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She mistook the sarcastic sound for an invitation to say more. “I hope I’m not crossing a line when I say this, but…you’re very attractive.”
Bandit huffed in his shadow. She’s got nerve.
“Thanks.” He fired another few rounds, forcing the conversation to a standstill. He’d never been so grateful for the pop of bullets slicing into his eardrums before.
But she spoke again as soon as the crack of the last shot faded away. “I take it you get that a lot.”
“Not usually so blatantly stated.”
“May I?” She gestured to the gun.
Darien handed it over. Of course she would choose to grab onto the gun exactly where his hand was still holding onto it.
He pulled his fingers out from under hers and took a step back.
The way she chose to handle the gun was an invitation in itself. He’d familiarized himself with guns at the age that most kids were still playing with toys, so he knew damn well when her hands lingered on places they had no business lingering.
She grabbed a pair of earmuffs that hung from the barrier and put them on. Aimed. Fired. She hit every target square in the center, but she didn’t go for the ones at the far end of the room.
“Impressive,” Darien said, forcing himself to be civil. He decided he didn’t want this chick and her dickhead brother using his assholery as an excuse to come back or—worse—tell Don. Having them here one time was bad enough, and Darien refused to be responsible for their tattling. “Try the far one.”
She hesitated for a beat before firing, her shoulder jerking from the kickback. The bullet landed two inches to the left of where she’d aimed.
She sighed. “Damn.”
“Close.”
She took off the earmuffs and handed him the gun. “So… You looked at me a little funny when you first walked in.” She draped the earmuffs across the barrier. “Care to explain why?”
“You looked like someone else from behind.”
Larina hummed. “If you’d prefer to take me from behind,” she said, her voice saccharine, “that can be arranged.” When she literally batted her eyelashes at him, Darien barely stopped himself from barking a laugh. She wasn’t even just shooting a shot, she was shooting multiple—location and gun aside.
Bandit growled, though he had the sense not to make the warning audible to anyone but Darien.
“The only thing you’ll be taking,” Darien said, leaning in slightly, the action making her stiffen and hold her breath, “is a hint.”
“Ouch. I would wonder if I’m not your type, but you were practically drooling over me not even fifteen minutes ago. What changed?”
“I’m taken.”
“Your relationship status changed that quickly?” she teased.
“I was taken when I walked in, and I’m still taken now.”
“Who’s the lucky lady?”
“Not here.”
“Something tells me it isn’t going well between you two. Every time you talk about her, you look like you’re in pain.” She scanned him from head to toe. Wet her lips. “I can help with that.”
“You’re being a little forward, considering we just met.”
“The rumors I’ve heard suggest you prefer it that way.” To hell with those rumors and his old way of life. Sure, he’d spent many years accepting invitations just like this one, not having the least bit of interest in getting to know girls before he got into their pants, but not anymore.
“I’m really trying not to be rude right now,” Darien said, his tone now razor-edged, manners be damned. “But you need to back off.”
She held up her hands in a show of innocence. “Hey, I meant no harm.” A smile that warned him she liked the challenge he was giving her fluttered across her mouth. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” She backed up, turning on a heel. As she headed for the door, she swished her hips, her hair teasing the small of her back. “Pleasure to meet you, Darien Cassel.” She fluttered her fingertips and pushed the door open.
