Christ, she was making this difficult. “Mads, I’m not a guy you need in your life. I’m not going to fall for you over lunches and cute conversations, and I’m not sticking around long enough for you to try to change my mind. I’m not that guy.” He hated what he was about to say, but deep down he was that big of an asshole. “But Kent might be.”

She rolled her eyes. “Kent is hot, but he’s a little too nice for me.”

“You’re going to get yourself in trouble saying shit like that.”

She put her hands on his thighs, leaning in so close, her breath became his as she said, “Does that mean you want to spank me?”

He bit out, “Fuck,” and she giggled. He thrust his hand to the nape of her neck, tugging her closer. Their lips brushed, and he struggled to keep from taking the kiss he desperately wanted. “Don’t say that to guys like me.”

“Why not? Even if you took me up on it, I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“You don’t know that.” He’d never hurt a woman, but he wasn’t worried about what he’d do. He didn’t want her saying shit like that to some other asshole who might take things too far.

“Yes, I do. You would’ve already done it.”

“Madigan,” he warned.

“You know you want to kiss me,” she taunted, their faces still a breath apart.

“That’s not the point.”

Her eyes narrowed. “There’s something between us, and I know you feel it.”

There it was, the unavoidable truth. “I’m not looking to get tied down.”

“That’s a shame, because it was next on my list for us.” She paused as her words sank in. “My book club is reading a super-sexy book about a girl who runs a gentleman’s club, and there are a few scenes I was hoping we could act out.”

He was wrong. This wasn’t hell. It was worse, and there was no stopping the grin sliding across his face.

“Come on, Tobias,” she said, exasperated. “Work with me here. The single-guy booty-call pool isn’t exactly overflowing on the Cape, and you and I have such great chemistry.”

“You can have any guy you want, and you deserve more than hookups.”

“No kidding, broody boy,” she said sharply. “But I don’t want more. I gave my heart away, and it was crushed to smithereens with lies and manipulations. I am never going there again. The fact that you’re not sticking around makes you even more appealing. I’m not asking you to date me.”

He glanced at the food and soda she’d brought him. “This sure looks a lot like a lunch date to me.”