Kaitlin couldn’t help herself. She turned to gape at Zach in astonishment. Her briefcase had been in his trunk. How did Lindsay end up with it? And what was Dylan’s connection?
Zach’s face remained impassive as he focused beyond Kaitlin to Dylan. “We’ll talk to you later.”
Lindsay made a half turn to address Ray and Susan. “I’m really sorry to have interrupted. I hope you all enjoy your dinner.” Then she gave Kaitlin one ominous glance before propelling Dylan farther into the restaurant.
Kaitlin’s immediate reaction was to follow them. But before she could rise from her seat, Zach’s hand clamped down on her thigh, holding her firmly in place.
The action was shocking, the sensation electric.
“That was Dylan Gilby,” he smoothly informed Ray and Susan. “Astral Air.”
Kaitlin reached down to surreptitiously remove Zach’s hand, but her strength was no match for his.
“I’ve met his father,” Ray acknowledged. If he’d noticed anything strange in the conversation, he was too professional to let on.
“Dylan and I grew up together,” Zach elaborated, filling the silence even while Kaitlin tried to work her leg free.
“Ah, here’s the wine,” Susan announced, looking pleased by the arrival of the steward.
As soon as Ray’s and Susan’s attention was distracted by the uncorking process, Zach leaned over. “Stay still,” he hissed into Kaitlin’s ear.
“What did you do?” Kaitlin demanded in an undertone.
“We’ll talk later,” he huffed.
“Bet on it.”
“Stop struggling.”
“Let go of me.”
“Not until I’m sure you’ll stay put.”
“We first discovered this one in Marseille,” said Ray, lifting his glass with a flourish for the ceremonial tasting.
Kaitlin quickly redirected her attention. She tried not to squirm against Zach’s grip. His hand was dry and warm, slightly callused, definitely not painful, but absolutely impossible to ignore.
She wasn’t wearing stockings today, and his hand was on her bare leg. His pinky finger had come to rest slightly north of her midthigh hemline. And his fingertips had curled into her sensitive inner thigh.
Now that her anger had settled to a hum, a new sensation pulsed its way through her system.
The touch of Zach’s hand was turning her on.
Ray nodded his approval on the wine, and the steward filled the other three glasses before topping up Ray’s.
When the wine was ready, Ray raised his glass for a toast. “A pleasure to meet you, Kaitlin. And congratulations on your contract with Harper Transportation. It’s an important building.”
“We’re lucky to have her,” Zach responded courteously.
Kaitlin thanked them both, clinked her glass against each of theirs, avoiding eye contact with Zach, then took a healthy swallow. The wine was incredibly delicious. More importantly, it contained a measure of alcohol to take the edge off her frustration.
Another waiter arrived with four large, leather-bound dinner menus, which he handed around to the table’s occupants.
Zach accepted his with one hand, still not relinquishing his hold on Kaitlin.
She opened hers, trying to concentrate on the dishes and descriptions in front of her, but the neat script blurred on the page.
Had his hand moved?
Was it higher now?
Ever so slightly, and ever so slowly, but completely unmistakably his fingertips were brushing their way up the inside of her thigh.
Her muscles contracted in reaction. She could feel her skin heat, and her breathing deepened.
“The pumpkin soup to start?” he asked her, voice low and completely casual in her ear.
She opened her mouth, but she couldn’t seem to form any words. She could barely sit still. Her toes curled and her fingers gripped tightly around the leather menu.
“Maybe the arugula salad?” he continued.
How could he do that? How could he sit there and behave as if everything was normal, when she was practically jumping out of her skin?
“I’m going with the yellowfin tuna,” Susan chirped.
Ray and Susan both looked to Kaitlin with questions on their faces.
Zach’s hand slipped higher, and she very nearly moaned.
“Kaitlin?” he prompted.
She knew she should slap his hand away. She should call him right here, right now, on his unacceptable behavior. It would serve him right.
He’d be embarrassed in front of Ray Lambert. But then so would she. She’d be mortified if Ray—if anyone—knew what Zach was doing under the tablecloth.
“Arugula,” she blurted out.
“The risotto is delicious,” Susan offered helpfully.
Kaitlin tried to smile her thanks. But she wasn’t sure if it quite came off, since she was gritting her teeth against Zach’s sensual onslaught.