“It’s not the only reason.”Sonot getting into the others. “Part of me hoped to make it up to her by introducing her to potential clients. She wants to open her own business. She needs to build a client list.”
“And you haven’t done that tonight.”
The heavy weight of guilt settled in his gut. He’d only thought of himself. “No, I haven’t.”
Laying a hand on his arm, she said, “Go make your apologies. I’ll come make mine when you’re done.”
He had two to make, three if he counted his dick, but the best he could offer Curves was a shrug of regret before he headed across the ballroom. Just in the nick of time by the look ofthings. Maverick and his admin were on the dance floor, leaving Legs alone with Linc. Fuck knew where the rest of them were.
Linc was coming in hot, crowding her, one elbow on the table, the other over the back of her chair.
Motherfucker thinks he can move right in on Legs.
Why wouldn’t he, armed with the knowledge Avery had given him about their arrangement, whilehe’dbeen out seeking greener pastures. No, not greener. Jo was pretty fucking green. A hell of a lot greener than Curves. Just not available.
And again, not jealous, but Linc would pull an ejac and evac before she knew what hit her. Avery owed her more than respect. He owed her protection.
Stopping at her back, Avery growled at Linc, “Mind if I have a word with my date?”
Linc sat back, his expression both mocking and challenging. “That’s up to Jo. We’ve been entertaining each other just fine without you.”
“Oh my god.” She rolled her eyes. “Do I need to whip mine out, too?”
Linc barked out a laugh, deep and loud. He liked her.
Don’t even think about it. Keep your dick to yourself.
Legs swiveled to one side and stood. “If you’ll excuse me, Lincoln, duty calls.”
Lincoln? Nobody called him that.
The asshole stood as well and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “It’s been a pleasure, Jo.”
Avery shot him a warning glare, but he merely chuckled and walked away.
“What can I do for you, Avery?” Her tone was raspy soft, but he sensed an underlying frustration just beneath the surface. Obviously, he’d done something to piss her off, so he kept his mouth shut because insinuating a blow job would help take the edge offhisfrustration probably wouldn’t go over well.
He gestured toward his family’s empty table. “Let’s sit down.”
Without a word, she led the way. At the table, she shrugged into the tiny jacket as if donning armor, as if she needed protection from him. She sat and picked up the wine she’d barely touched during dinner.
The subtle hint of her perfume greeted him as he eased in next to her. She smelled good, different than the women at Pulse, different from Tits and Curves. “Are you okay?”
“I would be if I could smother a few people,” she muttered, twirling the glass but not drinking.
“Excuse me?”
She dismissed him with a flick of her fingers. “Inside joke.”
He drummed his own, but the calming rhythm he sought was muted against the tablecloth. He bit back the question he wanted to ask, like who the fuck she shared the inside joke with—Linc or Blaze?
Instead, he focused on being constructive. “Mom said you were upset.”
She inhaled a deep breath and let it out. “Your mother thinks I’m after your money.”
His mom never mentioned what she’d said to hurt Legs, but he was certain it wasn’t that. “Whatever she said, that’s not what she meant. She likes you.”
“Avery, she grilled me about my employment, or lack thereof. She wanted to know if I’d found another job, how I planned to support myself, and if I had the capital for my pâtisserie. Why else would she say all that if she wasn’t worried I’m some gold-digging ho?”
