Ridiculous, but he seemed disappointed.
"I mostly do podcasts," she said, as if to justify not listening to him. "Continuing education stuff." Which was about forty-six percent true. She also listened to classical, classic rock, and some country. But she streamed it from her phone specifically so she could avoid the irritating chatter of a DJ.
She winced, feeling guilty about the thought even though she knew Nolan couldn't read her mind.
"Something wrong?"
"It's just--I mean, it's already past eleven. Do you have a show in the morning?"
"I do." He shifted his stance, and when he spoke, his voice was the same--but different. A little lower. A little richer. But still laced with that same hint of amusement, as if he loved the way he looked at the world. "Join me, Nolan Wood, every weekday from six to ten on KIKX FM, 96.3 on your radio dial."
She applauded, laughing. "That was awesome. You definitely have a radio voice."
He didn't exactly blush, but he looked pleased.
"So you have to be at work in about five hours?"
"Yup."
"But--"
"But why am I still talking to you instead of..."
"Instead of?"
The corner of his mouth quirked up. "Instead of buying you a coffee and sobering you up." He reached out, and gently brushed her lower lip with his forefinger, the connection making her body fire up all over again. "I want my good night kiss, after all."
A swarm of butterflies danced in her belly. And the truth was, she was already starting
to get her wits back. Which wasn't necessarily a good thing, because all sorts of vintage Shelby doubts were creeping in as she imagined Nolan in here every night, his beautiful eyes searching the room until he found a woman to seduce with that wildly sensual voice. "You have this down to a science, don't you?"
A shadow crossed his eyes, and when he spoke, his voice had lost that lightness. "You'd be surprised how much I don't do this."
"Flirt with women?"
"Pursue a woman."
She shook her head, not understanding.
He took a step closer, gesturing between them. "I don't do this. I don't pursue. I don't usually have to."
"Oh." She studied his face, knowing it was probably a line. But there was an intensity in his eyes that surprised her. And despite common sense, she believed him.
"So how about it?" he asked.
She stiffened, her eyes wide, her whole body going hyperaware. "It?" The word came out as a squeak.
"A coffee?"
"Oh." She relaxed a little. "I don't know. I mean, my friends..." She glanced over, and this time both Celia and Hannah were looking her direction--and waving her toward the door.
Nolan chucked. "If we're judging by peer pressure, I think I'm going to win. I'm not sure I've ever seen a group of friends so encouraging. Is that because of me or you?"
"Me," she said. "I told you, I don't usually..." She trailed off with a shrug.
"You don't usually drink coffee?" His voice rose in mock credulity. "Well, fine. I'll buy you some tea."
"I--" She'd intended to protest, but couldn't think of a reason why. "Just coffee, right?"