Neighbors with Benefits (Anderson Brothers, #2)(12)

The hurt look on Mia’s face made Michael’s gut churn.

The man shook a finger at her as if she were a naughty child. “What I do know is that since you refuse to do the right thing and stay home, you will behave at this wedding. You will be where you’re supposed to be and I’ll be there to make sure you get to each event on time.”

“I’m not some animal that needs to be given commands and yanked from place to place, Jason.”

“Hey. Great idea. I should bring a collar and leash to make sure you get to the wedding on time!”

And at that moment, Michael felt like the biggest * in history. Hearing words so similar to the ones he had said to Mia the day before drove a painful spike through his chest. He had to make it up to her somehow. This guy thought she wasn’t dating material? Well, Michael was about to prove him wrong. Way wrong.

Digging down deep, he pushed his remorse and anger aside and assumed a pleasant expression. “Are you ready for dinner, sweetheart?” Michael asked, strolling casually into the apartment, hyper-aware he was barefooted. He couldn’t recall the last time he left his home without shoes. Maybe it would add to the effect he was going for—the intimate boyfriend. The stunned look on Mia’s face almost made him laugh out loud. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a guest.” He extended his hand to the equally surprised Jason. “I’m Michael Anderson.”

“Oh, uh. I’m Jason Tipton. Nice to meet you.”

Mia’s surprise had turned to amusement. Seeing Jason so off guard probably clued her in to Michael’s game. She was quick. He liked that. “I’m almost ready. I was interrupted.” She gave Jason a pointed look. “I’ll just be a sec…honey.” And with that, she disappeared into her bedroom and closed the door, leaving the two men alone.

The silence was awkward, but Michael loved it. He sat on the sofa and studied the other man in the chair across from him. Based on his fidgeting and repeated glances to the door she had disappeared through, Jason was clearly as uncomfortable as he had made Mia, but that wasn’t good enough.

Finally, Jason broke the silence. “So, I guess I should be going.”

“Oh, no. You’re a friend of Mia’s so I’m sure she wants you to join us at my place for drinks.”

The guy shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Um, well, I’m not sure…”

The door opened and Mia emerged wearing a low-cut black dress and high heels that showed off her fit body and defined calf muscles. Michael popped to his feet immediately, pulling Jason with him. “Stand when a lady enters,” he whispered under his breath. “Mia is a lady, Jason. My lady.” He knew it was the verbal equivalent of pissing on a tree to mark his territory, but with a guy like Jason, sometimes pissing on a tree was the best tactic.

“You look amazing as always,” Michael said approaching her. The only thing that revealed she was on edge was the widening of her eyes as he got closer. “Truly amazing.” And with that, he pulled her into his arms, mindful to angle their position properly for their stunned audience, and took her mouth in a deep, overtly sensual kiss.

…

A yummy noise from deep in Michael’s throat pulled Mia out of her lust haze. Holy crap the man could kiss. And she’d kissed him way too long. She’d totally forgotten everything once Michael’s tongue met hers, exploring, dancing, demanding. Time, place, even awareness of who she was had flown out the window. She pulled back, keenly aware of his hardness pressed against her. Slowly, she took a deep breath, unwound her fingers from his shirt, and moved out of his embrace.

Jason cleared his throat and Mia grinned. In addition to being a great kisser, Michael was a genius. Jason would never tell her that no man would put up with her again. Not after seeing her kiss this man with his perfect features, clothes, and manners.

“Shall we?” Michael said, gesturing for the door. “I invited your good friend, Jason, to join us for drinks. I hope that’s okay.”

Uh oh. How long would Jason buy this act? How long could she carry it off? “Sure.”

Michael twined his fingers through hers as if they were lovers and hadn’t met yesterday under less-than-ideal circumstances, and they strolled to his apartment, Jason following behind looking as confused as Mia felt.

She couldn’t help but wonder why Michael would do such a thing. Honestly, she had no idea what would motivate him to pretend to be her boyfriend other than just to teach Jason a lesson, but he’d accomplished that with the kiss. Why the prolonged show?

She fought back a gasp when she entered Michael’s apartment. It was perfect, like a magazine spread for an architectural periodical. Chrome, glass, steel, and black leather. All perfectly placed and displayed.

“Scotch, Jason?” he asked as he slipped behind the bar. “Mia prefers wine if you’d rather have that.”

“Actually, her favorite drink is tequila,” Jason said with a grin. “Tequila does great things for Mia.”

“I do great things for Mia, Jason,” Michael responded coolly, pouring red wine in a crystal goblet.

Whoa. He was taking this whole playing-the-boyfriend thing seriously. She wondered what he’d be like as a real boyfriend. Actually, the word “boyfriend” wasn’t sufficient for a man like him. So in control and calm. What would he be like, she wondered, if he ever dropped that calm fa?ade?