Kristen blushed and dipped her head. “Funny, I was just thinking you’ve evolved into every woman’s fantasy.” A blush spread from her chest to her cheeks. “I didn’t just say that out loud, did I?”

  He threw his head back and laughed, drawing attention from people whose names he couldn’t even remember. He once would have shrunk into a corner so as not to draw attention to himself, but those days were over. “I love that you think so.” He settled her cheek in his hand, coaxing her to look him in the eye. Matt saw her chest rising and falling with every breath. “Have I told you lately that I think you’re stunning?”

  “I think it’s been about fifteen years,” she whispered.

  “Then it’s been fifteen years too long.” He moved in closer, not caring that her ex was a spectator. “You’re stunning.”

  Had they been anywhere else, he wouldn’t have hesitated to kiss her. He didn’t care about onlookers, but Kristen might abhor public displays of affection. He couldn’t risk alienating her when they’d barely scratched the surface of their intense attraction.

  “I want this to be the night we never had in high school,” he said, lowering his head and speaking softly so only she could hear him.

  “I want that too.”

  ***

  Kristen couldn’t remember the last time she’d been out with a man who made her feel the way Matt did. Maybe the champagne was helping her relax, but she suspected her comfort had more to do with the company than the alcohol. He was charming and attentive, sexy and funny. Had she known he was the complete package back in high school, she would have been the one to ask him to prom.

  “What are you thinking about?” he whispered in her ear.

  They’d been slow dancing to nearly every song, and she loved the way she fit so perfectly in his arms. The rest of the crowd, including Robert, ceased to exist as she languished in the intimate bubble they’d created.

  “I was thinking this is nice,” she admitted.

  Opening up to a man on a first date was new to Kristen. Not that that night was really a date. He hadn’t asked her to join him. They were simply two people attending the same event.

  “I was thinking the same thing,” he said, leaning back just enough to look her in the eye. “Maybe we should think about doing it again sometime.”

  He was the perfect mix of interested without being too eager. He was confident in his own skin, and he knew he didn’t have to beg a woman to see him again. Probably because he had women lining up and begging him to take them out.

  Pushing that unsettling thought aside, Kristen said, “I wish I had more time to date.” For the first time, she wished she was free every night so she could spend more time getting to know Matt.

  “You could always make the most of the time you do have. With me.”

  The way he said that sounded delicious and naughty, as though he would enjoy doing things to her that she would never forget. “Is it getting hot in here?” She laughed nervously.

  “No,” he said, with a straight face. “It’s just you.”

  “Thanks a lot,” she said, slapping his shoulder playfully. She remembered how they’d always enjoyed easy banter. She couldn’t help but feel guilty she hadn’t recognized his unique qualities back in school. She’d just thought of him as a nice guy who helped her pass calculus. Now she realized how rare it was to find a nice guy who knew how to treat a lady.

  “Are you getting hungry?” He nodded toward the appetizer table in the middle of the room.

  “I could eat,” she said, grateful the knot of tension in her belly had eased since she’d first spotted Robert.

  “You do realize he’s barely taken his eyes off you all night, don’t you?” Matt asked, settling his arm around her waist to lead her off the dance floor.

  She noticed Robert sitting in a corner sulking. Gale was dancing with a guy she’d had a crush on their senior year, and Robert looked as though he’d rather be sitting in the electric chair.

  “I suppose I should feel sorry for him,” Kristen said. “But I don’t.”

  Matt chuckled. “I guess I should feel relieved to know he’s not the competition.”

  Kristen elbowed his ribs as his words wrapped around her like a warm blanket. He was interested in her, and she was more than happy to feed that interest. “I have a feeling a guy like you doesn’t have to worry about competition very often.”

  He handed her a small white plate and took one for himself before gesturing for her to lead him to the small line of people waiting for appetizers. “I try not to put myself in the position of having to compete for a woman. I don’t need that kind of stress.”

