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“An Aries.” Brooke would’ve guessed it anyway. A fellow fire sign, Aries men were passionate and confident, with fiery personalities. They were known for their strong bodies, commanding presence, and dominating sex appeal. But Nico was on another level. She’d leave out the part about them being romantically and sexually compatible. She’d never been attracted to her astrological equivalent before, but none of those men had been as charming as Nico.
Humor lit his eyes. “So what you’re telling me is that it’s okay to ask a woman her sign?”
She laughed. “Well, yes and no. How about we leave that part to me for the time being?” Brooke picked up the astrological wheel on her desk and pointed to the center. “These wedges are the houses. Each one represents a different aspect of our lives. The creative house is what propels you cook up those culinary masterpieces I’ve been hearing about at your restaurant.”
When he smiled, his eyes crinkled at the corners. “To be determined after you’ve sampled my food.”
Brooke refrained from asking if that was a personal invitation and pointed to the pie-like sections of the chart. “The seventh and eighth houses are the most important, in my opinion. They’re the houses of love, partnership, marriage, and sexual relationships. I’ll be using them as indicators to find your soulmate.”
His gaze narrowed. “You really take this stuff seriously.”
“I do,” she said with an audible sigh. “Our astrological charts hold the key to everything in the universe.”
“I know a heavenly body when I see one.” He winked and pointed to the circular sphere on her desk. “I’m referring to the stars and planets, of course.”
“Of course.” And the man could flirt.
When swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down in his throat. Strength and virility practically oozed from his pores. “What about fate? Do you believe some things happen for a reason?” The direct way he asked the question made her think of lazy days in bed and hot, sweaty sex.
“Absolutely.” She tried to get her thoughts in check and stared at her screen. After she input his birthdate, a set of designed questions popped up. “Time for a quiz. I’ll match you with the sign that you’re best suited with romantically based on your score. How would your friends describe you? Passionate, smart, talented, cool, funny...?”
“Passionate.” Every time Brooke looked over at Nico her heart raced.
“What about hobbies? Besides your exuberance for cooking?” She pounded away on her keyboard, focusing her attention on creating his profile.
“I enjoy watching football with the guys, going to sporting events, and running down by the river when I have the time.”
“Those are all great.” She added his responses to his profile then looked up. “What makes you mad?”
The humor drained from his eyes, and she sensed she’d hit a nerve. “Liars.”
“Noted. Your sun sign can vibe with certain colors. What’s your personal favorite?”
“Purple.”
Brooke could guess his answer to the next question. “Which of these dates would you prefer the most? A fancy restaurant? Going for a hike? Talking under the stars? Parachuting? Or chilling on the couch and binge-watching your favorite show?”
A genuine smile spread across his handsome face. “Talking under the stars would be at the top of my list.”
Mine too. She needed to stay in business mode and not get swept up by the hunger in his eyes when he looked at her. What was the point? Like all the others, he’d forget about her when the season changed. The fallout could put a strain on their friend group “What does love mean to you? A strong physical connection or a strong emotional one?” The question sent a flush of heat to her cheeks.
His gaze burned into hers as he leaned closer, forcing an involuntary rush of breath from her lips. “If you don’t have physical attraction then there’s nowhere to go, but there has to be a strong emotional connection, or you burn out fast.”
“I agree.” Her cheeks burned with heat from the intense look in his eyes. “There’s another matter we should get out of the way. I strongly urge my clients not to engage in sex unless there’s monogamy. Rule number one in the matchmaker’s handbook.”
He chuckled. “The matchmaker’s handbook?”
“You can think of the book as guidelines that I strongly urge my clients to follow. What are your thoughts about kissing on the first date?”Why the hell did I include that one?
His gaze moved from her face to her lips. “I say yes, if we’re both into each other and the moment presents itself.”
His words made the room seem too small, and him too close. Those damn butterflies took wings and fluttered around in her stomach. “Let’s move onto compatibility and intimacy. I’m going to recommend people who you’re destined to click with, and let the universe pick your matches with a little help from me.”
Amusement flashed in his eyes. “I’m game on everything except for your no-sex rule. Can we negotiate?”
A shiver moved through her at his words. “What did you have in mind?”
CHAPTER2
