Rumor Has It by Tami Hoag Page B

contrast to her usual state. She didn't enjoy it any more than a cat enjoyed a bath though. She was laughing at him, but he could see she was annoyed with herself for slipping off her pedestal of composure. Silver flashed in her eyes like lightning in storm clouds.
    Shaking her head Katie took the drawing and jotted some notes on it, then tucked them all into her portfolio. “I can start keeping an eye out for furniture. We'll need six to eight weeks on the drapes, so let me know when you're ready to look at fabric. They'll be one of the bigger expenses. You might want to consider going without them on the second floor for a while. The woodwork up there isn't bad.”
    He nodded. “With this curb and gutter surprise, I may have to hold off working on the second floor anyway. I think I can get twenty tables in the main-floor dining room. That wouldn't be a bad start.”
    “I'm sorry this had to happen, Nick. Unfortunatelyfor you a change of ownership sometimes stirs up unknown problems. This building had been vacant for a long time.”
    “It's just the breaks of business.” He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Thanks for caring, Katie. It helps to have good friends.”
    His voice seemed as warm as the hand that held hers, yet shivers chased over Katie's skin, raising goose bumps. She liked it when Nick touched her. She liked it too much.
    Clearing her throat nervously she slipped her hand from his and stood up. Nick rose as well.
    “I'd better be getting back to the store. Maggie has a consultation at eleven.”
    “Katie,” he said softly, catching her hand as she turned for the door. His heart thudded as she looked at him. There was a split second of astonishment in her eyes, as if she were surprised he wanted to touch her. The lady didn't know how much he wanted to touch her, Nick thought, gritting his teeth against a surge of desire. Sometimes she looked so vulnerable, so in contrast to the Katie she usually presented to the world that he wanted to hold her and protect her and make love to her. “I'm sorry about earlier. I was obnoxious.This morning didn't get off to a great start, and when I heard that rumor about you and Ramsey… I guess I got jealous.”
    “Jealous?” Katie asked with wonder. This gorgeous man was jealous because she had once dated a mere mortal?
    “Yeah,” he murmured, easing his arms around her. “Jealous. That surprises you?”
    “Sort of,” she whispered, almost unable to hear her own voice for the pounding of her heart. She met his lips when he dipped his head down to steal a kiss. “Nick?”
    “Hmm?” he stole a second kiss and breathed in the soft scent of honeysuckle that clung to her dark hair.
    “I like your glasses.”
    His smile was tender and endearingly appreciative. “Thanks.”
    He kissed her again, slowly, deeply, his tongue searching out hers for gentle play. There was no ice in this princess, he thought as he drank in her sweet warmth. Behind the cool and competent lady was a woman with needs and secrets in her eyes, a woman he wanted more than he had a right to.
    Katie clung to him, using his wide shoulders as an anchor in the storm of desire that flared between them and threatened to overwhelm her. How could it be so strong, so tempting? she wondered. It was unlike anything she had ever known, and she wasn't sure how to deal with it.
    “Katie,” he whispered, dragging his mouth along her jaw to her ear. His hand slipped under her sweater and found her small round breast. He cupped it, kneaded it.
    “Nick, I have to go,” she said, backing away from him, a faint note of panic in her voice. She needed time to think, something she obviously couldn't do in Nick's arms. She bent to pick up her portfolio, wondering when she had dropped it. Her hair spilled over her shoulder. She threw it back with a hand that wasn't quite steady. “I have to go.”
    “Katie, wait,” he said, following her down the steps. He wasn't at all sure he knew what had