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because I dangled the wrong flavor of juicy coed,” she said. “Maybe he prefers beefcake.”
    Now she had my full attention. “Are you suggesting that I—”
    “Show up in the lab wearing a pair of running shorts with your bare chest and abs glistening with sweat? Absolutely.”
    I choked on my drink of beer.
    “I just need you to recheck my gaydar.”
    Before I could answer, a tray slammed down on the table.
    Stirling’s eyes widened.
    A tall, lanky man stood next to me, his posture regal. If he hadn’t worn a lab coat and glasses, I never would’ve guessed him to be an academic. He hit the mark between a hipster and an indie rocker, seriously freakin’ hot in that nerdy way with his dark brown hair secured in a ponytail at the base of his neck.
    “I assure you, Miss Gradsky, there is nothing wrong with your gaydar. I am entirely heterosexual.” He turned and pinned me with eyes that reminded me of quicksilver. Then he offered me his hand and tight smile. “Dr. Liam Argent.”
    His heavily tattooed hand was smooth and his grip strong. “Cres Grant.”
    “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Grant. And if I had any inclination toward a dalliance on the other side of the fence, so to speak, I’d be more than happy to see you in my lab, half-naked and glistening with sweat.”
    “Uh. Thanks?”
    Dr. Liam angled forward so he had Stirling’s full attention. “You know my conditions for taking clerical instructions, Miss Gradsky. You are the one who has refused to comply with the terms.”
    “Because I am not taking dictation as your personal secretary, dickhead,” she retorted.
    Yep. That response totally reminded me of London.
    “It’s not as if I demanded you wear thigh highs and stilettos with a Catholic schoolgirl outfit as you’re receiving my oral direction,” he said in a silken drawl.
    And…I’d heard enough. I had my own sexual tension to deal with. I didn’t need a front row seat to theirs. I stood and mumbled good-bye.
    Breck waited for me by the rear exit. “Did you get enough to eat?”
    “I guess. Sort of a bizarre dinner conversation so I don’t really remember what I ate.”
    He chuckled. “That’s Stirling for you.”
    Once we were outside, he briefly placed his hand on the small of my back to guide me. “Let’s start the tour this way.”
    Even that single touch caused my stomach to cartwheel.
    Blue light glowed from the big top. An electric guitar strummed once. Then twice.
    “Sounds like the dance is about to start,” Breck said.
    “I didn’t know there was a dance.”
    “I don’t think it’ll go late. Most of the guests left as soon as they finished eating.” He walked closer to me. “You ever danced with a guy, Cres?”
    “Like gone out two-steppin’? Nah. No clubs that cater to that around here. Gotta go into Denver to find that. What about you?”
    “I’ve hit a gay dance club a time or two. Slow dancin’ is easier with a guy because there’s no fighting about who’s gonna lead.”
    I smiled. “True. So if you don’t mind me asking…how’d you get this job workin’ for the Gradskys?”
    “Macon Gradsky contacted me. We’ve stayed in touch over the years.” A funny look must’ve crossed my face because he clarified, “Macon isn’t gay. He and I were competitors. We met for the first time at the National High School Rodeo finals. He was the All-Around champ for Colorado and I was All-Around champ for South Dakota.” He flashed that megawatt grin. “I whupped his ass in tie-down ropin’ and bulldoggin’. He beat me in saddle bronc ridin’. We both ended up attending University of Wyoming and were teammates on the college circuit. I went pro after I graduated and he went to law school.”
    “Sounds like you’ve known the Gradsky family for quite a while.”
    “Rodeo is a small world.” He smiled sadly. “A small-minded world too.”
    “So was it your decision not to go on the podium and introduce yourself tonight? Or did your bosses