Love and Always (A Pound of Flesh #1.5) by Sophie Jackson Read Free Book Online

intimidating, but his magnetism was undeniably disarming. His time spent in the meetings and boardrooms at WCS hadn’t tamed the beast entirely, merely gift-wrapped it in a more approachable, patient yet entirely removable package.
    If he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Kat knew—as sexy and gentle as the sheep could be—she’d want the wolf every time.
    Midnight. Midnight.
    As they crossed the room, Carter caught her eye and squeezed her hand tightly. “Jesus, look at you, all flushed and wild eyes. What are you thinking about?” His voice was a molten, hungry murmur. “Because I swear, woman, if it’s the same thing I am, I hope to God you’re not wearing panties.”
    Kat knew she wore her feelings all over her face, including the unequivocal need she had for the man beside her. Unable to speak she simply squeezed his hand back in reply.
    Midnight. Midnight.
    Greeting them at the bar, Adam, Carter’s cousin, and his wife, Beth, who looked stunning in a silver ball gown, were as courteous as always. Over the past year, Beth and Adam had made a huge effort to build bridges and right any wrongs between the four of them, with Adam even offering Carter some inside information about mergers and business opportunities.
    Adam had worked at WCS for many years and, despite the way in which he was relieved of his position as CFO, along with his brother, Austin, who was original CEO, he continued to want the best for the family company. He’d told Carter on several occasions how glad he was that Carter was doing so well, steering WCS in the right direction. Nevertheless, the air between the two men was still decidedly frosty.
    Beth had been equally eager to make amends with Kat, to move forward. She’d been more than excited about Kat’s engagement, gushing over the ring and offering ideas about dresses and locations. Their New Year’s dress-shopping excursion had been filled with reminiscing and laughter and Kat had thoroughly enjoyed it. Much to Kat’s relief, their friendship was slowly but surely making its way back to where it had been eighteen months before. Things between them would never be exactly the same. Their friendship had morphed into something different, something more careful.
    “I hear your brother has set up a firm in Chicago,” Carter said to Adam while they waited for drinks.
    Adam nodded and sipped the champagne Beth handed to him. “Yeah, Ben mentioned it. I haven’t spoken to Austin, though. He keeps his cards close to his chest these days, especially after what happened at WCS. He doesn’t trust me.”
    Carter snorted. “Can’t say I blame him.”
    “I can find out what I can for you,” Adam offered. “Kick over a few rocks.”
    Kat watched Carter chat with his cousin, noticing how neutral his reactions were. Even when Austin’s name was mentioned, his blue gaze and strong jaw never gave anything away. To the untrained eye he was wholly indifferent, but Kat knew better. Kat knew that inside her fiancé a vengeful inferno still raged for Austin Ford, waiting for the opportune moment. Kat hoped, for Austin’s sake, that moment never came.
    By nine o’clock the party was in full swing and Kat and Carter had done at least two exhausting circuits of the entire room. Of course, everyone Carter came into contact with was bowled over by his wit and charisma. Even Ben’s mother, Barbara—much to Eva’s annoyance—was left in a puddle of giggling, flustered goo after Carter told her how wonderful he found her apartment and how fantastic the party was. The six-figure check from WCS Communications, which he handed over with a suave smile, helped win some points, too.
    “If only your mother had been that easy,” Carter joked as they sat at a beautifully decorated table next to Adam and Beth, eating their dinner.
    Kat laughed.
    Yeah, if only.
    Her mother had greeted them when they arrived, but had been busy mingling ever since. Not that Kat minded. Having her mother over for two days at