Mr. Big Jerk: A Forbidden Second Chance Romance (Kinda Cocky Series Book 3), стр. 32
“Great minds,” I said, giggling.
His eyes darkened. “Maybe this bodes well for dessert.”
I forced a giggle. “As lovely as that would be, I don’t think we’re quite there yet, Clint. But soon, I promise. Okay?”
He nodded. “Whenever you’re ready.”
But, even as I let him in, I saw the disappointment behind his eyes.
And I wondered if tonight was a bad night to drop this on him.
16
Clint
The Next Day
As much as I tried to focus on work, I couldn’t. There was something off about Roxy lately, and I couldn't put my finger on it. She called out of work yesterday, she was virtually silent on our date last night, and while she’d come into work today, she hadn’t said one word to me. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve assumed she wasn’t into me any longer.
While I didn’t want to push her into talking, I needed to be privy to that kind of information.
Not to mention, it had been over a month since we’d done anything other than cuddle. The girl wouldn't even let me kiss her on the lips! I mean, I was a patient man. But, Roxy kept wearing these tight little numbers on our dates and wouldn’t give me a taste of anything. Not even those soft lips of hers. It was driving me mad. I couldn't focus. I was masturbating way too much for a grown man with my kind of prospects. Roxy was worth the wait, sure. But, I felt like there was something else.
Something she wasn’t telling me.
“Got some time for your brother?”
I lifted my head at the sound of Brenden’s voice. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
He slipped inside my office. “Can’t a guy come over and pay his older brother a visit?”
I set my pen down. “Depends. Are you here to ask for something?”
He chuckled. “Love you too, Clint.”
I gestured for him to sit in the chair in front of my desk, and I tried to get myself in a frame of mind to talk shop. But, the more Brenden stared at me, the more he got that look in his eye. That softly-narrowed, curious look.
And I knew I’d been busted.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
I leaned back. “What makes you think that?”
“I don’t know. You just seem…”
I shook my head. “What?”
He cocked his head. “Elsewhere. You seem like you’re elsewhere right now.”
“Just tell me what you came here to talk to me about. I’ve got a lot of work and some new hires I have to interview this afternoon, and I’m just now getting their resumes.”
“Sounds like business is going well, then.”
I nodded. “It is, yes.”
He leaned forward. “You know I love you, right?”
I snickered. “Don’t get all sappy on me now.”
“Clint, I’m serious.”
I swallowed hard. “I know. I love you, too.”
“So, talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
He sighed. “Clint, you come home after not re-enlisting because you buried your best friend. And I can’t possibly imagine what that feels like. But, you’re home now. You’ve got family. And we’re worried about you.”
“I’m fine, Brenden.”
“I’m worried about you, Clint.”
I closed my eyes. “Don’t do this, Brenden. Just spit out why you came here.”
“I came here because I wanted to see about enlisting your services through the realty company on a patch of office spaces we’ve snatched up to sell.”
My eyes opened. “Just get me the details, and we’ll work it out.”
He nodded. “Good. Now, what’s on your mind?”
“Brenden--.”
“I’m not leaving here until you talk.”
I shook my head. “Fine. But, you have to promise me you won’t tell a soul.”
“On my honor, I won’t.”
I finally gave up the goat. “Roxy and I have been hanging out a lot recently.”
“Oh?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
“Well, how’s it going? How long have you two been seeing one another?”
“I don’t really know if we’re seeing one another, per se. But, we do get together and hang out. It’s nice.”
“Have you two… you know.”
I rolled my eyes. “Twice, yes. But, that was before she wanted to drop the physical stuff and ‘get to know one another,’ as she put it.”
“And you’re struggling because you want to… you know.”
I stared at him. “Have sex, Brenden. If we’re going to talk, use your words.”
He chuckled. “Fair enough. So, you two have sex twice, then she agrees to hang out with you so long as you two aren’t constantly hooking up?”
“That’s about right.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
I raked my hand through my hair. “I want to be with her again.”
He grinned. “You sly dog.”
“I’m serious, Brenden. I like the girl, okay? She’s great. She’s funny and beautiful and intelligent. Even though she doesn’t see that in herself. She’s a hard worker and dedicated. Wonderful sense of humor.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it a bit bad for her.”
I shrugged. “Maybe. I went over to her place last night to cook for her, and I tried to kind of hint at getting physical again. I mean, it’s been over a month, and we see one another at least three times a week outside of work. I figured she’d feel more comfortable with things, but she’s not ready yet.”
“Have you expressed your reservations to her?”
“No.”
“Don’t you think you should give that a try?”
I snickered. “Not really a talker. You know this.”
“I don’t know. You’re doing a pretty good job right now.”
He has a point. “I don’t know, Brenden. I don’t want to make it seem like I’m pressuring her.”
“Then, tell her that. Tell her you don’t want to put her in an awkward position, but you’re ready. And ask if there’s something you’re doing that is making her more hesitant to move forward again. It can’t hurt, right?”
“I guess so.”
He stood up. “Look, wait until work is over, show up at her place with some flowers, and