Page 72 of Spiritwarrior

“Only in regard to me not being one either.”

Her jaw locked; she was determined to go to the bedroom and lock the door so she wouldn’t have to continue the conversation. Unfortunately, Jody had roused her temper, and she was well past walking away.

Turning back to him, she stared at him in fury. “I don’t live in a damn glass house,” she snarled. “They’re expensive. My house is made of bricks, so I can shoot as many damn missiles at you as I want. I’ve been too busy working since I was old enough to reach a busing station. Men don’t normally go after women who look like me, especially when I keep my wallet and my thighs closed tightly. Men are predictable, if nothing else. When they can’t get to one or the other, they stop returning your texts. I’ve never met a man whom I’ve come close to breaking my rules for.”

His brow furrowed. “What rules?”

“Are you listening to me?”

“I think so. If you mentioned any rules, I think I would have remembered them.”

“Let me make it easier for you. My rules are no cheating—”

“I’ve never cheated on a woman.”

“Really?” Sophie gave him a satisfied smile. “Ginny told me all of her brothers have soul mates; did that include you?”

Jody hesitated, but he eventually answered. “Yes.”

“Was Baylin, Mina, Chastity, or the numerous women you’ve been with your soul mate?”

His long pause was extremely gratifying for her. “No.”

“You cheated on your soul mate with each of those women. You’re a cheater. Strike one.” Satisfaction poured out of her tone. “Rule two: he can’t be too good looking.”

“You’re not serious?”

“I am. If they’re good looking, nine of ten times, they’re conceited. We know which side of that scale you fall on.”

Jody didn’t try to defend himself on that score.

“Rule three is for me rather than the man.”

“Whew, that’s a relief.”

Sophie ignored the droll way he spoke.

“Rule three is to trust my instincts. Would you like me to tell you what my instincts are telling me about you?”

“Go ahead.”

“My instincts are telling me not to take you seriously—you’re only being helpful to lay the new girl in town.” Condescendingly, she took a step toward him, no longer afraid of the feelings he aroused in her. How many times had she learned it was no use to run? Too many to count.

“I’m not blind to the friction between you and Joel. I’m not a naïve high schooler who is so impressed with the star footballers paying attention to her not to wonder why. I’ve lived in numerous states, worked in jobs where I came into contact with men daily, yet I’ve never had two extremely handsome men make a concentrated effort to spend time with me. I don’t find that a coincidence. Do you?”

Chapter Thirty-One

Jody moved away from Sophie before he tried to shake some sense into the woman. Sitting down on the arm of the couch, he looked at her seriously.

“You’re right on point with Joel. With me, you’re wrong.”

“I don’t think so. Can I go to bed now?”

“In a minute, but you won’t be going alone.”

Sophie gaped at him.

Jody gave her a sensuous smile and stood up. He nearly smiled as she took a backward step away from him.

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