Then he actually had the balls to lean in a little, like he was sharing a secret. “She’s all attitude and crossed legs until you lose interest. Then suddenly she wants to play nice. Real high maintenance.”
My vision was tinted at the edges. This dude had no idea how close he was to becoming a cautionary tale. He thought this was banter. He didn’t realize he was provoking something feral and territorial.
“That so?” My smile turned tight, my jaw ticking.
“Hey, I’m just saying. You think she’s really into the inked-up little rookie act? The blue-collar fantasy? She’s not exactly the type to let go. Or have fun.”
“I think what she isn’t into is having to fake it. She hasplentyof fun with me.” I smirked, my voice razor-sharp.
He blinked in surprise. “Right.”
I lowered my voice, a lethal edge to it now. “Maybe the problem wasn’t her being uptight. Maybe it was you being forgettable.”
Waiting a beat, I let the words sink in before delivering the death blow.
“She doesn’t want some frat boy with a cheap smile and softer hands than hers. She doesn’t want a puppy.” And now it was my turn to lean in, to share one of mysecretswith him.“She wants a big dog. One who knows how to handle her without needing instructions.”
He was gaping at me, and I threw in a wink for good measure. The alternative was knocking his veneers out of his jaw, and I wasn’t about to get myself benched.
“Got our drinks,” a clipped voice I knew all too well said from my side, and I turned my head to meet her blazing, furious gaze. “Let’s go.”
Fuck. While dealing with Douchebag David, I had completely missed our drinks being called out and Sierra returning.
How much had she heard?
Thirty Three
Sierra
“I can’t believe you told him I needed abig dog! You’re impossible, Dominic Kincaid.” I glared at him, but all I got in response was one of his everlasting, maddening smiles.
And it was a pretty one, too.Fucking hell.
“Was I wrong?” He wasn’t even trying to deny it. I guess at least he wasn’t lying to me … again.
“Yeah, I’m not intobig dogs.” Was I trying to convincemyselforhim?
He chuckled, offering a shrug with one shoulder. “Well, your taste must’ve changed. For the better, might I add.”
A gust of wind stirred the crisp air, carrying the scents of roasted coffee, wet concrete, and crushed leaves’ dying sweetness.
I scoffed at his cockiness. “Keep dreaming, Hotshot.”
“Don’t need to. I’m right where I want to be already.”
I had to catch my breath there for a second.Where did he come up with this shit?“So, what did David want?”
“I think his main mission was just to be a douchebag.” He sucked his teeth, unimpressed.
A leaf somersaulted down the walkway in front of us, chased only by the wind. The fall breeze freshened, blowing rogue strands of hair into my face, as he walked by my side.
There was hardly a day that went by now where he wasn’t a constant presence.When had I gotten used to that?
“Nothing new, then,” I muttered, slightly delayed by my wandering thoughts.
“Based on my interactions with him so far, I’m inclined to agree.”
I stopped walking, and it took him merely a second to notice I wasn’t at his side anymore.
