Manfax (Winter Brothers #2) - Jacob Chance Page 0,23

verbal jousting. Watching them together is surprisingly entertaining. And it’s not only because they’re so damn fine. Quick-fire wit is an attractive quality to find in a man, and they have it in spades—especially Adam.

The more time we spend together, the more positive qualities I notice. If I thought he was off-limits before, this only makes him one thousand percent more so.

Too many enticing attributes could bring about my potential undoing. And by undoing, I mean the heartbreak I’d be sure to experience if I let myself become involved with Adam.

Which is why I won’t.

You can’t fall for someone if you don’t allow yourself to. This practice has always worked for me in the past—why should anything be different now?

So what if he’s the most attractive guy I’ve ever met. And possibly the funniest.

He’s also Mr. Manfax, and I need to remind myself of this until I cross back over the Massachusetts state line.

Before we know it, our desserts are in front of us.

“Which one are you trying first?” Adam questions.

My eyes move over each delectable creation before I settle on a clear front runner. “Strawberry shortcake,” I say, dipping my spoon for a taste. “Oh my God. This is the one.”

“Screw that. You can’t choose until you’ve sampled them all. It’s an unspoken rule,” Adam informs me.

“Then why are you telling me?” I quip. “You get to eat the other three.”

His expression turning serious, he leans closer until only inches separate our faces. “I don’t want you to make a grave mistake.”

Like having sex with you?

There goes my obnoxious subconscious again.

“Is this where I’m supposed to thank you for keeping me from ruining my night?”

He nods slowly. “I’ll take a kiss as payment.”

“Come here,” I whisper, curling my index finger. Interest stirs in his emerald orbs as he leans forward. My palm on his chest stops him from coming closer. His hand cups my waist, trying to draw me nearer. Placing a hand on his shoulder, I whisper, “Close your eyes.” Dipping two fingers into the key lime pie, I scoop some up and slap it right on his kisser.

He yelps like a dog who’s had their paw stepped on. I back away with a pleased smile on my face.

“What the fuck?” Pie falls from his mouth to the table before he wipes his face with a napkin. “What did you do that for?”

A collective gasp followed by snickers erupts from the table.

My ear and shoulder meet in a half shrug. “You said you wanted a kiss, so I gave you one.”

“That’s not quite what I had in mind,” he drolls.

“Well, I’m not a mind reader.”

His tongue slowly licks his lips. “Not bad.” He grins crookedly. “I’ve definitely had worse kisses.”

“What did you do now, Adam?” Rex interrupts our interaction, and I realize everyone’s watching us with amused smiles on their faces.

“I made a joke,” he replies. “I guess it wasn’t as funny for Rocky as it was for me.”

“I like my joke better,” I boast.

“You know, you didn’t have to smash food in my face to touch my lips. Next time, you should come out and ask. I won’t say no.” He winks. Of course, he never says no. Which is why four Manfax reports have been requested about him.

“You must’ve deserved it,” Rex offers.

“Think of it as karma,” I say, and everyone laughs.

“Karma for what?” He places his hand on his chest. “I’m a bastion of morality.” Everyone at the table, including me, snorts. A look of hurt sweeps across Adam’s face. “What? I am.”

I can’t tell if he’s kidding or not. If he’s serious, then he’s also delusional. His moral compass hasn’t functioned in God knows how long.

Rex throws his napkin across the table at Adam and it hits his chest. “Get the fuck out of here.”

Adam’s lips part in a wide smile as he chucks it back at his older brother. His gaze swings my way, and I’m not sure what’s going through his mind. He’s probably plotting one hundred ways to exact revenge. I have a feeling he fights dirty and plays to win.

10

Adam

Rocky’s little prank has only solidified my determination to have her in my bed. There’s nothing more attractive to me than a woman with a sense of humor. I never expected her to sock me in the mouth with pie. Unpredictability is another quality I value in a woman, and all too often it’s lacking. Modern society has conditioned us to be on such rigid schedules. Too many people get caught