Page 79

She scrunches up her face. “Double the size.”
“Great, so it’s settled. It’s yours as long as you need it.”
“Move in with you?” Spencer issues a shrill cackle. “Have you lost your mind?”
I fold my arms over my chest and angle my body so the sun isn’t cooking the broad side of my back anymore. “Why is that so crazy?”
“Would Tom move in with Jerry? Would Peter Pan bunk with Captain Hook? Simba and Scar sure as hell aren’t sharing the Pride Lands.”
I smirk at her. “Clever. But just so you know, while you think you’re innocent, between you accosting me at my home and then trying to drown me, I think you’re more Captain Hook than Peter Pan.”
“I didn’t try to drown you,” she mumbles.
In the five seconds since I suggested it, I’ve grown very attached to the idea of Spencer living here, always in arm’s reach. An entire security detail between her and any other interested donut dudes. This is when I choose to be ruthless in getting what I want.
“Spencer, I really can’t afford for you to be distracted at work. Finding a new home, moving, the new commute—I can’t giveyou time off for all that.” I jut my thumb toward the guesthouse. “If you want to keep your job, you’ll move in. Plain and simple.”
“You can’t make me by threatening my job.”
I close the space between us and hover over her, puffing myself up like a bear. “Watch me.”
“What?” she squeaks, tilting her head back to peer up at my gasoline-fueled gaze.
“All the shit you get away with at work is because I let you. It’s entertaining, really. But make no mistake, when I want my way, I get it. So unless you want to find a new job along with a new apartment…” I flash her a wicked grin. “Let me show you your new place.”
“You are criminally insane.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that.” I wink at her. I don’t give her any time to protest, because quite frankly, now I’m dead set on this whole plan. Had it come to me before, I would’ve taken a sledgehammer to Spencer’s apartment myself.
“I don’t know.” She sneaks a side glance at the guesthouse and I swear there’s a brief flash of relief.
“You’re welcome.”
“Huh?”
“Oh, my mistake, I thought you said, ‘Thank you, boss, for saving my ass.’”
Her glare returns. “I most certainly did not.”
I playfully pop my shoulders. “I’m going to go give Charlie the good news.”
Spencer crosses her arms. “As in you’re going to bribe my sister by showing her all your fancy shit, so it’s two against one?”
She’s spot-on. I am fully banking on Charlie chaining herself to a pool chair, demanding that she and Spencer stay. “And here you thought you were the cleverest in the room.” I tap her nose. “How’s that reality check feel?”
“I didn’t agree to anything. And I told you, Charlie and I have to go. We’re on our way to the pool.”
I point to her up and down, gesturing to her casual ensemble. “You have a swimsuit on underneath this?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Are you a strong swimmer?” I ask before scooping her up, one arm under her knees, the other arm supporting her shoulders. She squeals and flails but it’s far too late. I toss her with all my might, so she lands safely away from the concrete ledge of the infinity pool. She drops in with far more grace than I did.
She resurfaces, wiping her face with one hand as she treads water. “I’m…going…to…kill you,” she growls out.
“Mk, pumpkin. Towels are over there.” I point to the neat stack of striped beach towels by the cabana. “There’s water and soda in the fridge. I think some piña colada mix too. Help yourself. I’ll be back.”
“Nathan, you’re a dead man,” she shouts as I walk away.