Teela’s nose crinkled up like she’d just smelled something toxic, him namely and what she’d no doubt term his bullshit, but it was absolutely adorable. It took all of Ross’ effort not to crack a smile. And he didn’t often smile. He had no trouble being intimidating when he had to be. Thanks to all the naysayers and doubters, all the people who stood in his way, all the people against him and all the people who’d used him, he had a pretty thick skin. He was tougher than a leathery old boot. Museum quality. A century old.
So how the hell could Teela pierce so easily through his armor?
“Okay, well… I’m here because- because- uh- we need to talk. Now. Alone.”
Okay, so he certainly wasn’t expecting that. Ross nearly fell over. She’d stunned him completely. Good thing his ass was pretty tough. He recovered by cracking a joke that he probably wouldn’t have used even amongst guy friends on a night of beers and steaks.
“I’m sorry, you’ll have to excuse me. You took me by surprise. I didn’t realize we were on that level yet. If you want to jump from the not even friends level to the- well- more personal one, I’m in.”
Teela huffed. “You’re disgusting. That’s not what I meant. I need a word in private. That’s it. You stand on one side of the room and listen. I stand on the other and do the talking.”
“Right.” He indicated the back of the store where the break room was with a sweep of his hand. “After you.”
“No. Not here.” Teela’s eyes danced around like she was a hard core wanted criminal and he had the cops hiding in the back room.
“Uh- where then? I highly doubt you’re going to invite me back to your place, given that you’ve made it perfectly clear that that wasn’t your intention.”
“Actually- yeah. My place. That’s probably the best. No one to overhear there. It’s only ten minutes away.”
Teela inviting him back to her place for any reason got his mojo going. Big time. As if it wasn’t already. His balls clenched hard and jumped from his stomach right into his throat. Which would explain why he was momentarily speechless and choked all at once.
“Uh- yeah- I- what the hell could you possibly have to say to me that can’t be said here? Unless you’ve bobby trapped your house and plan on maiming me and making good on your threats. Or maybe you have an angry mob there. Did you get a petition with a whole bunch of signatures demanding that I leave town immediately?”
“Grow up,” Teela snapped. “This has nothing to do with this place and your level of dickery.”
Dickery. He liked that. He liked the word on her lips and the inventiveness of the term. Had she just pulled that out of her ass? The ass that looked real nice in those tight fitting jeans? Damn it. I did not notice how well her jeans fit. Okay, well… maybe I don’t care. Definitely don’t care.
“You need to hear what I have to say,” Teela forced out, a little less sure of herself, when he didn’t immediately respond.
“So, you’re trying to help me now? Warn me about something? I thought that went against your principles.”
“This is different.” Teela was practically gnawing her lip. Something about the uncertainty tugged at Ross’ heart. Or at least the few splinters that were left.
He was more than a little shocked to hear himself give in. “Alright,” he sighed. “Take me to your place. Do your worst. Skin me alive. I’ll greet the mob with a smile.”
“There isn’t any mob. This isn’t about yesterday. It’s not about work at all. Just to be clear, I still think you’re an asshole and your corporate plan is horse shit, but this is bigger than this.”
“Do you also think that my eyes are nice, and my smile is charming?” Ross deadpanned. He was rewarded by the way Teela rocked forward on the balls of her feet before settling back on her heels. He’d unnerved her, even if her face remained perfectly composed into a mask of distaste. Like he actually smelled like horse shit. He knew he didn’t. He’d just showered that morning.
“I certainly don’t,” she hissed. “This isn’t about that. No matter how full of yourself you are or how confident you are in your skills and stated charm, it’s not about that. It’s not going to work.”
Ross decided to humor Teela. What was the harm? Oh, there’s harm, alright. He knew perfectly well what the harm was. It didn’t have to do with petitions, threats, or angry crowds. Nester Falls was his home too. Though it hadn’t been in years, he’d grown up here and he knew a few people here and there, remnants from his parent’s generation. Besides, he could smooth talk his way out of just about anything. He was confident in his charm and his intellect, to an extent.