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“Yeah well now it’s my school and I want things done differently. That’s why I don’t date my employees.”
“But you do sleep with them? In private.” Stone glared at me and shook his head. “No offense man, but you sound like a dick.”
“I never promised her anything.” I never made promises I couldn’t keep and as much as I wanted Joss, I knew I couldn’t have her. Not really.
“Yeah, because she’s the kind of woman who would be completely okay with just sleeping with a guy in private,” Stone grunted and turned to Xander. “She’s totally a dirty little secret kind of woman, isn’t she?”
“If she was, I’d have made a move on her.”
“Before she became friends with Mara,” I added just to piss him off.
“Still,” he said, not bothering to deny my words. “She’s beautiful and curvy and loves sports, what’s not to like? If everything about the woman didn’t scream babies and forever, I definitely would have made a play for her.”
“All right, I got it,” I snapped because I didn’t even want to think about Xander and Joss hooking up. Ever. “Can we talk about something else?” My gaze slid across the bar to where Joss sat with her girlfriends, laughing and having a good time, like it didn’t bother her that we hadn’t spent any time together all week.
“Sure, let’s talk about why you care so much that Joss is upset if you’re not dating. Is the sex that good?”
Hell yeah, it was. “That’s none of your damn business” I growled.
Xander laughed. “That’s also not an answer. I won,” he declared when the board lit up. “Let’s go see if we can get the girls to buy this winner a drink.”
Before I could think of an excuse to avoid following them, Stone and Xander headed towards Joss’ table, wicked smiles lighting up both of their meddling faces. “You guys could use a few lessons in subtlety.”
“Sometimes,” Xander said, turning to me with a smile, “subtlety is overrated.”
“Hey babe.” Stone leaned over to plant a long kiss on Sophie’s lips and my gaze went to Joss’ full pink lips, currently pursed in annoyance. He pulled back with a wide grin and red cheeks. “Evenin’ ladies. Xander is looking for a free drink for winning Cricket. Any takers?”
Mara raised her hand. “A full pitcher of water is on me. No thanks necessary.”
Xander’s face lit up and he leaned on his elbows, right in Mara’s face. “I knew you cared.”
“Can’t have the law man running around dehydrated with hardened criminals out there, can we?”
Xander ignored her biting tone and laughed. “Not when there are all these find, upstanding citizens to protect. So, about that water?”
Tara looked at her boss, amusement coloring her cheeks before she turned to Joss. “The show that never ends.”
Joss flashed a half-hearted grin. “At least it’s always entertaining.”
When Tara excused herself, I took her seat across from Joss and leaned forward. “Can we talk?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Joss, come on.” The table suddenly fell silent and I instantly regretted my actions.
“There’s nothing to talk about, besides people might see us talking.” There was no venom in her words, no emotion at all. Just a blank sort of resignation that made me feel like a jerk.
“If we talk, maybe I can explain.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “Your actions are explanation enough, Ben. Just go back to your dartboard.”
“No.” She wasn’t the only one who could obstinate.
“Fine, then I’ll go. It was fun girls, I’ll see you soon.” Joss snatched up her scarf and stormed out of The Mayflower.
“Great going, Ben.” Sophie’s sarcasm hit its mark. “Go after her or leave her alone. Or else.” I didn’t stick around to see what threat Sophie would issue because being on the receiving end of her punishment was somewhere that I never wanted to be. She might be sweet, but she loved her friends fiercely and would defend them as a Worthington would. With everything in her.
“Be back,” I told her with an excited smile. “Or not.” The chances were slim we would make up and get naked together before the night was over, but a man could hope.
Out on the street, I spotted Joss’ angry steps nearly a block from the bar and I ran to catch up with her, even though I had no idea what to say or do to make her forgive me.
“Joss, wait up!”
“Go away, Ben.” Her tone was serious. There was no hint of our usual flirty banter which left a sinking feeling in my gut that I chose to ignore.
“I don’t’ want to go away. I want to talk.”
She shook her head. “And, of course, it’s always about what you want. Right?”
“What? No. But you won’t talk to me.”
“Some men might take the hint.”
I smiled and bumped her shoulder as I fell in stride beside her. “I’m not some men.”
