Page 42 of Make-Believe Match

Setting her phone in her lap, she shifted in her seat to face me. “Tell me the truth. Did you know who I was that night or not?”

“I didn’t, Lexi.” I glanced at her. “Swear on my life, I didn’t.”

“Why didn’t you look shocked to see me at the lunch table two days later?”

“Because I have a good poker face. It’s useful when you negotiate high-stakes deals for a living.”

“Well, it made me feel like the whole thing was a setup.”

“I’m sorry about that. I’m used to suppressing gut reactions in favor of taking a moment and thinking things through. And I try not to let anything show.”

“God, I couldneverhave your job,” she said. “I leteverythingshow. I can’t help it.”

“The truth is, I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me when I saw you at the table,” I confessed. “But I wasn’t sure how you wanted to handle the situation, so I didn’t let on.”

“You certainly didn’t. So I thought you were just a con artist.”

“I’m not. I promise. Next question.”

She checked her screen again and laughed. “Do you like it when people play with your hair?”

“I guess I don’t dislike it. But if you’re looking for something to play with, I have other suggestions.”

“I’m sure you do,” she said drily. “But I think this question is supposed to be about what relaxes you, not what turns you on.”

“Oh. That’s different.”

“So what relaxes you?”

I hesitated. “Can you keep a secret?”

“You’d better hope so.”

“I’m serious. This can’t get out. It will ruin my reputation as an alpha male.”

She snickered. “Tell me.”

I rubbed a finger beneath my lower lip, like I was doubtful she could be trusted with a confidence.

“Devlin.Tellme.” She slapped my shoulder.

“Fine. I like the occasional bubble bath.”

She burst out laughing. “You like bubble baths?”

“Yes. But amanlybubble bath. With manly-smelling bubbles. None of that fruity, flowery girly shit.”

“I’m not sure I want to know what man-bubbles smell like.”

“Bourbon and cedar,” I told her. “With just a hint of coriander.”

“That is very specific.”

“It’s the scent of my shower gel, and lucky for you, I packed some. You can try it out. Our room has a big tub.”

“Maybe I will.Alone, of course.”

“Of course alone. I will be a perfect gentleman tonight, Lexi. You have my word. You can have the tub, you can have the bed, you can have the remote control all to yourself.”