competition. Have dinner with me on Friday?”
Her girlie parts did some elaborate dance moves until Kendall’s brain shut them down. “I don’t think . . .”
“C’mon,” he coaxed. “We’ll have a nice meal. I’ll dust off my cheesiest lines. You can, with grace and charm, politely rebuff my advances. Think of it as practice for the dating show.”
She laughed, tempted to accept his invitation. She could easily imagine a romantic dinner with Ty. If her racing pulse and the tingles shooting up and down her spine were any indication, it would take a lot more than charm to resist his advances.
Even entertaining the thought of a date with the gorgeous landscaper was ridiculous. Not when she’d already reacted so strongly to him. Kendall’s life was built on staying calm and keeping her game face through any situation. She was so close to the next step in the career she’d worked so hard for. There was no room in her well-ordered life for a relationship with anyone.
“I appreciate the offer, but it wouldn’t be a good idea.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why?”
So much for an easy brushoff.
“What about the redhead? I thought she was your girlfriend.”
Ty laughed. “Jenny? No. She works for me, and we’ve been friends since we were kids. She’s like my sister.”
“Ok, well,” Kendall stammered. “I have a lot going on right now. Between my regular job and this dating show deal, things are going to be kind of crazy for the next several weeks.” She smiled apologetically. “It’s just not a good time. I’m sorry.”
He continued to pierce her with his deep blue gaze. That gaze seemed to see her. Not just her image—not who she’d been and who she was determined to become. It was like he shined a light on the dark corners of her soul to see the woman she’d hidden away under makeup and a fancy wardrobe she could barely afford. The woman she barely recognized anymore. That fact alone was enough to shore up her resolve. Ty Bishop might be easygoing, but he was dangerous in all the ways that counted the most.
“You don’t plan to eat in the next month?” he asked gently.
Kendall drummed tense fingers against the table. Her palms had started to sweat. She needed to end this conversation before her body’s desire for him short-circuited her brain. “Listen, Ty, the truth is, you’re not really my type.”
His smiled never wavered, but something sparked in his blue eyes, as if this exchange was the beginning of a chess game he would take great enjoyment in winning. “What if I wore an expensive suit, drove a fancy car, and worked in a hot-shot office building? Would I be your type then?”
“I can’t believe you said that. What you wear or the car you drive has nothing to do with it.”
He leaned forward and in a husky whisper said, “I don’t believe that for a second. What’s the matter, Princess? Afraid to get your hands dirty messin’ with the common folk?”
Kendall sucked in a sharp breath. The accusation that she was a snob would be almost laughable if the insinuation wasn’t so offensive. She’d navigated through the worst kind of snobbery in her life, and that wasn’t who she wanted to be. There was nothing wrong with being clear about her priorities.
Her physical reaction to Ty convinced her that spending time with him would shake up her life in a way she wasn’t prepared to deal with at the moment. She let her irritation and fear coalesce, drowning out her unwanted lust for him. She was a reporter, and it was time to dig a little deeper into this story.
She brought her face near enough to Ty’s that she could feel his breath against her skin. “I’m sure your rippling muscles and baby blue eyes have gotten you far with women. Why me? Why does it matter that I agree to a date? Is it possible your ego can’t handle someone saying no?”
She’d wanted to make him mad. Instead, one end of his mouth quirked slightly. “I’ve been asking myself all morning why it