Page 8 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

“Bite me.”

“If you can wait until I get my bed moved in, I’d love to take you up on that.” His voice had taken on a dark, husky tone, and she told herself it was so not going to work on her—even as goosebumps prickled her flesh.

The thought of those white teeth nipping along her skin made undeniable heat pool between her legs, but she had learned a long time ago that talk was cheap. Despite a short wave of curiosity, there was no way this guy was ever going to get in her pants. Or her apartment.

“Tempting, but I’m not interested.”

“That’s not what your girls are saying.”

Following his gaze down, she saw her nipples were hard and pushing against the sheer bra beneath her T-shirt. Her eyes snapped back up to his, and she sneered, “So, I can add inappropriate perv to the long list of nicknames you’ve already earned in our short acquaintance.”

“Just stating the obvious, princess,” he drawled.

Before he could open his mouth further, Caroline turned to Gemma. “How are you going to fix this?”

“I—”

“There’s nothing to fix. I was here first, and I’m taking the apartment.”

Caroline clenched her fists and counted silently to calm herself. Places to rent were hard to come by in Rock Canyon, and she didn’t know how much longer she could stand listening to Val and her boyfriend getting it on while she slept on the couch.

Focusing her attention on Gemma again, she asked, “Has he signed the lease yet?”

“No, I—”

“Good. Then you can just hand me the lease you drew up for me, and I’ll sign it now,” Caroline said, giving Gabe a shrug. “Sorry, but I saw the apartment first.”

“Like I said, princess,” Gabe said, moving closer until he was nose to nose with her. Unconsciously, her eyes moved to those damn kissable lips. “Get your sweet ass out of here—”

“I’m very sorry about the confusion,” Gemma broke in loudly, and when both of them swung their attention her way, Caroline saw her swallow hard. “I think I need to talk to Travis before I make any decisions.”

Caroline gritted her teeth and wanted to scream in frustration, but Gabe’s dark eyes were watching her again. It was on the tip of her tongue to rip into Gemma about having to ask her husband’s permission, but she refrained for the sake of pissing off her potential landlady.

Besides, if she threw a bitch fit, it might make hot shot look like a better choice of tenant, and she couldn’t let him win. Especially when he was so damn sure of himself.

Taking in a deep breath, Caroline said, “Fine. I’ll call you with another number to reach me in about ten minutes.”

With one last hostile glare at Gabe, Caroline stormed out of the shop.

His apartment? Not gonna fucking happen.

Chapter Three

“Attention all the single ladies: Fresh meat has arrived! Oh, and get this, he has a motorcycle. Mmm . . . I smell a bad boy.”

—Miss Know It All

GABE MORIARTY WALKED out of Chloe’s Book Nook, yanking on his gloves. He had been this close to signing the paperwork to the Bowerses’ apartment until that little wildcat had stormed in, making demands. Now he had to wait until Gemma talked it over with Travis and they decided what to do.

Gabe could tell that Gemma had been distraught, and he hadn’t wanted to add to her stress by voicing his displeasure, but damn it, he was there first. That uppity witch could go take her attitude somewhere else to live. Speaking of Miss Temper, there was no sign of her. She was probably off to speak to her lawyer or maybe off looking for that tow truck. He snorted. As if anyone was going to touch his bike but him.

It was too bad too, ’cause despite her putting a monkey wrench in his plans, she was fucking hot. With her long dark hair pulled back from her face, her brown eyes had drawn him in, and although he’d tried to play cool, he’d felt his heart beat faster with every sassy word out of her mouth.

You mean that lush mouth? The one that was probably good at a number of things?

Straddling his bike, Gabe shrugged into his jacket before grabbing his helmet off the back and slammed it down onto his head, cursing.

It didn’t matter how hot she was, she was the pain-in-the-ass reason he wasn’t getting his apartment, and that pissed him the hell off. Gabe had a plan, and he hated when things didn’t go smoothly.