  Kristen didn’t know whether she should be flattered or offended. “I guess your work can be stressful, hmmm?” She filled her plate with a selection of cold appetizers.

  “It can be, but for the most part, it’s a lot of fun. I love what I do, and I know most people can’t say that, so you won’t hear me complaining about the occasional bad day.”

  For the most part, Kristen felt the same way about her career. “You seem like a pretty positive person.” That was one of the qualities she found most attractive in a man.

  “What the hell have I got to complain about?” he asked, grinning. “I’ve got a career I love, good friends, a great family, money in the bank, a nice house. Not to mention the fact I get to travel and do all of the things I love in my down time.”

  Kristen thought his life sounded pretty perfect, and she wondered what it would be like to be a part of it. “Do you get a lot of down time?”

  “Enough.” He shrugged. He led her back to their assigned table. They hadn’t been seated together, but since neither of them had brought a date, she invited him to be the plus one at her table. “I usually go into our corporate office Monday through Friday and pass by the bar on the weekends, just to check in.”

  “You work seven days a week?” Kristen asked, feeling a little less guilty about the hours she kept.

  “If you can call hanging out at the bar work.” He smiled as he held her chair out for her. “Personally, I can’t. It’s more about getting together with the boys for a beer at a place we love. We built High Rollers because we wanted sports fanatics like us to have a comfortable place to hang out and eat something other than pretzels while drinking something better than draft beer.”

  “I should stop by and check it out some time.” She would make sure it was a Saturday night, when he was more likely to be there.

  “Anytime you feel like it,” he said, winking. “The drinks are on the house.”

  “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

  “Only the pretty ones.” He reached for the bottle of white wine in the middle of the table and filled their glasses.

  He was too good-looking. Too rich. Too smart. Too sweet. Too driven. Too successful. There had to be something wrong with him, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what it was.

  “Do you want kids?” she blurted out. If he didn’t, that may be the out she was looking for. It’s not that she wasn’t looking for the perfect guy, but she was afraid of finding him. When she did, she would have to risk her heart again, and after what happened with Robert, that was a frightening prospect.

  Matt choked on his wine, coughing to clear his throat before he said, “Excuse me?”

  Trying to pretend she didn’t wish she could retract the question, Kristen reached for her wine glass. “Kids, do you want them?”

  “Uh, someday, I guess. You?”

  “Someday. Maybe after I’ve been married a few years.”

  “Sounds like a good plan,” he said, giving her a wry smile. He noticed the place card to his left. “Is your ex’s last name Channing?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “I believe he’s supposed to be sitting next to me.” He held up the manila card. “You want me to toss it while no one’s looking?”

  Before she could respond, Gale and Robert approached their table.

  “They tell us we’re sitting with you guys,” Gale said, holding a hand out to Kristen. “That’ll give us a chance to catch up.”

  Kristen squeezed her friend’s hand. She didn’t blame her for bringing Robert. Kristen was certain he’d cajoled the poor woman into submission. He was a criminal lawyer, after all. “It’s nice to see you, Gale.” She glanced at her ex. “Robert,” she said, inclining her head.

  Gale’s eyes drifted to Matt’s nametag. “Oh my God, I never would have recognized you, Matt. How’ve you been?”

  Matt had also tutored Gale back in the day, if Kristen’s memory served, though she couldn’t remember a single conversation they’d had about him. They were too busy gushing over football players. Matt was just the brainy guy who tutored them. What a difference more than a decade made. Kristen couldn’t even remember the name of the jocks who used to hold her attention.

  “I’ve been good,” he said, standing to offer Gale his hand.

  His manners are impeccable. Kristen realized he would be at home dining in five-star restaurants or attending one of the many political fundraising galas she planned.

  “You?” Matt asked.

  “I can’t complain.” Gale tossed a glance over her shoulder before an awkward silence shrouded the table. “This is my… uh… friend, Robert Channing. Robert, Matt Hudson.”

