Page 29 of Black Jack (Advantage Play 5)

I purse my lips. “Anything else?”

“Can I take you to dinner?”

“Why?”

“Because I want to.”

“I thought I was taking all your money.”

His eyes shine with mirth. “You are, but I figured that if the roses didn’t do it, maybe a lobster would.”

“You’re not….” My gaze shoots down the hall toward the kitchen where I know our garbage can is filled to the brim with gorgeous flowers that deserved more than being tossed in the trash. Then I force myself to look back at him. “You’re not mad about the flowers?”

“That you threw them away?” He laughs, gifting me with an easy grin that makes my heart kick up a notch. “I’m surprised you didn’t take the time to shove them in the garbage disposal and grind them up one by one. It just means I didn’t guess your guilty pleasure yet, but I’ll get there.”

What the hell?

“Why do you care?” I ask.

“Because I want this to work even if it’s only on a friendly level. I don’t want to be at each other’s throats.”

I dig my teeth into my lower lip. The bastard might have a point. But letting him in is even more terrifying.

Sensing my indecision, he prods, “So what do you say? Dinner? I’ll even find a place that only sells salads if it’ll get you to say yes.”

My mouth twitches with a smile, but I hold it back.

“Please?” he murmurs.

“I guess I could go for some lobster.”

“But only if you agree to add some butter on top.”

His smirk makes me want to melt, but I hold strong. “I prefer lemon.”

He snorts. “How did I know you were gonna say that? Let’s go.”

“Give me a few. I need to get ready.”

I can almost hear his protest as he scans me up and down, taking in my jeans, crop top, and already curled hair. He shakes his head slightly. “Okay? Take your time. I’ll be in the family room.”

Then he turns on his heel and saunters down the hall while leaving my jaw hanging off its hinges.

Huh. Maybe he really is going to play nice and be patient.

I’m just not sure how I feel about it.

10

Jack

My empty stomach voices its protest as I check my watch. It’s been two hours since Bianca accepted my invitation to dinner. Two hours since I found the roses tossed in the garbage like trash. And two hours of easing guilt at the possibility she’ll forgive me for being an ass. Again.

She has yet to apologize for her screw ups. But the girl’s a hard nut to crack, so I’ll take a friendly dinner and see where it leads us.

With a sigh, I rest my head on the back of the black leather couch as the seconds keep ticking by in slow motion. This is ridiculous. She was already ready. Hell, she looked like sex on a stick in tight jeans and a black and red crop top that made my hands itch to wrap around her waist. What else does she need to do?

Patience, Jack, my inner Buddha reminds me. You don’t want to start another fight. Breathe.