Page 48 of Horn in My Side
Mal froze as awareness of Jasmine’s presence washed over him when she strode out of the shop.Then, a different kind of awareness located lower on his body came over him as he saw what she was wearing—cutoff denim short shorts that showed off her tanned legs and a tight shirt that stretched across her generous breasts.Instead of its usual braid, her long, lustrous hair was pulled back into a high ponytail that swung behind her like a waterfall.
“That’s fine—Mal.”Brown doe eyes grew twice their size.“Good morning.”The awkwardness between them was palpable from the way her dusky cheeks tinted pink, and as she averted her gaze, he knew she was thinking of that torrid makeout session.
Miraculously, not all his brain cells had left him, and he managed to croak back, “Good morning, Jasmine.”
“I thought you said you were going to change into something more appropriate.”Kap pressed his lips together.
Jasmine fanned herself.“It’s only seven fifteen and I’m already sweating.Forecast said temps are gonna soar this afternoon.”Her arms crossed under her chest, pushing up her breasts so invitingly that Mal had to stifle a groan.“Do you have a problem with it?”
“Er, I’m just ...concerned.”
“Pffft.”She waved a hand at him dismissively.“I’ve seen worse.At least I don’t have to be in a bikini top, like the girls doing the charity car wash.”
Mal was glad too, because he’d probably end up embarrassing himself in front of half Dewberry Falls if he saw her in swimwear.
“I, uh, don’t want you to get sunburned or anything.I heard theUVindex’s gonna go through the roof today,” Kap said.“Right, Mal?”
Kap obviously wasn’t concerned about Jasmine’s skin health, but rather worried that she’d get harassed.For once, he agreed with the tree giant, but he wasn’t going to say anything.
“I’ll put on sunscreen,” she snapped.“But I’m not stupid.I know what you’re implying.Stop with the protective big-brother act, Kap.I can do what I want, and if people take issue with what I’m wearing, then that’s their problem.I’m gonna go get the flyers.”She huffed, turned on her heel and marched inside, her hips swaying provocatively.It took all of Mal’s strength not to ogle her denim-covered ass.
Kap frowned.“Sometimes I swear she doesn’t realize how much attention she gets.Not that I think of her that way.I’m just concerned and maybe a bit old-fashioned, but that’s how I was raised, you know?And Jasmine’s dad made me promise to look after her.Should we hang around her, to keep an eye on things?That way, if she gets into a sticky situation, one of us will be within arm’s reach.”
“Oh no.”Mal raised his hands defensively.“I’m not getting into this.She’s an adult and we need to respect her right to do what she wants.”Even if the thought of another male looking at Jasmine in that outfit made him want to punch a hole in the wall.
“I suppose you’re right,” Kap said, resigned.“She’s really mad at me, huh?”
“I’d say so.”
“Good thing I have my secret weapon.”He plucked something from his back pocket—a candy bar.“Here’s a tip.If you ever piss her off, a couple of these’ll help smooth things over.”
“Er, thanks.”Not that he ever planned on getting on Jasmine’s bad side again.He’d already learned that lesson.“I should head inside.”
“See ya, Mal.”
With a wave to Kap, he strode into the store, nearly colliding with Jasmine.
“Oops!”she cried, staggering backwards, arms desperately waving like wings to stop herself from falling over while simultaneously holding on to the flyers in her right hand.
Mal reached out and caught her by the shoulders, though he let go of her like a hot coal once she’d steadied herself.The memory of her skin was still stamped in his mind, and he didn’t need a reminder.
“Th-thanks.”She clutched the flyers against her chest.
“No, it was my fault.”
“It’s not—” she began.
“I’m sorry—” he said at the same time.
She cleared her throat.“Uhm, yeah, so it’s the Founding Day Festival weekend.”
“Yes.I see you roped Kap into helping you.”
“Yeah, usually Vrig’s here, but now I need the extra pair of hands.”
“Right.”Mal could have helped her—if he hadn’t been avoiding her these last couple of days.
An awkward beat passed.“So, do you need any help—”
