Page 56 of King of Temptation

Why the fuck was that so sexy?

“Call yourself a dumbass again and see what happens.”

“It’s true, though. Even my father…”

She trailed off, embarrassed heat flooding her face, but when she tried to look away, he caught her chin, forcing her to look back at him. “What about your father, baby?”

God, she was such a sucker for the way he called her baby in that low, rumbling voice. Even more of a sucker considering he probably didn’t mean it the way she so desperately wanted him to. “He thinks I’m an idiot too. When he rescued me from the first warehouse, he went on this whole rant about how I put my life in danger for a ‘hobby’. Called my job ‘playing pretend with the people in my head’.”

A muscle in Brody’s jaw ticked, the only outward show of the anger she heard rippling in his voice when he spoke. “First things first—you are not an idiot. Despite the events of the past twenty-four hours, I stand by what I said before. You are one of the smartest fucking women I know and if I ever hear you say otherwise again, I will have you sitting on a welted ass writing lines until your hand falls off. Understood?”

God, she wanted to believe him. But those ‘events’ weren’t exactly something she could just gloss over. “You don’t have to lie to make me feel better, Brody. I know what I did was dumb.”

“It was reckless and dangerous and yeah, I’d wager you didn’t really think through the ramifications. But you are not dumb. You may not have mastered the art of stalking people yet, but you’re too goddamn smart for my own good. The way you played Salvatore at dinner the other night was pure genius.”

Now the heat that crept into her cheeks was more pleasure than humiliation. “You’re laying it on a bit thick there, O’Rourke.”

“I’m just telling you the truth. Do I wish you’d been more careful? Yes. But even when you’re being reckless you’re so fucking smart it terrifies me.”

God. He was saying all the right things, all the things she’d dreamed of hearing from someone, anyone. But coming from a man like him, it meant even more because she knew damn well he wasn’t just trying to spare her feelings.

And because she did know he meant it, her heart threatened to shatter at the knowledge he couldn’t be hers. Not the way she wanted.

“What’s the second thing?” she whispered, desperate to shift the focus before she burst into tears and really embarrassed herself.

Brody frowned. “What?”

“You said ‘first things first’ which implies there’s at least a second thing.”

“Oh. Yeah.” Now he grinned, smug and satisfied and so fucking sexy she had to grip the edge of the island to keep herself from climbing over it and throwing herself at him. “Your dad’s a fucking asshole.”

The bald statement was so at odds with the riot of emotions churning inside her she could only stare. “What?”

“Your dad. If he doesn’t respect what you do and how fucking hard you’ve worked to build your career, then he’s an asshole and you shouldn’t listen to him.”

“You don’t respect what I do.”

“Sure I do. I just want you to be safe while you’re doing it.”

She sent him her best withering stare. “Brody, the first time we met you called my books bullshit.”

At least he had the grace to look chagrined. “I just meant they weren’t exactly true to life. But you’re right, I did say that and I’m sorry. Forgive me for being as much of an asshole as your father?”

“Yes. If you forgive me for not listening to you and nearly getting myself killed.”

“Already done, menace.”

Swallowing hard, she shook her head, her movements jerky. There was no way it was that easy and she couldn't—wouldn’t—let her stupidity come between them. Even if there wasn’t really a ‘them’ to come between. “Seriously, Brody. I’m really grateful you came for me. I know you didn’t have to.”

“Did you really think I’d let you die in that warehouse?”

“No.” Not for a single second. “But I would have understood if you had.”

“You think that little of yourself, menace?”

There was a warning in his voice, one that had heat blooming in her cheeks as she shifted uncomfortably on her stool. “It’s not that.”

“Hold that thought.” Turning back to the stove, he scooped whatever it was he was cooking onto two plates and carried them to the island, setting one in front of her. “Then what is it that makes you think you’re not worth saving?”