Page 19 of To Steal a Heart

“I found it refreshing.”

“Thanks.” She’d certainly not expected that.

His eyes took on a teasing glint. “I knew if I didn’t deck the guy, then you’d do worse.”

“You’re probably right.” She furrowed her brows. “The scumbag would’ve deserved it.” A rush of irritation went through her as she thought about how she’d now have to take time out to get her car repaired, thanks to that idiot thief. She shifted gears, not wanting to get sidetracked. “You said that you came on too strong in the past. What happened?” She wanted to learn all she could about Crew.

Conflicting emotions flicked over his face.

“Is that too personal of a question for a first date?” she joked.

He gave her a cryptic smile. “Is that what this is? A first date?”

“Maybe.”

He made a point of looking at her lips as his voice went husky. “That begs the question—How do you feel about kissing on a first date?”

She sputtered out a startled giggle. “I guess I’ll have to give that some thought.” He was a Casanova. What she would give to be able to write a character as irresistible as Crew Bronson.

“Should we go somewhere more comfortable?”

Her eyes flew open wide. “Where did you have in mind?” She held up a finger and wagged it in sync with her saucy tone. “And before you get too far down that road, you should know that I’m not that kind of girl.”

Melodic laughter rolled from his lips as he wagged his eyebrows. “Rest assured that I wasn’t thinking of anything too scandalous.”

She couldn’t help but grin. “Are you mocking me?”

His eyes lit with merriment, reminding her of the bluest stretch of ocean touched by the fiery fingers of the sun. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Somehow I don’t believe you.”

He was witty. She liked it. A lot.

A large smile broke over his face. He motioned with his head toward the living room. “Let’s go sit down on the couch.” He placed a hand over his chest. “I’ll bare my soul and tell you the sordid details of my failed past relationships, and you can tell me more about this romantic suspense book that you plan to write.”

She tipped her head. “Relationships? As in, you’ve left a trail of broken hearts? Hmm … maybe I should run for the hills.”

“Nah,” he winked. “What would be the fun in that? The past is in the past. It’s a new day,” he boomed.

Crew was rather cocky in an adorable way. He reminded Arden a little of Flynn, whom she loved to razz like he was one of her brothers. She wouldn’t mind razzing Crew, but her inclinations towards him were anything but fraternal. She stood, clearing away the pizza box and dishes from the table. “Care to help?” she chided.

“Yes, ma’am,” he quipped as he put two fingers to his temple in a salute. “Would you like for me to sweep and wax the floor also?”

“Oh, just go sit down already,” she laughed. “I’ve got this.”

He threw her a cheeky grin. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

She just laughed and shook her head as he trotted over and plopped down on the couch. He crossed his legs in a wide stance with his ankle resting on his thigh and draped an arm over the back of the couch. It was refreshing to see someone who was so relaxed and comfortable in his own skin as opposed to Hector, who was wound up tight 24/7. She’d placed the last dish in the dishwasher and was drying her hands on a towel when her cellphone rang.

“Want me to answer that?” he chimed as he looked at her purse, which was resting on the coffee table.

“Don’t you dare. We don’t know each other nearly well enough for that.”

“Fair enough,” he chuckled as he remained where he was.

She went to her purse and fished out her phone. Her heart lurched. It was Jenna, her literary agent. She was probably calling to check on Arden’s progress with the writing. Gah! No way could she talk to her right now with Crew here. This pretending to be an aspiring writer was getting tricky.

“You can answer it.”