The tension from earlier evaporated, and their old dynamic reappeared, in both the back-and-forth dialogue between them and in her joking and teasing to his more serious persona. Somehow, they meshed. He’d forgotten just how well. Despite the rehashing of history earlier, he relaxed as they talked and enjoyed their time together.

But now he stared at the woman in front of him, seeing her in a new light. She possessed a fresh confidence in her abilities that came with experience, and she wasn’t afraid to offer differing opinions on motivation and conflict, things she’d need to know in order to create and become Amanda. He found everything about her, from her intelligence to her gorgeous face with that pert nose and full lips, so fucking sexy. She’d matured in so many ways. Which made him realize just how young she really had been when they were together before.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Sasha asked, eyes gleaming as they had since they’d stopped talking about the past and begun concentrating on the present.

He shook his head and pushed aside the coffee he’d been drinking. “I’m just impressed with your ability to get inside Amanda’s head. It’s like you’re understanding what I was thinking when I wrote her, only on a deeper level.”

She beamed at his compliment, her cheeks flushed pink. “I really liked her when I read the book, and I love discussing all aspects of a character I’m going to play.”

“Did you get enough information from me?” he asked.

She studied him intently before answering. “For now,” she said, a teasing smile on her face.

The server placed the check on the table, and Xander immediately nabbed the bill and put his credit card inside. She left a few mints on the table, and while they waited for the check, Sasha popped one into her mouth. Xander did the same.

Once he signed and paid, he led her out through the back entrance hoping to avoid any fan encounters. Without thinking, his hand came to rest on her lower back, and his palm came in contact with bare skin.

His entire being reacted to the feel of soft female flesh. Of Sasha’s flesh. Even his dick, which he’d kept under control during dinner, rose up and made an appearance.

Before he could deal with his body’s reaction, the flash of camera lights went off and people surrounded them, all trying to get a picture of Sasha and, Xander was sure, the man with her so they could make up lies about their relationship. So much for avoiding the fans.