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“I’ll be right down.” Turning to Kit, I smiled. “Thanks for joining me. I can’t remember the last time I had such fun. We’ll have to do this again, but for now, I’ve got to get back to work.”
“No problem,” Kit said. “I’ll just clean up and then be down.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said. “Just leave them. I’ll wash the dishes later.”
She smiled as she stood and picked up her plate and then mine. “Don’t be silly. You’ve worked all day, and it won’t take me but a few minutes.”
I wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. “All right, thanks.” I was at the door before I remembered we’d never gotten around to dessert. “Kit, there are brownies in the refrigerator.”
“That’s okay, I’m stuffed.”
“Please, you’d be doing my hips a big a favor if you took them for later. I’ve eaten far too many already. There are some bags in that basket on the counter.”
She gave me a little wave, and I left, taking the stairs two at a time. I sure hoped our little visit would go unnoticed by her brothers. From what Kit had said earlier, they were not only a bit bossy, but were extremely overprotective. I had absolutely no experience with men who actually gave a damn about anybody but themselves. But, even if I didn’t understand why, I did understand they’d been serious about forbidding Kit to come into my store. I was pretty sure they’d blow some kind of gasket if they learned we’d spent a couple of hours enjoying each other’s company.
5
Goldie
A few hours later, I was locking up the store, about to make a run to the bank to deposit the day’s receipts, when the sound of an engine had me looking over my shoulder. The sun was just starting to set. Pinks, reds, purples, and oranges melded across the sky, setting a stunning backdrop. Still, I sighed as I watched a blue truck pull to a stop. So much for wishing our lunch would go unnoticed. What was it Granny G used to say? Oh, right.If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.Well, this man hadn’t arrived on a steed, but from the expression on his face, he not only knew about Kit’s visit, he was pissed. I could practically see the steam coming from his ears.
Remembering both Kit and I were adults, perfectly capable of choosing our own friends, I took a deep breath.
Striving to control my emotions, I straightened my back, lifted my chin, and made my way to the rolled-down window. Another saying popped into my head.The best defense is a good offense.
“Good evening. Which one are you? Rye, Banks, or Jay?” I bent forward, placed my arms on the door, and casually leaned in. “I’ve just closed up the shop, but if there is something I can help you with, I’ll be glad to open it.”
“Rye. And you better learn fast I’m not a man to mess with. Get in.” His order was sharp but not aggressive.
I swallowed back an angry retort and managed to keep my cool. “No, thank you.”
“Now.”
“I don’t make it a habit of getting into a stranger’s car.”
His tone didn’t change, but the storm in his eyes seemed to reach hurricane strength. “I’m not asking, Goldie, I’m telling you. Believe me, you don’t want to make me repeat myself.” Leaning over in the seat, he opened the passenger door, pushing it wide. “Get in the damn truck.”
Not about to acquiesce… well, not immediately, I straightened. “You really do need to learn some manners, Mr. Barrett. But since I don’t think you’ll leave me alone, I guess I can spare a few minutes.”
I walked around the front of the truck and slid into the passenger seat, wondering if I was careless, stupid, or both. What was it about this man that had me doing everything I would normally run away from?
The leather seats were hot from the day’s sun. The truck smelled like pure masculinity, causing desire and arousal to build inside of me. I glanced at Rye’s chiseled profile in the luminosity of the setting sun. His look, his scent, his entire presence was downright erotic. What the hell was going on? He and his brothers might be the sexiest men I’d ever seen, but this man was infuriating, bossy, and drove me crazy.
“I told you to stay away from Kit. Did you really think my brothers and I wouldn’t find out? Do you make a point of poking bears even when warned not to?”
I focused on his rugged hands that were grasping the steering wheel and tried to fight back the sexual pictures attempting to invade my mind. “She came to me.”
“I’m not going to allow this.”
“I wasn’t asking permission.”
“Are you always this way?” he asked.
“What way?”
“Stubborn, pigheaded, and ridiculously headstrong?” Rye’s jaw tightened, and his expression darkened even more.
“Funny. My granny would call me determined, confident, and strong. I have to be in order to survive in a world full of Neanderthals like you.” I knew I should be angry but despite my words, I only felt aroused. I couldn’t stop imagining his hands on my body. “Where are the rest of the cavemen?”
