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“Duly noted” He gestured to her plate “Good?”

“Fan-freaking-tastic,” Alexis openly adlee “You’re quite a catch So tell me, Layton, do you chase the ladies or do the ladies chase you?”

Layton gave her a sideways grin that showcased a nice rohite, even teeth The man could audition for a toothpaste commercial without an ounce of reservation “I’ve chased my share, but I’ve been chased, too”

“It’s all about the chase though, isn’t it? Once you’ve gotten what you wantwhere’s the mystery? Where’s the thrill?” She couldn’t help a twist of hidden bitterness to shape her words Maybe she was still s from her last boyfriend He’d been all about the chase, too

But Layton frowned, shaking his head “Souys are like that I’m not”

Alexis barked a laugh, not believing him for a second “You don’t have to put on an act forlaid”

“When I’irl, I only have eyes for her,” he said with such seriousness that she paused for a moment, thrown off track How could a uy? She didn’t buy it “Seriously?”

He shrugged as if he didn’t care if she believed hi, but the real good stuff? That happens after you get to know each other Never underesti able to be yourself with your partner”

“Whoa there, Dr Phil,” Alexis joked, a little uncootten serious “I was just kidding”

But she wasn’t entirely Riker had screwed up her internal sensor so badly she wasn’t sure it worked any longer and she didn’t trust her own judguy, but didn’t they all in the beginning? It was better to keep things superficial than risk getting hurt later She’d happily step over the line and break her own rule for the opportunity for some hot blow-your-mind sex, but that’s where it stopped

“For what it’s worth, you don’t have to try to convince me that you’re not a player I don’t really care one way or the other”

“Why is it so hard to believe that I’uy?”

“Because I’ve known too uys like you to know better,” she quipped