“You’re welcome.” He kissed her cheek again, allowing his lips to linger a little longer than before.
Austin was once again a pleasure to be around, and Kat decided that she liked it when his finger would graze her arm or his hand would lightly catch the skin of her back when he rested it on the back of her chair. She liked when their eyes met and she liked the sound of his laugh and the way he said her name.
But there was still … something off. She was attracted to the guy. But a few times she’d shifted uneasily in her seat because that undefinable discomfort settled deep within her. Kat tried to ignore it, but it never disappeared.
*
Standing on the sidewalk outside of the restaurant after dinner, Ben hugged Kat warmly. “Happy birthday. Jesus, your mom was in rare form tonight. She needs to lower the dose.”
Kat chuckled into his shoulder. “She’s a nightmare. She and Beth both.”
“Yeah,” Ben agreed. “What was that about?”
Kat shrugged. “Who knows? I can’t even …”
“I think your mom’s a little taken with your friend.” Ben glanced at Austin, who chatted amiably with Eva. Ben’s face turned serious. “You need any info on this guy, give me a call, okay? Dirty little secrets are my speciality. Plus it gives me an excuse to play on Google.” He smirked when she pushed him away lightheartedly.
Kat turned to Abby. “Please take your husband home and smother him with a pillow.”
Abby laughed, taking Ben’s hand.
“Come over for dinner soon,” Kat told them. “I’ll make my special meatballs.”
The hug Kat shared with her mother was awkward. “Happy birthday, Katherine. Call me. Tomorrow. As soon as you’re home from working with those—Just call me.”
Kat held her eye roll. “I will. I’ll see you soon.”
Kat hugged and kissed Adam and Beth. “Everything okay?” she asked them both.
“Yeah,” Beth replied with a small smile. Adam nodded. “Just tired.” Beth looked over at Austin. “Maybe Austin can take you home, huh?” She winked conspiratorially, gestured unsubtly toward Austin mere feet away, and muttered indelicately about “getting in there.”
Austin laughed as Kat blushed and shook his head. The two of them stood on the sidewalk, neither knowing what to do next.
“Can I give you a lift?” he asked, pointing toward his car.
“Sure,” she replied.
The Range Rover was spacious and smelled of leather and cologne.
“You have good taste in music,” Kat noted as the CD changed from one song to another while they moved through the city traffic.
“Thanks,” Austin replied. “I don’t get to indulge it much, other than when I’m in the car.” He looked at her for a moment.
“Did you enjoy your trip to San Francisco?”
Austin cocked an eyebrow. “It was work. No matter where you are in the world, if you have to work, it’s never good.”
“I guess. Though I bet it wouldn’t be too bad if it was the Maldives or the Caribbean,” she mused.
Austin chuckled. “It was good,” he continued. “I finalized a big deal. I also thought of you. A lot.”
Kat stared at her hands, wordless. They’d exchanged many texts since their first meeting. His were never pushy, always considerate. Hearing him say the words, though, was a little different.
“I’m sorry,” he offered. “Too fast?”
She replied with a slow shake of her head.
“You look wonderful tonight, Kat.” His dark eyes flitted down to her legs. “That color is great on you.”
She ran her hands down her red wraparound dress, the compliment stirring indistinct emotions.
They spent the rest of the car journey this way, comfortably happy to share the silence once the music stopped. Austin put the car into park and turned off the engine when they reached Kat’s building. She slowly unclipped her belt and reached for her purse and birthday gift bags from the footwell.
“Thank you,” she said as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Her stomach felt heavy. She cleared her throat to try and push the odd sensation away.
“No problem,” Austin replied. “I had a good time.”
“Me too.” She met his gaze and smiled gently.
Austin smiled back. “I know we’ve only met a couple of times, but I’ve enjoyed every minute.” As always, his gaze was steady with a hint of CEO intimidation. “Would it be okay for us to have dinner sometime?”
She hesitated only briefly. “That … sounds good.” Austin grinned, making his face softer.
Kat’s breath caught in her throat. His eyes were determined and dark. The only sound in the car other than her heart thumping was the creaking of the leather seat as he slowly leaned closer. She didn’t move. She wasn’t sure that she could. The feeling of wanting to bolt but also wanting to stay exactly where she was sent a shiver up her back.
Austin stopped, his face only two inches away. “Kat,” he murmured before he leaned closer and his lips found hers.