Table for Two by Dara Girard Read Free Book Online

ask me a few questions?"
    She rested her chin in her hands and watched him with mocking eyes. "Are you always so arrogant? How do you know I'm curious about you?"
    "The fact that you're here says a lot."
    "It says that I'm interested in your questions, not in you."
    "Hmm." That was true enough, but he didn't believe that. He took a sip of his drink, his mind racing with ideas of what to say next. If he wasn't careful he was going to screw up again. He could sense that she was aware of him. Her eyes were perfect mirrors into her thoughts, but she wasn't ready to admit it yet. He sighed, suddenly wishing women came with manuals. He glanced down at his drink. "Okay, then let's say that I hope I can generate some interest."
    She shrugged, dismissing his statement as harmless flirtation. "Why did you decide to take the seminar?"
    He seemed shocked for a minute, then replied, "The same reason everyone else did."
    Cassie sipped her tea and placed it down delicately. She couldn't help him if he wasn't willing to be honest "Right," she said, doubtful.
    His lip twitched. "You don't believe me."
    "I didn't say that."
    "You didn't have to. I can recognize when you think I'm lying."
    "I don't think you're lying. I think you're being evasive. I can't help you if you're not honest."
    He patted his shirt in an absent, searching gesture. "I am being honest. I used to be shy as a kid. Then when my life got shifted out of balance only my family became a priority. I never..." He paused, searching for the words. "Had the chance to socialize."
    "What shifted out of balance?" she asked, curious as to what made his family a priority.
    "My life." He left no room for more inquires.
    Cassie recognized a Do Not Enter sign when she saw one. She tried to think of something else to say. "Yes," she said lightly, hoping to fill the now awkward silence. "It has a crazy habit of doing that."
    "Hmm." He glanced out at the traffic. "So... sometimes I don't say the right things."
    What a bunch of bull. She wondered if he used that pitiful story with every woman he met or if he had fashioned it just for her. He definitely was not shy or had any trouble socially. He wouldn't be as successful as he was if that were the case, and something about him besides his appearance suggested that he was very successful.
    "You'll have no problem," she said coolly. "I'm sure there are plenty of women willing to forgive you your social gaffs."
    He picked up his mug and watched a group of preppy teenagers go by. "Why don't you believe anything I say?" He held up his hand before she could protest. "And don't deny it. That will just annoy me."
    "Okay, I admit I find it hard to believe that a man like you would have any trouble getting women."
    He was silent a moment and then met her eyes across the rim of his mug. "I don't want women. Just one in particular."
    The hairs on her arm began to tingle at his assessing gaze. "And who would she be?" It was none of her business, but she couldn't help asking.
    "The woman I plan to marry."
    Of course! He was a man on the prowl ready to shackle the first woman who was willing. Why hadn't she seen that before? Wasn't that how Timothy was able to catch her? "Oh."
    He noticed the note of disappointment in her tone. "Why do you say 'oh' like that?"
    "Doesn't matter."
    His brows furrowed. He watched the elegant manner in which she poured hot water into her cup. It had taken him years to master the grace she so effortlessly possessed. "Don't you believe in marriage?"
    "It's great for others, but I've done it before and don't plan on doing it again."
    He wrapped his hands around the mug and rested his elbows on the table. "What happened?"
    Her eyes were cold when they met his. "I don't discuss my private life with strangers."
    "Forgive me, milady," he said gravely.
    She was immediately contrite. "Look, I—"
    With a shrug, he brushed away her attempt to explain or apologize. "Don't worry about it. I know when I've stepped on a land mine. Hell, I threw