by Boone Brux
“I suppose soul mates are out of the question?”
She turned back to the gathering. “Soul mates are just people who share common goals, values, and beliefs. There isn’t anything magical or ordained by heaven about it.”
“Call me a romantic, but I believe there are things about love that can’t be explained away.” He held his glass up. “No matter how eloquent the argument. That being said, might I suggest a little wager?”
She propped one elbow on the bar and leaned toward him a fraction, her interest clearly roused. “What kind of wager?”
“I bet they hook up sometime during the wedding week, and you think they won’t, right?”
“Correct. And what does the winner get?”
“Let’s say a favor from the loser, within reason.” Making the prize generic gave him a little leeway on options depending on how their relationship progressed over the next week.
“Nothing sexual.”
“Nothing sexual unless there’s mutual agreement.” He gave her a half-cocked grin. “Then I’m happy to oblige.” Pink tinged her cheeks, and her eyes darted away from his face. He could see the wheels in her mind turning. The woman liked a challenge; the fact that she was a lawyer proved it. And for him, having this bet gave him more reason to talk to her. To tempt her a little more, he added, “I could help you move furniture or organize something. Whatever you want.”
She looked at him again, her eyes bright. “Okay, you’re on. Within the next week Jamie and Dani have to get back together or else you owe me a favor. Whatever I want.”
“Whatever.” He held out his hand. “Shall we shake on it?”
Her palm was warm against his, and it was tempting to step into the handshake to be closer, but he had to play it cool. Though he might lose the bet, if he played his cards right and didn’t push her too fast, he might just win the battle.
Chapter Two
The bell over the door announced her arrival when Kinni entered the tux store. It had taken ten minutes of a stern talking-to before convincing herself not to bail on the outing. Even though she’d agreed to Roxy’s wedding favor, Kinni wasn’t sure giving Price her opinion about his tux fell under the terms of the agreement. Only the look Roxy had given her after Price asked had coaxed her to agree.
Why he needed her opinion was a mystery. The man always looked good, like one of those L.L.Bean models, the hint of blond scruff dusting his cheeks and a dimpled smile. It was as if he didn’t have to try to look adorable. Add in his perpetually playful attitude and it was no wonder people succumbed to his charms.
From the way his sandy blond hair constantly stood, swooped, or lay perfectly, she suspected his natural good looks got a little help from styling products. His facial hair was always cut close and fashioned in the latest style. Even in the rainy and dark months of winter, the guy was tan, which offset his green eyes. There was no arguing that he was attractive, but there had never been that spark between them—at least she’d never felt it. Then again, that wasn’t saying much. Tapping into people’s moods and feelings wasn’t her forte. Still, they were too different, and she assumed he’d realized the mismatch from the start as well.
Already on the small riser, he stood with his arms extended while another man knelt at his feet, adjusting the hem on the pants. Catching her reflection in the mirror, Price smiled. “You made it.”
She gave a quick shrug. “Just like I promised.” She slung her purse over her shoulder and inched toward him, stopping a few feet away. “I like the tux.”
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” The dark-haired man rose from the floor and walked to her, holding out his hand. “Adam, the owner and head tailor.”
From his reputation she’d expected somebody a lot older. “Nice to meet you. I’m Kinni.” As an afterthought she added, “A friend.”
Adam circled his finger in the air. “Turn around and give Miss Kinni the full view.”
Price pivoted to face them and yanked twice on his left sleeve. “Well? What do you honestly think? Don’t hold back.”
Her eyes tracked down and then back up the black tux, which hugged his broad shoulders. The teal-blue bow tie darkened his eyes to a deep green, and the same-colored cummerbund hugged his narrow hips, accentuating the tapering build of his torso. Her eyes cut back to his face, ignoring the unexpected and completely primal twitter of lust that shot through her. It looked good, really good. “I think the cut is perfect.”
Adam’s smile widened, obviously thrilled by her praise. “I think so, too.”
“Really?” Price faced the mirrors again and slipped off the jacket, laying it at his feet. “Doesn’t it seem a little loose through here?” He pinched the material at his thigh, drawing the trousers tight against his body. “What do you think about taking them in a fraction more?”
Before she could stop herself, her gaze zeroed in on his rear end—firm, sculpted, and very touchable. Heat rushed up her neck to her cheeks, and in an effort to not stare, she shifted her gaze to the mirror. Not good. Every curve, angle, and bulge showed against the fabric. Was he purposely trying to shock her? He did have that kind of personality, always joking around, trying to get a rise out of people.
“Well?” he asked again. “A little tighter?”
“That depends.” She cleared her throat. “Are you trying to wear the tux or impregnate it?”
His gaze drifted to her reflection in the mirror, his full bottom lip turning downward slightly, and his expression serious. “Did you just make a joke, Kinni?”
“It happens from time to time.” She lifted her brows, challenging him to argue with her.
Instead he gave a few exaggerated nods. “Respect.”
Surprisingly, his comment pleased her. “But seriously, the pants are perfect. No more alterations are required.”
“Okay, I’ll take your word for it.” He hopped off the riser and scooped the jacket off the floor. “After all, your honest opinion is why I asked you here.”
