Page 5 of First Touch

No, it was the other reason he found me familiar. “It’s because I’m famous.” I sounded embarrassed because I was. “My voice is famous. I’m the computer on NextGen.”

“You’re joking.”

“Nope.” I took a deep breath and then repeated my famous catch phrase in the lilting tone I saved for the show. “User error.”

He laughed. Heartily. Like, full belly laugh.

Really, it was funny. All the years I’d worked to keep my figure, going to audition after audition trying to land my big break, and when I finally did it was in a role that only utilized my vocal cords. The hit show of the past two seasons, NextGen was the story of a family living in the not-too-distant future. Pitched as the movie Her meets the old cartoon The Jetsons, I played the part of the household mainframe – the computer that controlled each and every aspect of their lives. Practically overnight I was recognized by thousands, but only when I spoke.

Funny thing was I had a knockout body. A knockout body that no one ever saw. I got the humor in it. Really, I did.

When he’d stopped laughing enough to speak, he apologized. “I’m sorry to say I’ve never seen it. But I’ve heard about you. The show, I mean. It’s quite a hit.”

“It’s…” There was nothing to say except, “Well, it pays the bills.”

He smiled again, and this time I noticed the hint of a dimple. “At least I can be assured you aren’t after me for my money.”

It was my turn to laugh. “I don’t make that kind of dough. And who said I’m after you?”

“Aren’t you? Well, if you’re not, that’s a shame.”

My belly flipped again. I had him intrigued. It was time to make my exit. Next time I’d bump into him more casually, more seemingly accidental, and then, if I was good, he’d ask me out. “I’m sorry for intruding on your morning, Mr. Sallis.”

“Reeve,” he corrected.

“Reeve.” His name slid off my tongue a little too easily. “I’ll let you get to your swim now.”

I stood, and he followed. “After all the trouble you went to, you’re not going to stay and watch? I’m disappointed.”

It was tempting. I scanned his amazing body once more. He probably looked like a God in the water.

But I had to leave with the upper hand. Leave him wanting more. “Is it a lofty goal to want you to learn you can’t have everything you want?”

“It is lofty. And not true.” His voice grew deep and certain. “I want you to join me for dinner. And you will. Won’t you.” It was a statement – plain and clear.

And, damn, I hadn’t predicted that. “When you put it that way, I suppose I will.”

“Tonight. Seven-thirty. In the Cherry Lounge.”

“I thought the Cherry Lounge was closed.” I’d been at the resort for more than a week and the room had been off limits the entire time.

“It’s closed when I’m in town. It’s where I dine. It’s where we’ll dine.”

Though he hadn’t moved, it felt suddenly like he was closer to me than he’d been only a second before. As though his presence had extended out from his body, invading my own space. It flustered me, but I managed, “Formal or casual?”

“You can’t come as you are?” He grinned a grin so wicked that I knew he meant the double entendre, and, though I shot him a disapproving glance, I also smiled. And I shivered. Because while I had ulterior motives for getting close to him, Reeve Sallis got to me. I’d read about his natural charm and sex appeal, but nothing had prepared me for the fullness of it in person. It was indescribable. Any adjective I tried to pin on him felt contrived and unoriginal. He was magnetic and provocative and commanding.

And he did scare me. There was a possibility he’d done terrible things to people – things that would frighten anyone with half a brain. Still, were it not for Amber, I might be able to overlook the rumors. Might be tempted by his charisma. That might have been the scariest thing of all where Reeve Sallis was concerned.

He shook his head. “Don’t answer that. It was inappropriate, and anyway, there’s no way you’ll respond the way that I want you to.”

He was wrong. I’d respond however he wanted me to if it got me what I wanted. What I needed.

But not yet. I couldn’t go that far yet. “That sounded like an apology until you tacked on another thing you probably should be apologizing for. So how about I ignore everything you’ve said in the last ten seconds and we try this again. What should I wear to dinner this evening, Reeve?”

“Nothing too fancy. A dress, though, please. It would be a shame to hide those lovely legs of yours.” But he said that with his eyes on my rack.

It was where I wanted his eyes. Another moment of triumph. A minor one. Partly because it meant he was attracted to me, but mostly because if they were elsewhere, if they met mine instead, I wasn’t certain I could keep the advantage.