No Reservations - Megan Hart [47]
'Please. You've seen Kate, why would I want anyone else? Anyway, I want to make the next step. I want us to move in together and she's using this situation to keep that from happening. Hell, I want to marry her, but I know she will want to wait at least another year for that. I know we can make moving in together work if she'd just let go of whatever Eve thinks. I'll handle my daughters.'
He hadn't meant to say all that, but it was nice to get it all out anyway.
Brandon took another long, appreciate puff of the cigar. 'I was going to ask Leah to marry me. She saw the ring in my suitcase and ran.'
'Not to be obvious or anything, but pot, meet kettle. Obviously she didn't run because you wanted to many her. You're already living together and she seems very happy when I see her. Which is several times a week at work. So you want what from her now?' Dix looked up to see the new stripper on stage start shaking her tasty ass to Fergie's 'London Bridge'. 'I think I'm going to start talking over all my relationship problems while watching strippers shake things. It's oddly relaxing.'
Brandon snorted but his gaze was locked on the woman on stage as he spoke again. 'I want an answer from her! She's not the only one of us who knows what the other one needs. I know what she needs and how to give it to her. She just won't ... let me.' The last was an aside but Dix got a clearer picture of Leah and Brandon's home life and he reminded himself to goad Kate about it. Clearly she'd been holding back.
'How did you ask her?'
Brandon and Dix cocked their heads sideways as the woman on the stage bent and undulated around the pole. Once they left the club Dix planned to get his ass over to Kate's and ravish her ten ways till daylight. He hoped like hell he and Kate could broker a peace deal between Brandon and Leah so he could sleep in that huge bed with a beautiful woman instead of that dump from the night before.
'Is that even possible?' Brandon murmured.
'Dunno, but I'm gonna think on a way to ask Kate to try it.'
Brandon looked at him and then laughed. 'She'll cut you if you suggest it tonight after being here. That might be entertaining to watch.'
Dix chuckled. 'She can be pretty vicious. But that's part of the allure.' He met Brandon's eyes. 'Isn't it? Tough and strong but soft underneath?'
Brandon nodded and puffed the cigar. But it's not evetything. Sometimes you have to take a stand.'
Dix agreed and he tended to think that's what he needed to do with the whole living-together situation. He'd been making some tentative plans, working schedules around to see what was realistic. He'd get Kate high on endorphins from climax, bring over chocolate and some expensive champagne and at her weakest, most relaxed, he'd press his advantage. Sure it was sneaky, but this was war and his opponent was wily.
What are you going to do about your ex?' Brandon asked, bringing Dix out of his thoughts.
That's a good question. I've made it clear I'm not interested. Hell, I made it clear for years. I divorced her! We never had sex after I left. But now every time I'm near her she's all over me like a cheap suit and you can imagine what Katherine's reaction to that is.' Sounds like you need to not be around her.' Brandon shrugged like it was easy.
I wish it were that easy. Fuck. Maybe it is and I just need to be harsher and not worry if my daughters see. I just wanted them to understand that you could still be united with someone when it came to important things like raising children.' Haven't you done that already? You've been divorced for nine years.' Huh. So Bingo wasn't so naive after all. Maybe the kid had a point.
A lovely thing, young enough for him to have fathered, cruised past and positioned herself between them. Hello there. You two want a lap dance? Private