Page 43 of Dating the Rebel
He shuddered at the thought of actually joining the service. “Was that what you meant when you said ‘speak of the devil’ when I walked in?”
Had they been conspiring about him?
No. Miranda didn’t want him joining her dating service. She didn’t trust him.
Blair chuckled. “Funny that you knew we were talking about you.”
“Was Miranda asking about me?” he asked. Had she missed him like he’d missed her?
Blair shook her head. “No, I was asking her if she’d seen you. Where have you been?”
He shrugged. “Here and there...”
“Are you ever going to be straight with me about whether or not you’re really out of the service?” Blair asked.
But having been in herself, she had to know her question was rhetorical.
He couldn’t discuss what he did.
So he chuckled instead. “Service? You really thinking about having me sign up for Miranda’s dating service?”
Blair shook her head. “I doubt she would take you. She has a thing about honesty.”
“And I’m not honest?”
“We both know you’re not,” his sister said.
“Why does she have such a thing about it?” he wondered.
“Because she wants all the members of Liaisons International to be safe,” she said.
“I’m not dangerous.”
“But you are,” Blair said. “Because you would break hearts with the way you go in and out of a person’s life.”
He heard the catch of emotion in her voice, and a twinge of regret struck him. “Have I ever hurt you?”
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You’ve done so much for me. You’re the best brother. But if you weren’t related to me, I wouldn’t want to date you.”
He grabbed his chest as if she’d stabbed him. He expected her to laugh.
But she continued, “And Miranda would sure as hell never date you.”
He nearly choked on the sudden rush of saliva welling up in the back of his throat. She had done more than date him; she’d screwed his brains out. After clearing his throat, he asked, “Why not?”
“Because of all her mother’s marriages, she saw firsthand a lot of dishonesty—a lot of lying, cheating and sneaking around.”
“Hey!” He wasn’t a cheat.
“She won’t put up with it in her own life,” Blair said. “That’s why she won’t get involved with anyone.”
But she was already involved with him. Wasn’t she? Didn’t she want him as much as he wanted her?
He doubted she would have crashed his poker game if she’d never wanted to see him again. And if all she wanted from him was sex, he wasn’t upset. After being away from her and thinking nonstop about her, he had to see her again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
HEWASBACK.
