Skintight Read Free Page A

surprise only because she’d worn heels last night instead of the strappy little flats she’d shoved her feet into this morning. Giving him a discreet once-over, she judged him to be roughly six foot four or five, and close to two hundred and twenty pounds of solid muscle.
    Treena smiled as the hostess told them to enjoy their breakfast and headed back to her station. “Good morning,” she said and wondered what she should offer in the way of a physical greeting. After a hesitation, she thrust out her hand. They didn’t know each other well enough to exchange a hug, much less a kiss. Clearing her throat as his warm fingers wrapped around hers, she was struck by how downright pathetic she’d become at this. She used to be pretty good at small talk, but it had been a long time since she’d had a date and she was clearly out of practice. Her hand tingling, she slipped her fingers free and murmured, “I hope I’m not late.”
    â€œNot at all. You’re right on time.” He ushered her into the banquette then slid in across from her. “I was early.”
    Placing her small purse next to her hip she settled in, gazing at him across the narrow table. He either wore the same gorgeous jacket he’d had on last night or one just like it, paired this time with a gray silk T-shirt andblack jeans. He looked confident and at ease, and she wondered if he acquired breakfast companions as easily as he had her on a regular basis.
    â€œYou know,” she said impulsively, “I don’t ordinarily accept dates from total strangers.” She made a face. “And, gee, you’re real likely to believe that, considering what an easy pickup I turned out to be last night.”
    â€œOh, I believe it.” His dark eyebrows met over the thrust of his nose for a moment as if puzzled by the fact. But just as quickly they smoothed out, and he handed her a menu, giving her a sober look over it. “You don’t have the moves of a natural flirt.”
    Treena laughed out loud. “Thanks…I think.”
    â€œMaybe I should have said of someone on the prowl for a man. For a one-night-stan—that is, a pickup.” He looked at her. “I’m making this worse, aren’t I?”
    She grinned. “Maybe we should move on to a new subject.”
    â€œGood plan.”
    â€œI’m guessing you’re not from around here.” She cocked an inquiring eyebrow at him.
    â€œActually, I lived here as a teen, but I’ve been gone for a long time.”
    â€œIs that what brings you here? Moving back to town?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen you must be here on business. Or am I jumping to conclusions again? Are you on vacation?”
    â€œA little of both. First I’m reacquainting myself with one of my hometowns. Then business.”
    â€œWhat is it that you do?” She waved a hand before he had a chance to respond. “No, wait, let me guess.” She studied him. “Your jacket is exquisite. Armani?”
    â€œHugo Boss.”
    â€œOkay, expensive, fairly conservative, and you’ve got that great dressy-casual thing going by pairing it with those silk T-shirts. But the combination with jeans and—” she leaned sideways to peer under the table “—Nikes tells me you’re probably not a CEO, am I right?”
    â€œDefinitely.”
    â€œYet you strike me as being both brainy and perhaps a little…wild.” She gazed at his sun-streaked brown hair, which, while far from long, was a little longer and perhaps just the tiniest bit shaggier than the average businessman would wear. “So, something in the arts, maybe? Are you a graphic artist?”
    He shook his head.
    â€œA painter or a photographer?”
    He gave her a crooked smile. “The results of my forays into those fields were less than spectacular.”
    His smile did funny things to her libido, and she quickly racked her brain for more