “You scared the hell out of me; I thought you were a rapist.”

“Maybe I need to show you again what you’re trying to give away.”

The warning was all raging male hormones and a sexual claim. Kate fought between the dark thrill and sheer panic, knowing if he kissed her, she’d lose it. “I need to change your intake form. Seems there’s a bit of the dom in you.”

“Funny, lately I’ve been feeling like the slave in this relationship.”

She ignored him, though the image of her on her knees, servicing him in all ways, left her hot and tingly. “We don’t have a relationship. I think you should give Emma a try. You enjoyed her company at the mixer, but she’s a bit different from Hannah, less serious. She’s a college professor, like your sister, so you may have a lot in common. She’s also your perfect physical type.”

Slade actually grinned, reminding her of a really pleased wolf about to show his mate who’s boss. “You drive me crazy. Shut up, Kate.”

His mouth covered hers. She waited for the drive of his tongue, the spark of being completely out of control while he commanded the embrace, but he only ran his lips lightly over hers, his tongue licking lightly at her bottom lip. The teasing gesture played with her sanity. She softened under him, all bark and no bite, but he made sure to punish her well. Never putting the pressure she craved into the kiss, he plucked at her nipples stabbing out from the delicate lace top and seesawed his thighs between hers.