"Well? Why would a well-known, rich and attractive man need a dating service to find a woman?"

"Attractive?" he smiled.

Jenna groaned. "I'm sorry, Mr. Hawthorn-"

"Miss Robins," he drawled.

"I so suck at small talk," she said with a sigh, thumping her head lightly against the headrest.

"You know me well enough to be able to answer that yourself. I don't have the patience to wade through the dating scene to find a woman who would be interested in me."

She took a moment to absorb his words. "And not your money?"

"Exactly."

Ben turned his head to look out the back window. "Other than Matt, I don't have a lot of close friends. I was hoping to find someone who could understand."

"Understand what?"

"Me."

Whoa. Jenna had to take another hard look at Ben. Maybe Rhonda was right and he had been so focused on the business seven years ago, he couldn't see what he was doing to people. He'd changed.

She looked at him and reached up to touch his scar. "Thank you."

He turned to face her again and frowned. "For what?"

"For being honest."

22.

On impulse, she leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Ben stiffened at the contact, the muscle in his jaw flexing for a moment before she pulled back. Jenna cringed. Damn, I crossed a line.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"Jenna apologizing? That's something I didn't think I'd ever hear."

The limo slowed down and came to a stop outside what looked to be a large warehouse. Jenna was thankful for the distraction. Their conversation had gotten too serious and she was feeling a little drunk from the champagne, berries and excitement.

They'd better arrive soon so she could get some real food into her.

Static from the intercom preceded Matt's voice.

"We're here, sir."

"Thank you, Matt."

"Matt calls you sir? And where's here?" Jenna said and took a closer look out the window, trying to get a feel for what was inside the building.

"Matt only calls me sir when he's trying to be formal. And one of my homes."

"I thought you lived in Red Beach?" She took another quick look out the window.

"This looks pretty run-down."

Ben's gaze traveled over her body. "Give it a chance."

She nodded. In for a penny. Her stomach growled loudly in the limo. She was so hungry right now she probably would have agreed to have eaten outside the dome if he'd asked her.

"I'm sure it's lovely. I can't wait to see it."

"You'll be surprised by what you find inside."

Before she had a chance to respond, Matt opened her door. Light flooded their private cocoon, shattering the intimacy. Jenna quickly inched away from Ben and hoped she didn't look as aroused as she felt. The exaggerated red glow of the sun through the dome made her squint, so she didn't see Matt's hand.

"Do you need some help?"

"Oh, yes please."

Her legs were shaky as she stepped out onto the hard road. She took a few steps to get some distance between her and Matt. This was worse than before. Ben was somehow able to arouse her faster than any other man. Either she was completely desperate for sex, or the Perfect Match program wasn't a complete fraud after all.

From outside the limo, Jenna was better able to see the large building. Or at least part of it. One entire side appeared to be against the dome barrier that kept the breathable atmosphere contained. She couldn't believe they'd let someone build this close to the dome. The facing wall of the building was constructed from a combination of old Mars stone and black silicate glass. It was large for a building on Mars, and surprisingly, there weren't very many other buildings close by.

23.

She didn't hear Ben get out of the car. When he placed his large hand on her waist she shivered but didn't turn to face him. She had to keep her head about her if she was going to survive this date without looking like a fool.

"I bought it because of its location. Do you like?" he spoke the words near her ear.

Jenna swallowed hard and turned slightly into his half embrace. "I don't think I've been this close to the dome in years. You never see structures within a thirty-meter radius anymore."

"The government wanted to tear it down. Claimed that it was a target for terrorists who'd want to take out the dome. I made a small donation to the president's campaign fund and then bought the building under the condition that I would install a security detail. I have hidden security officers, cameras and sensors around the perimeter and inside the building. It's probably the safest place on Mars. I'm surprised you haven't been out on the surface recently."

"I've tried to get permission. But you know how strict this administration is."

"Incompetent group, our leaders."

Jenna was shocked. That was dangerously close to treason. When she looked at Ben this time, she noted that the man of the shadows was gone. The light showed a slightly harder edge to him. He was still the most handsome man she'd ever met. But for the first time she clearly saw his social mask, something she'd only guessed existed before.

This was clearly the businessman, Mr. Hawthorn. She surprised herself when she realized she was more interested in seeing Ben.

Oblivious to her revelation, Ben motioned to the building. "Would you like to go inside? I'd asked Matt to prepare a supper for us earlier. I was hoping we could spend some time talking."

"Of course, I'd love to," she said, her heart racing.

He guided her with his hand resting lightly on her hip. The constant contact kept her senses charged. Matt was already at the entrance holding the door open for them.

As Jenna entered the building he smiled.

"Have a wonderful time, Jenna."

"You're not coming in?" She faked surprise.

