Page 41 of Cocky Prince
I made the bet to protect Hayden and keep her away from the Blue bastards we work with. The irritation in Jaeg’s voice doesn’t sit well. “What’s the deal? Are you playing big brother again? Or is there some other reason you don’t like the idea of me spending time with her?”
His jaw shifts. “I don’t like what you’re implying. You’ve had a difficult day, so I’m going to let that one slide. But just in case it’s not clear, Cali is my life. Hayden is a friend and someone I don’t want to see get hurt.”
“Sorry.” I scrub my face and shake my head. “I didn’t mean it that way. You’re right; it’s been a hell of a day. I know what Cali means to you.”
Jaeger turns and picks up a rag from the table. “Forget about it. I won’t ask what your intentions are toward Hayden, because I’ve already done that. The only thing I’m going to say is you had better not hurt her.” He glances back. “And if you think I’m warning you because I’ll kick the shit out of you, you’re wrong. I might, but it’s Cali you should be afraid of. Mira and Nessa have filled her in on all the shit Hayden puts up with at Blue. Combine that with what happened to Hayden in high school, and Cali will neuter you if she thinks you hurt her.”
“Duly noted.” Cali is a fiery little thing, and Jaeg’s right. It’s the females I need to worry about. “But I have no intention of hurting Hayden. Believe me, I’m staying far away.” I stand and cross the room to the shelves of tools and other equipment.
“Doesn’t seem like it,” he grumbles, and glances at the tool I picked up.
I look down at the jumbo leveler in my hand. “Yeah, well, this is for the bet I lost. Otherwise, I wouldn’t go near her house. You’re not the only person whose shit list I’m on. I don’t like getting on Hayden’s bad side. Gives me a complex to have a beautiful woman hating on me.”
“Never bothered you before,” he says wryly.
I shoot him an annoyed look. I don’t need Jaeg telling me how different I am around Hayden. I’ve heard it before, and I’m well aware. But it’s not easy to stay away from her when we work together. What can I say? Her presence is intoxicating and it stuns my brain into stupid territory. But I’ve got this under control. I’ll head to her house Saturday, take care of whatever the hell it is she needs me to work on, and be done with it.
Jaeg takes in the jigsaw I absently grabbed. “What are you building, anyway?”
“No idea.” I rub my forehead, a bear of a headache building behind my temples.
He reaches across the table and tosses a pair of work goggles and a mask at me. “Maybe you should wear protection.” He quirks a brow.
“Haha.” My voice is flat. But I’m happy Jaeg’s joking about my relationship—fuck,friendship—whatever, with Hayden. Reassures me there’s nothing simmering between them. They’ve both said no, and I believed it, but for some reason I’m extra sensitive where Hayden is concerned.
She’s a drop-dead, make-you-stupid beautiful girl, and I’m not talking about what I see on the outside, which I could easily write an ode to. She’s smart, opinionated, and she’d keep any guy on his toes. I know Jaeg loves Cali, but it’s good to know he’s as hooked on Cali as I am on—
No one. I’m not hooked on anyone.
Hayden is beautiful, that’s all. I’m tired and hallucinating.
“Thanks for these.” I hold up my loot. “I better get back. I’ve got more work to do.”
Jaeg waves me off. “Yup. Let me know if you need anything else once Hayden gives you your honey-do list.” He snickers.
“Asshole.” I stumble out the door and drop the gear in the back of the XKR.
The trunk of my sports car is too small and clean to hold this crap, plus my equipment from home. I’ll switch cars after I return from work. At midnight. Jesus. I can’t wait for the Bliss suites to be up and running. One less thing to have to deal with.
I return to the office and the place is almost dead. Only security personnel and a skeleton crew remain on the executive floors in the evenings. I’ve seen Hayden here a few times, but she’s not here tonight. Which is good. I don’t like the idea of her working late by herself.
I send out a few messages regarding luxury features Blackwell wants complimentary in each of the Bliss suites. I’ve hired three out of the dozen or so people on his list of potential bodyguards. Now, because I’m handling every aspect of the hiring, I’m also working with the legal team on very dubious, if you ask me, contracts that have someone on the outside listed as the hiring company for the new employees.
And on that disturbing note, I rest my head against the back of my chair and check the time on the wall clock. It’s already past eleven.
I should set up a time to meet Hayden at her place on Saturday. I could text her tomorrow, but I’ll be in meetings all day, and for some reason I feel the need to reach out now. Maybe it was my conversation with Jaeg, or maybe it’s my disturbing desire to connect with her, even if it’s to argue. Either way, I send her a text.
Adam:I’ll be there at 10AM Saturday.
I set my phone down, and not one second later it buzzes.
Hayden:Be ready to get your manicured hands dirty.
I grin. Without thinking, I shoot off a reply.
Adam:For you, my hands are always ready to get dirty.
A bit suggestive, but whatever. Today was terrible, and I’d rather flirt with Hayden than fire people and feel Hayden’s wrath. The banter is purely for my pleasure. Because I’m exhausted and I need Hayden’s sass, which makes every day better.
