“No.” This ought to squelch his odd interest. “As in a daughter.”
His brows lifted in surprise. “Is she with a sitter?”
“Her nanny.”
She turned away, but he caught her hand in his and held it gently. The move was so unexpected, the feel of his hand so foreign, Tessa froze, unsure how to react.
“Then stay. Eat with me.” When she hesitated, he added a smile and “No one has bugged me once since you took a bite out of that woman’s ass. It’s the first peace I’ve had all night.”
Ah. So that was it. She was his unlikely bodyguard. “Malo will take care of you.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’d rather have you take care of me.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Why? Have you not looked around lately?”
“I have looked all around me for hours, and my eyes keep landing on you. You’re real. You’re sane and interesting and can hold a normal conversation.”
Somehow, those all felt like drawbacks in this situation, not assets. She was about to tell him that she’d had enough of the caretaker role in her life when the fajitas’ rich scent of spices floated on the steam and hit Tessa like a train. Her stomach clenched around an empty knot and growled.
Ian grinned, a bright, white, amused grin that tingled through Tessa’s gut. “Your belly’s talking to you.” He lifted a hand to catch the bartender’s attention. “Jack, more wine for our princess.”
“Oh no,” Tessa told Ian, but Jack had already started pouring her a fresh glass at the other end of the bar. “I really need to get back.”
Ian slid the fajita tray to the bar between their stools, then set one of the empty plates in front of her spot. “Come on.” The softer, almost pleading edge to his tone made her focus on him again. And again, the deep-blue eyes staring back at her from his handsome face created a hitch in her gut. “I’d like to eat in relative peace. Besides, I want to hear more about what brought you here, your life in DC, your daughter.”
Someone who actually wanted to listen? She highly doubted it. No one was interested in talking to her, they were interested in talking at her. Still, at least he’d offered. “I’m beginning to think you’re not quite all you seem either.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He gestured toward her stool. “Please, join me.”
She sighed, and her gaze strayed to the platter of still-sizzling meat and bright blend of peppers. Her stomach squeezed and clattered out an angry sound. Tessa glanced at the time on her phone. Abby would already have settled Sophia down by now. In fact, after running around the beach all morning and traipsing through a museum all afternoon, Sophia was probably sound asleep. If Tessa went home now, she’d do nothing but worry and obsess all night. All over something she couldn’t control.
By the time she looked up again, Ian had created a fajita and offered it to her. “So tell me what professions others pegged you for again.”
“Reporter, cop, librarian, teacher,” she said. “And, now, studio executive, which, by the way, is my favorite so far.”
“Points for me.” He hit her with that amazing smile again. “The others were way off.”
“Right? Thank you.”
“I’d have guessed accountant if the studio executive possibility hadn’t thrown me.”
A spark of humor stirred. Not enough to give her the energy to laugh, but enough to make her sit back down and finger the stem of her fresh glass of wine. “I guess I would look like an accountant in this sea of beach babes.”
“These aren’t beach babes,” he said, nudging the fajita toward her. “These are groupies.”
“What’s the difference?” She took the fajita but held his gaze. He was openly staring at her, scanning her face again and again, making Tessa feel self-conscious.
“Groupies cling in hopes of gaining self-worth by association.”
She lifted her brows. “That’s surprisingly…deep.”
He laughed. “Don’t get used to it. You’re making me pull out my A game. It’s rusty and probably won’t hold up long.”
“Self-deprecation is adorable on you. Your parents must have paid a mint for that smile.”
“And they remind me every chance they get.”
Interesting comment. She bit into the flour tortilla, and spices flooded her mouth along with the flavor of seasoned meat and vibrant vegetables. She closed her eyes on a moan of satisfaction, lifting a napkin to her lips. “Oh my God, these are amazing.”