“Oh, sure. Easy for you to say. You’re not the one everyone is talking about. The rumors are everywhere. I’m either impotent, broke or I have a rash. According to word on the street I’m also gay, I beat my last girlfriend or I stole her dog. They’re killing me.”
“You have to admire their inventiveness.”
“No, I don’t,” the other man complained. “They’ve ruined me.”
“You pitted one sister against the other,” Garth said. “You couldn’t expect them to be happy about it.”
“You told me to make trouble. I was following orders.”
“You got caught. That’s not my problem.”
“You’re a real bastard,” the other man said.
“I know, but that’s also not the point. You’ve been paid, and paid well. You came up with a plan, which I appreciate, but it backfired and that’s not my responsibility.”
“What? You’re dismissing me?”
Mitch eased open the door a little more so he could see into Garth’s office. The space was large, with an impressive view. Garth was visible, but not the other man. Mitch was determined to figure out who he was. The voice was familiar but he couldn’t place it.
“You’re done with me then?” the man asked. “Just like that?”
“You’ve finished the job. What else is there?”
“My reputation.”
“I’m sure everyone will forget. Rumors come and go.”
“Like hell. I want this fixed.”
“I didn’t break anything.”
“But I can’t live like this. Women are laughing at me everywhere I go.”
The man speaking moved into view. Mitch stared into the familiar face of T. J. Boone. He didn’t know if he should laugh or go punch the guy. Then he realized what T.J.’s presence in Garth’s office meant and the humor faded.
His confrontation with Garth could wait. He had other business to take care of first.
He drove to Skye’s foundation and parked. This time he didn’t sneak. Instead he announced himself, hoping she would see him. He was shown right into her office.
Sunlight filtered in behind her, putting her in shadow. She was tall and curvy and beautiful. The blouse was buttoned up to her neck, which made him want to unfasten it, then pull it off and…
Not why he was here, he reminded himself.
“Mitch. What’s going on?”
“I have to tell you something.”
She grabbed the edge of her desk. “It’s not Erin, is it.”
He moved to her side. “No. She’s fine. This is something else.” She needed to know and she wouldn’t be happy. How likely was she to shoot the messenger? In her mind, he probably deserved it. Worse, would she be hurt? He knew Jed wanted Skye to marry T.J. Where did she stand on the subject? He would much rather she was pissed at him than upset she’d lost a boyfriend.
“I went to see Garth,” he told her. “I wanted to…do something.”
“Fight him?”
“I could take him.”
“I’m sure you could and, while that’s really sweet, this isn’t your war.”
“It became mine when he involved me.”
Her mouth twisted. “You involved yourself.”
“I know. But not the point right now. I went to see him and-”
Well, damn. Saying this was harder than he thought. Would she even believe him?
“T. J. Boone was there. They’re in it together.”
She went pale. “He’s working with Garth.”
“He was. Now he’s complaining about something. His reputation being ruined and people laughing at him. Your doing, I hope?”
She sat on the corner of the desk. “Yes, mine. At least it was my idea. Lexi made most of the phone calls. We’re saying terrible things about him. He could sue us.”
“Only if he’s willing to go to court to prove they aren’t true. Did you really come up with the idea of a rash?”
“That was Lexi. I said to tell people he stole my dog. This is Texas. A man doesn’t do that here.” She squeezed her eyes tight, then opened then. “I can’t believe he’s working for Garth. To do what? Make trouble?”
“Probably. T.J. mentioned he hadn’t been paid enough.”
She groaned. “He did it for money? He screwed with us for money? Izzy is going to be so pissed.”
“Why Izzy?”
“It’s a long story, but the bottom line is she slept with him.”
“Why would Izzy have sex with a guy you’re dating?”
“Because she was trying to make a point. She said that T.J. wasn’t really interested in me. That he was pretending because of Jed. She thought Jed had made him the offer.” She stood and walked to the window, standing with her back to him.
“She was right about his motive, but wrong about who was footing the bill,” Skye murmured, as if she were talking to herself and not him. “Not my father, who was fooled by T.J., too. My half brother. T.J. didn’t want to go out with me at all. He wasn’t interested.”
Mitch didn’t know what to do. This was guy hell-should he move close and offer comfort or keep away? Worse, why was Skye upset? Was she just pissed or had she given her heart to that two-bit, cheating, suit-wearing-
“I wasn’t even sure I liked him,” Skye continued. “He was very charming, but there was no chemistry. Izzy was right. Why would a guy like that be interested in someone like me?”
That got him moving. He walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
“Have you looked in the mirror lately?” he asked. “Why wouldn’t he be interested? You’re beautiful. You’re smart, you’re funny, you’re a great mom and you have a body designed to get men to sell their souls. I know. I’ve made a couple of down payments.”
She hunched her shoulders. “You’re just being nice.”
“When am I ever nice?”
“Now would be an example. I fought with my sister because of a guy I wasn’t even sure I liked. I was difficult and judgmental and mean because of him. And all this time, he was working for Garth.”
Her shoulders shook slightly.
He turned her and pulled her close. “You fell for a smooth line. It happens.”
“Not to me. I’m so stupid.”
She was rigid in his arms but he didn’t let go. “How could you know?” he asked.
“I should have guessed. If I wasn’t trying so hard to be some guy magnet, which I’m not, I wouldn’t have been such an idiot.” She stunned him by socking him in the arm and glaring at him. “This is all your fault.”
He took a step back. “What? How?”
“You came back and confused me. One minute you’re the guy I remember, the guy I was in love with, the next you’re a total asshole. You hurt me and kicked my heart to the gutter.”
He held up both hands in front of him. “What does that have to do with T.J.?”
“Nothing, but it’s still your fault.” She started to cry.
He grabbed her and shook her, then he bent down and kissed her.
Her lips were soft and yielding. Then she pushed away.
“This is my office. I’m not having sex here.”
“We’re just kissing. No one said anything about sex.”
“So you don’t want me anymore? Was Garth paying you, too?”
He swore. “Skye, I swear.”
“What?” she demanded, looking defiant and beautiful.
“You make me crazy.”
“How do you think I feel?”
