“May.”
The voice stopped her cold.
She jolted and turned to see Kyle sitting at a table toward the end of the bar. Even seated, he carried an unmistakable presence. Calm. Polished. Controlled. The hum of conversation seemed to bend around him. He smiled. “It’s so good to see you. Why don’t you join me for dinner?”
His two staff members hovered nearby, dressed down today in Dockers and polo shirts, playing darts but watching everything.
“I don’t think so, Senator,” she said politely.
Kyle pushed a stack of papers away. “Actually, you might want to reconsider.” His voice dropped low.
A prickle of warning spread through her. She hated that voice. Ace’s voice could go low and so could all of the Osprey men’s tones. But Kyle’s carried something else. Something colder and calculated.
She walked toward him anyway, her pulse ticking faster with each step. “I take it your hand is hurting you.”
Kyle glanced down at the bandage on his right hand. “No. You did a good job with that.”
She crossed her arms. How in the world had she even liked him at one time? “Why were you punching walls anyway?”
“My private life is no longer any of your business,” he said smoothly.
“Fair enough.” Her tone cooled. “What do you want? I have to get going.”
He studied her face, his cold eyes unreadable. Up close, he looked exactly as he always had. Immaculate with his dark hair perfectly in place. He didn’t wear a tie tonight, but the pressed polo shirt screamed power just the same. “You’re avoiding me.”
“I’m busy.”
“That’s not an answer.”
May held his stare. The noise of the tavern faded into background static. “You didn’t ask a question.”
Kyle’s mouth twitched, not quite a smile. “Still stubborn.”
“Still breathing.”
One of his staff shifted near the dartboard, pretending not to listen.
Kyle rested his forearms on the table. As usual, he was both tan and muscled. The senator liked to work out and look good in all of those pictures. “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find you?”
“I didn’t give you a thought once I left.”
His chin lifted. “We both know that’s a lie.”
Yeah, but he thought she missed him. That wasn’t it. Not at all. She blew out air. “I figured you’d find some other woman to look good on your arm, Senator.” Her fingers curled slightly against her sleeves. Old irritation stirred inside her, way too familiar.
Kyle’s gaze flicked briefly to the bar, then back to her. “Maybe I’ve missed you.”
“That’s unfortunate and you need to move on.” She caught sight of a group of younger adults sitting around a table near the fireplace, all staring into their beers. They were more subdued than the rest of the crew in the bar. Were they Laura’s friends?
Kyle gave his smoothest smile. “We need to talk. Just join me for dinner, all right?”
“No. What do you want?” May wasn’t playing his games.
He sighed, glancing around the tavern. No one seemed to be paying attention. The crowd buzzed with its own noise. Glasses clinked. A burst of laughter erupted near the dartboard. “We took pictures today, and we need more showing the gorgeous scenery around here. I’d love to have you in a few photographs. We’re going fishing tomorrow, and I want you to come.”
May crossed her arms. “No.” She’d learned early on to be direct with him, regardless of his reaction. Otherwise he’d twist her words against her. The guy was a master at it.
A look entered his eyes that had her spine stiffening. “All right. I wanted to express some concern.”
