into the receiver. “I have just the thing for you,” she responded. “Give me five minutes and I’ll be right over.”
Disconnecting the call, Katrina heaved a deep sigh and dropped down on the side of the bed. She trusted Lacey wouldn’t disappoint her. The two women had been friends since they’d both prepared for the state’s bar exam, studying together over iced cappuccinos and glazed doughnuts. Katrina had purchased the home in gated Oaktree Estates based on Lacey’s recommendations, the immaculate landscaping and the twenty-four-hour security detail. Her friend owning the house across the cul-de-sac from her had been a bonus. The woman was like a sister to her, and Katrina trusted her implicitly.
Fifteen minutes later Katrina stood staring in the mirror, suddenly questioning if her very best friend in the whole world had completely lost her mind. She didn’t recognize the woman who stared back at her.
Lacey stood off to the side, her arms crossed over an ample bustline. Satisfaction painted her expression. “You look incredible,” she said.
Katrina’s wide eyes were glazed with shock. She shook her head from side to side. “I need to change!” she exclaimed, her voice quivering with emotion. “I can’t go out like…”
Before she could finish her sentence, the doorbell sounded from the lower level. It felt like mere seconds before Matthew’s deep voice resonated down below. He and Collin were chatting comfortably.
“You don’t need to change,” Lacey said excitedly. “You are going to take his breath away. You look fabulous,” she added as she gripped Katrina by the shoulders and pushed her toward the door. “Now go have fun!”
Katrina was suddenly gripped with fear. What she was wearing was so uncharacteristic for her. Feeling completely out of control, she couldn’t begin to imagine the evening going well at all. She should have worn the navy suit, she thought, blowing a deep sigh past her thin lips. But it was far too late for regrets, and she had no time at all to change into something else. Matthew Stallion was standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring up at her.
* * *
The muffled whispers on the stair landing above drew Matthew’s eyes upward. Collin was leaning against the railing, his own gaze drawn to the movement at the top of the steps.
“Hey!” he exclaimed loudly, surprise painting his expression. “Is that you, Mom?”
Katrina rolled her eyes, ignoring him. Lacey bounded down the stairs in front of her, grinning broadly.
“Hi. I’m Lacey,” she said, extending a hand in Matthew’s direction. “Let’s go, kiddo,” she said to Collin. “You’re hanging with me tonight.”
“Do I have to?” the boy whined. “I’m old enough to stay here by myself!”
“Now! Let’s move it,” Lacey responded, tossing a quick glance back over her shoulder in Katrina’s direction. Her hand was already on the front doorknob. “Make sure she has a good time,” she said, directing her comment toward Matthew.
He nodded eagerly, his gaze still locked on the woman slowly descending the stairs. He was at a complete loss for words.
Stunning was hardly the word to describe the exquisite woman who was moving slowly in his direction. But Katrina Broomes was absolutely stunning. Gone was the conservative style that he had half expected. The dress that adorned her curvaceous frame was a formfitting cotton bouclé sheath with a sexy V back and an empire waist decorated with clear faceted jewels. The fabric stopped midthigh. Her lean, graceful dancer’s legs were complemented by four-inch platform sandals.
Her hair cascaded in easy waves around her face and down about her shoulders. Her makeup was soft, complementing her angelic features. The woman was beautiful beyond words, and Matthew suddenly felt like she was a much-needed breath of fresh air. He inhaled her, drawing in a deep breath. It felt as if the sweet scent was nourishing his soul.
“Wow!” he exclaimed, the one and only word he could muster, though it was more an exaggerated gust of air blowing past his full lips. “I mean, wow!” he exclaimed a second time, his utterance feeling more substantial.
Katrina laughed nervously, a blush of heat tinting her cheeks. “Does that mean you approve?”
“Oh, yes, ma’am! I most certainly do!” His eyes were wide with appreciation.
“You clean up quite nicely yourself, Counselor,” Katrina said teasingly. And he did. Right then, the man looked like a GQ model. She couldn’t help but admire his black sports coat, gray slacks and white dress shirt, unbuttoned casually at the collar. A light tuft of black chest hair peeked from beneath his shirt, moving her to wonder what he might look like with his shirt off. Imagining him shirtless suddenly took her breath away.
Matthew felt like his face was on fire, heat flooding his dimpled cheeks. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so excited about a woman. But Katrina had him excited beyond words. He blushed profusely, embarrassed at being so tongue-tied. He took a deep breath to calm his excitement, his broad smile widening. “Shall we go?” he asked, trying to keep his voice casual.
Katrina nodded, moving toward the door. As Matthew pressed a large hand against the small of her back, the two of them paused briefly, the heat sweeping between them suddenly consuming. Matthew met her gaze and held it; the lingering look she returned spoke volumes.
As they walked out the door, both cutting an eye toward the oversize mirror hanging in her front foyer, neither of them could miss just how attractive a couple they were together.
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