Page 22 of A Dangerous Kind of Love

He lifts a brow.

“And she’s going to tell them,” I add darkly, pointing at him, “that Ms. Miller has a boyfriend.”

His expression shifts slightly.

“Is that a bad thing?” he asks.

I lean back in my chair and give him a flat look.

“Too soon, dude.”

Michael studies me, clearly amused. His fingers tap lazily against the table while his eyes drag over my face. I exhale and reach for my water.

“So,” I say. “Do you regularly stalk the women you date?”

He laughs.

“It was light research.”

I lean back in my chair and nod. “Right. Totally normal behavior.”

“Katie,” he says, tilting his head. “Are you nervous?”

“Why would I be nervous?” I say. “It’s not like I just discovered I’m on a date with a man twelve years older than me who has more money than everyone in this town combined.”

He leans forward across the table.

“Would it make you more nervous to know I’m the CEO of Amato Operations?”

“Oh great,” I say. “So you don’t only have the name. You run the whole thing.”

He licks his lower lip and bites it.

“Could you not do that?”

“What now?” he says with a chuckle.

“That.” I wave my hand vaguely at his face.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He leans back in his chair.

“That thing you just did. With your lips.”

“What thing?”

“The licking. And the biting.”

He tilts his head.

“Why would I stop doing something you clearly enjoyed?”

I’m not going to survive dinner.

Chapter 8

Michael

“Look at your menu,” she says. I keep my eyes on her for a few seconds longer than necessary, just to rattle her, before finally glancing down.