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But he didn’t. The moment the door was open, he swanned right inside like it was his own home, calling out, “That would just be lazy.”
Motherfucker.Gritting my teeth, I turned to Alicia. “Do you think anyone would notice if he mysteriously ‘disappeared?’”
She pursed her lips. “Yes. But I also think they’d be relieved.”
It really wouldn’t surprise me.
I didn’t mind alittlearrogance in a man, providing it was one he’d earned through accomplishments and that he didn’t treat others as less. But Jenson was full of his own sense of self-importance and thought of himself as somewhat superior to all us mere mortals. As if being good-looking, rich, and a sales director put him a step above the rest. He considered himself an alpha but had no real clue what that meant and merely exuded an insecure-wannabe vibe.
Resolved that I’d get him out of the house quickly, I followed him into the kitchen, where he’d set the bags on the island. “Thanks for the help, we appreciate it. Have a good evening.” I swept my hand toward the door.
He didn’t leave, though. He headed over to the coffee machine and pointed at it. “You know, I have the same one. How about I make you both a coffee?”
“No, thanks,” I said, feeling my jaw harden.
Alicia plopped her bags on the island a little too roughly. “I’m good.”
He rubbed his hands together. “Well, I could sure do with a latte right now.”
“Then you should go home and help yourself to one,” I said, feeling my patience dwindlefast.“My sister and I are really busy. We can’t sit around and chat.”
His mouth curved. “Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to entertain me. I just want to spend some time with you girls.”
Okay, I was done. “What Imeantto say was that we want you to leave now. So leave.”
His smile faltering, he raised his hands, palms out. “Hey, I didn’t mean to make you ladies feel uncomfortable—I’m horrified if I have. I realize you don’t know me well and so might not be comfortable having a stranger in your home. But the only way we can fix that is if we get to know each other so I’m no longer a stranger,” he said, all reasonable.
I planted my hands on the island. “What I said still stands. We want you to …” My words trailed off as I heard footfalls enter the house. Alicia had left the front door open in a gesture that Jenson wasn’t invited to stay.
Moments later, Dax loped into the room with a masculine grace, each stride slow and confident. My pulse thudded and spiked. Excitement burst to life in my belly. And everything feminine in me woke right up and rose to greet him.
My hormones started fanning themselves as they drank him in. God, he was too freaking gorgeous for it to be real. I was sure he must have made a deal with Satan or something, because no one couldnaturallybe that striking. No one.
He didn’t look in the least bit hesitant or awkward about breezing into a kitchen that wasn’t his own. He gave off his usual air of unwavering cool, looking perfectly at ease and comfortable. As if he belonged here.
His mismatched eyes zeroed right in on me, unreadable and unflinching. “You left your front door open.”
“For Jenson,” I explained. “He’s not staying, so …” I was totally going to reward myself later for how unruffled I sounded.
“I see.” Dax’s gaze briefly skipped to my sister. “Alicia,” he greeted, who only smiled in response. He then honed in on our neighbor. “I hadn’t expected to see you here, Jenson. How’s the ankle?”
The creep straightened. “Better, Mr. Mercier, better,” he replied, his top-dog act shrinking under the weight of Dax’s presence.
“And your parents?” asked Dax. “How are they doing?”
“Fine, absolutely fine.” Jenson cleared his throat. “I was just helping Addison and Alicia carry their shopping inside.” He didn’t say it, hebraggedit. Like he’d done his country a service.
Dax glanced at the bags. “And you’re all done, I see.”
“Yes, I …” Jenson trailed off. Possibly because he couldn’t offer agoodreason for why he hadn’t yet gone home, given I’d told him to go.
I caught his eye. “You were just about to leave, weren’t you?”
“I was.” He hesitated a moment but then flashed my sister and I a courteous smile. “Remember I’m always next-door if you need anything.”
“We’ll remember,” I said.
“Sadly can’t forget,” Alicia muttered only loud enough for me to hear.
