“I gather it didn’t work on you?”
“Different weight class,” Leese said. “But when he fought, yeah, sure, sometimes his size and attitude gave him an edge.”
“What does Catalina think of him?”
“She seems to like him okay.” Leese turned his head and looked right at her from where she peeked around the corner. “Isn’t that right, Cat?”
Busted.
“You can quit eavesdropping now. We’re done discussing business.”
Feeling self-conscious with her towel-covered head and thrown-together outfit, Cat stepped out. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” Leese said.
She lifted her chin. “No, I’m not.” She had a right to know...everything.
Even though she kept secrets? Cat winced, ignored her conscience and came closer.
“And yes, I like Justice. He’s really sweet.”
Leese rolled his eyes at her description.
Sahara stood with a dress bag. “I have three choices for you to try on. I know you told Enoch that you preferred jewel tones, so these should work. I love each of them, but if you’d like, we can let Leese help decide.”
Umm... She looked at Leese, at those light blue eyes studying her so intently, and had to clear her throat. “I should have dried my hair if I was going to—”
“It’s fine.” Smile taunting, anticipatory, he said, “Go ahead, try them on.”
In full support and approval, Sahara handed her the zippered garment bag. “Once you decide, we’ll move on to shoes and jewelry. And I’d be happy to send my own stylist to take care of everything else. Manicure and pedicure, makeup and hair.”
Did Sahara consider her incapable of the task? Cat forced a smile and said without commitment, “Thank you. We’ll see.” Escaping any rebuttals to that, she went down the hall with the dresses.
Rather than attempt this in her current state, she removed the towel and twisted her hair on top of her head, then secured it with a few pins. Not exactly elegant, but it was definitely better suited to the beautiful dresses.
After opening the bag and laying out the dresses, she groaned. Yes, they were jewel-toned. They were also far sexier than what she usually wore.
She thought of the long dress she’d borrowed from Scott’s girlfriend, the dress she’d danced in—with Leese watching.
These dresses were less revealing, so she stopped waffling and chose first the red dress made of stretchy midweight lace, with a sweetheart neckline and a hem that hit just above her knee. The material hugged her body and, amazingly, it flattered her figure.
Sahara was pretty good at this dress-picking stuff.
With a bit more confidence, she went down the hall. Leese and Sahara, who’d been in conversation, went silent as they saw her.
Slowly Leese stood.
“Turn around,” Sahara said. “Let him see the back.”
The back dipped low, meaning it’d be impossible to wear a bra, not that she’d need one with the structure of the dress. Inhaling, she turned, waited a few heartbeats, then turned again.
Leese’s eyes were narrowed, but not with irritation. He said gruffly, “It’s nice.”
The small smile came without her permission. “On to dress number two,” Cat sang. “Be right back.”
Next she tried on the green one. Strapless, with a flirty skirt. Good thing they weren’t actually going outside, or she’d freeze to death. Not that most ladies ever let a little discomfort get in the way of their fashion choices.
Anticipating Leese’s reaction, she strode back to the living room.
His gaze devoured her.
Without being asked, Cat turned, twice, to show how the skirt drifted out around her.
“Lovely,” Sahara announced. “Leese? What do you think?”
Attention on her exposed neck, upper chest and shoulders, he gave one sharp nod. “Pretty.”
“Wonderful,” Sahara said, and then to Cat, she added, “It’s the blue dress I liked the most though. It’s a softer color and matches your eyes. I’m glad you saved it for last.”
She, too, had liked it the best. Hurrying back, Cat changed into the beautiful blue dress, then looked at herself in the mirror. The color of the dress did indeed complement her eyes, making them seem brighter. She smiled and, feeling giddy, went out to show Leese. This time she didn’t rush. A strange shyness came over her, so she moved slowly, tried to remove the hopefulness from her expression and stepped out where he could see.
He’d been watching for her, and now, with her in sight, he moved closer.
“Oh my,” Sahara breathed. “You look beautiful.”
The A-line, one-shoulder dress with a fitted bodice and flirty tulle skirt made her feel like Cinderella. Little jewels decorated the top and glittered along the asymmetrical strap, a contrast to the soft material of the skirt.
His steps methodical, Leese walked around her until he once again stood in front of her.
Sahara said, “I had thought we’d need some alterations, but—”
“No need,” Leese assured her in a soft growl. “It’s perfect.”
His tone was so intimate, Cat felt heat flushing her body. In contrast, she sounded forcibly jovial. “Guess we all agree, this is the one.”
He ran his finger along the single strap and in the process grazed her skin. His gaze lifted to hers. “Definitely the one.”
Was it her hyper imagination, or did he include her, not just the dress, in that equation? She wasn’t sure, but oh how she’d enjoy being “the one” for him.
Either way, with Leese as an audience, she just might enjoy the occasional party.
“Well.” As they continued to look at each other, Sahara said with dry humor, “Clearly there are repercussions I hadn’t considered when hiring sexy bodyguards.”
That snapped Cat out of her trance. “Just so you know, I’m the one insisting—”
Leese cut her off. “Was there anything else, Sahara?”
“Not unless you have some names to share with me.”
He shook his head. “Not yet, no.”
She sighed. “Then I suppose I should go so you can...work on it.”
“I’m sorry,” Cat said. “Give me one minute to get the other dresses ready for you.”
Never mind Sahara’s not-so-subtle prodding. After those long, maybe meaningful looks from Leese, Cat was more than anxious to get him alone. Changing took her only two minutes, then she returned with the dresses repackaged for Sahara. She dutifully answered questions about heel height and jewelry preferences, agreed to a mani and pedi, thanked Sahara profusely and then, finally, she and Leese were alone.
After securing the door, he turned to face her. “You’re okay?”
“Yup.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “Always so resilient.”
Tipping her head, Cat wondered what he meant. “You thought trying on dresses would...what? Make me upset?”
Slowly, he shook his head. “You looked good enough to eat.”
Oh wow. That sweet compliment seemed like the perfect opening, so she cleared her throat, ready to segue into seduction—
And Leese interrupted. “You don’t ever have to apologize or explain to Sahara. I’m the one working for her, so let me handle it.”
“I don’t want to get you in trouble.”