I’d show him. I wouldn’t bail on my brothers and sister. We’d all have what was rightfully ours.

I walked out of the elevator and toward Lacey’s door, an adolescent spring in my step. I was looking forward to this. To being with her. Yeah, we’d fuck later, but I was actually looking forward to spending time with her.

Damn.

And I’d told her we didn’t have a relationship. I didn’t think I wanted one. Could I have been wrong?

I slid down the wall right by her door into a sit.

Damn.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

She was right behind that door, waiting.

The elevator door dinged, and she stepped out.

She wasn’t behind the door waiting. My heart quickened just seeing her.

“Rock, what are you doing here?”

“I came to pick you up for dinner.”

“You’re late. And I already told you I’m not going.”

“I said eight o’clock.”

“Your note said seven, genius.”

“Shit. Well, you’re here and I’m here, and our reservation is for eight thirty. Let’s go. I’ve got a cab waiting.”

“Uh…no. I canceled, remember?”

“You’re obviously not busy.” I took the grocery bags from her.

“I am, actually.”

“Yeah? Doing what?”

“None of your business.”

I peeked into one of her bags. “Microwave popcorn. I see. You’re busy watching TV tonight.”

She gripped the handle of the other bag with white knuckles. “You’re such an ass!”

“Doing what I do best, baby.” I grinned.

“Go home, Rock.”

“I no longer have a home.”

“You have a luxury hotel suite. Go there.”

“Come on. Let’s go to dinner. You look great.”

“I’m in my work clothes.”

“So? You still look great. Here, let me.” I took the key from her hand and opened the door, went in, and set the groceries in the kitchen. “Any of this perishable?”

“Just the milk.”

I located the quart of milk and put it in Lacey’s refrigerator. “All done then. Let’s go.”

“You do speak English, right? You understand what ‘no’ means?”

I split my face with a grin. “I do. It means ‘let’s go.’”

She shook her head, but her lips were curving upward. She was trying to stop it, but she was melting.

“Come on. I’m going to show you how a real man treats a lady for dinner.”

36

Lacey

I went.

I couldn’t explain why, but I went.

Fact was, I wanted to be with Rock. I was in for heartache, I knew, but I couldn’t help myself.

“Reservations for two. Wolfe,” Rock told the maître d’.

“You two?” The man darted his gaze to me.

“Yeah.”

“But your date has already arrived, sir.”

I lifted my brow.

“My date is right here beside me,” Rock said.

“She arrived ten minutes ago. Black hair, gorgeous?”

“For God’s sake.”