Page 24 of Pinch

Her lips part. “What?”

“You don’t want that. Nobody as smart as you would ever settle for boring.”

“As if you know anything about me.”

I take a step closer, and she’s breathing fast. She’s also blinking fast, and the pink glow on the tops of her cheeks is from more than exercise.

She feels it the same way I do. I’m not sure what it means or what to do with it, but after seeing her naked body, I’d like to find out.

“I know you better than you think I do.”

Her lips part, and watching her pretty blue eyes, I can tell she’s got a comeback locked and loaded. But she doesn’t shoot.

Instead, she turns to storm off, kicks a crack in the sidewalk, and pitches forward. My hockey reflexes kick in, and I lunge forward to catch her.

Her back is to my chest, and we’re both breathing fast now. The scent of flowers is in her soft hair, and I want to lean my face forward and take a deep breath.

My arms are tight around her narrow waist, and she grip my forearms. “Let me go.” It’s soft and a little breathless.

I can’t resist. “Feels too good?”

“It feels wrong.” She pushes my forearms, and I release her.

Without looking back, she jogs up the steps, leaving me on the sidewalk watching her sexy little ass run away.

7

Haddy

Years of poise, grace, calm under pressure, and one week with Gavin Knight has turned me into one of the three stooges. I trip over nothing, and did I mention he saw me naked?

He’s right behind me as we enter the living room. The table is set, and Mav has Patsy under his neck, a flustered expression on his face. Gigi’s arms are crossed, and she’s giving him the stink-eye.

“What’s wrong?” My eyes go from one to the other.

“Dude, I thought I sat on Peepee.” He holds the shivering dog under his chin, and his hands are so large, they cover her entire body. “I flopped on the couch, and that stupid toy squeaked. I nearly shat my pants.”

“I’ve told you to watch where you flop when we’re fostering puppies.” Gigi shakes her head, going to where he’s standing and giving Patsy a gentle pet. “You yelled so loud Spanky ran and got under the bed.”

“I thought I’d killed her. Then what would Haddy say?”

“I would’ve strangled you.” I calmly walk over to take the trembling little dog from my oversized cousin. “Her owner would never have recovered.”

“She’s a fragile human.” Gigi’s green eyes are sad as she nods at me.

Gavin enters the room, and I continue quickly into the kitchen, cuddling my puppy to calm my jumpy insides.

He does not make me jumpy. I almost fell, which is why I’m understandably flustered.

“What’s for dinner? It smells delicious.” I stop at the stove, surveying a glass dish of rice and assorted vegetables.

“Nothing major. Just paella.”

“Just paella,” I huff a laugh. “Don’t some people consider that one of the hardest dishes to make.”

“I don’t know why.” Mav makes amends by scrubbing Spanky’s neck with his fingers. “It’s just rice, chicken, and vegetables.”

“Which pepper did you use?”