Leo didn’t miss the smug look his cousin gave him, nor the way he arched a brow. Leo knew all too well what Tripp was trying to say with that expression. Probably something along the lines of ‘be careful, she’s a commodity and you don’t want to risk losing her’.
Well, the joke was on him. Leo didn’t want to get attached to someone like Kat. She’d be gone soon anyway.
He just didn’t want anyone else to win her over either.
“Friends. Right,” Leo muttered.
“Great,” she said brightly. “Guess I’ll have to go dress shopping. I’ll see you boys later.”
The second she was out of earshot, Leo slugged his cousin in the arm.
“Ow!” Tripp muttered.
“Next time, do what I tell you, and stay away from her.” With that, Leo marched off and headed for the exit.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kat worriedher lower lip as she perused the racks of formal dresses. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been to a wedding. It had been ages. Her friends from high school had invited her, and she’d made an effort to attend.
As much as she hated to admit it, she’d let work get in the way.
When was the last time she’d allowed herself to let loose and have some fun?
She pulled a beautiful sparkling black gown from the rack. She’d come to Billings to get a better variety of options for the gown since it was too short notice to order something. And there was definitely not enough time for her to have her secretary back home mail her one.
The dress was gorgeous. It would hug every one of her curves. There was a deep v-neck cut and the back swooped so low that the small of her back would be exposed. This was exactly the kind of dress she would have worn to a wedding back home and she was surprised that she’d been able to find something that was her style.
Better yet, she had a pair of strappy stilettos that would pair perfectly with it.
After being dressed in jeans and boots for the last several days, she couldn’t deny that getting dolled up excited her to no end. The wedding on Friday would be exactly what she needed to let off some steam.
Kat didn’t curse often,but when she arrived at the wedding, that was exactly what she did. And she immediately spun around and collided with Leo’s firm torso. Her hands splayed against his dress shirt and she glowered at him.
“You should have told me I was overdressed,” she hissed.
“And miss out on this?” He gave her an appreciative scan of her body, pulling his lower lip between his teeth. Then he shook his head and whispered beside her ear, “Not a chance.”
She was breathing heavy. Not a single person at this wedding was dressed as formally as she was save for the bride. Already, Kat could feel several eyes on her and the way the heat crept up her neck and flooded her chest and face, she knew this night wasn’t going to end well. “Take me home,” she demanded.
“Oh, I’m taking full advantage of what I have tonight,” he murmured, his hand resting on the small of her back.
She sucked in a gasp at his warm touch. She could have blamed the goosebumps on the cool night air, but she would have been lying. Leo’s touch did things to her that she wasn’t proud of. So much for coming as friends.
“Stay with me.” His whispered plea only added to the tumultuous activity happening in her body. Her thrumming heart all but sang that she’d do whatever he wanted if he continued asking her with that husky tone of his.
Kat clutched at his dress shirt with both of her hands. “I don’t want to ruin her night.” She didn’t have to clarify that she was referring to the bride. Leo would already know. He glanced over his shoulder presumably toward the bride and groom.
“I don’t think that’s a possibility. They’ve only got eyes for each other.” He cocked his head and brought his gaze back to Kat. “Now as for the rest of the guests…” One side of his mouth quirked upward. “You’ve captured the attention of several.”
She shut her eyes tight. “Just let me go home. I should have never come.”
“Princess…” he crooned. “You look… stunning.”
Kat opened her eyes. The way he’d just said that made her almost believe there was something growing between the two of them—like he was making a promise to her. He’d protect her from whatever the night had to offer.
But that was ridiculous.
Wasn’t it?
