Page 58 of Spilling the Tea

He focused on her for a long moment and then said, “No, Zoey. I don’t date.”

“Why not?” she asked as if she had every right to know. In a way, she did. The same intense sexual attraction they were experiencing now had emitted between them from the first. They had both put a lid on it—or at least, they had tried—for various reasons. She’d known her reason for doing so. Now she wanted to know his.

“My life is complicated, Zoey.”

She tilted her head back to study his gaze, then said, “Your life can’t be any more complicated than mine, Chance.”

***

Chance stared at Zoey. She was so damn right it wasn’t funny. So why did he choose that moment to grin? From the frown on her face, she undoubtedly was wondering the same thing.

“You find what I said amusing, Chance?”

“No. I found what you said so brutally correct that I could kick myself in the ass for what I said. What I found amusing was the fact you are one of the few women gutsy enough to call me out on my foolishness.”

“I don’t consider what you said as foolish since I know nothing about your complicated life. However, I did find your statement insensitive.”

“I apologize, Zoey. That wasn’t my intent. What I said was both insensitive and thoughtless.”

She didn’t say anything for a minute, but he could see it inher eyes. Those alluring brown eyes that were staring back at him. The same ones that had been inflamed with passion while he’d made love to her in his fantasy dream last night. Only now, what he saw was a curiosity she couldn’t hide. For that reason, he wasn’t surprised by her next question.

“You already know about my complicated life, Chance. So, what’s yours?”

At first thought, it was on the tip of his tongue to say his complicated life wasn’t any of her business. But then, hadn’t he just admitted to being thoughtless where she was concerned? “Some might not see it as a complicated life, per se. My family sees it as issues.”

She shrugged her attractive shoulders—shoulders that had been naked in his fantasy dream. Tonight, she was wearing jeans with one of those off-the-shoulder tops. It was blue. Why did that particular shade of blue do something to those brown eyes? It made them look more sensual than usual.

She looked hot. Desirably so. When he’d led her to the dance floor, he’d seen how men stared at them. Mainly her. She fit in his arms. She felt good in them. He wasn’t surprised. Sexual chemistry had been there between them from the first. Tonight, it was obvious that nothing had changed. Although he’d done his best to suppress his desire for her when he’d reached the table where she’d sat, he’d failed miserably. There was no way his perceptive relatives hadn’t picked up on all that heat emitting between them.

“A complicated life or issues that need dealing with all mean the same. So, what are yours?” she asked again.

Again, he thought about telling her what she was asking was none of her business. But for some reason, he couldn’t do that. He realized for the first time in years he felt comfortable enough with a woman to be forthcoming and not a total ass when it came to his business.

“It would take me longer than this dance to define them,” he heard himself saying.

She nodded. “Any reason you can’t invite me to dinner tomorrow to discuss them?”

He nearly missed his step. Invite her to dinner? Hell, he could think of several reasons. He didn’t even invite members of his family to dinner. “Yes, there’s a reason I can’t invite you to dinner.”

That curious look in her eyes was back. “What’s the reason?”

“I don’t do that.”

“You don’t to what?” she asked.

“Invite women to my place for dinner.”

“Why? Can’t you cook?”

He frowned. “I can cook very well. I don’t like people in my space. I’m a loner.”

She studied him for a moment before asking. “Why are you a loner, Chance?”

He sighed profoundly, thinking he had it bad when following the movement of her tongue while she talked was a total turn-on. Then there was her scent. A luscious aroma that was Zoey. His focus was on her. All of her. She felt good in his arms, and the slow dance made him ache each time her thighs brushed against his.

Chance knew at that moment he’d made a mistake coming here tonight, dancing with her, letting her get all inside his head. He much preferred her in his bed. Even if it had been nothing more than a fantasy dream. After drawing in a deep breath, instead of answering her question, he said, “I think I should leave.”

“Why did you even come?”

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