Page 22 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

Asmalltowel.

Like so tiny I’m certain if she were to bend over, I would seeeverything.

And damn do I want to make her bend over.

Her short legs look long in the scrap of material, and it hugs all her curves, leaving nothing to the imagination. The long red hair that’s usually hanging down her back is swept up in a clip. Her skin is dewy, like she’s just gotten out of the shower and didn’t properly dry off.

Shit. Now I’m imagining River in the shower…

“Seriously?” Her wintry tone drags me from my fantasy.

She crosses her arms over her ample chest, the petite towel rising with the movement. Her hazel eyes are trained on me, formed into thin slits.

River isn’t here to show me how sexy she looks in next to nothing.

She’s pissed and looking for a fight.

Again.

I smirk, leaning against the doorjamb.

“River,” I say coolly. “To what do I owe”—I trail my eyes up and down her body—“thispleasure?”

“Your awful, old-person music ruined my bath…again!”

I roll my eyes. “It’s not even that loud.”

“We’ve been over this time and time again, Dean. Your loud and my loud are two different things, especially when the walls are thin.”

“If they were thin, I’d be able to hearyourmusic through them.”

“I don’t play music.”

“What do you mean you don’t play music?”

“I mean, I don’t play it. I’m not a music person. But that’s not the point. The point is—”

“You’re not a music person?” I curl my lip. “Not a music person?So you’re a monster, then?”

“Don’t you dare try to villainize me.You’rethe asshole in this situation.”

“Because I’m listening to music. This sounds a whole lot like the plot ofFootlooseto me…”

“Footlooseis about dancing.”

“I’m not dancing for you, River.”

“What? Ugh!” She groans, tossing her head back, her towel slipping down her breasts just a fraction of an inch. “I don’t want you to dance for me. I’d rather cut off my big toe with a rusty spoon than watch you dance.”

“That’s not true. You’ve never seen me dance—I could have some sweet moves.”

“I highly,highlydoubt that. There’s nothing sweet about you.”

“Oh, River, I beg to differ.”

“Beg all you want. It’s the truth.” She gives me a pointed look. “Just turn the fucking music down, Dean.”

“You know what? No. I don’t think I will.”

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