Once A Ranger. Carrie Weaver
that, though. She was always after me to have more balance in my life. Less work, more play and relaxation.”
“You don’t impress me as the relaxed type.”
The waiter came and refilled their water glasses. Tony was tempted to elbow the guy out of the way so as not to lose the headway he’d made with Kat. At the same time, he tried to follow the conversation between Will and the sisters.
After Kat thanked the waiter, she turned to Tony, raising an eyebrow. “Well, am I right? You’re an adrenaline junkie?”
“Hey, I can be as relaxed as the next guy,” he protested. “But when I’m involved in something, I’m involved one hundred percent.”
“I can relate.” She picked up her water glass and stared into it for a moment before taking a sip. “I’m that way in my relationships. I’ve been told it leaves very little room for the other person…to contribute.”
The last thing Tony wanted to do was contemplate his failed marriage and whether he’d contributed enough. Because, hands down, Corrine had done the lion’s share. At the time it hadn’t been so obvious. Or maybe he simply hadn’t wanted to know.
Shaking his head, he forced his thoughts to the present. “So what made you think I’m an adrenaline junkie?”
She nodded at his feet. “The biker boots. And I saw you in the lobby carrying a helmet. I figure you’re a weekend warrior with a Harley. That, and you’re always scanning the room as you talk, plus there’s this undercurrent to you, as if you’re spring-loaded.”
Tony wondered if he’d chosen the right woman to pursue. She was too damn observant for his comfort. Never a good thing in undercover work.
“You’re sharp,” he said.
“Not really. I simply have a talent for finding the one bad boy in every room. You might even call it a curse.”
CHAPTER FOUR
KAT COULDN’T BELIEVE she’d called Tony a bad boy. Or admitted her Achilles’ heel.
She watched out of the corner of her eye as he cut a piece of steak, speared it with his fork and shoveled it into his mouth.
He wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin and asked, “You had this talent long?”
“Since puberty.”
A smile twitched his lips. “I see.”
“No, I don’t think you do. I’ve decided to use my talent, as you call it, for good rather than evil. I’ve promised myself I’ll run like hell next time I zero in on the bad boy.”
“Darlin’,” he drawled, “you’re mistaken about one thing. I’ll admit to my share of bad moments. But I haven’t been considered a boy by a beautiful woman since I reached puberty. I’m one hundred percent man.”
If it was coming from another guy, Kat might have challenged this cocky statement. But she had no doubt Tony could live up to his self-anointed title given half a chance.
She resisted the urge to fan herself with her napkin and gulp her ice water. The room temperature had to have ratcheted up at least twenty degrees.
Tony leaned back in his chair and sipped his wine, all confident male.
Raising an eyebrow, she said, “While bad boys have a certain amount of charm, bad men are downright creepy. If they’re not in jail, that is. Then they’re wards of the state. And if they’re bad old men, they’re just pathetic.”
He laughed, showing straight white teeth and a dimple. His brown eyes sparkled.
Kat caught her breath, surprised by the intensity of the connection she felt with him. It was almost tangible, and transcended the fact that she couldn’t stand him.
A high-pitched laugh from the other side of the table reminded her they weren’t alone.
“Aren’t you two just the cutest thing,” Lola said, still laughing. She reached across Will to jostle her sister’s arm. “They remind me of that bartender, Sam, and the cocktail waitress, Diane. All that frustrated banter when you know they just want to tear each other’s clothes off.”
Lorraine reluctantly turned from Howard. “Who? Sam and Diane from Cheers?”
“We have our own Sam and Diane—Tony and Kat. Isn’t it fun?”
Kat felt her cheeks warm and wished the ground would swallow her up. She’d found Lola’s almost childlike views charming until this moment. It made her wonder if Lorraine was the older twin by seconds, and as such, had always kept an eye out for her younger sibling.
A responsibility Kat had been spared when her baby sister, Nicole, had gone to live with their mom after the divorce. They might have had a stronger bond if they’d at least lived in the same household.
Tony, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the attention. “Now, Lola, we were only kidding around. You’re going to embarrass Kat. See, she’s blushing.”
The older woman leaned forward, her voice a stage whisper. “That’s because she wants you.”
Just then a commotion at the other side of the table had Will jumping to his feet.
“Oh, my,” Lola said.
“I’m so sorry.” He dabbed ineffectively at her lap. Her wine goblet was overturned on the table in front of her.
“I have to change my skirt and treat this stain before it sets.”
“I’m such a klutz. Let me walk you to your casita, Lola. It’s the least I can do.”
Kat could have kissed him. She suspected he had created the diversion to save her embarrassment.
Lorraine gazed longingly at Howard for a few seconds before she stood. “I’ll walk my sister back to her room.”
“No need to bother yourself. I’m the one who made the spill. I should make it right,” Will stated.
“Really, it’s—”
“I insist. Sit down and enjoy your dinner. I’ll ask the waiter to keep our plates warm in the kitchen.”
Lorraine slowly sat. “I would hate to miss a moment of Howard’s going away dinner. Are you sure you don’t need me, Lola?”
“Positive,” she replied. There was a spring in her step as she left the table with Will, who cupped her elbow.
Kat turned and noticed Tony was watching them, too, his eyes narrowed.
TONY LEANED BACK in his chair as dinner was cleared, trying to appear relaxed when he was itching to find out what Sterling was up to.
Before they could begin to break up, Linda came by their table. “I wanted to invite you all to a special demonstration in the art studio in twenty minutes. In honor of his new great-grandson, Howard has commissioned my husband to create a glass sculpture to present to the proud parents. Garth won’t allow an audience when he’s working on the actual piece, but he’s going to make a special ornament to commemorate the baby’s birth. I’m sure Howard would love it if you would join him. Garth might take some requests from the audience, too, if you have special occasions coming up. Cake and coffee will be served afterward.”
“Oh, dear, Lola wouldn’t want to miss it.” Lorraine’s hand was tucked in Howard’s arm, her dilemma clear.
“How about if you two go ahead,” Tony suggested, “and I stop by your suite to tell her? That way you won’t miss any of the demonstration.”
“Thank you, Tony. We’re in casita number eight.”
“No problem.”
Kat eyed him speculatively. “What, not an art lover? Trying to duck out of the demonstration?”
“On