Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen #3)(3)

Dax closed the door behind him. Even though nerves attacked him like a swarm of buzzing bees, simply being alone with her calmed something inside him. He’d never realized how restless he felt until he’d met this woman.

He sent her a smile. “I wouldn’t say that. I’m almost certain he changed out the cans we tied to the limo for good luck with neon butt plugs. Luckily, Roman usually manages to clean up everything Mad defiles. Seriously, Roman even hired a man to seek and destroy all of the ‘adult’ presents Mad snuck into the gifts.”

An actual smile crossed her face and she lit up the room. “He’s an interesting friend. I think the press is going to love him on the campaign trail.”

“Oh, Roman has protocols in place for that, too,” Dax admitted. “Mad is not allowed in the same state where Zack is campaigning. If he comes too close, Gabe will kidnap Mad and they’ll hunt up a pair of supermodels. Win-win. Do you think Zack and Joy will really do it?”

This was a safe topic. Politics normally wasn’t, but he wasn’t discussing political opinions, just their friends.

Holland glanced toward the window. “You mean run for the White House? Oh, I think that’s a given. I wish they wouldn’t. I don’t know how that particular scrutiny makes anyone happy. I love Joy. Hell, I love Zack. He’s an amazing man, which is why I worry about both of them in that den of snakes slithering around D.C.”

“Zack is more ruthless than you know. He was bred for this and he’ll protect Joy. Roman will, too. He seems to really like her, which is a feat since Roman doesn’t like many people. I swear, we’ll all do our best to watch out for her.”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.” Holland sighed. “Well, I should get back to the reception.”

God, his one chance was slipping through his fingers. “Why are you afraid to be alone with me?”

She arched an elegant brow over her blue eyes. “Commander, I could take you in a fight. I’m not afraid of you.”

There it was, that crackling energy he felt every time she challenged him. It made his heart speed up, his head buzz, his dick get hard. He always felt this heady desire around her. “I don’t want to fight with you, Holland. I just want to talk. I want to understand why you won’t go out with me. I’m going to lay it on the line here and now. I’m crazy about you.”

She hesitated. “I like you, too, Dax. I won’t lie and say I’m not attracted to you, but we can’t work.”

“What do you mean? I’m not asking for a commitment, just dinner. Maybe a movie. I want to spend time with you.”

Holland shook her head and brushed past him to open the door. Dax scrambled back and blocked her.

She sighed at him. “Look, your lifestyle is not one I would choose.”

“What lifestyle? I’m a sailor. I know you’ve heard some crazy stories about me, but they’re not true.”

That judgmental brow rose again. “Really? So you didn’t nearly cause an international incident because you slept with the daughter of a South American dictator.”

The things he did in Vegas. “I didn’t know who she was, but I was also twenty-three at the time and I didn’t really care. Besides, that whole thing was really exaggerated by the press.”

“Sure it was. Spencer, I’m the daughter of an enlisted man. The rest of my family are cops. I’m blue collar. You’re American royalty.”

“Do you know what I like about the Navy? I’m not royalty there. No one gives a crap that my family has money. No one cares what my last name is. I work hard and I’ll continue to do so.”

“You’re naive if you think your last name doesn’t open doors,” she said almost sadly. “I admit I’m attracted. Absolutely one hundred percent drawn to you. I also really crave chocolate. That doesn’t mean I’m going to indulge.”

She didn’t wait for his reply, just shouldered her way past him. If he let her leave now, Dax feared he wouldn’t get another chance. He couldn’t let her walk out the door without a fight.

Dax wrapped gentle but firm fingers around her wrist. “So you’ll never even try a taste?”

She looked down at her wrist until he released her, holding up his hands. “I’m fairly sure that a taste will only make me want more. Besides, I’m leaving San Diego in a few weeks. NCIS made me an offer, so I’ll be working in New Orleans. I still have family there. Since my father passed, I’ve decided I’d like to be with them.”

New Orleans. His family lived in New Orleans. “Give me a chance. Kiss me once and see if you can walk away, because I don’t think I’ll be able to. Distance doesn’t mean anything if two people want to be together. Give me a shot to prove I’m not the man you think I am.”

They stood so close and yet weren’t touching at all. Still, he could practically feel her skin against his.

Holland looked torn. “I don’t want to be another conquest for you.”

That was easy. Honesty, in this case, was definitely his friend. “I haven’t slept with anyone in almost a year. I’ve been on assignment. Then I met you. I had a colorful youth; I won’t deny that. But now I want something more, something deeper. The man you’ve read about, he isn’t real. I am. Kiss me and let me show you.”