Tailored for Trouble (Happy Pants #1) - Mimi Jean Pamfiloff Page 0,64

dug out his cellphone.

She gently placed her hand over his, blocking the screen. “No. It’s not. I really need to know.” Because she felt like she was on the brink of jumping. No longer into an ocean of pity, but into Bennett’s body. Of water, that was. And she feared if she went for this swim, she might never be able to turn back. Was it the way he hid who he truly was from the world? Or that he had these strange adorable quirks? Or that he was a big, strong, sexy guy with the power to crush people like the slugs that they were when they deserved it? She didn’t know. Maybe, just maybe, it was all that passion and raw pent-up sexuality he’d given her a taste of.

But the reason didn’t really matter because she felt her heart growing little arms, reaching longingly for him.

God, I so fucking want him. What am I going to do?

He gave her an angry look that she now suspected wasn’t anger at all, but his way of expressing discomfort with something. It was a quick and easy way to deflect.

Yes, I am mastering his ways.

Oh stop, Tay.

“I kissed you because it was the only way to get you in the car,” he replied curtly to her question, and then firmly but nonaggressively removed her hand from his phone.

She almost got angry. Almost. But her B.S. meter had lit up.

She gave a little laugh, crossed her arms, and leaned back in the seat. “If you say so…‘Bennett Fucking Wade,’ ” she playfully mocked his deep tone.

“I say so,” he said coolly and made his call. It was to Robin, confirming the meeting change. As he listened intently, looking away, he slid his hand over to Taylor’s thigh just above the knee. Before she could process, he gave it a squeeze. A hard one meant to tickle.

She yelped, and smacked his hand away. “What the…?”

Still not looking at her, he grinned and carried on the phone conversation. “Oh, good. Thank you, Robin,” he said. “And please reiterate my apologies to Mary once again for the delay.” He listened for a quick moment.

“Yes,” he said. “I’ll call her now.”

Bennett disconnected and dialed another number.

“What was that?” Taylor swatted him across the biceps.

He looked at the phone in his hand and dialed another number, a hint of a playful smile on his lips. “Just showing you who’s boss: me. Bennett Fucking Wade. Now be quiet while I make my calls, or I’ll be forced to spank you.”

Taylor laughed. What! “Pardon me, but—”

“Hi. It’s me,” Bennett then looked at Taylor pointing to his phone as if to say Hey, can’t you see I’m on a call? and then proceeded to make a little spanking motion with his hand. Taylor growled.

He listened for a while, and any playfulness vanished. “Yes. Yes. Okay, but—” He listened some more, seeming concerned. “Why?” Silence. “If it will make you happy, but I assure you I’m fine.” A few moments passed, and then he turned toward Taylor. “She wants to talk to you.”

“Who?”

“My mother,” he replied.

“Why does she want to talk to me?” she asked.

He sighed, cupping his hand over the phone. “She wants to check up on me. Just tell her I’m fine. I hate it when she worries.”

Taylor tried not to smile.

“You find this amusing, Ms. Reed?”

She nodded, biting her cheeks. Of course she did. It was completely adorable that this tall, overbearing, prickly as hell CEO was such a mama’s boy.

He shoved the phone at her. “Tell her,” he hissed.

“What’s it worth to ya?”

He narrowed his eyes and projected evil thoughts her way.

“It was just a joke.” She snatched the phone from his hand. “Mama’s boy,” she whispered teasingly. “Hi, Mom.” She looked right at Bennett when she said it to gauge his reaction and because she felt utterly drunk from that kiss. Totally. Out. Of. Her. Mind.

Bennett’s nostrils flared with contempt.

Yep, he didn’t like that one bit. It was just so damned cute. He didn’t want to share his mommy with anyone.

“Oh, Taylor dear,” Mrs. Wade said cheerfully, “I just wanted to check in with you. Is my Bennett behaving himself?”

Not even a little. “Yep. No problems,” she replied.

“Is he taking care of himself and getting some rest, too?” she asked.

Not even a little. “Well, you know your son.”

Mrs. Wade made a little grumble. “Well, you keep an eye on him for me, would you, Taylor? I worry about what will happen to him when I’m gone. He