"Sarcasm isn't the most polite of greetings, Ms. Samuels," he answered in a tone brittle with annoyance as he quickly released my hand. "You aren't so charming yourself." I ignored the traces of heat his hand left on my palm and shrugged. "And you just made a hypocrite of yourself with that sarcastic comment. Now we're even." Anger flared in his gold-flecked, brown-green eyes. "Not even close. Why don't you take a seat and we'll discuss business." I shook my head. "I don't believe we have any business together, Mr. Maxfield. And I have work to do. Macy will come by and take your order when you're ready. Good day—" I had just turned when his arm shot out and grabbed my elbow in an iron grip. I glanced at it and narrowed my eyes at him. "I would let go if I were you. No one would blink an eye here if I break your nose for touching me." His gaze darkened, his grip not loosening one bit. "I wouldn't threaten men who are twice your size if I were you, Ms. Samuels. Others here may let you get away with playing tease like old Bruce back there, but some of us have a little more self-respect than that. I'm certainly a lot more discerning where I get my kicks from. Even a well-oiled bike breaks down after so many men have ridden it." Red flashed in my vision and before I knew it, I threw a punch. My fist grazed his jaw before punching into air and before I could react, he was on his feet, grabbing me by the shoulders, propelling me into the booth, and settling himself in front of me so I was trapped between him and the table. He was much larger and stronger than I thought, and he looked downright furious. "Let go of me, you ass!" I yelled at him as I struggled to push him off the seat, but he was pure muscle under the shirt and jacket that he didn't budge an inch. "You're an arrogant, offensive cockhead and I'm not wasting my time on you." "Stop swearing!" he hissed at me, aware that heads popped up at my raised voice. "I don't want to talk with you any more than you want to talk with me, but we're in a mess that you created and I want you to fix it." That got my attention. I stopped struggling and stared at him as if he sprouted a horn—make that two horns since he was probably the devil. "What the hell are you talking about?" He rolled his eyes, releasing me. "Oh, you very well know what I'm talking about, Ms. Samuels. Didn't you plan all of this out? Play my father right into your hands so he would do anything you asked, including blackmailing his own son so you can get what you want?" I frowned. "I'll give you exactly ten seconds to explain yourself before I scream murder. My friends down at the Dalhousie precinct aren't very fond of pervs and bullies like you." Watching his jaw clench, a muscle ticking under his left eye, I realized just how angry Brandon Maxfield was. There was no humor for him in all of this, and he was barely restraining himself from reaching over and wringing my neck. As to why he was mad at me, I didn't know. Be the adult, Charlotte. Attempt a civil conversation even if the man is a total ape. "Let's try this again," I said in a calmer tone. "What are you here for? Tell me as if I'm hearing this for the first time because I bet I am. Please and thanks." I was proud of my perfectly pleasant statement but it seemed to infuriate him further because he dragged in a deep, loud breath as if fighting for control. "I'm here to propose marriage, Ms. Samuels," he said in a grave voice as if he just announced a death sentence—for whom, that I wasn't sure about. I blinked a few times before I grinned and lost it, throwing my head back laughing. "What exactly is so hilarious about the situation, Ms. Samuels?" he demanded. Clutching my stomach, I shook my head as I tried to stem the flow of my laughter. I brushed a few tears off my cheeks with the back of my hand and looked at him. Well, the man looked serious—or had an excellent poker face. "I'm sorry," I said. "I thought I just heard you say you were here to propose marriage to me. Who put you up to this? Martin? Where's that sly old man so I can give him his payback for this?"