Tailored for Trouble (Happy Pants #1) - Mimi Jean Pamfiloff Page 0,22

she approached Bennett she couldn’t help noticing how perfect he looked in a tux, all handsome and smiles, like he’d just walked out of a wedding magazine. Don’t get distracted, Tay. Remember what he did—who he really is. A snake.

He spotted her approaching, and his beautiful smile immediately dissolved.

Taylor felt a little satisfaction from that. Bastard didn’t deserve to feel happy.

“Bennett, may I speak to you for a minute?”

The people surrounding Bennett made little noises as if they were shocked or amused by something.

His eyes moved up and down her body, surveying her business attire. “Of course.” He excused himself from his guests, and they walked to the side of the room.

“Was there an issue finding a dress?” he said in a quiet, abrasive tone.

Yeah, there was. She’d needed to keep her mind clean out of the date-zone fantasies. A suit would keep her in check. Wearing an evening gown would not.

Taylor scoffed. “No. I wore a suit because I’m here to work. At least I was.” She suddenly noticed the people Bennett had just been speaking to were looking over at them and laughing. “What’s their problem?” And did he have to stand so close? He smelled really nice—fresh clean man mixed with something citrusy. It was distracting. Not to mention the way he towered over her five-seven frame, forcing her to look straight up at him, hurt her neck.

“I warned you to call me Mr. Wade,” he replied.

“So?” Wait. Stay on task, Taylor. “Never mind. I’m here to tell you that I’m returning the check.”

“Why?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Because you don’t give a crap about anybody—you never have and you never will. That’s why.”

“That’s a bit extreme. I merely happen to be very selective about whom I give my time and energy to, and I make no secret of that. What’s brought about this temper tantrum, Ms. Reed?”

Temp—temper tantrum? Going to hurt him. Going to hurt him. “Don’t pretend you don’t know,” she snapped, clenching her fists to keep them at her side. “And stop the holier-than-thou routine. It’s offensive. But maybe you can’t help it because that’s just what you are: offensive.”

His blue eyes twitched with irritation. “I’m truly at a loss as to what’s brought on your dramatic eruption. Are you offended because I’d planned to send a car for you so you wouldn’t have to worry about having a little champagne tonight? Was it because I know you lost your job and didn’t think it fair to have you run out and spend a thousand dollars on a ball gown or—” His cellphone must’ve vibrated in his pocket because he reached inside and held up his index finger. “One moment,” he said to Taylor.

The nerve of this guy! How dare he answer his phone when she was about to tear him a new one!

“Yes?” He listened for a moment. “This is a bad time, Mom. Can’t we speak when you get here?” He listened again. “Why are you obsessing over these damned cookies?” He shook his head slightly. “Yes, that’s interesting, but I have to go. Taylor and I are in the middle of something.” He paused. “I’ll let her know.” He ended the call and returned his cell to the inside pocket of his tux. “Sorry about that, but my mother’s been a little off lately so I thought I should take it. She sends her regards by the way. Now. Where were we?”

“We were nowhere,” she replied. “Because I don’t appreciate being used and manipulated merely so you can buy Lady Mary Fragrances. And tell your mother I said ‘hi’ back.” That was nice of him to take her call.

“I will let her know.” A wicked little twinkle sparked in his eyes. “So is Lady Mary what’s got your self-righteous feathers ruffled?” He placed his hand on her upper arm. It was a gesture far too friendly for her taste. And she liked it.

She jerked back her shoulder, and he released his grip. “You’re denying that you hired me to be some sort of…of…feminist tutor? Because I know there’s no way a woman like Mary Rutherford would ever go into business with a man like you.”

“Well, that wasn’t very nice,” he said cockishly and grinned.

Taylor snarled with her eyes.

Bennett sighed and dropped the smile. “Ms. Reed, I don’t have time for this right now. As you can see I have a thousand guests to greet and the priority this evening is raising money for my charity. But if you stick