"The man clearlywants you in his bed." Putting away the contract he’d beenperusing, he stretched his legs out. "Might not be such a badidea."
She stared at himwith wide eyes. "I’m supposed to be involved with you, andhe’s Kenji Lee."
"There is that.You could tell him the truth."
"No. You’resupposed to be my best friend."
"I am your bestfriend who happens to know you haven’t been laid in years."
"One year."She muttered.
"One, two -what's the difference? What happened to that jackass anyway?"
"He hooked upwith someone from his company."
"Bastard."He shook his head. "He wasn’t good enough for you."
"I happen toagree with you there. God, what am I going to do?"
"The fact it’sbothering you so much should tell you something."
"Like what?"
"Like the fact,you’re really into this guy. I’ve never seen you sorattled before."
"That's becauseI have never been this rattled before. I can’t and won’tget involved with him." She rubbed her palms over her denim-cladthighs. "The opening is tomorrow night."
"I have myinvitation right here." He gestured to the tabletop. "Formalwear, is it?" His eyes twinkled. "I just picked up my tuxfrom the cleaners. How thick do you want me to lay on the affection?"
"Inches. I wanthim to get the picture I’m deeply involved. Hopefully, by then,he’ll leave me alone."
He gave her a shrewdlook. "Do you want him to?"
"Yes." Sheinterpreted his look. "Absolutely."
"I read up onthe guy, and he is trouble. His parents, or rather his dad and uncle,were mixed up in some shadiness. Drugs found in cars being shippedfrom Korea to here, and gang members out for revenge. Your guy wasalmost killed a year ago and narrowly escaped with his life."
"He isn’tmy guy." She muttered.
"The point is-"He continued, ignoring her comment. “He has some major issues,and you’d do well to avoid the mess. From what I understand,there are people still out to get him."
She eyed himcuriously. "How do you know all this?"
He grinned at her. "Istill have cops in my old precinct who feed me info, and you happento be the most important person in my life. I have to look out foryou.”
“It’s notlike he’s a terrorist."
"He’s avery rich guy with a boatload of issues. He has an incredible amountof money at his fingertips and people out to do him harm. I’msurprised he isn’t walking around with a contingency ofsecurity."
Caleb rubbed the backof his neck. "He also has a reputation for being a hothead. Hegets in fights and happens to be a martial arts expert. And he’sKorean."
She frowned at him.
"He was bornhere certainly, but he has Korean blood running through his veins."
"So does Kane."
"They are afrightening breed. That blank look on their faces and the intensedark eyes makes you wonder what the hell they’re thinking."