The Husband Hunt - Kat's Season (The Bachelor Series) by Kiki Abbott, Kim Hornsby Page A

night. I remarked that Liam wasn’t good enough for a sweetheart like her.” He looked over at Kat who was incredulous to hear this tidbit of information.
    “I didn’t know you watched Liam’s season?”
    He shrugged. “Mom and Jade were watching, rooting for you. I told them not to tell you this, because I didn’t want to look like a fan stalker.” He smiled at Kat. “I happened to say how cute you were and that Liam was a fool, and they said later that I was watching the TV like it was the Super bowl. And when I watched you roll Liam’s head up in the window, I laughed and said “I want someone like that,’ and pointed at the TV. When they heard you were the next Bachelorette, Jade got the idea to submit my name and photo for an interview.” He looked around the table. “There, my big secret is out.”
    Kat’s parents looked like Ben had just crossed the line to future son in law.
    “I’m surprised .” She squeezed Ben’s hand and her parents smiled at them both. “And happy that Jade did that. I think your sister is my new best friend.”
    Walking her mom and dad to the elevator, Kat was given the stamp of approval for both men. “They are very different. Your life would be good with each of them, so I think you have to ask yourself if you want a readymade family on a ranch in Arkansas with a cowboy at heart, or a city life in Atlanta with a lawyer who doesn’t want to start a family for a few years.” Grace Houston took her daughter’s face in her hands. “Who can’t you imagine life without?” At that, the elevator door opened and her parents left to go back to Napa.
                  The fantasy suite card had arrived by the time Kat returned to the table and Ben had the invitation in his hand. “It’s addressed to both of us.”
                  “You open it.”
                  “Do you know what it is?”
                  “Yes, don’t you?”
                  He shook his head and she laughed while the cameras kept rolling. When he read the words ‘fantasy suite’, Ben grinned and looked at Kat. “Does this mean what I think it does?”
                  “I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but before your thoughts get too carried away, the fantasy suite is a place where the cameras do not come. That’s the fantasy. We get private time with each other, if you choose to accept the invitation.”
    He stared at her, still grinning.
    “What do you think, Ben?”
                  “Hell ya!”
                  Kat laughed at his enthusiasm, and they left the table for the fantasy suite.
                  The set decorators had turned a large suite into a romantic paradise with scented candles, low lighting, and a bottle of champagne chilling beside a tray of dessert canapés. Soft music played in the background and once the cameras got footage of them staring out the floor to ceiling glass windows at the lights of San Francisco, they were left alone. When the door closed and everyone was gone, Kat had a funny feeling. Unchaperoned, alone with Ben, she suddenly felt shy. “Here we are, alone,” she said strangely. “Is this the first time we’ve ever been completely alone?
    “It is.” Ben took her hand and they moved to the couch to open the bubbly. “Let’s take this really slow and just see where it goes, Kitty Kat.” He popped the champagne cork like an expert, and handed her a glass. “To privacy.” He poured them each a glass.
                  “Thanks for coming here with me.” She took a sip of the champagne.
                  “Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t want more time with you?” He took her hand and kissed the inside of her forearm, a gesture that was so intimate, she blushed. “I’m crazy about you, Kat, I want you to know that.” He looked sincere, but she called him on it, just the same.
                  “Oh, now