Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen #3)(79)
Chad leapt to his feet faster than she would have liked, his face now a florid red. “You’re going to regret this, Holland. When he fucks you over again, you’re going to wish you had chosen differently. You’re going to look back and regret ever leaving me.”
He stormed out of the apartment.
Dax grinned her way. “Or would you rather have an omelet?”
She barely managed not to scream.
THIRTEEN
Dax couldn’t help it. He knew a smug grin sat plastered on his face since he was still standing inside Holland’s apartment and that dumbass was currently running away with his overly stylized tail between his legs. “Is your uncle recruiting officers at Abercrombie and Fitch these days?”
She locked the door and took a deep breath before she turned around, a warning glare in her eyes. “Don’t even start. What the hell was all that preening peacock routine, Spencer?”
Ah, they were back to Spencer. So she’d regrouped during the night. “I was just getting clean, partner. I intend to be a very good coworker to you, and part of that is keeping a good grooming ritual. And if you need any help at all with yours, I am here for you. I seem to remember there’s a place right at the small of your back that you struggle to reach. I can help.”
She flushed and he was almost certain that pink color wasn’t all about anger. “I can handle it, Captain. After all, I’ve been handling it on my own for the last three years. Did you help your wife bathe?”
She knew exactly where to stick the knife. “Do you want to talk about Courtney?”
“No. I told you. I don’t care about your marriage or your divorce. Or anything but the case.” She huffed, a frustrated sound. “I’m going to get dressed and then we can start working. The faster we solve this thing, the quicker you’ll be out of my life.”
She turned on her heel and stomped away.
For a woman who didn’t want to talk about his marriage, she brought it up an awful lot. He sighed and went to her fridge to figure out what to make for breakfast. Maybe she would be in a better mood if he fed her.
Dax really wished he’d punched that asshole. Carbs after noon? Was he fucking serious? Had he made Holland feel bad about her curves? She was a gorgeous woman, and he adored every inch of her. No one should ever make her feel like she wasn’t perfect.
Though he did intend to get her to eat more.
He opened the fridge and realized he would have to actually buy her some food to accomplish that. There was nothing in the fridge except a bagged salad, some condiments, and a small container of milk.
What the hell? He put the pan down. He wouldn’t be showing off his culinary skills today. They were going to the damn grocery store, because he couldn’t survive on rabbit food.
His cell phone rang. He’d already spoken with his mother, so it was likely either one of his friends or . . . “Hello, Gus. Are you doing all right?”
“I’m great. I got to eat reporter for dinner last night. Dumbass kid thought he could sneak into a press conference on his boss’s credentials. Have I ever properly explained how much I enjoy ruining the lives of the completely stupid?”
His sister was a pistol. “I know it’s a hobby of yours. Now ask me what you know you want to ask me.”
She let loose a long sigh. “Fine. How is she?”
Gus had missed Holland and had given him holy hell for their breakup and his impulsive marriage. “She’s Holland. She’s strong, but I hurt her.”
“Asshole, you practically eviscerated her.”
“You know at the time I thought she’d betrayed me in the worst way possible.” They’d been over this before, but he still felt the need to defend himself.
“At the time, I believe I told you there was something fishy going on, but does anyone listen to me? You all think I’m just a gorgeous warrior woman, but I have deep feelings, too. Well, not really, but I appreciate it when others have them. And I know when someone is hiding something, which Holland definitely was. Women like Holland don’t change, not for money or sex or fame. So you need to get on your knees and beg like a good man should.”
“Do you think I wouldn’t try that? She won’t listen to a word I say whether I’m on my knees or not.”
His sister scoffed and he could practically see her rolling her eyes. “I wasn’t talking about words, silly. I was talking about oral sex. You need to get down there and not let up until she’s had so many orgasms she’s too exhausted to fight you anymore. Trust me. This is a tried-and-true technique. I had to deal with a very obnoxious foreign ambassador last week. No one thought I could get him to move on trade concessions. But three hours later and the U.S. of A. had the deal of a lifetime.”
Dax’s ears burned. “Are you kidding me?”
“I’m a motherfucking patriot, brother. So I know of what I speak. Get on your knees and beg properly or I’ll come down there and make the noogie incident of eighty-nine look like a walk in the park. I want Holland as my sister-in-law.”
Damn, Gus really was mean. “And I want to give her to you, though for my own selfish reasons. But I don’t think she’s going to give in so easily. I really hurt her.”
“And she hurt you.” His sister’s voice softened. “Don’t give up. She loved you enough to let you go. You need to remind her that she loved you. She turned down that super cheesy engagement for a reason. Most women wouldn’t. That ring alone would have swayed the majority of women, but Holland didn’t even look at it. She just shook her head the whole time. You still have a shot with her.”