‘Besides,’ he added, ‘there’s no fresh food. I do like it fresh, sweetheart.’
Merle summoned the little self-control she had left. ‘Are you really going to keep me locked in here until I agree to have dinner with you? Doesn’t that seem a little coercive? I wouldn’t have thought you’d have to resort to abduction tactics.’
‘Abduction?’ That wicked glint flared in his gaze. ‘Asking for a dinner date is nothing,’ he said softly. ‘It could be far worse. I could demand a kiss for the key code.’
She stilled. ‘You wouldn’t dare.’
‘I’m not the one afraid to be daring, sweetheart.’
He was the most aggravating man alive. This was what he wanted—for her to rise to his provocation. Well, perhaps she would—just not in the way he wanted. Couldn’t she teach him a lesson? Admittedly, she had little likelihood of success. She was a lamb against a lion. But there was something beyond irresistible about the prospect of putting him in his place.
‘Merle?’ He leaned against the counter as he watched her staring at him. ‘What are you thinking?’
His hands were loose, his expression neutral, but his awareness had flared. She felt it too. It locked them both into position—on edge. Ready.
‘I’m thinking...’ she mused softly, ‘that who dares, wins.’
‘Do you dare?’ he drawled. ‘Is that what I can see in your eyes?’
He was so bold. And somehow she was emboldened. Because she’d pull back at the last moment. She’d tease him and win.
‘What you can see,’ she said softly, ‘is frustration with your insistence on strutting around in nothing but...’ She gestured at his swim shorts.
His eyebrows skyrocketed and she felt a ridiculous pleasure that she’d surprised him. She’d surprised herself too. And quite liked it.
‘Then look the other way,’ Ash taunted. ‘I’m not going to change the way I dress for you, sweetheart. Just as I don’t expect you to change the way you dress for me.’
A molten sensation stormed through her. She was never dressing for him, or anyone. She refused to think about what he thought of her appearance. She already knew he loathed her coverall.
‘It’s not appropriate,’ she argued anyway.
‘I’m on holiday at a beach house, Merle,’ he said blandly. ‘I’ve been in the pool most of the day.’
Yes, she was acutely aware of that fact.
‘This whole thing isn’t appropriate,’ she continued, on a roll now. ‘You’re my employer.’
‘I most definitely am not,’ he answered instantly. ‘Leo is paying you. I have nothing to do with that.’
She met his fierce gaze and his lips curved in an inviting smile.
‘Come closer, Merle. I dare you.’
‘Do you really think I’ll respond to such little provocation?’
His shoulders lifted and, despite that lazily wicked smile, intensity burned in his eyes. ‘Beats me, but I really hope so.’
That absolute honesty stole the wind from her sails.
‘You would have to be the most outrageous man I’ve ever met,’ she said, breathing out in annoyance.
‘Yeah? I bet I’m also the most honest. And here’s my truth, Merle. I’ve been thinking about kissing you every bit as much as you’ve been thinking about kissing me.’
‘I have not...’ But she blushed at the complete lie.
‘No?’ He grinned triumphantly. ‘It’s only chemistry. Nothing more meaningful than a few compounds that spark when struck together. I know you don’t actually like me.’
‘Like you?’ She rolled her eyes. ‘You just want me to disagree and say you’re actually not that arrogant, not that inappropriate, not that appalling. I’m not falling for it.’
He merely laughed. ‘That still doesn’t mean you don’t want me.’
The cockiness of the man was astounding. ‘You’re swaggering round, practically naked, like you’re some sort of sex gift to the nearest woman—’
‘I think you’re awfully judgmental about people’s clothing.’ He flipped to pious with a blink of his unfairly long eyelashes. ‘It’s personal expression, Merle.’
‘Oh, please, you were the one trashing my “forensics fashion”.’
‘I know, and I was wrong.’ He nodded. ‘And I’ve decided, upon reflection, that it’s appealing. There’s an allure of discovery in what lies beneath.’ His lips quirked. ‘Of course, I already know the visual delights to be seen under yours...’
She burned with embarrassment. She should have turned down his invitation to explore the bunker. Avoidance wasn’t just the best solution for dealing with this man, it was the only solution. Except, much to her annoyance, Ash Castle was easy to like. He was sharp and funny and she knew he took pleasure in deliberately provoking her. He didn’t mean most of this talk—there was that spark in his eye, a devilish gleam knowing he was taking it too far. Frankly, she was enjoying trying to better him. It was a game she’d never played. A game she wanted to win.
And now? Now there was a part of her that wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug challenge off his face and topple his assurance the way he’d obliterated hers.
The way he watched her was unashamedly interested, underlined with curiosity. She was different, that was all. Not like the other women who slid into his bed with ease. Surely she couldn’t be the only woman ever to have said no to him?
He outstretched his arms and took hold of the counter’s edge. ‘I promise I won’t let go, so you can be assured there’ll be no wandering hands. Then you can get it out of your system.’
She was sure he was joking. Yet he was still and serious and she had to dig her heels in to stop the temptation slithering through her. Somehow time blipped, somehow she stepped nearer. A hard blaze lit his eyes and she couldn’t tear her gaze from him.
‘A kiss for the key code? Is that the deal?’ she asked.
‘If that’s the deal you want to make.’
‘And dinner?’
‘Is happening regardless and it will be a much more leisurely, sumptuous affair than instant noodles followed by a bite of pudding.’ His eyes gleamed as he waited, alert, for her response.
His confidence was extreme. He was certain in his arrogant assumption that she wouldn’t dream of turning him down. Truth was, she didn’t want to refuse him. In any of these things. But she would.