“I’m getting that. But you should know how to change a tire.”
“I do now.” He winked. “A beautiful woman showed me.”
Her breath escaped in a rush and her cheeks burned. “Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Wink. Flirt. Whatever you’re doing.”
“Why?”
“Because as soon as you’re finished your soup, you’re leaving and we’re done.”
He set his spoon aside and stared at her. “What if I don’t want to be done?”
She shrugged, her skin tightening around her bones, and her flesh heating under her clothes. “I… What is it you want from me, Gage? I mean, I’m just a small-town girl, and while you’re here now, with your sad orphan story and appreciation for shitty soup, let’s be real about who you are.”
“Who am I?”
She scoffed. “You drive luxury cars, own a Fortune 500 company, live on the other side of the country, and your suit jacket costs more than my entire wardrobe. Plus, you’re screwing me out of the land I want.”
“What does the car I drive have to do with who I am?”
“It’s just simple economics. You’re a Mercedes, and I’m a Chevy.”
He sat back. “You’re not a car and neither am I.”
“Whatever. You know what I’m getting at.”
His arms crossed over his broad chest. “Okay, let’s cut all the bullshit. First, my company’s a Fortune 20. And yes, I live in Texas, where I own several properties and houses, but I’m currently searching for a place to call home. My jacket cost close to a grand and my shoes cost two. But I’m willing to bet you would look as beautiful in a two cent rag as you could in a couture gown. Honestly, I’m more interested in seeing you in nothing at all.” He stared as he rubbed his chin with his good hand. “I’m not trying to screw you out of your land, Perrin. But I wouldn’t mind a shot at screwing you out of your clothes and into next week.”
She couldn’t breathe. Her hand shook as she lowered her spoon. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“Not interested in seeing what it would be like between us?”
Damn him for even putting such images in her head. Of course, she was interested, in a strictly curious way, but her brain wasn’t located between her legs, and she had reasons for avoiding men like him—or men altogether.
“I don’t date.”
“Yet, here we are having dinner.”
“It’s not a date.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Oh, really? So, what defines dating?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she snapped, breathless and strangely overheated. She wanted him to throw her against the wall and kiss her hard. But that couldn’t happen. “I’m not a stupid little girl anymore—”
“No, you’re not. I doubt you ever were.”
She scoffed. “You don’t know me. You don’t know the first thing about me or what I’ve been through.”
“You’re right. But I do know women. Only a boy would treat you like a little girl. And maybe you let him get away with it. We all make mistakes. I’m more interested in Perrin the woman.” He pulled out his chair and stood. “When you’re ready to try dating a man, you give me a call.” He walked to the door and tossed a smile over his shoulder. “Thanks for dinner and taking care of me today.” He kissed his injured hand and blew her a kiss, then he was gone.
“What. The. Hell.” Her head fell back as she tried to process everything he’d just said. No one had ever spoken to her so directly so boldly and brazenly. “I need a cold shower and a shot.”
That man was nothing like the man she’d assumed he was. Gage King—the man under the mask—was sensitive, thoughtful, vulnerable, and sincere—with a heap of dominance she still hadn’t decided if she liked or despised. Either way, he was way more dangerous than she’d initially thought.
Chapter 4
Maggie set the paperwork on the bar as Perrin slammed down the rack of highball glasses hard enough to nearly break them. “Okay, that’s it. What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing,” Perrin snapped. Her jaw tensed with each unloaded glass as she aggressively stacked the shelves for another weekend.
“Oh, please. You’ve been stomping around all week, growling under your breath and snapping at people. This isn’t you, Perrin.”
“I’m just in a bad mood.”
“All week? Why?”
“Because I feel like it.”
Her sister’s hands closed around her shoulders, and she flinched. She hadn’t heard her move. “Hey. Talk to me.”
Perrin’s head lowered and she let out a breath. “It’s a guy.” She turned and spotted the surprise in her sister’s eyes. “Don’t look at me like that. You of all people should know people can change their minds.”
Maggie held up her hands in defense. “Hey, I never said you had to give up men. That was your decision.” One she hadn’t supported, even in the beginning.
Perrin’s shoulders drooped, and she went to the sink, busying herself by washing jiggers and mixers. “I don’t want to like him. I shouldn’t like him.”