“Right.” He gazed around the room, at everything but her. “I started the company nine years ago, when I was fresh out of university. My parents wanted me to join their advertising firm, but it didn’t appeal to me. I wanted to push myself to succeed without their help.”

“I think you’ve done that admirably,” she said. “They must be proud.”

Eli scoffed. “Off the record, they’re bitterly disappointed that I didn’t put my management skills to better use in the family business.”

“That’s not fair,” she protested. “I’m sure they’re proud of you, no matter what career path you’ve taken.”

His face was a study in disbelief.

She swallowed. Apparently not. “What did you study at university?”

“Easy.” He looked disappointed. “Business and project management.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“A sister.”

“Name?”

“Therese.”

“How old?”

“Fifteen.”

Interesting. “She’s much younger than you. Is there a reason for that?”

“My parents forgot contraception, I guess.”

It was like getting blood from a stone. Endlessly frustrating. “You don’t say very much, do you?”

He grinned, and the effect softened his features, making him insanely attractive. Aria’s stomach buzzed with something that wasn’t nerves.

“I prefer to speak only if I have something to say,” he told her.

“The strong, silent type, huh?” she teased, a smile flirting with the corners of her lips.

“Not exactly.”

She leaned toward him. “What an interesting statement. You realize you’re playing into the stereotype, right?”

He smiled again but didn’t say anything. The flutters quadrupled. Clearing her throat, she ignored them and checked her list. Only a couple of questions left.

“Is there a Mrs. Lockwood?” The question came out high-pitched and breathless. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed herself to sound normal. “Or another Mr. Lockwood, perhaps?”

“No. To both,” he clarified. “I don’t have a wife, girlfriend or significant other.” He raked his gaze over her from head to toes, blue eyes blazing. “But I enjoy female company. For the record.”

“Oh,” she breathed, pinned down by the heat in his eyes. “I see.”

“Do you?” Now he leaned forward, making her feel caged in, even with the table between them.

“You’re single,” she squeaked, then coughed, trying to recover her voice. “And you like women.”

“‘Like’ is such a bland word.” He radiated heat. Though he hadn’t moved, she could feel the warmth caressing her skin. “I desire intelligent, curvy, maddening women who ask too many questions.”

His statement had come entirely from left field, and it agitated the butterflies taking up residence in her belly. Not to mention, his statement was dangerous. No matter how he made her feel, or perhaps because of how he made her feel, Eli was dangerous to her reputation and her hard-earned self-respect.