Free HellKat by Robyn Roze Page B

down on his lip to stop the grin so clearly wanting to spread. “Take care of that while I’m at work, would you? I have a friend who can get us great seats—tonight even. I’m sure of it. Doesn’t that sound like fun?” A killer smile lit up her face.
    Tucker nodded once. The playfulness in his eyes and tight set of his lips broadcasted he understood this to be a test, and that he wasn’t about to give up any points.
    Her body hummed with exhilaration.
    She checked the time on her smartphone. “I have to get back to the office now. I’ll call you with the details.” She smacked her lips together in an air kiss. Her giggle could not be stopped.
    Kat sashayed away, confident that not only was he watching her ass but also wondering if the opera would be the worst of his punishments.
     
    ****
     
    They laughed themselves silly all the way down the steps as they fled the Met, then in the cab, and now at a late-night diner. When he’d picked her up earlier in the evening, her heart had skipped a few beats when she first glimpsed him in his tux. He hadn’t tied his gorgeous hair back, which had surprised her. An act of defiance? Or maybe his own test to see if she’d object. Didn’t matter. He’d looked sexy as hell and knowing Tucker Williams, he’d gotten exactly the response he wanted.
    They’d made it through the first two acts of Rigoletto before she’d pressed against him, savored his scent, and whispered words of freedom. Tonight had been a test—not his last one—and he’d passed admirably. No complaints. No eye rolling. No deep sighs of frustration. Tucker had been a real trooper. So, he’d earned a reward: she’d ease off and cut him some slack the rest of the night.
    “I’m thinking we’ll go to the ballet next. What do you think?” She popped an onion ring into her mouth to stop the grin.
    Tucker halted midair with the chili cheese dog. A clever smile spread on his face, his eyes gleaming from the challenge. “Well, I’m all for broadening my horizons, sweetheart. You just tell me what time.”
    He took a man-sized bite of the foot-long dog. Swiping a napkin across his mouth, Tucker’s head bobbed in approval. “Damn, you were right. This is the best chili dog I’ve ever had.”
    “I know chili dogs. I’ve just never eaten one dressed like this.” She gestured at her violet, strapless evening gown before biting into her own dog.
    Tucker boldly admired the view, his vision clouding over with palpable need. “You look beautiful, Kathryn James,” he said in a rough whisper, eyes creased in a tender smile, “even with chili smudged on your face.”
    A heated blush bloomed across her cheeks at hearing the desire in his voice, the respect bright in his eyes. He wanted to lick the sauce off her, and more, she could feel it. Her flesh quivered from the idea alone. Impulse control, Kat. Kick it in gear, now .
    A man had never affected her quite like this one.
    “Well, you don’t look so bad yourself. You clean up nicely, Mr. Williams.”
    She wiped away the chili near her lips as her eyes roamed over his untamed hair. He smiled knowingly and finished off his chili dog before digging into the basket of onion rings.
    “I’ve had fun tonight.”
    “So have I,” he said. Kat snorted in disbelief and looked out the window at the busy foot traffic. “I have, Kat. The opera isn’t somethin’ I’d normally do, but it wasn’t bad. If you like it, I’m on board.”
    She brought her attention back to him. “That’s just it. It’s not really my thing. Never has been, but I still go—the ballet too. There are so many things to do in this city. I’ve probably done most of them—many times over.”
    “Okay, so other than torturing me , why do you go, then?” He crossed his strong arms and rested them on the tabletop, awaiting her answer.
    “Well, because ... because I always have. With my family when I was young and with my friends and …”
    “And boyfriends,” he said, completing