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“You ask a lot of questions,”Dean says with a smile on her lips.

“Isn’t that how ya get to know someone? I want to get to know ya.”

I keep lying to myself about how much I want this woman. No matter how much I tell myself this is a bad idea, one look at her and I forget all that. I feel myself breaking my rules as I think about having her.

I don’t date for long and I never commit—I might keep one or two on standby, but they know the deal. Dean has me second-guessing my rules. She’s absolutely gorgeous.

From the freckles, I get the feeling she’s a true ginger. I’m not surprised by that. I’ve come across a few Black gingers in my life—male and female.

It suits her. I don’t know why it turns me on so much. However, the red hair would explain the fire I see in her. She’s guarded, but I want to knock down those walls.

I know she can match me fire for fire.Crazy. If she thought that would turn me off, she sure is missing a few screws in her noodle.

I come with my own brand of crazy. You have to be a bit half-baked in the business I’m in. If only she knew.

“So Dean isn’t your real name?” I say with a smile.

I’ve been trying to dig for more about her all throughout dinner, but she’s been tight lipped. I haven’t gotten much about her. She has asked more about my family, but shuts down when I ask about hers.

“No, it’s not,” she replies.

I grin and fold my arms over my chest. Allowing my eyes to roam over her, I pause for her reply. I’m willing to wait her out.

“Oh, you think I’m going to tell you my name?” She laughs and reaches for her wineglass.

I watch as she takes a sip. A drop spills onto her lip, right over that one cute freckle on the right side. Slowly, she darts her tongue out to catch the drip.

My slacks tighten. I want to taste those full lips so bad it hurts. However, I believe I want to crack the mystery that’s this woman more.

I want to hear her secrets slip from those pretty lips. The one thing I admire about her is her ability to keep things to herself. That’s another reason I’ve never gotten serious with anyone.

My life isn’t one I need my woman to go around talking about. I don’t pillow talk, and I don’t need a woman who has a casual tongue. Lives depend on my secrets.

“Friends tell friends their name,” I reply.

“Not this time. Kaye doesn’t even know my real name. Sorry, buddy.

“This is one secret I have to keep to myself. I have a pen name for a reason.”

“So yer telling me that if I were ya man, ya wouldn’t tell me yer name.”

I surprise myself with the words. I haven’t called myself anyone’s man in years. Twenty-three, to be exact.

“Now that’s a very different conversation, Ronan, my friend. My man would know my name. My man would also understand my need for privacy.”

“More reason for me to make ya mine.”

“Argh. Are you ever going to give up?”

I shrug. I should. I should back off now.

Nothing can come of this other than me having her in my bed. Things could become awkward with my family if I hurt this lass. But that’s just the thing. I don’t want to hurt her. I honestly want to get to know her.

“Ach, I’ve never been a quitter.”

She sucks in a breath and pulls her lip between her teeth. I lean into the table on one arm and reach across to cover her hand with mine. She tilts her head and looks deep into my eyes.

“I’ll make a deal with you. If you can get my name out of me, I’ll let you call me yours for one night,” she purrs.