Of course, he’d have to dare me. Okay, you fucker. Just get a hold of yourself, Angel, she told herself sternly. Stop swooning over this bastard. And, now!

“Well, when you put it like that…” she purred sweetly. Alex got a satisfied look on his face until her tone changed to all business and her arms folded across her chest. “Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is, Mr. Big Shot? I’ll do it, but for $5,000 to a charity of my choice.”

“Angel’s a big philanthropist, Alex,” Darian interjected.

“So you’ve said,” Alex answered, his eyes still locked on Angel’s face.

Angel shot Darian a warning look that asked him how much he had shared about her with Alex and then challenged Alex. “Well?”

“Done.” Alex didn’t hesitate, his brilliant green eyes never leaving Angel’s.

Why does he have to be so beautiful? Why did it have to be him? Angel asked herself as her heart plummeted like a boulder in a landslide. It fucking figures.

Becca perked up and pushed the song menu in Angel’s direction, her eyes dancing with laughter. It was still open to the same page. Angel pulled the book forward, and Alex used looking at it with her as an excuse to lean closer to her once again. He could feel the sexual tension between them, his body was reacting to her nearness, and there was little he could do to stop it. It was damn embarrassing, and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. She smelled incredible, her perfume wafting around him in a delicious cloud that he’d gladly get lost in forever. If everyone else in the bar dissipated into thin air, he wouldn’t have noticed. She made him hungrier than hell, and he felt like a gift from the gods had just been dropped in his lap. Only she was snarling instead of purring like he’d prefer. No matter. He’d overcome. He always did.

Angel glanced at Alex over her shoulder, a question clearly on her face. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Alex looked perplexed, and he shook his head and shrugged slightly, like it should be obvious to her what he was doing. “Looking at the songs with you, of course.”

“Oh, no. If you pick the song, the price goes up.”

Alex laughed out loud, and, to Angel’s chagrin, she found the sound very pleasant.

“You drive a hard bargain, but I’m willing to concede if it gets you up on that stage. Money is no object. Will double do?”

“Are you hoping to humiliate me by picking something completely ridiculous?” She leaned back and opened both hands toward the book, indicating that he should have at it.

“Not at all. Consider it nothing more than a birthday gift for the lovely Becca. I’m simply buying.” Alex glanced at Becca and shot her a panty-dropping smile that went all the way up to his eyes. He was obviously enjoying himself, which pissed Angel off even more.

“Fine.”

Angel focused on Becca, who raised her eyebrows and bit her lip in an attempt to hide a mischievous smile.

“This one.” Alex pointed to a song in the middle of the page, not even looking to see what it was. He couldn’t seem to rip his eyes away from Angel, and he didn’t really care what the song was. Any would serve his purpose

“Wow. Is that your version of the scientific method?” Angel mocked sarcastically and leaned forward to see which one he selected. Alex found her response amusing, and his smirk became more pronounced. Her brown eyes darted between the two men. “Are you shitting me with this? Do you even know what this fucking song is about?”

This incredibly intelligent and beautiful woman had such a potty mouth. It was a conundrum, another paradox about this stunning creature, and Alex loved it. He felt sure that he’d discover more and more that he would enjoy about her as time went on. He found himself unable to consider that he might not have that option.

“Look, if you can’t do it, just say so,” he challenged with a lopsided grin, and Angel’s heart bounced around the inside of her chest in response.

“Fuck you,” she shot back.

A laugh burst from his chest, and Angel knew that her quick temper unwittingly set her up for the glib reply. “Whatever you say. It would be my pleasure.”

A laugh burst from Darian’s chest but he quickly tried to stifle it when Angel shot him a dirty look. She quickly grabbed a song request form and began filling it out with the song Alex had chosen.

“Yes, it would be. You have no idea,” she retorted which only made the others laugh even harder. She smiled because she couldn’t help it, silently admonishing herself and working up a glare for the rest of the tables occupants. To look at Alex Avery, it was obvious to every woman present that he’d be an incredible lover. How could he not be? He was so goddamned confident. The way he moved spoke volumes. He was more than comfortable with his body. He literally oozed sex, for God’s sake! At least getting up on stage would put some distance between them, which, she inwardly admitted, she needed space to regroup.

This was like nothing she’d ever felt upon meeting someone for the first time, other than the first 20 seconds with him when they hadn’t even really met, only shared a smile and light touch. Oh, Jesus.

No doubt things would be explosive between them between the sheets. The pull between them was tangible and she was certain that if the eye contact and body language was anything to go on, Alex felt it every bit as strongly as she did. If that didn’t give it away, the fact that he was here, in this bar, his sole intention to meet her, was telling. Her heart raced at the thought. It would be a dangerous game to get involved with someone like him, and if she believed what he told her on the phone, he didn’t believe in love. The combination of ruthless sexuality, the incredible face, sense of humor, and smooth demeanor was dangerous to any woman. Even Angeline Hemming.

“Oh, I’ve got a pretty good imagination, and it’s working fucking overtime right now. You’ve just thrown down a challenge that I’m more than willing to accept if you want to play,” he said suggestively. “But know this, I play to win.”

“Alex,” Darian admonished and shook his head, but Alex wasn’t listening, he was watching Angel intently; waiting for her response, but she didn’t answer.

