That Dating Thing by Mackenzie Crowne Page A

his arms. “I’m not suggesting we jet off to Vegas.”
    She snorted softly. “That’s a relief. Casinos give me a headache.”
    The dry sarcasm made him smile. She hadn’t said no.
    “Look, you’re a great-looking guy.”
    He flashed a grin, pleased when her lips twitched in response.
    “And I admit you have a certain amount of charm.”
    “But?”
    “But, your father is married to my aunt.”
    “Your mother’s cousin,” he corrected. He dropped his arms to his sides and stepped toward her. “And Dad and Silvia can get their own dinner.”
    Her lips formed a genuine smile, but she shook her head. “People rarely come out of this kind of thing on friendly terms.”
    “This kind of thing?” He continued to advance.
    “We’re connected through Sil and Elliott. I don’t want to see them caught in the middle when this…dating thing, or whatever it is you’re after, ends.”
    “This dating thing?”
    “Or whatever it is you’re after,” she repeated. As he closed the distance, she stepped back and bumped up against the shark cage. She slapped her spread fingers against his chest to prevent him from coming any closer. “I’m not in the market for a relationship right now.”
    “Then we don’t have a problem, because neither am I.” He brushed a fingertip over the perfect skin of her cheekbone. “So, here’s what I suggest.”
    Her eyelids fluttered, pupils dilating, and reluctant temptation replaced the wariness in her dark orbs. Still, she kept a defensive hand on his chest.
    “If you insist on negotiating when I’ve already explained my concerns,” she said, holding his gaze, “I’d rather you didn’t touch me.”
    He checked the urge to kiss her at the artless admission of finding his touch disturbing. Instead, he moved his hand to the cage beside her head. He wrapped his fingers around the metal bar and dipped his head, bringing his face closer to hers. She blinked but held her ground, boldly meeting his gaze.
    “I propose we get to know one another,” he pressed. “A few dinners. Maybe a show, or a ball game or two if you like. We find out what makes each other tick.”
    “Hmmm.” Her mouth moved into a smirk. “Five seconds ago you were talking a meal. Now it’s a few dinners and a ball game or two. At this rate we’ll be jetting off to Vegas by the end of the week.”
    She didn’t try to stop him when he took the final step that brought their bodies within inches of each other. “Has anyone ever accused you of being a wiseass?”
    Head cocked as though considering the question, her mouth quivered on a smile. “Nope.”
    “How about a liar?”
    She lost the battle with the smile and her low laugh sent a lash of desire whipping across his midsection. He did what he’d wanted to do since arriving at his father’s condo days ago. Leaning in, he took...
    ****
    Mistake. Mistake. Mistake.
    The chant echoed in her head.
    Except this didn’t feel like a mistake. No, this was amazing, and exciting, and…oh, God, so good!
    She’d been kissed before. Hell, she’d been engaged, but none of those mouth-to-mouth exercises she shared with Marcus ever came close to this. Compared to Cooper Reed, Marcus kissed like a dead fish.
    Skipping right past nice-to-meet-you, Coop jumped straight into an I-couldn’t-wait-another-moment-to-taste-you devouring. He didn’t fumble or grab like some of the men she’d dated. His mouth moved over hers with confident intent in a slow, thorough exploration. The fine hairs on her body lifting as if brushed by an electrical charge. Goose bumps rose and left her chilled, despite the heat of his mouth threatening to burn her alive. He touched her nowhere else, but that didn’t matter. She sensed the caress of his mouth all over, as though she were already naked and spread out for his pleasure.
    His lips nibbled and tasted, and when his tongue teased the seam of her lips in a silken caress, she opened her mouth, granting him entrance. His low growl of