He crossed his arms and spread his legs, a firm gesture he wasn’t going anywhere. Well, that was fine because I wasn’t letting him in the apartment, either. I’d be happy to slam the door in his face. “Listen, I just want to talk to him. He’s my friend.”
“Funny, because I didn’t think friends betrayed each other. Friends also visit friends in jail.”
“I never betrayed him,” Vane argued, brows dipping on his forehead. “I protected our hard work. I kept myself and his staff from being kicked out of city hall.”
I snorted. “Yet, oddly enough, you found no time to offer him a room to stay in. What do you want?”
“To talk to him.” He stepped in closer, but I didn’t budge. I’d been around men like Vane Elwood my entire life, and I wasn’t going to be pushed around. I’d sooner punch him in the gut. So, I stood there and let him try to use his height to intimidate me, even if it didn’t do anything to help him.
“No.” I waved my hand at him in ashoogesture. “Go home, Mr. Mayor, or I’ll call the police. I’m sure the media would love a story about another mayor being carted away in a cop car. BOGO drama.”
I went to close the door, but he grabbed it, holding tight. “I’m not leaving until I talk to Ross.”
“Who’s at the door, Mister?” Ross chose that moment to walk out of the laundry room into the kitchen. He stared across the expanse of the apartment and came to a stop, eyes wide, which would have been comical, considering he was still in his apron and briefs and nothing more, if it hadn’t been the bastard who’d betrayed Ross once already at the door. “Vane?”
I didn’t miss the way Vane’s gaze slid down Ross’s barely covered body, and I grunted, spinning on my heel and storming over to stand in front of Ross so he couldn’t see anything. My body didn’t help at all, though, not when he’d gained so much muscle in prison.
Shaking his head, Vane smiled. “Hey, Ross.”
My eyes narrowed farther, and I peeked at Ross over my shoulder. “You give me the word, Pookie, and I’ll kick him right in the family jewels. They won’t be shining after that.”
Ross wrapped his arms around me, and I froze in surprise. He snuggled into my back and rested his chin on my shoulder, even though our height difference made it awkward. “What do you want, Vane? I’m spending time with my boyfriend.”
Boyfriend?The only people we’d used that term with were the cops, and that was to get him off on the solicitation charges.Okay… and maybe Kellan and Juliana had heard me use that word….While I’d gotten to know Ross in the last year in a mostly physical way, I hadn’t lied to him when I’d told him I’d learned a lot about people. I heard the lie coming out of his mouth, the urge to show his former friend that he was doing fine, and he didn’t need anything from him. I would have been the same way if I had a friend like Vane.
“Ross, you know why I couldn’t contact you,” Vane said, mouth pursed. He tugged at his fancy black suit and smiled sadly. “I wanted to come see you, but the media was all up my ass. Even Jax couldn’t go anywhere without reporters following him and wanting to know the gossip about you. Mark was beside himself when he told us they had a search warrant and arrested you.”
“Admit that you only cared about your own image,” I snapped, touching Ross’s arm comfortingly. “You are a lousy friend.”
“I had to do my job.” Vane raised his chin and crossed his arms. “I’m not going to apologize for doing what Ross asked me to when he talked me into running for office with him. We made a commitment to each other. If Ross and you are going to be angry about me being good at my job—”
“I’m not,” Ross said sharply, interrupting him. He kissed me on the cheek before looking at Vane again. “Let me get some clothes on and we can talk.”
“Pookie—”
He kissed me on the mouth, hard to shut me up, and I leaned into him. He tasted like lasagna, and I decided I preferred the flavor of it on his lips rather than eating the actual food. “I need to do this,” he whispered, so only I could hear. “I need to have this conversation with him.”
I sighed. “Fine, but if he upsets you, I’m kicking him out. This is still my home.”
He smiled and kissed me again. “Of course. Thank you,Mister.”
I melted at the deepness of his voice and how he said my title. He had no idea the power he held over me already. “I’ve lost my appetite. Go get dressed. I’ll take a shower and stay in the bedroom studying some of my work while you’re busy talking. After the conversation, I want you to clean the table and dishes.”
He grinned, flashing his teeth at me, and I suspected he might have enjoyed my instructions, even though this was only the second day. Or maybe he liked keeping busy and feeling useful. I understood the urge to keep moving better than anyone. “Yes, Mister.”
“Good boy.” I patted him on the cheek and then glared at Vane as I spun on my heel. Occupying myself with a shower and work was the least I could do for Ross until they were done with their conversation. Or maybe I’d read my tarot cards, I hadn’t done that in a while. Elwood better make amends, or I really would knee him in his balls.
13
Ross
The collarof my T-shirt got stuck on my head, and I had to give it a tug that stung my ears to get it past them. As I emerged into the bright bedroom again, I glanced down at myself. Stormy’s clothing choices for me were good, I had to admit. The purple shirt made my pecs seem bigger than they really were, and the material clung in a good way, even if it was cut closer to my body than I would have chosen. The dark jeans squished my boys in ways I wasn’t quite used to after several days without clothing, and I did a little dance to adjust things.
The shower ran in the bathroom connected to the bedroom, and the rich perfume of coconut and something sweet floated out to greet me on the damp air as I quickly stepped over to the cracked door. I glanced into the sparkling clean bathroom, courtesy of me. The tiles on the wall gleamed, and pride had me smiling to myself.
“Thank you for the clothes, Mister,” I said.
Stormy was a sexy shadow beyond the fogged glass of the shower. There was a muffled curse from the stall, and something clattered to the floor in there. “You’re welcome, Pookie! Better not keepthe mayorwaiting.” There was more muttering from him, and I chuckled as I closed the bathroom door again, warmth settling into the pit of my stomach.
