“I don’t know if Akira’s ever going to talk to me again.” Jacob’s voice was low. “But if nothing else, I have to somehow make up for being an asshole.”
His brothers quieted, thinking. “Jewelry? Sweets?” Ben suggested.
“Food.” Connor nodded knowingly. “All those people who talk about a man’s heart being through his stomach are idiots. It’s the other way around. Cook a woman a nice dinner or bring her coffee in the morning, and she’s yours. I think it’s the effort.”
Jacob squinted. “Effort.”
“Yeah. Women like to know you put time and energy into pleasing them, especially when you’re trying to apologize to them.”
“I doubt she’ll be happy to see me,” Jacob pointed out.
Ben pondered that. “Maybe she doesn’t need to see you.”
Jacob scrubbed his hand over his stubble, something stirring inside him. It was much like the stirring he felt when he was pulling together a new plot, thinking of all the characters and the actions and reactions and consequences to follow.
He had to fix this. He had to make things up to Akira.
Plot achieved. Now, he just had to figure out the details.
Connor motioned to the bartender and held up three fingers. “You need to refresh your drink,” he said to Jacob when he protested. “And we’re going to be here a while.”
Ben nodded. “You’ve come to the right place. Connor’s been apologizing for being an asshole for way longer than fourteen years.”
Without even looking his way, Connor reached out and slapped Ben on the side of his head. Hard. “Ow!”
Jacob squinted. Dear Lord. He was screwed, but his resources were limited. “Boys.”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry.”
Chapter Eight
Contrary to popular rumors, Akira’s bedroom ceiling was not bedecked with mirrors, dirty etchings, and crystal chandeliers. Though, on nights like these, when she spent most every minute contemplating the damn thing, it might be nice to have something to look at. It would take her attention from the thought of Jacob’s hot gaze on her body in that storage closet, the heavy weight of his palm over her mouth, capturing her cries as Remy drove into her, the regret and pain dripping off him after…
Akira’s phone chimed a text alert on her bedside table, startling her. Almost six a.m. Though it was still dark out, by this time of day she would usually already be awake and raring to go.
Grateful for the distraction, she rolled over and grabbed the device, the simple movement painful. Boiling emotions made for a potent cocktail. Whiskey had never given her a pounding headache quite like this.
So sorry I missed your call a couple days ago!! Wyatt and I were at a party. Am awake now, call me when you want.
Warmth leached through her exhaustion. In the wake of the devastating charity dinner two nights ago, she’d forgotten she had left a message for Tatiana. Her circle of friends was deliberately small, and since she had crossed paths with the jewelry designer at a flea market years ago, Tatiana Belikov had quickly been elevated to the ranks of those she trusted.
Now a successful artist who commanded high prices for her art, Tatiana spent a good deal of her time in Vegas with her new husband. The distance hadn’t affected their friendship. Eager to have something else to concentrate on, Akira quickly initiated a video call.
The phone only rang twice before the connection was established, and she caught the petite blonde mid-yawn. “Why are we awake? It is too fucking early for decent people to be awake,” she greeted Akira.
“You texted me.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve got meetings with vendors all day,and I wanted to get some work time in.” Tatiana took a bracing gulp from the mug she held. Despite her complaining, her gaze was alert, which told Akira this was probably her friend’s second cup of coffee. “I figured you might already be at the office. I don’t know how you do this every morning.” Tatiana eyed her. “But since you’re naked, I’m guessing you’re still at home.”
Akira sat up against the mound of pillows. Only the upper slopes of her breasts were visible to Tatiana. Not like she would be terribly upset if more was revealed. The other woman had been to her house parties, and they had shared a few adventures together. “I’m still in bed. Of course I’m naked.”
Tatiana’s rosebud lips pursed. “Wyatt’s going to be sad you called after he left.”
Akira half-smiled. “How is your sexy husband? I heard he had a less-than-stellar last quarter.”
“Damn, you really can’t stand me having someone richer than you in my life, can you?”
