Page 55 of Tempting Kat
“I—” I start, then stop, not sure what I want to say.
Conrad's eyes never leave mine, and I feel like he's seeing straight through all my bullshit. The silence stretches between us, heavy with something I'm not ready to name.
A sharp knock at the door saves me from having to answer.
“That’s Henry,” Conrad says, finally breaking eye contact and striding across the room, butt-ass naked. I know he’s not about to answer this door with his dick swinging.
“Jesus Christ, put some pants on!” I hiss, clutching my sheet tighter.
He shoots me an amused look over his shoulder. “He's seen worse.”
I duck into the bathroom as Conrad opens the door, not wanting to know what “worse” things Henry has witnessed.
Five minutes later, I hear him through the door that Henry is gone and I can come out now. Conrad says he checked, and there’s not a single piece of tweed or tartan, so all the tables in the room are safe from my wrath.
I roll my eyes as I open the door and walk out because he didn’t need to call me out like that, and he also doesn’t need to be so funny. I need to maintain my distance, and I don’t need him to make me laugh.
“Henry says good morning.”
“I'm sure he does,” I mutter, clutching my sheet tighter as I approach the bag. “Did you at least tip him for having to see your dick at eight am?”
Conrad snorts. “Henry gets paid enough to see whatever the fuck I want him to see.”
A shopping bag is placed in my outstretched hand, and I quickly shut the door again. Inside the bag, I find a black sundress, a matching bra and panty set, and—thank fuck—a toothbrush and travel-sized toiletries.
“That man is a fucking saint,” I mutter to myself as I drop the sheet and start getting dressed.
The dress fits surprisingly well, hugging my curves without being too tight. The underwear is plain but comfortable, and I silently thank Henry for not picking out anything too frilly or revealing. I brush my teeth and attempt to tame my hair, finally giving up and pulling it into a messy bun.
When I look up, Conrad is dressed in dark jeans and a gray t-shirt, and he looks good. Too good.
“How did Henry know my size?”
I hear the humor in his voice before I look up at him, “I told him.”
“And how do you know my size?” I challenge, narrowing my eyes at him.
He shrugs, completely unapologetic. “I pay attention.”
The idea that Conrad has been cataloging details about my body makes heat pool low in my belly, which is fucked up. I should be creeped out, not turned on.
“You are never beating those stalker allegations.”
Chapter 17
Katarina
I've never seen a man look so fucking good standing in front of a grimy warehouse. He looks like everything in this place is beneath him, and maybe it is. What do I really know about the guy? He could be in the fucking mafia for all I know.
“Call me when you're done shopping,” Conrad says, leaning back into the car. His eyes flick over my body like he's memorizing every inch. “Henry will take you anywhere you want.”
I roll my eyes. “I can take the bus or subway like a normal person, you know.”
“Not fucking happening.” His jaw tightens, and I can almost hear his teeth grinding, and it’s like music to my ears, knowing how easily I get under his skin. “Henry drives you today. That's non-negotiable.”
I'm about to argue when he dips his head down and presses a kiss to my forehead. The gesture is so unexpectedly gentle that the words die in my throat. His thumb brushes over my lips, rough pad catching on the sensitive skin.
“Be good,” he murmurs, his voice low enough that only I can hear it. “And if you can't be good, at least be careful. Andremember the most important thing of all, have fun spending my money.”
