Facade of Desire

pte

artini for

r an expectant look. From his slightly glazed-over eyes, he had clearly

tely decline another drink, but a smooth,

e 1992 Montrachet wine ins

l next to her. His casual confidence and self-assurance were undeniable, from the misc

ectly arched eyebrows drawing together in a frow

he bartender to get the wine he'd ordered. "You looked like a wo

ng that for myself," Ava retorted, mustering as much

d opinions on what she should drink? The gall and entitlement w

oser with a conspiratorial grin. "One g

tine wine glasses were set before them, filled with the crisp golde

" he stagewhispered loudly to one of the cocktai

birds? She shot a seething glare at the arrogant stranger, who merel

offered by way of casual introduction,

mper. "Considering you've already taken the tremendous liberty of ordering me a seventy-

, arrogant man only looked more amused by her overt hostility,

e countered smoothly, his voice rich like velvet. "And I want a beauti

cture of roguish charm and attractiveness. And damnit, he did look sinful

traction. She was not about to let this arrogant playboy worm his way under her skin,

feign nonchalance. "If I'm supposed to be enjoying the absolute finer things, why or

liberate slight seemed to finally get under t

r an appraising look that slowly traveled from her eyes down to her lips

e to resist needling him further. "Including how to deftly

hetic attempt to hit on her and stroke his own ego. But instead, Liam let out a start

a bemused shrug of acceptance. "How about we ditch

s to roll with her jabs. Most guys would sulk away in defeated embarrassment a

epartee and snarky back-and-forth, regarding her with un

nding his hand with an inviting,

for a long moment before slowly setting

against his in a handshake. His grip was warm, callouse

rners of those roguish bedroom eyes. He seemed to relish the taste of her name o

ettling in its potency. She quickly extricated her hand, refocusing on the

ly handsome charmer determined to knock her off-kilter with his easy grins and looks. Reputations

er's audacious tenacity so undeniably

aloud, dragging her from her hazardous thoughts. "What b

her chin lifting defensively. So he thought he could smooth-

pause. Those seemingly laid-back, carefree airs were merely a veneer concealing something much m

g her simmering interest in this intriguing man against all her bette

l his bluff and cut

less career, I needed a break from reality for once," s

o be desired then?" he asked with that same

hard-earned bitterness to sharpen her tone. "I have far too many career ambitions and

nvince her otherwise or try to change her mind, as nearly every other man inevitably d

htful concession, allowing a contemplative silence

ication almost more unsettling than his initial cheesy overtures had been. Perhaps she had badly misjudg

dark, unfathomable eyes that abruptly seemed to glimmer

I'm sitting," he murmured, "Why endlessly pursue silly fantasies about tr

words, at the fleeting glimpse of a cynical yet intense edge t

ing his wristwatch. He took his last sip and dropped his

wondering who this mysterious Liam of a guy was as he watched hi

pat, she has b