Page 25 of Pink and Country

Half-Naked Girl infuriated me, and I should get her inside her place and keep my distance from her for the rest of her stay. We were done playing games. That woman wasn’t worth the trouble.

Every time Pink Girl opened her mouth, it stirred up all the things I worked hard to keep settled down inside me.

Fifteen minutes later, armed with the woman next door’s cell phone, I fumbled with the digital lock of her front door. A deep guttural sound escaped my lips, and I let out a curse.

Fairy stood beside me, her arms crossed over her chest, her lips pinched together, and a frown on her forehead. “I told you, this thing is not working.”

“Yeah. No kidding.” I fought the urge to tell her to shut up. I didn’t need her attitude right now.

After a few attempts, the stubborn lock gave up the fight, and the light flashed green.

I should get it looked at.

“I’ll get someone to fix it. Hopefully, today.” I wouldn’t risk a repeat like last night. Fuck that. Without asking, I entered the cabin and pounded across the first floor toward the rear door. It was locked from the inside. Angry Chick didn’t trick me last night. She didn’t lie. I silenced a sigh of relief. She’d genuinely locked herself out of her cabin. “I’ll ask my guy to change the back door deadbolt. Just in case,” I informed her when I returned to the living room.

The cabin smelled like Pixie. Lavender. Soft music played from a wireless speaker on the kitchen counter. A sweater, two pairs of socks, and five empty mugs lingered on the coffee table and the couch. Without being a slob, my neighbor made the cabin hers. It pleased me that she felt at home here, probably more than it should. Even if it messed with my house cleaning obsession.

Bent over, stacking woods in the fireplace, I stared at her backside. Nice view.

“Let me help you with that.” Sexy Neighbor turned around and folded her arms over her chest. Had it become her signature move?

“Who do you think you are?” I blinked twice, her cockiness making her irresistible.

“A man. Now move, I’ll start the fire.” Stubborn Girl rose to her feet and dug her heels in the floor.

“I’m a very capable woman, HN, and I can start a fire by myself. We’re not in the fifties anymore, in case you didn’t know.”

I angled my body to face her and crossed my arms over my chest, mimicking her stance.

With a lift of my eyebrow, I asked, “HN? What does that mean?”

“Whatever.”

“Tell me, and I’m out of here.”

“No way. I’m not telling you.” Really mature.

With a step forward, I shrunk the gap between us. “You know you’re infuriating, don’t you?”

“Not my problem, HN, you’re the one acting like an ass.”

“You think I’m handsome and that I’m an ass. You think you’ve got me all figured out, don’t you?” I let my words sink in. “You’re wrong. I’m not an ass.”

The woman clenched her teeth, fury radiating from every pore of her petite frame.

“Then stop acting like one, HN.” A growl left her sassy mouth. “You’re also a jerk, and you think too much of yourself.”

“Do I?” The air between us heated.

With a pout, Girl Power nodded, conviction never leaving her face.

“You were quick to run to me last night, though. I bet you didn’t think I was an ass when you jumped into my arms, did you?”

Angry Girl groaned. The sound reverberated deep inside me.

“So, now you’re speechless. After insulting me, of all things.”

“Don’t take my silence for weakness. I’m just not sure if you’re worthy of my anger. And my words. Still debating here,” she countered, her forefinger pointing to the side of her head. “One moment, you’re nice and the next, you’re a prick. Decide. Here and now. Which one are you?”