Zara nibbled on a piece of naan. “I can sense your despair. Don’t worry. I’ll find someone for you, too.”
He felt his stomach muscles twisting in a knot. “I have neither the time for nor the interest in a relationship.”
“Finally, we have something in common.” She held up her hand. “Give me a high five. Singles forever.”
He felt a stab of guilt when he gently slapped her palm. He’d made a promise to his mother to make an effort to find a partner. But he couldn’t take what he couldn’t give, and he had nothing to offer after the devastating accident that had ended his time in service.
“What about you?” he countered. “A matchmaker who believes in true love but plans to stay single forever? I believe that’s called an oxymoron.”
“I believe in love and romance for everyone else.” Zara shrugged, her smile fading. “I have a serial-dating habit and poor judgment when it comes to men. The last guy I was with was secretly married and had a kid. Relationships just aren’t for me. My life is already full with family, friends, and theater. I’ve also just started a new job at a law firm, and I need to stay focused so they’ll keep me on as a permanent associate.”
“You’re a lawyer?” He supposed it made sense. There was a certain theatrical element to court, and Zara was outgoing, intelligent, and clearly not afraid to speak her mind.
“I’m with Cruz & Lovitt. We specialize in personal injury.” Zara pulled a stack of cards from her purse and handed one to him before passing them around the table. Jay had never seen a professional card with a tiger on it before, but it suited her.
“I’ll keep it on file.” He tucked the card into his pocket.
“I wanted to be an entertainment lawyer.” She gave a resigned smile. “It didn’t work out. I did give my card to Chad Wandsworth last weekend and he said he liked the tiger. I’m hoping one of his celebrity friends gets seriously injured—purely for professional reasons—and he says, Hey, you should call the tiger firm, and then I’ll have a celebrity client, which is one step closer to my dream.”
“I work with celebrities all the time.” He was having trouble concentrating on his words with her leaning so close. She smelled of honey and cinnamon and the sweet treats his mother used to bring home every Friday from work. “My company provides personal guarding services to foreign dignitaries, billionaires, politicians, sports teams, movie and Broadway stars—”
“Movie and Broadway stars?” Zara grabbed his tie and yanked him forward until they were almost nose to nose. “Names. Give me names. Who have you guarded? A-list? B-list? Anyone from Hamilton?” Her full attention was on him now and it was hard not to get pulled into the depths of her liquid brown eyes.
“Our client list is confidential.”
“Did you work for Lin-Manuel Miranda?” She tipped her head back and gave the kind of groan he’d only ever heard from a woman between the sheets. “What was he like? Tell me. No. Don’t tell me. We’re in public and I can’t be responsible for what might happen if you do.”
His mouth opened but no words came out. He’d convinced himself there was no chemistry between them. But now, with her face only inches away, he was almost overwhelmed with the desire to taste the curve of her lips.
“C’mon, Jay.” She leaned close, the gold flecks in her eyes sparkling, her voice a husky purr that he felt as a throb in his groin. Had he ever met a woman with eyelashes so long? He could swear that every time she blinked, they swept over her cheeks.
“Just one name,” she pleaded. “One itty-bitty little name for me to fantasize about when I’m alone in bed tonight.” She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, slow and sensual. “Or even better, an introduction. I’ll make it worth your while.”
Jay swallowed hard, loosened his collar. Need, tightly controlled, began to unravel. He knew he shouldn’t ask, but the words came out just the same. “What do you mean worth my while?”
“What do you want, Jay?” Her breath whispered against his cheek. “What is your greatest desire? World domination? Ten glamor models in a limo? Your own island? An endless supply of samosas? Six blue silk ties? A perfectly balanced set of accounts? A night of hot sex, no strings attached . . . ?”
His mouth went dry. “Are you offering to sleep with me for an introduction?”
Shock chased horror across her face, putting an instant chill on his desire. “I didn’t mean me.” She gave a hollow laugh. “I’m not that desperate.”