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"Icancount that high."
"When have I ever implied you weren't smart?" I ask. I know idiots. Lots of them have advanced degrees from the best schools.
Laurel might not be book smart the way her brother and sister-in-law are, sure, but she's street smart. She's people smart.
She's creative and talented.
She can look at a person and a rack of clothes and justknowwhat they can wear to turn into a vision.
It's not my art form, but it's an art form. I appreciate it.
"Your friends have," she says.
"I didn't have friends then," I say.
"Your frenemies then." She stretches her arms over her head and lets out a low yawn. "You want to babysit me with as little fuss as possible. I want you to go the fuck away. But I'll accept a bodyguard who plays nice. If you actually play nice."
"You don't want to be friends?" I ask.
"When were we ever friends?" The harsh edge to her voice fades into pain. She stares directly into my eyes, daring me to answer, to explain what happened.
But how could I?
She's right. She acted like my friend.
I acted like a shithead.
I want to tell her what happened, I do. But I can't. For too many reasons.
"Is that really how you see me?" I ask.
She gives me a long, slow once-over. "You're tragically sexy." Her eyes settle on my hips. She stares at my jeans like she's trying to see every thread of fabric. "Don't pretend you don't know. Those are designer jeans."
"Secondhand."
"They fit you perfectly." Her teeth sink into her lip. "You have the thighs for them."
She's thinking about my thighs.
"The ass too." She lets out a low sigh. One that meansI hate how much I want you.
I take a deep breath.
She takes a step toward me. "Face it, Romeo, that's the only way we've ever played nice."
"That's the only way we can be friendly?" I answer her dare.
"Obviously," she says.
"And that's what you want?" I hold strong. "To kiss and makeup?"
"To fuck, yes. That's the only thing I want from you."
She meansbecause I don't want your thoughts, your comfort, your personality, or your company.
But my body hears none of that.
It hearsI want to fuck you.