She folded her hands in front of her body. “And you got it.”
“Yes, I did.” As he headed toward the dressing room, he called over his shoulder. “I’ll change and then we’ll go to lunch.”
“All right.” She lowered herself onto a beige slipper chair. That hadn’t been so bad. Quick, no hassles, and she’d saved Price from embarrassing himself with ultra-tight pants. Though certainly the majority of the female wedding guests wouldn’t be as appreciative. Now she was getting lunch out of the deal. She’d be home by one o’clock and could spend the rest of the day working on the seating chart for the reception. This wedding favors thing was a piece of cake.
…
Price couldn’t help smiling while remembering Kinni’s expression. First, those big brown eyes of hers had lingered on his ass, widened, and then shifted to his package. No doubt all the ogling had been by accident, which made her reaction all the funnier. It was the first outward sign of appreciation she’d ever shown him. What he hadn’t expected was her sense of humor. Clearly there was a lot more to her than she let on.
“Where are we going to lunch?” She brushed past him as he held the door open, and then stopped on the sidewalk. “Dani recommends the café down the street.”
“I have a better place in mind.” He lifted his key ring and punched the unlock button. Two loud beeps chirped and the lights on his car flashed, then it quieted. “They have great food, lots of variety.” He schooled his expression, trying his best not to look mischievous. “Let’s take my car.”
“I have my car.” Her brows pinched together and she absently waved her hand at the gray sedan parked behind his black sports car. “It would be more efficient if we both drove. Then you wouldn’t have to bring me all the way back here.”
“I don’t mind bringing you back. It means we’ll get to talk more.” He placed his hand on her back and gently guided her forward. “Besides, don’t you want to ride in my new car? I just got it yesterday.” They stopped at the passenger door, but from the way sh
e chewed on her bottom lip, he could see she wasn’t acquiescing. In an effort to remind her of the promise she’d made, he opened the door. “If you don’t like it, I’ll never offer again.” He rested his arms along the top of the door, “But you will. The seats hug your body. It’s very relaxing.”
“Why”—her eyes darted to him—“did you say that?”
“What?” With a slight tilt of his head, he feigned confusion. “I’ll never offer again?”
“No.” She shook her head, the black strands swishing over her shoulders. “No, that it’s relaxing.”
“Because it is.” It was, but that’s not why he’d prodded her with that particular car fact. “Do you have something against comfort?”
“Of course not.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Never mind.”
“So, you’ll ride with me?” When she didn’t answer right away he slowly pushed the door closed and laced his voice with the appropriate amount of disappointment and hurt. “No problem. You can drive if you want.” He shrugged. “Or we don’t have to have lunch at all. You don’t owe me anything. I just thought it would be a nice payback for you taking time out of your day to help me.”
The tension in her shoulders relaxed and her eyes rounded. “No, it’s all right. I do want to go to lunch.” She took a deep breath and pasted on a painful-looking smile. “And I’d like to ride in your new car.”
From the straightness of her spine and the eerily unwavering set of her smile, liking the idea of riding in his car might have been a bit of a stretch. Being chauffeured in a luxury sports car usually wasn’t viewed as torture, but she reacted as if it were right up there with eating glass. She actually made him feel a little guilty about asking her to lunch.
Not giving her another chance to bow out, he yanked open the passenger door again. “If you’re sure.”
After a brief hesitation, she climbed into the low sports car. Price settled next to her in the driver’s seat, turned the key, and revved the engine. “I love that sound.”
Ignoring the look of disapproval broadcasting loudly from Kinni, he shoved the car into gear and pulled away from the curb. Roxy was definitely onto something when she asked Kinni to ease up a bit and have some fun for a week. So far the only evidence he’d seen of her complying was the one joke she’d made at the tux boutique.
As if to drive his point home, she asked, “Isn’t this car rather impractical?”
“No.” He smiled and rubbed his hand across the dash. “You don’t like my car?”
“It just seems like a lot of money for a vehicle that only holds two people.”
“Sometimes, more than two people is a crowd.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her, but she didn’t take the bait and return a sharp retort. “Besides, I’ve got a lot of money.”
“Apparently.”
Her flat tone deflated his good mood. Damn, she was a tough nut to crack. Even a hint that she was having fun was going to be hard-won. “Meaning?”
“Nothing.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Forget I mentioned it. You can spend your money any way you want.”
“No, I’d really like to hear your opinion.” In truth he wasn’t sure he did. The woman had a knack for chipping away at his good mood and manhood. “What did ‘apparently’ mean?”
“We obviously have differing opinions about money, that’s all.” She crossed her arms over her chest and sat a little taller, which appeared uncomfortable considering the seats curved to hug her body. “I view money as a source of security for my future, while you see it as funding for fun.” She shook her head but didn’t look at him. “It’s probably because of our different backgrounds growing up.” Her mouth leveled into a straight line and her features softened, as if she’d worked out the answer to a problem. “I think people who grow up with money don’t always appreciate or prioritize things in life like those of us who weren’t wealthy.”
