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He was serious.

“But all guys like no-strings sex.”

“No, they don’t. Especially after a certain age, then it’s about the woman and the relationship. I’m past that age.”

“But I told you why I’m a bad risk for a relationship,” Amy reminded him. “I’m really confused.”

He reached over and grabbed her hand. “I know you are, Baby. How about we do what we should have done from the very beginning.”

“What’s that?”

“Date. Not over the phone or Skype date, but in-person date.”

She bit her bottom lip. “The restaurant is keeping me pretty busy. But…”

“But what, Amy?”

“But I would really like to try this. My apartment is small but it does have a guest room. So you could spend the nights when you’re in town, and not in my bed since that isn’t allowed.”

Ryker raised up both of his hands. “Wait just a damn minute. I think we proved quite spectacularly that we can sleep together without my Tab A falling into your Slot B. So I might not even need your guest room.”

Amy giggled. “Point taken.”

“So you agree, we get to date?” Ryker asked hopefully.

“I agree. You do realize today is our second date, so technically I’m supposed to put out on the third date…”

“Shut up, Amy,” Ryker growled.

20

“So is Motorcycle-Man showing up again tonight?” Gillian asked as she walked by Amy holding a platter of food.

“Who?” Amy feigned ignorance.

“You know, the hot guy that picks you up and takes you for rides on his Harley,” Valentina said as she moved toward the bar to put in her drink order.

Damn, why did she have to hire so many people who were good at multitasking? If she hadn’t, maybe they wouldn’t have time to bust her balls while also doing so well getting their actual job accomplished!

“His name is Ryker McQueen, and yes, I expect to see him tonight,” Amy admitted.

“Holy shit, what a righteous name!” Valentina squealed.

“Careful with that, your vocal cords can shatter glass,” Gillian warned her co-worker.

“Who cares? I want to hear more about the dreamy guy who rides a Harley with the kick-ass name. Is he a tattoo artist?” Valentina asked.

“Nah, nothing so exciting,” Amy lied. “Just a diver in the Navy.”

“What are you talking about? That’s a cool job,” Gillian said. “Now you’ll have somebody to teach you how to scuba dive.”

“Maybe you could get matching tattoos,” Valentina said as she rushed to get her drink orders.

Amy watched as one of the valet staff took Ryker’s bike and pushed it over to the side and gave him a ticket. She noticed all the female attention he got as he walked into the restaurant in his leathers. Marcus at the hostess desk waved to him as Ryker made his way to the bar and Amy wanted nothing more than to go over and greet him, but she saw Senator Hurst and her party walk in, and she needed to make sure that they made it to their private dining area.

It wasn’t until forty-five minutes later that Amy could finally wind her way back over to the bar, and she saw that Lawrence had set Ryker up with a meal at one of the tables. She sat down across from him.

“Hey, lady,” he smiled at her. “You should try the food here. This Chef Charlie guy really knows how to cook veal.”