Bad Boys Do (Donovan Brothers Brewery 2)

Jamie’s hands curved around the armrests until his

knuckles showed through the skin. “I’m not your ex-husband,” he growled.

“No,” she said quietly. Then louder. “No. You aren’t. But you are just like him.”

“That’s ridiculous,” he snapped, shoving up from the chair.

“You’re charming and clever and handsome. You tell people what they want to hear so that they’ll like you. And you want to use me for what it will bring you. You want me to give up my dreams to make yours happen.”

“I don’t want you to give up anything! It’d be just what you wanted. I thought you’d like the idea!”

“Why? Because it would be easier for me?”

“Yes!”

She scoffed. “Easier than coming up with my own plans? Easier than saving my own money? Easier than risking everything to do what I want?”

“Jesus Christ!” he shouted. “It’s just an offer. I’m not trying to steal your future. Shouldn’t you be flattered that I respect you enough to want to go into business with you?”

“Flattered that I make you feel mature? Let me tell you something, Jamie. If you need someone to help you grow up, you wouldn’t exactly make an ideal business partner.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Despite her anger, the hard smile on his face pricked her conscience, but she wasn’t going to lie. “Yeah.”

“Well.” His laugh was rough as rock. “I’m sure that’s exactly how my brother feels. I’ll let him know you concur.”

“If this is about you growing up and standing on your own, you can’t lean on me.”

“I wasn’t planning to lean on you, damn it. I wanted to hire you, just like I’d hire a chef or an architect or a designer. Why the hell are you turning this into proof of my weakness?”

“You’re the one who said I made you want to be better. As if I were your crutch. But I’m not that woman, Jamie. I’m not the woman who wants to dedicate herself to you until you don’t need her anymore.”

“I am not your ex-husband,” he snarled again.

“Fine. But I’m still his ex-wife. And if you think I’m going to sign up to be a man’s helpmate again, you’re a fool.” She took a deep breath and made herself see him as Jamie and not just another man asking her to give something up. “You helped me, too,” she said softly. “You helped me see something more inside myself. But it’s time for us to move on.”

His angry pacing stopped and his head came up to meet her gaze. “You’re breaking up with me? Right now?”

“Jamie…it’s not a breakup. We had an agreement—”

“Fuck you,” he said. Instead of anger, the curse was filled with disbelief.

She tamped down another jolt of guilt. “If you decide to go through with this, I’ll still do the portfolio for you. I want to help, Jamie.”

“I wouldn’t want to use you as a crutch,” he snapped. She started to deny his words, but it was too late. Jamie spun around and disappeared into the hallway.

Olivia followed, but she moved slowly. She had no idea what to say to him. She couldn’t make this better. How could she? He’d admitted that his attraction to her was tied in with his desire to grow up. Part of the reason he liked her was the thing she hadn’t even wanted him to notice. That she was older. That she was half-used-up already by a man who’d seen her as too serious, just as Jamie did.

A serious woman whose attributes could be reliably broken down on a spreadsheet. A woman whose body was an afterthought compared to what she brought to the business table. Next time, she’d demand a man who needed nothing from her. Then she’d know she was wanted.

When she reached her bedroom, Jamie was already dressed and lacing up his boots. “I meant what I said,” she whispered. “Let me help you with the planning.”

“I don’t need your help,” he lied, yanking the laces one last time before he tied them. He rose and brushed right past her as if she weren’t quite real. “I’ll see you around, Olivia.”

“Jamie, wait.” She hurried after him and reached for his arm. “I’m sorry, but—”

“This isn’t a breakup, so save the drawn-out goodbye.”