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e-mail.”
    “I’m not talking about your auction services, Nia,” he replied, stretching out her name. “I want to enjoy your company for the evening.”
    Evan recognized his mistake the moment the words left his lips. Something in the way he said the words made it sound like a proposition, rather than a date, for Christ’s sake! Her eyes turned from cautious to stone cold in seconds. Damn, he must be rusty. Thank God the team wasn’t able to hear him, he thought to himself.
    He instinctively reached out to touch her arm. Nia shrugged it off delicately, stepping back and placing her wineglass down on a small bistro table next to them. Her expression was still polite, but he could feel the anger radiating from her.
    “Nia, that’s—”
    He intended to say that his words had come out wrong. That he didn’t mean to imply she was for sale or something. But she cut him off with a chilled tone.
    “Mr. DaCosta, thank you for dinner and considering Worthington for your needs. But I’m afraid I can’t provide you with the services you are seeking.”
    As she turned to walk away, he grabbed her arm in a grip firmer than he intended. She pulled back with surprising strength and momentum. Evan reacted, pulling her back toward him. She stumbled in her shoes, landing against his chest. He quickly put down his drink in order to catch her before she fell farther.
    “Nia,” he stated, looking down at her. Fear now replaced anger in her brilliant, feline eyes, yet she still tugged at his hold, defiantly.
    He didn’t think, he didn’t strategize, he just kissed her.
    She froze against him, but Evan was on autopilot. Her body felt soft and lush in his arms. The scent of her skin teased him, like dark, sweet cherries. He swept his tongue along her lips, wanting to taste more, praying she would open for him. Something dark and primitive was driving him to savor the moment before they both came to their senses.
    Her lips parted with a sigh, and Evan deepened the kiss. Nia tentatively brushed his tongue with hers, and sharp tingles of energy swept down his spine. One of them groaned and he felt the vibration in his balls. He pulled her closer, with his arms wrapped solidly around her lithe body, devouring her mouth like a starving man. It was hot, deep, and so intimate that sweat broke out on his forehead.
    If the way that Nia was responding to him was any indication of how successful his cover was going to be, Evan should have been elated. After all, he had almost blown it with his thoughtless remark. Yet, all he felt was out of control, like he was drowning and couldn’t get enough air. His heart was racing, his body hard and throbbing. And none of it had to do with his cover, his job, or the mission.
    Evan let go of her, stepping back so he could cool down. He watched through hooded eyes as she brushed her hand over her lips with a dazed look on her face, as though she was as confused as he was. It made him feel better. Just a little.
    “I’m sorry, Nia,” he stated.
    She straightened her shoulders and faced him squarely. Whatever she had been thinking was now erased from her face.
    “For what exactly, Evan?” she shot back. “For insinuating I’m a commodity available to buy? Or for . . . that?”
    She gestured between them with her hands, obviously indicating the kiss. Evan wiped his lips with his finger, certain they were now stained with her red lipstick. There was only a trace of bold color left on hers.
    “For the former. Definitely not for the latter.”
    She just glared at him.
    “Nia, I am inviting you to have dinner with me to spend more time with you, get to know you better. That’s all. No strings,” he clarified.
    “Why?”
    Evan raised his brows.
    “I think we both know why, Nia. I like you. I’m attracted to you, that’s why.”
    “I mean, to what end, Evan?”
    He smiled with satisfaction. This woman was not a helpless victim, or easily manipulated. Nia James was just as sharp and strong-willed as