Free The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch by Michelle Monkou Page A

thinking about her teammates, practice, the game unsettled her.
    “Not that I think what happened to you is a good thing. But I do feel that you now have time to yourself. That’s not bad.”
    “And are you following your own advice?” Naomi pushed back. She didn’t want Zack trampling through her thoughts. At least not in that gentle, caring voice.
    “No, but I’m good at helping others,” he joked. “Ready for food?”
    “I was eyeing the pepperoni, green pepper and onions pizza—but I got sidetracked with my bouncer duties.”
    “Well thank goodness you didn’t have any. I’d have to give you a breath mint before I kissed you.”
    Immediately the blood surged to her face as if on cue. She stared ahead, trying to focus on the vanity plate on the car in front of them—IMASTUD. All the small license plate needed was neon lights with an arrow pointing to Zack.
    “You want me to kiss you.”
    “No.” She looked at him firmly. “And no means no.”
    “Okay. Your wish is my command.” He grinned at her. “Remember that.”
    Somehow she wondered how he’d managed to make her feel as if he’d deftly moved her out of the driver’s seat. Yet she was up for the challenge—maybe. A little flirtation never hurt anyone, did it?
    “We’re here.” Zack pulled into a high-rise that was firmly along the lakefront.
    “Home?”
    “Yep. Eventually I’ll get a house. But for my lifestyle, this works.”
    “As the rich playboy of Washington State.”
    “Or the serious-minded businessman.”
    “Must be from what side of the fence you’re on.”
    “I’d like you to join me on this side.” He opened her car door and extended his hand to assist.
    “Only for a while. My grandmother warned me about men like you.”
    “Your grandmother loves me.”
    “Why? ‘Cause you flattered her?” She sized him upas they walked to the doorway. Chances were that her grandmother would like him. The doorman opened the door and touched his cap with his gloved hand.
    “She told me to take good care of you when she left. I promised to do my part to make you comfortable.”
    “Hmmm,” she said with a smile. “You’ll have a short time frame for that. I’m heading out in a week.”
    “Really?” Zack’s eyebrow shot up in a questioning peak. “That sounds definite.”
    “It’s more than talk.” She frowned and waited for him to enter the elevator before she followed. “What do you have up your sleeve?”
    “Nothing,” he said slyly. “Well, actually that’s not true. My family is heavily involved in the local chamber of commerce. There is a fundraising reception that will donate to local soup kitchens in time for Thanksgiving meals. If nothing I said convinces you, then let me say that my mother would love to have you there.”
    She watched him slide his card into the slot above the buttons for the floors and hit the PH button. As the elevator cab shot smoothly up the length of the building, Naomi felt as if her feelings for Zack were on an express ride to some unknown peak.
    “Are you thinking about it?”
    “I’m trying to overcome the horror of me going to anything that requires heels, sequins and random conversation. I’m so not that type.” Naomi shook her head for emphasis.
    “I think you’d clean up just fine. You’ll be on my arm, so no need for conversation.”
    “Why, the women you date aren’t there for conversation?”
    “Oh, now that had a bite.” He playfully winced. “I don’t have time to date. What I do is pretty importantto me. I find many women too clingy and with a preset agenda to fix me.”
    She laughed. “Which usually ends in disaster?”
    Zack nodded. “I don’t see you as clingy and trying to fix me.”
    The elevator doors opened and there were four doors visible, two on one side of the hallway and the other two on the other. Zack walked to the far right and punched in his code. She expected the door to open like those in the Star Trek shows given the high-end technology