Page 33 of Lessons in Love
“Body. Those other women are giving him something to look at.”
“I’m not using my body.” She taps her chin. “Very good point, Hardy.”
I hate leading a horse to water that’s contaminated, but she’s determined to drink from that trough no matter what I do. So that leaves me two choices: Help her win her man by giving her the skills to attract that asshole or let her fumble into his bed and give him a gift he doesn’t deserve.
There really is no decision to be made. She trusts me. As much as I want to wisen her up on the ways of the world when it comes to men, I need to protect her more. If that means making love to her like she deserves, I guess I’m the luckiest bastard that ever lived.
Chapter Eleven
My hip is swatted, a towel cracking loudly against my jeans. A bird is flipped off to the side it came from before I even give the culprit a glance. “Fuck you, Clive.”
While I continue to stare at Virginia, he asks, “How long are you going to ogle her? Cuz it’s just past pathetic o’clock and heading toward creepy by my watch.”
Looking down at the stainless steel Omega that shines on my wrist, I reply, “I’ve got a good ten minutes before I reach cat five creepiness.”
“That’s disastrous.”
“And like you said, leaning toward pathetic.”
“I said it’s past pathetic.”
I turn my back to her though it’s against my better judgment to do so when that fucker in a Member’s Only jacket is hanging on her every word and staring at her tits. And she’s braless. Fuck me. My hands tighten around the knife I’m supposed to be using to cut oranges, my knuckles whitening under the pressure.
Being patted on the back, Clive says, “Those feelings will get ya every time.”
“I’m not having feelings.” Though I’m feeling I might kill this jackass in the jacket fawning all over her. One touch and he’s going to lose a hand.
“Surrre you aren’t.” Clive reaches around and takes the knife from my hand. “I think it’s safer if I take this away.”
“For me or him?”
“Both.” He laughs, and then nods toward Virginia. “You’ve known her for like what? A week?”
“Something like that.”
“Wow. She must be really special for this insta-love you’ve got going on.”
Scoffing, my head jerks back. “I’m not in love and there’s no such thing as insta-love.”Is there?I see Clive checking her out. “Hey, eyes over here.”
He shakes his head. “See? I wasn’t even looking at her and you’ve got your boxers all up your ass.” Coming closer, he leans on the counter next to me and crosses his arms over his chest. “I’m not saying you’re in love, but those two rules you live by when it comes to women . . .” His hands make an explosion hand gesture. “Have been obliterated.”
“No way.” I’m the one shaking my head this time, denial clearly setting in. I look back at Virginia. Her drink is empty, her tits perfect, and Members Only jackass has moved in. I’m there before he can offer her another drink. “Can I get you a refill?”
She smiles when she sees me; nothing like the expression of boredom she was giving that chump. “Thanks, Hardy. Maybe one more, but only if you can drink with me.”
“I want to, but Eddie had to leave and I’m covering.”
Checking her phone, she debates. “Maybe I should head home too. I have a long ride back and an ear?—”
“Early morning?”
She laughs. “Yes, something like that.”
When she gets off the stool, Members Only panics—a lot like I’m doing—and says, “Maybe we can hang out sometime? Or go for coffee?”
Her gaze hits mine. “Um . . .”
I step in. “Hey buddy, we’re kind of seeing each other, so if you don’t mind . . .”
