Not with his hands, but with his feet.
He did a lot of various kicks, impressing her with each one. Every fluid strike sent a loud crack to echo around the enclosed room. The bag swung, Leese turned and kicked from a different angle.
Fascinating.
An hour later, just as Cat was about to cry uncle, Sahara breezed in. She wore impossibly high-heeled booties, a knee-length skirt and a cashmere sweater. To Cat, she looked like a fashion model.
Hair damp, his muscles all pumped, his body glistening, Leese paused in his workout. He didn’t sound at all winded when he said, “Something up, Sahara?”
“Not at all.” As if she saw gorgeous, ripped, mostly naked men every day, Sahara didn’t even blink.
“Did you hear from your PI?”
Cat’s heartbeat tripped. Had they discovered her secrets?
“He’s on it now,” Sahara said. “We need to give him some time, but I’m sure he’ll have information for us soon.”
And when he did? Cat thought. When he found out who was with Webb at the boathouse, then what?
Then, she assumed, it would all end—for her.
“I’m here,” Sahara said, beaming at them, “because I wanted to talk to you both about a wonderful idea I had.”
Intrigued, Cat stepped off the elliptical and stumbled on rubbery legs. Good grief. Maybe if she hadn’t been so involved ogling Leese, she’d have realized her legs were shot.
She limped forward. “An idea?”
Wary, Leese held silent.
“Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it,” Sahara said.
Cat’s stomach sank. So much time had passed in a blur. She’d missed the festive holidays with family, but she hadn’t exactly been checking days off a calendar.
What would she do if Leese had a sweetheart he wanted to visit over the romantic holiday? She didn’t think he was involved; he struck her as being too honorable to kiss her if he had anyone important in his life.
“Around here,” Sahara said, “public relations are key and I use every opportunity available to throw a party.”
A party? Cat almost groaned. Would Leese be expected to attend?
Yes, of course he would be. And that left her...where? Alone?
Just thinking about it made her feel exposed, vulnerable—
“Yeah?” Leese said to Sahara. “So?”
“You both need to attend the company party.”
Wait—what? Cat did a double take. “You want me there?”
“No,” Leese said. “It’s too dangerous.”
“We’re having it here,” Sahara told him, all smug and satisfied, “So she won’t even need to step outside. We’ll decorate the third floor.”
“With what?” he asked. “Paper hearts?”
Clearly Sahara didn’t appreciate his sarcasm. “It’ll be sophisticated and perfect.”
“Wait a minute...” Cat said, mentally trying to catch up.
“I don’t know,” Leese told her. “Something could go wrong.”
“Oh, please.” Sahara flapped a dismissive hand. “What could possibly be safer than a party filled with bodyguards, in a completely secure building?”
Still dubious, Leese said, “Plan to work everyone during the party, huh? You don’t think anyone will object?”
“When I’m handing out generous bonuses for their participation? Of course not.”
Leese glanced at Cat, then rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know.”
“She can be by your side all night,” Sahara assured him. “Surely you trust yourself to see to her safety?”
Reluctantly, Leese agreed. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.”
Cat looked at each of them, and couldn’t hide her uncertainty. “A party?”
“I’ll take care of everything you need. Just get your dress and shoe size to Enoch, and of course let me know your favorite color.” Now that she’d gotten her way, Sahara turned to leave. “It’s going to be very productive. You’ll see.”
And with that, she left as suddenly as she’d arrived.
“Wow,” Cat said, “that woman is a whirlwind.”
“Agreed.”
Hating the idea of mingling with crowds, she glanced at Leese. Did he anticipate the party? Probably. She tried a smile. “You didn’t sound too keen on her plans.”
He watched her, his expression enigmatic. “You’re already antsy. Before long, you’ll be climbing the walls. A party will help break up the monotony.”
The monotony of hiding from murderers. “Okay.” If he wanted to go, she’d go, and she’d even pretend to like it. Leese would keep her safe, she believed that.
With that settled, she moved on to the next worry. “Do you have anyone special hoping to see you for—”
“I don’t,” he replied even before she’d finished asking, and now he looked insulted.
Cat sighed. “But...” He seemed dead serious, so she let it go and moved on to another concern. “I’ve been thinking only about me, about what I needed, but now it occurs to me that you have a life too. You have family, friends and—”
“Yeah, I do. Not that it matters. Until you’re in the clear, you’re stuck with me.” He eyed her up and down, probably noting her somewhat bowed posture, then shook his head. “You overdid it, didn’t you?”
In a big way. “Maybe a little.” She needed time to think about things. She didn’t want Leese forced into isolation because of her. But she also didn’t want to be left alone, a sitting duck.
“Come on. It’s time to get you back upstairs. You can rest up while I shower and take care of a few things.”
Cat didn’t know what those few things might be and she didn’t ask; all her concentration was on trying to walk without groaning.
Once they returned to the penthouse, she decided to soak in the whirlpool. Not only would it feel good, but it’d give her a chance to sort through some things.
Villains, a party...and Leese all warm and pumped up from exertion, wearing only shorts and a lot of machismo.
*
THE NEXT MORNING after breakfast, Leese noted the stiff way Cat walked and had to hide his grin. “Feel like working out again?” he asked.
She groaned, swallowed and said with convincing enthusiasm, “Sure.”
He snorted. “Get real. You can barely walk.”
“I’m walking.”
“No, you’re shuffling.” She’d spent the rest of the day yesterday drawing, watching TV... and resting her over-worked legs. From experience, he knew today she’d be even more tender, and tomorrow would be the worst.
From what he could tell, her leg muscles were now so tight, she could barely get her feet off the floor. He urged her to the sofa. “I should have realized and better monitored you.” But he’d been too busy trying to work off sexual tension. Out of necessity, that required blocking Cat from his mind. He hadn’t looked at her, and he’d done his best not to listen to her heavy breathing.
She dropped down, groaned and went flat to her back.
Understanding, Leese lifted her legs up so she fully reclined. “Want to try the whirlpool again?”
“No, I’m good.” She closed her eyes. “Right here.”
He let the smile go. “I’ll get you some aspirin.”