Page 20 of Impulse

“Client-to-be,” she corrected.“We tried to make a reservation here for their anniversary, but they were booked solid for weeks.”She tilted her head and studied him.“Yet you got a reservation without any problem.”

He grinned.“Must be my charm.”

“Or deep pockets,” she retorted.

He liked that she wasn’t shy about teasing him.“Are you implying that I bribed her?”

Grinning, she swept the rim of her water glass and placed her finger on her mouth.Hell, the way her lips wrapped around it sent his imagination down a dangerous path.Did she realize how seductive she was?Everything she did was sensual.

“I think you probably had your assistant call and ask for a table.When they told her they were booked, she dropped your name and how your patronage would benefit the restaurant, blah, blah, blah.When that didn’t work, she told them you’d buy the building and boot them out.”

Lex was laughing by the time she finished.“I’m not an ogre.”He sipped his drink and carefully placed the glass on the table.“In fact, I sent the chef a box of very rare wine for the grand opening of the restaurant and she decided, without my say-so, to always have a room reserved for me and my, uh, guests.”

“Of course you know the owner,” she murmured.

“She’s an exceptionally gifted cook, and I’m happy your agent and his partner can enjoy her cuisine.Next time you need a table or this”—he indicated the room with a wave—“just let me know.”

He signaled the waiter.They consulted him and discussed the menu.She was gracious without being flirtatious.For an appetizer, she ordered cauliflower soup while he started with pan-seared day boat scallop atop cauliflower puree and caviar.Lex noticed a change come over Jillian.

Impatient to find out why, he barely listened to the waiter’s recommendations, but she did and chose.He went for his usual—wild Norwegian cod.As soon as the waiter left, a sommelier rolled a cart with various wines.He consulted with the guy, chose the perfect wine for their meal, and dismissed him.

Lex went back to studying Jillian.She’d shut him out, and he wanted to know why.Her eyes were cooler, the sparkle gone.“Was it something I said?”

She sipped her water and gave him an innocent smile.“What do you mean?”

“If you want something else, I can call the waiter back.They won’t mind.In fact, they’re paid to be accommodating to impossible-to-please clients.”

“I’m very easy to please.How often do you eat here?”

“Whenever I’m spending the night in town, which is not that often.”He wanted the sparkle back in her eyes.“Why stunts?”

She shrugged.“My mother was in the business.I’d watch her in awe as she performed and knew I wanted to be just like her.She always pushed the limit.”A smile curled her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes.“She was the best.”

“You speak of her in past tense.Is she retired now?”

“She died when I was sixteen.”She sipped her water again.

“So your father raised you?”

“My step-father.”Her eyes softened, but the sparkle was still missing.In fact, he could say she looked sad.

“Do you enjoy Hollywood?”

“Love it.The glitter and the glam, otherwise I wouldn’t have chosen the profession.”

Lex had a knack for reading people, which was handy in his line of work.Jillian’s entire demeanor said she was lying through her teeth.“So doing stunts is a stepping stone to an Oscar-worthy part?”

She gave an unladylike snort, eyes flashing.“Doing stunts can beat acting parts any day.Actors follow scripted lines and squeeze a few fake tears…” Her eyes widened in horror.“I, uh, like live performances.Improvising.”She covered her eyes and moaned.

“Don’t stop.”He pulled down her hands and trapped them under his.Her hands were small and delicate, her nail polish matching her dress.She kept her nails short.Practical.That surprised him.She didn’t act like the practical type.“Go on.”

She pouted.“Did I blow my chances for getting the job?”

“No.I want someone who doesn’t follow the script, and the ability to improvise is at the top of my list of requirements.”

She tilted her head to the side.“You said you had terms.”

The waiter was gone to get their first course, leaving them alone, so he could talk freely.“Yes.First, you must be single.”