Tailored for Trouble (Happy Pants #1) - Mimi Jean Pamfiloff Page 0,79
don’t just go away because you wish them to.”
“What do you want, Bennett?”
“To see how you’re doing.”
Oh, screw him. She was a mess. A goddamned mess. And now she had to go home and figure out how the hell to keep breathing, defeated on every single front in her life—professionally, romantically, emotionally. “I’m feeling much better now. Just about to board my flight, so I gotta go.”
“How am I supposed to trust you and let down my brick wall of manly mystery when you lie to me?” he said, disapprovingly.
Shit. “You’re standing right behind me, aren’t you?”
“I am now.”
She slowly turned to find an irritated and handsome as hell Bennett walking right up to her. He’d removed his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt, exposing his muscled forearms.
Her knees wobbled. Her breath caught. Her entire body did a dip and roll as if she’d just taken a big dive on a roller coaster—only this ride also vibrated and turned her the hell on.
“We really need to stop meeting like this.” His eyes made a quick sweep of the terminal. Yeah, they had kind of been doing a planes, trains, and automobiles thing.
“Why are you here, Bennett?”
“I’m flying on to Bali in five minutes,” he said with a smarty-pants tone, while staring down at her.
“Well, have a nice trip.” She turned to leave him, but he grabbed her shoulder.
“Can we go somewhere to talk?”
No. No way. She was done putting herself out there.
He took her hand. “Please?” he asked nicely.
Taylor’s resolve instantly began melting away. “Give me one good reason, Bennett?”
“Because I’m asking.”
It was true; he hadn’t demanded like he usually did. And yes, that made her a little warm and gooey inside. “Are you sure Brigitte would approve?”
He smiled. “You really are jealous.”
“No.”
“Yes. You are. I can see it on your face.”
“I am not jealous.” Okay, she was a little. A lot. But more importantly she was…“I am disappointed, Bennett.”
“Why?” he asked. “Because I don’t meet your standards?”
She pulled her hand away. “If you came here to pick another fight, you’re wasting your time. I said everything I needed to say.” She huffed, turned, and started walking away.
“Wait. I’m sorry, Taylor. I just want to talk!”
Unsure of where she was heading, Taylor weaved between the bustling crowd of passengers toting their roller bags and pushing strollers.
“You should know that I brought Brigitte because Chip was going to be there. I needed to keep him occupied while I worked on Mary.”
Taylor couldn’t believe her ears. She swiveled and stormed back to him. “You’ll do anything to win, won’t you?”
“It’s called business, Taylor. And there is no shame in fighting for what you want in this life.”
“There should be shame if you have to use or deceive or—”
“It’s called persuasion. And when you’re trying to get someone to do something they’re against, sometimes you can’t just throw money at them.”
“Oh. Now I get it. That’s what you did with me back in Japan. Money won’t work, so I’ll just kiss her! And show her my giant boner!”
I can’t believe I just said that.
Bennett cocked a brow, but then an obvious curiosity flickered in his eyes. “Why are you so distrusting, Taylor? Is it because I’m wealthy? Or the boss? Why is it that when you see men in power, you automatically assume they don’t care or only wish to exploit the people around them?”
She tipped her head. “I think you’re the one with the trust issues, Bennett. But no, I don’t think that about you.”
“Don’t you? Isn’t that the reason you went for my jugular the day we met? Isn’t that the reason you started your company?”
She was about to protest, but then snapped her mouth shut. He’d hit a nerve, but he wasn’t entirely wrong.
“You might be right,” she admitted, “and maybe it’s because I grew up being the only female in a house full of big bossy men and had to constantly fight not to get trampled on—but don’t pretend those CEOs don’t exist. Just look at your golf buddies. You all ruined my reputation and never gave it a second thought.”
“You’re right, Taylor. It was wrong. And I said I was sorry. Which is why I meant what I said about setting the record straight for you. But you don’t do yourself any favors going out with guys like Chip.”
“I didn’t go out with him—he…” Taylor blew out a breath. “Never mind.”