Page 17 of Haze's Jewel
He smiles unrepentantly. “Yeah, I stuck my foot in my mouth on that one. Just so you know, I really like your personality, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t notice the lovely package covering all that inner beauty.”
I playfully shove him back with my good hand. “I’ll keep that whole dick riding offer in mind. For now, I don’t think I’m up for acrobatic sex with a hot tattoo artist.”
He nods. “We also need to get some food in you and your prescriptions filled.”
“My doctor had his PA send them to Las Salinas Pharmacia,” I told him. I’d been sent home with a week’s worth of medications but didn’t want to run short.
He pulls out his cell phone and starts scrolling through. “I can get one of our prospects to pick that up for you?”
“You know that I’m running short on cash, so maybe I should call and find out the prices first.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I gotcha,” he says absently as he types out his message.
“I hate to be a burden,” I blurt out. “I promise to pay you back as soon as I get a job.”
“It’s no problem,” he mumbles. When he’s finished, he pauses with his phone in his hand. “What are you thinking about for dinner? I’m thinking pizza, but I could do whatever you like.”
I perk up immediately. “I would love some pizza.”
“We have a really good local pizza shop. It’s called the Las Salinas Pizza Emporium.”
“Sounds like a mouthful,” I tease him.
He just grins at my lousy attempt at humor instead of making fun of me like my ex did. Trevor had always been such a prick. I quickly put him out of my mind and just enjoy this moment with Haze. Who knows how long it will last. I don’t want to waste our time letting past hurts intrude onto our time together.
The conversation between us flows smoothly and I’m delighted he just flirts his ass off with me rather than pushing me for sex. A lot of men have a one-track mind but not Haze. Compared to the men I’m used to, he’s a real gentleman.
He sits down on the floor, flips on the television, and asks, “So, Star Trek. Original or the remakes?”
I remember our Trekkie marathons while I was in rehab, “Remakes.”
He nods approvingly, “But not—”
“Not the newer ones, only the great three, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager,” I jump in.
Pointing one finger to his temple, he announces, “Brilliant minds think alike.”
“I’m far from brilliant, so you might want to be carefully about comparing yourself to me.”
He lowers the remote and glares at me. “Don’t do that, sweetheart. Putting yourself down that way isn’t the type of humor I find amusing. It just annoys me that you’ve somehow been brainwashed into thinking you’re worth less than anyone else. You’re not. I’ve met a lot of people in my lifetime and there is nothing in the world wrong with you.”
I should be embarrassed at his gentle chiding. I’m not though. I’m actually elated that he sees me as normal and worthy. I tell him, “I’ve known all along that I was probably fine, but between my ex and my stepbrother being assholes, I’ve been conditioned to insult myself before they can. If I’m being honest, it hurts less that way.”
Haze pushes up and off the floor in an instant. He scoops me up in his arms without asking and then sits down with me in his lap. I’m so startled that I don’t object.
When he holds me close and rubs my back, I tear up. He’s holding me, soothing me. And I didn’t realize how much I needed this type of physical comforting until this moment. It’s been a long time since I was touched with real kindness.
He grumbles, “I hate that you’ve been treated like shit by a couple of assholes with nothing better to do with their lives than pick on a sweet woman like you. It makes my blood boil.”
I’m so relaxed that I say more than I should. “My father used to keep them both in line but since he died, they’ve become the kind of smooth-talking degenerates I always worried they would become if they got half a chance.”
“I can always give them a little tune up for you. It’s no trouble and might do them good.”
I slap his chest, more amused than worried about his offer. “Not necessary.”
“You sure? My knuckles haven’t had a workout in a while.”
“I’m certain. Why put you to any trouble when I can just choose to forgo their shitty company?”