Page 45 of Hearts Don't Lie
“PR?”
“Piñon Ridge.”
“We certainly will if it’s all as nice as him.”
Mac envisioned tossing them out the door, watching them splatter all over the pavement as they landed, but she stayed glued to her seat and sipped her coffee calmly. Jesus. Was Hardin subjected to this kind of shit all the time? The women’s flagrant sexist treatment toward him made her blood boil. They only saw him as eye candy, and yes, he was gorgeous, but there was so much more to him. It pissed her off.
She chewed on the inside of her lip as they left, wondering how much worse it might have been if they’d known who Hardin was. How on earth did he deal with bitches like these women and people who objectified him? It was something she’d never given serious consideration until now.
Large, warm hands squeezed her shoulders. “Hey,” Hardin said, kissing the top of her head. “You’re really tense, babe.”
She tilted her head back, finding calm in his aqua-blue eyes, and smiled. “Hey, yourself.” She reached to stroke his scruffy face. “Those women treated you like a piece of meat.”
“Uh-huh. It was better I left. I guess they followed me. They were in line next to me at the Grind. I don’t think man-eaters are going to become extinct anytime soon. No point in making a scene. I didn’t want my words or actions to impact you or your business negatively in any way.”
“Thanks, but their behavior burns my ass.”
Mac saw Cori observing them in her peripheral, but it didn’t bother her. Being with him in public, touching him, allowing him to touch her and kiss her… It felt… natural. Right.
“It’s my life,” he said, quietly searching her eyes. “One of the many reasons I want out.” He pulled her out of the chair to face him and gave her a lingering kiss. “Show me what I can do to help you today, boss.”
“Uh, Kenna?”
Mac was feeling light-headed from his kiss when her eyes switched to her business partner, who looked confused. “Yeah?”
“You haveso muchto tell me.”
Hardin glanced at Cori, squinted and the corner of his mouth hitched up. “Take a number and get in line behind me, okay?”
She returned his crooked grin and gave him a thumbs-up. “You got it. Why don’t you get your instructions fromthe boss?And thanks for helping. We’re stretched thin today.”
