“That smooth thing,” I said. “You ooze charm. People are drawn to you.”
“But not you?”
“Been there, done that, have the scars to prove it,” I said with no real animosity.
He clapped a hand over his heart. “Zing!”
“You’re still an asshole, but I really cannot thank you enough for how much you are doing to help the animals. I think you do have a heart in there after all.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” he replied. “I’m still the same selfish Reese.”
“Good to know,” I said. “Maybe you should get a dog. Something big and slobbery.”
“Why on earth would you even suggest such a thing?” He cringed. “That’s horrifying.”
“Because a dog might help you find your heart,” I said. “They have a way of worming their way in and softening you up. Not that you need to be softened. The hard body thing is working for you.”
I didn’t even mean to say that aloud. Flirting with him was too easy. It was like falling back into an old routine. His nostrils flared and I saw the look I had not seen in a long time. Ten long years to be exact. It was the look he always got when he wanted to throw me down on a bed.
“Hard heart, hard body,” he said. “It’s been working for me this long.”
“Obviously,” I said dryly. “That’s why I’m here, right?”
He smirked. “Maybe it’s been working a little too well.”
“I think that has been detrimental for you in the long run. You’ve been a player for so long, you have forgotten what it’s like to have a heart. And soul. Although I’m not entirely sure you ever had either. Mostly just the hard body.”
“And you liked this hard body,” he teased with his eyes flashing.
“Liked,” I said. “Past tense. I’ve learned a hard body isn’t everything. There are other attributes that are far more important.”
“Baby, you know my other attributes are just as good as the rest of me.”
I rolled my eyes and tossed a chunk of bread at him. “That’s what I mean, you’re all about sex.”
“Not entirely about sex, but it’s certainly an important part of me. Don’t tell me you’ve been living the life of a nun, especially while wearing that dress. That’s the kind of dress you wear when you’re looking to get laid.”
“Wrong,” I said. “At least wrong in the context I wore it for you. I wanted to make sure I looked the part of one of Reese Bancroft’s girls. Does it look familiar?”
“Very funny,” he said. “You shouldn’t believe everything you read in the gossip rags.”
“You’re assuming I’ve read anything about you,” I replied easily. “I haven’t. Besides, no one has that much time on their hands to try and keep up with your dating history.”
“The media has greatly exaggerated the truth,” he said.
“I honestly don’t care,” I told him. “Like I said, I’m here for the animals. Baxter got a home because I agreed to be seen with you. I can be in your company a little while longer if it means some of my other long haulers get out.”
“It almost feels like you don’t like me,” he said, laughing.
“Weird, I must be doing something wrong if it only feels like almost.”
The bantering was fun. It was all true for the most part, but it was nice to be able to tell him what an asshole I believed him to be without him really taking offense. How could he? He needed me to save his ass. That gave me permission to tell him exactly how I felt.
“I’m going to talk to someone,” he said. “Will you be okay for five minutes?”
“Are you expecting something to happen in the next four minutes?”
“Very funny. I just don’t want you to think I’m ditching you.”