Chances were, if the crowd had dissipated, normal testing would once again resume, which meant he’d no longer need Cat’s assistance. That thought settled in his stomach like a lump of cold oatmeal. The problem was, even after last night’s delicious experiment, he hadn’t quite finished with the little wildcat yet or gotten her out of his system.
There was something different, something intriguing about Cat that made him want to keep her around longer. Maybe it was the way she cared about his future and stepped up to help him when he needed it. No woman had ever really cared about him before. Not even his own mother or one of her stand-ins over the years, and certainly not any of the women he dated.
Or maybe it was the way Cat lacked inhibition around him, opening up and trusting him enough to give herself over to him completely last night, which in turn made him open up and give himself over to her.
A wave of unease curled around him, leaving him feeling a little off balance. He suspected this was a dangerous game they were playing. One that could ultimately end with him wanting more than a few nights of experimental sex.
Lessons learned early on reminded him to keep a modicum of distance. So what the hell happened to that modicum of distance when he’d sank into Cat’s plush softness last night? Twice?
He worked to redirect his thoughts, forcing his mind not to conjure up heated memories of the way her plump lips parted and green eyes lit up while he brought her to orgasm. Over and over again. Tried not to think about the way his engorged cock felt inside her tight sheath as he too reached an earth-shattering climax. Twice.
Striving for nonchalance about what they’d done the previous night and what they were going to do again tonight, he took the corner to the back lot and shot a glance at the front entrance. A relieved rush of air exploded from his lungs when he spotted a few lone protestors milling about. He paused to consider his reactions.
He actually blew out a relieved breath…fuck.
Less than twenty-four hours ago, he’d been kick-ass mad about all the negative attention and the fall out from Cat’s article. Now, here he was, fucking happy to see the protestors back.
Happy, for Christ sake.
He had to be insane. Or perhaps he’d sniffed one too many chemicals at the lab. That had to be the only logical explanation.
Sam parked in the underground parkade, tossed his backpack over his shoulder, and entered the building through the rear entrance, avoiding the last of the die-hard protestors.
He climbed the stairs and started toward the front security counter. After he signed in, he made his way to the elevator. He spotted Kale coming from the stairwell.
With a hurried gait, Kale rushed to catch up. “Hey, Sam.”
“How’s it going?” Sam asked, noting the weary lines around Kale’s eyes. “Another rough night?”
Kale smiled. “It shows?”
Sam jabbed the elevator button. “Why don’t you drop Samantha off with me some night this week so you and Erin can get some rest?”
Kale clapped Sam’s shoulders. “Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse.” Kale yawned and stretched. “How about this weekend? There is a new movie opening Saturday we’d like to see. Erin and I can catch the matinee and then go to sleep right after dinner.”
Sam chuckled. “Sounds great.”
Kale arched a brow. “Unless babysitting on the weekend will interfere with your personal life. We could always wait until some day next week.”
Sam shook his head. “No, it’s not a problem.”
“No big date this Saturday?” Kale probed.
Sam gave another quick shake and redirected the conversation. He had no intentions of discussing his personal life with Kale. “Why are you here anyway? You’re off on leave for the next month. You should be home catching up on your sleep.”
Concern etched Kale’s face. “Because I wanted to talk to you.” They both stepped onto the elevator.
Slanting his head, Sam met Kale’s somber glance. Sam recognized that look. He’d encountered the serious side of Kale a time or two in the past, last night at his apartment being the most recent.
Sam starched his spine, his shoulders stiffening. “What’s up?” he asked, suspecting he already knew the answer to that question.
Kale got right to the point. “I didn’t realize it was the reporter you had a date with.”
Sam rolled one shoulder, looking casual, yet feeling anything but.
Kale cast him a knowing look. “She’s a reporter, Sam. You need to start thinking with the right head.”
Sam drove his hands deep into his pockets and fixed Kale with a look that told him to drop it. “I’ve got everything under control,” he assured him.
Refusing to let it go, Kale crossed his arms, leaned against the wall and pressed on. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing.”
He didn’t know the half of it.
When Sam didn’t respond, Kale continued. “How do you know she’s not trying to get close to you just to get another story?”
It wasn’t like he hadn’t thought of that himself. The truth was he really didn’t know Cat very well at all. And damned if he didn’t want to rectify that.
“She’s a reporter, Sam. She can’t be trusted.”
She’s also a woman. One who stepped in to aid him with his experiment, to help make things right for him after her article threatened his future. One who pulled far too many emotions from him. Damn.
He suddenly felt very protective of her. The same way he felt protective of all those he cared about. He clenched his jaw and bit out, “Drop it, Kale.”
“I only have your best interests at heart.”
The elevator came to a grinding halt and the doors cleared.
“Be careful, Sam.”
With Kale’s words of warning echoing in his head, Sam stepped off and made his way down the hall.
He fisted his hands, annoyed, not only with Kale but with himself. Something about Cat had him acting completely out of character. He wasn’t inclined to take risks with
