Page 5 of Just One Fake Date

“Astray?” Kyle protested. “I offered a practical solution. Tylikespractical solutions. And really, you know how to get what you want from women.” He nodded then got to his feet. “Think about it, Ty. Time is of the essence.”

Sonia gestured and Ty realized a bit late that there was someone standing behind her. Given her height and that her bag and coat were wet, he figured it was the woman he’d met at the entrance to the club. She was dressed in black and that messenger bag was massive. She held a camera in one hand now.

She’d also pushed back her hood and Ty could see her face. She was tiny, her eyes blue and thickly lashed. Her black turtleneck and coat made her look paler and more delicate than she probably was. Her hair was black and cut short, and she wore no make-up. He could see the end of a tattoo peeking out from beneath the cuff on the hand that held the camera. She also wore a heavy silver ring on that index finger.

Ty stood up, wishing he hadn’t taken off his jacket. It wasn’t because she was attractive or that her steady gaze was locked with his. What made his mouth go dry was that he recognized her.

Shannyn Hawke had been pretty in college, but now she had more verve. She seemed both more guarded than he remembered and more audacious. More importantly, Shannyn was the one woman in the world who had told Tyler off, then disappeared before he could set her straight.

She hated his guts.

He’d never expected to see her again, but here she was at F5F, as wary as a street cat, holding his gaze like she’d dare him to remember.

Time hadn’t changed her opinion of him, that was for sure.

But twelve years had taught Tyler to seize opportunity when and where he found it. For a long time, he’d wished for a chance to replay that conversation or argue his own side better than he had. It was one of the moments he’d always wanted to fix.

Ty liked fixing things.

Opportunity was knocking.

“Shannyn Hawke,”Tyler said immediately, much to Shannyn’s surprise. He stepped out from around the conference table to offer his hand, all smooth elegance and poise.

He remembered.

Worse, he was as sexy as ever—but more so. So much more so. He exuded power in a way Shannyn didn’t remember. And he was dressed a lot better. His suit was perfectly tailored, a shade of dark blue that was both conservative and sexy. She would have bet it was Italian and custom-made. He was trim, but then hewasthe partner of a fitness club, and he had bulked up since college. She remembered Tyler being more lanky, but now he was all man.

Mmm hmm.

His hair was short and he was clean-shaven, neither of which were different than her recollection. That mouth. She still wanted to reach up and touch his lips with one fingertip, to feel them soften into a smile beneath her touch.

Apparently, some things never changed.

He’d always been handsome, but now he had polish. When he stood in front of her, she was reminded just how tall he was. And those shoulders. She caught a whiff of cologne and her toes curled in her boots. It should be illegal for a man to look so good in real life.

Never mind to know it.

Never mind to have the ability to take command of a situation so fast.

Shannyn’s hand was engulfed in the warmth of Tyler’s before she could think twice. She felt a sizzle of awareness that shot through her, driving out the chill of the rain, reminding her that she was alive. Her heart fluttered and she felt like a star-struck fan-girl all over again.

The man had the greenest eyes and the steadiest gaze on the planet.

And he was looking at her.

Really looking, like he could read her thoughts and secrets. The feel of his hand around hers fed a little lick of desire heat deep inside her and Shannyn liked that just fine.

But he didn’t need to know about his effect on her.

A man like Tyler would just use that knowledge against her, to get what he wanted.

Shannyn withdrew her hand and held his gaze as coolly as she could.

“What brings you to Flatiron Five Fitness?” His voice was lower than she recalled, a little rougher, and that was another good change. His gaze flicked to her camera.

“The alumni magazine,” Shannyn said. “They must have done an interview with you successful grads. I’ve been assigned to take the photos.”

He nodded, then gestured. “Do you remember Kyle Stuyvesant?”

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