Embarrassment burned her cheeks once again. She hadn’t meant to suggest for a moment that he would make a pass at her. This was why she preferred computers to people. She had yet to offend a PC with a socially awkward comment.

Releasing a sigh, she found herself walking beside him. The sidelights of a massive black truck flashed as they approached.

He moved to the passenger side and opened the door. There was a step to climb inside. “Need a hand?”

She shot him a look. Did he really think she couldn’t get into a truck?

“You have a broken arm,” she reminded him.

He held up his broken arm. “This thing?” He tapped on the plaster cast. “Good as new.”

She huffed. “Something tells me your doctor ordered you to keep it in the sling.”

His lips quirked. “More of a suggestion than an order.”

The Marines chose that moment to stumble out of the bar. She caught the eye of the man who’d tried to pick her up earlier. He gave her puppy dog eyes and she shook her head in exasperation.

“I take it you turned him down?” Shane gave the younger guy a quelling stare.

Yael snorted and got in the truck. “He doesn’t look old enough to drink alcohol. I prefer to date grown-ups.”

Not that she dated much. Ever.

Shane chuckled and then walked around to the driver’s side and got in. “That pretty much rules out the Marines.”

“What about you?” She wanted to kick herself for asking a personal question but the man kept imposing himself in her life so maybe he deserved it.

“What about me—as in who do I date?” He sent her another look that she couldn’t read. “I also like to date grown-ups, but lately I seem to date women who want more from me than I am willing to give.” He grimaced, as if he’d revealed too much. “Which makes me sound like a complete asshole, so I probably am.”

Yael could see it. Women would be drawn to the good looks and the competent attitude. She wondered if the words were also a subtle warning, like he knew there was this occasional flicker of attraction between them and for her not to assume it would lead anywhere beyond the nearest bedroom.

Her heart fluttered against her ribs.

He started the engine. “I guess I’m married to my job.”

She laughed, relieved as the tension eased. “Me, too.”

“Most of the time it doesn’t bother me, but…” He turned and held her gaze. The heat in his eyes intensified.

She shivered but not from cold. “Occasionally it’s lonely as fuck.”

She bit her lip. His gaze shifted to her mouth.

And like that the air between them sizzled.