Under Pressure (Body Armor #1)(65)

“I’m sorry,” Cat said. “Give me one minute to get the other dresses ready for you.”

Never mind Sahara’s not-so-subtle prodding. After those long, maybe meaningful looks from Leese, Cat was more than anxious to get him alone. Changing took her only two minutes, then she returned with the dresses repackaged for Sahara. She dutifully answered questions about heel height and jewelry preferences, agreed to a mani and pedi, thanked Sahara profusely and then, finally, she and Leese were alone.

After securing the door, he turned to face her. “You’re okay?”

“Yup.”

The corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “Always so resilient.”

Tipping her head, Cat wondered what he meant. “You thought trying on dresses would...what? Make me upset?”

Slowly, he shook his head. “You looked good enough to eat.”

Oh wow. That sweet compliment seemed like the perfect opening, so she cleared her throat, ready to segue into seduction—

And Leese interrupted. “You don’t ever have to apologize or explain to Sahara. I’m the one working for her, so let me handle it.”

“I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

“You won’t.”

Meaning...what? That he wouldn’t do anything to cross the line? He didn’t give her long to ponder that awful possibility.

“Everything you overheard, about the PI and Tesh and Webb... I don’t want you to worry.”

She’d definitely heard a lot. Talking about it later would have better suited her, but if it had to be now, she’d get it out of the way. “I’m going to assume you didn’t leave a trail when you poked around online, looking into Webb’s or Tesh’s business.”

“Good assumption.”

“And,” she said, inching closer to him, “I figure as long as we keep the drapes drawn, no one can spy on us here. Sucks, but I’m still safer here than I’ve been in quite a while.”

“Completely safe,” he assured her, meeting her halfway. When they got within touching distance, he lifted her chin. “I’m on it, okay? And what I can’t do, Sahara has others doing. No one is going to touch you.”

“Well, that’s the thing.” Cat slipped a hand up to his chest. “I know we’re a couple of days shy of the agreement. But I was sort of hoping for a few touches.” She stepped against him. “From you.”

*

SUCH A TEMPTATION.

Leese had to admit, kissing Catalina topped the list of the hottest things he’d ever experienced. The softness of her lips, her immediate response, the natural way she would press against him... Catalina Nicholson wore her heart on her sleeve.

She kept dark secrets, true, but not about how she felt.

It was an amazing combination—her physical honesty with her obvious mistrust—that made him more than a little nuts.

Lately, he’d given in to the urge to kiss her, taking her mouth when he knew she wanted him to, which was pretty often.

She gave new meaning to practicing moves.

For so many reasons, good reasons, Leese had denied himself. But it seemed impossible to wrestle with her and not kiss her, so he’d quit fighting it.

“Leese,” she groaned, going on tiptoe to better fit herself against him in that now-familiar way.

Encouraging her, he scooped one forearm beneath her bottom and lifted her up.

Before she could show her surprise, his mouth took hers. For only a moment, she stiffened...then sank against him with a soft, hungry sound of approval.

The problem, Leese knew, was that every kiss made him want her more. There were times at night, with her small body tucked close and her scent filling his head, that he couldn’t remember why he waited.

To prove something to her—or to prove something to himself?

He’d figure that one out later, he decided. Now, after Sahara’s visit, he sensed things were coming to a head. It wouldn’t be much longer before the players made a move, and then he’d have them.

And Cat would be free.

Before that happened, he needed to cement his relationship with her. For him, that’s what it was: an intimate relationship beyond the obligation of a bodyguard to a client.

How much more, he didn’t yet know.

But he damn sure wanted an opportunity to find out.

Did she feel the same? Only one way to tell for sure.

Still holding her, he headed for the couch; if he made a beeline to the bedroom he’d lose his cool and rush things. After all their teasing, she deserved more than that.

To ensure she didn’t disappear from his life, he needed to make an impression on her.

He needed her, period.

As he sat on the couch, he arranged Cat to straddle his lap. Her slim thighs opened around him, her knees aligned with his hips. “Touching,” he said against her mouth, “sounds good to me.”

Eyes heavy, lips damp, she whispered, “Really?”

“That,” he promised her, “and more.”

She inhaled deeply. “How much more?”

She might fight total honesty, but he could give it. “As much as you want.”

“Perfect.” Without hesitation, she tugged his T-shirt free from his jeans. “I want everything.”

Leese surprised her by leaning forward far enough that he could strip off his shirt and toss it aside.