“I’ll provide an exceptional character reference.”
The urge to flick his earlobe is fierce. “You can’t turn my friends against me.”
A challenge glitters in his gaze. “No? That’s a pity.”
“We can at least listen to his voice whisper sweet nothings to you.” That extremely unhelpful suggestion comes from Presley.
“Yeah, it’s not like you have to accept his advances or anything.” Clea wags her brows.
I cut them a sharp look. “Worst wing-women ever.”
Landon slinks lower until my bent knee touches his thigh. “Don’t blame them for taking a neutral stance. They’re choosing to remain optimistic.”
“With anyone except you, their efforts would be greatly appreciated.” I glare at the traitors across from us.
Presley and Clea don’t look the least bit guilty as they watch us bicker.
“I can be a decent guy for you.” His vow might as well be etched in sand on the shoreline with a roaring tide rolling in.
Another disgruntled noise escapes me. “That’s not suspicious or anything.”
He twirls a section of my hair around his finger. “I don’t blame you for being skeptical. All I ask is that you keep an open mind.”
My stomach flips and I cringe. I dislodge him with a tug. “Knock it off.”
Landon doesn’t retreat from my personal space. “Why deny what I want?”
“I don’t expect you will, which is why you’re resorting to more extreme measures. It’s all about claiming victory for you.”
“We could both win this way.” He makes that offer seem like it’s a legitimate option.
“By having sex?” I bat my lashes at him.
A lazy shrug draws him marginally closer. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”
“Since when do you care about what I want?” My defenses rise with a creak.
“New beginnings, Savannah.” A devious glint reflects in his eyes. Landon is planning something, and that knowledge kicks my own plotting into high gear. I’m not giving him the chance to attack. He doesn’t get to stomp on my turf without repercussions.
“New strategies, you mean.”
“Am I being too forward?”
“You’re being too obvious,” I correct.
He lowers his gaze, tracing a pattern on the wooden table. “Maybe I don’t want to be the bad guy anymore.”
A snort spits from my flaring nostrils. His acting skills have room for improvement. Maybe I should send Sasha in for another round. “You’re only doing this to get back at me.”
His eyes remain downcast. “Am I?”
Would slapping him get me fired? I weigh the benefits against the consequences. “You couldn’t be more transparent. A rock would be more emotionally available than you.”
“I’ve never had a reason to be until now.”
With a roll of my neck, I whip out my ace in the hole. “How about your mystery girl?”
“She cheated on me.”
I wince from the hostility in his tone. Following close behind is the shock that he actually answered. “Well, that sucks.”
“I deserved it.” Landon’s voice has returned to a smooth timbre. These silky notes are meant to lure me into the hunter’s clutches.
“You probably did. No offense,” I add when he frowns at me.
But that doesn’t mean he’s discouraged by my rejection. The fact that my barbs ping off him without retaliation makes a knot tighten in my chest. His game is strong. “Give me a chance to prove myself as worthy.”
I cover my face with an open palm. Fighting with Asshole Landon has become second nature. My armor against that version is reinforced with bitter barbs and resentment. A semi-sweet twist, though? This wasn’t in the manual. I’m not prepared to deflect his charms.
A lightbulb flickers on through the haze that’s jumbling my thoughts. This could work in my favor. Getting Landon to fall in love would be significantly easier if I pretend to fall first. It’s definitely something to consider.
In the meantime, I can’t help but needle him a bit. “Nice try, Lannie. It’s not going to happen.”
He stoops until his lips brush my ear. “I beg to differ.”
“And that’s your choice.” The thrum in my pulse is getting harder to ignore.
“It’ll be a pleasure to wear you down, sugar.”
The sight of a familiar face gives me a much-needed reprieve from his onslaught. “Oh, damn. It’s Brance Stone.”
Two heads fling in the direction I’m nodding.
“And his super hunky friend,” Presley tacks on.
Landon’s gaze follows our attention to a corner section along the glossy bar. “So?”
Clea scoffs. “You have eyeballs. The man is hot.”
“He’s married.” His deadpan tone doesn’t deter our ogling.
Presley hums. “We’re well aware. Braelyn and Brance are fairytale goals.”
“They’re super cute together.” A zing of envy stabs me. Their love burns bright enough to supply the entire Twin Cities with power. The hopeless romantic in me wanders along a loopy path as I fantasize about what that level of commitment feels like. Toasty and cozy, no doubt.
Clea sighs, resting her cheek on a closed fist. “That stops him from checking us out, not vice versa. It’s not as if our appreciation of his sex appeal is hurting anyone.”
Landon’s grunt is overflowing with irritation. “Is that what you’re calling it?”
I laugh under my breath. “Are you jealous?”
“Of what?” Landon skewers me with a glare. “You objectifying some dude? Yeah, I’m positively glowing green over here.”
“He’s totally jealous,” Presley giggles.
The signature sneer I’ve come to expect from him makes a booming appearance. “Quit acting like he’s a legend.”
“He kinda is. Ask my dad.” Lord knows he can talk about Brance and his spotless career for hours without prompting.
Landon’s snarling lip aims higher. “A man whose opinion means shit to me? No, thanks.”
I shrug, unfazed by his sudden outburst. This is our comfort zone. “People pay a hefty sum for his advice.”
“It takes more than that to gain my respect—or business, for that matter.”
For some reason, it gives me a satisfying flutter that he’s outright refusing to fake pleasantries where my father is concerned. That’s screwed up on so many levels. I should probably call my dad and hash things out. It’s been several months too long since our last blowout. Good times.
A thought occurs to me as I shake off that mental detour. “Do you know Brance?”
His confirmation arrives with a sharp nod. “And Jordan. They’re who I’m here to meet.”
“Small world,” I mutter.
“Would you like me to properly introduce you?”
“We’re already acquainted,” I retort. Did he blank out from jealousy and forget our conversation? Besides that, it would be weird to meet his friends. Landon obviously holds no such qualms.
“Then how about you just come over there and say hello.” There’s no suggestion in his tone. A straight demand coming from the asshole himself.