Page 22 of Pink and Country

If only looks could kill. “Hmm, no. I’m fine.” Feisty and proud. I liked that. A lot.

I circled her until we faced each other. “Come on. Let me help you, woman.” I leaned forward and grabbed the pile of wood from her arms. They shook from the effort. Hot Tits crossed them over her chest and tilted her chin up.

“I was fine, just so you know.”

I pinched my lips together to avoid smiling and pushed her a little more.

“Keep telling yourself that, woman. Someday you might believe it. Don’t overestimate yourself, you’re drenched from your effort. No need to hide your satisfaction at me helping you. It’s all my pleasure.”

Pixie’s hand flew to her forehead. Then, trying to be subtle, she raised her arm and gazed at the left underarm of her gray sweater. I refrained from breaking out into a laugh. My words rattled her. When Sassy Neighbor’s eyes landed on me again, they had turned into an inferno. My head fell back, and a loud laugh escaped my lips. It released the pressure building up in me.

“You should see your face,” I teased, trying to ease the tension between us. Not working.

Fairy shook her head and said, “Just drop the wood on the porch.” With one last look her way, I noticed how my neighbor’s hands were now balled into fists. I bowed my head and turned on my heels.

With my back to her, I sensed her eyes burning holes through my clothes. The heat of her gaze sent shivers down my spine. The good kind. And my cock jerked up in my pants. Easy, boy. Everything about this girl sent my body into a blazing mess. I wanted to hold all her attention and have my name hanging from her lips. Would her hair feel like silk through my fingers? With her pink and juicy lips, would that smart mouth of hers taste as good as she looked? With her in such proximity, something in my chest snapped. A restraint? A chain? A heartstring? I ignored what it was, but I knew that my heart had changed its tune. My body tensed for a quick second as it adjusted to the new rhythm. With her arms folded over her chest, Pink Hair Girl stepped back, forcing me out of her personal space. I grinned. She frowned. Blazing Neighbor was full of attitude despite her smallness. Like a magnet had pulled me in, I inched closer to her, hoping for one of her feisty comebacks. She cocked her head to the side and breathed out, her eyes locked on mine. Baby-blue laser beams. I shivered under their intensity.

I minced forward, and my hand brushed hers, sending electric bolts throughout my body. Pixie’s scent, a mix of lavender perfume and lemon shampoo, filled my nostrils. With her arms wrapped around her body, Hot Girl walked me down the front porch steps, huffing and avoiding my eyes. The tight-lipped smile that grazed her lips displayed the full extent of her annoyance. My chest puffed in response.

“Thank you,” she whispered, the words tumbling out her mouth like they scorched her tongue. My grin grew bigger. I shook my head and waltzed back home. Feeling my neighbor’s eyes still on me, I looked over my shoulder, only to catch sight of her, in full spy mode, peeking in my direction from behind the curtains in her living room.

“Gotcha. You’re hooked, woman,” I said to myself. Her mask had fallen.

I doubted this woman could hold a grudge. From what I’d seen, Spy Next Door lacked a sense of wickedness. Her act didn’t fool me. Her fake fury only made her more adorable. More attractive. More interesting. It tripled her sexiness. Everything about that woman captivated me, and I intended to infuriate her some more until she cracked and revealed her true self. Until she let me in. I’d get a taste of her before the end of the month. Unbeknownst to her, my neighbor became the distraction I craved. The one I needed.

* * *

Locked in my home studio, I strummed my guitar, lost in the music. Playing my music had always had this effect on me. I shut out everything else. Surrounded by soundproof walls, it took me a minute to register the faint sound of the doorbell. Good thing I left the door ajar. I fished my phone from my back pocket. Ten seventeen. Who was visiting me at this hour? Except Dahlia, nobody ever came here this late. Anyway, they had to go through the gate first, which clearly didn’t happen just now. Only Dahlia and my handyman had the code.

The heels of my hands rubbed over my eyes. With long strides, I padded through the house, my hands clenched in fists, ready to punch the fucker standing on the other side of the door. I prayed gossip hunters hadn’t found me and climbed over the fence. Ready to give shit to whoever stood on my front porch, I stopped myself when my hand clamped around the doorknob. Don’t get in trouble, Carter. I swallowed my anger and looked through the peephole. My eyes widened at the sight of my passive-aggressive neighbor in a white string bikini, soaked, her hair frosted, and her lips blue.

What the hell? How could she forget to put winter clothes on?

“What the fuck? Have you lost your mind?” I screeched, opening the door, ready to send her back where she came from. I sighed. I didn’t feel like dealing with the neighbor right now. She’d just interrupted my creative process. I narrowed my eyes and steeled my back, hoping she’d get the message loud and clear.

Her eyes flared, and her lips quivered. No word came out. Her eyes pleaded with me to let her in.

Her teeth chattered, and she shook her head. “Stupid lock—”

All the color drained from her face, and she faltered.

My instincts kicked in, and I draped my arms around her. Her small body sank into mine, and the smell of chloride and lavender filled my nose. The wetness of her frigid body made it through my own clothes.

I held on to her, trying to stop her from shivering.

Without even thinking, I wrapped her in blankets and curled my body around hers, hoping to warm her up enough so she wouldn’t get hypothermia.

Except for Dahlia the other night, I hadn’t held a woman in my arms in months.

I had a few rules in my life, but the ones I had, I never backed down from.

Stay healthy. Whatever it meant.

Be there for Dahlia and Jack. No matter what.

Keep women far from my heart. No cuddling after sex or spending the night.

And lately, I added, stay the fuck away from Savannah Prince.