Page 59
“That’s very sweet.”
“Don’t turn it into something it’s not.” He almost growled that out. Which told her he wasn’t so progressive after all.
That he wanted to be the one to pay but knew damn well it was better not to make waves.
She could appreciate both sides to that.
“Then flipping the page… I got to vent some. It opened my eyes even more. It was nice to get my feelings out, which I don’t do often.”
“Are you going to share those feelings with me?”
“Maybe. Short version, I told you, I was frustrated, but got past it. There might have been an internal battle going on on another level.”
“Which hurts you to admit that.”
“A little.” She turned and waved to someone who was trying to get her attention. “Not really the place to say much more. Are you bothered by this?”
“That people want to talk to you?” he asked. “Nope. You can handle yourself just fine. Now, if you need me to step in front of you and shield that, I’m your man. But I’m not sure you want people to know I’m your...man just yet.”
She pursed her lips. “Since it’s the second time we are in a public setting together, I’m not hiding anything.”
“But you don’t want to put on a show.”
“No. I think I was more relaxed with you now than any other lunch date I’ve had, but not to the extent of Saturday night.”
“Not like at your place.”
She laughed, but it came out softer than she expected. “You say that like you weren’t just thinking about it.”
“Oh, I was,” he said easily. “I just have better self-control when there are witnesses.”
Her gaze drifted over him before she could stop herself. The fitted button-down shirt stretched across his shoulders when he leaned back, sleeves pushed up just enough to show powerful forearms dusted with dark hair.
His gun was in a holster on his shoulder, his badge clipped to his belt. He had it on his neck a time or two hanging from a chain. She just imagined he changed it up based on his clothing.
Not really an accessory like a woman, as this was much more a part of his identity.
He looked…grounded. Solid. Like a man who could pin you in place with nothing more than patience and a smile.
The smile was almost the same as it had been decades ago.
In that it could disarm her so quickly.
And he knew exactly what he was doing to her, so might as well play along just to gain some control.
“Your shirt is tempting me,” she said.
His brow lifted. “It is?”
“It’s unfair,” she clarified, the hum back in her throat. What was a little more enjoyment before they parted ways. “You look like the cover of a men’s magazine with the headline Sexy Men All Women Want.”
His mouth twitched. “That sounds extremely close to inappropriate. You don’t want to tarnish that reputation of yours.”
She leaned back, folding her arms, completely unbothered by his comment or her words. Even her behavior. Having this much freedom was totally worth it.
It wasn’t as if she was breaking a rule, a law, or even a moral compass.
“I didn’t say I was touching you. Just appreciating the view. Kind of like you did when you saw me walk in.”
