Seducing Simon by Maya Banks

two of them sitting at the bar. “Mike? What are you doing here? And Toni, you shouldn’t be up.” He frowned and continued to walk over. He stopped beside her and laid an arm over her shoulders. Then he glared at Mike.
    Mike managed to look amused, his eyes twinkling. “Hey Simon. How’s it going?”
    Simon ignored him and turned concerned eyes to Toni. “You shouldn’t be up. Why don’t you go lie back down on the couch, and I’ll fix you some more soup.”
    “What’s he babbling about, Toni?” Mike asked with a frown.
    Toni fought her annoyance and overwhelming confusion at Simon’s peculiar behavior. He’d all but forgotten she existed when Starla called, yet he was practically snarling at Mike. “Oh, nothing. It’s no big deal.” She fidgeted uncomfortably under the scrutiny of both guys.
    “The hell it’s not,” Simon growled. “You nearly fainted.”
    “That true, Toni?” Mike asked, concern settling into his eyes.
    “It’s nothing a little fresh air wouldn’t cure. You want to step out on the deck with me?” she asked Mike sweetly.
    -93-

    Maya Banks
    “Sure,” he said, sliding off the barstool. “Let me help you.” He walked around and took her elbow to help her up. She nearly laughed aloud at Simon’s expression and Mike’s blatant exaggeration of her circumstances.
    “You should be resting more,” he lectured, as they walked toward the door, leaving a scowling Simon behind.
    As they closed the sliding doors behind them, Toni giggled. “Okay, you can drop the act now.”
    “Did you really almost faint?”
    “Yeah. No biggie though.”
    He frowned slightly but didn’t pursue it.
    “Have a seat,” she said gesturing to one of the deck chairs. “Then you can tell me what Simon jumped on you about at the station.” Mike smiled and opted to lean against the deck railing instead. “He doesn’t like me seeing you.”
    She rolled her eyes. “And did he offer an explanation why?”
    “Not in so many words. He did threaten to kick my ass though.” She sighed and leaned back beside Mike. “I don’t get it, Mike. I thought tonight was the night. I was so close to kissing him. And I think he wanted to kiss me. But then psycho bitch called, and he dropped me like a hot potato.”
    “Methinks our boy is a bit conflicted,” Mike offered.
    “Well damn it. I don’t want him conflicted. I want him to want me.”
    “Give it some time,” he said soothingly, moving his hand to rub her back. “Let’s see what happens this next weekend at the barbeque. If I know Simon, this will all but put the nail in his coffin.” She remained silent. She wished she had Mike’s optimism, but she was afraid that the truth of the matter was, Simon had zero interest in her in anything beyond the capacity of a little sister.
    -94-

    Seducing Simon
    “Hey, you wanna go grab something to eat?” he asked suddenly.
    She glanced up at him. “I don’t know.”
    “Come on. You need to get out and have a little fun. We could go play some pool afterwards. You used to go down and play with A.J. all the time. You’re pregnant, not dead,” he reminded her.
    “Yes, but if I show up with you, speculation will run rampant you’re the father of my baby,” she said lightly.
    “I should be so lucky,” he said with a wink. “Now come on. Let’s get out of here and leave Simon to go nuts wondering what we’re doing.”
    -95-

    Maya Banks

Chapter Ten
    Simon was waiting when A.J. walked through the door. He picked up his keys off the bar and shoved his wallet in his pocket. “Come on, A.J..
    We’re going to go play pool.”
    “We are?” A.J. asked, a startled look on his face.
    “Yeah, come on. I’ll drive.”
    A.J. followed behind as they walked out to Simon’s truck. “May I ask why we’re going to play pool?”
    Simon slid into the seat and started the engine. He looked over at A.J. “Because Toni and Mike are going to be there, and I want to make damn sure he doesn’t do something stupid.”