fingers on the padded arm of the chair.
“Look, I still don’t see what this has to do with me, or why Sean would let you record him saying something which isn’t even close to the truth. But that’s between you and him. I came because your husband ordered kolaches and asked for them to be delivered here. It was a mere stroke of luck that I was catering a luncheon two blocks over.” He stood. “Which I have done. Now I have a kitchen to run, so if you’ll excuse me….”
Nico steepled his fingers, his gaze sharp. It was enough to make Isaiah feel like he’d been called into the principal’s office. Rather nerve-wracking in fact. He didn’t know how he let himself be talked into delivering the requested delivery. Oh that’s right. Our normal delivery guy was out sick and Kaeli batted her pretty blue eyes at me and begged me to deliver them since I was going to be in the area . He would have to thank her for the trouble when he got back to work.
“I didn’t record this. Sean did, but, he’d sue me if he found out I played it for you. He’s unaware I have the recording. He thinks that Dhanajit has it.”
“So what’s the point in having me listen to it? If he didn’t ask you, then why the hell are you butting your nose into what is none of your business?”
“He’s my friend,” Nico replied. “He is important to Kell and I. We want him happy. And right now that means his having you. To make sure it happens, I’m not above using trickery. He’s miserable without you.”
The blood heated his cheeks. “I…it’s not that easy, Nico.”
“So the fact Sean is in love with you means so little that you’re not willing to meet him halfway?” Nico growled. “Somehow I didn’t think you were that narrow minded or judgmental.”
“I’m not!”
Bracing himself on his elbows, Nico stared at him thoughtfully. “Then prove it. Tell me what’s stopping you? Why you won’t give him a chance? Has he beaten you? Refused to bottom for you? Or is it your pride that’s keeping you apart?”
He stiffened, anger hitting him hard. “It’s none of your goddamned business, Mr. Gromberg.” He headed for the door. “Tell Kell I hope he enjoys the food.” He wasn’t normally so pissy when it came to dealing with customers, but he wasn’t about to let some nosy matchmaking lawyer stick his freakin’ nose into his private life. It would be like pouring salt into an open wound, considering he still woke in the middle of the night, reaching for Sean. Get hold of yourself, Waterston. It was one damned weekend, forty-eight hours of bliss, but you shouldn’t be hooked again .
“So the fact you’ve hurt him has no bearing on the situation, Isaiah? I’m just supposed to sit back and watch while he mopes around and throws his career in the toilet?”
At the door, he spun around. “Then you’re not as close as you think you are. The Sean Whitcomb I know doesn’t let anything, even hurt feelings, get in the way of his career goals.”
“How many times do I have to tell you, baby, that I’m not the man I used to be?” Sean’s presence and warmth filled the space behind him. Isaiah squeezed his eyes shut as the scent of Stetson mingled with Sean’s unique smell. This isn’t happening! It just couldn’t be . He had to get out of there.
“I’m not doing this. I’m not going to let him come in and take over my life.” Isaiah said it loudly, staring at Nico, hoping if he could convince the other man it was true, he’d believe it himself. I made a clean break, dammit! He wasn’t going back down this path no matter how damned good Sean smelled.
Nico sighed in an understanding way. “No one is asking you to let Sean have total control. I believe all he’s asked you for is a second chance, correct?”
He gritted his teeth. “Yeah.”
Nico stood. “Then why not listen to what he has to say? Then whether it happens or not, he’s had a chance to plead his case, and you can walk away knowing you at
“Look, I still don’t see what this has to do with me, or why Sean would let you record him saying something which isn’t even close to the truth. But that’s between you and him. I came because your husband ordered kolaches and asked for them to be delivered here. It was a mere stroke of luck that I was catering a luncheon two blocks over.” He stood. “Which I have done. Now I have a kitchen to run, so if you’ll excuse me….”
Nico steepled his fingers, his gaze sharp. It was enough to make Isaiah feel like he’d been called into the principal’s office. Rather nerve-wracking in fact. He didn’t know how he let himself be talked into delivering the requested delivery. Oh that’s right. Our normal delivery guy was out sick and Kaeli batted her pretty blue eyes at me and begged me to deliver them since I was going to be in the area . He would have to thank her for the trouble when he got back to work.
“I didn’t record this. Sean did, but, he’d sue me if he found out I played it for you. He’s unaware I have the recording. He thinks that Dhanajit has it.”
“So what’s the point in having me listen to it? If he didn’t ask you, then why the hell are you butting your nose into what is none of your business?”
“He’s my friend,” Nico replied. “He is important to Kell and I. We want him happy. And right now that means his having you. To make sure it happens, I’m not above using trickery. He’s miserable without you.”
The blood heated his cheeks. “I…it’s not that easy, Nico.”
“So the fact Sean is in love with you means so little that you’re not willing to meet him halfway?” Nico growled. “Somehow I didn’t think you were that narrow minded or judgmental.”
“I’m not!”
Bracing himself on his elbows, Nico stared at him thoughtfully. “Then prove it. Tell me what’s stopping you? Why you won’t give him a chance? Has he beaten you? Refused to bottom for you? Or is it your pride that’s keeping you apart?”
He stiffened, anger hitting him hard. “It’s none of your goddamned business, Mr. Gromberg.” He headed for the door. “Tell Kell I hope he enjoys the food.” He wasn’t normally so pissy when it came to dealing with customers, but he wasn’t about to let some nosy matchmaking lawyer stick his freakin’ nose into his private life. It would be like pouring salt into an open wound, considering he still woke in the middle of the night, reaching for Sean. Get hold of yourself, Waterston. It was one damned weekend, forty-eight hours of bliss, but you shouldn’t be hooked again .
“So the fact you’ve hurt him has no bearing on the situation, Isaiah? I’m just supposed to sit back and watch while he mopes around and throws his career in the toilet?”
At the door, he spun around. “Then you’re not as close as you think you are. The Sean Whitcomb I know doesn’t let anything, even hurt feelings, get in the way of his career goals.”
“How many times do I have to tell you, baby, that I’m not the man I used to be?” Sean’s presence and warmth filled the space behind him. Isaiah squeezed his eyes shut as the scent of Stetson mingled with Sean’s unique smell. This isn’t happening! It just couldn’t be . He had to get out of there.
“I’m not doing this. I’m not going to let him come in and take over my life.” Isaiah said it loudly, staring at Nico, hoping if he could convince the other man it was true, he’d believe it himself. I made a clean break, dammit! He wasn’t going back down this path no matter how damned good Sean smelled.
Nico sighed in an understanding way. “No one is asking you to let Sean have total control. I believe all he’s asked you for is a second chance, correct?”
He gritted his teeth. “Yeah.”
Nico stood. “Then why not listen to what he has to say? Then whether it happens or not, he’s had a chance to plead his case, and you can walk away knowing you at
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