"No, I have the night off."

She smiled back at him. A small part of her was pleased she would have Ben all to herself. The other part was terrified.

Jenna moved into the dark room as far as she dared and tried to make out some of the features. Ben was speaking softly to Matt, the content of their conversation not quite reaching her ears. Then Matt was gone and Ben made his way over.

"I love Matt like a brother and I trust him with my life. But even I don't want my bodyguard hanging around when I'm on a date. Computer, low lights."

High above her head, the lights clicked on and flooded everything with a soft glow.

The hallway was refinished and modernized. Computer panels were built into the wall, 24 creating a smooth surface. She couldn't immediately see any doors, their smooth surfaces blending in magically with the wall. At the end of the hall stood a large sculpture of an angel with a sword. The angel's eyes seemed to follow them as they walked.

"Beautiful."

"She was a present from a friend. Someone to watch over me."

Jenna turned to face him. "I have friends like that. Always trying to keep me out of trouble."

He smiled. "Dinner is in the observation room. This way."

Ben held out his arm and Jenna instinctively took it. His body heat seeped through his jacket and was absorbed by her skin. He led her down the short hallway to another door. When he opened it, he paused for a moment to let her take in the details.

The far wall was fitted with large windows, swallowing up most of where the outer wall should be. She could tell it was tinted with a one-way coating, preventing any prying eyes from peeking in. The view of the red sand of the planet's surface and the orange sky was stunning. She almost forgot to look around the rest of the room.

Her eyes were drawn next to a large fireplace. A shiver ran through her when she saw two chairs flanking a large table. Her stomach bottomed out on her. She'd forgotten that he would have read her fantasies. Shit, shit, shit. Why hadn't she taken the time to read his?

"I hope you like it," Ben said next to her. He gave her hip a light squeeze before moving away.

She tried to ignore the implication of the chair by the fire and instead focused on the window.

"The view is amazing. I don't think I've seen a better one without actually being outside the dome."

"Yes, a beautiful view indeed."

She turned to face him, but he had ducked behind a large bar that took up most of the side wall. Jenna took a deep breath to try to calm her nerves. She'd have to be an idiot to have missed his compliment. Or else she was an idiot for thinking he'd implied one. What the hell did she think she was doing here tonight?

I can't do this. Not with Ben.

"Would you like a drink? I have some wine, or if you're feeling adventurous, I have a bottle of twenty-five-year-old Scotch straight from Earth."

She was Jenna Marie Robins. Professor of Environmental Issues at the University of Mars. Not a socialite who jetted about society dating powerful men. Especially with a man who'd sabotaged her research, her dreams. It felt like she was betraying something very important. But was she?

"Or I think I have another bottle of the champagne if you'd prefer."

"I need to leave," the words came out as a whisper.

25.

"Sorry?"

"I think I need to go," she said louder, pausing for a moment before she made her way back to the door.

With her hand on the knob, Jenna turned around to face him. He hadn't moved from the bar. He was watching her intently, but made no effort to stop her. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words didn't come. Instead, she took another look at her perfect match.

Sometime in the last ten minutes he'd taken off his jacket and stood there in his crisp white shirt. The buttons were now undone at the collar and sleeves, exposing the promise of a well-defined chest. He looked completely relaxed, as if her uncertainty meant nothing to him. If she walked out that door, he'd simply pop back online to find his next date.

It wasn't until she looked at his hands that she realized he was just as tense. His fingers clenched the bottle of Scotch so tightly his knuckles had turned white.

Something about the fact that he stood there, waiting for her to make a decision, trying not to influence her, let her relax.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm more nervous than I wanted to admit to myself," she said, darting a glance towards where he stood.

"Why? You know me."

"Exactly."

Ben didn't say anything at first. He released the bottle and walked in long, determined strides across the room to her. He stopped within a few inches of her, reached out and placed his hand on top of hers on the doorknob.

"Stay for supper at least. If you want to leave after that, then I'll call for Matt to come get you and take you home."

Warmth from his hand enveloped hers. Tiny jolts of energy seemed to pulse from the spot where their skin contacted up her arm and into the core of her body. She'd never been so turned-on in her life, never responded to any man this way before. All from the simple touch of their hands. Jenna's body was screaming at her to take him up on the offer. That's why she was here after all. And if she was reading his signals correctly, he was genuinely interested in her. But that silly professor side of her, the logical, practical and, most importantly, safe part of her was waving a very large red flag in her mind.

"If it would make you feel better, simply consider this a business dinner. Things won't go any further than you want them to."

Was that what she wanted? Something safe? All of the feelings of loneliness came rushing back. All of her fears of growing old alone. No, she wasn't going to be like that.

Not when she had a chance to grab a little excitement for herself.