The Lineup(46)

“It’s not about that.” For fuck’s sake, one drunk conversation about lube and he’s never let me live it down. “Just tell me you’re alone.”

“I’m alone. Emory’s in town with my mom right now. What’s up?”

Sighing, I fling my body back on my bed, ready to gab. “I had the weirdest fucking night last night.”

“Okay, what happened?”

Tugging on the short strands of my hair, I try to explain everything from the beginning. “Long story short, I’ve been trying to get to know Dottie.”

“Ah, good luck with that. Dottie is very particular about every aspect of her life. Not warm and fuzzy when you first meet her, that one.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. I’m still surprised we didn’t hang out in college.”

“She was around. We often hung with her.”

“Yeah, that’s what she said.” Weird. “Anyway. So yesterday morning, I told her in a not so subtle way that she was having dinner with me.”

Knox roars with laughter. “And how did she take that?”

“Not well at the time, but I convinced her with my passionate ways.”

“Jesus,” he mutters softly.

“And I honestly didn’t think she was going to show up, but when she did, she was . . . different.”

“Different how?”

“Well, other times I’ve been around her, she’s had this constant sneer toward me.”

“Ah, yes, I feel the same way, but continue.”

Such a jackass.

“There was no sneer, not even close to one. She smiled at me and then . . . she touched me.”

“Oh my God, no. Don’t tell me that. My ears are virginal. She touched you. Wait while I fan myself.”

I pause.

“Your sarcasm isn’t needed right now. I’m feeling odd and I need someone to talk to about it.”

“You know I hate this feelings shit.”

“And you know I need it, so be a goddamn friend and let me unload.” He groans but stays silent, letting me continue. “She was up in my business. Telling me she wanted me. Gripping my inner thigh, almost a graze to my dick, and then in the kitchen when I was taking the enchiladas out of the oven, she started mauling my chest with her hands. I was so caught off guard that I ended up spilling the entire dinner all over the floor.”

“Oh shit, did you cry?”

“No, I didn’t cry.” Internally I did. “But she was acting so strange that I asked if she was high or drunk.”

“I’m going to guess that didn’t go over well.”

“Nope, after that she told me your plants needed her and bolted.”

Knox chuckles and then exhales. “Yeah, that doesn’t sound like Dottie at all. She’s usually calm and collected. Maybe you’ve messed with her head a bit. She has a big deal she’s trying to close right now, so maybe that’s where all this is coming from. I don’t know, man, maybe lay off for a bit, at least until the deal is closed.”

“See, I offered up the suggestion that maybe she was stressed, and she didn’t seem to care for that.”

“Because Dottie is a unique one. She’s strong-willed, a killer when it comes to business, and an alpha in many ways. Emory says she doesn’t need a man to simply take care of her, but rather someone who would step up for her, someone who will put her in her place when she needs it but also lift her up when she’s on the warpath to take over the world. A strong man is what she deserves. Well, that’s what Emory says anyway. Personally, I think she’s a little scary.” I can definitely relate to the scary part.

“Yeah, I could see that in her. I just don’t understand what took over her last night.”

“Could be stress, could be wanting to scare you away. She does that, puts up a shield when she starts to feel something. Emory has said that many times. I think you two could be great together, but I would also be hesitant. She’s been hurt in the past by men who have taken advantage of her. She seems to have a lot going on, and if she feels like she’s losing control, she’ll lash out. Maybe that’s what happened last night.”

I think about it and start to feel guilty. “Shit,” I groan. “I wonder if I pushed her too hard. I really hope not because I would hate to stress her out more.”

“Who knows? The best thing I think you can do right now is lie low. Let her have some space and if she’s interested, she’ll come around. My bet is the deal is making her crazy because it’s a big one, and having a new factor enter in her life—that factor being you—it’s too much for her to handle.”

“Yeah, okay.” I blow out a sharp breath of air. “Damn, that sucks, because her tits are really nice.”

“Really, man?”

I chuckle. “You know I’m kidding. It’s her nipples I was really looking forward to meeting.”

Click.

The phone goes dead, and I laugh out loud.

I toss it to the side and stare at the ceiling. Give her space. I can do that. I don’t want to, but I can. Right after I apologize for my behavior.





Chapter Thirteen





DOTTIE