Page 140 of Blood Stone

Kate glanced at Garrett, her expression startled. Then she dropped her gaze to her toes. Awkwardness radiated from every angle of her body.

But her pulse had increased.

Roman was staring at her, his arms loosening, growing awareness in his face. He couldn’t miss the signs of arousal in her, either. He was closer to her.

Garrett touched her arm with the card, drawing her attention. “What are you going to do?”

Kate lifted her head enough to spot the card and take it. “I have to go. It would be political suicide to turn down an invitation from the Academy, especially with my leading lady up for an award. But it’s a media red carpet event. I’ve been before, but I’ve never been one of the fashion totems.” She drew in a breath and blew it out. “I think…” She held up the card. “I think this means I’m one of the primary targets.”

“Because of us,” Garrett added.

Kate held up the card. “It’s very explicit. They want both of you there. I’m nobody on my own. Even with just one of you, I’m another director with a great man on her arm. But with both of you….” She gave a small smile. “Sorry.”

Roman glanced at Garrett. “I don’t presume to speak for longshanks there, but the way I see it, if it helps the movie, I guess I can suck up being seen with you, if you’re in a backless, sequined shimmering thing. It’ll just kill me having to dance with you wearing so little, but I can take one for the team.”

Garrett hid his smile. “Even if it means more speculation about the three of us, Roman? You know that walking down that red carpet with her is going to give them another month’s worth of speculation.”

Roman shrugged. “Fuck ‘em,” he growled. “They can think what they want. They will anyway.”

Kate looked at him. “Micheil?”

“I’m with Roman on this. If it helps the movie—and you—then yes. I’ve never had the chance to take you out on a date. Even with the morose Byzantine there playing fifth wheel, it would be nice to get out somewhere.”

Roman snorted.

Kate pulled out her cellphone. “I’m going to run it past my publicity person—”

“Mary-Ann?” Roman asked, wincing.

Kate shook her head. “The director of issues management at the agency. She’s cool. She thinks you two almost pass as boyfriend material. And she didn’t faint at the idea of two men at once. I like her.” She turned away, her cellphone to her ear.

Roman caught Garrett’s eye.

Garrett wondered if he was thinking the same thing Garrett was. Kate’s phrasing had been…interesting.

September 18thwas starting to have possibilities beyond showing the world the three of them assembled together at the same time.