Page 8 of Collateral Damage

Because the reasons to give a man a fake name were few, and Wade was pretty sure he knew why this woman did it.

Carly, the mysteriously fascinating woman making him break the rules he set himself, was not single.

No doubt she had a man waiting for her at home. Maybe one that wronged her.

Maybe one she no longer loved, but didn’t know how to escape.

He could be that escape for her. Just for a night.

“Do you want to get out of here?” It was a phrase he’d used more than a few times. Its meaning was universally clear.

Wade found himself holding his breath once again, but this time it was for completely selfish reasons. He didn’t want to miss a second of this night. Didn’t want to forget a single breath this woman took.

“Where would we go?” The question was tentative. A little hesitant.

It was easy for him to be all in. He was big and capable of handling anything that came at him.

But the woman beside him had to consider the potential ramifications of leaving with a man she didn’t really know. She was smaller than he was by a fair bit. Not skinny or frail, just delicate. Soft curves and feminine angles.

And he was an unknown. Possibly dangerous.

Definitely dangerous. Just not to her.

“How about a movie?”

Her brows lifted. “You want to take me to a movie?” Her head dipped a little. “Now.”

“I want to take you wherever you want to go.” And then he wanted to take her places she’d only dreamt of going.

The longer he spent with her, the firmer the plan for the evening became in his mind.

One night.

With her.

Have all the things he’d never be able to keep. Just for a little bit.

Haveher.

The lingering uncertainty still sat hazy in her gaze as it rested on him. “I don’t like movies.”

“Everyone likes movies.”

One pale brown brow lifted. “Do you?”

Another smile fought its way onto his lips. “No.” Wade reached for her with his free hand, finding a strand of her blonde hair and sliding it between his fingers. “Whatdoyou like to do?”

“I like to hike.” Her eyes moved to the window beside them, skimming over the darkened street outside. “That’s not very helpful right now though is it?”

“Not a night hiker?”

She shifted in her seat, sitting a little straighter. “I do hike at night, actually.” One foot slid from under the table and she held her leg up, displaying a heeled ankle boot. “I’m just not prepared.” She started to drop her foot back to the floor but he caught it, gripping her leg at the knee, propping it over one of his own before scooting closer.

“Whatareyou prepared for?”

The tip of her tongue peeked out to skim over her lips before disappearing. “I feel like I should tell you I’m not in a place where I’m looking for anything serious.”

“Do I strike you as serious?” He shouldn’t be testing her. Knowing she was paying as close of attention to him as he was to her would prove nothing. Change nothing.