Catch by Toni Kenyon Read Free Book Online Page A

to my place for dinner tonight and we'll see if we can't fix that small problem?"
    "There's a bit of a food theme going on here, don't you think?"
    "I was hoping for a bit of a sex theme, actually, but having you right here would get us both locked up."
    "What for?"
    "Indecent exposure, doing an indecent act, offensive behavior - you want me to carry on?"
    She laughed.   He liked the sound when she laughed and the look on her face. "No, I get the point."
    "That's what I was hoping." He couldn't help winking. "At home, later on, maybe over the dining room table."
    "You're awful."
    He read mischief on her face and hoped she'd accept his outrageous proposition. "So that's a yes?"
    "Why not?   You only live once, right?"
    "Absolutely."   He couldn't believe what he'd just done.   Insanity.   But he couldn't get enough of her.  
    "I suppose I'd best get back to the salt mine if I'm going to get finished in time to prepare some gastronomic delight for dinner."
    "You cook too?"
    "I'm a man of many talents."
    "Sounds promising."   Tamsen got up from the table. "If you're getting dinner, then I'll get lunch."
    "No way."
    "You bought coffee yesterday, so it's my turn and no arguments, or I'll renege on the dinner date."
    "Jeez, you drive a hard bargain."
    "I do.   So no arguments."
    Matt followed her out of the garden, discomfort mounting at the prospect of not picking up the tab.   Steve cast a quizzical look in his direction, as Tamsen paid for lunch.
    "Where do you live?" She tucked her credit card back into her purse. "I don't think your address was on the card you gave me yesterday."
    "You mean you haven't looked me up in the phonebook yet?"
    She blushed. "No."
    His legal instincts told him she was lying.   He scribbled it down on the back of another business card and handed it to her.   Their hands lingered on the small piece of card.   Excitement bubbled inside him; he could barely wait for this evening.
    It seemed ridiculous to shake her hand, so he made a fuss of pecking her on the cheek.   She smelled of lunch and something earthy, something he craved. "Now, don't you dare change that dress - I have dibs on it."
    "I'll try to remember."   She smiled in a wicked way.   "What time do you want me at your place tonight?"
    "How does seven suit you?"
    "Seven it is.   I'll see you then."
    "I'll look forward to it."
    She turned and strode away with purpose and he was left gazing at her sensual, swaying derriere.

    "Shit, Tams, this just gets worse." Gina was on her high horse again, yelling from the kitchen. "I was floored that you went to lunch with him, but this - his place for dinner?   Why don't you just tattoo across your forehead 'I shag on first dates'?"
    "It's not a first date - technically it's our third."  
    "He's even got you talking like a lawyer. This is scary."   Gina arrived on the terrace with an open bottle of chardonnay and two glasses.
    "I don't want a drink - I'm driving."
    "Well, on the strength of this news I need one and I'm not drinking alone."
    "It's never stopped you before."
    "Don't start that again, Tams. You can at least have a glass."
    Tamsen sighed. "Pour me half then."   If Gina needed to pretend she didn't drink alone that was her problem.   Anyway the wine would take the edge off her anxiety about what she was getting herself into.
    "I just don't know what you see in him, Tams. He's a prick."
    "You believe what you want to believe, but I don't see that and what I see is all that matters."
    "And it sounds like you might be seeing a hell of a lot more of it tonight."
    They both giggled.   "It does, doesn't it?"
    Gina softened. "I suppose I have to admit he is rather gorgeous looking."
    "Tell me about it."
    "But you get over that when the bastard's yelled at you a few hundred times."
    Tamsen nodded. "You would."  
    The wine left the tang of apples and pears in her mouth and, even if she only admitted it to herself, was helping settle her nerves. Unable to take her dress off because