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touching.”
    â€œI’ll think about it.”
    Considering how he’d been acting, it was a major concession. Maybe he wasn’t the Terminator. Maybe he could be bargained with or reasoned with. Although she had a feeling if she got in his way, he would rip out her heart without a second thought. Verbally, if not physically.
    Silence descended. Awkward silence that made her squirm. She knew she was being tested, that whoever spoke first lost the game, but she couldn’t stand to just sit there.
    â€œThe house is great,” she said. “I like how it feels lived-in and not showy.”
    â€œMy mother has excellent taste.” He glanced at his watch. “The senator will be down shortly.”
    She tucked her hair behind her ear. “You did that before. At campaign headquarters. You call him the senator rather than Mark or my dad.”
    â€œIt makes things easier for everyone. We’re in a working environment there.”
    â€œBut you’re not at work right now.”
    His dark gaze settled on her face. “It makes things easier,” he repeated.
    How? “Are you showing respect or trying to make sure no one thinks of you as Daddy’s little boy?”
    One eyebrow rose, which seemed to be all the answer she was going to get.
    â€œDid the question annoy you?” she asked. “I think it’s both. The man is running for president.” A concept Dani doubted she would ever be able to get her mind around. “But on a personal note, you’d hate people to think you were here because of your relationship with your father rather than on your own merit.”
    â€œYou know this how?” he asked.
    â€œI’m a good guesser. Am I wrong?”
    â€œWould you like something to drink?”
    She smiled. “You don’t like questions, do you? It’s that lawyer thing. You want to be doing the asking, not the answering. That’s okay. So if you’re working on the campaign, you’re on leave or something from your law office?”
    â€œSomething like that,” he said reluctantly. “If the senator decides to run for president, I’ll work for the campaign.”
    â€œThe whole political thing is new to me. I vote, but that’s about it. Sometimes I watch the debates. It’s not really my thing.”
    â€œThe democratic process is not for the timid,” Alex told her. “Running for president is not a decision to be made lightly. One good scandal can destroy an honest man’s chance forever.”
    Which meant her. “I’m not here to hurt anyone.”
    â€œThat doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.”
    Dani was used to being liked and disliked on her own merits. She wasn’t perfect, but she wasn’t channeling the devil, either.
    Before she could point that out, a slim, well-dressed woman in her fifties walked into the room. Dani rose automatically as she took in the woman’s classically beautiful features and sleek upswept hair.
    Alex stood, as well, crossed to her and kissed her on the cheek. “This is Dani Buchanan,” he said. “Dani, my mother, Katherine Canfield.”
    Katherine’s dark blue eyes crinkled slightly as she smiled in welcome. “Dani. How lovely to meet you. We’re delighted you could join us for dinner tonight.”
    Her tone was as gracious as her words. Dani knew this had to be awkward for all of them, but Katherine’s smile never wavered.
    The older woman turned to her son. “No drinks? Nothing to eat? Are you planning to starve her into submission?”
    â€œI asked,” he said, sounding slightly defensive. “She said she didn’t want anything.”
    Dani stared at him. Was this a crack in dragon-boy’s armor? Was his need to protect his family by harassing her about to conflict with his mother’s sense of good manners?
    Katherine’s smile widened. “I can only imagine how graciously you