Page 20 of One Midnight Kiss

“That’s a surprising choice,” I said slowly. “I didn’t peg you as a sci-fi reader.”

He smirked. “And what did you peg me as reading, exactly?”

“Playboy.”

“The articles aren’t what they used to be,” he said.

I hate that I like his quick wit. It’s too easy to fall under his spell.

I needed to regain control of this conversation. I nodded toward his book. “Why Tepper?”

Fox leaned back again, clearly enjoying the fact that he’d piqued my interest. “I’ve read it before. My mom was a huge fan of her work. I grew up reading sci-fi and adventure novels. It’s why I got into tech—always wanted to build something that felt like it belonged in one of those stories.”

Huh. I didn’t expect that. Not from him. “I didn’t take you for the type who reads for pleasure,” I admitted, slightly begrudgingly.

He chuckled. “Yes, I do. Often, actually.”

“Surprise, surprise.”

I loved sci-fi books. I read as much sci-fi as I read romance. I loved the fantasy element. It always excited me to think about space travel and men with bionic abilities.

He tilted his head, studying me. “And I know what kind of books you like just by looking at you.”

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Oh, really? Enlighten me.”

He grinned like a cat that had caught a mouse. “You’re into romance. Steamy ones. The kind where the heroine gets swept off her feet by a mysterious, brooding stranger who has a tragic backstory. And lots of sex. Graphic, dirty sex that doesn’t leave out any of the exciting details.”

My jaw dropped. “You’re wrong.”

We both knew I was lying.

He leaned forward, his smile knowing. “Am I? I bet I could name at least three of your favorite authors. Let’s see. Tessa Bailey? Ali Parker? Oh, and definitely some Colleen Hoover in there.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, determined not to give anything away, even though he was spot on. “You think you know me because you can guess my reading list? You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” he said, leaning back again, clearly pleased with himself. “But I’m not wrong.”

This back-and-forth with him was scratching an itch in my brain that had been bothering me for a long time. A year, to be exact. This was familiar. Too familiar.

I could almost taste the memory on the tip of my tongue. But it couldn’t be. Fox was the last person on earth I would have connected with in Paris. That night had been magical, soft, filled with laughter and whispered secrets under the stars. This was the opposite of that.

No. Freaking. Way.

“Something on your mind, Natalia?” Fox asked, interrupting my spiraling thoughts. He was watching me closely. There was amusement in his eyes, but also something softer, something I didn’t want to name.

I forced a smile, standing up abruptly. “I’ve had enough of making connections for one day,” I said, aiming for a breezy tone but missing the mark by a mile. “Enjoy your book.”

As I turned to leave, I couldn’t help but notice his gaze drop to my ass again. He wasn’t even subtle about it.

“Sure you don’t want to stick around?” he called after me. “I’ve got all day, and I’m sure we could find something fun to do. I’ll buy you lunch. Maybe you’d like to go for a run. Work up a sweat.”

I didn’t know why, but the way he said it sent heat racing through me. I nearly broke into a sweat at the thought of doing anything physical with him.

It took me a second to recover.

“Like you could keep up,” I shot back over my shoulder.

He laughed. For a second, it wasn’t annoying. It sounded nice. I hated that I liked it. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Why did this guy get under my skin? He was just another client. A project to complete and put behind me.