His steel gaze shimmered with the light of battle. “The difference is I’m honest about what my plans are. You, a typical woman, are not.”
The man had a chip on his shoulder the size of Wembley Stadium. His attitude about women reeked of cynical distrust. Which was something she could kindly point out to him. “What woman did this to you? Made you so suspicious of anything they do or say?”
He moved back along the leather. “I have no idea what you are talking about. I allow women to do many things to me. When I want them to.”
She ignored the sexual gleam in his eye. She knew it was a ploy to take her off track. “I think you may want to contemplate a bit of counseling.”
“Counseling?” His satanic brows rose in disbelief.
Giving him a pitying look from underneath her eyelashes, she smiled with satisfaction when his body stiffened. She had turned the tables quite neatly. If she was being burned by their association, why shouldn’t he be? Why not throw more wood on the fire? “My bet is there are some old experiences you might want to discuss.”
“I have no need for psychobabble.” The sexual gleam had turned to ice in his eyes. “As I don’t indulge in bets, you will be disappointed.”
He glanced at his mobile, dismissing her once more. Or was it a form of hiding from her scrutiny? Her questions? Her digging?
“Oh, no, you don’t.” She grabbed the phone from his hand and slid it under her coat.
“Don’t be childish,” he growled. “Give it back.”
“No can do.” Her grip tightened on the prize. Then another weapon appeared in her brain. “Who was that woman tonight?”
An irritated finger tapped on his leg. “I talked to many women tonight.”
“Tall. Blonde. Beautiful.” The words came from her mouth, a staccato accusation in spite of herself. “Hard to forget.”
The finger froze. “No one of importance.”
She’d been right. Very right. The rigid line of his jaw, the blank tone in his voice, it all told a story. A story she wanted to know with a desperation that surprised her. “My guess is she’s very important. What’s her name?”
His brow arched and a slight smile slid across his face. “Jealous? How fascinating.”
He was quick at recovery, she’d give him that. “Don’t try to change the subject.”
“I find your jealousy much more fascinating to discuss, though.”
“I’m not jealous.”
“I think you are,” he murmured, his accent thickening. “Don’t worry. You are currently the only one I want in my bed.”
His words sizzled through her, lighting a disturbing fire deep inside, banishing any thoughts of inquiring about his past with another woman. A flush of sexual excitement burned through her, leaving only pure need behind.
“Such a waste of time, this sparring, arguing.” He leaned over and a long finger touched her brow, then whispered along her cheek and across her lips. “Why not stop this fighting and spend our time doing something far more pleasurable?”
The sizzle exploded deep within. It shocked her. His touch didn’t bring forth her usual reaction—the need to pull away, the instinctive desire to keep her distance. Instead, she wanted him to come closer, touch more of her.
Why him? Why this man? After all these years, after she’d been sure she’d never feel the sexual pleasure other women talked about—
He inched closer and did what she so desperately wanted. She felt his breath on her cheek. His hand slipped along her jaw, moved her mouth closer to his. His distinct scent enveloped her, rich and redolent of musk, man. Sex. She breathed him in, wanting him.
No, she shouldn’t. She couldn’t.
Could she?
In the midst of her turmoil, one of his phrases finally caught her attention and saved her from herself.
You are currently the only one I want in my bed.
Currently?
“No.” She pushed the word from her mouth, her lips almost brushing his with the word.
The heat of his gaze brought a blush to her skin. She forced herself to meet his smoky eyes. “No,” she whispered again.
Before she could do or say anything more, his hand slipped beneath her coat, moving along her waist. Making every cell in her body jump to life. Making her gasp.
“I said—”
“I believe this is mine.” His hand slid out of her coat, his phone held tightly in his grip. He gave her a grin as he swung it in front of her.
What a fool she was. Thinking he was making a move. When what he was really after was his lifeline, his real passion. A streak of hurt zipped through her brain and settled into her heart. Which only made her more of a fool.