Insatiable Kate by Dawne Prochilo, Dingbat Publishing, Kate Tate Page A

years, she knew he had had feelings for her at some time. The little glimmer in his eyes every so often; the one not detected unless she was specifically looking for it. Or had she been imagining the glances? Maybe it was the alcohol messing with her reasoning.
    Kate curled her lip in irritation and swallowed a large amount of her mixed drink. The watered down rum and cola slid over her throat flat. No taste, no satisfaction added to her alcohol-induced demeanor. Kurt always seemed to squelch her advances towards Rome but she'd been persistent until recently. She'd all but given up hope of ever sharing her feelings with the man. He acted as if she didn't exist half the time. The only time he ever acknowledged her was when he had the desire to treat her like a teenage girl with a school-girl crush. Didn't he know his teasing hurt her?
    Uproarious laughter brought her back to the present. She glanced around the bar. Her friends were laughing, friends were hitting on each other and the man she'd been flirting with had moved on. She sighed and stood.
    Time for a refill. She needed to drown her sorrows and feelings in alcohol. No doubt about it she had to forget about Rome. He wasn't interested. She'd known him for almost two decades, since she was in first grade, and he'd never indicated an ounce of interest.
    Strutting to the bar, Kate raised her hand and wiggled her fingers to the bartender, signaling for another round. The male bartender nodded and immediately started mixing her drink order. Kate set her empty glass on the counter and gazed at the bar's attendees through the mirror hanging behind the bar. She watched as Rome and Kurt settled into a table in the corner, just feet away from her seat.
    “Great,” she muttered.
    “What?” The bartender set her glass on the bar.
    “Nothing.” Kate waved her hand dismissing him.
    She craned her neck, watching Rome. His eyes sparkled in the hazy bar's lights, he laughed at words her brother had spoken. Halfway through his rip-roaring laughter, his eyes connected with hers. The moment their eyes engaged, all the air in her body escaped with a sharp gasp. She couldn't move. His blazing glare paralyzed her. She couldn't have moved her body if an earthquake rattled the ground. His gaze narrowed and Kate swallowed hard needing to break the connection he held her in.
    He broke the contact, looked at Kurt and responded to whatever was said seconds earlier. Kate's lower lip quivered and she didn't understand why Rome treated her so negatively. She'd never given him a reason to be ill-mannered or hostile. She never comprehended his antagonistic manners. Anytime they were together, he made his feelings obvious. Rome scowled at her, glowered and almost seemed to spit her name out when they had to converse.
    Kate sucked in a whimper threatening to originate from her soul. She raised her fresh drink to her lips hoping to hide the tremor on her lip. Her alcohol buzz disappeared but she needed the distraction. The alcohol burned her throat but she ignored the sensation. She had to get her mind off Rome.
    Moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue, she held her glass to her chest. The condensation spread onto her emerald silk blouse and seeped into her lace bra beneath, chilling against her overheated skin..
    Kate nibbled on her lower lip, feeling the burning sensation in her throat. She fought the urge to let tears fall form her eyes. Her heart ached and her head was spinning, but not from the alcohol. It came from being belittled and ridiculed by Rome's accusative glare.
    To occupy her mind and thoughts, she sipped more of her drink but acid churned in her stomach and bile rose in her throat. She swallowed it down, now was not the time to get sick. She had to maintain civility and demonstrate to him that he didn't bother her.
    I'll show him.
    Kate stood, smoothed her hands down her black mini-skirt and swaggered across the bar, drawing attention from men as she went. She hoped their eyes