“Not what you have planned.”

She allowed herself a slight smile. “I remember you saying that before. Did you always repeat yourself? I remember you being a whole lot more articulate. Of course, I was younger then, and one looks at one’s elders with the idealism of youth.”

He nearly choked on his coffee. “Elders?”

“Time has been passing, Jack. You’re, what, nearly forty?”

“I’m thirty-two and you know it.”

“Oh, right. Thirty-two. Time has been a challenge for you, hasn’t it?”

She enjoyed baiting him too much, she thought, knowing she was being totally evil and unable to help herself. The truth was, Jack looked amazing. Fit, sexy-a man in his prime. The good news was that sleeping with him wouldn’t be a hardship.

“You gave up on seducing me?” he asked.

“Not at all. But this is fun, too.”

“I’m not sleeping with you.”

She glanced around the kitchen, then looked back at him. “I’m sorry, did you say something? I wasn’t listening.”

“You’re a pain in the ass.”

“But it’s a darned nice ass, isn’t it?” She turned to show him, patted the curve, then faced front again. “Okay, go get changed. I’ll take you to the nearest gym. You can get a thirty-day membership. Then we’ll work out together.”

“There’s no equipment here?”

She smiled. “I guess Hunter didn’t think of everything after all. It’s a good thing I’m around.”

He stared at her. “You think you’re in charge?”

“Uh-huh.”

He put down his mug, then moved close and stared into her eyes. “Be careful, Meri. You’re playing a game you don’t know how to win. I’m out of your league and we both know it.”

A challenge? Was he crazy? She always won and she would this time. Although there was something about the way he looked at her that made her shiver. Something that told her he was not a man to be toyed with.

But he was just a man, she reminded herself. The sooner she got him into bed, the quicker she could get on with her life.