Page 24 of Counterfeit Connection

“Hmmm?”

“Are you cold or afraid of being totally alone with me?”

“Would you hate me if I said both?”

I hold the door of my suite open so she can pass in front of me. “I think I’d find myself hard pressed to hate you.”

“It’s not about you. Well, it is and it isn’t. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. Kat and Tobias are grown. They can do what they want. The whole on the first date thing is just not for me.”

My hand presses against the light switch, slowly drawing the dimmer up. “Kaitlyn, I wouldn’t ask you to do anything you weren’t consenting to. I have a robe on the back of my bathroom door. Would you like that to wrap around you?”

She nods. “Yes. Thank you.” She strides over and pulls the plush, white robe from the bathroom door and wraps it around her shoulders.

“Would you like something to drink? Eat? I’m sure we can call down for something, if so.”

She shakes her head, “No to the food, but I’d love some water, if you have any.”

“Water. Coming right up.” I cross the room to retrieve a cold bottle from the mini fridge near the small bar area. “Here you are.”

She takes it and cracks it open, gulping down nearly half of it before taking another breath. She wipes her lips with the back of her hand then smiles. “Sorry. The drinks gave me a very dry throat.”

A low chuckle escapes my lips before I loosen my tie. “Mind if I ditch the coat, vest, and tie? I can only be buttoned up for so long.”

“Of course. This is your home. You don’t need my permission.”

“The remote for the fireplace is on the table in front of you. Feel free.”

While I’m hanging my things up in the bedroom closet, I hear the distinct thud of two women’s heels on the marble floor. That’s a good sign. She’s starting to relax. I want her to be comfortable because, if I’m honest, I know my mate. He’s goingto want to have Katarina to himself all night. I don’t want to frighten Kaitlyn with the knowledge that, yes, she indeed may be sleeping here.

I return to the lounge room to find her tucked up in the oversized chair next to the fireplace. The amber flames give her skin a glow that enhances every ounce of her beauty. “Well, you look comfortable, and dare I say, warmer.”

“This chair looked so cozy. I couldn’t say no to it.”

“Was it beckoning you?”

“I am nothing if not a beck-and-call girl for comfy things.”

I chuckle. “Mind if I join you?” I ask, pointing to the other chair just on the other side of the room.

“Not at all.”

I carefully pull the chair over so it’s facing her just slightly, but still giving her enough space to feel comfortable.

“So,” I start, bringing one leg up to rest my ankle on the opposite knee. “Virginia is home, you said?”

“Mmmhmm. Has been for my entire life. I mean, until now, I guess.”

“I’ve never been. Tell me about it. If I went with you there, what would you show me?”

Kaitlyn nearly bursts out laughing. The adorable noise she makes holding it in is endearing. “I don’t know if I could see you in Virginia.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Well, I grew up on a hobby farm. I shouldn’t make assumptions, but I don’t think you’re the hay-feeding, shit-shoveling, cow-milking kind of guy.”

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I don’t know, Kaitlyn. I feel like, with the right teacher, anyone can do anything.”

“Do you ride…horses, I mean?”

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