Reese looked like she was smiling, a wide-open perky beauty pageant smile. But her eyes glowed like one of Satan’s assistants. Derek was considering taking a step back when she spoke.
“I don’t mind you asking about our relationship. But the truth is, I’m actually in it for the great sex.”
He about choked on his own tongue.
Oh, my God. Where was a camera when he needed one?
Dawn was slack jawed and ogling, while Bill had let fly with a loud snort of laughter. Derek had to bite his lip not to laugh, himself.
This was great. A hot woman bragging about his sexual prowess to his ex-wife.
Reese just continued to smile.
Finally, after a good thirty seconds of showdown silence, Dawn let out a forced chuckle. “How cute. And appropriate. Just what Derek’s always wanted. Zero responsibility and a young play thing. I’m surprised it took him this long to figure it out.”
Hold it. His amusement evaporated. That wasn’t a damn bit funny. Derek clenched his fists and willed himself to calm down. He had never shirked responsibility, his whole damn life was wrapped up in the responsibilities of his career.
So he hadn’t wanted to start a family. Maybe the timing hadn’t been right. Maybe he’d wanted a family, just not with Dawn.
And he didn’t like the cracks about Reese being nothing but a sexual diversion.
Even if it were true.
Something ugly was about to come out of his mouth. He was going to insult his pregnant ex-wife. Reese’s cool hand slid into his and squeezed, steadying him.
Dawn said, “Well, we’re going to see if there are any waiters running around this place. I’m just dying of thirst, and I have to keep this little baby happy, you know.” Dawn ran her hand along her stomach.
Reese glanced down at the slightly rounded belly. “When are you due? In a week or two?”
Just when he thought it couldn’t get any more uncomfortable. Derek coughed into his hand and considered turning his gun on himself to get out of this encounter.
Color leached from Dawn’s face. “Not until Christmas Eve, as a matter of fact.”
Which by his calculations was about twelve weeks away.
“Oh.” Reese took another long pointed glance at Dawn’s stomach, her eyebrows raised.
Dawn suddenly turned on her heel and left, leaving Bill to trail after her obediently. Derek almost felt sorry for the poor guy, predicting that Dawn would take out her distress on Bill. He’d felt that cool breeze quite a few times in their marriage.
Derek looked down at Reese, who was sporting an unholy grin, and frowned. “You knew she was only six months pregnant. I told you that.”
Secretly he thought it was borderline hilarious, but he didn’t really think he should encourage her. God only knew what she’d do if she thought she had his permission to be brassy.
TWENTY
“It slipped my mind.”Reese shrugged on the blatant lie. Then she wrinkled her nose. “Oh, alright, I knew. But I couldn’t help it, Knight. She was asking for it.”
“She’s an expectant mother.”
“So? She still just about called you a dirty old man and me a gum cracking bimbo from Jersey. There’s nothing wrong with Jersey.”
“That’s exaggerating.” A micro millimeter.
“That there’s nothing wrong with Jersey?”
“The bimbo part.”
“Sex is a healthy aspect of a well-rounded life. But if you want to defend your ex-wife, that’s fine. It doesn’t mean anything to me.” Reese sniffed and removed her arm from his. “Though I have a hard time picturing you with her.”