Gracie had so many worries about starting over, but mostly about people figuring out what her life had once been like. She never wanted to return to that ugly, vile place again.

"Most folks are, until they stab you in the back."

She arched a brow. "Does that bit of advice come with personal experience?"

"Sadly, yes." Stone's eyes grew heavy as he reviewed the menu in front of him. "That's why I'm here, to set things right with an old friend."

Before Gracie could ask any more questions, Madeline returned with the teas. "Have you decided on lunch?"

"Yes, I think so," Gracie said. "I'd like the club sandwich with fries." She glanced toward Stone, letting him know it was his turn to order.

"I'll have the bacon cheeseburger with onion rings."

Gracie inwardly sighed. "Well, I guess you're not kissing anyone tonight," she said with a giggle. Then her gaze settled upon Stone, whose eyes were filled with wicked surprise. Gracie felt her chest tighten and her pulse race.

The desired heat within his eyes intensified as he asked, "Is there something I should know about tonight, Gracie Myles?"

Holy shit! Was he asking if she planned to kiss him as a waitress hovered beside them? Is this what honest flirting was?

"I'll get this out in a flash," Madeline said, turning quickly from their table.

Gracie's mouth felt dry, and she licked her lips, looking everywhere but directly at him. "Are you done teasing me, Stone?"

He shrugged. "You're the one who brought up kissing me."

She sucked in a sharp breath and eyed him. "I did not!"

"Yes, you did."

Calming herself, she explained, "I made a general statement."

He pinched his brow tight at the bridge of his nose. "So you don't want to kiss me then?"

She locked onto his sexy gaze, and her heart thumped hard in her chest. "Stop," she demanded, lowering her voice as to not draw attention. Her entire body was humming with excitement. Stone was a dangerous man. He was making her tingle just by looking at her. His teasing words had her mind racing with thoughts of sex without inhibitions.

"Stop what?" He grinned. "I'm just glad I'm not the only one."

She crinkled her forehead. "What are you talking about?"

He licked his lips, and a crooked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I'm glad you're thinking about kissing me." She started to argue until he added, "Because I can't stop thinking about kissing you."

Her mouth formed a small O.

"What?" he said, surprise in his deep voice. "Has no one ever made a comment like this to you before?"

She pressed her lips together and shook her head.

"Now that amazes me." He slowly reached across the table, brushed her thick, wavy hair back from her face, and gently stroked her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. "You're a beautiful girl, Gracie, and you have a mouth—"

Madeline returned with a pitcher of tea. Gracie eased back in the booth, and Stone's hand quickly fell away. Silence loomed over the table as she topped off both glasses. Gracie smiled, and it was the fakest smile she'd ever plastered on her face. She couldn't stop wondering what Stone had been about to say. She also couldn't stop wondering if she'd enjoy being kissed by a man who clearly wanted her. That idea alone warmed her in places that had never felt so alive.

Gracie quickly picked up her glass and took a big gulp of tea to wet the dryness that had suddenly consumed her throat. Placing the glass on the table, she met Stone's gaze head on. "You were saying?"

He grinned wide as his gaze explored her. He started at her long fingers, trailed slowly up her arm, over the tight T–shirt that covered her now sensitive breasts, and up her neck until he finally locked eyes with her once again. "You're beautiful, and a mouth like yours was made for kissing."

For the first time in her life she was turned on because her body wanted to be. She was attracted to Stone, and she couldn't help but blush over his directness. She instantly felt naked under his greedy stare, and she liked it.

Gracie smiled shyly and then said, "Please excuse me." She scooted out of the booth and walked to the bathroom.

Once she was there, she leaned against the door and rested her head on the hard wood. Closing her eyes for a moment, she sighed heavily.

Stone had a way of making her blush, and that was incredibly hard to do with the experience she'd had with men. Still, there was something so different, so amazingly sensual about him that was driving her wild. She took a few moments to gather herself, splashing some cool water on her face.

As she returned to the table, the aroma from Stone's cheeseburger filled her nostrils. The scent was mouthwatering as was the sight of him studying her as she sat back down in the booth.

"Here you go," Madeline said, placing their meals in front of them. "Anything else I can get for you?"

Gracie suddenly realized she needed directions to the nearest lodgings. She wasn't likely to hang out in the diner all night, and who better to ask than a local? "Yes, actually, where is the nearest hotel?"

Stone choked on his tea, and his eyes widened.