Page 73 of Trap ’N’ Trace

“Don’t mind if I do.” He shucked his shoes and stretched out his long legs, carefully setting his feet on the table.

Kat nearly choked on the cookie she’d been chewing. The New York Yankees team emblem was printed on the sides of his socks. “Seriously?”

He shrugged. “This is my tradition.”

“I can see that.” And his feet were h-u-g-e, huge. “What size shoe do you wear?” The disparity between their feet was comical. His were nearly three inches longer and twice as wide.

“Lucky thirteen. You?”

“Lucky seven.”

A uniformed member of the New York City Police Department belted out the national anthem, then the first pitch was thrown.

By the seventh inning stretch, they were on the edge of their seats—literally. The score was three-three after a controversial call that resulted in the Boston Red Sox tying the game.

“Did you see that?” Kat shouted, pointing to the screen. “That ump needs glasses. The runner was so out at first it’s not funny.”

Dayne nodded. “That ump makes more controversial calls than any other umpire in the league.”

She fell back against the sofa and crossed her arms. “I should have him fired.”

He chuckled. “You have that much pull?”

“I’d be willing to assert my influence. It’s a matter of principle.”

“That it is.” He held up his hand, palm out for her to smack, which she did in mutual agreement.

The brief contact sent tingles of awareness shooting up her arm. Awareness she didn’t want to feel. She stood, raising her arms over her head. “Time for the stretch.” Dayne didn’t move. His gaze was fastened on her breasts. Quickly, she lowered her arms and sat, grabbing another cookie to take her mind off thinking about him, too. It didn’t help. Not when he looked at her that way.

“Tell me about Chad.”

Kat froze in mid-chew. She finished chewing then swallowed. The cookie and the latent anger and humiliation. “There’s not much to tell. He’s my ex-boyfriend.”

“I know that. But how long has it been?”

“About a month. We broke up a few hours before you and I first met at the Haven. At least, that’s when I found out from Penny that he dumped me. Later that day, I read about it in the tabloids. One of my maids overheard the conversation and sold it for three hundred dollars.”

“Ouch.” He grimaced.

“Yes, ouch.” Thankfully, the raw, aching pain had finally disappeared. “That’s why I have such a small staff. I didn’t want eyes and ears on me all the time, so that same day, I fired everyone I didn’t trust.”

“Understandable.” He nodded. “Why did you break up?”

“He discovered that in order to marry me he’d have to sign a prenuptial agreement.” There. She’d said it, and it felt good to unload.

Dayne’s features tightened. “The man’s a fool for letting you get away.”

“Actually, he did me a favor. He only wanted my money. Like I said, it’s kind of a recurring problem for me.”

“I’ll bet it is.” Again, he nodded, but there was sincerity and understanding in his eyes.

She clasped her hands, staring at them. “I think what upset me most was that I would have given him anything he wanted. Anything.”

“Do you still love him?”

The answer came to her with incredible clarity. “I don’t think I ever did, or I wouldn’t have gotten over him so quickly. I think I just wanted someone to love and marry. It’s important to me. I want to have children but not with someone who doesn’t love me back.” She gave a self-deprecating laugh. “You probably think that’s silly and naive.”

“No. I don’t.” He took a deep inhale and let it out. “The day I got accepted into the FBI academy, I went out and bought a ring for my girlfriend. An engagement ring. I was excited to share the good news and tell her that I wanted her with me wherever I got stationed.”