Page 85 of Tempting Kat
I notice Matteo's eyes lingering a little too long on Katarina. Then his gaze shifts to Francesca, who's laughing at something Alexander just said.
“Stop noticing how happy she is,” I growl, my voice low enough that only he can hear. “And keep your eyes off Gallo women, old friend. Your dick will get you killed one of these days.”
Matteo laughs, but there's something off about it. A slight tension in his shoulders I haven't seen before. Interesting.
“Just appreciating the view,” he says with a shrug. “You're a lucky man, Conrad.”
I'm about to tell him exactly where he can shove his admiration when I feel a prickle at the back of my neck. The hair-raising sensation I always get when Katarina's eyes are on me.
I turn and there she is, looking straight at me across the yard. One eyebrow quirked in a way that means she needs me. Wants me. Her hand strokes over her belly in a slow, deliberate caress that makes my cock twitch.
“Excuse me,” I mutter, setting my glass down on a nearby table and kissing Tessa on the cheek.
I stalk across the lawn, my eyes never leaving Katarina's.
“Everything okay?” I ask when I reach her, my hand automatically going to her belly. Our daughter kicks against my palm immediately, like she knows it's me. Fuck if that doesn't make my chest tighten every time.
“Your daughter is using my bladder as a trampoline,” Kat complains, but there's no heat behind it. “And these fucking Braxton Hicks contractions are driving me insane.”
I slide my hand around to her lower back, pressing my thumb into the spot I know aches the most. She practically purrs, leaning into my touch.
“Want me to take you inside? Get you off your feet for a bit?” I offer, already scanning the quickest route to the house.
“No, I'm fine. Just needed to see your scowling face,” she teases, reaching up to smooth the furrow between my brows with her thumb.
I'm about to ask her if she wants me to get her something to eat when her eyes shift over my shoulder, narrowing slightly.
“Don't wanna add to your stress, but the eyes Matteo is giving Tessa right now are not friendly,” she says quietly, her hand squeezing my forearm. “He looks like he wants to consume her.”
My entire body goes rigid. I start to turn, but Kat's grip tightens on my arm.
“And so help me god, Conrad, if you cause a scene right now, I'm gonna go stay with Frankie and Alexander for a while,” she hisses. “Do not do whatever it is you're itching to do.”
I grind my teeth so hard I'm surprised they don't crack. “He's looking at my daughter like she's a fucking meal,” I growl under my breath.
“I know. But this is our baby shower. Our daughter's day,” she reminds me, her hand moving to cradle her belly protectively. “Handle it later. Like a civilized human being.”
I force myself to take a deep breath, every muscle in my body screaming to turn around and rip Matteo's eyes out of their sockets. “Going to have to kill my best friend for looking at my daughter,” I mutter darkly. “Then I'll have to deal with the fucking Del Mar family if I kill him.”
Kat's lips twitch despite her stern expression. “You're not killing anyone at my baby shower. Think of the cake. Blood is so hard to get out of fondant.”
Despite my rage, I find myself huffing out a laugh. “Fine. But he's fucking dead later.”
“Later,” she agrees, patting my chest. “Now get me some of those little cucumber sandwiches. Your daughter is starving.”
I press a kiss to her forehead, allowing my hand to linger on her belly for a moment longer. “Anything for my girls. All of my girls.”