”Ha!” A laugh barked from him. Did she realize how superior she sounded? One thing was certain, growing up he had been the furthest thing from a trust-fund kid. His parents were hardworking, middle-class Scottish immigrants and still bore a healthy brogue, having come to America in their early twenties and newly married. Let Kinni think what she wanted. He wasn’t about to correct her assumptions. Instead, he nodded and grinned. “Maybe you’re right.” He shrugged. “But I still think my car is perfect, even if she is a bit impractical.”
“Why is your car a she?”
“Because she purrs when I drive her right.” Her scowl deepened, so he continued, “And she’s a lot of fun.”
“Fun, huh?” Kinni’s chocolate gaze darted to him and then back to stare out the front window again. “Is that all you look for in a woman?”
“I thought we were talking about my car?” Obviously, he’d hit a nerve with his comment. “But since you asked, it’s not the only thing I look for, but a playful attitude is important to me.”
She harrumphed but didn’t say anything more. Yep, Kinni Corbett was going to be one tough nut to crack.
Chapter Three
Her stomach twisted in a big knot as she struggled to keep the comment hovering on her tongue from popping out. She and Price had never been friend-friends and the reason was glaringly clear. The man seemed to frivolously spend money on things that held no value to her, and then justified it by saying he did it for fun. In her opinion fun was overrated, but everybody except her seemed to be focused on it. There were a lot of people who could use his week’s worth of fun to pay their electric bills or buy groceries—including her.
What seemed like a kazillion years of college and law school had left her in debt and pinching pennies. Even though she’d been on a dozen interviews with Seattle law firms, nothing had panned out yet. The whole process infuriated her. She’d graduated in the top tenth of her class, which wasn’t the best but still pretty damn good. And she didn’t have any other obligations to get in the way of her career, like a husband, kids, or even a cat. That thought sent a wave of despair through her, but she shook it off. Those things didn’t matter right now, which made her an ideal candidate. Paying down her debt, landing a job, and getting through the wedding were top on her list of priorities.
Rock music radio filled the silence between them as they drove to the restaurant. She rarely felt compelled to fill dead space with idle chatter, and thankfully Price appeared equally comfortable not speaking.
After ten minutes, he pulled into a large lot and parked. “We’re here.”
Kinni’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the bright orange sign. “Hooters?” With a slow, calculated pivot of her head, she looked at him. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.” He shook his head and opened his car door. “What’s wrong with Hooters?”
“Nothing is wrong with Hooters. It’s more the fact that you chose it.” Was he really that clueless? “Typical.”
His expression schooled into contemplation. “You’re not going to go off on all that objectification-of-women stuff are you?”
“No, as long as you admit the menu variety isn’t the main reason you come here.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He climbed out and closed the door, his green eyes sparkling. “I value all women equally.”
“Meaning with or without big boobs?”
“So cynical.” He smirked and shook his head, walking around the car. “You really need to work on that.”
“I’m a lawyer.” She shut the door and leveled a stare at him. “It’s what I do.”
“And I’m sure you’re very good at your job.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her forward. His voice dropped to just above a whisper. “Among other things.”
Heat crept up her cheeks and exhilaration spiraled through her. Was he flirting? The warm press of his hand felt surprisingly nice, so nice that a surge of disappointment spun through her when they entered the restaurant and he removed his hold.
A bubbly blonde in a skimpy half T-shirt greeted them when they entered th
e restaurant. Her shorts were skintight, hugging every inch of her firm tush and hips. The entire outfit left little to the imagination, which was exactly the effect the waitresses were going for.
“Welcome to Hooters. How many?” the hostess asked.
“Two, please.” Even though Price’s eyes remained fixed on the woman’s face, his smile left no doubt about his appreciation for her physical attributes. “And could we get a booth?”
When pink flushed the hostess’s cheeks and she let out a girlish giggle, Kinni couldn’t help rolling her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. The hostess wasn’t the first person she’d seen fall under his spell.
Any previous idea that Price was sexy vanished when the woman flipped her hair and giggled again. “Follow me.”
Music thumped from the speakers in the ceiling, and she noticed two waitresses standing near the cash register, dancing. From what Kinni could tell the majority of the patrons were men, but there were other women having lunch. Clearly the restaurant’s marketing strategy worked.
She and Price slid into opposite sides of the booth, and the hostess handed them the menus. “Tiffany is your waitress. She’ll be with you in a second.”
“Thank you,” Kinni managed, taking the menu from her. After a few seconds of perusing the options, she glanced at Price, “Do you know what you’re having?”
“I usually get a cheeseburger and fries. They’re good.” He set the menu at the edge of the table. “How about you?”
“I don’t know.” Her gaze tracked down the list of options. Deep-fried with cheese seemed to be the theme. Avocado bacon burger; just the thought made her mouth water, but instead she said, “Maybe a salad.”
“Salad? Come on, try one of their burgers.” His lower lip curled in a half frown. “You’re not a vegan, are you?”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” She wasn’t a vegetarian and enjoyed a good burger more than she liked to admit, but all the wedding parties and outings had taken a toll on her waistline. She still needed to fit into her bridesmaid dress. “Do you have something against vegans?”
