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“So that’s why my ears were burning.”
“Oh, please. A man who spends as much time as you do with a vast number of women couldn’t possibly be surprised that we talked about you after you left.”
“I’m not at all surprised. Especially since your friends came right out and copped to the fact that you were discussing me before I got there.”
“You gotta love honest gossipmongers,” she pointed out.
“It was refreshing. And I liked your friends very much.”
“As I said, the feeling is mutual. You were exceptionally charming tonight, Holden.”
“I did my best.”
“Do you remember when you said we could ask you anything?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you may also recall that I never asked a question at all.”
He did. “I’m sensing that you would like to now. Am I right?”
“Yes. And I have several, if that’s okay.”
“Should I be afraid?”
“I promise it won’t hurt,” she said.
“Okay, then.” He set his empty tumbler on the outside coffee table. “What would you like to know?”
“Did you follow me to Bar None tonight?”
“That makes me sound like a stalker,” he hedged.
“Are you?”
“Wow. I’m not sure if going from serial killer to stalker is a step up.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “You’re very good at not answering questions.”
“Lots of practice,” he admitted. “Okay. It’s a hard habit to break, but I’ll stop sidestepping. When Josie mentioned that you were meeting friends it sounded like fun and I did deliberately crash the party.”
He couldn’t speak to how hard it was being a single mom and needing some downtime. But he knew how it felt to be a fish out of water, a big fish in a little pond and craving some social time. Not to mention being curious about Maggie. He braced himself for a grilling about following her.
“Why would you do that?”
“I needed to talk to someone about something other than work.”
“Oh.” She nodded. “I understand that. And then my friends asked you to build a movie theater.”
“It’s actually a great idea. The resort is going to bring in a lot of people. They’ll be looking for entertainment involving something other than skiing or boating and water sports.”
“Speaking of entertainment...” She tapped her lip. “Is it true that a woman once broke into your hotel room and waited in your bed? Naked?”
He groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
“So it is true.” She leaned forward, warming to her subject. “You make it sound like a bad thing.”
“By definition, breaking into my hotel room is bad.”
“Surely not the naked part.” Her tone was teasing.
“Whose side are you on? I was the injured party.”
“You sound like an outraged spinster. I don’t understand your problem. Was she fat? Cellulite? Abs weren’t prime-time ready?”
“She had a lovely body. Hotel security thought so, too, as did the police. Why would this be okay because I’m a guy? She violated my personal space.”
“I see what you mean.” She scooted to the edge of her chair. “There was another story about you spending millions of dollars on breakup baubles.”
“Baubles?” That’s one he hadn’t heard. Apparently he wasn’t aware of all his publicity.
“Yes. Diamond tennis bracelets. Emerald pendants. Sapphire earrings. If this is true, it could explain why women throw themselves at you. Naked,” she added.
“For the tasteful parting gift?”
“Yes. That’s a heck of a consolation prize.”
“Well, it’s not true.” The only woman who’d received a significant parting gift was his wife when he divorced her for cheating on him. Getting rid of her had been worth every penny it had cost him. He didn’t care so much for himself. The mistake had been his, as were the consequences. But she’d hurt his family and he’d paid the price of protecting them. And he would do it again if necessary.
“There was another story that got a lot of attention. Something about you not being very good in bed. And a very bad kisser.”
“Your friends didn’t ask this many questions,” he pointed out.
“Maybe their minds aren’t as inquiring as mine. In all fairness, less-than-satisfied lady was one of the women scorned and the story had all the signs of being about revenge.”
He stood. “How do you remember this stuff?”
“It’s fascinating.” She stood up, too.
“Well, I feel like an exhibit at the zoo.” He was an inch away from her, close enough to feel the warmth of her body and smell the sweet scent of her skin. “I think I hear the microwave signaling your plate of food is warm.”
“So was it about revenge? Or are you lacking in the romance department?”
“Is there any way to make you stop this interrogation?”
“Feed me.” She met his gaze and there was a sassy expression on her face. “Or kiss me.”
It wasn’t often that someone surprised Sloan, but Maggie did now. He remembered her saying this wouldn’t hurt a bit, but now he wasn’t so sure. The question was whether or not it would hurt more if he didn’t kiss her. Hell and damnation, this was a dilemma. But he didn’t get where he was in the business world by not taking a risk.
He curved his fingers around her upper arms and pulled her close, his gaze intent on her mouth. “I’ll take door number two.”
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