g to be in Louisiana because that’s where his company is, so we won’t even be really living together. And there’s another reason, something he might find more convincing. “It’s really for your own health and longevity, by the way. Angel might kick your face in, and that’d be a shame. You’re too gorgeous to have your cheekbones broken.”
“No need for sin. I’m ready to make an honest woman out of you right now.” And he says it so seriously, without a hint of distaste, it’s like that’s what he really wants to do.
Which only adds to my confusion and surprise. He doesn’t love me, and I’m not demanding that he do anything. Most men wouldn’t insist like this. “Edgar, look. I still have to deal with Aaron. I don’t have time to deal with you, too.”
“Have you forgotten what I told you last night? You don’t have to deal with Aaron. I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”
“But the video—”
Edgar’s expression grows harshly frigid. “If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll destroy everything. I’ll see to it.”
“But how?” I peer at him. “You aren’t going to pay him off, are you?” That isn’t his style.
“That’s the worst way to get rid of a blackmailer.”
True enough. Maybe I should let Edgar deal with Aaron. I’ll take it as an early baby shower gift.
“Let’s make a deal,” Edgar says. “I get rid of the Aaron problem permanently, and you move in with me for four months.”
It’s so tempting, but something makes me hesitate. It isn’t that I think Edgar has any evil ulterior motive, but it’s hard to trust men in general after what Aaron pulled. I never thought he’d go that low.
Before I can fully process everything, Edgar adds, “Besides, I’ll feel better if I’m around.”
“Why?”
“In case you need things.”
“Like what?” I’m not sure what Edgar can possibly get me. I can do my own shopping. And I have cousins and brothers if I need to have something heavy moved or furniture assembled.
“Midnight cravings? What if you want to have ice cream, but don’t want to get out of bed?”
“Oh.” Hadn’t even thought of that, but then, I’ve never been pregnant before.
“Anyway, shall we go? We’re going to be late for our appointment otherwise.”
Edgar starts to put his hand on my elbow. The gesture is attentive and firm at the same time. A man who isn’t just a gentleman, but a gentleman who won’t take no for an answer.
“Besides, think of it as showing warm hospitality,” he says, his breath tickling the sensitive skin near my ear.
I suppress a shiver. Or at least try to. “How so?” My voice sounds annoyingly breathless.
“What if this real estate guy takes advantage of me? I don’t know this city. He could try to get me to lease the most expensive home. Or worse, he might stick me with something in an undesirable location he wasn’t able to offload on anyone else.”
“Are you serious?” Edgar’s so self-possessed and sharp, I don’t know who would dare try to screw him over.
“Very. I asked Tony for recommendations, but he didn’t have any. His place was custom-built. And obviously, we don’t have time for something like that. So I picked out the first person that popped up on Google.”
Well. At least the realtor’s popular. “Did you check the reviews?” When you’re either buying or renting the kind of property people like Edgar is used to, you need to make sure the realtor’s good and conscientious.
“I didn’t see any,” Edgar says. “His listing was an ad. Those always show up first.”
No. Way. “You can’t possibly be this bad at hiring people. You run a company!”
He shrugs. “Blackwood Energy has an HR department. I don’t.”
If anybody else said this, I’d laugh. It’s just too ridiculous. But it’s Edgar. And his voice is so, so grave. Even his expression matches the tone.
Maybe, just maybe, he really is terrible at hiring people when left to his own devices. I can’t let that happen, can I?