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“I thought you wanted to get to know me better. Shouldn’t I be flattered by your look ofinsanity?”

She closed the car door, and they headed across the parking lot toward the track. The girls who had fawned over Eric and Hugh had joined a group of people by the clubhouse. Kat tried to ignore theinsanityprickling her nerves.

“Don’t you get enough of an ego boost from being fawned over by strangers?” She knew it was a bitchy thing to say, but she was powerless to stop the attitude from flying in his face like a big red flag. He stopped walking and gripped her arm—hard. The wicked look in his eyes told her that he didn’t see it as a red flag at all.

“I said I was interested in enjoyingyou, Kat. That meansyou, not some girls who want an autograph.” The hint of anger in his voice had her stepping back, and him stepping forward. “I’m a public figure. I get hit on all the time.”

“Good for you.” She walked toward the track where Hugh and Bree were setting up the equipment, and he gripped her arm again, more gently this time, keeping her beside him.

“Yes, good for me.” The words were cold, but his eyes were warm. “I can get as much ass as I want, whenever I want. I can also risk disease or bad press, right? That’s real attractive. Let’s not forget the shame that follows a good hookup.” His tone turned thoughtful, and Kat swore she saw a shadow of hurt wash over his face. “We both know that shame, don’t we?”

She knew that shame, and she hated it almost as much as she hated that she’d made him feel bad for just being the celebrity he was. “Yes,” she said quietly.

“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel that shame, Kat. Not for one second after being with you.” He paused, and she wondered if it was so she could let his words sink in or for him to gather his thoughts as his eyes searched hers. “I know we just met, but I feel something between us that’s more powerful than I’ve ever felt before. I want a chance to explore that with you.”

He slid his hand to the nape of her neck and stepped in closer, bringing their lips a whisper apart. He didn’t seem to care who saw them, and she didn’t care either, because being this close to Eric, feeling his heat embrace her, seeing the desire inhis eyes, consumed her. She desperately wanted to press her lips to his, to tell him she was sorry.

She opened her mouth to apologize, and before she could say a word, he said, “I’ll never lie to you and pretend that there wasn’t a time when those types of girls turned my head. But right here, right now, there’s only you and me. And until we decide otherwise—untilyou and Imake that decision together—you don’t have to worry about what I’m doing with any other woman.”

He stared at her for a long stretch, long enough that his words sank into her heart and filled her with hope.

THE SECOND ERIChad seen jealousy flash in Kat’s eyes, he’d known that he never wanted to make her feel that awful emotion again. And he was going to do everything within his power to ensure she never had a reason to feel that way. After signing autographs for the women, he’d asked Hugh if he’d mind if he asked Kat out, and thankfully—God, thankfully—he didn’t.

Eric didn’t waste a second as he gazed into Kat’s eyes. “Go out with me tonight. Just the two of us.”

Her eyes shifted to their friends. “But we’re visiting Bree and Hugh.”

“I asked Hugh if he minded, and he doesn’t. I’d be happy to ask Bree, too, if you want. And I know I’m asking you to take time away from your best friend, but if you give me tonight, Kat, I’ll fly you back to see Bree whenever you want. One night, that’s all I’m asking.”Although I want so much more.

She opened her mouth to speak, and he pressed his lips to hers. He didn’t need to hear her say she didn’t want a fling, because he didn’t either. She kissed him tentatively at first, but as he slicked his tongue over the seam of her lips, she opened up to him, meeting his passion with her own. Her body meltedagainst him, and when he deepened the kiss, her arms wound around his neck. This was what he’d dreamed of all night and longed for all day. The taste of her desire, the total release when she gave herself up to their kisses, the feel of their bodies fighting for more.

The sound of girls giggling pulled him from the heat of the moment, and he remembered they were in a parking lot surrounded by strangers and leaving Hugh and Bree waiting.

He reluctantly ended the kiss, keeping her so close he could hear every breath she took. “Say yes, Kat.”

Her eyes were smoky, her skin was flushed, and her answer came in a whisper. “Yes.”

“Yes,” he repeated, because he felt like he might burst with gratitude and needed a release before he gathered her in his arms to kiss her again.

“You don’t know a thing about discretion, do you?” she asked quietly as her eyes darted around the parking lot, finally landing on Bree and Hugh, who were smiling and whispering, with their eyes locked on Kat and Eric.

“I know a hell of a lot about discretion, but I don’t want to be discreet with you.” He offered her his hand, and when she slid her fingers between his, relief swept over him. He lifted their interlocked hands and kissed the back of hers.

“But didn’t we just talk about this? Not that I’m complaining, but…” Her smile told him that she was totally on the same page with him.

“I thought that was about having sex in Hal’s house, which is something I’d never do unless you were officially mine in the world’s eyes.” Eric stopped in his tracks as his mind became laser focused. That was exactly what he wanted, for the sassy blonde who wasn’t afraid to call him on his shit or act on her emotions to behisin the eyes of the world.

CHAPTER 8

“I HAVEN’T BEENthis nervous about a date in years.” Kat set her hairbrush on the sink and turned to Brianna. “Are you sure you don’t mind that we’re going out? I feel bad about going out with Eric when I’m supposed to be visiting with you.”

“Oh, please. Do you really think I’d complain about having a night to go to bed early with my incredibly hot husband? Go, have fun.” Brianna fluffed the back of Kat’s hair and looked at her reflection in the mirror. “You look gorgeous. Those jeans fit perfectly, and only you could wear a shirt that tight and show that much cleavage without looking slutty.”

Kat bumped her with her shoulder. “Shut up.”

“That man will not be able to stop kissing you tonight. After that kiss at the track, I can’t even begin to imagine how you’ve thought of anything since.”

“He is an incredible kisser, but I still feel guilty about going out. It’s not even like this can lead anywhere. I’ll probably never see him again after this weekend, and I’m missing out on time with you and Hugh and the kids.”