She wasn’t a shy or modest person, but what Leese thought mattered. And shoot, she’d only been quickly sketching, not doing a portrait or anything. Would he understand? Was he a natural-born critic?
For all she knew, he might be offended by the way she’d drawn him. He could—
“You’re blushing.”
Yup, she was. She could feel the heat in her cheeks. Scooting off the stool and keeping the picture turned toward her, she said, “It’s nothing. Just a doodle. If you want, I’ll actually draw you something. Later. After I’ve gotten some supplies, maybe.”
His eyes narrowed the tiniest bit and a small smile curled his mouth. “No way. You’ve made me curious.” He strode to her.
“Leese—” She waffled between wanting to run or maybe just scrunching up the paper. Both reactions felt infantile, so instead she stood there, flushed, as he took the sheet from her and studied it.
“You drew me naked.”
Cat cleared her throat. “Yeah, I know, see—”
Caught between humor and disbelief, he said, “You drew my ass.”
Leaning around to see the paper, Cat inhaled. “Yup.” And a very sexy ass it was, as taut and sculpted as the rest of him—at least in her head.
He glanced at her. “Who the hell cooks naked?”
Another deep throat clearing, and she said, “I didn’t start out with the idea of losing your clothes.”
He lifted one brow.
“It’s just...you were moving around and stuff, and I could see your muscles flexing through your clothes, and I sort of... I went with it. My imagination, I mean.” Feeling defensive, she tried to reclaim the picture but he held it out of reach. “It’s not like your clothes hide a lot.”
That made him laugh. “My clothes hide a hell of a lot more than that dress you’re wearing.”
“I’ll change after dinner.” She went on tiptoe to get the paper, but he just lifted it higher. “Give that back to me.”
“No.” He smiled down at her. “Sign it, and give it to me.”
The request completely took her by surprise. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, why not?” He looked at the pic again, then grinned. “You made me look really good.”
What a way to pique her curiosity. Sticking close to him as he headed for the table, she asked, “It’s not accurate?”
“I’m not telling. You’re too curious as it is.” He laid it on the table and handed her the pen. “Sign it, then let’s eat before everything gets cold.”
*
AS THE EVENING faded away, Cat had to admit in some ways it had been fun. What a concept, her having fun while people who wanted her dead searched for her.
She didn’t delude herself; the threat remained. But for once, while being insulated from harm, she could block it from her mind and think about other things.
Like Leese.
Was there anything he couldn’t do? On top of being a stellar fighter and meticulous protector, he was a patient teacher, an understanding listener, a gorgeous man, honorable role model and a damn fine cook.
She’d all but inhaled her food, even the broccoli, which had been cooked just right and seasoned in a way that made it delicious.
Or maybe it was sharing the meal with Leese that made everything taste better.
His dinner conversation stayed light, steering clear of anything that might have ruined her appetite. He’d talked about his fight training, being very humble while answering her many questions. He’d told her about his family, how he’d grown up poor, always dressed in hand-me-downs. And he asked her questions, about her goals in life, her classrooms of kids, her favorite art projects.
More than once she’d caught him eyeing her meager cleavage.
Despite her lack of assets, he wasn’t immune to her, but he was pretty darned honorable. Much as she might tease him, she understood his reservations and respected him for them.
Didn’t make it any easier to accept.
And no way would she stop teasing him. Not yet anyway.
After dinner, she insisted on helping with the dishes, which didn’t take long, then they settled on the couch to watch a movie. It was getting late, but she was far too restless to sleep.
As Leese used the remote to thumb through the movie menu, he said, “You sure you’re not tired?”
She yawned and said, “Not yet.”
He glanced at her, tucked back a loose hank of hair and smiled. “Your eyes look so different.”
“It’s the makeup.” She battered her lashes at him, then thought to ask, “Do you think it’s gruesome of me to wear a dead woman’s dress and makeup?”
For the longest time he continued to study her eyes, then finally seemed to snap out of it. “I think it’s nice that the stuff is being put to use.”
A very no-nonsense answer. Cat smoothed her hand over the material of the dress. “It’s actually comfortable. Almost like a nightgown. Well, except that I’m showing too much leg.”
Leese said nothing.
The “too much leg” was wasted on him.
They agreed on a comedy. The movie started, but neither of them looked at the large-screen TV.
Stretching out, Cat propped her bare feet on the coffee table, letting the dress fall away to expose both her legs.
True, she was on the slight side, and she didn’t have a lot of curves up top, but she’d always liked her legs. They were long enough, shapely enough, that she didn’t mind showing them off. She flexed her toes—and again caught Leese watching.
Playing it cool, she asked, “Do you know what happened with Sahara’s brother and his girlfriend?”
“Only the very basics.”
“Will you tell me?”
He hesitated, then sat forward and, making her heart beat hard and fast, lifted the material of the dress and tucked it around her legs. “I can’t concentrate with you in this.”
“What if I take it off?”
“Cat.” He chastised her with a frown. “You promised.”
Laughing, she scooted into his side for a hug, and to her pleasure, Leese used one arm to return it.
Rather than push her luck, she leaned away, grinning, and said, “All right.” She left the couch with a yawn and stretch. “I’ll go find some pajamas, and then we can watch the movie.”
“Something really ugly would help,” he called after her. “And make sure it covers you from head to toe.”
In the guest bedroom, Cat realized she was still smiling as she pulled the remaining pins from her hair. If she’d met Leese under different circumstances, she felt positive she would have gone after him. Everything about him appealed to her, including his wit.
But if the circumstances were different, would he have given her a second look? That was anyone’s guess, and she didn’t like speculating on what-ifs, so instead, she concentrated on the here and now.
Locating pajamas wasn’t easy; apparently Scott’s girlfriend like sexy lingerie only. She settled on women’s gray yoga pants and a man’s black T-shirt, the front imprinted with the vintage KISS tongue logo.
She liked Scott’s style.
While she was at it, Cat went ahead and removed the heavy makeup and even brushed her teeth. After another lusty yawn, she returned to Leese and found him sleeping, his head resting back, his wide chest moving with deep, slow breaths.