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“I’ll be there in just a second,” Sam promised, before turning back to Natalia. “Is my book the only reason you’re here? Be honest.”

“Are you calling me a liar, Dr. Reyes?” Her tone made it clear that she was launching more of a taunt than a question.

“Never.” She smiled. “But I am hoping for a particular response.” She leaned in close enough for her lips to graze the shell of Natalia’s ear if she wasn’t careful. “If you can go a couple of hours without trying to pitch me, let me take you to dinner.”

“Dr. Reyes,” Clipboard called again.

Slipping away from Natalia, Sam wished she had more time. Hoped that Natalia was interested in more than just the Lilith myth. She turned away from her without an answer.

Pulse dancing with possibility as she started toward the stage, Sam couldn’t resist glancing back. Couldn’t suppress her grin when she found Natalia was still looking at her. Eyes on her body in a way that could be described as anything but professional.

CHAPTER 6

Natalia stayed for the entire panel discussion, even though she was sure she should leave. Flirting with Dr. Reyes had been a risky gambit. The tactic was dangerous to deploy when she was actually attracted to her target. It was too easy to get swept away. To lose focus.

Shifting in her seat, Natalia uncrossed her legs. They were nearing the end of the Q&A. It was almost time for her to tell the professor that dinner wasn’t happening.

Her gaze drifted over a sea of bald heads and white hair and caught on Samantha. In her tweed jacket and glasses, she was poised and focused and couldn’t open her mouth without being completely engaged in the topic. It was like she was incapable of being indifferent. Everything triggered a passionate response.

While the gentleman to Samantha’s left was droning on, the professor scanned the crowd. She leaned back when her gaze landed on Natalia. A smile tugging at her lips. Her gaze was bright as it poured over Natalia, warming her skin everywhere it touched.

Tightropes had never been Natalia’s favorite. She liked winning. Liked setting herself up to win. Liked studying every angle to win. She liked puzzles. Problems. Parameters she could control. Tightropes had an unacceptable level of unpredictability.

When the panel’s moderator stood, so did Natalia. She was nothing if not decisive. Resolute. But as she strode toward the door, she still wasn’t convinced of her next move. She stopped in the doorway and waited for Samantha to catch her eye. It only took seconds for her to find Natalia. And while she made her way through the crowd vying for her attention, Samantha looked at her like there was no one else in the room.

As Samantha approached, Natalia slid one foot across the rope, testing the tension. And before she could overthink it, the other followed. Head held high, she gambled. She kept her balance despite the danger.

“Ms. Flores, you stayed for dinner.” Samantha grinned, a beguiling combination of arrogant and suggestive.

“Dinner depends.” Natalia turned, forcing Samantha to follow her if she wanted to hear what she was saying. “Are you going to make us split the check to dismantle the patriarchy?”

At her side, taking long, comfortable strides, Samantha chuckled. “No, I’m going to pay because I extended the invitation. It’s all very gender neutral.”

“Thank Lilith.”

Samantha’s laugh was warm and loud and poured over Natalia like rare honey. “Natalia… did you just make a joke?”

Without expressing a hint of the amusement she felt, Natalia shot her a look. “Your fans are waiting,” she said, gesturing to the small group by the entrance looking at Samantha like she walked on water. “Don’t disappoint them.”

“I’ve been accused of many things, but disappointment isn’t one of them.” Samantha stopped walking. “What about dinner?”

Natalia opened her clutch and pulled out a simple black business card. “Text me the name of the restaurant. I’ll meet you there.”

“You never stop giving orders, do you?”

“If you can’t handle me when I’m friendly, Dr. Reyes, I shudder to think?—”

“This is friendly?” Samantha laughed. “I can’t imagine what bossy looks like.”

“Play your cards right, Professor. Maybe you’ll find out.”

Natalia turned away before Samantha replied. She didn’t like repeating power moves, but there she was, sauntering away, knowing Samantha’s eyes were on her. The question wasn’t whether Samantha wanted her, it was only a matter of degree. Only a matter of how far Natalia would go to exploit it.

Half an hour later, Natalia followed the directions on her phone to a mostly empty parking lot. Confused, she double-checked the address from Samantha’s message. She was going to text her when a Subaru the color of radioactive mustard pulled up next to her.

At the sight of Samantha’s face, Natalia rolled down her passenger window and waited for an explanation.

“You stopped too soon.” Samantha offered a mischievous smirk. “Come on,” she added, before pulling her garish SUV out in front of her.