A Heart Not Easily Broken (The Butterfly Memoirs) by M. J. Kane Page A

see?” His gaze traveled to my mouth and lingered.
    Damn, when was the last time any man looked at me that way?
    “The first time I saw you, your curves were what got my attention.” He smiled. “A man would have to be Stevie Wonder not to notice you.”
    “You and every man there,” I mumbled, crossed my arms, and focused on a picture across the restaurant. I couldn’t hide the heat in my cheeks though.
    “I’m not finished.”
    The commanding tone of his voice drew my attention.
    “At the bar, up close, your eyes revealed more than just a pretty face and hot body. You’re intelligent and witty. I like that. I want to know you, Ebony.” He paused to lick his lips. “Once I do…I want you in my bed.”
    My eyes widened in shock.
     “Let me get this straight. You want to sleep with me, but you want to get to know me first?” I shook my head. “Is this supposed to be some line to get me naked?”
    His dazzling blue gaze was mischievous. “No, it’s putting my cards on the table.”
    “You know, no matter what race, all men are alike.” I sat back, irritation in my voice and heat in between my legs. Damn. The man was good.
    “We all have dicks, but that’s where I draw the line.” He grinned.
    I bit my lip to keep from laughing and shot him a look filled with daggers instead.
    Brian’s smile faded. “Ebony, what bothers you most? The color of my skin or the fact I want to sleep with you?”
    “Both.”
    “Is there something wrong with me wanting you? Everything doesn’t have to be about skin color.”
    “Maybe not for you but back home, people voice their disapproval of interracial dating.”
    “Where are you from?”
    “North Carolina.”
    “That explains a few things. Look, you’re in California, home of legalized weed. An interracial couple is nothing.”
    “It’s only legal by prescription. Besides, no matter where you go, people still look at interracial couples differently.”
    “That’s their problem. What you need to understand is this: I could care less about the color of our skin. I like you, I’m attracted to you, and I want to know you. Let go of your inhibitions and take a chance.” His voice went cocky. “Besides, if all I wanted was sex, you would have been in my bed the night we met.”
    Laughter shot out of me. “How do you figure that? I left.”
    Brian continued as though I hadn’t spoken. “If I wanted sex…” His voice deepened as he placed his elbows on the table and leaned toward me. His blue gaze caught me, leaving me speechless. “I could have you tonight.”
    My body felt as if it would burst into flames. It was impossible to dispute his comment.
    I struggled to regain my senses. “You are another cocky, arrogant son of a”
    “Cocky, hell yeah,” He shrugged and sat back again. “Arrogant about a few things. The word you’re looking for is confident. You like confidence, remember?” He flashed a devilish smile as the server returned with our meal.
    The image of Brian standing half-naked and sweaty in my yard forced its way into my mind. Annoyed, I pushed at the vegetable pilaf on my plate. He was definitely confident. Knowing what he wanted turned me on. But that didn’t mean I would land in his bed.
    We sat in silence. Brian cut his steak while I tried to ignore the stares coming at us from across the room. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind spending time with him. But at what cost? I forced a forkful of food in my mouth. It was hard to ignore the table of women who watched me. You would think I had stolen one of their boyfriends.
    “When was the last time you went on a date?” Brian asked, as he cut into his baked potato.
    “Honestly? Since this is not officially a date, I guess Harry would be it.”
    Brian let loose a big laugh. “Damn, my feelings just got hurt. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? That way you can change your status from dating an older man to a young one.”
    “Ha, ha, very funny.” I continued to pick at my food.