IT WAS JUST AFTER SEVEN, and Kate had to get her act together. She needed a shower, she needed breakfast, and she needed Nate to get off his ass and get her out of here.

She gathered her clothes and bath supplies and headed for the bathroom. Although the bed had been comfortable, she hadn’t slept well. A new place was always disconcerting, but more than that, she couldn’t stop thinking about the man in the living room.

She’d actually had a nice evening. He’d been a charming and considerate host, and he hadn’t even pressed her too much. He couldn’t help asking questions, but when she’d sidestepped each one, he’d had the decency to let it slide. Today, of course, could be quite a different matter. Who knows what he’d do to get what he wanted?

If only she’d hear from Nate. They had to have a plan, and time was running out. The longer she stayed with Vince, the greater the chances the gang would discover her whereabouts. Not to mention the repercussions from the photo. Did Omicron already know? Had they figured out that Kate Rydell was actually Katherine Ashman?

She didn’t hear anything from the living room, so maybe he was still sleeping. She’d call Nate again from the bathroom, even though it was early. He’d be grumpy, but too bad. There was too much–

She stopped, startled, as she saw the bathroom was already occupied by a semi-naked Vince Yarrow, with shaving lotion on half his face. Her gaze moved down to his chest, all broad and tanned and nicely muscled, and then down a bit more to the unbuttoned jeans riding low on his slim hips.

“Morning.”

Jerking her eyes up guiltily, she cleared her throat and tugged at her belt. “Sorry. Just let me know when you’re done.”

“There’s coffee made.”

She smiled, willing the heat from her face. “Great. Thanks.”

Vince turned back to his shaving and she walked quickly to the kitchen. Once there, she put her bath things on the counter and fixed herself a mug.

Boy, she hadn’t been prepared for that little trip to libido land. She already knew he was pretty hot, but she’d had no idea he looked like that. Momma.

Okay, it was officially too long since she’d had any kind of sex. She’d barely even acknowledged sex existed. Not for her, anyway.

Seeing Christie and Boone fall for each other had been sweet, but kind of like watching a movie. It had nothing to do with her, and it hadn’t touched her at all.

In her own defense, it was hard to think about dating when people were trying to kill you. And when you couldn’t possibly tell the truth about anything in your life. So, yeah, she’d cut herself some slack and hadn’t thought about it. Until now.

He had just the right amount of hair on his chest. Dark, curly, it showed off his muscles very nicely. She especially liked the narrow trail that slipped beneath his jeans.

She took a drink of coffee and gasped as it burnt the roof of her mouth. She cursed, then put the mug on the table.

A low, slow chuckle made her turn. Vince stood in the doorway, only he was shaved and fully dressed. At least his T-shirt was on the tight side. “Why, Kate. Such language.”

“I know a lot more, so don’t get me started.”

“Me? I’d never dream of it. Bathroom’s all yours.”

“Thanks.” She gathered her few things, and the mug, then headed out.

“You like pancakes?” he asked, just as she hit the door.

“They’re okay.”

“I’ll cook us up a batch.”

“I’m just as happy with cold cereal, so don’t go to any trouble for me.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not.”

“Okay, then,” she said.

“Okay. And Kate?”

“Yeah?”

“My eyes are up here.”

She jerked her head up, then spun on her heels. She was so busted. God, she hadn’t even realized she’d been staring like that. And not just at his chest.

The minute she closed the bathroom door behind her, she used all the swear words she knew, some of them twice.