Deadly Proposal (Hardy Brothers Security Book 4) (2 page)

Mandy barked out a hollow laugh. “And that right there is why I don’t want to be around you tonight. Have fun with your brothers. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Mandy opened the door and flounced through it, shutting it loudly in her wake. Once she was gone, James met Grady’s eyes over the pool table. “What just happened here?”

“I think she’s pissed,” Grady said. “What did you do to her?”

“Nothing,” James said. “She was fine this morning. It’s got to be the party.”

“Why didn’t you just go to the party with her?” Finn asked.

“Because you guys wanted a fight night.”

“And you weren’t looking for an easy reason to get out of the party?” Grady pressed.

James shrugged. “These fundraising things are all the same. They’re boring.”

“It was obviously important to her,” Finn said. “Did she just tell you about it this week or something?”

James rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “No. She first brought it up about six weeks ago. It was just in passing. It’s not like she made a big deal about it.”

Grady’s eyes widened. “Dude. She asked you six weeks before the event?”

“Yeah. So?”

“That means she really wanted you to go,” Finn said. “She bought the dress. She got all gussied up. It was really important to her.”

“You should have gone with her, bro,” Grady said. “We could have had a fight night next week.”

James swallowed hard, realization finally dawning on him. “This was really important to her and somehow I didn’t realize it. Crap.”

“You’ve come a long way when it comes to women,” Grady said. “You still have a few things to learn.”

James sighed, tossing his pool cue onto the game table and heading toward the bedroom.

“What are you going to do?” Finn asked.

“Go and sweep a blonde off her feet,” James said. “I think it’s probably going to take some begging, so I better put on a nice suit to soften her up.”

James left Grady and Finn at his apartment, securing their promise that they would clear out the minute the fight was over. Since James was hoping for a happy ending to the evening, his brothers’ presence in his apartment was going to serve as a wet blanket should he actually convince Mandy to return home with him.

James parked in front of the courthouse, glancing across the road before entering the festively loud structure. The flower shop on the corner was still open. James figured a token of affection could only help.

When he entered the flower shop, a young woman in her twenties was reading a magazine behind the counter. She perked up the second she saw James, tugging her long black hair behind her ear. “Can I help you?”

James glanced at the refrigerated coolers behind the woman’s back. “I need a flower.”

“Just one?”

“Yeah, just one,” James said. “What kind of flower does a woman want when she’s about to get a big apology?”

The woman smiled. “Is your girlfriend mad at you?”

“You could say that,” James said. “I’m hoping the flower and the suit will soften her up.”

“Well, honey, if she takes one look at you in that suit and doesn’t melt into a puddle at your feet, then she’s not much of a girlfriend,” the woman said. “I would get her a long-stemmed rose.”

James watched as the store clerk opened the case and selected a solitary red flower.

“This is a classic for a reason,” the woman said.

James wrinkled his nose. “She doesn’t like the color red.”

“Red means love,” the woman said.

“What does pink mean?” James asked.

“Friendship.”

Yeah, that wasn’t the message he wanted to send. An odd-colored bloom caught his attention. “What does the blue one say?”

The woman looked at the bin of blue roses. “I don’t think it really says anything. It’s just a new hybrid.”

James smiled. “So, it’s unique?”

“Yeah,” the woman said. “Red still means love, though.”

“I want a blue one,” James said. “It matches her eyes.”

The woman shook her head doubtfully but retrieved the flower. “That will be seven dollars.”

James drew a twenty out of his wallet and tossed it on the counter. “Keep the change.”

The woman’s eyes sparkled. “You know, if she won’t take you back, I’d be more than happy to mend your broken heart.”

James smiled. “Yeah, I’m a one-woman man these days. I’m not looking to trade her in.”

“Well, she’s a lucky woman.”

“I don’t get the feeling she’s feeling particularly lucky tonight.”

OFFICE
parties were boring on a normal night. Big fundraisers were practically excruciating. Given her mood, Mandy felt like she was trapped in a virtual hell dimension. Sure, this dimension had finger foods – but she wasn’t really interested in sampling.

She’d secluded herself near the bar, trying to avoid the bevy of flirting attorneys in attendance. She was used to their attention but, for tonight at least, she was in no mood to pretend their overzealous interest in her was anything short of annoying.

