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“Uh, no. Scratch that.”
    He shook the pen at her. “I know women too well, Lisa. You’re interested, all right. But you’re denying us both because you think I’d just play you.”
    After a long look, she let out a breath and folded her hands in her lap, as if in preparation for a serious discourse. “Hart, really, the thing is, you’re fun to play with.”
    “Fun?”
    “Definitely. I did enjoy our night together. But I’m a serious woman with serious responsibilities, and we’ve had our one-night fling.”
    Meaning one night was enough for her? Too bad. He’d already decided that he wanted more. A lot more.
    After that short lecture of hers, and his lack of response, she settled back, content to eat her donut.
    Hart didn’t mind the silence. With Lisa, it was pleasant. Comfortable. His phone stayed silent, sunshine slanted through her kitchen window, the coffee was good, the donuts were better.
    “This is a real nice way to spend a Saturday morning.”
    She turned thoughtful. “It is.” With her donut finished, she wiped off her hands and considered him. “But we need to get down to business, so think—who would want to hurt you?”
    “No one. People like me.” He was the type of man other men found easy to befriend, and women had always shown a preference for his company. Even after things ended, women—other than Lisa—didn’t hold it against him.
    She stewed in her own thoughts. “As much as you get around, is it possible one of your . . . lady friends has a disgruntled hus b an d—”
    “No.”
    “—or boyfriend or—”
    “I don’t poach,” he told her, dead serious.
    Skepticism lifted her brows. “Ever?”
    Insulted that she had to ask, Hart scowled at her. “I do not poach. Period. If she’s involved in any way, that’s a big red flag. And besides, I told you I haven’t been with anyone since you.”
    Tapping her fingernails on the tabletop, Lisa studied him, and finally said, “Knowing you, that’s just a little hard to believe.”
    “You should try living it.” He made a face. Celibacy was not a sport he enjoyed. “But it’s still true.”
    “If you say so.”
    Umbrage rose. “You don’t believe me?”
    She tried a laugh that sounded flat to him. “It’s been weeks since we were together.”
    As if he didn’t know that. “All right, let’s get something straight, okay?”
    She checked the clock, shrugged. “Shoot.”
    Her disinterest in his irritation irked him all the more. “I do not lie.” He stood from his seat and went to hers. “I admit I have more than enough faults for one man, but lying isn’t one of them.”
    “Fine. Don’t get your feathers ruffled.”
    His teeth ground together. “No, it’s not fine.” Knowing she was only placating him, Hart braced his hands on her chair seat, at either side of her hips. The position put him nose to nose with her. “I told you up-front that I wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship, right? I didn’t lie then, and I’m not lying now. If I wasn’t doing without, I sure as hell would admit it.”
    Emotions flashed over her face, starting with intimidation, then awareness, and ending with anger. “Back off.”
    In direct contrast to her expression, her voice was small, breathless. When he straightened away from her, she drew in a shaky breath.
    “Lisa?”
    Slowly, she licked her lips, closed her eyes a moment, then opened them again. “I believe you.”
    Hell, seeing her all flushed and breathless had wiped his brain clean of everything but desire. He forgot what they were talking about. “You do?”
    “You were celibate. Goody for you.”
    “Let’s don’t go overboard, okay?”
    She gave him a look—and this time it was her phone that rang. “Excuse me.”
    Hart listened in as she picked up a receiver in the kitchen and spoke quietly for a few minutes. Apparently someone had a dental emergency, which meant his time with her was about to be cut short.
    Sure enough, as soon as she hung up, she