Richard’s lips twitched. “Another con? My father warned me about women like you. Fine, who do you want me to be? The protective brother? The jealous lover?”
Richard followed as Jaclyn’s feet pounded the sidewalk before she sped up to a jog. “Dylan, wait up!” she yelled after her trainer, practically chasing him down the street.
“Hey, girl,” Dylan said, swooping in for a hug, and she hugged him back.
Richard’s lip curled up. I can’t wait to kick this guy’s ass.
“Hey,” she said, “I wanted to chat with you before you left and introduce you to Richard—”
“Bennett,” Richard said quickly. “Richard Bennett. But call me Rick.” He pushed his hand between Dylan and Jaclyn, forcing them apart for a handshake.
“Oh, great to meet you. I noticed you earlier.”
Well, that makes one of them.
“Listen,” Jaclyn said. “Rick and I were sort of having a spirited debate.”
Richard took the reins, diving headfirst into his role. “Knowing Jaclyn, she’s gonna beat around the bush, so let me just jump in here. How’d you like to have a drink sometime? Maybe tomorrow night?”
Dylan’s gaze bounced between Jaclyn and Richard until a shy smile formed. “Yeah. That would be great.”
Richard grinned in return. “Terrific. I’ll get your number from Jaclyn, and we can go from there.” He held his hand back out for a shake.
As Dylan took it, Richard tugged him in for a big hug, earning himself a nervous laugh from the would-be queen. Dylan leaned back, and Richard released him. Jaclyn tried to hug her trainer good-bye, but he backed away, waving instead.
Richard’s farewell wave was wide and satisfying. “Guess I scared him off,” he said to Jaclyn once Dylan was out of earshot, unable to keep the boast from his tone.
“He’s probably just eagerly anticipating a sweaty night with his new hot stud. How much of a method actor are you? Should we pick up some condoms?” A devilish grin came over her face and she eyed his sweatpants playfully. “Magnums?”
Between the skimpy workout clothes pasted to her glistening body and her long ponytail draped seductively over her shoulder, he wanted nothing more than to give Jaclyn a glimpse of the length he had in store for her. But definitely not now.
“If he’s gay, I’ll spring for the lube,” Richard said, and her eyes popped open wide. “I’m telling you, he’s not gay. He’s using you.”
She shook her head. “No one here knows anything about me, or even my last name. So, why would he be using me? For what?”
The genuineness of her question took Richard by surprise. He stepped behind her and took her shoulders, turning her to face her reflection in a nearby storefront window.
“Listen. I barely know you, but I can tell a few things. Your guard is up. Like, always up. So you’re used to people trying to use you, most likely for your money. And when they’ve earned your trust, your guard comes down. You’re not even bothering with speed bumps or tire spikes. Your two speeds are ‘hell no’ or ‘by all means.’ But look at yourself.”
He waited as Jaclyn swept her gaze over her own reflection in the storefront window. She sucked in her stomach a little as she scrutinized her curves, then returned her gaze to his, waiting for him to continue.
“You’re sweaty. A little bruised. Not a trace of makeup. Hair rushed up into a ponytail. Maybe brushed your teeth, maybe not. Ten bucks says you haven’t showered,” he said, and she rolled her eyes. “Jaclyn, you’re beautiful. Exactly like this.”
The reflection of her crinkled brow demonstrated her disbelief. And distrust.
He dropped his hands from her shoulders. “Men—some men—will seize every opportunity to take advantage of a beautiful woman . . . in ways that have nothing to do with money.”
She spun around. “How do you know I have money?”
He raised a brow. “You coached me into conning two grand from those guys last night, and only took a free drink. Yeah, you’re hardly struggling to keep the lights on.”
Jaclyn contemplated his words for a moment. “And what about you, Mr. Bennett? Aren’t you eager to take advantage of a beautiful woman?”
Her provocative words were more than a little alluring, and he smelled a trap. Those gorgeous chocolate-brown eyes were sharp, intent on uncovering every secret stashed in the darkest recesses of his mind.
He cleared his throat. “Me? I would, but I’m terribly gay at the moment. Now, before I get ready for my big date, we have some prep work to do.”
“We?”
“Yes, and we’re going to start by fixing that pathetic kick of yours.”
Jaclyn pursed her lips at him as he strolled off. He turned, walking backward toward the gym as she folded her arms over her chest, refusing to budge. So he coaxed her with a double-dare grin.
“Come on, it won’t take long. And I recently came into some fast cash. If you’re very good, there just might be lunch in it for you afterward.”
Her face brightened and she gave in. Her brisk steps increased to a jog, and she quickly caught up with him. “Very good depends on your definition. And hasn’t anyone ever told you there’s no such thing as a free lunch?”
Richard laughed. “Who said anything about free? Trust me, between our lessons and helping me prep for my date, you’re gonna earn it.”
He propped open the squeaky gym door, enjoying the sight of her skipping lightly through.
Six
“Here are your menus. Can I offer either of you anything besides water?”
Richard shook his head. “I’m good for now.”
“Not for me,” Jaclyn said with a sigh.
“Great. I’ll give you both a few minutes.”
As the waitress headed back to the kitchen, Richard watched as Jaclyn scanned the restaurant’s black-and-yellow decor accented by pops of food art.
She blew out a breath, clasping her hands on the table in their booth. “So, you come into mega bucks, and I’m treated to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen?”
“I’ve got to save my pennies for my date with Dylan. I texted him while we were changing clothes, and he’s got a hankering for the Capital Grille.”
She flipped her menu. “Me too. I’d sure love a lump crab cocktail right about now.”
“I promise you’ll get one. Eventually.” Richard set aside his menu. “How’d you like to play a game?”
“For the record, hungry Jaclyn is not fun Jaclyn.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll eat. But let’s get to know each other on a very deep, spiritual level.”
Based on her expression, he guessed that baring her soul was prohibited on several levels, starting with her current level of sobriety.
Richard grinned. “I promise, you’ll like it. How about if you order my meal, and I’ll order yours. We don’t get to know what the meals are until they arrive. We’ll write down our orders and hand them to the waitress.”
Jaclyn wrinkled her nose at him. “You’re kidding. What if I hate what you get me?”
“Life’s one big roulette wheel, baby. And, likewise, I could hate what you get me. So it has to be something that we also enjoy, in case we need to do a switcheroo. Maybe we’re foodie spirit animals. Maybe not. Any allergies?”