  Kristen cringed when Robert gave Matt a cursory glance before dismissing him without a word.

  Obviously trying to break the silence, Gale said, “What do you do, Matt?” She held up her hand. “Wait, let me guess. Engineer? Professor? Accountant?”

  Matt chuckled and settled a warm hand on Kristen’s shoulder. “No, no, and no. I’m the marketing director for High Rollers, a chain of sports bars.”

  Knowing he would be too modest to tell them the whole story, Kristen piped in, “And part owner. Matt and his friends founded the chain.” She couldn’t contain her smug smile when she saw Robert’s eyes narrow.

  “Seriously?” Gale asked, wide-eyed. “That’s a huge chain.”

  “We do okay,” Matt said, holding out the chair next to him and gesturing for Gale. He clearly didn’t want to get stuck next to Robert, not that Kristen could blame him.

  “I’d say that’s an understatement,” Gale said, smiling at Matt once she was seated.

  Her friend was clearly smitten, not that Kristen could blame her. Matt was a walking, talking poster boy for erotic dreams.

  “Why didn’t you tell me y’all were seeing each other?” Gale asked Kristen once the gentlemen were seated.

  Kristen should have known that question was coming. She didn’t want to admit she and Matt weren’t technically seeing each other. If Robert assumed they were, he might take it as a sign and leave her alone. Her ex still couldn’t accept that one mistake was reason enough to call off their engagement. In Kristen’s mind, sleeping with one woman while committed to another was more than a mistake; it was an unforgiveable sin.

  Robert’s eyes were fixed on Kristen, waiting for her to respond. Thankfully, Matt stepped in to save her the embarrassment of having to stretch the truth.

  “We just reconnected recently.” Matt put his arm around the back of Kristen’s chair and drew her closer. He obviously sensed Kristen wanted to send her ex a message, and he seemed happy to help her deliver it, loud and clear. “We wanted to give it a little time, see where things were going before we told our friends and family we’re a couple.”

  Kristen looked at him, stunned how easily the lie fell from his lips. The boy genius she knew would turn ten shades of red when he tried to lie. Apparently deceit was one of the not-so-great character traits he’d picked up on his path to sexy.

  “I think it’s great,” Gale gushed, touching Matt’s arm. “I always thought you were one of the sweetest boys in school. I used to tell Kristen that all the time, didn’t I, Kris?”

  The lies were flying around the table so fast, Kristen felt she might get whiplash trying to follow them. “Is that what you used to say, Gale?” Kristen smiled sweetly as she reached for her wine glass. She would be surprised if Gale had even known Matt’s name in high school.

  Gale narrowed her eyes, clearly expecting her friend to back her up.

  Robert reached for his scotch, his eyes never leaving Kristen. “So did y’all keep in touch after graduation?”

  If he was trying to get her to admit to seeing other men during their two-year relationship, he would be sadly disappointed. Kristen didn’t play those games or respect anyone who did.

  “Unfortunately not,” Matt said, letting his fingers trail down Kristen’s bare arm. “I got caught up in business, married, divorced, you know the drill.” He looked Robert in the eye. “Building a business can get in the way of trying to maintain a relationship, don’t you think?”

  Obviously Matt was on a fishing expedition to figure out why things hadn’t worked out with Kristen and Robert. She’d been too embarrassed to admit the truth—she hadn’t been woman enough to keep him satisfied.

  “If that’s true, how are you and Kristen making it work?” Robert raised an eyebrow at Matt. “I know her career comes first. I assume yours does too?”

  Kristen glared at Robert. He had routinely said things that were completely out of line when they were a couple. She couldn’t rein him in with a kick under the table anymore, so she had no choice but to let him run off at the mouth, embarrassing himself and everyone else.

