Everything for Us (A Bad Boys Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page B

and smiles politely. I can see that his eyes are a startling blue and his skin is tan. And not
too
tan, either. Or too even. Nothing like what he might get in a tanning bed, which I’m convinced is for pussies. No, his color makes me think he spends a good bit of his time outdoors.
    Probably playing polo or some hoity-toity shit like that.
    Marissa is still stammering, so I step forward and offer my hand. “Cash Davenport.” It makes sense that since there’s already a Nash Davenport in this “circle” that I be the rebellious brother.
    I’m surprised that I don’t trip over the name. In fact, it comes out a little bit
too
easily. I guess that’s how Cash felt the first time he tried to pass himself off as me.
    Marissa falls right in line with my deception. “Yes, you remember Nash Davenport, right? This is his twin brother, Cash. He owns a club across town.”
    Jensen extends his hand. “Jensen Strong. I work at the DA’s office. Met your brother once or twice around at some functions, I think. So, a club, huh?” He nods his head appreciatively. “Nice.”
    “It pays the bills,” I say simply.
    We fall into an easy silence for a few seconds before Jensen speaks again. “Well, I guess I’d better run. I’m actually in court today. An unexpected witness gave me an idea, so I thought I’d come over and check on something during recess.” He nods to me and then turns his full attention to Marissa. “It was great seeing you again. Let me know if I can help with what you’re working on. Prosecution is kinda my thing,” he says charmingly. Marissa smiles and he continues. “Maybe we can do dinner sometime soon. Catch up.”
    I’m a guy, so I know what he’s
really
saying is that he wants to get in her pants as soon as possible. I also know by Marissa’s reaction that she isn’t exactly saying no.
    “That sounds great,” she replies. Her smile widens. It’s both flattered and maybe a little interested, which pisses me off. I can’t have her attention divided until I’m done with her. I’m not jealous by any far stretch of the imagination. I couldn’t care less who she sleeps with or who she’s interested in. I just want her to wait for a few days. Until I’m gone. Right now, I need her to focus on me so that I don’t go apeshit while I’m waiting on the go-ahead to tear someone a new ass.
    I have no doubt I can give her more than enough to keep her mind and her body busy, but another guy in the picture just complicates things. And I’m dealing with too many complications already. I don’t need bullshit from my biggest source of stress relief, too.
    “I’ll call your office, then.”
    “Okay. See you later.”
    With a nod as he passes me, Jensen leaves the aisle. I wait until he’s around the corner and out of earshot before I speak. “Looks like they’re lining up already.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “It was no secret you and ‘Nash’ were an item, right? And it’s probably no secret that he dumped you. I mean, shit like that spreads like wildfire. One secretary finds out and suddenly it’s common knowledge.”
    “And you think they’re coming out of the woodwork to console me?” Her laugh is wryly amused. “I don’t think so. I’m sure anyone who knows about it knows I’m far from devastated. I can hardly be crushed when ‘something’ that was never anything is over.”
    I eye her skeptically. Could she really have such a . . . a . . . guy-like attitude about it?
    “So you didn’t really give a damn about my brother?”
    Marissa shrugs. On her face is uncertainty, but I think it’s more that she doesn’t know how to respond.
    “It’s not that I want to see him hurt or anything. I’m not a monster. I don’t wish him ill. I guess I’m more . . . ambivalent than anything else. The only emotion I felt over the breakup was wounded pride. Feelings like that go away very quickly. The bottom line is: Cash and I were convenient and useful for each