I motion to her, like the answer is self-explanatory, and then add, “It’s easy for a man to draw imaginary lines in the sand before he knows Georgina Ricci exists in the world.”
She blushes. “Aw, well. Don’t beat yourself up too much about being a creeper. Age is just a number, anyway.”
“I think you have to get to your late twenties to be able to say that with a straight face. Before then, you come offas naïve.”
“Oh, I’m not naïve. Not in the slightest.”
My dick tingles at the possible subtext of that statement. Does she mean that as code for something naughty? Is she trying to tell me she’s a freak in the sheets? “I didn’t mean to insult you. I just meant there’s a lot of highly formative life experience a person acquires between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five.”
“There’s a lot of highly formative life experience a person acquires between the ages of zero to a hundred.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Speaking for myself, I’ve acquired an ocean of ‘highly formative’ life experience between the ages of ten and twenty—too much of it, to be honest. But that’s life. If we’re doing it right, then we’re constantly learning and growing.”
“True, again.”
“Except when it comes to you, I guess. You’re so smart, so much smarter than the rest of us, you’re all done learning and growing, now that you’re the wise old age of thirty-five.”
Holy motherfuck. Just this fast, this sassy girl’s got me tied and trussed like a pig over a spit. And I’m loving it. I lean forward, smiling. “First off, I’m only thirty-four. Don’t rush me. And, believe me, just like everyone else, I’m still figuring plenty of stuff out.”
“Which proves my point.Age is just a number.” She lays her cheek in her palm. “You’ve honestlyneverdated someone my age?”
“Not since my early twenties. And, to be clear, I don’t plan to date you, Georgina. Justseduceyou.”
Her eyebrows rise at my brazen comment, though she seems more amused by it than offended. “Points for honesty. Damn.”
“I’m a big fan of honesty.”
“When it suits you, apparently.” She smirks. “I’m pretty sure you’ve already lied to me at least a couple times.”
I shrug. “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
“Ah, so you admit you’re a hustler?”
“I do. Proudly.”
She drags her teeth over her sensuous lower lip. “So, tell me, Mr. Wise Old Rivers, why don’t you date—or, sorry,seduce—much youngerwomen? Is it some sort of firm rule for you, or has it just sort of happened that way?”
Good God, she’s relentless. And I fucking love it. “I haven’t given it much thought. I don’t tend to be in situations where I meet women your age, other than in a business context, which means they’re not a good idea for me to pursue, no matter their age. And, also, if I’m being honest, I’m a sucker for a confident woman—and genuine confidence, in my experience, as opposed to youthful cockiness, or play-acting confidence in mommy’s heels, usually takes a bit of time to develop.”
Oh, I’ve pissed her off now. “‘Play-acting in mommy’s heels’? How condescending.”
I chuckle. “You asked me a question, and I answered it honestly. You don’t like honesty?”
“I like honesty. Just notassholery.”
I laugh heartily. I think she might very well be perfect.
“Just a tip?” she says, twirling a lock of dark hair around her finger. “Don’t look down your nose at me and treat me like I’m a stupid child, which I’m not, if you want to have any shot at ‘seducing’ me. I’ve got a bit of an allergy to assholes, I should warn you, and also a bit of a temper. And I don’t tend to respond well in the face of condescension or assholery.”
My breathing hitches at the blaze in her eyes. The flush in her cheeks. She’s the sexiest little creature I’ve ever beheld. “Duly noted. I apologize. Condescending to you wasn’t my intention.”
“Well, shit, I hope not. If it was, that would make you absolutely terrible at seduction.”
I can’t help laughing my ass off. She’s unleashing the kraken on me in a way that’s making me smile from ear to ear.
“You want to know a secret, Mr. Rivers?” she says conspiratorially. “I truthfully can’t wait to see you take your best shot at seducing me. Don’t get me wrong; I haven’t yet decided if I’m going to let you be successful. But I’m certainly up for watching you try.”
