Realizing that won't work, I try a different approach.
"I come in peace!" I say softer, with a cute curtsy.
These unappreciative jerks don't approve of my efforts, and they continue to close in on me.
"Okay, okay, fine!" I say, relenting as I pull a pack of Cheez-Its out of my bag. Just as I open it, they gain on me even closer.
Before I know it, one of the rude birds jumps up and snatches the entire bag from my hand. I let out a squeal as I go down... rather ungracefully. My body laid out, they climb on me as if to claim their victory.
Closing my eyes, I cover my head with my hands and duck for cover. The quacking gets louder as they continue swarming around me.
"You have the crackers; now back off," I yell under my breath, still laughing hysterically.
I can slightly hear a shift in sounds, but I'm barely able to make out anything clearly through the rumble of my own laughter. The ducks begin to scatter, and as they do, I rush to stand.
Still caught in a fit of laughter, I look up to meet the deep grey eyes of the sexiest cowboy, and my entire body goes stiff. His smug smile is plastered across his perfectly handsome face, a muscle fluttering in his strong, square jaw. My laughter subsides at the sight of him, my breath hitching in his wake.
"Well, you sure as hell never forgot how to make an entrance." He chuckles as he lifts my bag off the ground and slings it over his shoulder, as if it doesn't weigh close to two tons.
I shift uncomfortably, but a smile threatens to pull at my mouth as he steps closer to me, and his scent invades my senses. He always smells of wood and leather and all man.
"Hey, Izzy," he says with an even wider smile, pulling me into a hug that I don't return.
"Jettson. I see you have a new title of bell boy to add to your ever-growing list out here," I say sarcastically, trying to gather my pride as I pull out of his hold and push past him towards the main house. So much for avoiding him like the plague. That ship has already fucking sailed.
His laugh deepens as I walk by him, causing goosebumps to rise on my flesh.
That laugh. Damn,that laugh.
"Oh, but Beauty," he begins, and I cut him off instantly, spinning around to face him from a few feet away.
"Jett, don't start the smooth talk bullshit already. Don't 'Beauty' me, jackass!" I say, keeping my face stern and all business. But there's no denying the blush creeping up my cheeks when I look at him.
My smart mouth doesn't faze him. Instead, his laugh grows, and now I'm getting frustrated.
"Have it your way. But all I was going to say is nice knickers." He nudges his chin for me to look down. So I do.
Holy shit.
I wasn't embarrassed before, but I sure am now.
Somehow, when I was evading the guard ducks by rolling around on the ground, my dress lodged itself in the top of my underwear.
My entire lower body is currently on full display in front ofJett.
The ass is out of the bag. I repeat, the ass is out of the bag.
Frantically pulling my dress down, I yell out, storming towards him. "You asshole! You could have told me before now!"
His laugh continues as he says, "Hell, I thought you were just happy to see me."
"Oh, please," I scoff, swatting at his arm. Then, I forcefully grab my bag from him and storm away, listening to his sexy ass laugh from behind me.
Bastard.
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.
My brain screams the chant as I walk away.
