House Rules(46)

Her eyes filled with tears and for the first time in my life, besides my mother and Elena, I felt bad for making a woman cry. I wiped the moisture from her face and continued. “I’m an asshole and I’m going to fuck up. To be honest, I don’t know how not to be an asshole. But I’m hoping you can stick around and put me in my place when I need it. You’re the first woman to stand up to me, and I want you to be the last.”

“What changed your mind?” she breathed.

“You . . . and one long-ass conversation with my brother where he called me every name in the book.”

“And you sure you’re not just doing this to get me into bed again?”

Her skepticism pissed me off at first but I pushed it aside, remembering I’d brought it on myself with my behavior. I was used to saying and doing whatever I wanted. This time the tables were turned. I’d lost control and given it up to her. It wouldn’t last. Eventually we’d have equal power in the relationship, but I’d have to earn mine back—but that didn’t include the bedroom.

“Can I take you to dinner to prove it?”

She glanced down at her outfit and back up at me. “I guess, but there is no way I’m going out there like this, even if it’s to go to the locker room to grab my bag. My clothes are in there.”

“I’ll get it.” I walked over to the closet and pulled out another button down. Even in my own place I wasn’t walking around shirtless. The last thing I needed was getting compared to all of the stereotypical idiots on TV. I also didn’t want Tess to feel more uncomfortable by taking mine back.

“I’ll be right back.”

I shut the door behind me. I’d been so pissed seeing her flirt with the asshole that I’d forgotten to lock the door. Luckily everyone knew to wait for an answer before coming in.

I’d gotten to the bar early with the intention of surprising her. I never expected to walk in on that shit. No more.

Starting tomorrow, she’d be working behind the bar where they wore black T-shirts and jeans. That was, unless I could get her to agree to stop working.

Somehow I knew she wouldn’t go for that. She was determined to not be dependent on anyone, and damn if that determination wasn’t attractive. I was used to people wanting to be with me for my money. It would be a novelty to spend time with someone who wanted nothing to do with it.

The women’s locker room was empty. I ran in, grabbed her bag, and went back to the office. Tess stood with her back to me, staring out the window.

“I got your bag.” She turned, a smile lighting up her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I knew she still didn’t trust me. Shit, I wasn’t sure I trusted myself. The only hope I had was that Tess would call me out when I was being too much of a dick.

“Thanks.” She took the bag from my hand and I showed her to the bathroom in the office. While I waited for her to change, I cleaned up the mess we’d made. She stepped out in a pair of tight jeans and a light pink tank top that only accentuated her curves. “I’m not really dressed for dinner.” She shrugged.

“How about we pick dinner up and eat at my place instead?”

“I’m not sleeping with you.” The words were past her lips before I finished my question.

“Fair enough, but I want a chance to get to know you. We learned a lot about each other that first night. I want to pick up where we left off.”

A spark of interest flared in her eyes and I knew I’d chosen wisely. That was what Tess had been looking for from the beginning. From me. From Wasden. We’d both been stupid enough to take advantage of it. Not anymore. I’d tell her whatever she wanted to know.

“What should we order?”

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I noticed Dean’s name. “Hold on. Let me see what Dean wants then we’ll decide.”

She nodded.

“What’s up?” I answered, skipping the formalities in my haste.

“I found out more about Wasden’s debts with Marcello. I’m heading over to you now.”

“We’ll be here.”

I hung up. Something told me if Dean needed to tell me in person, it was worse than I’d originally thought. Little bastard could rot in hell for all I cared, but there was no way in hell I was letting Tess go down with him. I glanced up and noticed her staring at me, her brows drawn together.

“He’s on his way over to talk to us. I had him get more information about Ray’s debts with Marcello.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Why?”

My blood pressure rose simply thinking about the man. “Marcello’s a dirty fucker who doesn’t play by the rules. He gets his money any way he can, even if it means going after the people you know and care about.”