Pete howled with laughter. There it was: the reaction I’d been expecting. “A chick staying with you? How will you cope not walking around naked all day?” His eyes gleamed. “Or maybe she likes that, huh?”
The thought of Mia seeing me naked made my cock twitch, but Pete’s leering eyes snapped me out of it. Pulling out my phone—which had just buzzed—I was surprised to see one message waiting there from Mia. I opened it, and chuckled.
This might be inappropriate, but I have to ask. Why in the hell do you have a bikini line waxing kit in your bathroom cabinet?!?
I snorted, typing back to her as I replied to Pete. “Think for a moment about what I do for a living. I think I can handle a woman living with me. Besides, it’s only till she finds her own place.”
Pete nodded knowingly. “Uh-huh. Sure,” he grinned.
I resisted the urge to slap that smile off his face.
Some things are better left unsaid. This is one of them. What are you doing? I’m out at Adam’s Apple with a couple of friends if you’re up for a drink?
A reply came back right away.
Be there in fifteen!
“Can we talk about something other than me?” I complained, popping a few more nuts in my mouth and shoving my phone back in my pocket.
Pete nodded, and pointed at a cute blonde sitting alone by the bar.
“Sure. Let’s talk about how that little beauty over there is going to be riding the Pete machine tonight.” He licked his lips as he gazed at her.
Sam and I exchanged glances as I groaned. Maybe it was better if we talked about me.
Exactly fifteen minutes later on the dot, I spotted Mia coming through the door. Right about the same time Pete spotted her.
“Holy fuckballs, check out the brunette who just walked in,” he mumbled, letting out a low whistle. “Check out those cans!”
“Keep your pants on, dude.” I stood up as she approached the table.
She gave me a hug and smiled at the guys.
“Mia, this is Pete and Sam, two of my buddies from college. Guys, this is Mia.”
Pete stood up and smiled, extending his hand. “We’ve heard so much about you, it’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
“You have?” she raised her eyebrows at me.
“Yeah,” Pete nodded, his hands resting on my shoulders. “This guy doesn’t shut up about you.”
Mia giggled as I turned and shot Pete a warning look. He backed away from me, his hands raised.
“Can I get you a drink?” I asked her.
“Sure, a lemon soda would be nice. I start work tomorrow, so avoiding alcohol is probably a smart idea.” She made a face.
I walked up to the bar and ordered two lemon sodas. Leaving her alone with Pete was probably a bad idea, but I didn’t have much choice. I glanced back to see her laughing uncontrollably.
What the fuck was he saying to her?
I walked back over with our drinks, trying to hide the fact that I was so pissed off. And I didn’t even know why I was so annoyed—because they’d been laughing? Or maybe it was seeing Mia laughing with another guy. Or maybe it was Pete, knowing he’d d anything to get her into bed…and I wondered if she’d let him.
“Here you go,” I said, placing her drink on a coaster in front of her. She smiled up at me, her dark lashes fluttering. Oh god, don’t look at me like that. I could barely contain myself around her as it was. I didn’t need to be staring into those amazing eyes.
“Mia was just telling us a few things about you, Coop,” Pete chuckled as he took a mouthful of his beer. “Or should we call you Squirt?”
“Seriously?” I groaned, turning to Mia. “You had to tell them that?”