A Glimpse of Fire

She turned to look at him and he pointed to his own chin. Her hand shot up to touch the marked area, her mouth twisting wryly.

She rolled her eyes. “Totally my fault. I got it at work when I wasn’t paying attention.”

“At work? How?”

She looked away. “This is a beautiful view. I wonder how much one of these co-ops cost.” She smiled. “Not that I’d ever be able to afford one.”

“I will someday.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Ambitious or optimistic?”

He laughed. “Both.”

“I wish you luck.” She gave him a peculiar smile and then turned away to look out over Central Park.

“You must make good money modeling.”

A smile played at the corners of her mouth. “What makes you think I’m a model?”

He stared, waiting for a telltale flicker to cross her face. She didn’t even blink. “Aren’t you?”

“No. But I’m flattered.” She seemed so damned sincere. Maybe he was going crazy.

“Then what do you do?”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “Just making conversation.”

“Then you won’t mind talking about something else.” Her lips curved in a smile that made him her slave.

A totally new experience for him. He liked women, of course, but he hadn’t found one yet that had him thinking with the wrong head. Not since high school, anyway. “You like being the mystery woman, huh?”

The smile lingering on her lips, she lifted her chin and shook back her hair, lifting her face to the balmy breeze.

“So, if I can’t get more than your name, how am I going to ask you out to dinner?”

After a moment’s hesitation she looked directly at him and asked, “When?”

“Tomorrow night.” God, he hoped he could get a reservation this late. “Amuse Bouche. It’s that new restaurant at the—”

“I know it.” Amusement lit her eyes. “Trying to impress me?”

“Damn right.”

She laughed. “Another point for honesty. But unless you had another date cancel on you, we will not be getting into Amuse Bouche tomorrow night.”

“I confess. No reservations, but I know the maître d’.”

“Ever been to Hakata on West Forty-eighth?”

He frowned. “Sushi place, isn’t it?”

“Among other things.”

Just his luck, the woman was one of those adventurous-eater types. That was the trouble with New Yorkers. They weren’t happy with a simple steak. “You wanna go there?”

She grinned. “Ever tried sushi?”

He sighed. All the guys in the office kidded him. When they went for sushi, he went to McDonald’s. “I have a feeling I’m about to.”

“Your enthusiasm is overwhelming.”

“The stuff is raw. Can’t be good for you.”

She laughed. “Common misconception. Sushi can include raw fish but not necessarily. Don’t worry. I’m a pro at ordering for neophytes. I’ll be gentle with you.”

He cleared his throat and tried not to make anything of the way she moistened her lips. Tried not to stare at her glistening lower lip. “Not too gentle. That would take out all the excitement.”

Her eyebrows rose.

Eric smiled. “Bring it on.”

She laughed, deep and throaty, and the sound skated down his spine. “You’re giving me carte blanche?”

“I’m all yours.” He hoped they weren’t talking about sushi. Or he was screwed.

“Hmm…”

He moved closer. She didn’t retreat. Excellent sign. “So, what would you like to do with me?”

“Oh, I never tip my hand too soon.”

“Oh, right. A woman of mystery and surprise.”

“You have no idea.”

“I’m willing to stick around until I get an idea.”

She smiled. “You get another point for being adventurous.”

“Yeah? And what exactly are these points worth?”

She tilted her head to the side and pursed those sexy lips of hers. “I’ll have to think about it.”

“I don’t.” He took her hand, and when she didn’t resist, he pulled her against him and slid his arms around her narrow waist.

She tilted her head back, her eyes glittering with unmistakable challenge. He lowered his head and she lifted her chin to meet his lips. They touched, gently at first, tentative, searching, exploring, and then she opened her mouth to him.