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“Patton Rory, at your service.”
My blood turns to magma.
I swear, if he bows or kisses her hand, he’sdead.
“It’s great to finally meet you,” he says. “I’ve heard so much about you. All good things from less than sterling sources.”
“You’re joking?” Her gaze cuts back to me, something damnably unreadable in her eyes. “If it’s from Dexter, it’s probably slander.”
Patton couldn’t look more delighted.
“Damn. She already knows you like the back of her hand,” he says, elbowing me in the ribs. “And you’ve been fake-engaged for—how long now?”
“Go, Pat. You’re late for another miserable night alone with your fish,” I growl, giving him a little shove closer to the door and his nerd life of aquariums back home. Of all the expensive hobbies my little brother could’ve chosen, he just had to pick slimy things that swim and bite.
“Aw, you have fish?” I loathe the way Juniper’s eyes flash.
“He has no life,” I growl back. “Hundreds of miles from anything bigger than the Missouri River and he just has to have a bit of the ocean in the Midwest.”
“Oh, man, I’d love to enlighten you another time. I’ve pissed Dex off enough for one day, which means my work here is done. You watch this guy,” Patton tells her, jerking his thumb at me. “He’s always been the funny one in the family.”
“Patton. Out. Now.” I can’t form coherent sentences anymore through the red haze over my vision.
“Don’t forget my report!” he calls as he heads to the door—fucking finally. “It’s a risk, but I think it’ll be worth it.”
Yeah, whatever.
He thought the same about Forrest Haute, too, and look how that’s paying off. I hate to admit Patton gave us the kick in the ass we needed, downplaying Archer’s objections when he went digging through Haute’s old dirt.
He pauses at the door and smiles at Juniper again.
“I trust he’ll treat you nicely,” he says before flashing me a devilish look. “My stone-cold brother, engaged. Never thought we’d see the day. Justwaituntil Mom hears about this.”
“Mom? You better fucking not!” I slam the door right in his leering face and lean against it like I’m holding back a dragon.
I’m not sure it’s much improvement since I’ve stranded myself with a siren.
I’m alone with her now.
Alone with her autumn hair softly curling around her face and her lit green eyes and a knitted sweater that looks like it’s been molded to her frame. Shit, who gave this girl tits that are just the right size for filling a man’s palm?
“So,” she says, quirking an eyebrow. “That was your brother? Are you guys close?”
“Closer every day to beating him senseless,” I bite off, gesturing to the sofa and ready to be done with this conversation. “The brains in the family skipped him, but believe it or not, he’s an idiot savant when it comes to sniffing out new opportunities.”
Juniper laughs. Of course, it’s sweeter than her death-bringing pastries. “You’re lucky. Must be nice having a brother.”
I snort. “I have two, unfortunately, and there’s nothing nice about either.”
I’m weirdly annoyed and relieved when she sits as far away from me as possible at the end of the sofa. She looks around the room, taking in my workspace, which is only fair after my visits to the Sugar Bowl. She stops and lingers on the diagonal stripes of red along the walls—three different shades creating a certain rhythm—and the painted red cardinal on my desk.
“Interesting style for an office. It looks more like a lounge in here. Is this a real estate thing?” she asks, linking her fingers together.
Goddamn, her nerves are makingmenervous.
“It’s partly a family thing and partly meant to impress potential partners. Judging by your reaction, it works,” I tell her. “Anyway, would you like a drink before we get started?”
“Just some water, please.”
