He popped his right shoulder. “Yeah, I could. But Presley isn’t one of them. For one, he looks nothing like me.” Leaning forward, he mirrored my hand position—a classic negotiation tactic. “I said this earlier, but it’s worth repeating. Everything I’ve told you about him is true. I spotted him online, was blown away by his talent, and wanted to use my contacts and my fame to give him a leg up.”
I was entirely unconvinced, but whatever his true reasons, he wasn’t going to tell me. Not yet, anyway.
Joz picked up his glass of water again and held it out in front. “A toast.”
I canted my head, leaving my water on the table. “To what? I haven’t agreed to anything.”
That smile came slow, and oozed sex appeal. “No, but we both know you will.”
Chapter 4
Joz
I think I’m in love.
If I was anyone else,Aspen Kingcaid would be planning my elaborate and extremely painful death right about now.
Hell, for all I knew, she still could be. Something told me that if she wanted me gone for crimes that included my over-confidence and outrageous flirting, nothing would stop her. Not even a potentially lucrative contract for her family firm.
Her striking hazel eyes narrowed, her full (and yes, extremely kissable) lips thinned, and a muscle flickered in her jaw where, I was a hundred percent certain, she’d begun to grind her molars to dust. And every one of those actions hardened my dick to almost painful proportions. She was different from almost everyone I met, and I intended to charm her until she couldn’t resist me any longer.
“There’s a thin line between confidence and arrogance, Joz, and you didn’t just cross it, you lurched right over it and carried on running.”
She propped her elbows on the table and pressed her fingertips together, firing a look at me that would probably turn most men to dust. Or have them kneeling at her feet. I was in the latter camp.
“Let me be crystal clear. If I decide that Presley isn’t right for my business, then I will not sign him, regardless of the consequences. Manipulation is something I willneversurrender to. So, if you want my advice, which you will probably ignore because, well”—she waved her hand in the air—“you’re you, then you will take the Presley demand off the table and just sign the fucking contract. Or don’t. But stop playing games, because you’re playing them alone.”
Christ, she was adorable when scolding me. I pressed a palm to my chest. “I think I’m in love.”
“Jesus Christ.” She shook her head and got to her feet. “You know what? Forget it. You’re not worth the trouble.”
Spinning on her heel, she beelined for the exit, but as fast as those long legs of hers carried her, mine were longer and faster. I caught up to her before she could launch into the lobby, conscious of several phones pointed in my direction. Great. I’d be on TMZ in about one point five seconds.
“I’m sorry.” My smile was half grimace, half apology. “I always lean to humor rather than seriousness because, let’s face it, life sucks most of the time, and I prefer to laugh rather than cry. Also, and I don’t know if this will make a difference to you at all, but we are drawing a lot of attention, and while I’m used to appearing on the front pages, I’m guessing you are not. So please, will you sit with me and have dinner? I promise I’ll quit with the one-liners.”
She glanced over her shoulder, catching sight of several phones probably recording our entire exchange. Her cheeks puffed up as she blew out a heavy sigh. “Will you, though?”
I grinned. “I’ll do my best.”
Briefly closing her eyes, she gave the smallest shake of her head. Without waiting for me, she returned to our table, spine straight. It took so much fucking effort not to check out her arse, but those fucking cameras would definitely catch that, and I’d pissed her off enough for one evening. I followed her, retaking my seat. She slid her phone out of her handbag, tapped on it, and pressed it to her ear.
“If you’re calling the police, I promise to go quietly.”
I swore her lips twitched. “Well done, Joz. You lasted all of five seconds. Hello, John. It’s Aspen Kingcaid. I’m in the restaurant and there’s some customers filming me and my guest, which directly contravenes our privacy rules. Please have it taken care of.” She hung up and set her phone on the table before locking her eyes on me. “Problem solved.”
My forehead wrinkled. “I’m impressed.”
“Then, you’re easily pleased.”
I chuckled. “Or maybe it’s because you’re an impressive woman. And no, that isn’t a line. It happens to be how I see you.”
“Oh.” She brushed invisible fluff off her sleeve and covered what looked like a faint blush by taking a sip of water. “Well, I appreciate that.”
She leaned back as our food arrived, allowing the server to set down her plate. He put the most delicious-smelling piece of salmon I’d seen in a while in front of me, then retreated. Before I took a bite, though, Aspen went right back to business.
“I mean it about the Presley thing, Joz. Don’t push it because I will walk away. No regrets.”
She picked up a knife sharp enough to cut steel and sliced into her steak. Blood oozed out, which she mopped up with the meat. I followed the tines as they disappeared into her mouth and her lips closed around them. She made an appreciative sound, and my dick, which had only marginally waned, perked right back up again.
