Shaking his head, Zeke sent Liv an apologetic smile. “Sorry, she’s miffed about Ash.”
“I gathered.”
“Did she threaten you with dismemberment if you betrayed our trust?”
“I don’t recall her mentioning anything about removing my body parts.”
He stepped closer, into her personal space. The scent of his soap—shea butter and citrus—filled her nose, triggering an image of him moving over her, slowly, purposefully.
“Any more trouble?” he asked.
“What?”
“Any more run-ins with angry dudes?”
No kissing, no touching, no burning take-me looks.
She took a step back. “No.”
“Would you tell me if you had?”
“Probably not.”
“At least you’re honest about it.” His hand slipped around hers. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the team.”
She didn’t move. “Team? I came here to brief you, not a group.”
“Like I told Lawson, I’m one spoke in the wheel.”
“I didn’t come prepared to speak to a group.”
“Why do you think I invited you here?”
“To avoid my office.”
“True. But you’re here to meet the team and to fill in the crater of information we don’t know.” He tugged on her hand. “Whatever you came prepared to say to me, just say it to four more people. They’re not a fastidious lot. Well, most of them aren’t. Rohan can be a bit of a stick sometimes.”
Liv pulled in a calming breath. Although she was used to dealing with the unexpected, she hated being unprepared for meetings, especially when she was the one in the spotlight.
Zeke returned to her side and lifted her bag. “What the hell is in this thing?”
She snatched her bag away, hefted it on her shoulder, and marched toward the building.
“Putting that much weight on your shoulder isn’t good for you.”
“Thanks for the tip, Dr. Blackwell. Do you do adjustments, too?”
“I know a woman who used to carry a heavy backpack on one shoulder all the time. Screwed up her shoulder, and now she’s in constant pain.”
“I’ll take your cautionary tale under advisement.” She could almost hear his smile creaking into place.
“I don’t think your brother liked me too much.”
“Don’t take it personally. Pierce eyeballs any guy I talk to. Typical protective older brother.”
“Do you talk to a lot of guys in your driveway?”
“None of your business.” She made to open the door, but he edged past her and put a hand on the door handle, blocking her entrance.