Lady Moonlight Read Online Free Page A

his side, Kara wondered fancifully which of his vehicles most truly exemplified the man. The slim, darting and deadly rapier, or the slashing strength of the broadsword?
    Before putting the car in gear, he turned to her and asked, "Do I guess, or do you tell me? There is such a thing as reciprocity, you know." At her questioning look he said, "Your name."
    "Ah." Buckling her seat belt, she said concisely, "Kara Brady. Born and raised in La Jolla. Twenty-five, single and part owner of Cachet, world-famous gift shop."
    Dane checked the rearview mirror and pulled neatly out of the parking space. "World famous?"
    "Will you settle for locally renowned?" He nodded, slowing as he approached a steep curve. "The ball's back in your court. Time for more reciprocity," she informed him, savoring the word.
    He concentrated on the traffic, eventually turning onto La Jolla Boulevard before he replied. "I've lived in a lot of places, recently settled here. I'm thirty-three and a contractor."
    "You left out the part about being single, engaged or involved," she prompted.
    "Is it important?"
    "Yes, because I only go out to dinner with men in the first category."
    "Which leaves intriguing possibilities for the other two."
    "Tonight's invitation," she reminded him as he slid neatly into a parking slot behind the restaurant, "was for dinner. Nothing else, intriguing or otherwise."
    He walked around the car and opened her door. She looked up, not moving. "Single?" she prodded.
    "Single," he agreed absently, reaching for her hand.
    Later, watching him demolish his steak as she greedily downed her teriyaki chicken, she decided that he was more than an enigma. His preferred modes of transportation, at least the ones she had witnessed, were poles apart. Reflecting on that at length brought her to the conclusion that there was a common denominator-power. And just look at his clothes, she prodded herself. An ebony blazer made of soft, supple suede, gray slacks, a white-on-white shirt, and a splash of yellow silk for a tie. The combination was nothing short of elegant, and yet he managed to look aggressively masculine. Exactly as he had looked last week in his jeans and cotton work shirt.
    Continuing her survey, she eyed his stubborn jawline and determined chin. He had proved that he remained cool in an emergency. He would more than likely follow the path of logic, and be rational, reasonable and levelheaded. He would issue orders and expect them to be followed without question. Definitely a man to be avoided. Oh, sure, he was undoubtedly the answer to some maiden's prayers, but not hers. If she were going into battle, she'd want him on her side, but the last thing she needed was a man like that complicating her life.
    Having reached that decision for the second time, she touched her napkin to her mouth and looked up as Dane spoke.
    "You told me you were single. You didn't say if you were engaged or otherwise involved with a particular man."
    "Is it important?" She grinned as she repeated the question he had asked earlier.
    "Yes." His green eyes flashed silver as his smile slowly curved his mustache. His voice was soft, but perfectly audible, as he added, "I only go to bed with women in the first category."
    Warily, she faced him across the width of the table. She spared a moment to remind herself ruefully that he was also the type to speak his mind. Too bad she hadn't thought of that sooner. She might have been able to divert him. Then, taking another glance at his calmly assessing expression, she decided it wouldn't have made any difference.
    Carefully placing her napkin beside her plate, Kara lifted her glass and downed the remainder of her wine in a couple of gulps. Fortified by a surge of warmth, she said, "This restaurant is wonderful, the meal was delicious, but your approach definitely needs a bit of polish. On a first date you should be subtle and charming. You definitely don't use the iron-fist-in-the-iron-glove method."
    "But this isn't really