Page 19 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

“She is just messing with you,” Caroline snapped when Gabe’s gaze drifted back to Val. “I just said you were my new roommate.” She didn’t like the way his face softened as he checked out her beautiful, petite sister. Like he was wondering what she’d be like in bed.

Why do you care?

Because Val has no business flirting when she has a serious boyfriend.

Right.

Even the voice in her head was condescending. Awesome.

“It’s true; she did just say you were her roommate. I was the one who brought up your hotness,” Val said, smirking.

Could you plead justifiable homicide if you strangled her?

“Well, thanks,” Gabe said, that small, arrogant smile in place, the one he’d given Caroline the first time they’d met and was getting on her last nerve.

“She’s got a boyfriend,” Caroline said abruptly, and her cheeks warmed with a blush when the two of them turned to look at her, one amused, one exasperated.

“Thanks, Caroline, for making a friendly introduction awkward as hell,” Val snapped.

“First of all, you were flirting,” Caroline said, ignoring Val’s attempt to protest. “I’m just letting him know, in case he had any ideas.”

“I was just being polite,” he said.

Polite, my ass.

“Her boyfriend is also a former marine,” Caroline added, wishing her brain could override her mouth. The arrogant ass probably thought she was jealous or something.

Which she wasn’t. At all.

“Both of my sisters are off limits, regardless.”

Gabe ran his free hand over his strip of hair, as the other held onto the top of his towel. “Got it. You’ll have to introduce me to the other one so I’ll know who to stay away from.” Nodding at Val, he said, “It was nice meeting you.”

“Likewise,” Val said as he turned and went into his bedroom.

When they were alone, Val laughed. “You are in so much trouble.”

“No, I’m not,” Caroline argued.

“Are you kidding me? He is H-A-W-T.”

“I’m going to tell Justin.”

“No, you won’t, and besides, I’m just making an observation. I love Justin, and I know he’s it for me.”

Caroline’s chest tightened. She was so happy that her sister had found love after everything their father had done to keep Val and Justin apart. Val deserved it.

Just then, she thought of something. “That reminds me, I was hoping I could stay at your house one more night. My bed comes tomorrow, and as uncomfortable as your couch is, it’s better than the floor. Unless you’re going to be with your man, in which case I am stealing your bed.”

Val looked sheepish. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I came over tonight.”

“Good, then can we get out of here? I want to avoid run-ins with my unwanted roommate as much as possible.”

“Sure you do.”

Caroline wasn’t amused.

Chapter Six