Page 19 of Purr For Me
“Hi. Fancy meeting you here.” His smile made his eyes gleam.
“Oh. Hi.”
Kade indicated the empty chair across from her. “Mind if I join you?”
Lexie sighed inwardly. She didn’t want him to, but she couldn’t find a polite way to refuse. “Um, sure. That would be nice.”
Kade chuckled as he dragged the chair over to her side. “You’re lying, but I appreciate the hospitality.”
Lexie had thought she’d pulled off the fib, but Kade had seen right through her. Of course, he was a journalist and had great powers of perception.
An unexpected prickle of awareness spread through her as Kade sat down. She was further disconcerted when her nipples tightened in response to his nearness.I really need to have sex.
“Are you here to see the band?” she asked, glad that she was wearing a padded bra that hid her reaction.
Kade leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table. He wore an old pair of black jeans and a black leather vest over a red t-shirt. He looked relaxed, casual, and hot, she admitted to herself. She liked the minty scent of his aftershave and the way he’d trimmed his beard. It made him look manly and tough. His edgy style made him resemble a race car driver or a pit crew member instead of a well-known writer.
Motioning toward the stage, he replied, “Troy Devlin, the drummer, is a friend of mine, and he bitched me out because I hadn’t come to see the band play in a while.”
Lexie said, “I didn’t know you knew anyone in the band. They’re great.”
“Yeah, they are. So, who are you here with?”
It annoyed Lexie when she suddenly felt embarrassed that she was stag, but she wasn’t going to let Kade see that it bothered her. “I needed some alone time, so I just came to listen to the band and veg out a little.”
Kade grinned as he leaned closer. “And here I am ruining that plan—which I think sucks, by the way.”
“It does, huh?” Lexie took a sip of her drink and straightened in her chair to put a little distance between them. “Do you have a better idea?”
“Yeah. You need to have some fun. I don’t think you’ve had enough lately.”
Fun wasn’t her top priority, and she wished that he hadn’t shown up. She was trying to chill and forget her troubles for a while, and Kade just brought it all back.
“Look, don’t tell me what I need or don’t need,” she said. “I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.” She pushed her unfinished drink away and stood up. “Have a good night, Kade. I’ll call you when I’ve made more progress on your car.”
Frustration burned through Kade as he watched Lexie rise. He hadn’t meant to offend her with his teasing, and he couldn’t let her leave without clearing the air. He took her wrist in a light grasp. “Wait a sec, Lexie. I’m sorry. I was just kidding. I wasn’t trying to tell you what to do. Honest.”
Her stormy eyes met his for several long moments before her posture relaxed. “I believe you. I’m the one who’s sorry. Jason used to tell me how I should feel, or that I was wrong to feel a certain way.”
Kade rose to his feet. “I wasn’t doing that.”
Her pretty lips curved into a wry smile, and Kade resisted the strong urge to kiss her. “I know. I have to quit judging people based on his actions. It’s not fair.”
Kade realized that he was still holding her wrist and let it go. “I understand, but I would never insult your intelligence that way. You’re a mature woman and you know your own mind.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“No problem. How about a game of pool before you leave? The band should be on soon. Stay for one song, at least. I can even introduce you to my friend.”
He wished he could take those words back as they came flowing out. He didn’t want his friend catching sight of Lexie. And that thought scared him silly.
A smug look settled on her face. “Are you sure you want to play against me? I’m sort of a pool shark.”
He nodded. “That’s why I asked you. I like a challenge.”
“All right. Ten bucks says I beat you.”
Her assertion brought a grin to Kade’s face. “You’re on. After you,” he said, making a sweeping gesture toward the pool tables.
