by Maya Banks
“You okay?” Mike asked in a low voice, but Simon heard him clearly. He didn’t like the inference that he had upset her. But even A.J. was looking at him in disgust.
“Toni,” Simon began, but she was no longer looking at him. Mike shouldered by him, his hand at the small of Toni’s back.
“Nice going, Andrews,” Mike muttered.
Simon closed his eyes and clenched his fists beside him. What the hell was happening to him? He was turning into a first class turd.
“Well. That was a success,” A.J. said as Toni and Mike left the pool hall.
“Cut the sarcasm, A.J. I know I was an ass.”
“That you were. If you’re done making an ass of yourself, can we go home now?”
“Yeah, whatever.” He stalked toward the door, feeling like a complete moron. He’d rather spend the next twelve hours fighting a damn fire than go home and face Toni upset.
“So, I’ll see you Saturday?” Mike asked as Toni slid from his truck.
She attempted a smile though her mind was whirling. “Yeah. And thanks for tonight. I really did have fun.”
“No problem. I think your boy is contemplating the funny farm at the moment.”
She frowned. “I have no idea what to make of him right now. He forgot about me quick enough when Starla called. Then he follows us to Benny’s and acts like I’m an irresponsible teenager.”
He winked at her. “It’ll probably get a lot worse before he wakes up and smells the coffee.”
“I wish I had your confidence, Mike. I’ll see you later, okay?” She shut the door and waved as he pulled away then she hurried inside.
She set her purse down on the bar and stood a moment not sure what to do next. Simon had acted weird. The whole evening had been a venture into the twilight zone. Had she really contemplated kissing Simon just a few hours ago?
In hindsight she was glad Starla had called. She wasn’t at all sure her seduction plan was working, and at any rate, it was too soon to kiss
him. She didn’t want him to kiss her because he was worried about her. She wanted him to do it because he couldn’t help himself.
She turned when she heard Simon’s truck pull up. For a fleeting moment, she wanted to retreat to her room, but she wasn’t that much of a coward. Besides, he’d been a complete jerk, and she wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily.
She leaned against the counter and waited for them to come in. A.J. was first. He gave her an apologetic look, but remained silent as Simon tramped in behind him.
He had the grace to look exceedingly guilty as he caught her gaze. He glanced over at A.J. “You mind if I talk to Toni alone?”
“Ah damn. You mean I don’t get to see you grovel?” At Simon’s glare, he threw up his hands. “Okay, okay, I’m going.”
As A.J. retreated to his room, Simon turned to look at her once more. “Toni, I’m sorry. Really I am. I was just worried about you. You didn’t see how pale you were when you almost fainted. I just didn’t think you should be going out, and I was pissed that Mike didn’t take better care with you.”
His explanation came out in a rush. She pushed off the edge of the counter and moved closer to him. “I appreciate your concern, Simon. Truly, I do. But you embarrassed me.” A hot flush swept over her face all over again as she remembered the stares of the entire crowd at Benny’s on her.
Regret sparked in his eyes. “I’m a jerk, Toni. I swear I don’t know what came over me. My only excuse is I do not trust Mike as far as I could throw him. He’ll use you and be on to his next woman in a week.”
Another flush stole over her face. “I’m glad you think me that desirable.”
“Damn it, Toni. That’s not what I meant. You’re beautiful. One of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever known. But Mike only wants one thing when it comes to women.”
“Well at least I wouldn’t have to worry about getting pregnant,” she said ruefully.
It was the wrong thing to say. She knew it as soon as she let it slip. Fury rose in his eyes, and he closed the distance between them. “Tell me you aren’t sleeping with him, Toni.”
Her mouth fell open. “I’m not telling you anything. Who I sleep with is none of your business.”
“You’re not that kind of girl, Toni,” he began.
She arched an eyebrow, her anger building by the minute. And her humiliation. “What kind of girl is that?” she asked softly. “Because I go out on a date, I’m suddenly relegated to the town slut? Or is it because I’m pregnant?” She stared pointedly at him.
He gripped her shoulders and gave her a slight shake. “Don’t put words in my mouth. I have never thought less of you because you’re pregnant. I just don’t want to see you hurt. I care a lot about you, Toni. And I’ll kill anyone who dares call you a slut.”
She couldn’t summon a response, nor could she retain her anger. Her shoulders sagged. “I’m not mad, Simon. Just embarrassed. I appreciate your worrying over me, but I wish you’d lay off Mike. He’s not such a bad guy. In fact, he’s been a pretty great friend.”
Simon frowned again. “You have plenty of friends. You don’t need him.”
Toni laughed. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.”
She could have kicked herself. He stared strangely at her as if she’d grown another head or something.
“Your color is better,” he said out of the blue.
She blinked at the rapid change in conversation.
He reached out to smooth her hair off her cheek. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you, sweetheart. I was an ass. I won’t lie and say it doesn’t set my teeth on edge to see you going out with Mike, but I promise to try and accept it for your sake.”
She smiled at his concession. If he only knew why she was going out with Mike. Would he be relieved or pissed?
“Now, can I persuade you to go to bed and get some rest?” he asked.
“You won’t have to twist my arm too hard,” she said with a smile. “But I’m only going because I’m tired.” She winked at him and started by him.
To her surprise, he caught her by the waist and enfolded her in his arms. He buried his face in her hair, his words muffled. “I don’t like you mad at me.”
She drew away and stared up at him. She let loose a mental groan. His lips hovered temptingly above hers. She pushed away from him before she did something stupid. Like kiss him.
Chapter Eleven
The next morning Toni slept in—the extra hours of sleep much needed. She showered and dressed then ventured into the kitchen to scrounge up breakfast.
“Morning, guys,” she called out as she saw Matt and A.J. seated at the bar shoveling down a bowl of cereal.
The both looked up and mumbled a greeting.
She poured a glass of juice and sat down across from them. “What’s on the agenda for today?”
They both gave her blank stares and she laughed. “I’ll take that as a big fat nothing.”
Matt shrugged. “Simon left early. Have no idea where he went. I don’t really have any plans to speak of.”
Toni frowned. She knew where Simon was. The juice tasted sour on her tongue and she put it down. “You not seeing Stephanie today?”
He gave her an uneasy glance and shrugged again. “Probably not.”
A.J. lifted a brow and put down his spoon. “Trouble in paradise?” He raised the bowl to his lips and noisily chugged the remaining milk then set the bowl back down with a bang.
Toni laughed. “You’re such a barbarian, A.J.”
