On A Night Like This (Callaways #1)

tempted. His eyes were so dark and intriguing, his features pure masculine gorgeousness. He had a mouth that looked really kissable, too, and a purposeful attitude that made her think he probably knew what to do with a woman. It had been a long time since she'd lost herself in a man's arms for a few hours. And despite the fact that he was a stranger, she had the strangest feeling that she could trust him not to hurt her. That was a dangerous thought, because she couldn't afford to be wrong.
    "Ria?" he pressed.
    "Do you think I'm that easy?" she countered.
    "Not easy, but I think maybe you're important."
    The serious note in his voice shot a shiver down her spine. She told herself not to get carried away. He was just trying to get her into bed. He'd say anything. She couldn't believe a word.
    "Why on earth would you say that?"
    "I don't know. Ever since I saw you I've wanted to talk to you."
    "You didn't ask me what time I got off so you could talk to me."
    "Well, that was one of the reasons," he said. "I'm not trying to insult you. If I had more time, I'd ask you out on a date. I'd bring you flowers and take you to an expensive restaurant and buy you a really expensive cut of steak."
    "Is that your usual style?"
    He gave her a smile. "I don't have a style. And while I would never profess to understand or know what a woman wants, I do have sisters, and they talk and complain a lot, especially when it comes to men and dating."
    "How many sisters?"
    "Three sisters and four brothers."
    "Big family. Where are you in the line-up?"
    "Fourth from the top."
    "Otherwise known as the middle."
    He tipped his head. "Yes. What about you? Big family?"
    "No. I'm an only child." It was part of the backstory she'd made up before coming to the island; it was also partly true. "I used to wish I had a big family."
    "It's not all it's cracked up to be," he said dryly. "A lot of noise and chaos."
    "And love," she suggested, feeling an ache that went deep into her soul.
    Her family had always been complicated. Love, betrayal, divorce, death … She supposed that's what made up a life, but it seemed like she'd seen too much of the dark side of love.
    "Plenty of love," Drew said. "Sometimes too much. Everyone likes to be in my business."
    Despite his complaint, she could see the pride in his eyes when he spoke of his family.
    "So, one o'clock, two?" he pressed, raising an eyebrow. "What time are you done here?"
    "Two. But I'm not meeting you."
    "Why not?"
    "I'm not in the mood for a hook-up."
    "Aren't you? I've been watching you all night, and I'm good at reading people, too, Ria. You're a bundle of nerves. Every time someone walks through the door, you tense. Why is that? Are you in some kind of trouble?"
    His words bothered her on two levels, one that he'd read her so well, and, two, that she'd given so much away.
    "And I suppose you think I should release some of my tension with you?" she asked, ignoring his other questions.
    "I think…" He paused, lowering his voice. "That you are a beautiful woman who knows what she wants and how to get it."
    "Who said I wanted you?" she challenged.
    "Your beautiful eyes say it."
    "You're seeing what you want to see."
    "Am I?" He cocked his head to the right as he regarded her thoughtfully. "What's holding you back, Ria?"
    "I don't do random hookups. And I have to get up early in the morning. In the daytime I sail boats for Sea Charters."
    "So bartender, sailor—what other talents do you have?"
    "Wouldn't you like to know?"
    "I would like to know," he said with a grin. "Why don't you tell me? Or better yet, show me?"
    She shook her head at his charming smile. When she'd first seen him, his expression had been tense, but since they'd started talking, he'd loosened up considerably.
    "You're breaking my heart," he said, putting a hand to his chest.
    "I doubt that. And there are plenty of women in this bar if you want company."
    "I'm only interested in your company. You intrigue me."
    "I can't imagine why."
    "What brought you to this small island in the middle of the sea?"
    She thought for a moment, then said the only word that came to mind. "Freedom."
    He met her gaze. "Have you found it?"
    "I'm close," she said. "When I'm in the middle of the ocean, no land in sight, nothing but blue water and the occasional seagull, I almost feel like I've escaped."
    "Escaped what?"
    "Nothing I care to share." She drew in a deep breath, trying to calm the tension running through her body, that now had as much to do with