Page 42 of Make-Believe Match
Setting her phone in her lap, she shifted in her seat to face me. “Tell me the truth. Did you know who I was that night or not?”
“I didn’t, Lexi.” I glanced at her. “Swear on my life, I didn’t.”
“Why didn’t you look shocked to see me at the lunch table two days later?”
“Because I have a good poker face. It’s useful when you negotiate high-stakes deals for a living.”
“Well, it made me feel like the whole thing was a setup.”
“I’m sorry about that. I’m used to suppressing gut reactions in favor of taking a moment and thinking things through. And I try not to let anything show.”
“God, I couldneverhave your job,” she said. “I leteverythingshow. I can’t help it.”
“The truth is, I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me when I saw you at the table,” I confessed. “But I wasn’t sure how you wanted to handle the situation, so I didn’t let on.”
“You certainly didn’t. So I thought you were just a con artist.”
“I’m not. I promise. Next question.”
She checked her screen again and laughed. “Do you like it when people play with your hair?”
“I guess I don’t dislike it. But if you’re looking for something to play with, I have other suggestions.”
“I’m sure you do,” she said drily. “But I think this question is supposed to be about what relaxes you, not what turns you on.”
“Oh. That’s different.”
“So what relaxes you?”
I hesitated. “Can you keep a secret?”
“You’d better hope so.”
“I’m serious. This can’t get out. It will ruin my reputation as an alpha male.”
She snickered. “Tell me.”
I rubbed a finger beneath my lower lip, like I was doubtful she could be trusted with a confidence.
“Devlin.Tellme.” She slapped my shoulder.
“Fine. I like the occasional bubble bath.”
She burst out laughing. “You like bubble baths?”
“Yes. But amanlybubble bath. With manly-smelling bubbles. None of that fruity, flowery girly shit.”
“I’m not sure I want to know what man-bubbles smell like.”
“Bourbon and cedar,” I told her. “With just a hint of coriander.”
“That is very specific.”
“It’s the scent of my shower gel, and lucky for you, I packed some. You can try it out. Our room has a big tub.”
“Maybe I will.Alone, of course.”
“Of course alone. I will be a perfect gentleman tonight, Lexi. You have my word. You can have the tub, you can have the bed, you can have the remote control all to yourself.”
