No, no, that thought was too problematic for her.
“Oh man, my phone is too old to read the QR code for the menu,” Connor’s date said with a sigh…and Rachel knew this was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“Use mine,” she said quickly, handing her phone to Mel.
“Oh, thank you so much.” Mel beamed at her, apparently surprised that a stranger would want to help her, and…Rachelalmost felt guilty. She seemed friendly. What if she and Connor did have a chance at true love and she was ruining it now?
Damn, she was being mean. Nonetheless, it was a bet, after all, and in love and war, anything goes. She couldn’t let Maddie and Hailey down.
“Oops, you had another site open,” Mel said, surprised. “I’ll just switch…” She stopped abruptly.
Yep, she read it.
“I-hate-Connor-Stone.com?” she asked, shocked.
Rachel grew uncomfortably warm, and Connor’s eyebrows shot up. He abruptly turned to face her. “What?” he asked tensely.
“What is this?” Frowning, Mel scrolled down — and Rachel knew exactly what she was reading. “Connor Stone uses women like tissues?”
Yes, that had been her personal must-see too. The woman who had created the site had a way with words.
“If you’re on a date with Connor Stone, run. He’s a stud pony, and he’ll leave you stranded.”
“Hmm.” Connor frowned. “I forgot that line.”
“You know the site?” Mel asked incredulously. “And…is it true?”
Connor ran his hand thoughtfully through his hair. “I think it depends on the perspective.”
“Is the perspective that you’re a player and treat women so badly that they dedicate entire websites to you?” Mel exclaimed incredulously, tossing her napkin from her lap and standing. “Wow. Thanks so much for showing me this. Now I won’t be wasting my time.” She nodded at Rachel, and the next moment, she was gone.
Connor made no sign of stopping her. He sat in his chair, leaning back slowly and clasping his hands behind his neck before his gaze slid to Rachel. His biceps flexed, making hisshirt crackle. Or maybe it was the air between them. Rachel’s heartrate quickened, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and goosebumps raced down her spine. Just because of his gaze. Because he wasn’t what she’d expected. She’d expected Connor to glare at her, pierce her with his gaze, raise his voice, and accuse her of cheating. But he did nothing of the sort.
Instead, he chuckled softly. His voice was oddly husky, as if even he was surprised by it.
“Perfect Rachel, eh?” he whispered, his eyes flashing. Heat filled her head, and the corners of her mouth threatened a smile. Maybe she wasn't so perfect today.
“What the hell just happened?” Phil asked, watching Mel, who was just slamming the restaurant door shut.
Connor completely ignored him. Instead, he tilted his head almost imperceptibly and stated, almost surprised, “You play just as dirty as I do.”
She swallowed. “I’m merely adapting to my opponent.”
“You googled me. Thoroughly googled me, at that. This page only comes up as the ninetieth search result or so,” he whispered, and…did he sound impressed? “Besides…” He lowered his voice as if they were completely alone, “I like dirty, so don’t feel guilty.”
Her neck stiffened.
“I don’t like dirty.” She jutted out her chin. “I was just prepared.”
“Excuse me, do you two know each other?” Phil asked, confused, glancing frenetically between them.
“Barely,” Rachel said.
“Better than I thought,” Connor replied, his gaze still on her. He shouldn’t still be smiling, as if he knew more than she did. As if none of this came as a surprise to him. As if it amused him rather than annoyed him.
“What exactly does that mean?” Phil continued, visibly uncomfortable.
“Nothing at all.” Connor dropped his arms. “Please, carry on. Don’t pay any attention to me. I’m sure you have a lot in common. Hey, Phil, would you say you’re an adventurer?”
