Page 53 of Gin and Lava

“You’re giving me a look like there’s any other option. This is Naomi. When did I ever have any bargaining power?”

“You said she begged,” he points out.

“Ha ha,” I reply, rolling my eyes at him. We both know I was never going to say no to her.

“So she can call you any time she wants?” Connor presses. “She can show up at your work and wiggle her nose?”

“I believe that’sBewitchedand the 60s,” I point out.

“And I bet you’ve only seen that on YouTube,” Connor throws back.

“At least it was in color.”

“It didn’t start in color,” Connor corrects.

“Well, I’ve only seen the parts that are in color,” I defend. “My point is, I think wiggling her nose and calling you whenshewanted was exactly how you and Arie got together.”

“Oh no.” Connor shakes his head. “I tamed the dragon so she was atmybeck and call.”

“Really?” I defy. “By quitting your job at my bar and following her around like a lap dog?” Connor gives me a steely eye. “Are you suggesting I get a job at the spa Naomi works at so I can ruffle her feathers whenever I want?”

“No,” Connor agrees. “But—” His eyes get sparkly with mischief. “She visited you where you work. You could get yourself a massage.”

I laugh. “Show up unannounced, naked, in a tiny secluded room with a sheet around my waist?”

“If the girl’s as thirsty for you as you say …” Connor shrugs. “Or you could just drop by and ask her out to lunch.”

“So she can eat my corndog?” I play, because it’s not like we’re going to start dating.

“Depends on what you want,” Connor says, making me frown. Is he trying to suggest there’s more to this Naomi thing than getting naked? Who’s he trying to be? His brother, Ned?

“You’re starting to sound suspiciously like someone I’m happy is out of the country for this conversation,” I grumble.

“Ned wouldn’t approve,” Connor agrees. “But I think you should start with leveling the playing field. She knows where you live. She knows where you work. It’s only fair that you surprise her too.”

“You’re serious?”

“Or go back to whatever amazing prospects you have elsewhere, Mason,” Connor chides, implying I have none. I don’t mention the cute brunette Annabelle, or the fact that my thunder-from-down-under didn’t even stir in the presence of a sure thing. If I tell Connor that, he’ll probably have me admitted.

“What’s the name of the spa at the Atlantis?” I ask.

Connor smiles. “The Mandara.”

“Can you actually request your masseuse?”

“It’s a five-star resort,” Connor points out. “You can request the softness of the toilet paper in your bathroom.”

“She won’t like it.”

“Make her like it,” Connor nudges me with his elbow.

“I own my shitty tiki bar,” I point out. “I can have sex in my office if I damn well please. I don’t want to get her fired.”

“Then make sure she’s quiet.”

“What about Viking Princess do you not understand?” I ask. “There’s nothing quiet about this woman.”

“Fine,” Connor says, turning back to the Lakers who are currently losing. “Let her call the shots. Let her string you along.”

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