Page 36 of Scarred Ruin

I could swear he knew what I was thinking by the way his upper lip on the left side only curled. For about a million reasons, my initial response was to laugh.

“You find what I say amusing?” Every word that dripped from his sensual lips held a darker innuendo.

“What I think is that you seem to forget we have a business relationship only.”

“Do we?” He nodded to the waitress as a basket of steaming hot rolls was placed in front of us. “Or are you worried that you already feel something else?”

“I was wrong.”

“About?”

“I was just thinking that you weren’t as arrogant as I’d originally believed. You are.” This was the point where I felt comfortable taking a sip of beer. As usual, he was watching me.

“And you are perhaps the most stubborn, demanding, and defiant woman I’ve ever met.”

“You don’t like being challenged.”

“Let’s just say I’m unused to anyone defying me.”

“Well, then I’ll let you in on a little secret of my own. That’s my personality, so buckle up for a rocky ride.”

Somehow, he managed to pull himself even closer so that if he wanted to, he could reach out and kiss me. Except if I was so inclined, I’d be the one making the move and not him.

“Then I’m even more excited about the months of working together. And very excited to see how well you handle our very close relationship.”

“Completely professionally.”

“Agreed.” He didn’t back away, keeping our lips too dangerously close for comfort.

Thankfully, the food arrived.

As he finally sat back, I had a sense neither patience nor self-control were his virtues.

Which meant I’d need to be in full control of mine.

Why did it feel as if they were already slipping?

* * *

“Is there anywhere in the city where you’re unknown?” I was genuinely curious. During dinner, we’d had four different people stop by our table. While two men had been strangers to me, I’d sensed they’d been men of importance given their entourage.

The other two were known in the upper echelon of society, and one of them I’d noticed at the gala.

From what I could tell, all four had been paying required respects to Maxsim. Did he honestly believe himself a king?

“If you’re talking about the people who greeted us, there is a reason.” We were walking on another dock, yet he’d steered us away from where he’d parked.

“You believe you’re commander in chief of the entire city? I’ll add entitled to the list.”

“What you must think of me, Isabel. It’s because I recently purchased the failing restaurant and people were eager to thank me. The original owners started in nothing more than a shack back in the seventies. Within five years, it had become an icon, soon after that a destination spot for anyone traveling in the area. They fell on hard times. I couldn’t very well allow such a fabulous eatery to shutter their doors. Now, could I?”

“You really do just take what you want.”

“Within reason, but I assure you in the situation you’re talking about, I stroked a check.” He led us to a long dock where boats were tethered.

I finally realized that I’d been far too absorbed in our rhetoric to notice he’d brought me down to the marina, which was adjacent to the restaurant. There were several boats moored, mostly thirty-five-foot Intrepids and Freemans, known for luxury while being agile enough for offshore fishing.

Should I be terrified? With such a dangerous man, I was honestly uncertain what to think at this point. That placed me at a distinct disadvantage. We walked for a few paces while my stomach churned.