Fighting Dirty - Sidney Halston Page 0,5

to come waltzing in late, creating an uproar in her wake. But if there was one single thing he didn’t expect, not just today but ever, it was to see JL blush. To see her nervous. To see her hide. He knew at that moment that she felt the same way he did. And he knew that he had to keep asking her out, and that she’d eventually say yes.

One date, that’s all he wanted. One date and she’d see that she had pegged him all wrong. One date would lead to another one and then another one, and eventually they’d sleep together and finally—finally!—he’d get her to see that there could possibly be more between them. That was the plan for now; the rest he’d figure out when the time came. Plus, he was happy that she was at an art class and not on a date, like he’d assumed.

When the hour was up, the elderly rail-thin man who taught the class walked to the middle of the room and handed Enzo a ridiculously small pink robe and his glasses, then asked the students to give Enzo a round of applause. The guys from the Academy quickly rose and grinned at Enzo on their way to the door.

“So you got a good look at my junk. That’s what you guys wanted?” Enzo joked.

“No, I wanted to see Alicia Turnberry’s face when you walked in and stripped. And her husband…” Travis was bent double with laughter. “He drew you in a very interesting light. Can’t wait for you to see it.”

“Man, you looked like you were going to throw up,” Slade said.

“I’d have owned that shit,” Tony said cockily.

“You try standing in front of all those people naked,” Enzo shot back. “Did you know your sister would be here?” Enzo said to Travis as he glanced across the room to where Jamie Lynn was deep in conversation with the teacher.

“Are you crazy? I was going to pose myself. A hundred bucks, brother! Trust me when I say that had I known she was planning to be here, I would have done anything to stop her from showing up. I don’t know what’s worse—her checking me out or her checking you out.” Travis feigned a shiver.

“No. You guys go. I’m going to wait for Jamie Lynn.”

“We’ll wait too,” Travis said immediately.

“Dude, you’re such a cock blocker,” Slade said to Travis.

“Damn straight! I am abso-fucking-lutely blocking any and all cocks that approach my sister.”

“Your sister is a grown-ass woman,” Tony pointed out. “Besides, what could he possibly do wearing a pink robe?”

“I’m not going to touch her, Tex. Just want to talk.” Enzo held two fingers over his heart. “Scout’s honor.”

Travis guffawed. “You’re no fucking Boy Scout, asshole. Fine, I’ll leave.” He started to file out with the others, but then he spun back and leaned close to Enzo. “I like you. We’re friends. But you make her even a little sad, and I swear to all that is holy that I will cut off your balls and feed them to you. She’s my twin sister and she’s been through a lot. So keep that in mind.” He gave Enzo one last look and walked away.

That was probably the most serious conversation Enzo had ever had with Travis, and it gave him pause. What had Jamie Lynn been through that caused Travis to be so protective? He was her brother, yeah, but Enzo could tell there was more to it than familial protectiveness. He looked over to where she was packing up her canvas, and their gazes met briefly before her eyes darted away. Suddenly the thought of her ever having been hurt made him to want to kick the ass of anyone who’d hurt such a strong yet tiny woman.

With her big handbag on one shoulder and her canvas under her arm, Jamie Lynn walked over to where Enzo was standing. “Nice legs,” she cracked, looking down at the expanse of skin not covered by the petite garment.

“I know. The robe really shows them off,” he tossed back.

“Did you just make a joke?”

“I suppose that standing naked in front of strangers brings out the comedian in me,” he replied, grinning.

“So—” Jamie Lynn began, just as Enzo started to say, “You—”

They both broke off. “You first,” he said.

“I was just going to ask if you wanted to maybe go to dinner or something tomorrow,” Jamie Lynn said.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” Enzo said, his eyes widened in mock surprise.