The Man Who Has No Love - Victoria Quinn Page 0,8

sailed when you told me all the shit she did. That’s straight-up abuse. When I told Cleo about it, she practically burst into tears—”

“You told her?” I snapped.

“Yes.” He wore a blank look, like his actions were harmless. “Why didn’t you?”

I turned away and grabbed my beer.

“Deacon.”

“I just didn’t want her to know, alright?”

“You don’t want your serious girlfriend to know about the shit you went through?”

“No.” I took a drink and set it down.

“Why?”

“For the reason you just said. It hurt her.”

His eyes softened. “Okay, I guess I can see that.”

“I don’t ask about her ex-husband. I don’t want a play-by-play of how he broke her heart.”

“But aren’t you glad he broke her heart? You wouldn’t have her now, right?”

I didn’t answer that because there wasn’t a good answer.

A knock sounded on the door before Cleo stepped inside, carrying my mail while wearing her typical heels and tight skirt. She flinched for a second when she saw my brother. “Hey, Tucker. How are you?”

“Good. We were just discussing the new tenant moving in to the building…”

I got to my feet and walked over to her, the stress in my chest momentarily erased when I looked at her. Her appearance always gave me a jolt of joy, this warmth in my blood that made me think of pine trees, tall grass, deep water.

My arms moved around her, and I pulled her in for a kiss, greeting her the way I would if we were alone together, not caring if it bothered Tucker, because she was supposed to be with me in the first place.

She kissed me back, her arms still holding the paperwork. She took some of my tongue and gave me hers before she pulled away, her cheeks a little red, and slightly cleared her throat like the heat burned her neck.

“Uh, Deacon,” Tucker said. “Still here…”

My eyes were still on my girl, ignoring what he said. I kissed her temple before I released her. “Hey, baby.”

That smile that lit up her face was indescribable. “Hey.”

I took the mail from her hands and carried it to the coffee table. “You want something to drink?”

“I’ll have what you’re having.”

I grabbed a beer from the fridge then returned.

“What are you guys doing?” Cleo sat in the armchair, her legs crossed, her posture perfect. “A game gonna come on?”

“I wanted to go to a bar, but Deacon hates bars now,” Tucker said. “He should just put one of those reserved signs on his dick everywhere he goes.”

I glared at him.

Cleo smiled, like she thought it was funny.

“I’m happy you’re getting that P, bro, but I still need to find someone to take my D,” Tucker said.

I glared at him again. “Shut up, Tucker.”

“What?” he asked. “Cleo knows how I am. She can handle it.”

“True,” Cleo said to me. “I’m fine with it, Deacon. I hear Matt talk that way all the time, along with some of the clients in the building.”

“See?” Now Tucker glared at me. “Your girl can handle it.” He turned back to Cleo. “We were just talking about the devil that’s moving in.”

“Yeah, that should be fun,” she said sarcastically.

“She was a bitch the entire time at the hotel,” Tucker said. “The staff hated her.”

“Tucker,” I snapped at him.

“What?” he asked. “I don’t care, man.”

“It’s going to be difficult to deal with her,” Cleo said. “But I’ll ask Matt to help me out. He owes me a lot of favors anyway…”

“What if she specifically wants you?” Tucker asked.

“I’ll get her to trust Matt…in time.” She turned her gaze to me, watching me like she wanted to crawl into my lap and hook her arms around my neck.

“When does she get here?” Tucker asked.

“In a few days,” Cleo said.

“And you’re still going to keep this relationship a secret?” Tucker asked.

Cleo nodded. “Unfortunately.”

Tucker turned to me, like he wanted my confirmation.

“I can’t trust that she won’t tattle on Cleo,” I said. “Valerie probably has no idea Cleo can’t date clients, so that probably wouldn’t happen, but it’s too risky. When I move, we’ll tell her.”

“That sucks,” Tucker said. “She’s moving in, and you’re moving out. Cleo will lose her favorite client.”

“Well,” Cleo said. “He’s still my favorite man.” She smiled at me.

I lived for those smiles. Made me feel like I was on top of the world.

“It’ll be nice to have Derek here,” Tucker said. “I’m gonna teach him everything. And when he’s old enough…take him to his first strip club.”

I rolled my eyes. “You are not taking my son to