Under Pressure (Body Armor #1)(11)

He didn’t reach for any more fries. “That was saying an awful lot, actually.”

She flapped a hand. “You don’t need to worry about it. I mean, it’s obvious you’re not feeling the same.” She knew it for a fact because he’d looked at her fries with more covetous greed than he’d looked at her. “Just sucks that I have so much on my mind and you keep trying to nudge in there—”

He choked a little.

“—but I’ll block that from my thoughts somehow.”

“That?”

“The attraction.” Pushing back her chair, glad that she’d left him speechless, Cat stood and gathered up her empty containers. “Want the rest of the fries?”

“No, I’m good.”

Sooo good. She swallowed her automatic sigh. Starting right now, she’d stop spouting nonsense. She probably needed a good night’s sleep, then she’d be more mentally functional. “Are you on a diet or something?”

Narrowing his eyes at her, he sat back in his seat. It was a good pose for him, showcasing those flat abs and lean waist while at the same time his chest and shoulders strained the fine fabric of his button-down.

“Cat?”

When her gaze lifted to his, he shook his head, either in frustration or denial, she wasn’t sure which. “What?”

“No diet,” he said. “It’s called healthy eating because I’m not into poisoning my body.”

“Yeah, it shows.” She didn’t see any body fat on him at all. Was this a lifestyle preference leftover from being a fighter? She’d love to hear more about that. Later. If she stuck around. “Personally, I love junk food. If I ever start putting on weight, I’m in trouble.”

“Fast metabolism,” he said. “But you can eat right and still enjoy your food.”

“Do they have fries in your food world?”

A grin twitched over his mouth. “Not much, no.”

“Then I’ll keep living in mine.”

He stood too, and relieved her of the garbage. “I’ll set it out.”

Cat stared up at him. She barely reached his shoulder but instead of feeling insubstantial next to him, she felt oddly protected.

That had something to do with Leese’s overall attitude.

His shirt, the sleeves now rolled to his elbows, fit his broad chest and hard shoulders as if tailored specifically for him. He wore nice jeans and boots, and he looked like a million bucks in a relaxed package.

Until now, she hadn’t realized just how sexy “relaxed” could be.

“Did you want to shower?”

Her eyes flared.

Smiling, he chastised softly, “Alone.”

Ignoring the tinge of disappointment she felt, she turned to escape. “Yeah.”

Leese caught her shoulder. “Cat?”

Nope, she definitely would not face him. “Hmm?”

“If you’re going to call someone, anyone, it’d be better if I knew so I could prepare for it.”

“Can’t,” she said. “No phone.”

“You don’t have a cell?”

Well, heck, why had she just admitted that to him? He kept her rattled without trying.

She’d lost the use of the phone more than a week ago. At first she’d been too worried about someone using her personal cell phone to track her down. Some people had incredible reach and according to the movies, cell phones were a no-no when you were on the run. “I got a prepaid,” she explained. “But it’s done and I haven’t had access to money to—”

“I could take care of it for you.”

Pride made her rigid. “You already bought me food. And you’re paying for this room.”

“It’ll all go on an expense account. Don’t worry about it.”

Oh God, that was even worse because she already knew who’d be covering those expenses—and that meant more control over her.

“We’ll talk about it later.” Again, Leese’s thumb caressed her, this time on her shoulder. “For now, do you need anything?”

Sex, apparently. But that wasn’t happening. “No.” Somehow, some way, she’d figure out how to reimburse him herself. She wasn’t without means, just temporarily unable to access them.

“Then for tonight, how about you put away your worries and just relax? In the morning after you’re better rested we’ll talk—about everything—and get it all sorted out.”

A reprieve. Not a bad idea, considering she was dead on her feet. Now that she’d eaten, sleep beckoned, but first, a much-needed shower. “Sounds like a plan.”

“I’ll be here when you’re done. Then I’ll get Justice to come over while I shower.”

“I won’t be long.” As soon as he released her, she practically ran to the bedroom, closed the glass doors and ducked out of view. Wow, the man packed a sultry punch, and he hadn’t even been trying. What if he decided he wanted to seduce her? How easy would that be?

She knew she was already halfway there.

Gathering up what she needed, determined to stop thinking about him, she headed to the bathroom. But one thought led to another and as she stepped beneath the water, she thought of Leese doing the same.

No, no, no...shoot. Maybe she’d have to keep her own shower cold. If nothing else, it’d wake her up enough to prioritize.