The Doctor Who Has No Chance (Soulless 11)

He finished everything and left it on the table. “Maybe I should sign up for that.” He relaxed back into the couch, making himself at home, one arm propped up behind him, his knees apart, his shirt rising slightly to reveal a glimpse of chiseled abs and the band of his boxers.

I forced myself to look away. “So, your dad’s a felon now?”

“Not a felon,” he said with a chuckle. “Assault isn’t a felony. Well, in this scenario, it’s not.” He sat up again and righted himself, his back straight once again. His hand absent-mindedly went to his cheeks where he caressed the coarse hair on his jawline. “It all happened so fast.” He turned to look at me, to see me in my gray sweatpants that were cinched around my ankles, my loose black t-shirt without a bra underneath. “You look cute, by the way.”

“In this?” I asked incredulously. The guy had seen me in lingerie. There was even a stain on the shirt, but since it was kinda dark, he probably couldn’t see it. I was one of those people who would continue to wear something and not wash it, even if there was a bean stain on it from a burrito.

“Yeah.” His eyes lingered for a bit before he cleared his throat and changed the subject, as if he realized he was staring way too much. “Anyway, my dad had been low since Mason stood up my sister at dinner, so I asked him to get a beer after work today, just to get his mind off it. It seemed to be working…until Mason walked over to say hello.”

“Oh no…” I already knew how this story ended, but it was an intense climax, regardless. “And your dad just went for it?”

“No. Mason actually assumed my dad was Derek, so he said a couple things to give his identity away.”

“I know Derek and your dad look alike, but I would never get them mixed up.”

“He’s never met Derek, just heard about him, and Daisy and Derek look kinda similar, so he probably just assumed my dad was her brother. You know, because he looks half his age and is even more ripped than I am. Anyway, when Mason turned away, Dad figured it out…and went apeshit on him.”

“You didn’t try to stop it?” I asked incredulously.

“Ha.” He released a maniacal laugh. “Oh, I tried. Dad shoved me out of the way without a second thought. By the time I rebounded, it was a done deal. My dad kicked his ass. End of story.”

“Mason kinda egged him on when he called him an old man.”

“Yeah, the bitch totally deserved it. Just said that to get under my dad’s skin because the minute prior, he thought he was Derek. So yeah, someone called the police, Mason pressed charges, and then my dad was taken to jail. But he was there for like an hour because Mom wrote a check and got him out of there like nothing happened.”

“Geez, what a nightmare.”

He shrugged.

“What did Daisy think of all this?”

“She was furious, obviously. But she and my dad talked. They’re fine now.”

“How is this going to affect your father? You think Mason will sue?”

“Oh, I’m sure he will.” Dex looked at me again. “He knows my dad is loaded. He’d be stupid not to.”

“That must sting…to give him money.”

He shook his head. “Dad doesn’t see it that way. He got to humiliate him for a price—and the price was worth it.”

“I’m glad your dad is okay.”

“Yep. Mason didn’t get in a single hit.” He released a quiet chuckle. “Had no idea my dad’s a gangster until tonight.”

“That was sweet of him to do that…because he loves her so much.”

“Yeah, it was.” He looked down at his hands for a moment as he rubbed them together. “Now he can’t even hide it. She’s totally the favorite.”

“I hope that this doesn’t affect his work or career in the long run, seeing his name in the tabloids like that.”

He shook his head. “I highly doubt it. All he has to do is explain why he did it, and everyone will fall in love with him again.” He stared at his empty plate for a while before he shifted and looked at me full on. “Well…thanks for the food.”

“Of course. I’m glad you liked it.”

“Even off the clock at…” He pulled out his phone and looked at the time. “Nine thirty at night, you’re still feeding me.”

I chuckled. “It’s my job, and I take it very seriously.”

He slid his phone back into his pocket and looked at his hands again.

I expected him to rise to his feet and leave, but he stayed, holding a long silence like there was something he wanted to say.

I had a guess what it was.

“Have you…given what I said any more thought?” He traced his thumb over his knuckles as he studied his hands, studied the veins that branched out from the center and led to his fingers. He had large hands but slender fingertips, perfect for gripping a woman tightly…and cutting someone open.