“What’s the capital of Kenya?” Tara asked.
Rachel blinked and glared at him. “I didn’t… He’s intelligent, of course, I just wanted to…”
Connor grinned and hit the buzzer. “Nairobi. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi.”
With her mouth gaping, she glanced between him and Tara. She almost certainly hadn't even heard the question, which was his plan all along.
“Oh, you play dirty,” she hissed angrily.
Slowly, he leaned toward her until their faces were at eye level. “Everything is more fun dirty,” he whispered roughly…and saw goosebumps climb up her neck.
There was that fire in her eyes again. The ambition. The will to beat him.
Shit. If she was so passionate about a pub quiz, where else did she lose control? Lose control even if she didn’t want to? He saw it in her eyes. She wanted to stay calm and relaxed, but she couldn’t. God, he could let her enjoy not having the upper hand for once. He had his ways and means…
His abdominal muscles tensed, an unwelcome heat pooling beneath them.
Fuck. He couldn’t be serious.
“Okay, Connor only needs one more correct answer to win,” Tara announced loudly. “So, focus, Rachel. Who scored the most goals for the L.A. Hawks last season?”
Shit. Gareth would have been a better choice for this speed round; he owned the damn team! Connor watched hockey, but only casually. Then again, Rachel apparently had no idea either.
“Oh God, I hate hockey,” she groaned.
“Boo!” Matt shouted.
Rachel fought a smile and she turned to the Hawks striker. “Sorry! Is it you? Did you score the most goals?”
“No yelling out hints! Ten seconds left,” Tara piped up.
Connor glanced at Matt, who was frowning while Maddie tugged on his sleeve and whispered loudly, “Give her a hint.”
Matt looked extremely pained. “No. I don’t want to say it.”
“Oh, it’s Dax Temple,” Rachel cried out triumphantly, hitting the buzzer.
Tara grinned. “That’s right!”
“But you’re a close second,” Maddie said softly to her fiancé.
“Man, Connor!” Gareth exclaimed incredulously.
“Oh, come on, Tara,” Izzie complained. “Thatwasa hint!”
“Yeah, but Connor could just as well have known that Dax Temple is the most arrogant guy who no one begrudges the best scoring stats.”
Connor snorted. “I read the New York Times, not the hockey tabloids!”
“Well, then you should probably broaden your media,” Rachel remarked innocently – and his shoulders tensed.
Tara grinned. “So, question six: Which geological period comes before the Cretaceous period?”
Rachel slapped her buzzer and, along with the owls’ hoot, announced, “Jurassic.”
Shit.
“Jesus, Connor!” Izzie exclaimed, annoyed. “Aren’tlawyerssupposed to be smart?”
