Page 25 of Nevada

“That wasn’t a deal, that was you tryin’ to get your own way,” I say.

“Can you blame me? A man’s gotta try his luck.”

“You’re not getting into my pants so give it up. I’m sure there’s some spoiled little princess somewhere with her heart beating wildly just waiting for a man like you to corrupt her.”

I avoid Halo’s snicker as I head back toward my desk and pull out my weapons. You can’t be too sure going into the lion’s den.

“I’m nothin’ if not resourceful, and why does it always have to be some spoiled little princess? Would it shock you to know I’m capable of more.”

I laugh out loud. “Right. I’m sure you’re capable of leading anyone without a brain down the garden path.”

“Your words hurt me.”

I roll my eyes. “Because they’re true?”

“No, because we both know that you’re not givin’ me a chance due to the fact I’m twenty-seven. It’s only six years.”

I stop in my tracks. “I never told you my age.”

“Age is just a number, baby. And women who are older are just better all round in my opinion.”

This idiot. Seriously. I decide to play along because what the hell have I got to lose at this point? “Is that right?”

“Uh huh.”

“How do you figure?” I ignore the fact he has a sexy voice and try to concentrate on the traffic below.

“Well, for one there’s that whole cougar thing — which I’m totally into, by the way — older women know more, they’re experienced and know what they want. They don’t take any shit from assholes like me and they sure as shit don’t give it away for free. They make you work for it. How I’m doin’ so far?”

“Keep talkin’, you’re the only one diggin’ your own grave.”

“They’re independent. They’re seasoned. They ooze confidence. They’re sexy…” Those last words he drawls in that hot as fuck deep voice of his sounds like butter.

I rest my head against the pane of the glass, unsure how this turned into me liking the sound of his dumb voice.

“Did you ever figure older women might just not be into you?”

“Don’t know. Never pursued one until now.”

“Is that what you’re doing?”

“Oh, trust me, Mama. I haven’t even begun to pursue you yet.”

I snort. At least he makes me laugh, that’s a first. But it’s more his audacity than anything else that keeps me entertained. “Well, some of us older women can’t be won over by stupid candy hearts and flowers, Pretty Boy. Some of us may not want what you’re offering.”

“You wouldn’t be sayin’ that if you saw my dick.”

My lips part and no sound comes out for several moments — now I’m picturing his dick and that is not what I wanted to be doing. Then I hear him laughing.

“You did not just say that.”

“I’m kiddin’. Well, kinda. Not had any complaints. But if you got to know me, you’d see there’s more to me than just my body.”

“Next you’re going to tell me you’re not a piece of meat.”

“If the shoe fits. I take a size fifteen, by the way.” Cocky little shit.

We’re here to do business, not to play this stupid game. “What intel do you have?”

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