Billionaire Untamed - Tate(3)

“So are you here on vacation?” Tate asked conversationally, completely ignoring her aloof demeanor.

“Yes.” Lara looked back down at her drink and watched the pieces of ice get smaller as she stirred the drink yet again. She didn’t want to blow Tate off completely, but she didn’t want to say anything to embolden him either. Lord knew the guy was already bold enough.

Be friendlier, but not too friendly. Lara wanted information from Tate Colter, but for some reason he put her on the defensive. Her instincts screamed at her to run away from him as quickly as possible. The problem was, she couldn’t really figure out why.

“I haven’t seen you around. When did you get into town?”

“Late last night.” God, she wished he’d quit staring at her like a specimen under a microscope. “So you’re a Colter?” Lara tried to give him her not-so-smart blonde expression. “One of the famous Colter family?” Flattery worked almost every time.

“I’m not the most famous, but I’m the smartest of the bunch,” he told her deadpan, almost as if he was giving her some kind of warning. “My mom is out of town visiting my aunt and uncle, so I promised her I’d stop in every afternoon to make sure everything was okay here. I was just getting ready to leave when I saw you sitting here all by yourself. I definitely feel like it’s my job to make sure all of the guests are having a good time since Mom’s not around.”

As Lara eyed him suspiciously, she wasn’t so certain that his arrogant statement wasn’t accurate. The cocky self-assurance he exuded in abundance made him incredibly appealing, and she had no doubt he was intelligent. Just short of obnoxious, he was definitely brash.#p#分页标题#e#

“Don’t you have brothers?” she asked, trying to still look ignorant and only mildly interested.

Why do I have this feeling that he’s on to me?

The conversation was general, but she felt as though they were playing a hidden game of cat and mouse, and unfortunately she felt very much like the rodent right now.

“And a sister,” he answered nonchalantly. “My sister, Chloe, is the baby, a local vet here in Rocky Springs now, and I have three older brothers.”

“I remember hearing about twins.” She plastered a falsely puzzled expression on her face.

“My two oldest brothers, Marcus and Blake, are identical twins. Blake is a US Senator. Zane is a year older than I am. He’s a research doctor in biotechnology.”

“And what does Marcus do?” she asked in what she hoped was a casual voice.

Tate shrugged his muscular shoulders. “He travels. He heads most of the business for the whole Colter Corporation.”

“That must be difficult to have him away all the time.” Damn, I hope Marcus is here now. “You don’t get to see him very often.”

“We’re all used to it. Most of us are usually gone for long periods of time, except for Chloe. She’s home to stay now. Marcus is coming back to stay for a while tomorrow. He’s been gone on business for a while. Zane is in Denver, playing the mad scientist, and Blake should be around soon enough after Congress closes their session for a break.” Tate’s voice was conversational, but he wasn’t smiling anymore, and he watched her face.

He knows I’m digging for information. Damn. Damn. Damn. Why couldn’t he be a little less observant?

Lara smiled at him weakly. “That’s nice,” she answered, putting only casual interest in her tone.

Bingo!

Marcus Colter would arrive in Rocky Springs tomorrow.

“So what are your plans while you’re staying with us?” Tate asked, as if he had every right to know her schedule. “Where are you from? What are you running away from?”

“Why do you think I’m running away from anything?” she asked carefully, keeping her answers evasive.

“Isn’t that why people take vacations?”

“I’m visiting from the East Coast. I thought Colorado would be a nice change. I work in mortgage banking. It’s a stressful job.” She shot him a pleasant smile.

“Have you been in the hot springs yet? They’re guaranteed to take away stress.”

“No.”

“Went skiing today?”

“I don’t ski,” she admitted reluctantly.

“We have lessons. I’d actually be more than happy to teach you myself,” he told her in a low, fuck-me voice that spoke of more than showing her a few skiing moves.

Lara shuddered as their gazes met and locked. Tate made it perfectly clear that he’d like to teach her more than basic skiing. A lot more.