Page 10 of The Billionaire's Rival (Bad Boy Billionaires)

“Jasper, what are you doing?”

“Relax.”

“Around you? Never.”

He gave me a pouty face, one that I was sure worked very well when he was looking for a hookup. “I thought we were friends.”

“‘Frenemies’ maybe.”

“You’re really not interested in making this trade?”

“No. Miles wants the warehouse, and he’s going to get it.”

Jay blew out a long breath. “Fine. I’ll have to come up with something else.”

“Something other than bribery?”

“It was worth a try.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I would have done the same in his position. “I suppose that’s true.”

“Another beer?”

I hadn’t even realized I’d already nearly drained mine. Being around Jay made me nervous, and when I was nervous, I always drank too much, too fast.

I should say no. “Sure.”

“Be right back.”

He took our empty pint glasses and headed toward the bar.

I should have left then. It would have been wise, but I watched Jay’s well-rounded ass as he walked away.

When he returned to the table, he said. “Your turn.”

“My turn for what?”

“A proposal for a compromise.”

I shook my head. “My client doesn’t compromise.”

“Does he have to be such a jackass?”

I nodded. “He’s really good at it.”

We both laughed then.

“So, have you always dressed like you teach at an Ivy League school?”

I narrowed my eyes, not sure whether he was trying to piss me off or just asking.

“It works for you,” he said. “I’m just curious.”

“I have. I was the only one who didn’t hate the way we had to dress at boarding school, coats and ties every day.”

“I guess that didn’t help you fit in.”

I shook my head. “Hell no. If it hadn’t been for Miles, Worth, and Carter, I don’t know if I would have survived, and I mean that literally.”

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