“Are you going to pretend you’ve been waiting for me to ask you out?”
I laughed nervously. “Not waiting, but I’ve never been opposed to it.”
“Does that mean you aren’t that friendly to all your customers?” He finished off his coffee.
“I’m always friendly, but I try harder with you.”
“Try harder?” He drew little circles on the counter with his fingers. Either it was a nervous habit, or he was really bored. I hoped it was the former.
“You didn’t exactly make it easy. You never even asked my name.”
“Because I knew it. I heard you talking to your friend the first time I came in.”
“Really?”
He moved his hand closer to where mine rested on the countertop. “Really.”
“What else did you know about me?” I sipped my coffee again while trying to hide the excitement I felt that the interest hadn’t been completely one-sided.
“That you were cute and perky and were the bright spot of my day.” He glanced down into his empty cup.
“The bright spot of your day?” His words got me—there was something so genuine about them.
“I’m not elaborating. I’ve embarrassed myself enough.”
“You haven’t embarrassed yourself.” Wow. Could he be any cuter? I thought rich guys who lived in penthouses were supposed to be alpha male ass**les.
“You need to stay away from Eric.”
“That’s not really possible, and you still haven’t told me why he’s dangerous.” I allowed the subject change, considering how honest he’d been with me.
“I can’t tell you the details, but he can seriously hurt you.”
“Does he have a history of abuse? Do you know him from somewhere?”
“Business.”
“Ooh, the mysterious business again.”
He chuckled. “Trust me. You don’t want to know about it.”
“I do, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to tell me.”
“Not tonight.”
I got my first full sip in. I enjoyed the warmth in the cool kitchen. “But maybe another time?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
“I have to work with Eric. I can’t completely stay away from him.”
“You could always quit your job.”
“Not all of us have family businesses to fall back on.” I couldn’t hide the iciness in my voice.
“At least be careful. You don’t want his attention.”
“I already have it.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t look so good at work.”
“Excuse me?” I nearly choked on my coffee.
“Even if Eric was just a regular guy, he’d still have trouble resisting you.”
“You make it sound like I dress like a tramp…”
“That’s not what I’m saying. You just look good.”
“You’re not making any sense.” I dared to take another sip. Hopefully he wouldn’t shock me with a crazy statement again.
“I’m trying to say I get why he’s interested. You’d be a hard girl to work with and not hit on.” He got up and refilled his coffee cup.
“You really are out of practice,” I mumbled.
“Out of practice?”
He’d heard that? “Yeah…just something Emmett mentioned.”
“I tend to be a bit of a loner now.”
“Is this all because of your breakup?”
“Partly. It’s not something I’m in the mood to talk about.”
“Then what do you want to talk about?” I pushed up the sleeves of my shirt. Three sips in and I’d gone from cold to hot.
“Drinking something stronger than coffee.”
“What do you have in mind?” I took another sip.
“Should I open a bottle of wine?”
My brain said no. Drinking a bottle of wine with a guy at his place would only lead to one thing, but my body said something altogether different. My body won out. “Sounds good.”
“Great. Are you into Barolo at all?”
“Yeah, definitely.” I knew nothing about wine, but it sounded good.
“Great.”
Two hours, and two glasses of wine later, I was curled up on the couch and laughing with him. We talked about nothing and everything and took in the view. The wine tasted heavenly, and went perfectly with the gooey brownies, but it also made me tired, and the thought of going home sounded anything but appealing. My head was swimming. “Is that guest room option still available?
“Yeah, of course.” He smiled, and I let out a sigh of relief. Part of me worried he’d suggested the wine for a less than noble reason, but maybe he did just want to hang out.
“Thanks.”
“I knew you’d change your mind.” He adjusted his arm behind me.
“Did you?”
“Yeah. If not now, when you saw the room.”
“Is it nice?”
“Very. Not quite the same view as my room, but I bet it beats your closet.”
I laughed. “I’m sure it does. I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“Doing what?”
“Willingly staying in a guy’s guest room.”
“I’d hope you wouldn’t do it unwillingly.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do.” He brushed some hair away from my face. “I’m not going to hurt you, Casey. I’m not going to pretend I’m the safest guy for you to be around, but I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Is that your way of saying you’re dangerous too?”
“Possibly.”
“You’re so mysterious.” I pulled my leg up on the couch.
“Is that good or bad?”
“Both. It’s frustrating, but also kind of sexy.” At the moment, the sexy part was winning out.
“Sexy, huh?” He smiled. “I’ll take that.”
“What about me?”
“What about you?” He scooted a little closer.
“Am I sexy?” The wine made me far braver than I’d normally be.
“Sexy enough that I’d much rather be offering my bed than the guest room.”
“Maybe next time,” I said flirtatiously.
“Are you trying to kill me here?”
“Nope. That’s your job. You’re the one worried about someone finding my body.”
He smiled. “Want me to show you your room?”