He recoils at my crude analogy. It’s true, though. I’ll go out on a limb and say those hos he’s hauled back to his place weren’t exactly riding in their firstrodeo.
“And I haven’t always been single for your information,” I sneer at him. “I had a very serious boyfriend named Brad during my European run last summer.” I shudder at the thought of Brad and his hard as granite hair. I hated the fact I couldn’t run my fingers through it. Come to think of it, he’d bat me away if I tried. “We landed in Kansas for a country shoot, and he referred to cows as boys.” I avert my eyes at the memory. “I broke it off thatnight.”
Brody sniffs a light laugh while mixing an entire row of glowing blue cocktails. “So, you don’t appreciateidiots?”
“I must appreciate them somewhat. I’m living with you, aren’t I?” I give a sly wink. I’d hate to ding his ego too much in one night. I need to save the real grenade once Mojo takes me by the arm and leads me out the door. If Brody doesn’t cry wolf—pun intended—well then, I guess I’ll be busy dodging a bad boy for the rest of the night. The entire thought has mesagging.
“What’s the matter,princess?” He pulls out that last word and dips it in sarcasm. “Having second thoughts about taking off with the mafia man? I heard that indecent proposal.” His jaw clenches a moment. “I guess you’re finally getting what you want.” Brody glares at me a moment. Those lucent eyes of his bear into me hard, and I feel the heat from his stare right down to my wearysoul.
“Guess Iam.”
Low comes over, and Brody hands a couple of drinks off to her. She’s quick to blow me a kiss as she races off with thegoods.
Brody rests his elbows on the counter and leans in. “You do realize he was once a P.E. instructor for Hollow BrookHigh.”
“Wow, really?” I shake my head wistfully in Mojo’s direction. “Now that’s one teacher I can’t wait to bang erasers with.” I shove the cherry into my mouth and pluck the stem out painfully slow as Brody simmers to aboil.
His hulking frame leans in farther until he looks as if he’s about to climb right over the bar, and my heart drums to a climax. What in the hell is happening? Either he’s putting on those pissed big brother shoes once again or he’s so jealous he can’t see straight. Dear God, let him go blind withfury!
The muscles in his jaw tense, and my thighs start in on a quiver that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. “You know, I never would have pegged you for someone who would go for a guy like that. You are predictably unpredictable.” He lifts a blue glowing drink my way before knocking the whole thing backhimself.
“A good girl does lovetrouble.”
Jessie reappears winded with an empty tray in hand and her hair frazzled like a bad ’80s ’do.
“It’s time for a break.” Brody takes the tray from her. “You’re doing great. Keep up the goodwork.”
“Are you kidding? I’ve never tripped or stuttered more in a single night. I’m nothing but a bundle of nerves out there! I’m going to need a stiff one when this night isthrough.”
“Ha!” I balk. “Well, you’re in luck, sweetie. Brody here has laid more pipe thanExxon.”
“I beg your pardon?” she squawks as if I implied something out of the realm of sexual possibility. Hey? Maybe Bo Peep here isn’t a skank after all? “I was thinking more along the line of a vodka tonic.” She looks to Brody and bites down hard on her bottom lip. “But I like your line of thinking.” She glances to me. “Even if you are a little crass.” She glances over her shoulder. “I’ve got one more table to tend to, and then I’ll take you up on that break.” She trots off with a sexed-up spring to herstep.
“Graduate degree in library sciences?” I scoff. “No wonder she’s bitter. I’d rather have an enema full of rusted nails than be in your shoes tonight,” I growl at him for even contemplating taking Bo Peep on a barnyard romp. This is not how this was supposed to go. This is not how Brody and I were supposed to end up—with otherpeople.
“Who knows? Maybe we can double date one night.” He’s glaring at me as if this entire fiasco were entirely myfault.
Bo Peep bops back and squeals as the music takes a turn for the morbidly slow. “This is my all-time favorite song. You have to dance with me.” She titters on and on so fast while expertly extricating Brody from behind the bar, and before either of us realizes what’s happened, they’re swaying hips on the dance floor with nary a space left between them for the HolySpirit.
“I can’t believe this,” I mutter as Low and Lex come up besideme.
“I’m so sorry, hon.” Low gifts me a soft kiss to the cheek. “It looks as if Brody has his sights elsewhere. Don’t you worry, girl. The right man will come along, and he won’t dare look twice at any other woman.” She brushes her finger over my nose with thatI’m so sorry for you lookon her face. I hate sympathy. I hate that I’m in dire need of it. She takes off for the kitchen, and Lex steps inclose.
“Don’t worry. I’m not wiping any imaginary tears off your cheeks.” For once I appreciate her hostile manner. “I’m here to tell you to fight for yourman.”
I look over at the two of them on the dance floor, still swaying to the rhythm while Jessie does her best to dry-hump Brody inpublic.
“What if all I really want is my man to fight for me? Is that sowrong?”
“Nope. But when you give someone mixed signals, it sure makes things a heck of a lot harder for him to try.” She shrugs. “Who knows? Maybe you’re both just too full of mind games to realize you could have played it straight all along.” She takes off before I can accost her and shake any truths that Axel may have whispered to her. Maybe Lex knows something Idon’t?
I glance back at the dance floor and catch Brody whispering into Bo Peep’s ear and she’s laughing, lifting her knee as if she were some soon-to-be war bride who just met her man at the USO. Now it’s my blood boiling. Brody Wolf is getting laid tonight, and by the looks of it, it isn’t withme.
Mojo comes my way while putting on his leather jacket. A set of chains dangles from the pocket, and I gulp down awhimper.
“You ready to hit the road, sweetheart?” He tips his head back, and that snake tattooed to his forehead actually looks as if it’s slithering myway.
I glance back and spot Brody eyeing the two ofus.
