Excerpt:

Elmer’s gaze zeroes in on me. Like a sexy, cocky gunslinger in a Western movie, he hooks his thumbs through his belt loops and ambles toward me, his brawny shoulders rolling with each step, his crooked grin widening as he comes nearer—until a gray-haired woman steps back suddenly, knocking him into the corner of a table. He winces and rubs his hip as the woman flutters her hands and apologizes. Catching my eye, he shrugs and flashes a goofy grin.

Okay, Redbeard, I’ll give you points for having a sense of humor.

Limping slightly, he closes the distance between us.

“You okay, Elmer?”

“That’s gonna leave a bruise on my ass.” He chuckles. “And a bigger one on my ego.” He lowers his voice to a sexy murmur. “So, any chance we could meet for drinks? Ya know, talk about the grant?” He shuffles closer. “Maybe strategize?”

I still can’t decide if his teasing flirtation is charming or obnoxious.

“Why would I do that?” I ask. “You’re my competition.”

He dips his chin and regards me through thick, glossy lashes. An expert move. Damn, this guy is good at his game. “Look, I thought we shared a moment at the memorial service. Was I just imagining that?”

Nope, that was real. So is the tingly sensation his nearness provokes, like static electricity dancing across my skin. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to touch him.

He continues, voice low. “’Cause if that was something, I’d like to explore it. No pressure, just—you know, check it out. But if you’re not interested, I’ll leave you be. Your call.”

Heat smolders in the depths of his hazel eyes. I jerk my gaze away.

He chuckles and raises his palms. “I swear, I’m not gonna steal your ideas.”

I scrunch my lips to the side, fighting back a smile.

“Tell you what,” he says, “how about if we have drinks and talk about anything but the competition?”

“Because…why?” Hell, I know I’m going to give in, but I don’t want to make this too easy for him.

“You’re a real hard-ass, aren’t you?” He rolls his eyes. “Because I like you, Margot.”

“Why?”

He leans so close our foreheads almost touch, a challenge simmering in his smile. “Have a drink with me and find out.”

If there’s one thing I can’t resist, it’s a challenge. On the other hand, he might not like me so much if he knows about Darcy. Let that be the test, then. Let him prove he isn’t one of those possessive, controlling guys Darcy warned me about.

“Okay. I will.” I step back. “But you should know, I’m sort of seeing someone.”

His thick auburn brows contract. “Sort of?”

“A woman.”

His nostrils flare on a deep inhalation. “Is it serious?”

“Not really.” Might as well serve up the truth, raw and ungarnished. Might as well be honest with myself too. “She lives in Berkeley. I only see her every month or two.”

Holding my gaze, he nods. “Okay then. Thanks for telling me.” The tense lines of his mouth relax into a casual grin. “So, drinks?”

       Well I’ll be damned.