Challenging the Center (Santa Fe Bobcats #6)(21)

“You don’t like that I’m here. That you’re stuck being the manny.” She walked over to him, her running shoes silent on the carpet of the conference room. Stopping in front of him, she poked a finger at his chest. “I’m cramping your style. Annoying the hell out of you. Admit it.”

She hadn’t showered—when would she have?—and he could still smell the musky sweat combined with her own original scent that clung to her skin. God, why was that hot? He was sick in the head.

“Your silence is basically an agreement.” Triumph shone in her eyes. “We could probably work out a deal, you and I.”

“A deal.” His voice was hoarse. Why the hell was his voice so hoarse?

“Yeah. Like, you ignore me, I do what I want, I tell Sawyer I’m just too smart for you, and he lets you off manny duty.”

“Too smart for…” He cut off when he saw her grinning. “You little shit.”

“Don’t make it so easy to tease,” she said with an impish grin.

“Tease. That’s what you like?”

She shrugged.

He gripped her elbows, dragging her body close to his. Until her breasts pressed against his chest, her stomach aligned with his, her feet coming to rest between his. “Is that what this whole act is? Teasing me?”

“It’s not an act. This is me.” Her voice grew smaller, less confident.

“Maybe,” he admitted, his fingers tightening slightly on her arms. Gauging. Testing. She didn’t pull away. She leaned closer to him. And her head tipped back, just enough to give him a clear shot at her mouth.

Jesus. She was asking him to try her.

No, not asking, he silently amended as he caught the glint of challenge in her eyes.

Daring him.

Michael never backed down from a dare.





Chapter 6





He was either trying to terrify her, or seduce her. Kat wasn’t entirely sure which, but if the former was his goal, he sucked at it.

If the latter, well… Her nipples were attempting to bore holes through her sports bra, and there was an uncomfortable dampness in her shorts that could clearly attest to his success in the latter.

His grip changed suddenly, losing the feeling of manacles, and morphed into something tender. His thumbs swept over the bend of her elbows, and she wished she hadn’t zipped on her hoodie after the gym. She’d give up a lot to feel those roughened fingertips over her skin.

But…

“Michael,” she said, damning herself for sounding breathless.

“Yeah.”

Not a question. But an answer to an unspoken query.

Then he bent his head and pressed his mouth to hers in a hungry kiss.

The instant their lips touched, she felt the fire. One that took her by surprise and blazed all the hotter for it. One she wasn’t prepared for and wasn’t sure whether she wanted to bank it or feed it and see where it grew.

Then his hand slid from her elbow to the small of her back, pressing her in closer, and she knew.

Feed it.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she lifted up onto her toes and pressed closer in. His mouth slanted over hers, and she opened slightly, testing. Seeing if he’d take the bait.

Of course he would. He was a competitor, same as her. He wouldn’t back down from a challenge. His mouth slanted farther over hers, tongue invading her space, tasting her, enticing her to try him out. To open wider. She ignored, moving at her own speed.

Then his hand cupped her cheek, thumb pressing at the junction of her jaw and making her gasp with a sensation that wasn’t quite pain, not quite pleasure. More a tingle. He took advantage, delving deeper into her wide-open mouth.

God, he had a talented tongue.

Then he was gone in an instant, pulling away so fast she nearly tumbled face-first into the door. Only his arm thrusting out against her chest, like he was the driver saving the passenger in a car accident, preserved her from knocking out her two front teeth.

Embarrassment, party of one. Your table is now available.

“Sorry,” Michael muttered as she stood upright. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out his singing cell phone. “The phone just…”

“Yeah.” She turned her back on him as he answered in a rough voice. Pull it together, Kelly. Pull yourself together. Who cares that he just rocked the hell out of you? Game face. You’ve got a good game face. Put it on.

Then his big hand covered her shoulder, and she looked behind her without turning around. Michael’s face was pulled into a grim expression, and she finally tuned in to what he was saying.

“It wasn’t a big deal, Sawyer. I’m not sure why you’re throwing a fit about it.”

Sawyer? she mouthed.

He nodded, then held the phone away and pressed a button to turn on the speaker phone.

“… but does she stay low? No,” Sawyer droned on. “No, she goes and gets herself involved in showing up a freaking Bobcat. Because that’s the way to look humble and likeable.”

“Maybe people will like a strong female sports figure. Ever thought of that?” Kat asked, her fists clenching.

“By the way, you’re on speaker,” Michael added dryly.

“Jesus and the disciples.” Aggravation bled through the phone line. “Fine. Now that you’re both on the line, let’s go over why Kat’s there in the first place. To learn a little humility.”