Page 35 of Storm Warning
Kate’s heart raced, thundering so loudly she was certain he must hear it, her breath hitching in her throat as she stared at him in shock. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. She had hoped Nick might be interested in something more but hadn’t really expected it. As she had told Callie, why would PrinceCharming choose ordinary her? Sure, she was reasonably attractive, but not like the stunning women often photographed with him—women with razor-sharp cheekbones and legs for days.
Nick continued, his voice dropping to something more intimate. “We could eat here at the residence, but knowing my pain-in-the-ass brothers, they would either invite themselves or keep interrupting. I can’t invite you to my suite for a private meal on a first date; you might think I expect something in return.”
He ran a hand through his dark hair, the gesture endearingly uncertain, mussing the styled strands, before meeting her eyes with an intensity that made her pulse quicken and cheeks flush with warmth. The air between them crackled with possibility. “So, if I can figure out arrangements, would you join me? I’d love to get to know you better.”
“I would like that.” Her heart fluttered, and the rest of the world melted away—the residence, the corporate espionage, everything fading to a soft blur until only Nick remained in sharp focus.
“It may not be normal for a first date,” she said playfully as she met Nick’s gaze, noting the flecks of gold in those green eyes, “but we can cook in my suite.” A teasing smile danced on her lips as she glimpsed his surprised expression, his mouth opening slightly. “Your brothers wouldn’t bother us there, right? And after meeting Marguerite, I’m sure I’d be safe with you.”
Mirth sparkled in his voice like sunlight on water. “Oh, yeah. She’d skin me alive if I ever hurt a female in any way!” The warmth of his tone made her heart stutter, skip a beat, then resume in double-time. “Dinner at your place sounds wonderful. If it cools off a bit, we can sit out on the pergola. And no, mybrothers wouldn’t intrude there since we consider it your space.”
Anticipation warmed her from the inside out, a glow settling in her chest, as she imagined the soft glow of string lights dancing above them in the pergola, the evening air carrying the scent of jasmine and the promise of something new.
“Let’s see... you had salmon for lunch, so you must like seafood. Unfortunately, that’s one of the few things I cook well.” His playful admission made her chuckle, the delighted sound bursting from her throat, easing the tension knotting her stomach into tight little balls.
Kate leaned back, laughter bubbling up like a spring as she listened to Nick proffer silly dinner ideas—at one point suggesting they order pizza and pretend they’d cooked it—before working his way to a serious offering.
“Ok, sounds good to me. You bring the steaks,” Kate replied, her voice lilting with anticipation. “I’ve got potatoes, so I’ll throw two in to bake. Do you like squash? I could roast some.”
The thought of preparing a meal together, the homeyness—the intimacy of moving around a kitchen, shoulders brushing, sharing tastes from wooden spoons—made her giddy, and her cheeks warmed with anticipation, heat prickling across her skin.
Nick offered his slow, gorgeous smile that brightened his face, transforming him from handsome to devastating, and Kate’s heart tripped over itself, stumbling like she’d missed a step on stairs.
“That sounds amazing,” he said, a joyous glint lighting up his piercing green eyes like emerald fire, making her stomach knot with something hopeful, a sweet ache of possibility. “I’ll bring a bottle of wine, too. We can finish preparing dinner together. Does 7 pm work?”
His gaze locked onto hers, a charged look that felt flirty, fun, and undeniably sexy, all in one heartbeat—like standing too close to a live wire. A rush of adrenaline coursed through her, liquid lightning in her veins, pulse pounding in her throat, her wrists, behind her ears, as if preparing for a marathon. The irreverent thought flittered through her mind that at this rate, she’d need a cardiologist before age 35—never mind she was only a year away.
“Perfect.” Kate rose from her chair, her legs slightly unsteady, muscles trembling with the overflow of emotion. Melting into a puddle at Nick’s feet was a definite possibility if she didn’t get away from him soon, and she absolutely didn’t need that embarrassment—could already imagine herself as a literal puddle of goo on the flagstone! Travertine. Whatever.
“I’ll see you at seven,” she said, her voice bright but tinged with a nervous flutter, and slightly breathless.
She flashed him a smile before retreating to the sanctuary of her suite, his eyes on her back like a physical touch, warm and weighted.
A laugh escaped her lips at the unconventionality of it all—the sound giddy and disbelieving. A kitchen date may not be a normal first-date, romantic outing, but excitement ignited a thrill, sparking and fizzing like fireworks, as she pondered what to wear for their unique first date, her mind already rifling through her wardrobe with frantic delight.
Chapter 15
Perfect
Callie deserved a raise.Kate stared into the mirror, her heart fluttering with anticipation and trepidation as she appraised her outfit. The turquoise blue dress draped elegantly over her, while the lavender flowers accentuated her sun-kissed skin in a way that made her radiant. A soft scoop neck framed her collarbone, striking a delicate balance between allure and modesty.
As she moved, the fabric flowed with her, the gentle swish of the hem making her feel almost like she was gliding. And pockets—real, functional pockets! She couldn’t help but twirl, her spirit lifting as the skirt danced around her.
Should she put her hair up or leave it down? Men preferred long hair, didn’t they? She bit her lip, uncertain, then shook her head slightly, a determined grin appearing. Down it was. She felt chic and bold, ready for whatever the evening held in store.
Diving into her jewelry case, she glided her fingers over the few pieces until she settled on a simple silver choker and dangle earrings that caught the light. A final search led her to wedge sandals that promised both style and comfort, giving her confidence a boost.
She floated down the stairs to the kitchen. The earthyaroma of baking potatoes enveloped her senses. She peeked in the oven—almost done. The roasting squash was caramelizing beautifully, edges crisping to perfection. Butter, sour cream, grated cheese, and chives sat nearby.
A knock echoed in the silence. Her breath caught. With each step toward the connecting doors, anticipation grew and butterflies swarmed. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, lifted her chin and forced a smile onto her face, desperate to conceal her jittery nerves.
Taking one last deep breath, she grasped the cool handle and slid open the door.
Her eyes drifted over Nick, and her heart stuttered.
He wore light linen pants that hung just right and a cotton V-neck that clung to his body, highlighting the defined planes beneath. How was it possible for someone who spent all day at a desk to have a physique like his?
Lust flooded her, mingling with trepidation. She struggled to find her voice. Could he see the turmoil swirling within her?