Page 30 of Brutal Sin
“Sure thing.” Kim scribbled on the notepad. “I’ll be back in a second.”
Pamela focused farther down the footpath, unwilling to stare into his deep blue eyes. It didn’t make sense that she could loathe and lust for a man, all at the same time. She wished one emotion would hurry up and claim victory because this seesaw was exhausting.
“We’re not good, are we?” He leaned back in his chair. “Even though you said so last night.”
“Last night we were good because I never thought I’d see you again.”
His mouth tilted as if she’d paid him a compliment. Sharp eyes turned gentle. Harsh lips became inviting. “What if I decided I’m not finished with youyet?”
She laughed, a cold, bitter laugh she hoped sounded convincing. It wasn’t the first time he’d said ‘yet’ and had it sound like a sexual promise. Both instances had been equally confusing. “Then I’d take pleasure in letting you down gently. Just like you did to me last night.”
“I see you like to hold a grudge.”
“Only as much as most women.”
He gave a breath of a chuckle, the sound lacking humor. She waited, hoping to see a believable smile pulling at that lush mouth.
Nothingcame.
Nothing but her sister who slid a take-away coffee in front of him with a slight curtsy. “Here you go, Bryan. Enjoy.”
“Thanks.” He focused on the container as Kim walked away, his hand snaking up to rub over his beard. “She knows myname?”
“She knows a lot of things.” There were no skeletons left hidden to her family. No rock left unturned. Pamela rarely had anything to be ashamed of, and even when she did, telling her sister seemed like a form of penance.
“So, it’s likely she spat in my coffee.”
“No, it’s not likely.” She spoke with solemn sincerity, allowing him the time to relax and reach for his take-away cup before she added, “It’s a certainty. There is no way in hell that coffee doesn’t contain some sort of retribution.”
His smile turned to a grin. When laughter hit her ears, she sat back and stared. Carefree Bryan was remarkable. A picture of charming severity. The playfulness in his eyes swept away his hostility, those flawless white teeth no longer vicious.
He placed the cup down as his happiness dissipated and the man she knew returned, this time less harsh.
“Are you ready to tell me why you’rehere?”
He raised his gaze to her, those blue eyes lingering on her lips longer than necessary. “After we left last night, some of the Vault members announced their annoyance at how I spoke to you. In fact, a lot of the women are up in arms, demanding a public apology.”
“Public apology?” She glanced around, hoping he had no intention of making a scene in front of hercafé.
“Don’t worry, I already told my business partners I’ve done the necessary groveling. I don’t plan on doing it again.”
She rolled her eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I’m hoping it’s because you realize we’ve already resolved the situation and dragging it out would be bullshit.”
“Okay.” She shrugged. “But you still haven’t answered my question. Why are youhere?”
“Did you get the email I sent about the class I’m running next Thursday night? A guys’ tutorial on the female—”
“Yeah. I gotit.”
“Then, you’ll also know I plan on having a demonstration assistant.”
She remembered. Her imagination had run wild with the thought of watching the instructional performance. “And?”
“And Janeane, the woman who was supposed to play the role, is one of the people demanding an apology. I need someone to take her place.”
“That shouldn’t be difficult. Not with women scrambling to climb on yourjunk.”
