Relieved he’d good-naturedly taken her hint, she followed him toward a booth.
She absently glanced at the other patrons, only to receive a jolt clear down to her toes when she caught sight of Colton. Their gazes clashed and she nearly tripped in her sandals. Panic engulfed her.
What’s he doing here? He was supposed to be on a date. The two, blond-haired look-a-likes sitting with him didn’t look like his kind of dates.
Then it dawned on her…the sonofabitch followed me.
When it became clear Michael intended the empty booth next to theirs, she grabbed his arm and gestured to a booth being vacated by an elderly couple. “There would be better.”
Taking the side facing Colton to keep an eye on him, she sat back as a passing waitress hurried to clear and wipe their table. All the while she stared at the menu, and while giving her order, she fought to settle her nerves. Michael gave his order, then took a legal pad from a briefcase Kendra hadn’t even noticed.
Michael focused much better than her, taking notes as she explained what she needed him to do and answered any questions he had. Kendra was thankful the booth hid the paper from Colton’s view.
She took one last bite of her half-eaten, tasteless meal, and pushed it aside. “You’re sure this new Will supersedes the current one in place?”
Michael nodded. “The document with the most recent date will take precedence.”
“And you really think you can get a full copy of my father’s Will without anyone knowing who’s requesting it or where it’s coming from?” This was the most important question.
His pen made a plopping noise as it hit the notepad. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I have some friends who know their way around things like this. I’ll use contacts in other states to cover my tracks and make sure we get what we need while the trail remains untraceable.” He paused to lift an inquiring eyebrow. “Is it safe to assume I’m hired?”
Kendra gave him a smile. “From the moment the brother comment didn’t offend you.”
He chuckled as he put his notes in the briefcase. “My ego was bruised, but I didn’t become a good lawyer by missing the little things.” He crossed his arms on the table, his expression serious now. “Speaking of which, do you want to tell me what’s really going on?”
She met his kind, inviting eyes. Lawyer/client privilege insured confidentiality. She wanted to trust him, but couldn’t. It wasn’t safe. Dropping her gaze to the table top, she said, “No.”
He didn’t press her, and she was relieved when he excused himself for a moment. Until Colton slid into the booth across from her.
“He’s a little old, don’t you think?” Despite the joking tone, he clearly questioned her lie.
She gave him a sweet smile and cast a pointed glance over his shoulder. “Yours are a little male, don’t you think?”
He made a face.
“Although, you did say you prefer blonds,” she added. “And twins, no less.”
“Ha ha, that’s real funny.” He shifted in his seat and her smile widened at his obvious discomfort. His gaze narrowed. “I met up with the guys after I got stood up.”
What a line of bullshit. “Aw, I’m sorry.” Her tone said otherwise.
She noticed Michael returning from the men’s room and stood up. So did Colton, casting a glance toward where Michael had paused to speak to someone at the bar. She started to walk away, but Colton lifted a hand to halt her. Her breath caught as he hooked a finger under the chain of her necklace, traced her skin, down to the pendant just above the neckline of her dress.
“Will you be home tonight?”
His husky voice sent a thrill of excitement through her. His knuckles brushed the swell of her breast, the brief touch branding her with heat. Her gaze locked on his at the same moment a shiver shook her shoulders. A knowing smirk lifted the corners of his mouth.
That’s all it took to break the sensual spell.
She brushed his hand away and stepped back. “Don’t wait up.”
****
Colton lay wide awake in bed when Kendra returned about eleven-thirty. Unwarranted relief welled up until he remembered that not spending the night didn’t necessarily mean one didn’t do the things one usually spent the night to do.
His blood heated. It was going to be a long night.
He rolled over with a frustrated groan, only to have to catch himself from falling off the bed.