“Oh.” Her husband. “Oh.”
On the one hand, I’m frustrated that I’m so transparent. On the other hand, he’s calling to soothe me, and the sweetness of that gesture moves me. Of course, I shouldn’t let it. I should be strong and tell him he shouldn’t have bothered. Because whatever is happening between us, it needs to be quickly nipped in the bud.
“So where are you?” I ask, completely ignoring my own wise counsel.
“Sur la Mer,” he says, naming a Malibu restaurant and bar that’s so chic even I’ve heard of it.
“I’ve heard it’s excellent.”
“The food is exquisite,” he says, “but it’s the ambience that really sets the place apart. It’s charming, but intimate. It’s the perfect place to have a drink and discuss business when one doesn’t want to be overheard. Or to not discuss business, for that matter.”
The intimate edge has crept back into his voice, and I squirm a little. “And you’re there strictly for business?”
His low chuckle rocks through me. “I assure you that a tryst with Giselle and her husband is not on the agenda. I’m not interested in men. Or in married women.”
I keep silent.
“I want to see you again, Nikki. And I think you would enjoy the food here very much.”
“Just the food?” In my head the words had been teasing. Out loud, they are soft and provocative. I close my eyes, trying to steady myself before I go hurtling down that slippery slope.
“Well, the coffee is good, too.”
“I—I like coffee,” I admit. I take a deep breath. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Thousands of coffee bean growers across the globe would disagree with you.”
“Dinner. Coffee. A date. With you. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Really? I find it exceptionally appealing.”
“Mr. Stark …”
“Ms. Fairchild,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.
“You’re exasperating.”
“So I’ve been told. But I prefer the word ‘persistent.’ I don’t take no for an answer.”
“Sometimes, that’s the only answer there is.”
“Perhaps. But this isn’t one of those times.”
I can’t help but smile as I settle more comfortably back against the soft leather upholstery. “Isn’t it? You forget that I’m the one who has to say yes or no, and I’ve already told you my answer, and I don’t intend to change it.”
“No?”
“Sorry. But I’m afraid you’ve met your match, Mr. Stark.”
“I certainly hope so, Ms. Fairchild,” he says.
I frown a bit as I try to guess just where he’s shifting the conversation. Because I know damn well he’s not giving in. To be honest, I’d be disappointed if he was.
“I asked you this once and you evaded the question. Let me try again—are you attracted to me?”
“I—excuse me?”
His laugh is low and soft. “I’m quite certain you heard me, but in the interest of fair play, I’ll repeat the question. Slowly and clearly. Are you attracted to me?”
I open my mouth, then shut it again because I have absolutely no idea how I should respond.
“It’s not a trick question,” he says, though of course I know it is.
“I am,” I finally say, because it’s the truth and I have no doubt he knows it. “But so what? What straight female on this planet isn’t attracted to you? I’m still not going out with you.”
“I get what I want, Nikki. You should know that about me right from the start.”
“And you want dinner with me? I’d think a man in your position would want something a bit more impressive. Like to colonize Mars.”
“Dinner is just the beginning. I want to touch you,” he says, his voice low and commanding. “I want to run my hands over every inch of you. I want you wet for me. I want to finish what we started, Ms. Fairchild. I want to make you come.”
8
It is suddenly very, very hot in the limo, and I seem to have forgotten the basic steps required for breathing.