Free Caught in the Act (The Davenports) by Kim Law Page B

name was listed on the program. But he would have loved to get her honest feedback before she found out he was the playwright.
    He flicked his gaze over the rest of her now, taking in her attire and noting that she was dressed for her Davenport role today. Slim, yellow tailored skirt with a perfectly ironed white short-sleeved button-up tucked into the waistband. Her blonde hair was pulled up behind her head, and she even had on tiny glasses. Dark, wire-rimmed frames that made him think naughty teacher instead of the dignified professional he assumed she was going for.
    He’d seen pictures of her in glasses before. He liked it.
    “Dr. Hollister.” She held out her hand, her tone polite. He looked at it before closing his fingers around hers. Did she not realize that everyone knew they were living beside each other? Of course they would be friendlier than “Dr. Hollister” and “Ms. Carlton” at this point.
    Her hand was soft in his.
    “Cat.” He dipped his head with the word. He wouldn’t tell them that she’d been the first girl he’d ever seen naked, but he also wouldn’t act as if they’d never met. “I heard you were out here,” he added, releasing her hand. “Something about a land donation?”
    Clyde had only given him the barest of details. Land for a park was being donated, the city wanted it opened for closing night of the play. Clyde had been unable to come out himself when he’d gotten the last-minute call, but had caught Brody as he’d been leaving the college for the day. Brody had one summer class and kept morning office hours three days a week.
    At first he’d been thrilled at the news. There would be another venue for the local acting community. And Dyersport could always use another park.
    Then Clyde had mentioned the Davenports, and all the pieces had clicked into place.
    Brody had seen the news that morning. Her family was in the spotlight at the moment, and not for a good reason. Of course, he assumed his “family” was behind it.
    A secret Davenport mistress that had been hidden for nearly nine years? No doubt someone had helped that along at this opportune moment.
    Or made it up.
    Until he’d arrived, he’d assumed a fifty-fifty chance of the rumor being false. But Cat had quite the crowd assembled here. Her family was clearly intending to make some noise.
    Which told him that Daddy Davenport had been the bad boy the news was making him out to be.
    And, of course, Cat was going along with whatever her family needed her to do.
    As she picked up a conversation with the mayor, city planner, and several other dignitaries about her plans for the park, Brody stepped to her side, inching closer until he was just slightly behind her, and waited until she stopped talking long enough to take a breath. When she did, he whispered, “Not coloring outside the lines today, are you, Cat?”
    Her crystal-clear gaze shot immediately to his. She didn’t like having the obvious pointed out to her. Or maybe she didn’t like the role she was playing?
    He gave her an evil grin. “Such a rule follower.”
    Why he was teasing her, he didn’t know. Other than the fact that he’d almost forgotten who she was the night before. He’d been about to kiss her.
    And he’d intended to take her to bed.
    Luckily, she’d gotten a call and he’d had a moment to pull his brain back out of his pants. This was Cat. They did not need to be anything more than buddies.
    For his sanity, but also for her peace of mind. A Davenport and a Harrison?
    That would go over like a sinking ship.
    Not that anyone would know, but still. If his brother or father were to find out—
    The sound of a camera clicking caught his attention and he shifted his gaze from Cat’s perturbed expression to the nearest reporter. There was a lens focused directly on them.
    Well, shit.
    Arthur and Thomas Harrison would most definitely be watching the papers to see how the next round played out with the Davenports, and Brody did not want them to