Falling for the P.I. (Entangled Bliss) (Still Harbor) - Victoria James Page 0,3

was implying. I’m sorry, this was just me trying to be nice because you saved me from the belcher.”

“He belched, too?”

Kate nodded, smiling, relaxing a bit, until three giant platters of potato skins, deep-fried shrimp, French fries, and onion rings appeared in front of her. The waitress beamed down at her. “I’m so happy I spotted you over here. I know you were desperate for these so I thought I’d bring them right out. I’ve got wet naps and a bib for you, because it gets really messy. Oh, and just wave me over when you want dessert.”

Kate gripped the smooth edge of the bar counter as waves of mortification flooded her. She stared at the waitress and didn’t dare turn to look at the man beside her. First the belcher, now the food. Kate stared through burning eyes at the platters of fried food. “If you could bring that over to my sisters, since it was meant for all of us to share,” she said.

The waitress frowned, clearly confused. “Uh sure. I just thought—”

Kate nodded and forced a bright smile on her face. “Thanks, they were really hungry.”

What sounded like a muffled laugh emerged from the man beside her. She snapped her head over to look at him and, she had to give the man credit, he schooled his features to look as though he didn’t know she was lying.

He rubbed his hand across his jaw and Kate’s eyes followed his hand. It was large, tanned, and the jaw it rubbed against was firm, stubborn. Downright sexy. Alex could definitely pick ‘em. “So, since spending the night with me wasn’t your intention, how about a dance?”

A flash of heat bolted through her. She glanced over at the small dance floor which had been packed all night. Right now the live music was fast and loud. That was safe. She looked back at Mr. Art Exhibit, taking in the broad shoulders, the wide chest, the clearly defined biceps. No, no, she couldn’t dance with a man like this. Flirting was one thing. Dancing…

“It was a dance I was offering. Nothing more,” he said, amusement and something that looked like sincerity lighting his eyes.

“Right,” Kate said with a nod. “What about your blond friend?”

He shook his head. “Not a friend, just a random woman.”

Kate swallowed hard. He was making it clear that he wanted her. She eyed her whiskey. “Excuse me for a second,” she said, taking a long drink and squeezing her eyes shut. She shouldn’t have agreed to this. This guy just turned down a gorgeous woman who had draped herself on him, and was now here, with her. The only reason Kate was agreeing to this was…because of pride? To prove that she could do this? Or was it him, something about this guy that had propelled her to cross the floor and sit at the bar?

“I’ll try not to take that personally,” he said.

“Belcher liked that I could down a whiskey,” she said into her glass.

He laughed, low and throaty, and Kate found herself smiling along with him. “Well, maybe we should call Belcher back here?”

“Don’t you dare,” Kate said, placing her empty glass on the counter and meeting his gaze. “But maybe you should reconsider all this. I mean, I still see your friend over there. She’s staring at us. I’m sure if you walked up to her and—”

“What if I told you that there’s something about you, besides you being unbelievably gorgeous? What if I told you I never dance? Ever. But for some reason, I feel compelled to dance with you.” Gone was any trace of laughter, teasing.

Kate took a deep breath and took in the masculine beauty of the first man who truly made her want to forget everything and act like someone who could enjoy the moment, enjoy the affection of a man who commanded the attention of every woman in the room, someone who could revel in another’s strength.

“I’m Matt,” he said, extending his hand and standing. Kate shook it. It was large, warm, and strong as it gripped hers. The sensation of his hand around hers encompassed everything she’d been trying to avoid—sensuality, desire, heat. When she made the mistake of looking into his eyes, his hand still locked onto hers, she read the same emotion glittering in the striking blue depths of his. She slid her hand free and looked away. It was impossible to feel that.

“Kate,” she whispered.

“Come on, Kate,” he said, tilting his chin in the direction