Page 19 of The Enforcer

“Yeah, it’s a tough world filled with assholes.” There was a snarl in his voice now.

“Aha.”

He scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Just, aha, as in I understand.”

“And what is it that you think you understand?”

It was getting increasingly difficult to keep a straight face. “That he can’t be the right guy for me. I need a man who likes children, or, in the least, is comfortable around them.”

“That’s what I thought.” He sounded much calmer this time.

She pointed at another file. “What about him, Beau Walker?”

Hector’s eye twitched. “Walker likes ’em big and beautiful.”

“What?” The way he came up with excuses baffled her.

He drew a silhouette with his hands. “Curvy. He likes his women curvy. Like most men, he likes something to hold on to in bed.”

“I have curves,” she argued. He gave her a look. “Maybe not that big of curves, but I have them.” She was not going down without a fight. So far, he had found a flaw on every candidate she had proposed. When was he going to give up and just knuckle under?

“You have the figure of Barbie.”

“I do not.”

“Long legs. Curly blond hair. Tiny waist. Big breasts.”

Was it getting hot in here or was she imagining him staring at her chest?

“Fuck.” He cursed a streak and backed away from his desk. “I don’t have time for this shit.”

He was out the door before she could blink.

She knew he wanted her. On some level. He might not particularlylikeher, but she got the vibe that he at least found her attractive. Hopefully it wasn’t just wishful thinking. If only she knew why he resisted her. Them. Unfortunately, her time for making him give in to her was getting shorter each day.

Which meant that she needed help. One call later, Tommie and Jazzy whizzed inside Hector’s office.

“I come bearing gifts,” Tommie announced, handing her over a cup of coffee and a chocolate muffin.

For the next hour, they went through the documents, one by one.

When Achilles’ picture came up, Tommie hastily put it away. “Not that one,” he said giving her a sheepish look.

“Not that one,” she agreed. Tommie was all brash mouth, packaged in ripped jeans and colorful tees, but when it came to Achilles, he got tongue-tied. It was really adorable.

“Oh, I like this one,” he said. “Just look at those pecs. I could play the bongos on them.”

“What about this one?” Jazzy proposed. “He’s Italian. Those blue eyes are hot. I mean, of course, not as hot as my Gio’s, but he’d be okay. What do you think, Hector?”

Mary turned to the door, where Hector had just come in.

She blushed when she was reminded of how he blew her off. She wasn’t sure what she’d been thinking when she told him she’d picked him. Actually, she did know. It had been a desperate attempt to make him notice her. Perhaps even bind him to her. It wasn’t fair to him, and also, a little sad. What woman in her right mind had to practically trick the man she had been crushing on into marrying her? Still, when the opportunity had presented itself, she couldn’t just let it pass. She’d made herself clear; he was her first choice. The ball was in his court now.

“Yes, do tell, Wolfman.” Tommie held up the picture of Jazzy’s choice. “Do you think this guy would be a good husband to Mary and a good dad to little Zoe?”

Thank God she’d never told them about her stupid proposal to Hector. It would be mortifying if they found out.

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