“You said once that people in our professions observe people. What I’ve observed about you, McNee, is that you’d probably see through any flowers and moonbeams I might toss at you.”

Slowly she ran her tongue over her teeth. “Depends on your pitching arm. The idea isn’t without its appeal, Alexi, but I prefer taking certain aspects of my life—sex being one of them—in a cautious, gradual manner.”

He grinned at her. “That could be good.”

She had to laugh. “Meanwhile—” But he didn’t let her scoot back.

“Meanwhile,” he echoed, keeping his hands firm. “Have dinner with me. Just dinner.”

Hadn’t she told herself she wasn’t going to get involved again, fall in love again? Oh, well. “I often enjoy just dinner.”

“Tomorrow. I’m on tonight.”

“Tomorrow’s fine.”

He nudged her an inch closer. “I’m making you nervous.”

“No, you’re not.” Yes, he was.

“You’re wriggling.” He grinned again, surprised at how satisfying it was to know he’d unsettled her.

“I’ve got work, that’s all.”

“Me too. Why don’t I come by about seven-thirty? My brother-in-law’s got this place. I think you’ll get a kick out of it.”

“Lady clothes or real clothes?”

“What are you wearing now?”

She glanced down at her sweater and slacks. “Real ones.”

“That’ll do.” He stood, then tilted her chin with a finger until they were eye-to-eye. “You have the oddest face,” he said half to himself. “You should be ugly.”

She laughed, unoffended. “I was. I’ve burned all pictures of me before the age of eighteen.” Her dimple winked out as she smiled at him. “I imagine you were always gorgeous.”

He winced, though he knew he should be used to having that term applied to him. “My sisters were gorgeous,” he told her. “Are. My brother and I are ruggedly attractive.”

“Ah, manly men.”

“You got it.”

“And you grew up surrounded by flocks of adoring females.”

“We started with flocks and moved on to hordes.”

Her eyes lit with amusement and curiosity. “What was it like to—”

He cut her off the most sensible way. He liked the quick little jolt her body gave before she settled into him. And the way her mouth softened, accepted. No pretenses here, he thought as she gave a quiet sigh and melted into the kiss. It was simple and easy, as basic as breathing.

If his system threatened to overcharge, he knew how to control it. Perhaps he drew the kiss out longer than he’d intended to, deepened it more than he had planned. But he was still in control. Maybe, for just a moment, he imagined what it would be like to lock the door, to sweep all those papers off the table and take her, fast and hot, on top of it.

But he wasn’t a maniac. He reminded himself of that, even as his blood began to swim. A slow and gentle touch brought pleasure to both, and let a woman see that she was appreciated for everything she was.