“You know for a guy you’ve got a lot of rules.”
“I live my life by them, and I’ve gotten through some pretty awesome times, might I add.”
“Give me an idea of some of these rules.”
“You wouldn’t want to know.”
She rolled her eyes. “My very pretty and personal vase got destroyed. Come on, I’m not going to judge. I just helped you get rid of one of your conquests. The least you can do is tell me your rules so I’m prepared. I was having a nice, relaxing time in my room when the screaming started.”
“Fine. Fine. Seeing as you helped I will be generous and let you know my tricks.”
“Ah, you’re so kind.” She turned toward him, giving him her undivided attention.
“Rule number one, no numbers.”
“At all?”
“None. I don’t do numbers.”
“What if she can’t go out with you then?”
“Then it wasn’t meant to be. Either she leaves with me or nothing happens.”
“Seems kind of harsh, but whatevs. Next.”
“I only fuck each woman once.”
“Only once? You don’t go for a repeat performance?”
“I don’t need to go for a repeat. I had my fun, she came, move on. I don’t offer niceties. Once the happy time has come, it’s time for them to go.”
“And you just push them out of the apartment.”
“It’s the way I roll, Dani.”
She finished off her hot chocolate. “What if you fall for the woman?”
“Not going to happen.”
“Do you just cut yourself off from feeling?” she asked.
“I’m thirty-five years old. I’ve been at this a long time. Believe me, I’m not going to fall for any woman. I’m also not going to pretend to give her a chance she really doesn’t have. People think I’m being an asshole and cruel. I’m cruel to be kind. The last thing I want or need is a woman thinking they’ve got a second or third shot with me.”
“So you cut them off from thinking about it straight away.”
“Exactly. It saves a lot of drama.”
“Have you ever had a girlfriend?”
“Nope, and I don’t intend to start now.” He put his cup on the coffee table. “What about you? Any guys?”
“Not right now.”
“Have you had boyfriends?”
“Yeah, I’ve dated a couple, but they all fizzled out after a little bit.” She winked at him. “Don’t worry, Jax. You’ve got nothing to worry about. I will never fall in love with you.”
He gave her a questioning look.
“I saw your questions for new roommates, and at the bottom it asked that. You’ve got no chance of me falling in love with you.” She leaned forward, pressed a finger to his nose, and giggled. “Goodnight. Thank you for the cocoa.”
Chapter Four
One month later
Jax entered the apartment, and his mouth watered at the scents of beef and garlic. His stomach grumbled. Stepping forward, he came to a stop when he caught sight of Dani in the kitchen. A man stood close to her. They were talking, and he saw how the other man was stroking her arm.
This was a first for him. To enter his apartment to see another man in his kitchen.
“What’s going on?” he asked, staring at Dani.
She’d been with him over a month now, and the truth was, he liked having her around. Of course, it always took a cocoa for her to come into the sitting room. She seemed to be more than happy camped out in her room.
He happened to like her company. Even his friends had noticed she rarely hung out with him.
They weren’t friends.
“Jax, I’d like you to meet Fred. Fred, this is my roommate, Jax. I thought you were working late?”
“They closed early tonight.” It wasn’t a complete lie. Most of the staff were ill with some kind of flu and rather than risk it spreading, he’d been sent home. He folded his arms. “You want me to leave?”
“No, of course not. There’s plenty of food for you.” Dani pulled away from Fred, who took a seat at his table. He’d brought plenty of women home. Some of them had tried to trash the place, and he’d been careful on what they’d pick up.
Since that blonde ruined her vase, he’d been on the lookout for something similar or even better, but so far he’d found nothing and couldn’t believe how hard it was to find a simple vase.
“I’ll just go and put my shit down.” He wanted to punch Fred in the fucking face, and he didn’t understand it.
Dumping his bag and jacket on his bed, he turned around toward the door and saw Dani there. She’d never been in his room. Her hands were clasped together. “I hope you don’t mind me having a date.”
“Dani, this is your apartment as well. It’s totally fine.”
“You look really pissed,” she said.
“It’s fine. There’s a bug at work. I’m not a very nice guy when I’m sick.”
“You’re not the easiest when you’re well.” She winked at him.