“Yes. That doesn’t discount the truth of my observations.”
No, it did not. “It is not a date. Get that out of your head.”
“Are you wearing a dress?”
“Depends on where we go.”
It was said almost defensively, and she chuckled. “Meaning it’s a semi date and you will wear a dress. It’s not like you have many occasions to get out of those damn black pants and crop tops you live in.”
“I don’t wear crop tops in winter,” I retorted. “It’s too freaking cold in Canberra to do that.”
“Did I hit a nerve?” she said, amusement growing. “Why, I think I did.”
I swore at her, grabbed my handbag, and walked out. Her laughter followed me, and I couldn’t help the smile that teased my lips, even if I would never let her see it. She was right, and we both knew it.
After hauling my mattress back onto the base, I sat on the bed and returned René’s call.
“I take it something unforeseen happened?” he said by way of hello.
“A break-in. Easily enough dealt with, luckily.”
“Case related?”
A smile teased my lips. “And why would you think I would answer that question?”
His soft laughter ran down the line, and heat stirred deep within. I hadn’t had a reaction likethatto anyone in such a long time that it came as a very big shock. But with it came a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t facing the desert-like scenario that had happened the one and only time Ihadrisked sex after divorce. Maybe all it would take was a deep enough attraction.... I shoved the thought away. I didnotneed to be thinking about sex right now.
“Oh, I didn’t, but the question nevertheless had to be asked.” He paused. “So, dinner. Where would you like to go?”
“This is an interview, not a date. I want to be clear on that.”
“Utterly clear.”
“I mean it.”
“Sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself more than me.” His soft chuckle was so damn sexy the hairs on my arms stood on end.
Oh, I definitely am. All I said was, “We pay separately.”
“That is perfectly acceptable for a first date.”
Dear God, please.... I softly cleared my throat and said firmly, “There will be no other dates. You’re a suspect.”
“I’m many things, but I am not a suspect. Once you are assured of that, we can continue getting to know each other better.”
“Not possible.”
“Thatphrase does not exist in my vocabulary.”
“Now you’re sounding like a stalker.”
“No, I am simply a man caught by an unexpected but extreme attraction who wishes to explore it further. But tell me to never contact you again after tonight, and I will abide by that.”
He paused again, as if waiting for a response, but my thoughts were running every which way, and it was better if I just kept silent. Who the fuck knew what might come out of my mouth if I didn’t.
After several beats, he added, “Now, dinner—what is your food preference?”
“Nothing Asian—I love it, but I also get enough of it when I visit Mom. Pretty much anything else is good to go.”