“Angel, what song did he pick?” Becca asked, and Angel pushed the slip of paper in her direction so that she could read it. Becca picked it up and smiled. “Holy. Shit.”

“I know, right?” Angel smiled devilishly at her friend. The men had no clue what the joke was and looked at each other, perplexed. “Should Have Known Better. The only one more apropos would have been Stupid Girls by Pink.”

Darian held out his hand for the slip of paper, and Angel scowled at him as she allowed him to see it.

“Did you put him up to this?” she wanted to know.

He shook his head and let out a low whistle. Being in radio, he was obviously familiar with the lyrics.

“Well, let’s get this shit over with, shall we?” she said, holding out her small, elegantly manicured hand, until Darian gave it back to her.

She stood up slowly and, for the first time, Alex was able to get a complete view of her body. He sucked in his breath, glancing quickly toward Darian who mouthed, I told you.

Alex’s eyes couldn’t help but follow her every move. The lime green blouse accented the black of the suit, and the short pencil skirt showed off long shapely legs while hugging the gentle swell of her hips. He couldn’t help but stare as she walked up to the stage. The skirt was short enough to give a hint of her firm thighs, yet long enough to be professional. Elegant stiletto pumps fit her style perfectly. The fitted jacked hugged her upper body, emphasizing the enticing swell of her breasts. Perfect. Everything about her called to him, and he found himself wanting to peel back those layers of clothes to discover every inch of delicious flesh underneath. More than that, she was extremely intelligent, and he loved the playful banter that they seemed to fall into so easily.

Fucking hell. She was delicious in every sense of the word. Are you fucking kidding me with this woman, D? Alex thought. To say it aloud would be disrespectful to the other woman at that table, who was, herself, extremely attractive. “So, Miss James, how long have you known Dr. Hemming?” Alex used any opportunity to learn more.

“We met at Northwestern about six years ago. She’s a good friend. My little girl adores her.”

“You have a child? How old is she?”

“She just turned two last month.”

Angel came back to the table and started to remove her jacket, revealing that the blouse underneath was a halter style that left her shoulders and a good portion of her upper back bare. If Alex wanted to look at her, then she’d damn well give him something to see and put him in as much pain as possible.

Angel was done fucking around. Two could play at this game.

It was obvious to Angel that he desired her, and damn it all, she couldn’t help herself… he was so unbelievably sexy. It was insane, but it was exciting and frightening all at the same time, but she wanted him as well.

Watching his face as she hung the jacket over her chair, Angel noticed how his eyes narrowed in desire when he looked her over. Satisfaction spread through her like liquid gold, heat racing like fire along her skin. She reached up and pulled out the two pins holding her hair up, allowing it to tumble down her back in all its glory. Alex’s mouth opened in surprise. Bingo!

Becca winked at Angel in approval of her blatant teasing. “This should be good,” she said under her breath, but Darian heard her. “She’s gonna chew him up and spit him out. I love it.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” he replied just as subdued, the two of them having their own conversation.

“Jesus, you don’t fight fair,” Alex said softly, his eyes sparkling. “You’re just gorgeous.”

“Aww! Stop or you’ll make me feel special,” Angel scoffed with a sexy half-smile.

She was shaking on the inside but, outwardly she was in complete control. This man affected her in ways she wasn’t comfortable with, and the compliment thrilled her more than she cared to admit. She had to remind herself that this man was a selfish prick who used women for sex without strings. She took a deep breath to center herself.

Alex sobered. “I’m serious. You are extremely beautiful, and you are well aware of that fact. You use it well.”

Like you don’t?

“All’s fair, as they say.” Angel leaned down toward Alex to make sure he could hear her over the din, and her hair fell forward over her shoulders. His hand reached out to touch the silken strands carefully. “I can count on you to follow through, right?”

“I’ll never disappoint you, Angel.”

“Mmmm… we’ll see. Buckle up, boys.”

She walked back to the stage, pulling her skirt up slightly, which allowed her to stand with her feet some distance apart, and then wrapped both hands around the microphone that she stood behind while the 16 bars of intro began to beat to life.

“Here we go,” Becca said smugly.

The song was fast, and her legs and hips rocked in time with the music. She looked straight at Alex and he couldn’t rip his eyes away even if it would have saved his life. Becca simply sat back like a satisfied cat, mouthing the words to the song as Angel sang.

A slow grin spread across Alex’s face as she owned the song, hammering home the words. If he hadn’t made the decision before, he made it then. This was going to happen if it was the last thing he did.

As she whispered the last words, their eyes locked. It took everything he had to fight the urge to pull at the front of his pants. He was so engorged it was uncomfortable, but he wouldn’t have changed it. He was captivated and completely lost in the woman commanding the attention of the entire room.

Darian’s gaze shot from the stage back toward his friend and reversed again. He recognized the look of determination on Alex’s face and resigned himself to what was inevitable now. Alex would be relentless in his pursuit. Angel was strong; but was she strong enough to withstand Alex’s guile? Darian had yet to witness a woman who could.

When the song ended, she marched back to the table and coolly retrieved her jacket. Alex stood up immediately and took it from her, holding it and then slipping it easily onto her shoulders.

“Allow me,” he murmured close to her ear, and the heat of his breath rushed over her skin and she shivered, hoping he wouldn’t notice. “You were amazing, Angel. Your voice…”