Understanding flooded her features. “Ah. Yes. This project needs to be a success?—”
“And what does that look like exactly?”
Kat gave him a funny look as she continued her sweep of the building. Leo on the other hand hadn’t really been paying much attention to the progress. Bo had probably picked the wrong guy to do this job, but for the first time, Leo wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
She placed her clipboard beneath one arm and put a hand on her hip. “That’s a bit of a loaded question, don’t you think?”
“That’s why I’m asking. What makes it successful verses not so much?” Leo had been wondering this exact thing for more time than was healthy. “No roadblocks? Or coming in under budget? Maintaining good relationships with contractors? What?”
“All of that and more.”
He frowned. “So, you’re supposed to make sure the job is done to perfection. And if something goes wrong… you’re just… what? Not going to get the promotion?”
Her laughter echoed through the cavern of the empty building. “Careful, Leo. You’re letting your humanity show.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She took a few steps toward him, her movements slow and bordering on sultry as she came to a stop mere inches from his face. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume that you are worried I’m not going to get the promotion.”
“Well, it wouldn’t exactly be fair if you didn’t. There are a lot of moving parts to getting this place built and the business going. You have to count on third parties. It’s not all in your control.”
“You’re right,” she nodded. “It is a lot of work, which is why my father wanted someone here in person. If it hadn’t been me, it would have been Chaz.”
Anger immediately vibrated through Leo’s frame. Just the thought of that guy coming to this place and bossing people around had Leo’s hackles rising. That guy wasn’t fit for the job that Kat was working toward. The fact that he’d been given the opportunity to marry into the position alone was laughable. A real man should want to prove his own worth first.
Kat laughed again, patting his chest with her hand as she made to step around him. Without thinking it through, Leo’s hand shot up and wrapped around her wrist, keeping her locked in place. Her fingers splayed against his chest and her eyes lifted to meet his.
For a moment, it was like they were back in those woods. Just the two of them. The spark of power threaded between them, demanding attention. The second she’d touched him, he’d wanted more.
But more of what?
His eyes dipped to her mouth then lifted to her eyes. A kiss would be out of the question. He shouldn’t even be toying with the idea of anything starting between them. She’d be leaving in a few months and he’d be staying here.
“Leo,” she whispered. Was she inching closer? Did she want him to steal this kiss?
Low, male laughter bounced off the beams and steel bars that had been put into place for the building and Leo immediately released Kat’s hand. He could objectively say he respected this woman.
Kat Jerris was nothing like the city girl he’d been expecting. Had she been ill prepared when it came to her wardrobe?
Absolutely.
But, she’d also come with a wild spirit that refused to be broken. She was like the horses that used to run free before man arrived and deemed it necessary to domesticate them.
Kat would not be domesticated.
And that thought alone was enough to have Leo entertaining all sorts of unprofessional behavior.
He cleared his throat and looked away as a couple of the men with hardhats entered the space where they stood. “I hope you get it.” He said, without looking back at her, he turned on his heel and headed for the door. She didn’t call back to him. If she had, he didn’t know what he would have done.
She had a lot on her plate right now and even if they were both open to something not quite professional, Kat couldn’t afford to get distracted. If she didn’t meet her father’s expectations, then there was still a chance she’d have to fall back on plan B.
And marry Chaz.
“The walk-through went well.I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made thus far. I’ve spoken to Tom about the delayed delivery of materials and it should be arriving by Saturday.”
Leo’s eyes locked on Kat. The way she commanded a room had to be one of the best experiences he’d had.
Sure, in New York, she’d done the same. But that was with stiff people in suits—people like her father, Noah, and Chaz. His lip curled with disgust whenever that man’s name filled his mind.
