Thorn's Challenge - Brenda Jackson [20]
She lifted a brow. “What?”
“My sweetest temptation.”
Five
“S o what did you want to talk to me about?”
Tara nervously nibbled on her bottom lip. She and Thorn had just finished the best chili she had ever eaten. The building that housed the restaurant was rustic, made of logs with tall, moss-covered oak trees surrounding it. The place resembled a roadside café more than a restaurant and was positioned almost in seclusion off the two-lane highway.
Due to its lack of visibility, Tara could only assume that those who frequented the restaurant were regular customers since the place was taking in a high degree of business. It also appeared that a lot of those customers were bikers. She found the atmosphere comfortable and had almost forgotten the discussion she needed to have with Thorn.
“I want to ask a favor of you.”
He met her gaze over his cup of coffee. “What kind of favor?”
She sighed. “Have you ever heard of Lori Chadwick?”
He frowned as if searching his brain, then moments later said, “No.”
Tara nodded. “Well, she is well-known around the city for her charity work. Mrs. Chadwick has come up with this great idea for a project to raise funds for Kids’ World. You have heard of Kids’ World haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, she has decided what she wants to do to raise money for that particular charity this year. She wants to do a calendar of good-looking men from different professions, and would like you to be one of the models. She wanted me to ask you about it.”
He placed his coffee cup down. “You can go back and let her know that you asked me.”
She met his gaze. “And?”
“And that I turned you down.”
Tara narrowed her eyes. “I think it was wonderful that you were one of the men she wanted.”
“Then I’m flattered.”
“From what I understand, they will pay you.”
“It’s not about the money.”
“Then what is it about, Thorn? I know for a fact you’re involved with a number of charities for children. Why not this one?”
He leaned back in his chair. “I don’t like having my picture taken.”
She frowned. “That’s a crock and you know it, considering the number of times newspaper photographers have taken your picture when you’ve won a motorcycle race or built a bike for some celebrity.”
He shrugged. “Newspapers reporters are different. I don’t like having my picture taken in a private session, in a studio or anything like that.”
“In that case you won’t have anything to worry about. It’s my understanding they want to capture you in your element—probably outside standing next to your bike.”
“The answer is still no, Tara.”
She glared at him. “Why are you being so difficult, Thorn?”
“I have my reasons,” he said, glaring back at her as he threw money on the table for their meal. “It’s getting late so we should head back.”
Tara sighed. He had to be the most stubborn man she had ever met. “I need to make a pit stop at the ladies’ room before we leave,” she said softly, disappointed that he had flatly refused to do the calendar.
Moments later, when she walked outside to where he stood next to the bike, she couldn’t help but wonder why he didn’t want to be photographed by a professional photographer. “I’m ready now.”
Without saying anything, he helped put her helmet on again and adjusted the straps. She swung her legs across the huge bike without his help and glared up at him. “I said I was ready, Thorn.”
He stood there and looked at her for a few moments before finally getting on the bike in front of her, revving the engine and riding off.
Tara was mad and he knew it, but there was nothing he could do about it since he would not be doing the calendar. The sooner she accepted that the better.
“You’re in la-la land again, Thorn. Are you in this game or not?”
Thorn glared at Chase. “Yes, I’m in.”
Chase chuckled as he studied his hand. “Yes, you may be in this game but from what I hear you’re definitely out with Tara since you turned her down for that calendar.”
Thorn tossed out a card. “She’ll get