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Everyone gave the proud mama a smile but remained silent.
There was a knock on the front door and Sophie sighed. Who could that be? Nobody she knew would knock. Everyone she knew would just walk right in. Bright pink gloves still on her hands, she took them off and excused herself, slowing as she saw who was at her door.
Ugh! It was him.
Their eyes met. And without all the distractions of other people, a spark of heat flared between them.
Yeah, screw that. Not in this lifetime.
When she reached the screen she gave him a narrow-eyed glare, but determined to do right by her friends, she said sweetly, “Can I help you, Mr. Moore?”
He opened the door and stepped inside like he owned the place. She went to call him on the invasion only to realize he actually did. Thinking of Maddie, and peace, she politely said nothing.
“Mr. Moore, huh?” He gave her another one of those wicked smiles he seemed to favor. A smile Sophie was sure got him anything his little black heart could desire.
“You’re my landlord.” She crossed her arms and huffed. “I’m supposed to be respectful.”
“Ah, darlin’, I wouldn’t want you to go changing on my account.” God, his voice was ridiculous. Like dripping honey.
Sophie bet he made more than one thing drip all over town. She put her hands on her hips. “I’m not rising to the bait.”
Then he had the nerve to let his eyes take a long, leisurely stroll down her body. “What fun is that?”
The challenge, the spur of competition and thrill of banter raced through her blood, swift and sudden. She’d always been a sucker for sharp, witty repartee. It was like crack, and it made him a hundred times more attractive. Which was unfortunate considering he was far too attractive already.
She raised her chin and said in her most haughty tone, “I’m not here for fun. I’m here to work, keep my head down, and serve my time before I go back home.”
He chuckled. “I’d bet good money you haven’t had a quiet day in your entire life.”
“Since you don’t know me, you have no basis for your claim.”
“I’ve got good instincts.” He stepped closer and he was so big, so broad, and so freakin’ gorgeous.
It was like every cell in her body came to startling, angry life. Why couldn’t he be slow? A bit dim-witted like men who looked like him were supposed to be? She rarely met a tongue as sharp as her own, and she was enjoying this a little too much. Her vagina had terrible taste in men and notoriously steered her wrong, which was why she’d stopped listening to it years ago.
So instead of a retort that would send them further down the rabbit hole, she said, “Can I help you?”
His attention shifted to her mouth, settled for a bit before moving back up to her eyes. He held out a ring with three keys on it. “These are the rest of the keys.”
Well now, he actually had a purpose that didn’t include sparring with her. Great. She held out her hand. “Thanks.”
He didn’t drop them into her palm; instead he raised the first one. “This is to the basement.” He flicked the other one. “The back door.” And the third. “This is to the garage.”
“Got it.”
He dropped the ring into her palm and she put the keys in her pocket.
Their gazes caught and held a little too long.
In his honeyed voice he said, “The garage can stick and be a little stubborn, so let me know if it gives you problems and I’ll show you my tricks for easing your way in.”
Was that dirty? It sounded dirty. She should be good. Say thank you and send him on his way. But instead, she smirked. “I’m a big girl, I assure you I know how to ease my way in just fine.”
“I’m sure you do, honey.”
What were they talking about here? Because it sure as hell wasn’t keys.
She needed to put an end to this. She cleared her throat. “So are we done here? ’Cause I’ve got a lot to do.”
