Page 58 of Pretty Wild

I need to put the jealousy—and Ryan—out of my mind.

It has no place here.

At least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself.

17

RYAN

He’s quiet. More so than normal. He hasn’t said a word since we left the diner, and I can practically hear the thoughts swirling around in his head.

“You all right?” I finally ask as we cross the final street before we reach his auto shop.

“Yeah, fine,” he replies quickly. His entire body is rigid, his hands shoved in his pockets.

“Okay,” I reply, picking up my pace a bit to keep up with him.

When we reach the parking lot for the repair shop, I realize he’s heading straight for the open garage bay, while I need to go to the left to my rental. Needing to say something, I blurt out, “Thank you for lunch. Sorry to have bothered you while you’re working. I should have considered your time more, but I was in the neighborhood and saw your business, and well, I just stopped. My friends and I get together every now and again for lunch, so I just fell into that old habit.”

He stops. I see his shoulders rise as he takes a deep breath and slowly turns around. I don’t know why I expect to see anger in his eyes, but I don’t see an ounce of it. Probably because of his complete one-eighty from the time we ate to the time we leftthe diner. But his eyes reflect awkwardness and maybe a touch of embarrassment.

“I made it uncomfortable. I’m sorry,” he says softly.

“It’s fine,” I reply quickly, waving it off.

“No, it’s not.” He takes a deep breath before continuing. “Ellie said something about us being together, and I guess it just hit me wrong. I don’t mean to be rude, but,” he pauses, lifting his hat and running his hand through his hair, as he tends to do when he’s thinking. I don’t know why, but I find that act incredibly sexy.

“We’re not together,” I insist. The moment the words are out of my mouth his shoulders physically drop. In relief. “I mean, we had a great time last night, right? And I’m out of here in a few weeks, so it’s not like I’m looking for a relationship. And if I’m being honest, I’ve recently gotten out of one and not looking to start anything anytime soon.”

His eyes burn with something that resembles…jealousy. “You did?”

I nod. “Before I came here.” I take a deep breath, almost relieved he didn’t research me. “Listen, Marcus, last night was great. It was more than great, really. I had fun. If we do that again, I’m game, but you don’t have to worry about me wanting more from you. Like I said before, this is temporary. A summer fling.”

He continues to stare at me. “A fling. Yeah.”

“Don’t worry, big guy. Your big dick energy is phenomenal, but at the end of my month here, I’m heading back to California,” I state, reaching out and patting him on his big, hard chest.

The corner of his mouth curls up, giving me a hint of a smile. “Big dick energy?”

“Oh yeah,” I reply, wondering where this bold woman has come from. “You just possess this broody, confident big dick energy, and lucky for you, it was confirmed last night.”

Now he openly smiles, making my heartbeat skip a little in my chest. “Interesting.”

“My point is, we talked about this yesterday. Whatever happens here, stays here, so to speak. I’m not looking for anything but maybe a few orgasms.” Again,whois this woman? I can’t believe I’m actually saying this out loud.

He steps forward, but not close enough we could touch. His jaw seems tight, his eyes laser-focused on me. “My place. Eight o’clock. I have a bit moreenergyto show you.”

My core clenches, my panties soaked. Instantly. I havethatsort of reaction to this man.

Clearing my throat, I lift my chin and nod. “See you then, buster.”

With my head held high, I walk to my SUV. Do I add a little extra swing to my step as I go? Sure do. Am I excited about what’s to come later this evening? That would be a very loud, overly anticipated Hell yes!

I check the clock for the one-thousandth time, only to find it still thirty minutes before our scheduled meeting time. Why is the time passing so slowly? Is this the sex-laced equivalent to a watched pot doesn’t boil? Because the clock is refusing to move,essentially drawing out the length of time until I’m supposed to head to Marcus’s cabin.

The front door is open, the warm breeze blowing through the screen door, so when a large truck approaches, I hear it. I walk to the door and find a tow truck approaching. I recognize Marcus’s truck and step outside as he turns and backs into the lawn beside my SUV.

He climbs from the driver’s seat, Buddy hot on his heels. “Hey, change of plans,” he says as he approaches the steps.

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