She shook her head. “I’m not asking you to. I’m hoping that if I arrange a time for the rental company to pick up the bed, you’ll meet them at the apartment and…I don’t know, pick the lock to let them inside?” She paused and wrinkled her brow. “You know how to pick a lock, right?”
“Your opinion of me is flattering, sunshine,” he drawled derisively. “And no. I don’t know how to pick a lock.”
Heavenly cringed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean the question as an insult.”
“I know. And I’m not useless.” He smirked. “I can kick in the fucking door.”
“Does that mean you’ll do it?”
“Not so fast.” Pike stopped her with a hand. “You’re asking me to commit B and E. What’s in it for me?”
What could she possibly offer Pike that would entice him to take the risk? She could only think of one thing. Her stomach soured. “I’m not sleeping with you, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I’m not.”
She let out a breath of relief. “Then what do you want?”
“Help. With a woman.”
Probably the same mystery woman Beck had mentioned at breakfast back in Vegas.
“I heard you were seeing someone.”
“Our mutual friends are supposed to be big, badass Doms, but they’re a bunch of fucking gossipy hens.”
While Heavenly was hardly the relationship expert Raine was, she’d gladly offer up whatever advice she could. “How can I help you with her?”
“I won’t ask you to convince her that River is a manwhoring asshole. I know you like him and he’s your bestie’s brother. So if you just…” He paused and glanced up at the cloudless sky. “Fuck, I want someone—another female who’s sweet and credible—to tell her that if she’d let me, I’d be good to her.”
If they were together, shouldn’t this mystery woman already know that? Clearly, Pike was serious about her… Whatever. If all he wanted was someone to put in a good word for him, she could do that.
But she couldn’t quite let go of her curiosity. “Why would she think you’re not?”
“Come on, sunshine.” Pike snorted. “I’m not the easiest person to get along with. Even you look at me like I’m a goddamn plague.” His voice softened. “I might seem scary. I honestly try to be on my best behavior to people with two X chromosomes, but…sometimes I slip and open my big mouth.”
Like leering lasciviously at her during Hammer’s party? To his credit, though, he hadn’t ogled or hit on her at all today.
“Okay. Do you want me to call her or something?”
“I’d like to introduce you two.”
“That’s fine, but why me? Why not Raine or…” Heavenly had no idea who else he knew.
“You’re really going to make me say it? Fine. You’re real. Special. Like her.” Suddenly, he scowled. “And don’t you dare say a word about this.”
Who did he think she was going to tell, River? Dean? Beck and Seth? “I won’t if you won’t.”
“Fine.”
Pike agreeing so quickly told her the man had it bad.
“Good. I can’t wait to meet her.” Heavenly was beyond curious to lay eyes on the woman who’d managed to touch Pike’s snarky heart. But most of all, she needed this problem with the hospital bed over.
“When do you need me?”
“You’ll help me square away the bed?”
“While keeping your boys from being gang raped in prison? Yeah. Tell me when and where.”