Raven could work with that.
Besides, she wouldn't mind finding a deep, meaningful relationship. It was time to meet a man who could get real with her. Handle her past without judgment. Be a partner in business and life, not just for one night.
Her mission was clear. Force him to back off but keep him close enough to spy on.
She tried hard not to smile as the horror on his features morphed into shock. His voice was a delicious growl of sound, mixing velvet with gravel, and it ruffled her nerve endings. "You want a husband?"
She nodded. "I'm twenty-seven. I've done my fooling around, and now I'm looking toward a solid future."
He rubbed his head, mussing up all that thick golden hair. "But, why?"
"Don't you ever get tired of endless affairs and little substance?" she asked curiously.
He blinked. Those thick, dark lashes and the sheer beauty of his face distracted her for a moment. "No. Besides, my affairs have plenty of substance. I'm not a touch-and-go type of guy, no matter what you originally thought."
She nodded. Point taken. "Why do you seem surprised?"
"You don't look like the type to want to settle down."
His stark words stole her breath. Red-hot anger stabbed at her. Yes, she owned a bar, had a tat, and had always been dubbed a sexpot, just from her looks. She dressed like a confident woman, comfortable in her identity. Usually she shrugged off others' opinions like a cheap shawl, but she'd hoped Dalton wouldn't have made such judgments about her. Why was she surprised? He only wanted to seduce her, pat her on the head, and make her feel good about the whole encounter the next day. Or maybe even the whole week. Damn him for assuming she was easy. Time to set him straight.
"You don't look like the type to take anything seriously, especially a business. Do your brothers do all the work and you're the pretty face of Pierce Brothers Construction?"
Missile launched. Hit confirmed.
He jerked back as if her words stung. "No. I pull my own weight, but it's still a struggle to get them to take me seriously. I intend to keep proving my worth, though." Male pride etched his hard tone. Respect flowed through her. He wasn't afraid of real work.
"Exactly. Who are you to judge my wanting to get married? Think I'm too cheap for such lofty standards?"
He slammed the mug down on the bar. Coffee sloshed over the side. "Actually, just the opposite," he said tightly. "I think you're too good for marriage. Besides being gorgeous, you own a business and seem wicked smart. I've seen what happens with marriage. You become unappreciated, bored, unromantic. You lose yourself and get your heart broken. Don't you deserve more?"
Her heart galloped. Was he talking about his own parents? Did he have a messy divorce in his past? He practically bristled with male intensity and an innate raw sex appeal that was part of his nature. A plate of sweet potato fries was plunked down between them, and Raven pulled herself together, grabbing silverware and pushing it in front of him.
"Bad experience?" she asked.
He stiffened. "Just the truth. Don't ever put thoughts in my head that aren't there, Raven. Understood?"
His gaze drilled hers, patient yet determined. She'd never known a man who was so comfortable really looking at a woman, as if he wanted to strip away each layer and find the soft center. She fought a shiver. "Understood."
The tentative truce softened the tension. He nodded and began eating the fries. "What are you going to do while you search for Mr. Right? I can offer a nice distraction."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I bet you can, Slick. Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass."
"You dating someone regularly yet?"
A lie would be easier. Still, she told the truth. "No. But I don't want to be distracted if he comes around."
Dalton lifted a fry to his mouth. Strong white teeth opened slowly and then closed around the end. He tugged, and the tip pulled off, disappearing into his mouth. His tongue came out to lick the salt from his lips in a sensual gesture. His gaze swept lazily over her body, as if he was imagining himself licking something else.
"Tastes so good," he murmured.
Arousal dampened her panties. He was a master. She lifted her chin, giving him her iciest stare, and casually crossed her arms in front of her chest to hide her erect nipples. If she was sticking with her plan, she needed to keep her guard up. Evidently her search for a husband gave him pause, but he still considered her fair game.
"You can taste it when you put a ring on it."
He spit out the fry in shock, then burst into laughter. She couldn't help her answering grin at his obvious delight with her banter. Thank goodness the man had a sense of humor.