Page 125 of Ice Devil

“Yeah, I would. For you.” He turned away from me, raking his hand through his hair. “You don’t need to go back. Not to him.”

“I’m not going back to him, Beck. Wait a minute. Are you jealous?”

“Why should I be jealous? He’s a son of a bitch and you’re mine.”

While I adored the playful side to him, including his possessiveness, I sensed he was truly angry and believed I had something going on with Matt. After all we’d shared?

“No, you’re jealous. Which is insane. You know how I feel about him. I thought the article was very clear.”

“You were very professional in that article. But fine, maybe I am jealous. I’ll kick his ass if he dares touch you. I knew you’d likely go back to Chicago occasionally for your job, but I didn’t think you’d be leaving so soon.”

The awkwardness between us was worse than before. “Like I said, it’s not forever. I want the article to come out and to see what the downfall is.”

“Well, we can only hope it helps. My guess is we’re too late.”

“Why do you say that?”

He lifted his head, taking a deep breath. “My agent called. The meeting has been pushed up to Monday afternoon from Friday morning. That can’t be good.”

“You’re kidding?” Now I felt guilty, sick inside. Wait a minute. Maybe the news was good. The timing was certainly interesting. However, I couldn’t get his hopes up. “Have faith.”

“Faith? You sound like my mother.”

“I’m serious. Things will work out.”

“That’s alright. Don’t worry about it. You’re leaving. I’ll figure shit out.” I knew an emotional shutdown when I saw one. Beck was damn good at doing so. “When one door closes, another opens. That’s what my mother used to tell her kids all the time.”

“I think I’m going to adore your mother.”

His nostrils flared as he looked at me, the same spark as before, but he purposely turned away again. “I guess you’re right. We should get going.”

“What if I come back for the meeting?”

“Fly out and fly back?” He snorted.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m a big boy and can handle my business all by myself.”

“Beck. I’m not trying to hurt you.”

“Well, that’s good to hear, but don’t worry about it. I’m a tough guy.” As he grabbed his keys to the truck, I gritted my teeth.

The man was a true pain in the ass.

Which was why I was already falling in love with him.

CHAPTER 26

Beck

“She’s leaving,” I said to no one really in particular, even though my father was standing close enough I knew he could hear me while flipping burgers on the grill.

“So I heard, son.”

“I don’t know what to do.” I leaned against the railing on the deck, keeping an eye on Sloane. She was currently surrounded by a group of women, some from the neighborhood. I could only imagine the stories she was being told since my mother was her usual charming self. Hostess with the mostest.

“You do nothing.”