I turned as she strolled away. “Charming as always, Ms. Howard.”
She waved a manicured, ring-bedecked hand without looking back. “Enjoy lunch, gentlemen.”
Aria was totally unaffected by me.
And I couldn’t drag my eyes off her curvy arse as her hips swayed from side to side in her tight skirt. My skin felt too hot, my mouth dry.
“Yes.” Theo stepped beside me. “She is rather luscious, that one, isn’t she? Frigid around men, though. I’d bet my fortune she’s gay.”
Despite having implied the same thing earlier, Theo’s words pissed me off. He would also lose that bet. I’d already googled the estate manager, and her last few relationships had been with male actors. “Just because Aria doesn’t fall at your feet doesn’t mean she’s frigid or gay, Theodore.”
He cut me a dark look for full-naming him. “No woman is immune to my charm unless they’re gay. I’m a spectacular lover, and everyone knows it.”
“That’s because you’ve slept with everyone.”
Theo narrowed his eyes. “Some of us don’t attach feelings to the sexual act like infatuated teenage girls.”
“I’m never fucking telling you anything ever again.” I marched toward the dining room.
“Oh, don’t be sore, old boy. Your serial monogamy is adorable. Really.”
He was such a prick. “You’re wrong about Aria.” I changed the subject as a waiter stepped forward to lead us to a table.
“What? That she doesn’t have a trail of gorgeous girlfriends in her past? God, there’s fantastic masturbatory imagery.”
Seeing the waiter flush at Theo’s comment, I shot the young bloke an apologetic look.
“We’ll have water for the table, with fresh-cut lime,” Theo directed.
As soon as the boy left, I replied, “She doesn’t have a trail of girlfriends in her past and if you even think about wanking off to her, I’ll cut off your dick.”
His grin widened. “Did you fuck her? Is that why she hates you?”
Iwanted to punchhimin the balls. Hard. “No.”
“Shame.” Theo perused the short menu the waiter had placed in front of him. “That woman needs a decent fucking. Maybe I should offer to bed her. Like I said, I’ve had no complaints.”
Something like fury clawed at my gut, but my tone was quiet as I looked over the menu and warned, “Try anything with Aria Howard, Theo, and I’ll break that pretty fucking face of yours.”
Silence fell over the table and then my friend murmured silkily, “We are territorial, aren’t we?”
I glared at him.
Theo chuckled and raised his palms in surrender. “I hereby promise to stay away from Aria Howard. And I’ll even be a good friend and not press you about why you’re so protective of a woman who punched your balls only a few hours ago.”
Good.
Because I honestly wouldn’t know how to answer that question.
Four
ARIA
Someone else could have gone to the main gates to receive the delivery. Wakefield. Jock. But no, I had to go. And Walker insisted on escorting me when he could have gone himself.
Why was I such a nosy parker when it came to North Hunter?
The delivery was for him and since he was still lying low, we’d agreed to sign the package.I’dagreed.
