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“You look like akaleidoscope. I bet you leave a trail of neon chaos in your wake.”
She held her ground but shifted the turquoise bracelet on her wrist like she couldn’t help but touch an example. “Better than blending into the background.”
“I prefer to let my actions speak louder than my wardrobe choices.”
“Actions might speak louder, but youraestheticspeaks volumes. And I’d rather be a fashionista with a personality than some rude, tasteless enigma.”
Goddamn it, she was cute. I actually liked her colors, as ridiculous as they were. And this was by far the most nonsensical debate on record, and there wasn’t really a rational plan of retreat. Thank God for good siblings. Axel nudged me out of the way, pulling his glove off to extend a hand to Sex Hair With An Attitude.
“Sorry about him, he’s got a stick up his ass, hates change, and he and Brin are friends with benefits.”
Brown eyes widened, that concern line between them deepening.
“Christ,” I muttered.Way to confuse the new girl, Axel.I sure as shit wasn’t sleeping with my barista–our ‘benefits’ were strictly professional…well, these days.
“That doesn’t explain why you were sitting in what I assume were fish-gut coveralls on my previously clean counter.” Every word was punctuated with her irritation, and despite knowing better, she was fun to mess with.
“More likely to be motor oil. Now. Why areyouhere?”
“I’m filling in forQueen Wrightwhile she’s on maternity leave. And for future reference, I don’t care whose bed you climb in, please don’t scoot your dirty pants across my counter. We have standards to maintain.”
My brothers snickered beside me as I shook my head. “It’s not like that.”
Skittles actually did a once-over, arching a skeptical brow as she scanned me from top to bottom. Did she just linger on my crotch? Fuck, judging by that bratty little smirk, she totally did. I guess I owed her that much.
“Sure, it’s not.”
“We have a gutter-cleaning, roof-fixing, pest control in exchange for an eternal supply of pastries and espresso arrangement,” I insisted. She didn’t need to know it didn’t start that way.
Axel, evidently satisfied with himself, flashed her that obnoxiously bright smile he shared with our big brother.
“I’m Axel Rhodes, pleased to meet you.”
Madam Sass perked up, her eyes sparkling. “Rhodes? Any relation toRhyettRhodes?”
“Yes, ma’am. He’s our oldest brother.”
She smiled at the fucker. Actually smiled. I bit back the desire to shove him out of the way. The return question was written all over his too-eager face.
“He makes a hell of an impression,” she offered before he could ask. “Quite the shoes to fill there.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“Jesus,” I growled again, wanting to move past pleasantries and into the realm of stimulants I could survive the day with, and then get the hell out of here. Mav snickered beside me.
Axel ran his fingers through his long blonde waves. “Gotta say, Red, you’re a sight for sore eyes. What’s your name?”
When the woman laughed, those brown eyes glinting, something heated in my chest.Absolutely fucking not.
“Well, if the hair, eyes, and smile didn’t give away that you’re brothers, the nickname might’ve.”
“He beat me to Red?” Axel quirked his head. “Bastard,” he said with mock disappointment.
“To be fair, it’s not exactly groundbreaking.”
Axel smirked as he asked, “You know what would be?”
“No,” she said with a giggle. “What?”
