14 A date it is

"Date?" Kate was surprised by his wish. Yet, she couldn't stop the excitement from getting to her heart and her lips curved up barely noticeably.

"Yes, date. Why? Is there a problem?" Kincaid leaned towards her until their breaths mingled. He was close, too close to her. All he had to do was push his head forward slightly and he would be kissing her.

Kate tilted her head, moving her lips away from his reach, disappointing him with her not-so-unintentional actions. But she didn't move back as she maintained her gaze on him.

"Isn't it too early? We only met today?" 

"That's why I'm asking you out on a date rather than asking you to be my girlfriend outright."

Now, this stunned Kate and she blinked at him a few times. 

"I know we've only met today and far from knowing each other. But I won't deny the attraction and interest I have for you. So, why don't we go on a date and learn about each other first?"

Kate was impressed by his considerate thoughts. He was not putting her in a fix or demanding anything from her. Instead, all he wanted was to get to know her first, giving her time to adjust and learn more about him before they got together.

"Since you're being direct, I won't conceal my thoughts. I find you interesting as well."

Kincaid raised his brows, stars filling his eyes immediately and Kate felt herself being sucked into those depths.

"Before anything, would you mind answering a question of mine?" Kincaid interrupted her and Kate nodded, urging him silently to ask away.

"Why did you accept defeat and lose the bet?"

Kate smiled all of a sudden and Kincaid's heart flipped immediately. Her beauty beguiled him and her smile...damn...

'What the fucking hell!! Get a grip, Kin.' He chastised himself even though it was of no use. A small smile from the lady before him and he would lose control immediately. It was as if he was a puppet being controlled by her, not just him but his emotions as well. Everything she said or did affected him greatly and it had been just a few hours since they met.

"If we speak everything today, what will we speak about during the date then?" Kate smirked. Kincaid got the answer his heart was looking for and his face bloomed instantly.

"Here." Kincaid handed her his phone and Kate understood his request. Without a word, she keyed in her number and gave herself a call before handing it back to him.

"When will you be free?" Kate asked him as she glanced at the time again. She was getting seriously late and if she didn't leave sooner, she'd be missing a lot of sleep.

"I'm free whenever you are."

Kate looked at him askance and Kincaid glanced at his phone before clarifying, "I'm on vacation right now. So, I'm free."

"Ahh, I see. How about this weekend then? I have offs on Saturdays."

"That works." Although Kincaid wanted to continue speaking to her, he didn't miss how she was struggling to not yawn before him. Also, her blinks were increasing with time. Kate was fighting hard to keep her sleep at bay. 

"I should leave now."

"Yes, you should. Good night." Kincaid replied reluctantly. He wanted to reach out for a hug but stopped himself in time. It was not the time yet and they weren't that close for him to act upon his desires.

"Good night." Kate flashed him a tired smile before she turned around and strode towards her apartment.

Kincaid didn't follow her this time, allowing her to have the space she needed. He didn't move from his spot as he waited for Kate to enter her apartment.

Kate waved at him as she entered her apartment and Kincaid reciprocated the action before the door closed. Let out a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and shook his head smilingly.

"And we thought Romeo wouldn't be coming home tonight." Tristan threw a jab at him as he entered his apartment.

"What happened? Weren't you going to drop Kate off? Didn't she invite you for some coffee?" Paul joined Tristan and together they started to mess with their leader.

"Cut it out, you guys." Kincaid darted a glare at the two men who obviously were up to no good.

"Give him some slack, guys. Can't you see he got kicked out?" Everett chided all of a sudden and the men started doubling over in laughter at the expense of their leader's agony.

"Fuck you all." Kincaid showed them a middle finger as he propped on the couch and opened a can of beer, his last one for the day.

"So?" Rhys quirked his brows questioningly while the others surrounded him one by one, taking their places, making themselves comfortable.

"So?" Kincaid questioned back, not having a clue as to what he was getting at.

"What was your wish?"

"Why should I tell you?" Kincaid shot back and chugged the beer until he had finished half the can.

"Why not? Didn't we help you win?" Tristan complained, completely forgetting that he was the first to betray him in his time of need.

"You? Are you sure?" Kincaid gave Tristan a look that said he was close to killing him and putting him in a coffin.

"You were the first one to blabber everything to Kate." Desmond looked at Tristan as if he had lost a screw or two.

"Hey, you can't blame me for it. Alright? Between the leader and the leader's wife, I chose to support the leader's wife. Didn't you see how she put Ace in his place? Man, what a sight!" Tristan clapped and clasped his hands.

"True that. It sure was a splendid sight." Dean nodded as he started cleaning the table, disposing off all the empty cans and pizza boxes.

Kincaid didn't speak a word. He just pulled out his phone and sent a quick good night to Kate. Presuming her to have gone to bed when he didn't receive any response from her, he pocketed his phone and leaned back on the couch.

"Tell us, Kin. What did you ask her?" Paul probed. 

None of the men were able to conceal their intrigue and they looked at him curiously. Even Dean stopped what he was doing and waited for his leader to reply.

Kincaid knew that he wouldn't be getting any moment of peace until he gave them the answer they wanted. Having no choice, he could only relent. "I asked her out on a date."

While the men hollered and whistled, Tristan squealed like a little girl and Kincaid had to move away to save his ears.

"Can you fucking stop squealing? You sound like a guinea pig." Rhys looked at him in disgust.

"You're a pig. You're the head of pigs. You're the king of pigs. You're the pig king." Tristan argued right away and Rhys rolled his eyes at his childishness.

"You guys continue bickering. I'm out." Kincaid stood up and dropped his can in the trash bag Victor had prepared. 

"Where are you going?" Dean asked even though everyone knew the answer to it.

"He's going to dream about Kate. Can't you see?" Tristan replied with a mischievous smile.

Kincaid was in no mood to entertain his stupid jokes, he entered his room. But before he could close the door, Victor stopped him.

"What's up, Doc?"

"Did you forget? It's time to change your dressing." Victor entered the room, forcing Kincaid to step back.

"I'm fine, Doc."

"Yeah, tell that to someone gullible. Now, lie down and remove your shirt."

Kincaid knew that there was no way he could brush off Victor. So, he did as he was told. During the entire time, he didn't make a sound as Victor took care of his dressing.

"Chief was asking about you." Victor started as he applied ointment on the wound on his abdomen.

"I'll speak to him tomorrow."

"You better do. I don't want to be bombarded with phone calls from him. He's going crazy in worry and making me go crazy."

Kincaid chuckled and shook his head.

Victor took a few more minutes to finish catering to his wounds before he gave Kincaid a mysterious look.

"Kin, Ralph called as well. He..."

"Victor, I don't want to speak about him." Kincaid's smile disappeared and his expression hardened.

"But he is your brother, Kin."

"I think you are done here, Victor. Leave me alone."

Kincaid closed his eyes, showing Victor his stance and the man had no choice but to leave his leader alone. After all, it was not a matter he could interfere in.