Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(47)

“Cowboy sushi?”

“It’s the house specialty,” Paula said. “We had to get creative due to the lack of sushi-grade fish in Montana.”

“What do you use instead of fish?” Nikki asked.

“Barbecue beef.”

“Barbecue sushi? You’re kidding, right?”

“Not at all.” Paula laughed. “My husband came up with the idea. We think of it as our unique fusion of East and West. It’s a nigiri roll with rice, vegetables, and the barbecue beef that we serve with red chili aioli in place of wasabi and soy sauce.”

“All right,” Nikki said. “I’m game for this gastronomic adventure.”

Paula then rattled off the choice of appetizers: mushroom and brie tarts with balsamic syrup or blue-crab cakes with lemon parmesan aioli. She followed with the entrées, several featuring home-raised Montana beef and lamb. “We also serve American Kobe beef upon request.”

“American Kobe?” Nikki looked to Wade. “Isn’t that what your brother is raising?”

“Yes,” Paula said. “The Flying K is our supplier.”

“And how is my brother’s experiment working out?” Wade asked.

“Surprisingly, we’re finding many people prefer the taste of it over domestic beef.”

“Really? That is surprising.”

“Wade, why don’t you choose for both of us,” Nikki suggested.

“Sure thing.” He ordered several dishes to sample and a bottle of Australian Shiraz.

“Shiraz?” Nikki asked when Paula departed.

He leaned back in his chair with a slow sexy smile. “Of all the things every man should know—a woman’s hot spots and a few good wines are foremost.”

Nikki chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare dispute your expertise on the first, so I suppose I’ll just have to trust you on the second.”

“You should trust me more often,” he said, suddenly serious.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I want to know why you’re so guarded.”

“Experience,” she replied, running a finger over the rim of her glass. “It’s been a tough teacher. I haven’t always exercised the best judgment where relationships with men are concerned.”

“You can’t let one * ruin your life.”

“One? Try six.”

“Six, eh?”

“Yeah. Sad, isn’t it?”

“Maybe seven’s your lucky number.”

She licked her lips, studying his expression with uncertainty. “Are you suggesting this is the start of something?”

“The start?” He made a scoffing sound. “Sweetheart, I think we’re well past the starting gate, don’t you?”

“Most men don’t like to think in those kinda terms.”

“I told you I’m not most men.” Wade caught her hand in his. “C’mon, Nikki, tell me about it. Tell me why you think you can’t trust men. Why you don’t want to trust me. I wanna understand.”

“I really don’t want to. I don’t see the point in digging up the past.”

“Sometimes it helps to unload the baggage.”

Nikki felt suddenly maudlin. “What does it matter? Why do you want to invest the effort when I’m leaving in a few days?”

His blue gaze caught and held hers. “You’re here with me now, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” she said softly. “I’m here.”

She licked her dry lips and then took another sip of wine, wishing this time with him could go on forever, but knowing it couldn’t.

“You’re already thinking about leaving,” he accused. “I can see it in your eyes.”

“Because it’s reality, Wade. I have a job to return to. A life.”

“Tell me about it,” he said.

“Tell you what?”

“Your life…you.”

“Me?” She gave a dry laugh. “There’s not much to say.”

“Sure there is. And I’m interested in hearing it. You’re different from other women. I wanna understand what makes you tick.”

“You and me both,” she snorted.

“I’m serious, sweetheart. I want to get to know you better.”

“I’d rather talk about you,” she replied.

He leaned back in his chair with an air of nonchalance. “What do you want to know? Ask away.”

“All right, Wade, I propose a question for a question. I’ll answer yours if you answer mine.”

He nodded. “Fair enough.”

“Then I’ll let you start. What do you want to know?”

“Anything.” He shrugged. “Everything.”

“Care to narrow it down a little?”

He pursed his mouth and then took a thoughtful sip of his beer. “Tell me why you despise cowboys.”

“I don’t really,” Nikki finally confessed. “Truth is, men in hats and boots have always been a fatal attraction.”

His gaze narrowed. “Fatal? Care to elaborate?”

“Not particularly,” she said. “I already told you I’ve made a lot of stupid mistakes.”