“You look like you’re having a great time.”

Mandy glanced up when she heard Sophie’s voice. The Daily Tribune reporter was dressed in a sensible pant suit and carrying a reporter’s notebook as she leaned against the bar next to Mandy.

The women had known each other for years, but their involvement with the Hardy brothers had helped that association bloom into a beautiful friendship.

“Am I that transparent?” Mandy asked.

“You look unhappy,” Sophie said, scanning the room. “Where is James?”

“He’s having fight night with his brothers.”

Sophie pursed her plump lips. “I wondered about that when Grady told me,” she admitted. “I knew you were really looking forward to him coming to this thing with you. I just figured something changed.”

“Something did change,” Mandy said. “He decided he didn’t want to come and he told me a half hour before we were supposed to be here.”

Sophie clucked sympathetically. “Well, if it’s any consolation, you look amazing. That dress is … seriously, what kind of underwear are you wearing under there?”

“None,” Mandy said. “The dress is designed to be worn without it. That’s why I bought it.”

“You bought it for James.”

“That makes me sound pathetic,” Mandy said. “I never thought I would be one of
those
girls.”

“Who are
those
girls?”

“You know, the ones who get their self-worth from being able to parade their hot boyfriend around so everyone can see you together for a night.”

Sophie smiled knowingly. “You just thought you two would have a night of playing dress up,” she said. “Maybe a little dancing, too?”

“Are you over there judging me?”

“I’m judging him,” Sophie said. “He should have realized that this was important to you.”

“Maybe I didn’t make it clear.”

“Something tells me you made yourself clear before you left the apartment tonight,” Sophie said, fixing her gaze on a spot across the dance floor.

“What makes you say that?”

Sophie smiled, pointing.

Mandy followed her finger with her eyes, her mouth dropping open when she saw the handsome figure with the blue rose walking across the dance floor in her direction. “What is he doing here?”

“My guess is that he’s here to make up,” Sophie said, grinning when James drew close.

“Sophie,” James greeted her, never taking his eyes off Mandy. “How are you this evening?”

“Getting an earful,” Sophie said.

“I bet.”

“Just for the record,” Sophie said, moving away from the bar so she could give the couple some privacy. “You’re a dumbass.”

“That’s already been pointed out to me,” James said.

Sophie paused when she got close to him, tilting her head in. “The flower is a nice touch,” she whispered. “You really hurt her feelings, though. I think some dancing might be in order.”

“Thanks for the tip,” James said.

Once Sophie was gone, James took a tentative step toward Mandy. They were usually so in sync he didn’t have to think about reaching for her because she was already halfway into his arms when he made the effort. The look on her face now was murderous.

“Did I mention how incredible you look tonight?”

Mandy remained silent, her blue eyes conflicted.

“Baby, I am so sorry,” James said. “I didn’t realize … .”

“You didn’t realize what?”

“I didn’t realize this was important to you,” James said. “I just thought it was a work party. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

“Who said it was a big deal?”

“You did,” James said. “And Grady. Oh, and Finn. Somehow, in the middle of everyone else reading the signs, I managed to miss them. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“So, you’re just here because you don’t want me to be mad at you?” Mandy sniffed.

“No,” James countered. “I’m here because, more than anything else in this world, I want you to be happy. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.” James held out the rose, shooting her his most charming smile. “I got a unique rose for my unique girl. That’s got to count for something.”

Mandy was fighting to hold on to her anger. The flower, combined with his suit and chastised smile, was melting her resolve. “I’m really mad at you.”

“I know,” James said. “I have the whole night to chip away at your angry wall, though.”

Mandy sighed, reaching out to take the flower. “This is really cool. Where did you get it?”

“Across the street,” James said. “The clerk said I should get you a red one because red means love. Since you hate the color red, I decided that the blue one fit you better.”

“And what does blue mean?” Mandy asked.

“Blue means … forever.”

Mandy made a small sound in the base of her throat. James risked closing the distance between them, running his hand down the back of her silky dress as he pressed in tighter next to her. “I will forever be sorry. I wouldn’t hurt you for anything.”

