Page 48

“Gotta be Teeni’s Bar & Grill.”

The good humor they’d been sharing immediately died in her eyes before she turned her attention back to the screen. “I should’ve guessed that would be your answer.”

“What’s wrong with Teeni’s?”

“What makes the hamburgers so good? The way they’re cooked, or the fact that they’re served by women wearing next to nothing?” She shook her head. “Never mind. I couldn’t care less. Let’s just watch the movie.”

CHAPTER 19

ICE-COLD WATER

Some things a girl was better off never finding out.

Natalia stared out the window as Wizard drove her home. Neither had attempted to talk after she had asked why he preferred Teeni’s hamburgers. Biting her lip, she almost regretted putting an end to the casual conversation between them. On the other hand, she was glad she had.

Her date with Wizard hadn’t turned out to be the god-awful experience she’d expected. Their conversation had felt almost as natural as those she’d shared with past dates … until he mentioned Teeni’s Bar & Grill. She knew the hamburgers weren’t the restaurant’s real draw.

Wizard seemed to use restaurants as hunting grounds for his hookups. He certainly hadn’t wasted any time hooking up with the barista at her favorite coffee shop.

When he pulled into her driveway, she was relieved the night was over and she’d managed to get through the date without shedding his blood. She practically jumped out as soon as he stopped the truck, unable to bear being in such close quarters with him.

There was only so much a girl could take. The subtle cologne he wore made her want to climb over the console and slide her hands beneath his T-shirt. Some men made it damn near impossible to be a good girl. Wizard was the kind of man whom women fantasized about being as bad as possible with.

She hurried up the walkway and keyed a series of numbers into the automatic lock. When she heard it disengage, she turned to face Wizard.

“Thank you. I enjoyed tonight,” she told him stiffly.

“Did you?” The wry expression on his face showed he didn’t believe her.

“I did.” It was at least partially true. To be fair, Wizard wasn’t the one who had ruined the evening.

“Sure.” Wizard leaned lazily against the side of her house. “Want to tell me what I said that pissed you off?”

Natalia sighed. “Wizard, I’m going to be honest. You’re the type of man I would never date, regardless of where you took me or how good a time I had.”

Despite the put-down, Wizard didn’t seem angry or hurt. He merely looked curious. “Why?”

“Because you go through women like water. I’m at a point in my life where I want a serious relationship. When I was younger, I might have seen you as a challenge. I’m older and wiser now, and I’m smart enough to know you’d never change your way of life for me. Am I wrong?”

“No, you’re not wrong.” A cynical smile played across his lips. “However, what’s to say you can’t change your mind?”

“I say,” she said firmly, taking a step inside.

“How about we conduct a little test?”

She turned around. “What kind of test?”

“Kiss me.”

She rolled her eyes. “No, thanks. A kiss from you isn’t going to change my mind.”

“Scared?”

“No. Just not motivated.”

“All right, then I’ll give you some motivation. Kiss me, and I’ll take away one of the dates you owe me.”

“The rest of them,” she countered.