A Very Merry Bromance (Bromance Book Club #5) (27)

“That it’s beautiful.”

If Colton kept looking at her like that—like she was a candy cane he wanted to suck on—she was going to play prisoner for real and beg for handcuffs. So she resorted to her default self-defense mechanism. Sarcasm. “Actually, I just keep thinking about how much money is wasted on something like this that could be used for helping the needy pay their electric bills. People freak out over the idea of their tax dollars going toward anything that even looks like welfare, but they have no problem with this.”

“This isn’t paid for with tax dollars. This entire display is paid for by the downtown development foundation, which is all funded by private donations.”

“And imagine how much good those donations could do if they gave that amount of money to something worthy.”

“Something like your pro bono immigration clinic?”

“Among a million other important causes.”

“Hey.” The feel of his finger beneath her chin, turning her face to his, was like an electric shock. She forgot to breathe as he settled his gaze on hers. “Where does that come from?”

“What?”

“That guilt over how fortunate you are.”

“It’s not guilt. It’s empathy. Why should I have so much when so many people have so little? What right do I have to stand here and take in this frivolous beauty when there are people in this very city who have to rely on food banks just to feed their kids?”

“That is guilt. You’re directly blaming your own family’s wealth for everyone else’s lack of it.”

“No, I blame a system that allows one family like mine to accumulate so much wealth at the expense of others. That’s why I get so annoyed at Christmas. Rich people rush to get in their last-minute charitable donations so they can write it off on their taxes in January, while others are forced to choose between dinner and an empty stocking for their kids. How did the world get so unequal?”

He quirked an eyebrow. “And here I thought we were just going to look at some pretty lights.”

She looked at her lap. “Sorry. I’m not exactly a fun person.”

“I beg to differ. I’m having the time of my life with you. I had a helluva good time last year too.”

She clutched her cup. “I’m not going to sleep with you tonight,” she blurted out.

He nearly choked on his cocoa. “Excuse me?”

“That’s what you’re doing, right? Trying to make me feel special so I’ll sleep with you again tonight?”

Colton clicked his teeth as he wiped the corner of his mouth. “Damn, girl. That’s a Texas-size chip on your shoulder. You might want to see someone about that. But since you’re interested in my after-hours plans, I have to get some sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow.” He grinned at her. “Sorry to disappoint you, though.”

Heat infused her cheeks. “What does that look like for you?”

“A busy day?” He shrugged. “Meetings and shit.”

“What kind of meetings does a country star have?”

“Well, for starters, I have an appointment with my hairstylist, and then I have a facial, and then I need to pick out the next amazing photo of me to sign and send out to all the women who have been begging me for an autograph, and then there’s the all-important meeting with my style consultant for some new clothes . . .”

“I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.”

He shook his head. “I am definitely joking. I just have a lot to do tomorrow, so no fear. I have no plans to ravage you this evening.”

Chagrined, she sank farther against the hard back of the bench. “Well, good,” she said after a moment. “Because we have business to discuss.”

“Ah, yes. Business.” He sat up straight. “So, convince me.”

She narrowed her eyes in confusion. “Convince you?”

“Why should I take an obscene amount of money to pose with some whiskey?”

“I never said anything about it being an obscene amount of money.”

“It would have to be for me to consider it.”

Her lips twitched with a suppressed smile. “For standing around and having your picture taken?”

He pointed at his cheek. “You want this handsome face, you gotta pay for it.”

“Nothing wrong with your ego, is there?”

“It’s not ego if it’s fact. This here gorgeous face of mine is worth a lot of money.”

His swagger worked. Her face lost all traces of her previous tension, and she surrendered to a smile. “Fine. But you’ll have to take that up with my brother. I’m just the middleman.”

He sucked his teeth. “You’re not exactly selling me on it, honey.”

She crossed her arms. “Carraig Aonair is one of the most recognizable labels in the global market today. Being chosen as a brand ambassador is one of the most coveted endorsements available to celebrities. Appearing as a representative for us would extend your own brand far beyond anything you’ve been able to achieve so far.”

“I don’t know. I’m already pretty damn famous, honey.”

“What do you need to hear to convince you?”

“A number.”

“A number?”