Manfax (Winter Brothers #2) - Jacob Chance Page 0,21

your own business. I thought you had work calls to make?” I reply.

“I do, but I heard your loud mouth out here yapping away. And FYI, Dani is my business.”

“Aww, how sweet. He’s so protective,” Vi comments.

“Yeah, but did you hear your girl say I’m her favorite Winters brother?” I taunt.

“Wait a sec.” Danika props her arms on the edge of the pool. “I said you were my favorite of Rex’s brothers.”

“Tomato. Tomahto.” I shrug. “I’m still your favorite.”

“Hey,” Larsen chimes in, arms crossed over his chest. “I’m a little hurt, Dani. I thought you and I were tight.”

She throws her hands up. “Adam’s cooking for us, and right now, that trumps everything else. But I’m sure you can earn your way back to my top spot.”

“Here’s an idea. Why don’t you both focus less on my fiancée and more on finding female companionship of your own.”

“Hey, what are we, chopped liver?” Vi huffs.

“I was thinking on a more permanent level. You guys only have to put up with these two clowns until Monday.”

Rex’s reply reminds me I’m working with a limited amount of time. Roxanne will return home, and who knows when I’ll see her again. It’s time to kick my effort into overdrive. I’ve got two days to literally charm her panties off.

9

Roxanne

“I hate to ruin the mood, but I’ve got to head back home. There’s a work problem I need to take care of,” Larsen mentions.

“Can’t someone else do it for you?” Rex asks.

“Unfortunately not. It has to be me.”

“Drive safe, man. Are you planning on coming back tomorrow?” Adam asks.

“I’m not sure. I’ll have to see how things go.” Larsen shakes his brothers’ hands before turning toward me. “It’s been nice meeting you.” He gives me a quick hug. “I hope I see you again sometime.”

“Well, there’s a wedding to plan, so I’m sure we’ll cross paths at some point.”

He gives a quick wave and hurries out the door.

“Damn, that sucks,” Adam comments.

“That’s why he gets paid the big bucks, dude. Don’t feel too bad for him. He’ll be well compensated for having to work on the holiday weekend.”

Danika and Violet come down the stairs and join us in the entryway where we’ve been waiting for them.

“What’s going on?” Dani inquires.

“Larsen had to unexpectedly leave for work,” I offer, shooting a glance at Vi. Her smile falls from her glossed lips. Disappointment twists her mouth. She was looking forward to spending more time with him.

Dani shrugs. “That’s too bad. I guess he’ll be missing out on the best desserts. More for us.”

“That’s one way to put a positive spin on the situation.” Rex wraps his arm around her shoulders. “I love your optimism.”

Dani beams up at him. “I love you.”

“Aww, how cute,” Adam ribs them. “How about we get a move on. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for dessert.” He flashes a wolfish grin my way, as if he wishes I were his dessert. And for a second, my mind wanders into forbidden territory where I imagine what kind of pleasure his large hands could wring from my body.

I don’t allow the indulgent thoughts to continue. Adam is a beast I don’t want to play with. He’s not the kind of man to be tamed. Time is precious, and I have no intention of wasting any on a player like him. He’s too good looking, too charming, too… everything that I avoid in a man.

The dessert bar we’re at smells divine. I want to order one of everything on the menu. Instead, I start with a chocolate martini and take my time perusing the options.

Adam leans over. “Want some help?”

“You’ve been here before?” I ask.

“Many times. This place is a favorite of the Winters’ family.”

“Then, yes, please. I’m completely overwhelmed with all the choices. Give me some suggestions.”

“First, let me say that you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. My personal favorite is the apple pie with salted caramel ice cream on the side. I can also recommend the key lime pie, the fudge brownie sundae, and the strawberry shortcake.”

“Hmm, I like the sound of all of those.”

“Then let’s order one of each. You can try each one and choose your favorite.”

“Yeah, but I’d be wasting the others.”

He shakes his head. “No, you won’t. I’ll eat whichever ones you don’t want.”

“You can eat that much?”

His eyes lock on mine. “I have a healthy appetite.”

For pussy.

Why do I imagine that to be the rest of his sentence? Am I that sex