“Are you trying to piss me off?” He cocked his head to the side, wanting to delve into her brain. Was she insulting him on purpose? That didn’t seem like her. He held on to his temper with both hands, almost not recognizing the accompanying hurt in his gut. Sure, he was an ass, but she had to know he’d save a baby because it was the right thing to do and not for money. “Noni?”
She straightened in her chair. “No.”
“Right.” He shook his head. Boy, did she have it wrong. Have him wrong. Heat rushed through his head, making his ears ring. “I’m not takin’ money from you.”
Her shoulders rose, her chin lowered, and she glared at him. “The hell you aren’t.”
Noni kept his gaze. She had to win this argument in order to stay in control of the situation. There was no backing down. “I will pay you.”
His eyes darkened to what could only be interpreted as a warning. “No payment. Don’t mention it again.”
Had he been this bossy when they dated? Sure, he’d been rather commanding in bed, and she’d liked that. But she didn’t remember him being overtly so in everyday life. “Oh, I’m mentioning it and right now. There will be a contract, there will be payment, and I’m the client.” That meant she was in charge. Yeah.
He crossed his muscled arms. “No.”
She bit the inside of her lip to keep from screaming at him. Calm. She needed to stay in control of herself to win this argument. “Yes. You might want to check with your partners about this. I’m sure they’d like to get paid.”
“Brothers,” he drawled. “My partners are my two brothers, and I’m sure they know we’re not charging you.”
He had brothers. Hurt blanketed her for a second, and she shoved it away. Yet another thing she hadn’t known about him. “It’s my way or no way, Denver. This will be a business relationship.”
“Not a chance, baby. Let it go.” The last was said rather clipped.
“Because we slept together?” She rolled her eyes so hard her entire head hurt. “It was just sex, and frankly I’ve forgotten about it.” If lightning struck people who lied, she’d be deader than dead at that one. “If you haven’t, that’s your problem.”
“I think about it every day and dream about it every night. Sometimes I still feel wrapped up in you when I wake up.” His eyes burned, and his body had gone tense, even sitting down.
She couldn’t think. What did that mean? Okay. Deep breath. One. Two. Then another one. Head clear. Her body tingled. Why did he say things like that? Especially when he usually kept silent. Yet an unrealistic hope, one she didn’t want to feel, warmed her. He’d missed her. She’d needed to know that. But there was no chance for them—he wouldn’t take the chance. That hurt, that reality, pissed her right off. “Aren’t you the talkative fellow these days?” Her sarcastic tone made her wince.
“I try,” he said evenly.
“That’s nice. Considering you have family I didn’t know about. Brothers?” She’d sounded hurt on the last, so she cleared her throat.
“Ryker and Heath,” Denver said, holding up his right hand to show a long scar along his palm. “When I told you it was from a hunting accident, I lied. We cut our hands and became brothers a long time ago. For years they’ve been all I had.” He breathed out at the end as if telling the entire story was difficult. The man had that look he used to get when he needed a moment of quiet. Of silence.
Too damn bad. “I see.” She crossed her arms.
“Ry and Heath are both engaged.” Denver stiffened, and his expression smoothed out.
What the heck? “What thought just grabbed you?” she whispered.
He breathed out, his muscled chest moving. “Just remembering I have a job to do after we get you safe.”
Safe. After they found Talia and got her away from Richie. Oh, Denver might be finally opening up about his life, about his past, but it was too late. Only the present mattered. Only Talia mattered. “It sounds like your brothers will have weddings to pay for. So let’s get our fee agreement set now, shall we?”
He shook his head. “Stop it.”
Absolutely not. Her aunt was the negotiator in the family in their lotion and candle making business, while Noni was the creative one. When she mixed ingredients to create the perfect feel and smell of lotions or perfumes, she was in control. When she argued with other people, her anxiety level rose. Even now, spirals uncoiled in her chest. But she had no choice. “I’m not backing down on this, Denver. Quote me a deal.”
“All right.” He stood suddenly, a large man with surprising grace. A quick pivot, and he plucked her right out of her chair before dropping back down with her cradled on his lap.
She didn’t have time to protest before he’d already settled her against his chest. The well-worn black T-shirt molded hard-cut muscles. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Quoting and dealing,” he said wryly. His strong frame surrounded her, offering safety and protection she’d missed so much. The torn jeans encasing his muscled thighs let out warmth, but it was like sitting on a boulder. It took every ounce of her self-control to keep from snuggling right into him and letting him shield her from the world. “You need to listen, Noni.”
She tilted her head to meet his gaze. “So do you.”
His eyebrow lifted, and those stunning eyes studied her. “I’m sorry I hurt you.” His voice rumbled low, sounding pained.
