Love, Chocolate, and Beer (Cactus Creek #1)(21)

She swung her eyes back to Dani. “Until now, I hadn’t really thought about how an exchange like that would sound from your point of view. I am deeply, deeply sorry. I will of course edit that part out of the video completely, and refrain from saying anything like that again in any of my future interviews.”

“As I said yesterday,” sighed Dani. “I know you don’t mean any harm. But, it’s inevitable that my business and other pubs or bars are going to be portrayed negatively in this idealistic ad campaign of yours. From what you’ve explained, you’re establishing a very clear definition for the ‘perfect’ Valentine date and you’re contrasting it to the nightlife, what you consider the antithesis of romance.” Her lips tightened. “The two are not mutually exclusive.”

Luke leaned back and let his cocky, business-savvy alter ego make a guest appearance. “Ms. Dobson, are you suggesting that for our first date, you’d find it more romantic if we hung out at some bar as opposed to a night in front of a warm fireplace, enjoying a great meal I cooked for you? You must admit, the two scenarios are quite distant on the romance scale.”

Dani’s eyes blistered in annoyance. Undoubtedly because he’d crossed their professional and personal lives together yet again. “That depends, Mr. Bradford. Are you asking me for market research purposes, or to get ideas on how to best get in my pants? With you, it’s hard to tell.”

Even Quinn flinched at that.

If Luke wasn’t so turned on by watching Dani practically spark with fiery attitude, he’d probably have been more irritated at the verbal kick to his shins. Instead, he just arched a brow. “Now Dani, if this is how we’re going to play, why don’t we excuse Quinn from the table?”

Quinn was more than happy to oblige. She quickly exited her seat and moved over to the side, just out of the blast zone, watching like a bystander of a scheduled construction explosion.

Luke leaned in closer to Dani. “You haven’t answered my question.”

“Hmmm, would I rather suffer through a cliché date built on your lame, antiquated views of romance or go out and have some fun? Gee, tough choice there.”

“Right. Because you prefer making out with strangers in storage rooms,” he shot back, stung by her words.

“You *!” Dani shot out of her seat, shoving away from the table.

Luke swore and clamped his hand over hers to prevent her from stomping off. “Dani, stop. I’m sorry; that came out wrong.”

“How the hell did you intend it to come out?”

“I just meant that it isn’t exactly romantic when we’re forced to steal a few quick kisses while hiding in a dark room with people nosing around outside.”

“Are you saying you didn’t enjoy it?” she asked silkily, inching so close he could feel her breath floating across the collar of his shirt. “Are you saying that you aren’t wanting to feel me up against that storeroom wall again right now?” She slid a light hand down his arm in an outwardly innocent act that made his heart rate double. “Wasn’t it the least bit memorable?”

He circled around her lightning quick, stamping both hands on the table, one on either side of her, caging her in. “You damn well know the answers to those questions. And you know we share the same answers.” With a quick sidelong glance at the small audience that was starting to eavesdrop openly around them, he added quietly, “But that isn’t romance.”

Dani shrugged impassively. “Then we’ll agree to disagree. I thought it was romantic.”

“Sweetheart, I mean real romance. All the good parts leading up to the fire—the kindling, the sparks, the maddening slow burn. That feeling of being swept off your feet?”

“Like I said,” she repeated quietly, defensively.

Luke’s eyes widened in surprise. A rush of adrenaline coursed through his veins. Hot, possessive. “Are you saying that so far, I’ve been the most romantic guy in your life?”

“Mr. Bradford, we’re getting very off-track from the goals of our meeting.”

“Screw the goals of our meeting. I’m looking at a different set of goals here.” He slid his hands on her shoulders, eyes gentling with his voice, now low and tender. “Haven’t you ever been romanced, Dani? Or were the men from your past relationships all total idiots?”

Her glare turned proud. “Get off your high horse; not every girl wants the white picket fence. I don’t believe in fairytale romance and I don’t do relationships. So no, the guys I date aren’t idiots. Quite the opposite. They’re smart enough not to try your kind of romance on me.”

“Then consider me the inaugural dumbass who will,” he growled lightly. “I’m not cheating us out of all that comes with a relationship, sweetheart—the falling, hard and fast, without that invisible safety net you keep around you. Ready or not, my kind of romance is exactly what you’re going to get.”

He was pushing her. A burst of wild rebellion eclipsed her eyes and he knew the instant she’d decided to pick up the gauntlet he’d thrown. Her fierce gaze flash-cooled to a fired bronze so charged, so stunning, he felt punched in the gut by it.

“By all means, feel free to try and take a swing at that impossible pitch,” she fired back with a measured calm that soon unraveled into a slow, deliberate smile.