Page 22 of Deal Takers

Devyn heads into the building with Nathan, so I meet Drew by the rear doors to gather their stuff. Thankfully, we do manage to get everything to their third-floor apartment in one trip, so I can get back to Rainey that much sooner.

“Well, I guess I’m going to head out. I don’t want to keep the lovely redhead waiting.”

I’m setting my share of bags inside the doorway as Devyn returns from putting her son to bed.

“Be nice to her, Brody,” she chides.

“Who me?” I shrug innocently. “I’m always nice.”

“I’m serious. She may look okay, but she has a lot going on inside her head. Just don’t push her too much.”

I’d bet good money she’s talking about Rainey’s fiancé.What a dickhead.

“I’ll be good.”

She smiles. “Thank you.”

Drew gives me a bro hug. “Thanks for driving, dude. We still on for golf next weekend?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, big guy.”

He blows me a kiss. “See you later, sweet cheeks.”

I mime pocketing his air kiss and head for the elevator. “Later, baby.”

Rainey doesn’t notice me exiting the building, so I take a moment to watch her. She left the windows open, so I can clearly hear the beats of “Lose Yourself” blasting from the speakers. Huh…I would’ve definitely pegged her as a pop music junkie. My mouth opens in surprise as I realize she’s rapping along to the lyricsperfectly. Never one to miss an opportunity to mess with her, I hunch down and round the back of my Suburban like a creeper. Once I reach the driver’s door, I do my best impression of a Jack-in-the-Box, causing her to jump out of her seat.

“Jesus H, Brody!” she shrieks. “You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing?”

“Enjoying the show, Nikki,” I say, referring to my favorite female rapper. “Impressive skills you have there.”

Her cheeks flush, but she’s trying to play it cool. “Ha! I wish! That woman’s ass could rule the world.”

I bark in laughter. “Don’t sell yourself short, darlin’. I’d followyourass anywhere.”

She scoots over the console and slides intothe passenger seat. “You’d followanyass if it meant you were getting some.”

“Not true,” I argue as I get in. “Not everyone can fill out a pair of jeans like you do.”

She looks down at her denim-clad legs and smirks. “Guys have it so easy. If you only knew how much trouble getting into a pair of jeans can be when you have hips and an ass.”

“Honey, the only thing I care about is getting yououtof those jeans. You can getinthem any way you want.”

“I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”

“You sure did.”

“Are you ever going to give up?”

“Not likely,” I say with a shrug. “But I get the feeling you don’t mind so much.”

“Maybe not.” She smirks. “You’re certainly good for a laugh.”

“I’m good for multiple orgasms too. You should give that a try.”

Her eyes crinkle at the corners before her expression sobers. “Thank you, Brody.”

I quirk my head to the side. “Forwhat?”

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