White-Hot Hack (Kate and Ian #2)(46)

Ian gave her his undivided attention. “Okay, tell me again, but slower this time. Maybe you should demonstrate on yourself to make sure I understand.”

Kate laughed. “Oh, you understand perfectly.”

“Were you naked? Was she?”

“They were all naked. It’s always this bizarre naked locker room parade. She swooped in when I was trying to put on my bra.”

Ian licked his lips and swallowed. “Oh my God.”

“Having your breasts groped by a bona fide Real Housewife is not as fun as you’re making it sound.”

He shook his head. “Of course not. Then what happened?”

“Well, this is where it gets really intense.” Kate dropped her voice to a whisper. “After she finished with my boobs, her hands slid quite a bit lower and she touched me down there.”

He picked up Kate and threw her over his shoulder. “I don’t even care that you’re just messing with me now.”

She shrieked and pounded on his back in mock outrage. “Put me down, you caveman!”

He laughed. “Shouldn’t have yanked my chain, sweetness. I’m all fired up now.”

“I have sandwiches to make. You said you were hungry.”

“Maybe I can find something in the bedroom to tide me over for a little while.”

“The mouth on you.”

“I think you mean my mouth on you. And just so you know, I feel like doing all the really dirty stuff.”

“What do you think this is, your birthday? A special occasion?”

“Stop being coy. You were the one who threw out that rule a long time ago.”

Kate laughed. “Why are you walking so slowly?”

When they reached the bedroom, he tossed her onto the bed, and it was a good long while before they made it back to the kitchen.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Ian was in the shower when the disposable phone he only used for the task force rang.

Kate walked into the bathroom with it. “The supersecret Batphone is ringing. Do you want me to answer it? It says C on the screen.”

He stuck his head out, wiping shampoo out of his eyes as the suds ran down his face. “That’s Charlie. Can you grab it, sweetness? Tell him I’ll be out in a minute.”

Kate answered the phone. “Hey, Charlie. It’s Kate.”

“Well, well, well. It seems I got lucky with this call. I’d much rather talk to you than that husband of yours.”

“Ian’s taking a shower. He’s almost done.”

“How are you?” Charlie asked.

“Good. How are you?”

“Can’t complain. What are you up to?”

“I’m meeting a friend for dinner.”

After having coffee with the women from Pilates, Kate had called Jade. She’d mentioned to Ian how well she and the interior decorator had gotten along. “I like her. She seems really nice. Plus she’s a working girl, so maybe we’ll have more in common. I think I’ll see if she wants to grab dinner or a drink or something.” Jade had seemed happy to hear from Kate and she’d enthusiastically accepted her invitation to dinner.

“Where are you going?” Charlie asked.

“The French Hound.”

“I ate there once. It’s been a while though. Try the lobster risotto if they still have it. It was wonderful.”

“Maybe I will. Thanks for the recommendation.”

“What time are you meeting her? It can get pretty crowded.”

“Seven o’clock. I made a reservation.”

“Then you shouldn’t have any problem.”

Ian appeared in the doorway, naked. Kate motioned for him to turn in a circle and he happily obliged. She gave him a thumbs-up. “Here’s Ian. It was nice talking to you, Charlie.”

“You too, Kate. Have a great night.”



Jade was sitting at the bar when Kate walked into the restaurant.

“I love your dress,” Jade said after they hugged hello. “Where did you get it?”

“Anthropologie. Will bought it. He likes to shop for me.”

“Now that is a rare quality to find in a man.”

“Trust me. I know how lucky I am.”

“The hostess said our table will be ready in a minute.”

Kate sat down beside Jade and ordered a glass of wine. “I’m so happy you could make it tonight. I haven’t met many people since we moved here.”

“I was really glad you called. When I’m not at work, I tend to keep to myself. People don’t mean to, but they sometimes act like your marital status is contagious or worry you might try to steal their husband.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” Though Jade had never mentioned a husband, Kate had assumed she was married because she wore a diamond ring and matching gold band on the ring finger of her left hand.

“My husband died in a car accident a couple of years ago. For some reason, I thought I’d already told you.”

“No,” Kate said. She covered her mouth with her hand as her eyes filled with tears. She felt like someone had knocked the wind out of her as it all came flooding back: The shock. The disbelief. The tears. For Jade, there had been no waking from the nightmare the way there had been for Kate. She grabbed Jade’s hand and squeezed. “I’m so sorry.”