Mandy nodded, fighting the tears in her eyes. James rubbed his face against her soft cheek, blocking her from view while she collected herself. She wasn’t a crier. She would be mortified if anyone saw her breaking down.

“I do love you, baby,” he said. “Sometimes you need to be really clear with me. Like really clear. Drawings in crayon couldn’t possibly hurt.”

Mandy laughed, the sound warming James’ heart. He pulled her into his arms completely, resting his forehead on hers. After a few minutes, he reluctantly pulled away. “So, I’m guessing dancing is the next order of business?”

“You hate dancing,” Mandy said.

“I’m not going to be twerking anytime soon,” James said. “I don’t mind dancing.”

Mandy arched an eyebrow. “Really?”

James grabbed her hand, twirling her out onto the dance floor before pulling her back to him so they could sway to the music. After turning her around the dance floor twice, Mandy suggested taking a break so they could get a drink.

James was relieved that the tension seemed to have vacated her body, so he was willing to agree to anything. He left her at a small table, returning to find Judge MacIntosh sitting next to his girlfriend.

“Mr. Hardy,” the judge said, extending his hand. “It’s good to see you.”

“You, too,” James said, sliding Mandy’s drink on the table in front of her. “You throw quite the shindig. I didn’t think the courthouse could clean up this well.”

“It was a joint effort amongst all of the judges,” MacIntosh said. “We’re trying to raise funds for the new drug court.”

“And what does that do?” James asked, sipping from his glass.

“It gives teenagers a chance to work off their debt to society without putting a permanent black mark on their record,” he replied.

“That sounds good to me,” James said. “I guess I’m glad I wrote that check when I was coming in.”

“You already donated?” Mandy asked, surprise evident on her face.

“Well, since my date had already entered and I didn’t have an invitation handy, I had to bribe my way in,” James admitted. “Luckily, the woman working at the table was easy to persuade.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “That infamous Hardy charm is your best weapon, isn’t it?”

The hot look James shot Mandy told her that he thought one of his other weapons was more powerful. Mandy had trouble disagreeing with him, especially given the shot of warmth that was pulsing through her body and settling between her thighs.

The shared look wasn’t lost on the judge. “Ah, to be young and in love.”

Mandy stiffened, embarrassment washing over her. James merely shrugged as he shot MacIntosh an apologetic look.

The judge chuckled. “Don’t be sorry, son,” he said. “If my wife and I were forty years younger and looked like the two of you, we would never leave the house.”

Mandy’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

“Shut your mouth, dear,” Judge Macintosh chided her. “Everyone is young once. Speaking of that, if the two of you wanted to sneak out early – before all the boring speeches started – I wouldn’t be offended.”

Mandy worried her lower lip. “That doesn’t seem right.”

“What’s not right? We’ve already drained Mr. Hardy’s bank account. I think you two have earned an early exit.”

Mandy smiled. “Thank you.”

He winked. “I’ll see you Monday.” He got up from the table, pausing next to James before joining another group of people beckoning to him from across the dance floor. “She seems much happier now than she did when she first arrived. Try to keep her that way.”

James saluted. “That’s on the top of my to-do list.”

Judge MacIntosh smiled. “Make sure it stays there.”

After the judge left, James was nervous. He wanted to take MacIntosh up on his kind offer – but he was worried suggesting anything of the sort would erode all of the good will he’d managed to build up over the past hour.

“Are you ready?”

James squirmed. “I thought … .”

“You thought I wanted to stay here when I didn’t have to?”

“I don’t know,” James hedged.

Mandy slipped out of her chair and sidled up to him, pressing her lips to the ridge of his ear. “Did I tell you why I picked this dress?”

James ran his hand up and down her hip, fighting the urge to see if he could slip it beneath the slit without anyone seeing. “No.”

“Because it’s designed in such a way that it makes it impossible to wear underwear.”

James’ mouth went dry. “Are you telling me you’re going … commando under there?”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

James gripped her hand. “We’re leaving. Right now.”

Mandy giggled as he pulled her through the room and out the front door. Once they were safely outside, away from prying eyes, James yanked her to him. He captured her mouth with his, pulling her hips flush against his pelvis so he could grind himself against her. He risked a feel inside the slit, gasping when he realized she wasn’t lying about the underwear situation.