Closing her eyes, she inhaled a deep breath, slowly released it. Opening her eyes, she bent over the table, holding the cue just as he’d instructed, her grip relaxed. Her eyes were focused with a predatory gleam in them.

She struck her ball, the smack echoing around the room, as it rapidly rolled toward its destination, bouncing off three walls before clacking against the red ball, and spinning off to send his white one upstream. With a triumphant smile, she placed the end of the cue on the floor, holding it as a knight might have held his liege lord’s banner after claiming the castle. He couldn’t blame her. She’d gotten incredibly lucky with that shot.

“That’s a point for me, and a question for you. Tell me about your first time with a girl.”

So that was the direction in which she wanted to take the inquiry. He was grateful she’d gotten an opportunity to ask such a brazen thing of him because he would return the favor when it was his turn. “That’s not a question. That’s a command.”

“Fair enough. How old were you?”

“Sixteen.”

Her eyes widening a bit, she gave a nod and moved around the corner to take up a position on that side of the table. She glanced down the length of the table one way, then the other. Two steps to the right. Lined up her shot—

Smack!

Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. Clack against the red ball. Bounce. Clack against his white one. A slow roll into stillness. Retrieving the chalk, she began dusting it over the end of her cue. “Did you love her?”

He was surprised to find himself having to answer another question. “No.”

She arched a brow, indicating his answer had been insufficient, although it had been to the point.

“I like women. I enjoy them immensely. But I don’t fall in love, which I should think you’d find reassuring. I won’t be a clingy lover.”

“You’ve never loved a woman?”

He grinned. “You haven’t earned the right to ask another question.” He doubted she would. Her luck should be running out.

“True.” She set aside the chalk, walked around the table until she was in front of him. “I need you to step aside.”

“I think you could get a better shot from across the way.”

Narrowing her eyes, she glanced over the table. “Possibly. But I like my chances here.” With a pointed look, she jerked her chin to the side.

He situated himself at the head of the table, near the farthest corner from her so he could watch her more closely. She didn’t hesitate. Another series of bounces and clacks.

“When was the last time you were with a woman?”

Damnation, how was she managing to set herself up so she was hitting both balls, fairly flawlessly, moving each into position so she could strike both again?

“Mr. Trewlove?” she prodded.