Page 103 of Sin Bin

“Are you a member of the astronomical society?” she asked him.

“A proud longtime member.” He hesitated. “When I was talking to Helen, she mentioned that you came here tonight with Logan Brassard.”

Meadow’s good mood popped like a pricked bubble.

Ephraim chuckled dryly. “That guy works fast. Didn’t you say you just moved here?”

“I did. He’s an old friend of mine.” Meadow sighed. “If you want his autograph—”

“I don’t.” Ephraim smirked. “Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in this town enjoys watching grown men chase a rubber disc around a big sheet of ice.”

Meadow bristled at the condescending remark. “It takes a lot of talent, skill and athleticism to play hockey. It’s not as easy as you make it sound.”

Ephraim regarded her with mild amusement. “I seem to have touched a nerve.”

She just looked at him.

He shook his head, seemingly disappointed. “Even back in high school, the brainy girls always had a thing for the jocks. They just couldn’t resist a bad boy with muscles.” The words held a trace of bitterness that made her wonder if some douchebag had stolen his secret crush.

“I assure you,” she said evenly, “I’ve never had a thing for jocks. But I admire and respect how hard they work to compete and excel in their sport. You’d have to be a hater not to give them at least a modicum of credit.”

“Touché.” Ephraim had the grace to look slightly ashamed. “I didn’t mean to offend you or insult your friend. Let’s start over.” He reached out and shook her hand. “Hi, my name is Ephraim. It’s a biblical name but I’m not a saint. I’ve been called arrogant and elitist, and sometimes I get so flustered in the presence of beautiful women that I insert my foot in my mouth. Things can get even more dicey if I suspect that her IQ is in the same stratosphere as mine. Nothing unravels me more than a woman whose beauty is matched by her brilliance.”

Meadow giggled, charmed by his endearing honesty. “Well, that was quite an apology.”

His eyes twinkled. “Do you accept it?”

“How could I not?”

He grinned, pulling out his phone. “Now that I’ve gotten back into your good graces, may I have your number?”

She smiled. “I suppose that would be okay.”

No sooner had he programmed her number than Logan appeared, eating from a plate of food. “Hey, babe, you gotta try one of these mac and cheese muffins. They’re absolutely delicious.”

“Not right n—” She was mid-refusal when he stuffed the small appetizer into her mouth.

He watched her lips as she chewed, the heat of his stare scorching her insides. “Good, right?”

She nodded and swallowed. “Logan, I’d like you to meet—”

“You’ve got a little cheese right there.” Lifting her chin with his hand, he used his thumb to wipe the dot of cheese from the corner of her mouth.

She stared up at him, her breath stuck in her lungs. “Did you get it?”

“I did.” He licked his thumb slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Delicious.”

Ephraim loudly cleared his throat.

Logan turned as if he’d just noticed him standing there. “Oh hey, man.” He licked the rest of his fingers and then thrust his hand out. “Nice to meet you.”

Ephraim stared down at his hand as if it were a biohazardous specimen in a petri dish. Which had clearly been Logan’s intent, judging by his devilishly amused chuckle as he withdrew his hand and cheerfully popped a crab ball into his mouth. He towered over Ephraim by at least seven inches and was sixty-plus pounds heavier, all of it solid muscle.

Meadow suddenly felt flustered and off balance. “Logan, this is Ephraim Fleming—”

“Dr. Ephraim Fleming,” he corrected with a smile. “I have a Ph.D.”

“Right. Of course.” She smiled before continuing the introduction. “Dr. Fleming teaches physics and astronomy at the University of Denver.”

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