“Sure you don’t want to help me earn some more money?” She gave him a wink. “You’d be a hot commodity with the women.”
Ugh, he refused to be embarrassed. “No. I can get my own dates.”
“Fine. At least I’ll get something for signing myself up.”
He opened his mouth, then shut it. Opened it again. “What are you talking about?”
Gen grinned. “I’m going to be a new client of Kinnections!”
“You just broke up with David. You’re always bitching about people needing months in between serious relationships in order to heal. Remember that time I broke up with Allie, and you made me cancel my date the next weekend? You forced me to be celibate for two whole weeks!”
She rolled her eyes and cocked a hip out. The black top shifted and he caught a fragment of lace peeking from her shoulder. Huh? He had it on authority she only wore cotton underwear. “You needed to suffer. You broke her heart.”
“I did not. She knew up front what the deal was.”
“It’s still wrong. Claiming there’s no strings doesn’t mean things can’t change. She fell for you, and you walked away without trying.”
This time he did flush. “I explain to every woman I’m not interested in long-term—you know that. You always praised me for being honest and up-front.”
“Well, I’m changing my mind. I think it’s crappy. You need to begin looking at the future. Why don’t we be clients together? We can double-date!”
Wolfe wondered if he had had something bad for breakfast or if he really wanted to vomit. The image of them at a dinner table with two strangers was painful. She was giving him a headache.
“I’m happy the way things are. And I think the last thing you need is another emotional upheaval with some guy. Take a break from dating. Maybe you can learn a hobby. Knitting?”
She glared. “Am I eighty years old? No, I need to get my feet wet again. David almost broke something in me, and I want it back.”
Crap. When she put it like that, he’d do anything to help her. “Sweetheart, don’t you want to find healing within yourself rather than from outside sources?”
Her eyes widened. “Wow. You’re getting really deep. Usually, I’d agree with you, but I’m tired of feeling afraid and unsure. I want to be brave and take a leap into the unknown. Does that make sense?”
Yeah, it did. He didn’t understand why the thought of her diving back into dating bothered him so much. Usually they’d trade war stories and he’d help her get fixed up. What suddenly changed? Crankiness stirred so he changed the subject. “Why are you wearing that?”
“Huh? A skirt?”
“You hate fancy clothes. Did Kennedy try to do something to you?”
She stared at him like he’d sprouted horns. “You’re acting really weird, dude. Did you work too hard at the seminar? How was it?”
“Fine.” He didn’t want to talk about work, or endless meetings, or sales figures. “I think we should talk more about this. How about we go to dinner tonight? I’ll pick you up at seven.”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “As long as you promise not to try and change my mind.”
“I can’t promise you that. But I’ll buy you a burger.”
Gen shook her head. “Fine. I’m easy. See you tonight.”
He watched her walk back to the desk and slide into the chair, crossing her legs. The smooth expanse of white skin blinded him for a moment. She always joked about not having a drop of her Italian blood heritage, since she burned so easily and never tanned. But there was something about all that gorgeous naked flesh, soft and pure, that made his fingers curl to touch her.
Wolfe turned his back on her and his startling thoughts. He needed a cold shower and a nap. Lately he was beginning to wonder if the past three months of celibacy had been such a smart move. The break seemed like a good idea. He’d been tired of the delicate game of seduction lately, and how fast his partners seemed to get attached. Almost like they looked at him as a challenge to break down.
If only they’d realize there was nothing inside that hadn’t already been broken.
Still, sex might take the edge off. The last thing he needed was lustful thoughts involving his best friend. She was the only healthy relationship with a female he’d ever been able to maintain. He refused to screw up the best thing that had ever happened to him due to a surge of testosterone.
Wolfe made the drive back to his place in Manhattan. His penthouse apartment had tons of security, luxury, and every amenity he could think of. The parquet floors and high ceilings were elegant, but his furnishings were spartan and masculine. Dark wood, glass, extensive computers and media, and bare walls. He barely slept there, finding it more convenient to stay at Purity, where he kept a tight rein on things.