Page 8 of Ajax

As she leans over, Ivy looks my way and she points the woman toward me.

That’s her?

She’s beautiful, but too fragile for me. I’m painfully aware of my size—both in height and bulk. I keep fit working on the farm and using the gym we set up when we moved, and this woman—Stacy? Well, I just don’t see how we would work anyway.

Especially when I can’t help but think about Ivy’s luscious curves.

I wriggle in my seat as Stacy approaches, and stand as she arrives at the table.

“Ajax?” she asks.

I nod. “That’s me.”

Her gaze goes straight to my scarring. But she takes a seat, and I sit down and smile.

“Did you want a drink?”

She shakes her head. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

Huh?

“There’s something I need to tell you.” I don’t like talking—if I can use as few words as possible, I do. But she needs to know I’m not behind that profile, and then she can decide if she wants to stay.

Her gaze is fixed firmly on the scar that runs down one cheek. And her jaw is set.

I’m mad as hell with Digby and Cookie, and it’s not Stacy’s fault.

She shakes her head. “I don’t want to know. I can’t do this.”

I say nothing.

“That.” She points at the scar. “It wasn’t in any of the photos.”

I should be angry with Digby and Cookie, but she could have been more gentle. This doesn’t bode well for the future.

“I didn’t make the profile, so I don’t know what photos were used. I’m sorry if?—”

“You didn’t make the profile?” she screeches.

“No. If you’ll let me explain.” I knew this was a bad idea.

“You don’t look like?—”

“Are you reallythatshallow?” A woman’s voice comes from behind me.

I know that voice.Ivy.

My lips twitch, and I fight a smile.

Stacy gasps. “I’m not shallow.”

“You’ve been here thirty seconds and you’re judging him by the way he looks. That’s shallow.”

Ivy crosses her arms across her ample breasts, and I resist the urge to ogle her. She’s like a fierce warrior, her dark hairscraped into a messy bun on her head, her red-painted lips pursed in anger.

I’ve always found her attractive, but right now?

She’s off the charts.

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