cost of her meal. She could feel Brent’s silent attention, but it wasn’t until she’d slipped on her coat that she said to him, “I don’t want anything from you. Unless, that is, you want to fill out a contest entry form. I still need three more men for that.” She pulled her purse strap over her shoulder and smiled down at him. “Thanks for sharing lunch with me. It’s been…educational.”
Disbelief crossed his features. She turned and headed for the door without a backward glance. A stunned silence hung behind her for only an instant, then she heard the sounds of Brent scrambling to his feet. She had almost made it to the entrance of her shop when he caught up with her.
His large hand encircled her upper arm, pulling her to a halt and turning her to face him. “Wait a minute.”
“Have you decided to enter the contest?” She kept her smile polite.
“Forget the damn contest. I thought we were going to have lunch.”
Her smile almost slipped. “That was before you made it so clear why you had asked me in the first place. If I’d known what you wanted up front, I would never have agreed to go.”
The wind whipped Shadow’s hair into her face and made her shiver. She lowered her head against the sting of the cold.
With a sound of disgust, Brent said, “Come on. It’s too damn cold to talk out here.”
The shop was warm and only mildly busy. Kallie looked up as they entered, then called to Shadow, “You have a delivery in the back.”
“Thanks.” She turned to Brent. “I don’t think there’s anything for us to say. It’s a pity, really, because you seemed so amusing. But I’m not interested in a one night stand.” Her smile now hurt, but she kept it firmly in place, refusing to give him even an ounce of satisfaction. “Thanks anyway.”
Brent rolled his eyes. “Oh, no you don’t. Not this time. You may not have anything to say, but I do.”
Two people looked up, their attention drawn by Brent’s harassed tone. With resignation Shadow said, “Come on, we can talk in my office. But only for a minute.” She frowned at him over her shoulder. “I have work to do.”
Brent was irritated. If his stomping footsteps didn’t get that across, his frown was very expressive. Shadow opened the door to the small office and flipped on a light switch as she entered. A large bouquet of yellow roses sat in the middle of her desk. She stopped in mid-stride, momentarily nonplussed.
Brent nearly plowed into her. “What…?”
Shadow marveled aloud, “Someone sent me flowers!” Picking up the card, she read quickly, then looked at Brent suspiciously. “Did you do this?”
He glanced at the card in her hands. “What would make you think that? Who signed the card?”
“No one. It says they’re from a secret admirer.”
“Well, since I’m here, and I’ve made my intentions well known, there’s not much of a secret to it, is there?” He sounded more annoyed by the second.
“But then who? The only men I know are friends.”
“I told you—”
“Yeah, I know. Men have ulterior motives.” She made a face at him. “I should have remembered that when I agreed to have lunch with you.”
Brent all but growled. “Why did you think I wanted to get to know you? So we could be pals?” His voice dropped and he took a step closer. “You’re a beautiful woman, Shadow. Maybe a little nutty, but I can handle that. And you’re the one who started telling me how attractive you thought I was.”
“Well, you are.” She refused to back up from him, and instead faced him squarely. “A woman would have to be blind not to notice that. But that doesn’t automatically mean I want to jump into bed with you. I do have some scruples and discretion, you know.”
He seemed to consider her words, then explained gently, “You come across as something of a tease, Shadow.” He caught her shoulder, holding her still. “No, don’t get mad. If I’ve read you wrong, I’m sorry. But you can’t blame me entirely for getting my signals crossed. It’s not often I run across a woman who’s as open and outspoken in her conversation.”
Shadow stepped away from him, breaking contact. “I’ve been told before that I should censor my thoughts before I voice them. I try, but sometimes it’s just too annoying, having to pick myself apart before I can say what I think.”
His severe expression softened. “So you’re attracted to me?”
“Yes, of course.”
That got her a smile. “And you wouldn’t mind getting to know me better?”
“I’d like to. But not if you’re only biding your time until you can score.”
“Oh, I think being with you would be interesting,” he said with a crooked smile, “no matter what the outcome.”
There was that disarming sincerity again. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” He looked relieved, and determined. “So how about we try lunch again? Say, Wednesday?”
She knew she should refuse, but instead she asked, “Will you enter the contest? I still need you.”
It was his expression that made her realize how her words had sounded. She needed him. He looked at her mouth as he asked, “How about if I let you know on Wednesday?”
It was like being kissed, the way he looked at her. Her heart pumped hard; her lungs constricted. There was no way she could refuse.
Shadow stuck out her hand. “It’s a deal.”
His palm was hot, his grip strong, and he carefully tugged her forward. Shadow froze as he bent down, but she didn’t pull away. His lips were warm, firm, brushing over her cheek in the lightest of touches. She was as stunned by her reaction to that simple kiss as she was by his audacity.
Unwilling to give him the upper hand, even for a moment, she said, “That was nice.” She drew a deep breath to steady her voice. “Maybe on Wednesday you can improve upon it just a bit.”
Brent laughed. “I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime…” He opened his coat to reach inside his pocket. Extracting a business card, he handed it to her, instructing, “If you change your mind about dinner, give me a call at the office. I’m usually there late.”
He whistled as he left, and Shadow wondered if she’d eventually figure him out. One thing was certain, getting to know him would be fun, and wasn’t that her business? Fun? It had been awhile—a long while—since she’d reacted to a man like this. But she had a feeling it had been just as long since Brent had enjoyed any real fun. She had a feeling they were both in for some surprises.
THE BITTER COLD was refreshing. Originally from California, Shadow didn’t think she would ever be bored with Ohio weather.
