Risky (Torn Between Two Lovers #2)(55)

“You chose not to use me,” she said coolly. “How noble of you.”

“You forget the part where you would’ve been using me, too.” His lips curved upward in a sardonic smile. “You came here to forget the agent, didn’t you?”

The truth of that hit a bit close to the heart, but she managed to keep from flinching as he went on.

“The fact of the matter is, I came clean with you right away. Gray holds tight to the belief that I’m a criminal, and yet he’s the one who lies for a living. Kind of ironic, wouldn’t you say?”

“Very,” she admitted. She took a sip of her wine, caught by the earnestness in his voice, his expression. Clearly, he meant what he was saying.

“I know who I am, what I’ve done in the past, and what I’m doing now to rectify my family’s legacy. I’m trying to do what’s right, and I won’t be sorry for that.”

“Okay, I can buy that. But that doesn’t tell me what we’re doing here, having dinner together, if you’ve given up your plan to get at Gray through me.”

“I have given up on that, but not on getting to know you.” He toyed with his wineglass. “You’re beautiful and I want you, that’s true. But you intrigue me in other ways. I’ve witnessed your kindness to those around you, even the resort’s staff. You’re a true lady. You smile even when you’re feeling sad, and that tells me you’re resilient. You’re a woman worth getting to know, Anna.”

She flushed, unable to help the warmth that rose in her face. “Have you done anything but stalk me since you’ve been here?”

He laughed. “I’m no stalker, I assure you. You want me to get lost? Say the word and you’ll never see me again. I don’t think you will, though. I believe you’re dying to know more about me as well, and you’re not a woman who lets an opportunity pass by.”

She arched a brow. “Seriously? You’ve got a big ego.”

“I didn’t get where I am by being shy about taking what I want.”

The stunning man sitting in front of her was anything but shy. His confidence was like a magnet that drew her, made her want to peel back his layers to discover the heart behind the bold, ruthless exterior.


Aren’t you just the dumb romantic, Anna? Haven’t you learned your lesson?

Apparently not.

“Let’s say we do get to know each other, and we hit it off. Gray is still going to be hurt, and your goal has been accomplished in spite of your claim that punishing him is no longer your objective where I’m concerned.”

He made a face. “You’re wondering whether I’m just playing you.”

“Aren’t you?”

“No.” His gorgeous dark eyes pinned hers. “Listen, Anna, I’m taking a chance here, too. You still have feelings for your agent, or you wouldn’t be in Aruba nursing your wounds. I’m risking a world of hurt by opening up to you. Should you decide to run back to him, you could sell me out. He’d give his firstborn to throw me in prison—or worse.”

“Well, if you’re as innocent as you claim, he can’t touch you no matter what I choose to do,” she pointed out.

“Touché.”

“But you’re right about one thing—you’re still taking a chance with me.” Looking down at the table, she said softly, “I don’t want to use you, or anyone. As much as I’d like to spend more time with you, I might end up doing just that.”

“I’m willing to take the risk. Are you?”

Raising her chin, she met his eyes again. She read no deception—but then, she wasn’t great at ferreting out lies, was she? Still …

“I’m willing if you are.” She gave him a tentative smile and was blinded by the pleasure that transformed his handsome face into a picture of male beauty.

“You won’t be sorry. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I won’t hold you to a promise you might not be able to keep.”

He said nothing.

Their food arrived, and Anna’s appetite returned. She had to admit the meal, some sort of white fish with cream sauce and shrimp on top, looked excellent. As they began to eat, she marveled anew at his high-handedness in ordering for her, and more so her willingness to let him take over.

“I so enjoyed talking to you this afternoon.” He leaned forward. “Tell me more about yourself.”

“I find it hard to believe you don’t know every detail about me, right down to the color of the sheets on my bed in New York.”

“They’re mint green.”

She gaped at him. “That’s really disturbing.”

“Just a lucky guess, I swear,” he said, holding up his hand. “Sorry, continue.”

Already, she had the sense that nothing was simply lucky where Joaquin was involved. “I grew up in New Jersey. My father was a construction worker, and my mother a teacher. My dad has been dead for some years, and my mother is retired and living in Florida. She’s apartment-sitting for me and watching my new kitten while I’m gone, but you probably knew that.” When he merely smirked, she suppressed a spurt of annoyance and went on.

“I always wanted to be a restaurateur, and after earning a business degree, getting my culinary training, and donning a chef’s hat, I opened a restaurant in Brooklyn and made a go of it. I sold it for more than twice what I paid for it, and then opened Floor Fifty-Five in Manhattan. We’ve been operating for over a year now, and business is great.”