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Tristan raised a brow toward Stacey then turned to Adler. “Sweet woman? Not Desiree? Who are you going out with?”
“Leila.”
“What!” Stacey’s voice was shrill. “Why are you going out with Leila? I saw you flirting with her at the party, but I figured when Des told you she had a baby . . .”
How does she know what Desiree told me?He cast a searing look in her direction.
She stopped and glared right back. “Yes, she’s my friend and I talked to her. Anyway, I figured once you knew about Skylar you wouldn’t be interested anymore. A mom, especially one like Leila, isn’t your type.”
His gut heated, and his pulse raced. He was getting tired of people thinking Leila was too good for him. “Whatever. Maybe she isn’t my typical type, but there’s something about her that gets to me. I even met Skylar today, and she’ll be with us tonightalso. We’re just going to have sandwiches at the picnic tables on the green way outside the boutique. Not a big deal.”
He watched as Tristan and Stacey passed a look between them. He was waiting for the objection from his cousin. Come on already and tell me how stupid I am. I’ve got to go.
Tristan slapped his hands on the table. “Okay. Well, have fun. Don’t let us keep you.”
Adler raised his brow. He could tell something else was bothering Tristan because he wasn’t meeting his gaze. Dammit. Tristan, his brother, his best friend, didn’t even believe in him.
A frustrated laugh escaped him, and he held his arms out wide. “Look, she’s not a fan of the Adler charm, so don’t worry about a thing. She can hold her own.” He combed his hands through his hair again, getting the organized messed up look he was going for. “Tris.”
Tristan’s gaze finally met his.
He let out a breath. “I really can’t tell you why, but I’m interested in her. I think she’s beautiful, and I need to get to know her more.” He shot them a grin. “It’s all good, I promise. Anyway, if anyone gets hurt, I guarantee it won’t be her. I gotta go.” He walked into the garage and hopped on his bike and headed back to town.
Leila locked the boutique’s door behind her and noticed Adler as he placed the bags of food on the table. It was not hard to notice him. His dark hair always had a disheveled yet sexy look to it. He wore his typical T-shirt which suctioned tight against his skin and showed off his broad shoulders and ripped abs. The sleeves were always short enough so his eagle tattoo peered out.
She took a deep breath and ignored the slight flutter that started in the pit of her stomach. “Come on, Sky. Let’s get this over with. It’s not like he’s going to stick around long. He isn’t dad material.” She pushed the stroller to the table.
His face lit up when she got closer, and he gave her that lopsided, toothy grin she was sure dropped many girls to their knees. She would not be one of those girls. Not again. Not ever again.
“Here we go, Sky,” she whispered, then took a deep breath to calm the thumping against her chest and the fluttering in her stomach and settled down on the bench opposite Adler. She gave him a small smile with a little attitude. “You actually showed up. I didn’t expect you to.”
“Ouch. That hurts. I invited you. I sure wasn’t going to stand you up. That would not get you to talk to me.” Adler placed four sub sandwiches wrapped in deli paper on the table. He opened each one. “I wasn’t sure what you liked so I got a little bit of my favorites. There’s turkey with vegies; an Italian with vegies, mayo, and vinegar and oil; a roast beef; and ham and turkey. You choose.”
She chose a half of the Italian and grabbed a bag of plain chips and a bottled water. “Thanks.”
They were quiet for a bit as they ate. Leila kept her eyes down on her sandwich, or on Skylar. His eyes burned a hole right through her as she fidgeted on the bench. Finally, she could not take the pressure of his gaze any longer and met it. “What?” It came out soft, yet short and irritated.
He slowly shook his head as he took another large bite of his sandwich, a smile playing on the lips of his full mouth. “Nothing,” he said after he swallowed, “I’m just glad you joined me.” His gaze, dark and sultry, held hers.
Leila narrowed her eyes as she put a chip in her mouth. The corners of his mouth ticked up, and her stomach did a hard flop.She closed her eyes briefly.Get it together. You don’t have time for another egotistical ass. Nothing good can come of this. She took another bite of her sandwich and gazed quickly at him. She couldn’t figure him out. What did he want with her? Why was he here?
Honesty was always her policy, so she might as well just ask. “What’s your deal? I’ve heard about all the girls you’ve been with, and I know all about your relationship with Desiree. I won’t be another notch on your belt. That won’t happen here.” She gestured between them. “Your playboy attitude does nothing to impress me, and honestly, I think you’re a conceited, arrogant asshole.”
Adler put his sandwich down and wiped his hands on his napkin as a laugh came from the depth of his stomach. A deep and slightly sexy laugh, not that Leila noticed. “Aren’t you a single mom? Shouldn’t you be sweet and nice—for the baby?”
She smirked and nodded as she took a swig of her water. “I used to be sweet and nice, and this is where it got me.” She gestured toward Skylar, asleep in the stroller, making sure he noticed her. How could he miss her? “Now you need to earn sweet and nice from me. And not very many people will succeed, especially not self-absorbed, egotistical, rich assholes.”
“Ouch.” He placed his hands over his heart and backed up a bit like he was sucker punched. “Well deserved.” He raked his fingers through his hair, and a light sigh escaped from his throat.
Leila tilted her head to the side and narrowed her gaze as Adler’s joking manner fizzled out in front of her. His shoulders slumped forward, and he chewed on his lower lip. Did her words really bother him? She sat up taller as her gut became all jumbled.
“Okay, the self-absorbed, rich asshole you’re talking about surrenders to you and gives you nothing but apologies.” He pushed from the table and knelt in front of her.
Her brows lifted, and a flush crawled up her neck and onto her cheeks. “Adler, what . . .”
He held up one hand and reached for hers with his other. “I apologize for every self-absorbed, rich asshole who hurt you in the past.” He bowed his head and brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed her like she was royalty.
A tingle ran from the spot he kissed throughout her body, causing her to suck in a quick breath. His lips were soft and warm, and a weird stirring started in the pit of her stomach. But she’d learned to ignore those sensations. They never lead to anything good, ever.
