Page 11 of Beyond Question

I want him.

Butno.

No, I don’t.

I’m not interested.

“Travis,” I begin as I turn away from him. If I can just make it to the front door and the taxi waiting for me in the driveway… “I’m flattered, but—”

“Don’t do that.” He slips his hand around mine and pulls me to a stop, spinning me back toward him. “Don’t brush me off with some canned, dismissive response.” He lifts one eyebrow.“You’reflattered? Really? I think we both know you can do better than that.”

He isn’t wrong about the canned response, so, with a deep breath, I lean in, lower my voice, and give him the honest truth. “While I’m sure that many women in New York have fallen victim to that charm, those gorgeous green eyes, and that singular, sexy dimple, Mr. Wilder, I am not most women.”

Did I sayhonest truth? I meant truth adjacent.

“Sexy?” His satisfied grin releases said dimple and lights a fire in my belly.

With a huff, I pull my hand free of his and straighten my shoulders, ignoring the pang of disappointment in my chest that stems from breaking that physical connection and the undeniable warmth of desire running through my veins. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m afraid I already have dinner plans.” The lie slips easily from my lips, but when his eyes narrow, I wonder if he knows I’m full of shit. “I’ve had fun today—”

“Then why are you running away?”

My mouth drops open in shock, but I quickly recover. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” He steps closer, eclipsing my space until I’m surrounded by the heat of his stare and his woodsy, earthy scent, reminiscent of getting lost deep in the forest. And when he cups my cheek, I realize thatgetting lostis surely what will happen if I allow myself the indulgence of dinner with Travis Wilder.

Especially because I am ninety-nine-point-nine percent sure thatdininghas nothing to do with what he wants.

He runs his tongue over his bottom lip and my gaze drops to his mouth, then he smirks, smug as a cat who caught the mouse. “Why are you running away from me?” he repeats, his voice quieter now.

His thumb trails over the corner of my mouth and before the responding shiver can skate down my spine, I step backward, breaking the contact.

Squaring my shoulders, I say, “You’re not used to hearingno, are you? Unfortunately, I do have a prior engagement.”

“I don’t believe you.”

I bite back a growl of frustration even though he’s right to not believe me. “What youbelieveis none of my concern. Enjoy the rest of the party. My cab is out front.” I turn away from him without giving him another chance to sway my response in his favor and, luckily, he allows me to walk away in peace.

The man has some nerve, doesn’t he?

Too confident for his own good and downright dangerous. The exact kind of man I warn my daughter to stay away from, and I’ve nearly allowed myself to get caught in his snare.

But I don’t have one-night flings, and I certainly don’t entertain youngplayboys.

There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Travis Wilder checksbothof those boxes.

Once I’ve climbed into the cab and given the driver my address, I settle into the back seat and lean my head against the headrest. Closing my eyes, I breathe deeply—

“Hey hold up,” Travis calls. “You headed into the city?”

My eyes fly open at the sound of his voice and my jaw drops.

He leans into the open front window on the passenger side, focusing on the cab driver.

“Yeah, man, you need a ride?”

“No,” I say, leaning forward. “You’ll have to get your own. This cab is taken.” I wave my hands out to say,obviously.

Travis’ lips twitch, but he doesn’t acknowledge me. Instead, he remains focused on the cab driver as he says, “I’ll pay double whatever that stunner in the back seat is paying you.”

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