"I've been talking to you for the last few minutes. Did you hear anything I've said?"
"Ummm…no. Did you say anything important?"
He rolled his eyes. Amusement touched his lips, yet his concern whipped around her, as chill as the wind, and his grip on her arm tightened a little. "The storm calling again?"
"Not really." She shrugged. "Just thinking about Wetherton and how little I actually want this assignment."
"Then why accept it? You have the choice to refuse, you know."
She stopped and turned to face him. "How could I not accept it? At least it got me out of the broom closet and let me do some real police work. You're not the only damn one who hates being confined indoors, Assistant Director."
He grimaced. "You know why I was doing that—"
"Yeah, you're an ass who would rather force an unwanted situation to go away than being upfront and talking about it.
Cowardice is not something I would have associated with you, but I guess I was wrong."
Anger flicked through his eyes. "I had no choice in taking you on as a partner. And the only way the situation could be changed is if you requested a transfer."
"So why not come out and say that straight off the bat?
Between the two of us I'm sure we could have come up with a strategy that would have changed Stephan's mind. But oh no, you found it easier just to stick me down in the dungeons and ignore me."
He thrust a hand through his wet hair. "Damn it, I was doing what I thought was right—"
"What was easier for you," she corrected. "You knew it wasn't right, or you wouldn't have apologized for being a bastard. Or didn't you mean that apology?"
"I did—"
"Prove it."
He raised his eyebrows. "How?"
"Take me out to dinner. To a nice, expensive restaurant."
"And how, exactly, will that prove I meant my apology?"
He looked a little confused, which was good. Because she had a feeling confusion was a state she'd have to keep him in if she was going to get anywhere with her plan of seduction.
Not that she specifically had a plan. Right now, she was just jumping at an opportunity which had presented itself.
"Well, in the brief time I've known you, you haven't exactly been free and easy when it comes to money. And word around the office is that you're a first class tight-ass—"
"It is?" he asked, his surprise evident in his voice.
"Yes. So, if you go to the trouble of buying me dinner at an expensive—and I do stress the word expensive—restaurant, then you're putting your money where your mouth is. And that, in turn, means you really are sorry." She couldn't help the smile playing around her lips. "In that case, your apology will be graciously accepted."
"This sounds to me like a sneaky method of getting a high class meal without having to pay for it."
"Are you saying I don't deserve it? Even after your harsh treatment over the last few months?"
"No. I'm just saying that this will be a one-time apology.
Don't be expecting future apologies." He paused. "Or dates."
"I'm not after a date, Assistant Director, not now or in the future. I don't date men I work with." Which was true, up to a point. She'd certainly never dated Jack, her partner in the State Police, though she had dated coppers in other divisions over the years. Just not those in the areas where she worked. She raised an eyebrow, silently challenging him to answer honestly.
"Why would you think I'm after a date with you? Especially after the way you've treated me over the last few months."