Christine had listened to—and watched—the exchange between Jacob and Gretchen with interest. Not just because it was a welcome respite from the ridiculous conversation that Jacob—Jake—had insisted on pushing past the limit, but because Gretchen had been so interested in Jess Golden’s things. Christine supposed there would be some natural curiosity over items belonging to a woman who had allegedly killed one of her ancestors, but Gretchen had gone a little over the top with her insistence that Jake sell them to her.

      Speaking of over the top, could Gretchen have been more obvious making a play for Jake?

      The penetrating looks, the subtle brush against him when she’d handed him her card. Christine had seen enough women in action to recognize a come-on when she saw one, even if Gretchen’s had been veiled by talk of politics.

      Even more amazing than Gretchen making a pass at a guy when he was on a date with another woman was that it hadn’t even fazed Jake. He hadn’t seemed to care that Gretchen, for all her brassy, fake sincerity and sharp features, was still a very attractive and powerful woman.

      “I’m sorry about that,” Jake said.

      Christine set her salad plate aside. And the words were out before she was aware she’d been thinking them. “Sorry that she was flirting with you?”

      He grunted. “Ballsy, huh?”

      Took the words right out of her mouth.

      “In any event, don’t let it bother you. Gretchen flirts with everyone.” He scowled at the business card, then tossed it on the table. “As a matter of fact, it’s one of the things she does best. Too bad she’s not as capable as a city leader.”

      “So, you wouldn’t support her bid for mayor?”

      “Hell no. If she gets in, there’s no telling what kind of chaos she’ll create.”

       “Because she’s a woman?”

      “Because she’s Gretchen. Whatever gave you the idea that I’m gender biased?”

      “Oh, I don’t know. Could be the ridiculous conversation we were having earlier.”

      “Darlin’, that wasn’t about gender bias. That was about gender equity. I want you to experience some of the fun I have.” He waggled his brows. “Show you what it’s like to take a little walk on the wild side.”

      He was incorrigible. And, drat it, he had her smiling again with his silly words. And, yeah, part of the reason she was smiling was because he so clearly was not fazed by Gretchen Halifax’s cool sexuality.

      Until Gretchen had arrived at the table, Christine had actually started to feel a little less…what? Tense? Self-conscious? Less defensive maybe, despite Jake’s questions about her history. She’d even enjoyed his silliness. That had come as a big surprise. Much of this evening had been a surprise—starting with his reaction to seeing her when she’d opened the door. The way he’d looked at her made her feel warm all over, aware, aroused even. And that was the biggest surprise of all.

      Their entrées arrived and for a little while they ate in silence. Christine contemplated the way Gretchen had tried to put the moves on Jake. Witnessing Gretchen in action—smooth, sophisticated, worldly—had reminded Christine of one unalterable fact.

      While she could enjoy tonight for what it was—one single night—the truth was she wasn’t only way out of her element but also was way out of her league. Fancy French restaurants were not on her usual flight path. Men like Jake Thorne moved in privileged circles; she moved in stagnant squares.

      She felt let down suddenly. Evidently the power surge sparked by her outfit was officially over. But she decided she was going to make the most of the evening since she’d probably never enjoy the pleasure of Claire’s again. With a blissful sigh, she enjoyed a bite of her fish. The wine sauce smothering the whitefish was absolutely decadent.

      “Now that’s a look you ought to have on your face more often.”

      She hadn’t realized she’d closed her eyes while savoring the rich explosion of flavor saturating her taste buds. “This is delicious.”

      “And a very sensual experience from where I’m sitting.”

      She blinked at him, saw the hot appreciation in his gaze and felt herself blush. Again. “How’s your steak?”

      “Exceptional. And rare. Just the way I like it.”

      And just the way he liked his women, she figured. There was nothing rare about her. And yet she couldn’t quite stall a little shiver of awareness as his gaze swept from her face to her neck, then dropped ever so subtly to the swell of her breasts before he smiled into her eyes.

      “Have another bite of your fish. I want to watch you indulge some more.”

       He’d done it again. Managed to make her face burn with a fire that wasn’t fueled as much by irritation as it should have been. Awareness…of him as a man…of herself as a woman, played a bigger part. And it was time to get on top of the situation.

      “I think I’ve waited long enough. It’s time to talk about your other condition for turning over Jess Golden’s things.”

      “You haven’t been paying attention,” he said, that maddeningly amused grin tipping up one corner of his mouth. “I already named it. The condition is we strike a deal. I’ll agree to do something you deem as adult and you’ll agree to do something I deem as juvenile.”

      He insisted on pushing. Okay fine. She’d push back. But how?

      And just like that, it came to her how she could call his bluff.

      “Okay. You’re on.”

      He did a double take. Then sat back in his chair and considered her with a pleasantly disbelieving look. “For real?”

      She nodded. “For real.”

      “Well, okay then, Chris-tine,” he said, drawing out her name, “what do I have to do?”

      “Run for mayor.”

      That wiped the smile off his face. “What?”

      “You’re so confident that Gretchen Halifax will make a lousy candidate? Then you need to make sure she doesn’t get the position.”

       “Hell, sweet cheeks, I’m no politician.”