Page 6 of The Lieutenant

The stranger seemed amused. “I assure you I’m not searching for anyone,asteráki.”

“Not even your greatest enemy?” He’d called me little star. I was correct about his arrogance.

He was more perplexed than ever, leaning forward in his seat. “I’m curious as to your thoughts.”

“Where’s your bodyguard?” I asked as I scanned the perimeter. “Ah, there he is standing just like a statue ready to strike when necessary.”

His sultry laugh filled the air and I was surprised when he stood, sauntering toward my table. Oh, no. I wasn’t in the mood to have some Greek hottie try to woo me into going to bed with him. No matter how good looking he was, and the closer he came, the more I realized my scale was low. The man was a solid twenty-five. As he neared, I did my best to push myself into getting up and walking away. I failed, frozen to the spot.

I could easily sit in front of heads of state, world class athletes, corporate moguls with attitudes, and the richest of the rich and barrage them with questions. But when a man attempted to put the move on me, I usually had no idea how to handle the situation. Maybe it was all about my lackluster love life. I’d slapped a jerk once for putting his hands on me and minutes later, the police had been called.

“Fascinating,” he growled. Did men think the use of primal growls turned women on? Not this girl.

“No, you’re not.”

He didn’t ask if I wanted him to join me. He simply slid into the seat next to mine, immediately twisting the chair so our knees were centimeters away from touching. “Have a drink with me.”

“We already have drinks.”

“Yours is almost empty.”

“Yes, it is. However, I don’t need another glass of wine.” I could be as pushy as any man when I wanted to be. As long as I ignored his stunning good looks, maybe I’d be fine.

Of course as luck would have it, a waiter walked by and the stranger flagged the young man down, his Greek much more demanding. The kid looked terrified and scurried away, immediately disappearing into the restaurant.

“You will have another drink with me. It would be a shame for a beautiful woman not to enjoy such an amazing evening.”

“As I said, I don’t need or want another drink.”

“I insist.”

Our knees were barely touching yet a jolt of electricity shot through me. I hated to admit it, but his brooding, demanding intensity was almost charming. Enough so I debated doing as he asked. “Only if you tell me why you need an armed bodyguard.”

“A woman with keen observation.”

“Yes, I am. So what will it be? A deal?”

Damn it. If he leaned any closer, our lips would collide.

He took a deep breath, holding it as he debated. How was it possible that blowing out a puff of hot air added to his attractiveness? “You strike a hard bargain. Why do you think I need security?”

“Because you’re either a bad guy in constant need of one since people wouldn’t mind offing you, or you’re a good guy with a penchant for collecting the ladies. I have a feeling it’s a little of both. And since your buddy over there looks like a shark in a bouncer suit, I think he knows exactly what you need before you even ask.”

His smile was genuine, but the man was enjoying the little game and I could see his wheels spinning. Cat and mouse wasn’t in myagenda, at least not when I was all alone in a foreign country. Although… Maybe he’d be fun to toy with. I did have an evil streak running through me after the level of chauvinistic crap I’d dealt with in my life.

“So which is it?” I asked while running the nail of my index finger around the rim of my wineglass.

He took a deep breath. “If I’d answer a little of both, would you accept that answer?”

“I believe I would.”

“I’m glad to hear that because I’m not in the mood to drink alone.”

“I’m curious. Do you always get what you want?”

“Yes. Always.”

The waiter had obviously taken his cue from the powerful yet annoying man. Suddenly, fresh drinks were placed in front of us. “I might be the single person who could prove you wrong.”

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