"So, what are your call names?" Kate changed the topic before Kincaid could go ahead and nullify his win. She didn't have to ask him to find out if he knew the truth or not. His eyes said it all.
"Paul over there is Hotshot." Desmond started and Paul raised his collar haughtily.
"It fits you," Kate admitted, glad that Kincaid hadn't spoken a word about her ploy.
"Ain't it? The word was coined for me." Paul winked back at her in high spirits.
"Yeah right." Tristan scoffed, only to get a kick from Paul.
"Rhys is Smarty."
"Understandable. Is he the brain of the team?"
"I'll answer that. Yes, I am." Rhys butted in before his cousin could dismiss the thought. "In a way, this team won't survive without me."
Although his tone was filled with pride, Kate knew that he didn't mean his words. He was just being playful and she didn't take his boastful words to heart.
"Yeah, if you were not here we'd all be lying in the streets somewhere. Thank you for your brilliant work." Everett sassed, his tone laced with sarcasm which Rhys didn't mind at all. Instead, he only passed him a flying kiss in return.
"What about Dean? What's his call name?" By now, Kate more or less knew who was who and didn't mess up with their names anymore.
"He's Fox. You guessed his name right, to be honest." Victor pointed out and Kate raised her hands in shock.
"Oh, I was so close. I should've stuck with my analysis. Then, I'd have won the challenge." Kate pouted as though she was seriously aggrieved that she lost the challenge.
But no one in the room fell for it, not Kincaid at least. She could have won the task easily. Yet, she didn't and he couldn't make out why.
"Kin, you won. What are you going to make her do?" Paul wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. Even though Kate was the true winner, they didn't argue as she had accepted defeat on her own. In a way, Kincaid was the winner and he could ask her anything he wanted.
Kate looked at Kincaid expectantly. But all she got in return was his questioning glance.
"I'll tell you later," He mumbled and leaned closer to her, not caring about the audience he had around him. "When we are alone."
A faint blush crept its way on her cheeks and Kate's heart skipped a beat in wonder. She clutched her hands tight as she looked at him in a trance.
But when hoots and whistles erupted from the people around her, she broke out of her stupor and lowered her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to look at anyone, not Kincaid at least who she knew was smiling at her abashed face.
'What the hell is happening to me? Why am I being attracted to him this much?' She wondered as she glanced at her watch. Noticing the time, she jumped to her feet, rendering everyone silent instantly.
"Kate, what's wrong?" Paul was the first to question and Kincaid looked at her, puzzled.
'Did I cross my limits? Was it my teasing words that made her uncomfortable?' He wondered and his smile slipped instantly.
"Shit! You guys were such a pleasant company that I didn't know how time passed. It's getting late and I need to return to my apartment."
"But..." Tristan glanced at Kincaid who was staring at her hopefully.
"And I have to go to work tomorrow. I'm so sorry." Kate didn't want to leave the place either. But it was close to eleven and if she didn't go to sleep soon, she'd be waking up with panda eyes and that was not something she appreciated having.
"We understand, Kate. You should go then. We don't want you to be exhausted or reach work late tomorrow." Dean agreed with her, forcing everyone else to follow suit.
"We can meet any time you want, any time you're free. Anyway, we'll be here for quite some time." Victor suggested and Kate nodded, giving him her silent consent.
"It doesn't matter if we're here or not. The person who matters the most will be here and that's what is most important. Am I right, Kate?" Tristan beamed at her, not failing to drop his comment and Kate could only smile at him shyly.
"I'm going to leave now. You guys carry on."
"I'll drop you." Kincaid stood up as well while Kate picked up her things.
"Kin, Kate lives right across the hall, just a few steps away. I don't think there is any need for you to drop her off." Tristan joked and didn't give a damn when he received a death glare from his leader.
"Let him see her off. Why are you being a prick?" Rhys gave him a look that said his mouth would one day put him in trouble.
"Hey, let me have my time here. It's not every day I get a chance to tease Ace. Alright?" Tristan rolled his eyes and Kincaid let out a sigh in defeat. He could do nothing about the joker.
"Well, good night all of you. Have fun!" Kate waved her hand and the others returned it immediately.
While Kate and Kincaid walked towards the door, the remaining men watched them as if they were sending off their kids on a honeymoon. At that moment, all the six men had only one thought in mind. 'What a lovely couple they make! Start dating as soon as possible, you guys.'
"I had fun today." Kate turned around once she left the apartment and faced the man who was watching her keenly. "Thank you so much for introducing your teammates to me. You guys are a lovely bunch."
"The pleasure is all mine. We had a good time today as well." Kincaid was not lying. Kate genuinely felt like home, as if he had known her for years. Moreover, she fit in with his team so well that he couldn't help but find her amazing.
Kincaid had tried dating a few times in the past while his team members had had their own stories as well. But none of the girls they were involved with were compatible with the team. Somehow, they felt out of place or had problems mingling with everyone.
But not Kate. Even though Kate was all alone, she could match everyone's tempo and thoughts and mingled with everyone easily. Not just him, everyone among his friends found her amazing, which was a rare feat.
"I should get going now."
"Wait a minute, Kate." Kincaid stepped out of the threshold, letting go of the door handle and the door closed automatically behind him.
"Yes?"
"Didn't you forget something?" Kincaid arched an eyebrow as his lips curved into a smirk.
"What?" Kate tilted her head in confusion while Kincaid took another step towards her, compelling her to move back.
"You lost the challenge, Kate. Willingly or not, it doesn't matter. You lost it. Now, it's time to fulfill my wish."
Kate looked at him warily while her heart pounded in anticipation. She had been waiting for this moment for quite some time. But now that the moment was actually here, she couldn't help but be nervous. "What is your wish?"
Kincaid smiled in triumph and leaned forward until his lips were a mere inches away from hers. "Go on a date with me."