“While they were on the dance floor. He whispered it in her ear, and he says she agreed.”
Heat rushed through his body, boiling his blood. Taking a deep breath, he got control then released it.
“Let me explain something, so you don’t think poorly of my date. Carli’s deaf. She has cochlear implants, which means she can process some sound, but most of the time she has to read lips as well to put it all together.”
“Seriously? I would never have guessed. Won’t John be surprised when she doesn’t show up for their liaison.”
“Seems I’ll have to have a chat with him before the night is over.”
“Why don’t I grab Carli—she just walked in—and take her on the dance floor? John’s over by the door.”
He thanked his friend and strode toward the man who wouldn’t be his friend for much longer.
John waved as he strode over. Blake didn’t smile. He kept his hands in his pants pockets, so he didn’t smash his fists into John’s face.
“Stay away from Carli. Try focusing on your own date.”
The smirk on his friend’s face almost set Blake off. “Can I help it if the ladies all fall for me? The Italian Stallion rides again. Your lady is no different. They can’t help themselves.”
“She actually said she’d sleep with you?”
“When I asked, she nodded and smiled. That’s a yes in my book.”
Blake took a step closer, using all six foot plus of his height. John might be fit, but he was a good five inches shorter. “First off, why in the world would you ask my date to sleep with you? Are you that much of an ass that you’d do that to a friend? What about your own date?”
“Hey, man.” John raised his hands and took a small step back. “My date knows the score and why she’s here. Yours can’t be all that great if she’s willing to hook up with someone the second we’re back in Boston. I figured you brought her here for the same reason I brought mine. Arm and bed candy.”
“Certainly not why I brought Carli, which brings me to my second point. Carli never agreed to what you asked.”
“Don’t kid yourself…” John started, but Blake leaned closer.
“She’s deaf and didn’t actually hear what you said. She’s been nodding and smiling to everyone all weekend.”
“Deaf? I thought those people couldn’t talk.”
Ignorant. “They have the ability to speak, though many choose to use sign language as their primary means of communication. Carli has cochlear implants which help her access more sound, but she also reads lips and uses the two to figure out what people are saying.”
The smirk was back. “She can read my lips any time. She is hot.”
Control. Control. Pressing one hand down on John’s shoulder, he growled, “And if you say one more word about her, you’ll find yourself flat on your back. At some point, John, you need to grow up. Now’s a good time.”
As he walked away toward Carli, he congratulated himself on not smashing his fist down his friend’s throat. Or make that former friend.
Chapter twenty-one
“Isn’t she amazing?”
Blake watched as Carli gushed over her friend whose lecture they’d just listened to. All three hours of it.
“She’s quite something. Extremely knowledgeable about her field.” The fact that the whole lecture had been interpreted had been interesting.
Carli’s enthusiasm shone brightly as they exited the auditorium, and she nearly bounced on her toes. “See? Deaf people can be very successful. She’s tops in the biology field and has written articles for many research journals worldwide.”
“That was quite obvious. Thanks for asking me to join you.” He gathered the collar of his coat up around his ears to ward off the end of February chill as they walked toward the parking lot.
Tilting her head, Carli frowned. “Then, why don’t you look as excited as me?”
He sighed, not really wanting to answer this question truthfully. But he wouldn’t lie to her. “I love spending time with you, you know that.”
