Free Table for Two by Dara Girard

trying to understand what went wrong. Your three partners complained about you."
    He shrugged. "I have a few complaints myself."
    "You have to be cordial, inviting."
    "I was."
    A woman in a green silk dress and high heels that could be used as ice picks approached the table and smiled at Drake. "Excuse me. Do you have the time?"
    He glanced at the band on her wrist and frowned. "Why don't you check your watch and find out?"
    The woman blushed, covering the watch with her other hand. "It's broken."
    His frown deepened, confused. "You want it to do something besides tell time?"
    "Uh, no. Uh... thank you."
    Drake watched her leave. "What a strange woman. She has a fully functioning watch and asks me for the time."
    He turned to Cassie, who had her head buried in her hands. She moaned.
    He leaned forward. "Do you have a headache?"
    "Yes. Don't worry about it," she said when he stood. "It will eventually go away."
    He sat back, doubtful. "Are you sure?"
    "No. Do you realize that you just humiliated that woman?"
    "I just made her aware of her mistake."
    She stared at him, exasperated. "She hadn't made a mistake. She was trying to flirt with you."
    "Why would she be flirting with me when you're sitting right there?"
    "Because I'm not a threat."
    "What the hell does that mean?"
    Cassie didn't wish to explain that most women didn't see her as competition. "Never mind, I just want to know why you didn't get along with your partners. I'm beginning to see why, but I still don't understand. You were fine with the bartender."
    "That's because I didn't have to flirt."
    "How come you can flirt with me and not other women?"
    He dropped his gaze to the table. "The reason's simple."
    "What is it?"
    He looked up. "I want you."
    "Don't say that," she ordered, heat touching her cheeks.
    "Why not? I'm being honest. The other people didn't interest me."
    "Drake, you could like them if you gave them the chance."
    "Are you suggesting I act like I care when I don't?"
    "I'm suggesting you act civil."
    He reached across the table, grabbed her hand, and brought it to his lips. "How can a rogue act civil when what he desires is close enough to touch?"
    She pulled her hand away. "This is a classic case of a student having a crush on a teacher."
    "There's nothing classic about it. I wanted you even before I knew you were my teacher." His voice deepened as he slid next to her. "However, I like you as my teacher and I'm eager to learn."
    "You just feel comfortable with me."
    His finger trailed the sensuous line of her jaw. "I think you're beautiful."
    Cassie turned away, dismissing his words. "Drake, do you really want to go to your reunion?"
    His eyes lit up. "Would you like to go with me?"
    "No. I'm only mentioning it because you're going to have to break out of your comfort zone and be friendly to people who bore you or don't interest you."
    He rested an arm behind her head and sighed, resigned. "I know that."
    "Then why don't you practice? That woman sitting near the stage has been eyeing you for a while. Why don't you go up to her and—"
    "No."
    His refusal was so swift and definite, Cassie sat back in her seat, bewildered. He must be more awkward than she thought.
    "I know she looks intimidating because she's gorgeous, but—"
    "Gorgeous? She looks like she had her last meal during the Irish potato famine."
    Cassie poked him hard in the side. "Don't be rude."
    "I know her type. You take them out to dinner and they order the most expensive meal, then proceed not to eat it."
    "You don't know if she's like that."
    "She hasn't even touched her grilled salmon with rice pilaf and spinach."
    Cassie squinted at the woman's plate. "Are you sure that's spinach?"
    "Yes, it's definitely spinach. Lightly garnished with strips of carrots and walnuts."
    "I love sesame spinach."
    "I should make it for you. Actually, I make an excellent spinach lasagna with—"
    She held up her hand to stop him before her mouth began to water. "Wait a minute. We've gone completely off