Page 16 of Nails

“I think he’s referring to my panties.”

Nails’ eyebrows shot up.Panties?He leaned over to look out the window and immediately bit down on his lip to keep from laughing out loud.

Riley’s leggings had slid halfway down her ass, revealing her teal, lace panties.

He shook his head, feeling a little sorry for her.Not only did she get herself stuck in the window, but she was flashing the neighbors.But then she surprised him again.

“I know you want to laugh.Believe me, I will look back at this and laugh at myself.But, if you don’t mind, can you please hurry up because I’m slowly losing circulation and my dignity.”

Both Nails and Snow laughed out loud, and if he wasn’t mistaken, he thought he heard a snort of laughter come from her.

“All right.Let’s get you out of here,” Nails said as he and Snow both got into position.

As Snow lifted the window, Nails braced himself behind her, one arm steadying her torso while the other hovered awkwardly near her hips.He was unsure where exactly to grab without getting slapped when she got free, which, given the bright flash of teal in his peripheral vision, felt like a personal challenge from the universe.They were practically waving at him like a neon sign, and he had to work overtime to keep his eyes trained strictly on the task.“Okay, just keep shimmying,” he said, his voice a little tighter than intended.“You’re almost out.”

She groaned.“Tell that to my ass because it’s not convinced.”

With a few more wiggles and a gentle tug from him, she popped free like a cork from a bottle and landed unceremoniously on the attic floor.There was a muffled“oof”as she flopped onto her back.

She looked up, and his breath caught for a second.

She was breathing hard, a streak of dirt smudged across one flushed cheek, and strands of her brunette hair spilling loose from her ponytail.One hand tugged her pants back into place without a hint of embarrassment, and despite the mess, or maybe because of it, she radiated this effortless, chaotic confidence that Nails couldn’t look away from.

She was gorgeous, not in a polished, done-up kind of way, but in a way that made his pulse trip unexpectedly.She was real.

He reached down and offered his hand.

She took it without hesitation, her grip firm as he helped her to her feet.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile.It wasn’t a polite smile.It was a real one with just enough mischief to knock the breath clean out of his lungs for the second time.Her bold blue eyes, filled with a hint of amusement, held his.And at that moment, standing there in a dusty attic with his mom’s neighbor, Nails knew one thing for sure—he was in deep trouble.

Before he could answer, his mom’s voice rang up the stairs.“Riley?Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Lucy!We’re coming down!”Riley called back.

As she moved toward the attic ladder, Nails still found himself watching her.Something about her intrigued him.

Snow chuckled from beside him, and Nails looked at him.

“What?”he asked.

“I know that look.”

“What look?”Nails asked, his eyebrows scrunched.

“The one you get when you see something you want.”

Nails rolled his eyes.“Shut up.”

Snow smirked.“Hey, I’m just saying.The great ladies’ man himself looking interested in something more than a good time?That’s new.”

Nails didn’t respond.Because maybe Snow was onto something.

As he followed Riley down the attic stairs, he realized he was looking forward to knowing more about his mom’s neighbor.

When he entered the living room, he watched as his mom fussed over the woman.

“Are you sure you’re okay, dear?You could’ve fallen right off that roof,” Lucy said, shaking her head as she gestured for Riley to sit down.