Page 43 of Man Vs. Woman
“What?”
“You’re smiling like a little bitch,” I laugh, sneaking a glance at Serena just to make sure she isn’t eavesdropping on us. “Watch out, or soon enough me and the guys will have to meet you at Tiffany’s.”
“That’s not gonna happen,” he tries to counter, but I can see through his bullshit. Dude might not know it yet, but the way he just looked at Serena...yeah, there’s something growing in here. Something eerily similar to a painting full of fucking rainbows and unicorns skinny-dipping in a chocolate river.
I know, it might seem crazy to think that Colt might be growing fond of some chick but trust me...even the most hardened assholes soften up when they’re around the right women.
I mean, just think of Malcolm. Dude lived for the thrill of making money and breaking the law, and next thing I know he’s letting go of his criminal empire and telling me to meet up with him at Tiffany’s because he needs help picking an engagement ring.
Yeah, I know.
“Ashley says she’s coming here,” Serena suddenly chirps, walking back to us. “She’s going to help us out.”
Ashley?ThatAshley? Well, that’s interesting. Now I’m definitely glad I decided to help out Colt—if this gives me a chance to see Ashley again, it was worth it. And to think that helping out a friend might make me cross paths with her; I guess being a good guy pays off at times.
Sure, this whole stunt was a bit costly—after all, I had to buy the whole fucking collectionPen & Inkhad, just so they would vacate the space—but I don’t mind. It’s Colt we’re talking about, after all.
What? Don’t tell me you didn’t know I did that on purpose.
I bought those books right after his unfortunate jizzing on old people story broke.
Besides, do I really look like the kind of guy to spend his nights leafing through moldy books with latex gloves, glasses perched on the nose of my bridge? That’s definitely not me. Although, truth be told, these books are an investment—meaning that I can turn a profit with them somewhere down the road.
Win-win.
Just don’t tell Colt, alright?
“I told her you were here, Taylor,” Serena throws at me, flashing me a knowing grin. Has Ashley been talking about me to her girlfriends? “She seemed happy about it. Told me she had a great time the last time you guys had a drink.”
“Of course she did.”
I grin back at Serena, trying to act all cool and shit...but deep down, my heart has started to fucking race. And it starts going even faster as I hear someone knocking at the door.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“What’s up with all the secrecy?” Ashley asks as she steps inside, hands on her hips as she glances around the room.
“We’re conspiring!” Serena says with a giggle.
“It looks like you were fornicating,” Ashley says with an arched eyebrow looking at Colt and Serena. “I just hope it was the two of you and Taylor just got here.”
“Well, I still haven’t had my coffee for the day yet,” I reply, the words just flying out of my lips.
“I could go for a cup,” Ashley says with a smile right back at me. “Extra cream, and hold the sugar.”
Fucking hell, could she be any hotter? And why the fuck would she have to be wearing a dress so fucking tight? I can almost see her nipples whispering my name, even from a fucking distance.
“It might be hot,” I tell her.
“It takes a lot to burn me, Taylor James,” she retorts. “I’m usually the one that does the burning.”
I pause at that. What exactly is she saying.
“But enough about me. Let me take a wild guess why we’re all here,” Ashley continues, and that after eyeing Colt’s suspicious bare body and Serena’s flushed expression. “We’re here because of that man that wants the retail space. A one Hiram Hooskins.”
A beauty with some fucking brains?
This is getting better and better.
