She didn’t. It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t perfect. Without a doubt, the last person she wanted to allow a glimpse of her inner thoughts was Hunter. But he was standing, watching, with those dark eyes already seeing beyond the outer layers. Trapped, Lee turned back into the room and slipped the folder from her briefcase. If she could keep him busy enough, she thought, there wouldn’t be time for him to look at it anyway.

“It’ll be difficult for you to read anything in a restaurant,” she pointed out as she closed the door behind her.

“That’s why we’re having dinner in my suite.”

When she stopped, he simply took her hand and continued on to the elevators as if he hadn’t noticed. “Perhaps I’ve given you the wrong impression,” she began coldly.

“I don’t think so.” He turned, still holding her hand. His palm wasn’t as smooth as she’d expected a writer’s to be. The palm was as wide as a concert pianist’s, but it was ridged with calluses. It made, Lee discovered, a very intriguing and uncomfortable combination. “My imagination hasn’t gone very deeply into the prospect of seducing you, Lenore.” Though he felt her stiffen in outrage, he drew her into the elevator. “The point is, I don’t care for restaurants and I care less for crowds and interruptions.” The elevator hummed quietly on the short ascent. “Have you found the conference worthwhile?”

“I’m going to get what I came for.” She stepped through the doors as they slid open.

“And what’s that?”

“What did you come for?” she countered. “You don’t exactly make it a habit to attend conferences, and this one is certainly small and off the beaten path.”

“Occasionally I enjoy the contact with other writers.” Unlocking the door, he gestured her inside.

“This conference certainly isn’t bulging with authors who’ve attained your degree of success.”

“Success has nothing to do with writing.”

She set her purse and folder aside and faced him straight on. “Easy to say when you have it.”

“Is it?” As if amused, he shrugged, then gestured toward the window. “You should drink in as much of the view as you can. You won’t see anything like this through any window in Los Angeles.”

“You don’t care for L.A.” If she was careful and clever, she should be able to pin him down on where he lived and why he lived there.

“L.A. has its points. Would you like some wine?”