Caviar and Covert Ops: Book 3 (Military Moguls) by Olivia Jaymes Read Free Book Online

understand? What if she thinks you’re slime?”
    That was something Dane didn’t want to think about. Once he explained everything to Lily he hoped that she would see he felt he’d had no choice. “Not that this is any of your business – because it isn’t – but I intend to tell her Saturday night when we go on our date.”
    He’d made the decision at their picnic even before she’d told him Monday night that her parents had agreed to babysit. He’d wanted to tell her before their date but they never seemed to be alone at the park and that conversation called for privacy.
    “Well, that’s good.” Chris seemed at a loss for words. “You’re going on a date with her? Wait, what?”
    “I think that may be the first time you’ve been speechless in a long time, my friend. Which part was confusing? Where I tell her the truth or take her on a date?”
    “Shit, both.” Chris stood and walked to the windows. “You were worried about this girl being something of a gold digger. I guess you’re not afraid of that any longer? Or you know she is and you can proceed normally like you do with every other woman? Some hot sex and then throw a few diamonds their way.”
    Hot anger churned in Dane’s stomach threatening to boil over, and only his icy control kept it in check. Chris was being deliberately provocative or exceedingly stupid. Either way, no one was going to speak about Lily like that. Dane stood as well and got right into Chris’s face. He wanted to make sure his friend heard every fucking word.
    “Don’t ever say anything like that about Lily ever again. She’s nothing like anyone I’ve ever dated and I doubt she gives a flying shit about diamonds or mink coats or expensive cars. So shut the fuck up.”
    Dane emphasized his point by shoving his finger into Chris’s chest. His friend looked down at the digit pressed against his body and then back at Dane, a grin spreading across his face.
    “Holy shit, you’re in love. The cool as a cucumber Dane Braxton has finally fallen like the rest of us mortals.” Chris whistled and slapped Dane on the back which did little to improve his mood. He didn’t want to talk about his feelings, for fuck’s sake.
    “I’m not in love,” Dane snapped, his patience stretched thin. “I admit that I like her, and that I care about her and Nicky. But that hardly constitutes love.”
    “It’s more than you’ve ever shown so it’s damn close,” Chris declared. “What’s so special about this one?”
    Dane was ready to take a swing at Chris’s smug face. What was special about Lily? Fucking everything. The way she cared for Nicky, always putting him before herself. The way she blushed when paid a compliment as if she wasn’t used to hearing nice things. The shy way she asked him about himself and then really listened when he answered. Or maybe it was the way she appreciated all the little things in her life that were good like a sunny day or the chocolate in a brownie.
    It was all those things and so much more. And fuck it, he was not in love.
    “I’m not in love,” Dane muttered again, but now after talking to Chris he was beginning to think he might be falling in that direction. One good push and he’d go over.
    “Relax, man.” Chris was openly laughing now. “It’s not the worst thing in the world. I can tell you I’ve never been happier since Susie came into my life. So you’re not in love. You’re in deep…like. How about that?”
    “You’re about to be punched in the nose,” Dane warned. “Don’t fuck with me.”
    The smile immediately fell from Chris’s face and he put his hand on Dane’s shoulder. “It’s okay, bro. Everything is going to be fine. You’re not in love and that’s cool. You like Lily and Nicky and that’s great. Why don’t you tell me about them?”
    Dean searched Chris’s features, needing to know if his friend was serious or simply yanking his chain. He appeared to be the former and Dane relaxed