CHAPTER 14
After a quick survey of the room, the only thing that jumped out at Maddox was Wes’ arm perched above Mila on the back of the couch.
Irritation washed through him. Wes had been the one to let Mila out of the side gate though Maddox had no clue how Wes knew about it.
Regardless, he’d watched Mila leave with him and he could guess where they might go. Turned out he was right.
“Sorry to crash your party,” Maddox told his brother.
“The only person who thinks this qualifies as a party is Jett.” Jalen pointed to Jett, who stood off in a corner sifting through vinyl records. Jett smirked but didn’t comment. Smiling was usually the only evidence he was even alive.
“We have food coming if you’d like to stay,” Juliet said. Maddox thought her eyes flicked to Mila briefly.
Pretending to take in the room, Maddox’s eyes swept over Mila again and Wes’ wandering arm and he made up his mind. “Something besides nearly invisible appetizers would be nice. I haven’t had much all day.”
Something glinted in Juliet’s eyes, but she didn’t comment. Wes bent closer to Mila and whispered in her ear. She smiled and Maddox took in a sharp breath. “What do you have for drinks?” Maddox asked his brother.
Jalen pushed up from his seat and Maddox followed him to the fully stocked bar near the pool table and right by the wall-length accordion glass and metal doors that connected the inside of the house seamlessly to the porch and pool. Jalen never did anything small-scale.
“So why did you leave the party early?” Without asking, Jalen pulled out Maddox’s favorite and poured. “That’s kind of unusual for you.”
Maddox’s eyes unintentionally drifted to Mila. “It’s been a long week and I was tired of making small talk.”
Jalen slid the glass toward him and gazed across the room. “I highly doubt Wes will sweep her off her feet.”
Maddox casually picked up his glass. “Sweep who?”
Jalen gave him a look. “It’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”
Maddox managed to swallow his drink before he spit it all out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you don’t.” Jalen cupped his hands around his mouth and called, “Wes! How ‘bout a round of pool?”
Wes arched his eyebrows but started to stand.
“I won’t cheat like Yardley,” Jalen added. Then, he winked at Maddox as he sauntered to the pool table while Wes towed Mila behind him.
“Help yourself,” Jalen called to Mila and waved toward the bar.
When Mila glanced that way, Jalen gave Maddox a significant eyebrow raise.
You’ve got to be kidding me,Maddox thought. His little brother was seriously suggesting that he, Maddox Cross, needed his help with a woman?
Then Maddox met Mila’s eyes and he thought of all of their encounters so far.
Maybe he did need help with this woman.
But that didn’t mean he wanted it.
Maddox glanced over her head as Mila strolled over and Jalen pointed emphatically to the bar.
“Would you like anything?” Maddox asked indifferently despite telling himself to ignore Jalen.
Mila lifted a shoulder. It was still bare, but Maddox realized something was different. “What happened to your dress?” he asked.
Mila slanted her eyes. After a moment, she said, “You knew the gate was locked, didn’t you?”
His mouth parted but for some reason he didn’t want to deny it. “I can’t believe you listened to me.” He lifted the glass to his lips.
Mila peeked over her shoulder and her expression brightened. “Wes rescued me, so I can’t be too sorry about it.”
“Wes rescues a lot of women.” Maddox checked his glass. He might need something stronger.
“That’s okay.” She sounded far away as she said it. “I’m still glad he did.”
“So what’s the difference?” Maddox poured himself another glass. “I’m a slimeball but Wes is a hero?”
“I never said that.” Mila made a face.
Maddox rested his arms on the bar. “It was implied.”
Mila took in a breath. “I don’t believe Wes had any ulterior motives. He just wanted to. From what I’ve experienced, you don’t do much without an ulterior motive.”
“Don’t I?” He set his glass down harder than he meant to and looked up at her in challenge.
She tilted her head. “Tonight is the perfect example. Your entire interaction with me was calculated from beginning to end.”
He hated that he couldn’t argue with her. From the moment he saw her earlier, he’d plotted his every move.
A shout of triumph came from the pool table. Mila glanced over and half smiled. Irritation grew in him. “And what about you, Ms. Pure Motives? What was your reason for trying to lure me in tonight? Was there another secret boyfriend around that I don’t know about?”