Nervously twisting her silver ring on her finger, she tore her gaze away, back to her older sister. “You don’t know? You didn’t invite him?”
Marisol shook her head. “The only person I invited myself was Mamá.”
And they both knew that their stepfather, Gordon, would never allow their mother to leave the house merely to have fun. Why wouldn’t she divorce the controlling son of a bitch?
“The way that blond guy looks at you, I can tell he’d like to know you much better,” her friend Chloe murmured. “Damn, he’s hot. He looks built, like he could kick even a pro wrestler’s ass.”
In total agreement, Kata stared at him some more.
Guys like him—gorgeous, well built, carrying an aura of danger that made her shiver—rarely went for girls like her, a little tall, a little on the plus side. But he’d hardly looked at anything or anyone else since stepping into the room.
“Will Ben be angry?” her sister asked in worried tones.
How did one tell her conservative, very married older sister that she and Ben were merely f**k buddies? Nope, not going there. “We aren’t exclusive, Mari.”
“I’d like to get to know that guy.” Chloe sighed. “But clearly, you’re the only woman he’s interested in tonight. Happy birthday to you, chica!”
Amen. Almost twenty-five, single, and happy, why shouldn’t she enjoy a few hours with a guy like him? Sure, Ben was here, but given all the girls he nailed, he would understand. And have no problem finding companionship for the night.
Unless Ben had invited this stranger to her party for . . . Oh dear God.
Even the possibility made her heart pound and everything below her waist want to tango.
“So no one knows who he is? This is my specialty. I’ll get deets,” her other friend, Hallie, promised with a sly grin. “Be right back.”
Kata downed the last of her champagne and met the stranger’s blue stare again, repressing a shiver. She knew just by looking at him that, whatever his reason for being here, he had sin on his mind.
As promised, minutes later, Hallie returned after working the room, and she looked ready to burst. “OMG! You will not believe this.”
Kata’s stomach danced with anticipation. Was he married? A male stripper? “What?”
“I don’t know why he’s here. Still working that angle. Apparently, he met Ben in boot camp eons ago. His name is Hunter. He’s from Texas, and he’s a Navy SEAL on leave after being recently injured. A real badass, by all accounts.”
She had no trouble believing that. His don’t-fuck-with-me air reached across the room. He had sharp eyes and an unforgiving chin, made more rugged by two days’ worth of stubble. Dark blond hair cut military short, harsh jawline, corded neck, veined forearms and wrists. Everything about him conveyed stark power.
Damn, he filled out the shoulders of his gray T-shirt like nobody’s business. The bulges of his pectorals and the ridges of his abdomen stood out, tempting her to tear the shirt off and run her fingers, her tongue, all over that amazing flesh. Jeans hugged his narrow hips and long, lean thighs. And in between . . . She swallowed. Even across the room she could tell he was hard. And still staring at her.
“Yeah? I’m feeling pretty badass myself.” She tossed him a flirty gaze.
Chloe handed her the untouched glass in her hand. “Take this. And go get him.”
Kata knocked it back in a few swallows. Here goes nothing. “Thanks. I will.”
As she approached, Hunter’s blue eyes heated, focused on her like a laser. Ben turned and looked at her with an unfocused stare. Her friend was shitfaced? Damn, he was always a sloppy drunk.
Hunter’s hands were empty, and she picked up a beer from the cooler as she sauntered closer on her high heels, accentuating the sway of her hips—and never taking her eyes off him.
“This is the birthday girl,” Ben slurred.
“Kata, is that right?” Hunter asked.
Even his voice made her quiver. Beyond deep, husky, with a bit of a snap, demanding an answer. He looked even bigger up close.
Kata forced herself to stop all the wicked thoughts in her head—at least long enough to reply. “Yes. And you’re Hunter?”
His mouth curled into a grin. “Curious enough about me to learn my name?”
Of course. And if he wanted to flirt, she was all in. If he wanted more . . . she was definitely entertaining the notion. The thought of all that barely leashed power plunging into her made her hot and shivery.