Page 4 of Merry with a Brewmaster
I try to walk away again, but just like before, Wells grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop. “She’s only seven, okay? I haven’t dated. My divorce has only been final for a year, and my ex-wife is sometimes in the picture and sometimes not. It’s exhausting and you wanted to just keep things casual, and I needed that, Vienna.”
“I can’t be your nanny.”
“I haven’t asked.”
“Good.” I turn but only manage to take three steps before he’s caught me and whirled me back around. “What?!” I shout, hating that just smelling his cologne makes my panties wet.
“Now I’m asking.” His expression is filled with sincerity. “Please? I…don’t know anyone here.”
“You don’tknowme.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” His tone is amused. Playful. And I have to shut that shit right down.
“Knowing how I like my pussy licked doesn’t mean you know me,” I hiss. Wells’s eyes darken, the green intensifying as he stares at me. “The way you’re looking at me right now says you want to strip me out of my clothes and bend me over the hood of this car.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“You’re going to keep your hands to yourself? Be professional when you know how I taste? I’m not sleeping with you while I’m watching your kid.”
“She needs stability, and as much as it fucking pains me not to touch you—I won’t.”
“Not even an accidental boob graze.”
He growls, his gaze dropping to my chest. “I promise.”
“Was I a rebound?”
“What?”
“A. Rebound.”
“Does it matter? No. I’ve hooked up with a couple of women, but I was seeing you the longest. What does that have to do with anything?”
I have no idea why, but that little kernel of information makes me feel absurdly victorious.
I shrug one shoulder. “I wanted to know.”
“And what? That makes me a shitty father for taking time for myself—getting lost in a beautiful woman—when my daughter is with her mother? Her grandparents?”
“Don’t put your insecurities on me,” I say, taking a step forward and jabbing my finger into his chest. “I don’t have any idea what kind of father you are, but you don’t get to put words in my mouth.” The corner of his lips twitch and I narrow my eyes. “Or anything else.”
“I don’t want to fight with you.”
“Fighting was our favorite kind of foreplay,” I tease.
“Yeah, and now that it’s off the table, I can’t be half hard every hour of the day, so you need to knock it off.”
“I didn’t agree to watch your kid.”
“Haven. She’s seven. Loves reading and playing with kinetic sand and being outside. She’s smart and curious and my whole damn world.” He takes a step closer, leaving barely a breath between us. “Please, Vienna.”
“I’ll think about it.” Moving back, I cross my arms over my chest. I hate that he can so easily get into my head. That he can light my body on fire with a single glance.
“Isaac said your lease is up soon.”
“He did, did he?” I make a mental note to kick his ass.
Wells holds his hands out, the epitome of surrender. “Just to say that might be an issue. We’ll have an extra room, and with the hours at the bar it might be easier.”
