He flashed her a smile. “Good. Anyway, I’ve got to get going, so I can take care of some things for tonight.”
“What’s tonight?”
“A date.”
“You’ve got a date? What woman is so desperate she’s willing to hang out with you?” The tension in the air cleared a little as they both seemed to be on more comfortable terrain.
“Jealous?” He was kidding, but his ego would have liked for Haven to feel a tinge of something. Hell, he was rich, young, and handsome, yet, she acted as if she hadn’t noticed. Granted, she had just broken up with Dylan, but she didn’t seem to see him as viable—that was probably a good thing.
Haven rolled her eyes. “You’re so vain. Absolutely, not. I don’t want to be bothered with any men for the foreseeable future. Anyway, who’s the unlucky lady?”
“That’s sad. All men? For the foreseeable future? No, I love women entirely too much to ever let one person mess it up for all the other ones.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m done with all men because you are all the same. I bet you have no idea how to be monogamous.”
“Let me just correct the record; we’re not all the same. I’m one hell of a man. Some men, like me, are always honest and upfront about the nature of the relationship. I don’t lie, for the most part, and I don’t cheat.”
“How can you cheat when you said out of your own mouth that you don’t do the girlfriend thing? It sounds to me like stringing women along knowing they are hoping you’ll commit. That is almost as bad.”
“I don’t string women along either. If you think spending time with someone and enjoying their company when they are aware that you also spend time with other people is just as bad as cheating, you’re crazy.”
“I’m not crazy. It’s just what I think.”
Ellis walked over to Haven and studied her carefully as if searching for something. Surprising not just her, but himself, he raised his hand to caress her cheek. His touch was so feather-light that it made Haven shiver. His voice was barely a whisper when he spoke. “Don’t let him make you bitter. All men are not like Dylan.”
He dropped his hand, placing it in his pocket. That signature half-smile had appeared on his face before Ellis sauntered out of the room whistling.
Haven swallowed realizing that she hadn’t taken a breath from the moment Ellis touched her until now. She would be lying to herself if she pretended he didn’t have a certain charm that called to her. But, then again, it seemed she had inherited her mother’s genes. Haven had a knack for being attracted to men who were absolutely no good.
Ellis and Dylan had too many things in common. They both loved women, and both were emotionally unavailable. She was going to follow her instincts.
Men, for now, were the enemy.
Chapter 9
Ellis knocked on the door to his grandmother’s bedroom. Vanessa opened it. The short, cute brunette smiled saucily. Her sweet and demure act always went out the window the moment she thought his grandmother wasn’t paying attention. She had openly flirted with him since the day he’d returned from China—he wasn’t interested—at least not anymore. She was attractive, and there was a time when they had gone on a few dates, but Ellis quickly realized there was something about her that screamed trouble.
Instead of acknowledging the open invitation, Ellis ignored her, smiled and sauntered into the room.
“How’s my favorite, girl?”
Bertha was dressed for the day and sitting by the window looking out at the cold winter morning. “I’m feeling all of my years today.”
“Well, I’m here to change that.” A server wheeled in a cart full of fruits, pastries, egg whites, turkey bacon, and juice. “I thought we’d have a nice breakfast. Later this evening, instead of ordering in like usual, I’ve made a reservation for us to go to your favorite restaurant.” Bertha’s bedroom had been quickly transformed to a little bistro. A table for two had been set up and covered with a white cloth. Fresh roses were placed in the center, and the server poured her a cup of decaf coffee. “This day is all about you to do whatever you want.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’ve been spoiling me rotten since you got back. You should be spoiling someone special.”
Ellis walked over to his grandmother and kissed her on the forehead. “There’s only one special lady in my life, and I’m with her right now.” He wheeled Bertha over to the table. “I’ve got a gift for you later.”
“I am a pretty extraordinary woman . . .”
Ellis nodded and took his seat opposite her. “You better know it.”
“But, if you’re spending all of your free time with me, when are you going to find time to date?”
He picked up a scone and put it on a plate before passing it to his grandmother. “It’s warm. You talk as if I’m an old man. I’m only thirty-six. I have plenty of time for that.” Ellis smiled mischievously. “There are twenty-four hours in a day, and I’ve managed to eke out a few for a beautiful woman, or two.”
“I’m talking about dating seriously.” Bertha took a bite. “Oooohhh…this is good. It would be even better with a little butter.” She reached for it, but Ellis smoothly moved it out of her reach.
“You can’t have butter. They must have put this out by mistake.”
Bertha frowned. “Why not? I’m an old lady. I can have whatever I want.”
“Because Dr. Lawrence said so.” Ellis propped both elbows