  “You would assume wrong,” Matt said, putting Robert in his place. “I gave myself over to our business in the early stages because that’s what it took to be successful. Things are different now. We’re more established, and we have a larger team to run the day-to-day operations. That gives all of the principles more time to devote to other interests.”

  Kristen imagined Matt’s social calendar was packed full with women anxious to help him waste his free hours between the sheets. It shouldn’t bother her, but it did. She didn’t want to believe the sweet kid she used to know had become a merciless player just because he had a few bucks and a flawless face to complement his centerfold body.

  “Other interests?” Robert took a sip of his scotch. He wasn’t much of a drinker and was clearly trying to act as though the burn didn’t bother him. “Such as?”

  “I enjoy traveling, real estate investing.” Matt shrugged. “Watching sports, engaging in extreme sports.”

  Before anyone could ask him to elaborate, two other couples joined their table. Pleasantries were exchanged and introductions made before the servers appeared with their first course.

  “I saw you in that magazine spread, Kristen,” one of the guys from their high school football team said with a wide grin. “My wife wouldn’t believe we used to date.”

  “Him too?” Robert asked, glaring at Kristen. “Show of hands, is there anyone at this table who hasn’t slept with Kristen?”

  Kristen gasped as her cheeks burned. She was mortified. Every pair of eyes at the table turned to her… except one. Matt’s sole attention was on Robert.

  “You need to back off,” he told Robert. “If you ever disrespect her like that again, I’m gonna haul your ass outside and—”

  “Please, don’t,” Kristen said, reaching for her pewter evening bag and standing. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

  As she walked away, she questioned whether she would have the nerve to show her face to these people again. She heard a chair scrape across the parquet floor but didn’t have the guts to turn around. If Robert was stupid enough to come after her, she would make him wish he hadn’t. When a strong arm closed around her wrist, she knew immediately it wasn’t Robert’s.

  “Matt, please. I just need a minute.” Her voice broke, adding to her humiliation. She wanted to escape to the ladies’ room so she could collect herself.

  He hauled her back against his chest, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “Ignore him, Kris. He’s an asshole.”

  “I know.” She closed her eyes, praying the stinging behind her eyelids would subside. She couldn’t let Matt think she was the kind of woman who slept with men indiscriminately. “It’s not true, you know. I never—”

  “I know.” He brushed his lips against her cheek. “I know you’re not that girl. That’s why I’m still so crazy about you.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, almost afraid to breathe.

  “You’re the girl no man could ever have, not really. You kept your distance, never letting anyone get too close. Why is that?”

  When Kristen dropped her gaze to the arm wrapped around her, she noticed a colorful tattoo peeking out from under his sleeve. She wondered what else he might be hiding and whether she was brave enough to find out.

  Chapter Three

  Matt had no right to pry, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d blown up when Robert accused Kristen of sleeping around because it was a lie. In high school, the football players had dubbed her the ice princess because she’d never let anyone go all the way. He sensed a part of her was still holding back, fearful of getting too close, and he wanted to know why.

  “Why don’t we get out of here?” he asked. “My driver’s waiting. I can text him and tell him we’re ready. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

  Her eyes were still closed, but her throat moved as though she was trying to swallow tears instead of shedding them. “I don’t care,” she said so softly he barely heard her. “I don’t care where we go. I just want to get out of here, away from him.”

  Seeing how deeply affected she was by her fiancé’s insult made Matt even more curious about their breakup. The guy seemed like a jerk, but did she still have feelings for him? Matt needed to know now before he fell harder.

  Taking her hand, Matt led her to the foyer. He gestured to a gilded, cream-colored bench seat in the upscale lobby, encouraging her to sit while he texted his driver. He was sure Lawrence was right around the corner, waiting for him. Lawrence prided himself on exceptional customer service, and when he was hired for the night, he made himself available all night, until he saw his clients home.

  “He’ll be here in five minutes,” Matt said, reading Lawrence text less than a minute later. “Do you want anything before we leave?”