The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(16)

“Is she still involved with the business?”

“She helps out now and then, but she stopped focusing on the business when Alex, my brother, joined the military.”

“I can understand that. My parents didn’t handle my time in the service very well. It can be hard on family.” The topic was darkening his mood, and he didn’t want to face that side of him again. He didn’t want to repeat the previous night’s cold goodbye. “When you told me last night that I don’t know you—well, it’s true. But I’d like to get to know you.”

Her eyes narrowed on him, and she leaned back in her chair. “Know me how?” she asked, raising a brow.

In bed, for starters. “I just want to know more about you.” He tilted his head and mimicked her body language, moving back and concentrating his eyes on hers.

“Michael, I—I don’t get involved with clients.”

He noticed the tremble in her voice. “I’m not exactly suggesting a relationship.” He’d already admitted to her that he didn’t do relationships—clearly, she wasn’t referring to that. “I don’t get involved with people I work with, either.”

Kate’s eyes shifted from his face to his chest, as if noticing the steady increase in his breathing. “So, what are you saying?” Her gaze returned to his eyes.

“I want you, Kate.” He could see the shock flash in her eyes, and he worried that he’d been a little too candid. But that was who he was—he liked to cut straight to the point. He never wanted to send women the wrong signal.

Kate stared at him for a moment. “Like I said, I don’t get involved with clients. And I would never entertain the idea of being with you, regardless.”

He didn’t believe her. He could feel the way her body responded when she was around him. Had their conversation not turned so heavy last night, he would’ve made a move. But, as much of a dick as he could be at times, he wasn’t about to come onto her right after he’d learned that she’d lost her mother.

Still, he couldn’t get the woman out of his head and damned if he didn’t need to know how she’d feel against him.

“Unlike you, I only do relationships.” She released a breath. “Not that I’m even looking for one now.”

He nodded with understanding. “I guess that settles it, then.” He paused and quirked his eyebrows. “Friends?”

“Sure,” she replied after a minute. She looked up at the waiter, who was standing by their table, uncorking the wine. “I could definitely use a drink.”

Michael waited for the waiter to leave before looking back at Kate. She returned his gaze beneath long eyelashes, and his pulse jumped a notch. “So, why don’t you want a relationship?” he asked, curiosity swelling inside him. She’d brought it up—the topic was fair game, right? Of course, he hoped to hell she didn’t ask him the same question.

She tilted her head to the side and brought the wine to her lips. She took a sip, licked her lips, and set the glass down. “Why does it matter?” She edged back in her chair, but her posture remained upright.

“I just can’t believe you’re available.” He took a swig of his drink.

“Most of the men I meet are either clients or guys from bars . . . guys who only want one thing.”

He almost choked on his wine. Guys like me. “And I fit into both those categories, huh?”

She nodded and tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, exposing a small pearl earring. “Yes, Michael, you do.”

“Good thing we’re just friends.” He studied her reaction. She was unraveling at the seams, just like him. He could feel the sexual energy radiating from her body, matching his own. But he knew it would be wrong for him to pursue her if he couldn’t give her what she needed. That hadn’t necessarily stopped him before, but there was something about this woman . . . she was already fragile. He didn’t want to break her.

“You still haven’t answered my question, though. Why don’t you want a relationship?” He had his reasons, but what were hers?

“It’s just not in my plans right now. I need to focus on the business.”

“Hm.” He squinted at her a little, calling her bluff.

“What?” She smiled.

“Nothing,” he said as the waiter delivered their calamari.

“So, why’d you join the military? Was it because of September 11th?” He flinched at the question and put down the fork he had picked up. He tried to think about how he wanted to respond, and when he didn’t answer, she added, “I’m always wondering what my life would be like if I had chosen a different path, if I hadn’t taken over for my stepmom. I guess I was kind of thinking you might feel the same?”

He exhaled a deep breath and considered her question. “The military and the CIA pursued me when I was finishing my last year in college. They told me I could help them win the war on terror.” He took a quick drink. “To be told at twenty-one that my designs could help locate terrorists and save lives was a little overwhelming.”

“But you did it.”

“I chose the military. I didn’t want to be in the CIA.” He stared down into his wine glass. To his eye, the glass appeared to rattle with the sounds of war. He shut his eyes and tried to silence the memories, but they were too loud.