He grinned as if reading my mind, or most likely my body. “I’m not averse to sex with you, but I want a date first.”

“Get lost. I’m working here.”

“You don’t want me to leave.”

“What’s the matter, can’t believe there’s a woman on earth immune to your charms?”

“Something like that, or maybe I don’t believe you’re immune to me.” His lopsided grin revealed a dimple. How had I not noticed his dimple before? I’d probably been too busy looking at his ass, among other things.

“Going out with you comes with too many complications. Not worth the bother.”

“Oh, baby, trust me, I am worth the bother.” He’d gone from a nervous schoolboy to a cocky young stud in a matter of a few minutes, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle this version of Axel. He had me unbalanced, and I hated being out of control.

“Your ego is bigger than your dick,” I shot back in an attempt to get on even ground with him.

“How would you know?”

“I know. Remember, I’ve walked in on you in the locker room before.”

“Then you know they’re both huge.”

I waved my arm at him to indicate I didn’t care. “Don’t flatter yourself. Not interested in dinner or sex.”

His green eyes darkened and that chiseled jaw set with determination. I’d made a tactical error. I’d issued a challenge to a competitive man. Never a good idea.

“I want to ask you out, not just have sex with you. I mean, if that happens, I wouldn’t say no.”

“My brother would be thrilled.”

“Last I looked, neither one of us answered to your brother.”

“You’re right. I answer only to myself, and myself doesn’t want to date you or have casual sex with you. Regardless, dating you would cause issues between my brother and me and add more tension between the two of you. Why push it? There have to be thousands of women lined up for a date with you.”

“Ninety-nine thousand, three hundred and six, but who’s counting?”

I laughed in spite of myself. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m too cute for words. So you’ll go out with me?”

“No, I won’t deceive my brother like that.”

“Who says we’re deceiving him? I’m going to tell him I’m wildly attracted to you and want to ask you out.”

“You’re wildly attracted?”

He grinned the most endearing lopsided grin. “Hell yeah, I am.”

“Are you planning on getting out of that conversation with my brother alive?”

“A guy can hope.”

“You’re crazy. But I’m still not going out with you.” He was wearing me down, and I was pretty sure he knew it. We were two sparring partners sizing each other up and figuring out our strengths and weaknesses.

“I’m not giving up. I’ll be back tomorrow, asking the same question until you say yes.”

“Don’t waste your time.”

He turned with his hand on the doorknob. “Oh, I’m not. Pursuing you will never be a waste of my time. It might turn into my second favorite sport.”