Page 69 of Riot

He laughs. “Lourdes, sweetheart, don't be so dramatic. I could’ve bought an apartment anywhere in this city, it just happens that we have the same good taste. I just wanted to swing by and see if you’d like to go out for dinner sometime.”

I’m not buying it. “My name’s Halo, like I’ve told you a million times. Let me guess, did my mom and dad offer you shares in the company if you could drag me back home?”

“You’re being ridiculous, and might I point out, it was you who called off our third date.”

“That’s because you got handsy and I told you to back off.”Before reminding me that I needed to lose weight. Asshole.“I also seem to recall my parents trying to push us into matrimonial Hell.”

“Hell?” He frowns.

I roll my eyes. “Ian, what do you want?”

He completely ignores me. “Halo, you never even gave us a chance.”

“Was that before or after you told me I was fat?”

His mouth opens, then closes again. This man is confident, I’ll give him that, but it thrills me just a little bit that I unnerve him enough to lose his words. He recovers quickly. “I never said you were fat.”

I put my hands on my hips. My loyal dog who I’ve known for less than twenty-four hours — even though injured — sticks right by my side.

“Right.” I hold up my hands, using quotations with my fingers. “So,losing a few pounds before we get physical,is supposed to be a come on?”

“Hey, I like women with meat on their bones, I never said you were fat.” He even spares me a glance down my body.

I want to shudder, but refrain for the sake of Cookie, who’s currently mewling his disapproval.

“Uh huh, well it’s been great catching up and all, but you can scurry off back to St. Charles’ Parish and let my parents know that I’m not coming home to marry a suit.”

He frowns. “So much hostility. I just came by to say hi and check on your welfare. You haven’t been in contact with your parents for a while.”

Of course he would know that; he’s thick as thieves with my father.

“Yeah, since they wanted to propose a marriage of convenience without caring about what I wanted kinda gives me reason to not want to talk to them for a little while.”

“It could’ve worked out for the two of us. It still could. Let me take you out for dinner.”

“I’m actually seeing someone,” I blurt out.

His frown deepens. “Who?”

“That’s not your concern.”

He points to the ceiling. “Well, when you get bored of him, I’ll be on the top floor. I’ll be in town for a few weeks. Think about my dinner invitation.”

Of course he has the penthouse.Asshole.

“No thanks. Like I said, I’m seeing someone. Thanks for stopping by.” I don’t have the heart to slam the door in his face, but when I go to close it, suddenly, his foot is wedged in between the door.

Cookie lets out a bark and he growls again. Ian swallows hard.

“Does that thing need a muzzle?”

I point at him. “Get your foot out of my door or I’m calling security.”

“I just think we got off on the wrong foot.”

“How much did dear old Dad offer you?” I shake my head. “It must’ve been good to be this persistent.”

“Listen, I said I’d check on you, and since I thought we were still friends, I didn’t think it’d be an issue.”

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