Page 91 of Ice Wolf
Eric was right. I liked the girl. Maybe a little too much.
The moment she stepped out of her car, her mouth dropped open. Lily shielded her eyes from the sun, scrunching up that cute little nose of hers while glaring at my house.
I closed the door on my Jeep, grinning with amusement as her expression changed every few seconds.
“If you’re wondering if I stole it, you’re wrong,” I tossed out for fun. She’d insisted on driving her car because she didn’t want to be stuck with the likes of me for the rest of her life. A direct quote.
I hadn’t argued. She didn’t need to be saddled with me twenty-four/seven.
“You can’t steal a house. Who died and left you this in the will?”
My laugh was gregarious enough, but my heart wasn’t in it. “Let me help you with your things.”
“I don’t need any help from you.”
“Come on. Don’t be that way. I said I’m sorry.”
She slammed the door to her tiny car and lifted her sunglasses. “Yeah, you did. Whoopty-do. What you said was ‘hey, Lil. I didn’t mean nuthin’ by what I said.’”
I scratched my head and watched as she threw open the back door, dragging out a suitcase and a duffle bag. I had no idea what she’d brought with her because she hadn’t allowed me into her bedroom. She’d had me stand in the small foyer while she’d grabbed a few things.
I’d cheated, sneaking into her living room and checking out her collection of music, movies, and pictures. There were very few with her in them. The one she had pictured with a guy, the glass had been smashed and she’d left it turned down on the shelf.
My guess was the ugly dude in the photograph was her ex-boyfriend. I’d been angry all over again. No one should treat a woman like shit.
And I’d done so the night before.
“You have a five-car garage. Let me guess. You have five vehicles,” she tossed out hatefully.
“Six, but I keep one parked on the driveway.” I could tell I wasn’t making anything better. Shrugging, I headed toward the door while she struggled to drag her things. When I finally grabbed the heaviest bag, she tried to jerk it from my hand. I tugged again and it sent her flying into the air and onto her butt.
“I told you I was fine and didn’t need your help.” Her glare remained and I honestly had no clue how to make the situation any better.
“Come on. Let’s call a truce. Okay?” I swung the bag onto the porch and offered her a hand.
She refused to take it, getting to her feet and dusting off her behind. Her very cute behind. Why was it when I was around her my thoughts turned filthy?
It was impossible not to grin as I opened the door, taking a wide berth so she could go inside without making any physical contact.
She walked through the foyer, wrinkling her nose when she noticed my selection of artwork. “Interesting.”
“I like weird stuff.”
“I would agree with you.” She didn’t wait for me to show her around, stopping just inside the living room. While she didn’tmake a sound or call out any of my furniture, I could easily tell what she was thinking.
Mancave.
Maybe I was a little eclectic with my tastes, but I was almost never here. I only used the building to sleep, shower, and occasionally spend some time when the cleaning lady was here. Other than that, I was usually on the ice. Or at an away game.
In my off time, I enjoyed partying maybe a little too much.
Maybe that’s why my mother had been nagging me to settle down.
I left Lily’s bag in the foyer and trailed behind her until she reached the kitchen. She stood near the island, surveying the space. When she noticed a pizza box, she walked toward it, glancing inside.
The way she looked at me was a clear indication she thought I was a slob. “Sorry. I didn’t anticipate not coming home last night. Let me get that.” I took the box from her, immediately taking it to the trash. Which was full.
“You don’t spend much time here. Do you?”
