“I don’t care when. But we will. You can’t avoid me forever.”
Kat muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, “Watch me.”
He scowled before turning his focus to his mother. “Smells good, mom.”
Reese cleared his throat, but Leo wasn’t about to give his older brother any of his attention. The guy didn’t know what it was like dealing with a woman like Kat. Reese had been lucky in that department. Serenity was sweet and soft spoken. The only roadblock between her and Reese had been her children and the loss of her late husband.
Nope. Reese didn’t know a dang thing when it came to wooing a woman who was as stubborn as that bull Bo had sold to the ranch on the outskirts of town. That animal gave everyone a run for their money.
Kat was as stubborn as they came. She’d had her mind made up about her life at the age of nine and there was no derailing her.
Reese cleared his throat again.
“Are you okay?” Kat asked.
At that, Leo shot his brother a sharp look. Reese lifted his brows as if to warn Leo from doing something stupid.
Too late for that.
“Been busy, Kat?” Leo ground out. “I seem to recall you telling me we could have a certain conversation.”
“Leo…” his mother warned. “Not at the dinner table.”
Kat stiffened at his side. This time she kept her eyes trained on her food.
“It’s been a couple of weeks. I figured it was important enough?—”
“This lasagna is very good, Sonya. You’ll have to give me the recipe before I leave.”
Leo gripped his fork in his hand so tight the metal dug into his palm. “And when is that, exactly?” At this point, he didn’t care if he sounded like he was ready to murder something. He’d arrived at his wits’ end with Kat and her avoidance game.
“When the project is complete,” she said quietly.
“That’s not an answer.”
“Leo,” his mother snapped. “Stop attacking her with questions. Can we just share this meal in peace? I’m sure Kat will give you a few moments after dinner. Isn’t that right, Kat?”
All eyes turned to the woman at Leo’s side, and he could tell in that exact moment what Kat was thinking.
There was no way she’d allow herself to be cornered by him. She was likely planning on slipping away from the table early when he was distracted so she wasn’t forced to hear him out.
Well, fat chance of that happening, sweetheart. I’m going to make sure you follow through with our little talk whether you like it or not.
Kat squirmed in her seat and her face flushed a bright red color before she gave the smallest nod known to man.
“See? There. Kat will clear the air after dinner.”
Leo glowered at his mother for enabling Kat. He could feel Reese’s warning glare burning holes in his face. If Leo wanted to ensure that he’d get what Kat owed him, he’d have to be two steps ahead of her at all times.
Then it hit him. He knew exactly how to do that.
When the room had gone quiet and those seated at the table weren’t eating as much, Leo pushed away from the table. “I’m going to head to the bathroom. Wait for me?” He’d directed the question to Kat if only to throw her off. The fact that she looked relieved only confirmed his suspicion. She wouldn’t wait for him. She was going to slip up to her room the second she had a chance.
Well, she wouldn’t like what was waiting for her when she got there.
It only took five minutes for the door to Kat’s room to quietly open and shut. It was dark in her room until she flipped onthe lights. Then she turned around and clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a scream.
Slowly, Leo rose from where he sat perched on the edge of her bed. He cocked his head at her like the predator he was as he stalked toward her. “I thought you said you’d wait for me.”
