Of course she did. He didn’t expect anything less. “I’ll give ‘em once I got ‘em.”
She didn’t like that answer but it was the only one she’d get right now. He didn’t want to give her the exact details and probably wouldn’t, just in case Warren got to her. If Reese didn’t know them, she couldn’t spill them, even if she was threatened.
He’d tell her that later. Once Reilly was settled somewhere safe. Then he could deal with Reese’s wrath of not knowing where her sister was and avoid having her pull the plug on the plan before it even began.
Because he was pretty damn sure that was what she’d do.
She held out her hand and he stared at it for a moment before taking his time to raise his gaze. That blouse emphasized the dip of her waist and the curves of her tits, and revealed just a hint of cleavage. A delicate gold chain with a small green pendant—maybe an emerald—just kissed that cleavage. He wanted to plant his lips where the pendant rested and suck that spot.
He paused on her throat, where he could barely see the pulse under her smooth skin. When he lifted his eyes to her face, she had one eyebrow cocked and her lips pressed together.
Busted. He grinned because he really didn’t care. He wanted her to know he was interested and didn’t plan on hiding it. Just in case she decided she wanted to do something about her interest in him.
He would not say no if she wanted to take him down to the floor, sit on his face until it was soaked and then ride his dick until his balls were dry.
Fuck yeah, he’d be okay with that.
He wanted to see the flame in her green eyes burning so hot they were like her emerald pendant. Instead of the perfectly veiled expression she was giving him right now.
“Starting to wonder if my sister is safe here with you.” She jiggled her outstretched hand. “I’ll need your truck keys.”
He dug into his jeans pocket. “Prefer a more seasoned woman who knows what she wants and ain’t afraid to ask for it.” He dangled the key fob off one finger, just out of reach.
“How about a woman who knows what she doesn’t want and isn’t afraid to make that clear?” She snagged the fob off his finger and clutched it tightly within her fist.
It sucked that the woman turned him the fuck on. Even if she was interested in him, she was the type of woman who wouldn’t allow herself that. She’d only want a man who’d fit neatly into her life. One who she could control.
Deacon did not fit neatly anywhere.
And no woman had ever controlled his life.
Not one.
Even so, he’d love to smudge that perfectly applied lipstick and feel that long hair wound around his own fingers. He’d like to watch her let go of her tight-assed way, even for a few hours. He was pretty damn sure when Reese let loose... She. Let. Loose.
“My sister’s only twenty-four and has proven she doesn’t make good decisions, so please don’t look at her like you’re looking at me right now. I don’t need her falling for another bad boy. She only got her cast off recently from what the last one did to her.”
He’d never gotten to the point where he had beaten a woman. If one was pushing his temper, he simply walked the fuck away. If he got to where he needed to break a woman’s face and bones, then there had to be a good reason.
Not because he was angry, but because he was trying to save his own life or someone else’s. Kill or be killed.
That was the only reason he’d ever hurt a woman.
“Not lookin’ for young and foolish. Would rather have someone who’s aware she’s making a bad decision and jumps in anyway, knowing the consequences.”
As his words sunk in, her delicate nostrils flared, and a flush worked its way up her throat.
Oh yeah, he finally got a response. One she couldn’t control. She probably hated that.
When he surged to his feet, she started and took a step back, pinning her ass to the deck railing. “Well, that person sounds foolish, too.”
He stepped up to the rail and set his coffee mug on it, making sure he was close enough for their shoulders to brush. He turned his head just slightly since they were facing in opposite directions. “No more foolish than the person who denies what they want.”
“Do you know what you want, Deke?” Her question came out huskily, which did all kinds of shit to him below the belt.
His blood was beginning to rush, and it wasn’t from the caffeine. “Always.”
“I’m not sure if that’s true,” she murmured. She moved away, giving herself space and breaking the moment. She switched back to her all-business, no-nonsense Reese mode. “I need to get to the office. Make yourself at home. Reilly has my number. Make sure she keeps me updated.”