“Because he’s not Tony. He’s demanding and complicated.”
“So maybe you need demanding and complicated. When was the last time you got involved with a guy without calling the shots?” Summer frowned. “I get you have goals, Mags, but that’s no reason to stop having fun. If I were you, I’d totally be up for a sleepover.”
Summer stood up and smoothed down the front of her pink A-line skirt. “I’ve gotta go. Tygue’s waiting for me outside.”
“What?” Maggie shot to her feet. “You can’t go. You never talked me out of anything.”
“And I don’t intend to.” Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Summer headed for the door.
“Wait,” she called after her friend. “One more thing.”
With a sigh, Summer turned around. “What now?”
“Do you know anything about an actor named Ben Barrett?”
“Hmmm…I think he was in that movie Tygue and I rented last week. He played this ex-SWAT member who had to save an old flame from a group of arms dealers.”
“Is he an axe murderer?”
“What? No. I just told you, he played a SWAT—”
“Not the character. The actor.” Maggie knew she was grasping at straws. “Have you ever heard anything about him being dangerous?”
“Why on earth are you asking me this?”
“Um, Trisha. She thought she saw him on the news for whacking someone.” Dear God, was she this desperate to find a reason not to let Ben stay at her place?
“Whacking? Oh, you mean, like mafia or something?” Summer chewed on her bottom lip. “I don’t think so. Only thing I know about the guy is that women love him.”
Wonderful.
“You want my advice, Mags?” Summer added. “Stop thinking about Trisha and movie stars, and have sex with your stranger already. You know you want to, so quit griping and just do it.”
“Just do it,” she muttered to herself. “Like the condom ad.”
“Nike.”
“Huh?”
“Shoes, Maggie!” Summer’s eyes darkened with disbelief. “That does it. You’re so absorbed with work and school that you’ve lost touch with the rest of the world. Look, do me favor and spend some time with a man who won’t fly to Fiji the second he zips up his pants. Tygue and I will be gone for a week, so maybe take advantage of that empty apartment and allow a few complications to murk up your life, okay? It’ll be good for you.”
Women didn’t say no to Ben Barrett.
It was simply one of those delicious facts of life that Ben had come to accept over the years. He was fifteen when he first realized the power he had over women. Fifteen when a few friends dared him to ask the most popular senior girl in school to the freshman prom, and not only had Ben walked into the high school gym with the hottest girl on his arm, but he’d also lost his virginity that night.
Needless to say, he wasn’t surprised when Maggie walked out of the bar at two a.m. and gestured for him to follow her.
Oh yeah, he still had a way with the ladies. They just couldn’t say no.
Yet while this fiery redhead was no exception, she was the first female he’d encountered who had the nerve to look less than pleased with her decision to say yes.
“I’m not going to stay at your place if you sulk all night,” he said, keeping his stride casual as he followed her down the sidewalk.
It was late, and the Saturday night crowds had finally started to disperse. In the distance, a thin mist shrouded the buildings and skyscrapers, and the spring air was chilled, causing Ben to zip up his leather jacket. When he glanced over at Maggie, he was pleased to see her nipples poking against the thin bra under the blue long-sleeved shirt she now wore. She’d also changed into a pair of snug blue jeans and tied her long red hair into a low ponytail, which made her seem younger.
If it weren’t for the frown on her face, she might have looked a little sweeter too.
“I’m not sulking,” she replied, the frown deepening.
“Sure you are.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and cocked his head at her. “I actually find it quite insulting.”
She stopped walking. “You want to know what’s insulting? You assuming you can waltz into my life and expect me to agree to whatever tickles your fancy.”
He lifted a brow. “Considering we’re on the way to your apartment, I’d say that wasn’t a bad assumption.”
Her cheeks turned bright red. “The only reason I’m letting you stay over is because I feel sorry for you,” she huffed.
A laugh trickled out of his mouth. “Sure, babe. If you say so.”