chance to tug her hand from his. Even so, the victory was hollow. Now she knew she couldnât possibly stay here, for sheâd liedâshe desperately wanted to know what would have happened next. But she figured she could get him to change his mind and hustle her into a hotel pronto. âArenât I going to cramp your style?â
âHow so?â
âWho did you go out with last Friday night?â
âNo one.â He shrugged. âI was in Sydney working.â
âOK.â Dani frowned. âWhat about the one before that?â
His hesitation was telling.
âA woman. Obviously,â Dani said, her voice as melted-chocolate smooth as his had been before.
Slowly he nodded.
âAnd the Friday before that?â Dani enquired. âA different woman, right?â
He squared his stance, facing her full on. âYes.â
âAnd you slept with them.â Still calm, determinedly not judging.
âNo.â
That made her pause a moment. âKissed them good-night, at least.â
âYes.â
Yeah. She knew what his kisses were like. âSo isnât it going to be tricky for you to bring a woman home when you have me staying here?â She let a touch of taunt out then. She had to get him to realise sticking her in a hotel was a much better option. The prospect of staying in close confines with himmade her feel giddyâshe wasnât sure she could keep her need-to-shimmy urges under control.
âYou know, youâre right.â He had a devilish look on his face. âIt might be a bit weird to bring dates home while having you as my little flatmate here. But thatâs no problem.â He paused, and she swore she could see the wickedness rippling through the rest of him as he stepped closer. âYou can be my date while youâre staying here.â
âWhat?â
âThere are a few things I have to go to and, youâre right, I like a companion. No reason why that canât be you.â
She opened her mouth but he put a finger on it.
âThere isnât anyone else around right now anyway.â His green eyes bored into hers as he oh-so-unsubtly let her know he was available.
âNot this week, you mean.â So there damn well shouldnât be or he shouldnât have kissed her like that.
âSo you can stay here and save, just for a week or two.â He ignored her hit. âUntil youâre in a position to take a place of your own. Meantime I have a dinner to go to tomorrow nightâvery nice venue, black tie. Donât you love a little glamour?â
âNo.â She threw him a dark look, trying to keep a grip on herself. This wasnât what sheâd meant to happen. He hadnât even bothered to learn her nameâshe needed to keep that little fact up front and centre in her head.
âI thought all women did.â
âNot me.â
âOh.â He smiled. âIâll have to help you change your mind on that. Dances like this one can be a lot of fun.â
âI thought you said it was a dinner.â
âFollowed by dancing.â He looked thoughtful. âHave yougot something to wear?â He ignored her start of annoyance. âWe can go shopping tomorrow afternoon if youâd like.â
Go shopping? âYou donât need to Pretty Woman me, Alex,â she said sharply. âI have something to wear.â
âGreat, thatâs settled, then.â He turned away flashing a Cheshire Cat smile, then turned back just as quick. âOhâ¦â
âWhat?â Rattled, she snappedâhad she just agreed to go out with him tomorrow night? How had that happened?
âWhat about you?â With that too-bland expression he moved back into her space. âWho did you go out with last Friday night?â
âIââ She blinked. No one, of course.
âWhat about the Friday before? Is there a boyfriend I ought to know about? I mean,
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