Under Pressure (Body Armor #1)(78)

Being with her like this, in a domestic routine, felt right.

As he removed eggs from the skillet, he asked, “What are you drawing this time?”

Before she could answer, the intercom buzzed.

More relaxed now, Cat merely glanced toward the door, then started to rise.

Leese stopped her. “I’ll get it.” She might be less wary, but he would continue to take every precaution. On his way past her, he saw that she’d drawn birds, a cluster of them on a broken fence with a small ramshackle shed to the side.

It should have been a depressed scene, but she made it pretty. The background faded, making the plump little birds the focus, and damn, it made him smile.

In his youth, maybe he should have noticed the birds more and he’d have been a happier kid.

Cat might deny it, but she was incredibly talented.

He hit the intercom button and said, “Hello?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Leese.” Enoch sounded jovial. “Sahara is on her way in, but since I got here before her, she asked that I check on you both.”

Leese unlocked the door and welcomed Enoch. “Thanks, we’re fine. Come on in.”

Nose and cheeks still red from the cold, Enoch strode in. “You had enough to eat? Stayed warm enough?”

“It was an adventure,” Cat said from the kitchen. “I enjoyed it.”

Enoch smiled toward her. “Good morning, Catalina.”

“Good morning.”

To Leese, he said, “I’m making a run for Sahara, so is there anything either of you need?”

“Making a run?” Cat asked.

“She wants to welcome everyone back to work with coffee and fresh pastries.” He set aside a briefcase and chafed his hands together. “There’s a little bakery right across the street. It won’t take me long. But while I’m out...?”

“We’re good.” Leese led him toward the kitchen. “We were just about to eat. Want to join us?”

“Thanks, no. I’m short on time.” He lifted his briefcase. “I haven’t even been to my office yet. I came straight here to check on you, as Sahara requested.”

“Then the least I can do is give you a cup of coffee before you go.” Leese needed a chance to talk to Enoch alone. Stalling was his only option. “Cat insists on having it every morning.”

“Oh, okay.” Picking up on Leese’s unasked request, Enoch nodded. “I think I have time for half a cup. Thank you.”

Cat stared toward him. “You mentioned pastry?”

Leese handed a steaming mug to Enoch, then slid a plate of eggs in front of her, scrambled with a little cheese and ham, a small dish of mixed fruit beside that. “You have breakfast.”

“And I’m sure it’s delicious,” she countered. Then with a begging expression, she added, “But fresh pastry? Like something with jelly or icing. Come on, Leese, you can’t seriously expect me to skip that.”

She looked so mulish, Leese bent and kissed her pinched mouth, leaving her pink-cheeked and blinking. “I don’t expect you to skip anything.” He asked Enoch, “Would you mind bringing us two?” If he missed his opportunity to talk to Enoch now, he’d catch him on his return.

Cat cleared her throat. “I only need one.”

“I’ll eat one with you.”

She brightened up, making him laugh. To Enoch, he said, “She’s easy to please.”

Enoch wasn’t listening. While he sipped the coffee, he studied the drawing on the counter in front of her. “This is incredible.” He took in the pencil she held, the charcoal dust around the art mat under the drawing, and his eyes widened. “Did you do this? It appears you have, but still...”

Cat lifted her smudged fingers. “It’s a charcoal pencil, a little messy but with a lot of versatility, and yes, it’s mine. Do you like it?”

“It’s amazing. The birds look so real.” He leaned closer.

Cat warned, “Careful, or you’ll get it on you.” She tipped her head at him. “If you really like it, you can have it.”

His eyes widened. “You’re serious?”

“Sure. Being cooped up here, I’ve done a lot of drawings.”

“May I see the others?”

She went pink again. “Um...”

Because many of the sketches were of him naked, Leese said, “She can pull them all together for you to see soon. Right now, I don’t want the eggs to get cold.”

“Yes, that would be wonderful. Just let me know when you’re ready.” He stared reverently at the sketch. “You’re sure you don’t mind if I take this one?”

“It’s not a problem at all. Let me spray it first so it won’t smear.” She left down the hall toward the bathroom.

Propping a hip on the counter, Leese said, “She’s good, isn’t she?”

“Very good.” He sipped his coffee. “I had no idea.”

“Took me by surprise too.”

“I’ll frame it and hang it in my den,” Enoch told him. “I have a fondness for birds.”

Leese was about to get to his more pertinent questions when Cat strode back in, shaking a hair spray can. “This will help it to set.”