Which gave him an excuse to confront Del McCauley at her garage. They’d get to talking about who had Lou’s time this month, set a schedule, then he’d slip in a thinly veiled question about Rena. She’d be none the wiser, and he’d get insider info on his skittish quarry.
Hishäschen—little rabbit—a term of endearment he’d taken to calling Rena whenever he thought of her. Would she like that? Would she understand he meant it because she reminded him of a beautiful, golden-haired rabbit he’d admired when young? Or would she think he considered her his sleek prey? Either way worked for him.
Four
“You aresonot fooling anyone with your not-so-subtle questions.” Del shook her head, her arms crossed over her chest, as she stared at Axel from behind the desk in her office. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail today, the colorful sleeves of tattoos on her arms lovely. Axel knew her brother had done them, and he wondered if he ought to book an appointment with J.T. soon to add to his own.
He pretended ignorance. “I came to let you know I need Lou this week and next. Three days at least. Nothing subtle about that.”
He stood and waited, just staring at her. He gave her his cold, threatening stare, the one that scared so many into doing what he wanted without question.
The stubborn woman didn’t look the least bit intimidated.
Huh. With most women, he worked to appear smaller, nicer, more easygoing. With Rena, he’d pulled out all the stops to smile and express a more tender mien. And it had worked. With Del, he wore his war face. She didn’t blink an eye.
“Fine. You can have Lou. But I want to know what the hell you’re up to with my cousin.”
“Now who’s not being subtle?”
She smiled through her teeth. “Talk, German boy, or I’ll shove my cankles up your ass.”
“Cankles?” He was unfamiliar with the word.
“Ah, never mind. Talk.” She rubbed her belly, patted it, and smiled. “She’s kicking again. I’m telling you. It’s your voice.”
“What Rena and I do is our business.”
“Try again. She’s my cousin, more like a sister. And I’ve watched her be brokenhearted too many times. She’s been stressed with the new business, and it’s her dream to make it a success. I won’t have anything interfering with it or her.” She gave him a serious stare.
For Rena, he’d put up with Del’s interference. And, well, he liked her. “I am dating your cousin. We went out for a walk yesterday. Today she cuts my hair. But that’s not a date.” He frowned. “I don’t know what to do for our next time out. Perhaps you can help.”
“Wait. So you’re really dating Rena?” Her surprise didn’t help his ego. “She agreed to go out with you?”
“Ja.”
“Now, now, don’t get testy.” She tapped her belly. “My cousin is a romantic, I think I told you. Valentine’s Day is coming up, and it’s her favorite holiday.” She studied him. “You want my cousin to fall for you? Romance the hell out of her, then do a big thing on Valentine’s Day. She’ll eat it up.”
“What kind of big thing?”
“No clue. But I do know she loves chocolate and flowers.”
He drew out a notepad. “What kinds?”
* * *
Del goggled at the behemoth taking actual notes on Rena. She and J.T. had done their best to shelter their softhearted cousin for years. She’d been in and out of love a lot, but unlike Aunt Caroline, Rena rebounded, not making the same mistakes over and over with losers. Del knew Rena wanted what Del herself had found with Mike. It almost didn’t seem fair that her romance-loving cousin remained single while Del had found love with an ex-romance novel cover model.
But now Rena was looking. Apparently Axel was looking right back. And taking notes? Jesus, the guy must be hooked on her cousin to be dopey enough to write shit down.
“I’m waiting.” He looked at her with those dark-blue eyes, and she contained a shudder.
She’d never admit it, but sometimes Axel made her want to take a step back. Oh, she didn’t think he’d ever hurt her. But he had a bridled rage, a raw force she could sense simmering beneath the surface.
“You ever hurt Rena, I’ll gut you. Me, Mike, J.T., and my guys,” she warned.
She didn’t expect him to smile at her. And wow, did that smile turn him from a threatening hulk to one fine-looking man. She bit back a grin, determined to tell Mike that later on.
“Gut.You look out for Rena. She deserves that. Now, chocolates? What kind? And what about the flowers? Maybe her favorite books? She’s a big reader, yes?”
