Page 38 of Sunshine
“Open the door, Tessa,” he says on a graveled growl that makes me imagine my ovaries going off like firecrackers. “I told you we were going to discuss the diesel thief.”
Good. God. I need air conditioning. As soon as my money is released, I’m getting the biggest industrial-sized AC I can. And a fan, also industrial-sized.
Case clears his throat yanking me from my thoughts. “The diesel thief, Tessa?”
“I’m not involved in the neighborhood watch,” I say dryly, leaning my whole body against the opposite door frame while Iexamine my nails. They’re a little long… perfect for scratching a sculpted back.
Jesus!
“Unlucky for you, I am.”
My eyes flick up to his tight mouth and I swallow slowly, dropping my hands. His lips are full, framed nicely with his well-trimmed beard. No wonder he’s such a good kisser. His equipment is top-notch. He clears his throat and my eyes find his.
“How is that unlucky for me? I would think having a big strong neighbor paying attention and watching out for thieves is a good thing.”
“You’d think,” he says, his tone more serious than before.
Something’s shifted. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m not viewing this so much as a war anymore. I’m enjoying it too much now. And I might not be writing the book I’m supposed to be, but I am writing.
“Unless…” He cocks his head, his brow furrowing in obvious thought. He straightens from the door and loosely points at me. “You know who would think that’s unlucky?”
I shrug. “Tell me.”
“A thief.”
He deadpans me. And my gut flips. I can barely hold back a smile as I let my mouth bow in surprise.
“Is there one? Should I be worried?”
“Oh, yes, you should be worried all right.” He bites his bottom lip, dragging it through his teeth and I lick my own, a sudden image of my nipple replacing his lip.
I have no words. Words are gone. What are words again?
“I’ve found the culprit. And this is where your luck changes…” He leans closer to the screen and whispers through it, giving me a closer look at his beautiful mouth. “I’m willing to settle this without the cops.”
My gut drops.Cops?I never thought about that. He wouldn’t, would he?As former RCMP, would he have more pull?
“Cops don’t scare me, Case Callen, but sure, come on in. Let’s discussyour problems.” I flick the hook out of the eyelatch but don’t open the door. Instead, I yawn, making my way to the kitchen table. He needn’t know my body is vibrating wildly with needy excitement.
I lean my ass against the table as he walks in, noticing how much of the doorway he fills as he does. It gives me further wanton vibrations and his stern expression isn’t helping either, so I plop into one of the chairs and cross my legs for good measure. God help me if he notices my weakened knees. Power like that would go straight to his head.
“Okay Sunshine, here’s how it’s going to go…”
I cut him off, rudely. “Do tell, Mr. Biker.” I roll my eyes. “I’m riveted.”
He points a long finger at me. “That stops now.”
I press my thighs tighter, his sudden sharp tone like a striking flare inside me. No wonder Gary never lit my fire. He was as spineless as a cephalopod and apparently I like my men with all the backbone. “And what pray tell is‘that’?”
“Your rude brush-offs. Your haughty attitude.” His hands go to his narrow hips. “You lack manners, Ms. Harlow, and we’ve already got enough to deal with today, let’s not tackle that too.”
What the hell does that mean? Sitting forward swiftly, I start to rise. “Excuse me?—”
He cuts me off. “Sit your ass down before I make sitting your least favorite pastime for a lot longer than I currently intend to.”
Gasping loftily, I head straight for him, hand poised to… I don’t know what, cause I sure as hell have never slapped anyone in my life and don’t plan to start now. He grabs my upper arm, spins me, shoves me against the table’s edge. Pinning my hand into my lower back, he lands a swat to my ass so sharp, I yelp.And before I can even catch my breath his lips are at my ear, his hot breath tickling the overly sensitive skin of my neck.
“Care to try that again, Sunshine?”
