AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“There are plenty of people about who could do that, Aunt Marla.”
“Well, as he’s coming this way, perhaps you could go down there and meet him.”
Her aunts both made shooing gestures.
“I’m not a cat,” Mandy muttered, getting back down off the float.
“No, you’re not, but what you are and have always been is a sweet-natured girl who cares about people,” Aunt Sarah said.
“That’s a low blow.” Mandy moved to the right, so that if Ted wanted to speak with her he could, but if he didn’t, it looked like Mandy was checking their float.
“What are you doing?”
She turned at his words, and he stopped before her. His scowl was fierce.
“Looking at the float. Is something wrong?”
“I’m dressed as a park ranger and have to sit on a float filled with my staff dressed as animals. What could possibly be wrong?”
His eyes were on her costume. Moving slowly down her body.
“It’s rude to stare,” Mandy found the courage to say.
“How could I not? Nice dress.”
“I hate it.”
“Why wear it then?”
“Because my aunts conned me.”
The frown eased from his face as he smiled.
“Again? You’d think you’d be onto them by now.”
“You’d think so.”
“At the risk of making you angry, can I just say you look sexy as hell, and if it was up to me, I’d pick you up, take you home, and ravish you.”
Mandy looked around them; thankfully no one was listening.
“I can’t believe you said that here, where anyone could hear.”
“You did look in the mirror, right?” He seemed to have relaxed now, and she couldn’t be sure, but thought he was flirting with her.
“Of course. I’m just not used to that.”
“That being?”
“Seeing myself in a different light.”
He touched her cheek, just a light caress, but she felt it everywhere.
“You’re beautiful, you look hot, and don’t talk to strange men.”
“You’re not scowling now,” Mandy pointed out.
“No, I’m not. Obviously, I need to spend more time in your company,” he drawled.
