“That wasn’t so hard, was it? But do you mean it?”

“Yes, I do.”

“That’s good.” His expression turned tender again. “Because I wouldn’t have held you to the dating dare if that was how you saw me.”

He was giving her a chance to back out of the dare. She hadn’t expected such consideration from a player. Wasn’t his game to seduce and leave? But that just didn’t sound like him anymore. Well, the dating dare was still on.

“I may have grossed you out by spewing vomit on you, but you aren’t getting out of those dates,” Tara said.

With everything cleared up, she knew Seth was someone she could trust, and she wanted to spend more time with him. Was it wise? Most definitely not. Especially since he kept diverging from the playboy she had him pegged for. But she needed to distract herself from the hollowness that followed her since the wedding, and Seth provided the perfect solution.

“You promised me four interesting dates, and I’m holding you to it.” She narrowed her eyes at him so he knew she meant business.

“Is that so?” A cocky grin lit his face, wreaking havoc on her libido.

“That is so,” she confirmed with as much hauteur as she could muster.

“I can’t wait,” he said in a low, panty-zinging voice.

The air between them sang with electricity, reminding her of their dance at the wedding. She really wanted to touch him again, and from the look in Seth’s eyes, he wanted to touch her back. It was time for her to get out of there so she didn’t jump him even before their first date.

“Great.” She shot to her feet. “I guess I’ll be on my way.”

“Right.” He stood up and walked her to the door.

A sudden thought occurred to her when they were almost at the door. “Does tonight count as one of our dates?”

“Oh, hell no.” He shook his head emphatically.

“Even if I kissed you good night?” she asked huskily.

“No.” Seth swallowed with some difficulty and croaked, “Not even with a good-night kiss.”

“Okay. Just making sure.” She rose to her tiptoes and placed a feather-light kiss on his lips. It was impulsive, but it felt right. Like marking the beginning of a new adventure. “Good night.”

He stood at the doorway looking dazed even as she drove away.

Seth sat at one corner of Landon’s restaurant, where it was only slightly dusty—they were putting in the hexagonal cement tile and wood flooring for the dining hall—and scrolled aimlessly through his Google search. He had vague ideas of a French restaurant in a neighboring city and a bar with live music, but it didn’t seem right for Tara. He could imagine her yawning halfway through the night. He’d promised that their dates would be fun and interesting, but he was stuck. Before he got worked up about his sudden lack of creativity, his phone rang.

“Hey.” He answered on the first ring, his heart beating like a deep bass drum.