“Well, it’s still more than you’re holding, you boor, so be a gentleman for once, yeah?”
Christ. This woman. Irritating and captivating at the same time. “Boor? That’s a new one,” he grumbled as he opened the door and made a show of holding it ajar so she could walk through first. “My lady.” He bowed.
She lifted her chin, her pert nose reaching upward, and breezed past him like she’d expected nothing less.
“Where’s his cage?” she asked when the door shut behind them.
“Nigel’s free-range.”
“Pardon?” The expression on her face was nothing short of aghast, making it the first time he’d wanted to smile all day. Maybe even all week.
“That’s right, princess. He goes wherever he wants, whenever he wants.”
“Where does he, um…” She fluttered her hand as if that was supposed to mean anything, and his urge to smile doubled. “Where does he…”
Yep, he was going to make her say it. He stood and stared at her blankly while her hand continued to flutter aimlessly.
“You know.”
“I don’t know, princess. Why don’t you spell it out for me?”
She bristled, her cheeks turning pink with temper. Despite himself, he smiled. This was the most fun he’d had in months. Which was saying something.
“Oh, for crying out loud. Where does he go potty?”
He wasn’t a laugh-out-loud kind of guy, but he coughed behind his fist at that one. “Potty?”
That got him another death glare.
“You mean where does he piss and shit?”
The way she curled her lip only amused him more.
“Why are you so vulgar all the time?”
And the way she said it sobered him because it reminded him how right she was. He was rough and crude. He had a past that would haunt him until the day he died. There was no atoning for the sins he’d committed. And no one reminded him more of his unworthiness than her.
She was beautiful and delicate. So damn pretty it hurt to look at her. Sure, she might be the world’s biggest snob, but it fit. Flash a million-dollar smile, and the world bent over backward to get you whatever you wanted. Of course she was entitled.
He pointed to a bright piece of fabric on the floor in the corner, his smile vanishing. “He’s potty-trained.”
“Are those handmade pee pads?”
“Ivy’s nana made them. There’s a bunch around the place. He knows to go over to them and do his business when he needs to.”
“Oh my goodness.” She cuddled Nigel up closer to her face, nuzzling the fur around his neck. “Aren’t you the smartest, best boy? You deserve better than having this big hulk look after you. Poor thing.”
Jordan’s fist clenched involuntarily. Jealous of a rabbit. A whole new low. Nigel seemed to notice how Jordan’s pulse quickened at the sight of Vanessa’s gentle strokes and soft, pouty murmurs against his fur. The beast side-eyed him with a glare that dared him to admit it.
Fucking rodent. Jordan stalked over and plucked the bunny out of her hands, returning him to the open cage where his food was. “I’m supposed to come twice a day to feed him. Mission accomplished. Let’s go.” He started walking to the door, but stopped short of opening it until Vanessa was right behind him. No way was he risking another great escape.
When he looked over his shoulder, she hadn’t moved. Nigel chewed on the lettuce while she watched him, looking miserable. Jordan didn’t like how his chest caved in at the sight of her upset.
“Come on, princess,” he said gruffly. “You can come back tomorrow if you need more pet therapy. I have somewhere to be.” He had a personal training client waiting for him at Thompson Kickboxing, the gym his brother owned.
“I’m sorry about the other night,” she blurted.
There it was. The elephant in the room.
