so. Your skin has a flush to it. In fact, your cheeks look like a ripe peach.”
Giggling, Kaylee rolled her eyes. “That’s gagging.”
“It’s the truth. Is there something going on I don’t know about?”
Kaylee froze as thoughts of that stranger’s ass came to mind. Grappling to regain her composure, she looked down and pretended to smooth a wrinkle out of her gown.
“And the gold in your brown hair, I’ve never seen it shine so much.”
“Now I know I’m going to throw up.”
“How dare you make a joke out of my compliments.”
“Get out of here,” Kaylee ordered with another laugh.
“I can take a hint.” Sandy squeezed Kaylee on the shoulder. “See ya later, my dear.”
Her assistant had barely disappeared into a throng of people when Kaylee looked up and saw Barbie Bishop headed toward her. The model wasn’t alone. Walking beside her was none other than the cowboy Kaylee had eyed earlier.
Despite her efforts to remain calm, Kaylee’s heartbeat quickened. Surely Barbie would detour any second now and bypass her she told herself. But the two never veered off track. Before Kaylee could find her next breath, they were in front of her.
“Kaylee, my friend here wanted to meet you.” Barbie looked at her companion before turning her gaze back to Kaylee. “Kaylee Benton, Cutler McFarland.”
Though she was loath to do so, she held out her hand. When his calloused one took hers briefly, a tingle shot up her arm. She didn’t understand what was going on.
“I’m honored,” he said in a low, drawling voice, his eyes inspecting the length of her even though she remained seated.
Sex personified.
“Thank you, Mr. McFarland.”
“Make it Cutler.”
She nodded, feeling the flush deepen in her cheeks.
“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” Barbie said in her shrill voice, setting the glass of wine down before she strolled off.
Kaylee could cheerfully have strangled the model.
For the longest time neither said a word. Then someone came up to Cutler and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned to speak to the man, Kaylee took the opportunity to give the cowboy the once-over. Up close, the front view fell short of the back one.
He ought to have been pretty-boy good-looking. But his features were too harsh for that. Even so, he oozed charisma and sex appeal. He was tall and thin with just the right amount of muscle. His black hair was streaked with silver and his blue eyes were surrounded by dark sooty lashes.
“Would you care to dance?”
Kaylee gave a start, worried she’d been caught staring. That fear actually took precedence over the fact that he hadn’t noticed her cane. “No…no, thank you.”
He shrugged. “Okay. Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not.”
As if he read between the lines, a grin, more in keeping with a smirk, crept across Cutler’s lips. He eased down in the chair in front of her and said, “I understand congratulations are in order. Sorry I wasn’t here when you received the award.”
“Thanks.” Could he see her heart beating out of sync? She hoped not. That would be the final humiliation.
His lips twitched again. “Relax, Kaylee, I’m harmless.”
Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
He chuckled. “It’s obvious you wish I’d get lost.”
Kaylee opened her mouth to deny his words, but when nothing came out, she tightened her lips.
His chuckle sounded like a low rumble.
Who was this man anyway? And where had he come from?
Once again he seemed to read her mind. “It’s my job to read people. If not, I wouldn’t be a very good district attorney.”
Her eyes widened again. “Sorry, I didn’t know.”
“That smarts, since I’m running for reelection.”
“Are you drumming up votes?” she asked bluntly.
“I like your style—direct and to the point.”
“Is that a yes?”
He laughed. “I’m the best man for the job.”
“How do I know that?”
His eyes drilled her, and his voice dropped a pitch. “You don’t, but you will as soon as you get to know me better.”
Kaylee sucked in her breath. Was he flirting with her? No, her imagination must be working overtime.
“Look, Mr. McFarland—”
“Cutler.”
His gaze didn’t waver and for a moment hers didn’t either.
“Excuse me for interrupting, Kaylee, but I have some people I want you to meet.”
The voice of the chamber president, Kevin Holmes, brought her back to reality with a jolt. Cutler suddenly stood and moved aside. Pulling her gaze off him, she forced a smile. “I’d be delighted to meet your friends.”
“McFarland, you’re welcome to remain,” Kevin said. “In fact, I insist.”
“Thanks, but I was just leaving,” Cutler said. “I’ve taken up enough of Kaylee’s time.” Then he leaned down and, for her ears alone, he murmured, “I’ll see you later.”
Feeling shell-shocked, all she could do was watch him stride off.
He couldn’t believe his eyes.
Yet he had no choice. What he was witnessing was a fact. He’d put his hand on the Bible and swear to it. His daughter was actually having a conversation with a good-looking man and seemingly enjoying it.
Hell, if the animated look on her face was anything to judge by, flirting would be closer to the truth. Edgar’s pulse raced and his palms turned sweaty. He’d prayed for this day since his precious daughter had awakened in that hospital room so many years ago and was forced to face the cruelest of futures.
Kaylee had more than risen to the challenges that faced her. Tonight was testimony to that. He was so proud of her he felt his heart would burst.
