Chapter Five: Was That A Kiss?

She had revealed too much of herself already. The man was still a stranger, sure to remain a mere acquaintance, at best. Kat didn't want to confess her insecurities to him, unsure of his true motives. She had no clue how trustworthy the man was...he was a criminal lawyer, after all. Besides that, he was her enemy, having usurped the position she coveted more than anything else. Why reveal her weaknesses to a man that could use them for his own benefit?   

“Are you trying to prove yourself? To your family? Former bullies?” 

“If I said yes, would you quit? Of course not! So why bother with the reason? We’re not inclined to be friends, Dean Alston. The sooner you’re in your own office, the better.”

“Why? Does my presence interfere with your work?”

“Don’t flatter yourself! I can work just fine with or without you. If anything, you should be worried about my being there when you have your meetings.” Kat bared her teeth at the threat.

Evan only grinned, oddly reminded of a kitty cat baring her claws. “No worries, Kat. I can work around your schedule.”

Kat held his gaze, annoyed that he continued to be civil and courteous. What would it take to get him to lose his temper? He couldn’t be this cool, calm and collected all the time, right? There had to be something that could penetrate his unflappable exterior. 

"If we're done here, let's head to that movie." It was time to move this thing that was not a date forward!

"Sure," He waved the waiter over, handing him a black credit card.

Kat looked at him in surprise. "I’m paying, remember? Why did you do that?" She wanted to repay her debt.

"No, this is on me. You can pay another time," His grin was wicked, his eyes showing his mirth.

Kat made sure to order their tickets online, arriving at the ticket booth with her phone in hand. He would not trick her again, she vowed, as the person at the counter scanned the barcode. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to see this stupid movie," She said as they walked into the theater.

"Scared?" Evan teased, walking beside her.

"No, of course not. It's only a movie," Kat lied, agitated at the idea of watching the supernatural film. She had heard the reviews and that was enough to frighten her. She much preferred comedies or period dramas, even science fiction was tolerable.

Evan only smiled, taking the seat next to Kat in the half-full theater. She made sure to sit as far from him as possible, not wanting their bodies to touch in case he misunderstood that this was a date—which it definitely was not! 

It had absolutely nothing to do with his masculine and rather intoxicating scent. Nor her bundle of nerves at being so close to the stupidly attractive man! 

Nope! Not at all!  

He was a lot bigger and although she had never felt at a disadvantage because of her small stature, she felt overwhelmed by his sheer size. The man exuded arrogance, confident in his appearance and abilities. Whereas with other people, she felt superior because of her intellect, it was not so with him. She was lacking in experience in this situation, while he, she was sure, had plenty. A man with his good looks and success was probably very popular among the ladies. Not to mention he was a prince!  

She frowned now, wondering for the first time why he had agreed to be here. Her thoughts kept her from focusing much on the movie, which was a good thing as the movie lived up to its reputation as 'the scariest movie of its kind in a long time'.

"Shall I drop you off at home or at the University?" Kat asked when they reached her car.

"The University is fine. Unless you want to pick me up tomorrow morning?" He sounded hopeful.

Kat glared at him. "Get in the car. I'll take you back to campus,"

"Ah, you're no fun," He teased.

"There are enough rumors about me, Dean Alston. I don't need one of me driving you to school to add to that list," She said, braking at a red light. "This was a one time occurrence and now that I've repaid you for the shirts, we're even. From here on out, we will go back to just being colleagues, got it? We don’t need to be friends either just because we share my office."

"Damn it!" Evan burst out unexpectedly. His hands were roving over his suit jacket and pants, his face growing alarmed by the second.

Kat quickly pulled onto the shoulder of the busy street. Turning on the hazard lights, she looked at him. "What is it? Did you forget something at the restaurant or theater?"

"Only this," He said before putting his warm hand on the back of her neck and covering her mouth with his.

Kat’s eyes widened, shocked as his lips moved over hers lightly. Tentatively, she felt herself respond to his insistent tongue, feeling it trace her closed mouth for entrance. Having never been kissed before and acting purely on instinct, she opened her mouth shyly. She heard a growl seconds before his tongue plundered her mouth, seeking the sweetness within. It was the most thrilling, confusing and earth-shattering moment of her life. 

Large hands cupped her face, holding her in place under the onslaught of his mouth. The kiss turned hot, consuming them both. Evan could feel his control slipping, a surprise to the man normally in command of his desires. He had never been one to give into temptation no matter how enticing and seductive the woman—but Kat was testing his limit! He ended the kiss as abruptly as he had started it, staring at her in wonder, his chest heaving with each breath. 

"Wow!" He gasped, his hands visibly shaking. He couldn't remember ever wanting a woman more.

Kat snapped back to reality. "Get out!" Her voice was a deadly whisper.

Evan saw her face change from one of being thoroughly kissed into one of pure anger. There was a noticeable tick in her cheek. Knowing better than to argue, he slowly exited the car. As soon as the door closed behind him, the car sped into the night.

"Fuck!" He cursed, watching his ride leave him in the dust. Pulling out his cellphone, he called his brother.

"The Beast did this to you?" Andy asked five minutes later, watching in amusement as Evan buckled himself in. "You're lucky I was in the area,"

"I knew you were, that's why I called." Evan could have easily called a taxi service or gotten one of their chauffeurs to pick him up. 

It hurt his pride that the kiss had caused such a reaction. His former girlfriends had never complained about his technique before, so he was fairly confident in his skills. Never did he expect to be stranded on the streets after kissing a woman. Had Kat enjoyed it or not….because he sure as hell had! More than anything in his life! 

Andy laughed at his brother's expense. "Didn't I tell you that she was an unstable bitch? What were you doing alone with her anyway?"

"Not of your business, little brother," 

"Think you can handle The Beast, big bro?"

"You know, I never back down from a challenge," He grinned mischievously.

"I see," Andy looked at him slyly.

Evan didn't see Kat for the rest of the week as he was busy with meetings and she with class.

He was grateful for the distraction as he found himself confused by his feelings. It hadn't been his intention to kiss her that night but he hadn't been able to resist...nor could he stop replaying it in his head! Even now, his body was reacting to the memory.

He shifted in his chair, his body hardening to the erotic images conjured up in his mind. Never had a woman elicited such a quick and strong response from him. He’d had his fair share of the opposite sex, having dated many beautiful women...certainly more appealing than the brash, fashionably inept Kat Ridley-Forrester. Her personality did, however, more than make up for her lack in feminine charms. She was a little firecracker and he very much enjoyed beating her at every turn!  

He smiled to himself, leaning back as he remembered their conversation over dinner. When had he enjoyed dining with a woman more, he wondered. He could readily admit that his former girlfriends, though gorgeous, had never stimulated him intellectually. Maybe he was finally growing up, he mused, seeing past the outward appearance to the person underneath. His grandmother would be proud to know that some of her teachings had rubbed off on him, at least a little.

"Dean Alston, your one o'clock is here," His secretary informed him through the intercom.

Sighing heavily, he glanced at the empty desk at the other side of the room wistfully before returning back to his work. "Send him in,"