He got up, setting his wallet aside on the bed. “Again, that was Dean. He has a weird sense of humor. I would’ve corrected him, but you laughed. You knew he was kidding around.”
“But I didn’t…I didn’t think…”
“Hey now,” he said soothingly. Large hands rested on my upper arms. The warmth of his body brushed over me, though he kept a few inches between us. “Is it really that big a deal? I thought we were having a nice time. Certainly weren’t doing anything illegal, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Is that some kind ofjoke?” My skin burned, going feverish, but this was nothing like the heat between us a few minutes ago. This was sheer mortification. And more than that. Did heknow? Was this a sick, twisted game? “Is this why you sat next to me in the bar?”
“Babe, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t call mebabe. Were you going to throw this in my face at our meeting tomorrow? Because I was too stupid to figure it out? Have a good laugh at my expense?”
His hands fell away from my arms. “At our meeting tomorrow…What?”
I gritted my teeth. “You recognized me. You knew I’m Genevieve Blake.”
His eyes widened until the whites showed all around, and his Adam’s apple bobbed like it was stuck. He backed away from me. “Hell no. You said your name’s Jen. Like Jennifer with a J.”
“No, with aG. For Genevieve.”
Owen pointed an accusing finger. “You said you’re a writer!”
“Iama writer. More or less.”
“More or less?You lied.”
“As much asyoulied about your name and job.” I couldn’t tell anymore what he did or didn’t know. But I was still standing here almost naked and feeling more ridiculous by the second. Barring one arm over my chest, I used the other to swipe my shirt from the floor and tug it on. Then I picked up my jeans.
“Holyshit.” His eyes darted around the hotel room in a panic. “Are you filming this? Some sting operation to make me look like an asshole?”
I scoffed, hopping from one foot to the other to get my jeans on. “Please. I have far too much dignity to sink to such levels. Get over yourself.”
“Really? Everyone knows you have it out for law enforcement. Who knows what you’d do to make me look bad.”
My glare was murderous. “So youdoknow who I am. My picture is easy to find online, so you should. You’re the guy who won’t post your photo. Like a man with plenty to hide.”
“I didn’t look you up! I didn’t want anything to do with the journalist who’s trying to screw me over.” He gestured around us. “In more ways than one, it seems.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, bravo. You made the most obvious word play possible.”
“How do I knowyoudidn’t know whoIwas?”
“You think I’m faking this?”
“I bet you’d fake plenty for a story. Probably not the first time.”
“You sat next tome. You flirted first.”
“Did not.”
“Oh yes, you did.Have a taste of my drink,” I said mockingly.
“You’re so handsome,” he said in falsetto. “Come upstairs with me.”
“Ha! You’re misquoting me. Besides, I wouldn’t put on a show to trick a corrupt, small-town politician into my bed. If I’d wanted some shady dirtbag to have his way with me, I could’ve stayed in Denver.”
“Ashady dirtbag?”
“That’s what I said. Am I wrong?”
