The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(11)

“You okay?” Michael pulled away.

How had he known she was stressed?

“Yeah, I just . . . you ever get the feeling that you’re being watched?” Her thoughts, scrambling, had landed on the only other thing on her mind—the creepy text she’d gotten the other day.

“I’m sure a lot of guys in here are watching you, Kate.” He reached for her waist in an almost protective manner.

“No, not like that. I mean . . . never mind. Sorry.” Her cheeks burst red, as bright as fireworks on the Fourth of July.

“Is someone bothering you?” His eyes narrowed, and he began scanning the room.

“What? Um . . . no.” She took a step back. “I should get going. My hotel’s not too far.”

“Come on, I’ll take you.” He placed his hand on her forearm. “There’s no way I’m letting you walk alone.” He shook his head. “No way.”

Kate stared at him, her eyes widening. “Relax. I don’t need a babysitter.” Or do I? The image from the text flashed into her mind again. But she was too pigheaded to take Michael up on his offer, despite her nerves. He removed his hand from her arm, and she felt a few degrees cooler without his touch. She resisted the urge to stay with him, and instead approached Julia. “I’m gonna get going. I’m tired, and there’s a lot to do tomorrow.”

Julia was dancing with someone new—Kate didn’t see James anywhere. She had no desire to say goodbye to him, anyway.

“Okay, well, thanks for coming out.” Julia air-kissed Kate on the cheek and Kate left the dance floor.

Michael caught her by the arm. “Please, don’t be stubborn.”

“Hey baby,” a cute blonde said to Michael, coming up at his side.

Seriously? Seeing the blonde reminded Kate of yet another reason why she should ignore the flare of desire that had wrapped its hold on her whenever she thought of him.

“I gotta go,” she said, turning her back on the scene. As she reached the door, Kate gave one last look at the club. She saw the blonde’s hands pressed against Michael’s chest, and Kate’s shoulders slumped forward slightly as she exhaled and left.

Two blocks later, Kate was analyzing a pair of street signs. “Shit,” she said to herself. She had walked the wrong direction. She began to backtrack toward the club, which was now on the way to the hotel, wishing she wasn’t wearing stilettos.

“Hey.”

She turned around to find James. She wanted to feel relieved that it was someone she knew, but somehow she didn’t. “Hi. You decide to leave early, too?” She gave him a polite smile. His eyes darkened, and he took a few steps closer to her. A little too close. She could smell the booze on his breath. Relax. He’s a friend of Julia’s.

“I was hoping you and I could get to know each other a little better.” He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

His touch was too intimate for her. “Sure. We can talk at the fundraiser next weekend,” Kate offered.

“How about now?” he proposed, placing a hand on her hip.

Kate jerked backward. “I need to get going,” she said with a weak voice and wished she had channeled more oomph to her words at that moment.

“Come on—let’s have a drink together. My condo is a block away. I have a great view of the city that I’d love to show you.” He touched her face with the back of his hand, and she inhaled. “I won’t bite. I promise.” He leaned in closer, and she turned her head.

“I’m beat and just want to get back to my hotel.” She looked up and down the street, hoping to find a witness, but the sidewalks were empty. The nightclub, tucked away around the corner, was out of view.

“You should probably back off.”

Oh, thank God. Kate looked up at Michael. With crossed arms and tight lips, he glared at James.

James attempted to match Michael’s stance, folding his arms over his chest and tilting his chin up toward Michael, who stood a couple of inches taller. “Are you her keeper?”

“You need to go, man,” Michael demanded. “And I suggest you skip the party next weekend, as well,” he warned.

James looked at Kate and back at Michael. He rolled his eyes and stepped away. “See you around, sweetheart,” he said before walking off.

Kate tilted her head back and exhaled the breath she’d been holding, relieved that the stand-off was over. “Thanks. I guess I should’ve accepted your invitation to walk me home.” If only so I wouldn’t get lost.

He nodded in agreement, and she pointed down the street. “I’m that way.” She looked up at the sliver of the moon in the sky as they walked. “So, um, who was that girl at the club?” She knew she shouldn’t ask, but she was curious.

“No one important,” he responded, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“Thanks again for agreeing to host the party next weekend. You made your sister over-the-top happy.”

He remained silent and kept his eyes on the street.

“This is me.” She stopped outside the double door entry of her hotel and looked up at him. “Would you like a drink? It’s the least I can do to thank you for rescuing me.” What am I thinking? She couldn’t let him in her hotel room—there was a bed in there.

“Sure.”