“Did you just take that soda out of my hand?”
“Yes. I’m pouring it for Cora.”
“No. I was.”
“Nope.”
“Yes, I am.”
He finished pouring. “Actually, you’re not. You just think you are because you’re stubborn and don’t like anyone to do anything for you.”
“Whatever.” I reached for the glass.
“Nope.” He seized it before I could, went off to give it to her, and returned to me seething with my hands planted on my hips.
“Look at how mad you are,” he said. “And all because I poured the soda before you?!”
“I’m not mad at that.”
“Yes, you are.” He leaned on the bar right in front of me and blocked my view of the audition. By this time, Maceo had his jacket off. His cream colored shirt detailed the curve of muscles under it. There was no mistaking that he worked out with a serious dedication.
He rubbed those two lips that I’d studied during the auditions. “What time should I pick you up tonight?”
“My car works fine. I don’t need a ride home.”
“It’s for our date.”
“I’m not interested in dating you.”
“Why not?”
“You’re a cocky bastard with an ego big enough to feed all of the hungry people in this world.”
“I’ll have to call up a couple charities and look into that.” He chuckled. “But let’s be serious. My ego can’t be the reason. Many women find it cute.”
“I’m not many women.”
“Maybe not, but there’s too much electric attraction sparking between us.”
“I don’t feel it.”
“Trust me. It’s there.” His flirtatious smile left his face. Sex replaced it. “Can I see you tonight?”
I turned away from him. “I won’t be available.”
“With you, the reasoning must be business-related. Are you opening the club this evening or are you off?”
“I’m never off.”
“I’ll have to change that.”
I glanced over my shoulder at the bathroom, which his team had been walking in and out of while touting bundles of pipes and tools. “Speaking of whether I’m opening the club tonight, are your men done evaluating everything? It’s almost been an hour. Do my pipes need to be replaced or what?”
“They’re being replaced right now as we speak. I had them purchase galvanized steel. I prefer it.”
Alarm hit me. “Excuse me? What do you mean they’re replacing everything as we speak?”
“They’re just doing the men’s bathroom for now. I’ve lit a fire under their behinds, so it should be done by eight this evening.”
Rage bubbled in my chest. “First of all, I didn’t give you authorization to have the pipes replaced, nor did I even agree to whatever quote or bill you’ve come up with. I also planned on getting other opinions—”
“You don’t need other opinions. I’m the best in this city. It’s why you called me first. I’m not billing you, and I don’t need authorization to give you a gift. You’re welcome.”
“I’m not saying thank you.”
“You should.”
“I didn’t ask for your gift.”
“You’re welcome.” He stared back as if daring me to argue it further. If he thought I would make a cute little cheery sound and hug him like he was some big hulky hero that saved the day, then he’d found the wrong lady.
I fisted my hands. “I’m not going to accept it.”
“Oh really?” He crossed his arms over his chest and formed those freaking lips into a smile that would’ve softened any female in a fifty mile radius.
Any female but me.
He closed the distance between us. “So, let me understand this, my stubborn little Christine. You’re just going to march into that bathroom and take all of the pipes out yourself?”
“I don’t like the fact that you had the audacity to just replace my pipes. I don’t know what you think you’re going to get from your gift, but you won’t get it.”
“I will.”
I parted my lips, but no words came out.
He tilted my way. “Not only will I get it, I’m going to enjoy that sweetness so much I’ll have to restrain myself from trying desperately to own it.”
My body blazed on fire.
“Because let’s be real.” He inhaled me. “You’re not going to give yourself to me willingly and completely, not without a long battle and a whole lot of me cupping my crotch in defeat.”
I began to speak.
He quieted me by speaking. “But you will surrender before I do. You know why?”
I opened to talk again.
He stopped it. “I’m a beast when it comes to something I crave, and I crave you bad. Your taste is on my tongue, and I haven’t even gotten a chance to sample you.”
“Maceo, I’m not—”
“You are, and you will, all night long.”
Again, I was speechless.
He left the bar, grabbed his notebook off of the table, came back to me, and put his notes in my hand. “It won’t be tonight, but it will be a night in the near future. Here’s my top picks. I don’t like this guy with the mask and fire. It depresses me. Maybe your customers will like it.”