Page 19 of Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind
Chapter Nine
What was she doing, agreeing to leave the club with a perfect stranger?
Unclenching, a tiny voice answered from the recesses of her brain.
It wasn’t a big deal, she rationalized. It wasn’t as if he had suggested a “private tour” or anything. They were going to catch a bite to eat and maybe some coffee,ifshe could manage to subdue the butterflies that had taken flight in her stomach, andtalk, away from the noise, the crowd, and the nauseating décor.
Besides, how often did handsome, impeccably dressed, well-spoken men come up to her and suggest doing so?
The gorgeous man smiled, and her butterflies took chaotic flight once again.
Tall, with broad shoulders, an athletic build, and aristocratic features, he could have been the cover model for one of her romances. Dark and mysterious with an air of intensity simmering just below the surface, he fit the character profiles of both a billionaire boss and a paranormal power broker to a T. When he spoke in that deep, soft voice, it was all she could do not to sigh.
Ryan wasnota sigher.
“Excellent. Shall we?”
His large hand rested lightly on the small of her back, sending tingles of awareness up and down her spine. It felt surprisingly ... intimate. Normally, she would protest any kind of contact from someone she had just met in a nightclub, but the warmth and strength in that simple and perfectly respectable touch feltgood. Natural. As if that was exactly where his hand should be. If he moved it any farther south, though, they were going to have a problem.
Maybe.
He didn’t. He was a perfect gentleman as he led her, not toward the crowded entrance, but to a quieter section around the back of the bar, exiting on the far side of the building.
He offered her his arm in an old-fashioned gesture. After a moment of indecision, she took it, slipping her forearm beneath his and resisting the urge to explore the corded muscles hidden beneath the finely tailored jacket. Once again, her skin hummed from the contact.
They had only taken a few steps outside when the man turned toward her. “My apologies. I have failed to properly introduce myself. I am Tiberius.”
“Tiberius, huh? That’s unusual. Is it a family name?”
“It is. And what is your name, beautiful lady?”
She felt the heat rush to her cheeks. “I’m Ryan. Ryan Winslet.”
“Ryan. That is a lovely name.” He spoke her name like a lover, sending shivers down her spine.
Misinterpreting her reaction, Tiberius removed his jacket and thoughtfully draped it over her shoulders. She was about to protest, but the delicious, manly scent and heat from his jacket stifled that.
“Nothing quite as grand as yours.”
He shrugged elegantly. “I like it.”
She liked that he liked it.
She was also pleased to see that the twenty-four-hour diner was within a short walking distance. Inside, they found a cozy booth in the back corner. After a brief discussion, they opted for coffee and slices of pie.
Under the much brighter lights of the diner, she could see that he was even more handsome than she had originally thought. Dark eyes of the deepest blue regarded her, framed by thick lashes, the same glossy black as his hair.
“Tell me about yourself, Ryan.”
She stared at him for a moment, pleasantly surprised. In her limited experience, most guys who looked and dressed like him preferred talking about themselves. “Oh, well, not much to tell, really.”
“I highly doubt that.” He smiled, and again, her girly parts rallied.
Should she tell him she was a cop and put an abrupt end to his unexpected interest? Or should she try to come up with something fun and flirty to make it through coffee and pie?
She exhaled and opted for the truth. She wasn’t particularly good at pretending to be something she wasn’t. It was best to just put it right out there and let the chips fall where they may.
“I’m a detective. I work for the Golden Beach Police Department.” That said, she discreetly held her breath, bracing for his reaction.
