Page 11 of Stuck with Me

“I broke it off. Messing around with anyone at church is a bad idea, never mind the pastor’s daughter.”

This new information has me even more attracted to him. It gives him this bad-boy edge that I’m always attracted to. A hum buzzes between my thighs. Except it’s not only my hormones going absolutely batshit crazy, but also my phone vibrating in the back pocket of my pants. I yank it out and Cammie’s name lights up across the screen.

I ignore her call.

“What about you? Was it somethin’ serious? The hook-up in Vegas?” He lifts his brows curiously, but we both already know the answer.

“Nope. It was exactly that. A hook-up.”

Jones sets two beers on our table. I nod my thanks, but he shakes his head as he shuffles away backward, looking at me like I’m still the child he remembers. Like I’m flighty and careless. But I’m not that girl. Not anymore.

I’m a grown, successful businesswoman dammit. He’s the one who’s a baby and has been hiding out at The Pines instead of owning up to his family responsibilities by taking over the family hardware store.

My phone vibrates with an incoming text.

CAMMIE

Tell me Jones is joking and you’re not currently flirting with Mr. Cabin Stealer?

ME

I’m not flirting.

CAMMIE

But you are there with him?

ME

We’re just talking.

CAMMIE

ABORT! ABORT!

ME

It will be fine. I’m a grown-ass woman.

CAMMIE

Yeah, a grown-ass woman who has needs and hasn’t had sex in over a year.

ME

Fiiiiiine. You’re right! I’m horny as hell!

I need to get out of here before I do something stupid.

CAMMIE

You mean before you DO someone stupid hahaha!

“And what about now?” Nico says, drawing my attention away from my phone. “Do you have a boyfriend? One you’ve got chained up in the basement?” He hangs his head and chuckles, and it causes heat to fan across my cheeks.

“Ha, ha, very fucking funny,” I say sarcastically, glaring at him.

“I’m assuming that’s the only way a guy would put up with you and your bratty attitude. And that smart mouth of yours.” His gaze travels over my face, down my neck, and stops at my chest where the low-cut neckline of my fuzzy pink sweater shows off the girls fabulously.

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