“Megan?”
“I’m fine.” I drop into my chair, grab the menu, and pretend to look it over, but all I can see is a certain person’s face staring back at me. That face with its slightly crooked nose and scars, even more appealing because of its flaws.
“Good evening.” The waiter bows. “I’m Michael, and I’ll be serving you tonight. Have you had a chance to review the menu?”
Craig takes charge, earning my gratitude. I doubt if I could hold up my end of a conversation at the moment. My body is still set to Theo Thermonuclear mode.
“Good evening. We’re still deciding on our entrées, but may we please have a bottle of the Sea Smoke pinot noir to start, along with the crab cake appetizer?”
“Very good, sir. I’ll bring the wine out straight away.”
He walks off, leaving me along with Craig, who is looking at me intently over the top of my menu.
“I’m sorry,” he says.
Startled, I glance up at him. “For what?”
“For upsetting you.”
I retort, “For propositioning me, you mean.”
“No,” he says, holding my gaze. “I’m not sorry for that. Only that it made you uncomfortable.”
Blood floods my face. I look to the menu for help, but Craig isn’t letting me off the hook so easily.
“I haven’t been on a real date in a long time.”
I snort like a farm animal.
“I’m being serious, Megan. For the past ten years, all my attention has been on building my business.”
I ask tartly, “Are you trying to tell me you’ve been celibate for a decade?”
“I’m trying to tell you that the women I’ve been with are like your friend Suzanne. Easily available. No strings attached. That worked great for me because I wasn’t interested in anything long-term. Lately, I’ve been rethinking that.”
His gaze is serious but sincere. Now I’m even more flustered. Uncertain how to respond, I fiddle with my fork.
“Here’s my point, then we’ll drop it because, judging by the color of your cheeks, you’re not enjoying the conversation.” He pauses briefly. “I’m shit at taking things slow. I’m shit at being patient. I don’t like to waste time. I’m not into playing games. I’m blunt, but I’m also real. You’ll always know where you stand with me, I can promise you that. And right now, I can tell you with all honesty that you’re the most interesting woman I’ve met in years. I’m extremely attracted to you, and I think you’re attracted to me too, but you’re not ready to act on it.
“So we’ll take it slow. We’ll get to know each other. You’ll tell me when I’m being overbearing, and I’ll respect your boundaries. But while we’re doing all that, I might occasionally slip up and do or say something you’ll find offensive, and you’re going to have to call me out on it because it’s been a long time since I’ve wanted anything serious with a woman. I don’t want to fuck it up.”
I stare at him openmouthed. After a few moments, I gather myself enough to speak. “I’m flattered. Honestly. And I appreciate you being so blunt.” I laugh a small, uncomfortable laugh. “Though I have to admit, it takes some getting used to.”
Craig lifts a shoulder. “I like to put all the cards on the table up front.”
Unlike some other men I know. “I can see that,” I murmur, wondering what kind of cosmic joke is being played on me.
On one hand, I’ve got an über-assertive alpha male with a solid-steel ego handing me his feelings on a silver platter. On the other, I’ve got a mute recluse with an attitude as unstable as his mental health who’d rather have all his teeth pulled out than tell me anything.
This shouldn’t be such a surprise. My life stopped making sense years ago.
When a mild tingle runs down my spine, I glance over at the bar. Theo, hands flattened over the bar top and elbows locked, stares back at me. His gaze shifts to Craig. And stays there.
And hardens.
“You’re not saying anything,” observes Craig.
“Oh, sorry, I’m just…” I take a steadying breath, then meet Craig’s eyes. “Since we’re being so honest, I need to tell you a few things too.”
Craig leans toward me, his eyes intent. “Okay. Shoot.”
“Do you see that man at the bar?”
Craig frowns and looks to his right. “Which one?”
“Black hair. Black jacket. Black clouds churning overhead.”
“Oh. Valentine.”
I blink, surprised he recognizes Theo. “You know him?”
Craig shrugs. “I know of him. We’ve bid on some of the same jobs. I’ve seen him lurking around a few builders’ conferences. He has a reputation for being an odd bird. What about him?”